Category: English

After my son went off to college, I gave him $2,000 a month for living expenses. Once he started dating, he’d always come to me, complaining, “Mom, how can I date with so little money? If you want a grandson, you better send me another $2,000!” To support his extravagant university lifestyle, I downloaded every loan app available and took out loans in his name. I did all this because I had sacrificed so much for him in the past. After graduating, he refused to get a job, insisting he needed to tackle life’s big milestones, like marriage and having kids. My husband and I reluctantly made the down payment when housing prices were at their highest. But when he couldn’t keep up with the mortgage payments, he turned violent towards me and his father, accusing us, “If you hadn’t bought me such an expensive house, would I be feeling this much pressure?” “I can’t repay it. You go earn money to pay it back for me, or I’ll hand this house back to you!” I was forced to work three jobs daily and eventually collapsed from exhaustion at work. This time, I made sure to damage his credit report first. Let’s see how he plans to secure a loan for another house now.

“Mom, I’m out of money this month. Could you send some more?” “Send a thousand, no, make it two thousand. The cafeteria food is awful and has given me diarrhea for three days. Eating out is expensive, but at least it doesn’t make me sick.” It’s only the 10th, and my son is already calling again. He’s a sophomore this year. Initially, his living expenses were $2,000, but in less than a year, he complained it wasn’t enough. It went up to $3,000, and even that barely lasts ten days now. In the past, I would have lectured him for ten minutes about saving money, reminding him how hard we work to earn it. But this time, I didn’t say anything. I calmly replied, “Okay, hold on. I’ll go get some cash for you.” I went to the app store, downloaded over ten loan apps, entered his ID, and borrowed $5,000. I sent him $2,000. He didn’t say a word, just a cold transaction on the screen. I took out a journal and noted the first loan for today. All of this because, in a previous life, I worked hard to put him through university. He insisted on getting married and brought home a pregnant Emily. The first thing he said was, “We need $30,000 for the bride price and a $200,000 house.” We didn’t have that kind of money, but seeing the young girl’s tearful face and my son’s pleading, I softened. We borrowed from every relative, scraping together $120,000—$30,000 for the bride price, the rest for the house’s down payment. My son was deeply moved. “Thank you, Mom and Dad. I’ll be a good son to you for life. You can relax at home and enjoy your grandchildren.” We couldn’t relax. We hustled to repay the relatives. Just as we thought we could catch a breath, my son came crying again. “Mom, help me. The mortgage is too much. I have a family to support. I just can’t keep up.” “Would you really let your son, grandson, and daughter-in-law be homeless?” “You and Dad work hard for a few more years, and once prices go up and salaries increase, the pressure will ease.” So, my husband and I went out again, financially supporting their little family. But after two years, not only did his salary not increase, but housing prices dropped, and the job market tightened. Someone in his neighborhood sold a similar house for $80,000. Worried about their pressure, I suggested selling our big house and moving to a smaller one. The difference could help pay his mortgage. But that led to him lashing out at us. “If you hadn’t bought such an expensive house for me, I wouldn’t be under this much pressure!” “I can’t pay it back. You go earn the money to pay it off, or I’ll just give the house back to you!” I took on another job. While washing dishes, I blacked out and collapsed.

As I watched my body fall, a colleague found me, and the boss immediately called an ambulance. But I knew I was dead. I saw my husband’s hair turn completely white overnight. He held my photo every day, not cooking or going to work, no matter how much our son berated him, he wouldn’t leave the house. Our son was busy. He dragged my body to the boss’s shop and left it there for two days. When the boss didn’t give in, he put up banners and made a ruckus every day. I watched as my son took the $50,000 the boss scraped together and left happily. He used it to eat and drink with his wife and son. No one cared that my body was still on the street. A young man finally informed my husband to retrieve me. After cremating and laying me to rest, my husband bashed his head against my tombstone and died. I woke up again, back to my son’s sophomore year. He had just secretly started dating a girl, doubling his living expenses. But at this point, our family still had some savings, and my husband and I hadn’t retired. We lived frugally, and things were manageable. I wasn’t that cruel. I just wanted to ruin his credit score so he couldn’t take out loans for a house. After he graduates, I won’t care about his life or death. After my son graduated, I put the house up for sale online. But three months before graduation, he brought Emily home. Emily, with a slightly bulging belly, timidly looked at me. “Hello, Auntie~” My son entered with a large bag of baby supplies. “Mom, Dad, this is Emily, your daughter-in-law.” “Hurry, call her Mom. This is your Dad. Don’t worry, my parents are really nice people.” Just as she was about to speak, I stopped her. “No, you haven’t even married yet. If word gets out, people will say we don’t have manners and bully young girls.” “Girl, sit down. I’ll get you some fruit.” At the dining table, I saw Emily repeatedly giving my son glances and occasionally making retching noises. I pretended not to notice, but eventually, my son couldn’t hold back. “Mom, I came back this time to get married. Emily is already carrying your grandson.” I rolled my eyes. In my past life, that grandson never called me Grandma. Whenever he saw me, it was like seeing trash—not a kick or spit. I thought he was just a kid, and I was too busy earning money to take him out to play like other grandmas, so I didn’t mind. Now that I think about it, this Emily, who gave such a great first impression, might not be as simple as I thought. “You’ve always taught me to be responsible as a man. You see if you can quickly contact Emily’s parents and set a date.” Yes, I taught him to be good to his wife and kids, and he did that. But I also taught him to be filial, yet he wouldn’t even take care of my corpse. “When are you and Dad available? I’ll talk to Emily’s parents.” “I’m free anytime. You decide and let us know.”

Emily got anxious but was too embarrassed to speak up, tugging at Michael Green’s sleeve. Michael Green looked at me, and I sipped my tea. “Mom, about the bride price, Emily said it’s quite high where she’s from.” I said, “Oh~” “If it weren’t for Emily being pregnant, I wouldn’t rely on you for everything.” “Don’t worry. Consider it a loan from you. I’ll repay it once I start working and earning.” I sighed. “Oh, Michael, let me be honest. Your university expenses were high these years, and we have no savings left.” He immediately changed his expression. “How much could I possibly spend each month? Are you just making excuses not to give?” “What kind of parents don’t prepare a house and car for their son, only caring about themselves?” “If I can’t marry, don’t expect me to support you in retirement.” “Go live in a dump!” I chuckled inside. This is my good son. If his parents don’t serve him as slaves, he shows his true colors. My husband couldn’t stand it and was about to speak, but I held his hand. “Son, it’s not that we’re not helping. We originally saved $50,000 for you.” “But look at how much you’ve spent over these years in university. Your monthly expenses are around $20,000. From sophomore year, for three years straight.” “And once, you said you broke your leg and needed surgery, so I transferred $5,000 to you. In total, it’s $52,000.” “Your marriage fund was spent by you. Where can we find money for the bride price now?” He was speechless, his face red. “If you don’t want to give, don’t. Why make so many excuses? How could I possibly spend over $50,000 in college?” “I’ve never seen parents like you. Since you don’t care, my son won’t acknowledge you. My son doesn’t have stingy grandparents. You don’t deserve it!” “Emily, let’s go! I can support you on my own!” “You both can keep your measly money to yourselves!” He slammed the door and left. Only Emily, looking pitiful, glanced back at me every few steps. After my son left, my husband was a bit upset with me. “Honey, don’t we still have savings? Why are you doing this to our son?” “Besides, nowadays, having a son means preparing a house and bride price for him.” “I’ve never met parents like you. Since you don’t care, my son won’t recognize you anymore. He won’t have stingy grandparents like you! You don’t deserve it!” “Lila, let’s go! I can take care of you myself!” “You two just hold onto your money and live your own lives!” With that, I slammed the door and left. Lila kept turning back to look at me, looking pitiful with every step she took. After our son left, my husband expressed his frustration. “Dear, we still have savings. Why are you making things hard for our son?” “Besides, it’s normal now for parents to prepare a house and wedding money for their sons.” “Look at what’s happened. He doesn’t want anything to do with us, and we won’t get to see our grandchild. When we’re old and sick, who will look after us?” I looked at my soft-hearted husband and asked, “Do you really think we can rely on a son like this for our care?” He didn’t have a reply, and after a while, he sighed. “Forget it. It’s fine with just the two of us. At least we won’t have so many worries.” 0

Isn’t it just a mess? In my previous life, he didn’t even claim my body, treating me only as a tool to extort money. We raised him for over twenty years, and he was less helpful than a dog. Just to be safe, I transferred most of the money to a card that neither my son nor my husband knew about. On the street, I saw a young man selling balloons in the cold wind. I was taken aback. It was the same young man from my past life who took care of my body after I died. Spring had just started, but it was still cold. He was wearing a thin black jacket. His face and nose were red from the cold. Since I wandered for a long time after my death in the last life, I know he has no parents. He only has an elderly grandmother at home, who is often sick and frail. So, he has to use all his time working. I took some free time, found his school, contacted his tutor, and quietly supported him. His name is Ethan, and he is currently a sophomore. He excels in his studies, receives a scholarship every year, and his tuition is waived. But because of his grandmother’s health, life is still challenging. I knew James wouldn’t let this go. After all, he hasn’t even graduated yet, so how could he support a wife and child? But I didn’t expect him to change so quickly. Within a week, he invited us to dinner at a hotel on Sunday night. I refused, but my husband is soft-hearted since we raised him ourselves. Parents can’t ignore their children’s major life events. I couldn’t convince him otherwise, so I had to go and let him see our son’s true nature. As soon as we entered, there was a strong smell of cigarette smoke. A young man, about twenty years old, with slicked-back hair. His feet were on the table, holding a cigarette. A heavily made-up middle-aged woman saw me but said nothing to me. Instead, she spoke to the boy. “Sit up; someone’s here.” After a while, our son came in. A woman’s voice rang out. “Let’s be clear, our family wants a $30,000 bride price, not a penny less.” “After all, we didn’t raise our daughter for free. Thirty thousand is not much.” “She’s carrying your family’s grandson now.” “And you can’t skimp on a house. My daughter won’t live with her in-laws! You need to prepare a big house, at least a hundred square meters.” “Otherwise, we won’t be able to stay when we visit her.” “Just write their names on it. If you agree, pay the bride price first, then we can discuss the wedding date.”

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### A security guard in our apartment complex was killed by a falling object. No one admitted to it, and there were no security cameras to catch what happened. No one had an alibi. Then, the guard’s son, holding an axe, stormed into the building. “Tell me,” he demanded, “who do you think the murderer is?” The finger-pointing began. And with it, the nightmare. It was Sunday, and I didn’t wake up until 2 p.m. That’s the life of someone caught in the grind of a relentless job—working 9 to 9, six days a week. Your only day off is mostly spent catching up on sleep, and even then, you never feel rested. Dragging myself out of bed, I shuffled to the door in my slippers to grab the packages I’d been meaning to bring inside. Halfway through sorting the boxes, a deafening thud echoed through the building. Then came the screams. I froze in place, a terrible feeling settling in my chest. Something must’ve happened… something bad. Whatever drowsiness I had left was gone in an instant. I ran to the balcony and looked down. The security guard, Mr. Miller, lay motionless on the ground, his head bloody. Beside him was a shattered flowerpot. A crowd had gathered around his body, pointing and shouting, many glancing nervously upward.

Mr. Miller was dead—killed instantly by the falling flowerpot. When the paramedics arrived, they took one look at him, covered his body with a sheet, and left. The police sealed off the area. Someone in the apartment’s group chat shared a video. I clicked on it. In the video, Mr. Miller’s lifeless eyes stared blankly into the camera. The person filming sighed heavily. “It’s such a tragedy. Just like that, he’s gone. I was just talking to him earlier, you know?” “And that flowerpot… God, imagine if it had hit a kid instead.” The video was unsettling, and it didn’t take long for the building manager to delete it. But not before the accusations started flying. Someone in the group chat claimed the flowerpot had fallen from Building D, calling out its residents as potential murderers: “I suggest the guilty party turn themselves in. Otherwise, everyone in Building D is a suspect—and a murderer.” The comment lit a fire in the group chat. D602 | Clara Jones: “Find the person who did it! Don’t lump us all together—I’ve done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide.” D701 | Eric Howard: “I just bought this place, and now someone’s dead outside my building? I should be the one complaining about bad luck!” D502 | Mark Stone: “Relax. With all the cameras around, they’ll figure out who did it soon enough.” The chat devolved into chaos. I turned off my phone and looked at the officer standing outside my door. “Officer, have you caught the person responsible yet?” I asked nervously. He gave me a hard look. “As long as everyone cooperates, we’ll find the killer.” I nodded, still shaken. “I’m scared to even step outside. What if something falls on my head next?” The officer jotted something down in his notebook, then asked, “Miss Carter, can you tell me where you were between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m. today?” That was when Mr. Miller had been killed. It wasn’t hard to recall. “I woke up around 2:00, had some water, and started unpacking the packages by my door. I was still in the middle of it when I heard the noise around 2:30.” “What kind of packages?” I gestured to the corner of my room, where a mountain of boxes sat. “I’m a beauty blogger. Most of these are PR packages from brands, plus some things I ordered for myself.” The officer glanced at the pile, clearly surprised, and scribbled something down. “Did you hear anything unusual during that time?” he asked. I thought for a moment. “Actually… I think I heard the couple on the seventh floor arguing.”

After the officer left, the couple from the seventh floor exploded in the group chat. D701 | Eric Howard: “Who the hell has such a big mouth?” D701 | Jessica Howard: “My husband and I are perfectly happy together. Whoever’s spreading rumors should stop before I sue for defamation!” D701 | Eric Howard: “If I find out who’s been running their mouth, you’re dead meat!” The chat went silent. No one dared to respond. I ignored the drama and went back to unpacking the rest of my packages. By the time I was done, it was already dark. I stuffed some of the empty boxes into a large trash bag and decided to take them downstairs to the recycling bins. At the door, I bent down to put on my shoes. Out of habit, I glanced through the peephole. My heart stopped. Someone was standing on the other side of the door, staring directly into the peephole.

Who was it? Who was outside my door? I froze, my body rigid with fear. Thank God peepholes only work one way. As long as I didn’t make a sound, whoever it was wouldn’t know I was inside. I don’t know how long I stood there, holding my breath. Finally, the person moved. The sound of faint footsteps faded as they walked away. I collapsed against the wall, my legs weak. My back was soaked with sweat. I didn’t dare leave my apartment to take out the trash. Instead, I bolted into my bedroom and locked the door behind me. If I hadn’t checked the peephole, if I had just opened the door without thinking… I didn’t want to imagine what might’ve happened. The terror of that moment stayed with me, haunting me far more than Mr. Miller’s death had. That night, I dreamed of nothing but the eye staring back at me through the peephole. The next morning, after making sure no one was outside, I left the apartment complex and bought a discreet security camera. By the end of the day, I had it installed near my door, hidden from plain sight. If that person ever came back, I would catch them. And this time, they would pay.

Almost a week had passed, and the figure outside my peephole hadn’t appeared again. Today was Saturday, the last day of my soul-crushing 9-to-9 work week. Life seemed to have returned to normal—for the most part. The only noticeable change was the replacement of the security guard. Other than that, everything felt the same. After finishing my work, I went home, took a long, relaxing shower, and settled into my couch with a face mask while binge-watching a series. That’s when the sound of a power drill suddenly echoed from downstairs. It was loud, jarring, and completely out of place in the otherwise quiet night. I glanced at the clock. It was already 10 p.m. What the hell? Who starts drilling this late at night? I checked the apartment group chat. Sure enough, everyone in Building D was losing it. D502 | Mark Stone: “Who the hell is remodeling this late on a weekend?!” D602 | Clara Jones: “Drilling at this hour? Are you kidding me? Some of us are trying to sleep!” D701 | Eric Howard: “Whoever’s doing this, I swear I’ll kill you!” D502 | Mark Stone: @D701 Eric Howard “You go ahead, Eric. You’ve got my full support.” Eric didn’t reply after that. Our building was part of a high-end complex, with only two apartments per floor and plenty of space between each building. The noise was clearly coming from our building—only we could hear it. Meanwhile, the other buildings in the group chat were having a great time mocking our misery. Eventually, a girl from the fourth floor spoke up. She volunteered to find out who was doing the drilling, saying we wouldn’t get any peace unless someone stepped in. Everyone agreed, relieved they didn’t have to deal with it themselves. Ten minutes later, the drilling finally stopped. D502 | Mark Stone: @FourthFloorGirl “Thanks for handling that!” But she didn’t respond. I hesitated for a moment before typing a quick “thank you” message myself. It didn’t go through. I checked my phone and realized there was no signal. “No service?” I muttered. Weird. I tried switching to Wi-Fi. As soon as it connected, the lights in my apartment went out. Everything went pitch black.

No signal. No lights. The timing was too perfect to be a coincidence. A wave of unease washed over me. I walked to the window and peeked outside. The other buildings in the complex were all still lit up. Only Building D was shrouded in complete darkness. Something wasn’t right. I turned on my phone’s flashlight and lit a candle for extra light. It’s nothing. I told myself. Probably just a tripped circuit. The new security guard will notice and fix it soon. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. To distract myself, I opened my laptop. There was still enough battery left, so I decided to edit a video I’d filmed earlier this week. Making beauty content was just a side gig for me—something I did for fun on my days off. Somehow, I’d managed to grow a decent following of a few tens of thousands of followers. Brands had even started sending me products to review. I clicked on the file to start editing when a sharp, muffled scream cut through the silence. It was short—almost too short—but it sent chills down my spine. I froze, straining my ears to listen. Silence. An eerie, suffocating silence. Even the usual chirping of birds outside had disappeared. My hands started to tremble as my mind raced. I thought of Mr. Miller, the security guard who’d been killed the previous Sunday. Today was Saturday. At midnight, it would be the seventh night—the Seventh Night, the night when spirits were said to return.

It was 10:22 p.m. Not quite midnight yet. I couldn’t stay here any longer. I decided to pack a bag and leave for a hotel. Anywhere would be better than staying in this cursed building tonight. I quickly changed my clothes, grabbed my phone and laptop, and headed for the door. But just as I stepped out of my bedroom, I heard a faint rustling sound coming from the front door. Someone was outside. My mind immediately flashed to the figure I’d seen through the peephole last week. Thankfully, I’d installed a security camera after that incident. It was battery-powered, so it still worked even without electricity. The camera had night vision, too, so I could see exactly who was outside. I crept quietly to the monitor and glanced at the feed. It was my neighbor—David from the apartment across the hall. He was standing at my door, nervously glancing around. “David, what are you doing outside my apartment?” I called out. He jumped, startled, then leaned closer to the door and whispered, “Keep your voice down, Rachel… I’ve got a bad feeling about tonight. Something’s going to happen in this building.” “What do you mean?” He swallowed hard, his face pale. “Do you remember Mr. Miller? The security guard who died last week? I think… I think he’s come back for revenge.” A chill ran down my spine. Was he seriously saying this? If it had just been my imagination, I could’ve dismissed it. But hearing David voice the same fear… I tightened my grip on my phone, unsure of what to say. David continued, his voice trembling. “The whole building’s too quiet. I didn’t want to go to other floors—I was too scared. I thought maybe… maybe we could stick together.” He paused, then added hesitantly, “I brought these… do you want one?” He held up two small paper talismans, his hands shaking. Looking at his trembling legs and pale face, I felt an odd sense of calm wash over me. “How generous of you,” I said dryly. “What made you decide to share one with me?” David hesitated, then muttered, “Well… I’ve been following you for a while. I’m… a fan of your content.” A fan? Of me? I’m a beauty blogger. Why the hell would I have a male fan?

I never had much interaction with David before. At most, we’d exchange awkward nods in the elevator. Back then, he was just like he is now—timid, shrinking into himself like a mushroom that thrives in the shadows. I used to think he was pathetic, someone unworthy of a second thought. But tonight, as strange as it sounds, he didn’t seem so bad. “Rachel, I’ll leave the talisman outside your door. Don’t forget to grab it…” On the security monitor, I watched as David carefully placed the paper on the ground, glancing around nervously before retreating. I didn’t tell him I was about to leave the building entirely. “Thanks, David. You should go back inside now.” He muttered a small “okay” before shuffling off, his head ducked low. His footsteps grew fainter until I heard the sound of his door creaking open and slamming shut. I waited a few more minutes, just to be sure, before cautiously opening my door and picking up the talisman. If Mr. Miller had come back… maybe this flimsy piece of paper would actually help. I turned back toward my apartment, my mind racing. My laptop was still in the living room. If I could just grab it and shove it into my bag, I’d be out of here in no time. I pulled the door shut behind me. But just before it could fully close, something suddenly jammed it open. Thud. The sound made my blood run cold. I turned, heart pounding, and saw it: a man’s hand wedged in the doorframe. Was it… was it Mr. Miller? Panic surged through me. I threw my weight against the door, desperate to shut it, but the hand was too strong. No matter how hard I pushed, I couldn’t get the door to close. Then I remembered the talisman. Clutching it tightly, I raised it like a weapon. The door swung open, and in the dim flicker of my candlelight, I saw… David.

elief flooded through me. It wasn’t a ghost—it was just David. But something still wasn’t right. He stood in the doorway, perfectly still, his figure shrouded in shadows. He looked the same as always, yet there was something deeply unsettling about him now. My chest tightened as my heartbeat roared in my ears. Forcing a shaky smile, I tried to play it cool. “David, what are you doing? You scared me half to death. Seriously, jokes like this aren’t funny.” He smiled too. A slow, eerie smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m really sorry, Rachel.” “But I just can’t help myself anymore. Rachel, I’m so sorry… I like you too much.” As he spoke, he stepped inside, moving closer to me. “Don’t come any closer!” I shouted, stumbling backward. But he didn’t stop. In fact, he quickened his pace, grabbing me effortlessly before I could run. I screamed, but it made no difference. He pulled out a rope and tied me to a chair, his movements quick and practiced. “What do you want?!” I cried, my voice trembling. “Is it money? Tell me how much you want—just don’t hurt me!” David shook his head, his expression strangely calm. Even… gentle. “Money? No, Rachel. I don’t want your money.” His voice was soft, almost tender, which only made it more terrifying. “I told you—I’m your fan. How could you think I’d hurt you? I only want to be close to you. That’s all.” My skin crawled. “This is how you show you like me?!” I spat, struggling against the ropes. David tilted his head, his smile faltering. “I know you don’t like me. I know you think I’m pathetic. That’s why I never said anything before. I was happy just watching you from afar. Just seeing you was enough for me… but…” His voice cracked as he knelt in front of me, his face twisted with a strange mix of sadness and frustration. “But then you saw me, didn’t you? I couldn’t stop myself from watching you. And when you installed that camera by your door… I knew you’d caught me. I couldn’t come back after that. I tried to hold back, Rachel, I really did. But I just couldn’t anymore.” My breath hitched. The eye. The one I’d seen through the peephole. “It was you,” I whispered, horrified. David nodded, his smile returning. “Yes, it was me.” My stomach churned with nausea. He grinned wider, his face alight with an unsettling joy. “But it’s okay now. You’re mine, Rachel. Finally, you’re mine.” I’d rather die than let this creep keep me tied up like some kind of sick trophy. As he leaned closer, I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for whatever horror was coming. Then, suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed from outside the door. Thump. Thump. One step light, the other dragging, like someone with a limp. The sound didn’t stop at my door. Instead, it continued down the hall—toward David’s apartment. A loud knock shattered the silence. Bang. Bang. Bang. A low, raspy voice followed. “Room 802. David, are you home?”

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I confirmed Lucas’s betrayal on Christmas Eve. 28-year-old Lucas was dressed as Santa Claus, entertaining a young woman. I returned home in a daze and sat numbly in the living room for hours. When Lucas finally came home, I asked him, “When are we getting married?” He frowned and replied without hesitation, “Didn’t we agree to discuss this after the company is more stable?” I nodded and went to bed. The next morning, I woke up early and packed my things, ready to leave. Later, I sold my company shares to Lucas’s competitor. When I discovered that Santa was actually Lucas, I wasn’t even angry. Even though he had just flirted with a young woman right under my nose and then kissed her. I simply calmly confirmed the fact of his betrayal. Light snow was still falling from the sky, and a thick layer had already accumulated on the ground. In this weather, staying in a warm room with the heater on would have been so comfortable. Unfortunately, I was out running errands for the company. I had just received a message that my business partner couldn’t make it. Which meant that after waiting for three hours, I had been stood up. Perhaps the cold had numbed me, to the point where even seeing Lucas’s betrayal didn’t stir much emotion in me. I moved my nearly numb legs and decided to take a cab home. When I returned to the home Lucas and I shared, the living room was pitch black. I turned on the lights, and it finally brightened up. On the dining table was the loving breakfast I had made for Lucas before leaving this morning, untouched. Next to it was a sticky note with hearts and smiley faces drawn on it. I froze for a moment, unconsciously picking up the note. Lucas had taught me how to draw these simple doodles back when we were still in the honeymoon phase. He had held my hand and shown me how to draw them. It was just a simple sketch, but he had insisted on being close to me while teaching it. Now, it had been five years already. I suddenly realized Lucas and I had been together for five years. It had been such a long time, no wonder he had fallen for someone else. After a moment of silence, I tore up the note in my hand and threw it in the trash along with the untouched breakfast. It had gone cold anyway, no point in keeping it. Might as well throw it out. Sitting on the couch, I didn’t know what to do for a moment. I was tired today and didn’t want to go to the office. In the past, I would have been excitedly making travel plans at a time like this. So that Lucas and I could go on a trip together when he had time. I loved traveling, but Lucas didn’t enjoy it as much. As a result, out of ten times, Lucas was only willing to accompany me once or twice. And even on those occasions, it was mostly because I had landed a big deal for the company. Thinking of this, I gave a self-deprecating smile. I didn’t know when I had become one of those people I used to look down on. Before getting together with Lucas, I would encounter women who mistreated themselves for love. I always found it incomprehensible. Now that I was in the same situation, I could understand a little. It was just craving some warmth after all. Who doesn’t have some unforgettable memories when they’re in love? I don’t know how much time passed before Lucas came home.

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” Lucas frowned as soon as he saw me. I couldn’t tell if his words were out of concern or accusation. He used to say this in the past too. Back then, he would follow up with another question. “Is something bothering you?” But now, I waited and waited. And never heard those words. Of course, I had just witnessed his betrayal with my own eyes. Why was I still clinging to these things? I didn’t answer him, just looked up and stared at him intently. “Lucas, when are we getting married?” This was the first time I had asked this question directly. But I had said similar things countless times before. Back then, I would ask: “Lucas, when are you going to marry me?” But the result was always a polite refusal. This time was no exception. “Why are you asking about this again?” “Didn’t I tell you before? We’ll talk about these things after the company is more stable.” I wanted to argue – what exactly counted as stable? The company had already gone public, wasn’t that enough? But I didn’t ask. I just nodded and went to bed. I hadn’t really expected him to agree anyway. I was just asking one last time, for the sake of these five years. The bedroom was very cozy, with warm color tones. It allowed my mind to relax a little whenever I was exhausted from work. Lucas and I had chosen it together. There were still many stuffed animals on the bed, remnants of our honeymoon phase. Back then, he would say: “What guy plays with these things?” While shouting loudly to me: “Baby, come quick, this stuffed animal is so cute!” Those sweet memories flashed through my mind, but ultimately froze on the image of Lucas embracing and kissing that young woman today. I paused, then packed up my things and went to the guest room. As expected, Lucas didn’t ask me a single question. I slept until dawn. When I woke up, there was probably still a smile on my face. Because in my dream, I had seen those beautiful memories from the past. In the dream, 23-year-old Lucas was still holding my hand, loudly promising: “We’ll be together forever!” But when I woke up, I had to face the reality of 28-year-old Lucas’s betrayal. The huge gap left me feeling disoriented.

I decided to move out. When I made this decision, I felt a bit sad. Not for any other reason. But because the house was under Lucas’s name. If it had been under my name, I could have asked Lucas to move out now. Instead of having to leave myself. I realized again that Lucas probably stopped loving me long ago. If it was the Lucas from before, he should have put the house under my name when we bought it last year. For men, where the money goes is where the love goes. No exceptions. As I was packing, I ran into a problem. In the short year since moving in, I had already accumulated many items. Things that seemed insignificant in daily life all needed to be taken when moving. I was packing frantically, not even noticing when Lucas woke up. “What are you doing?” Maybe the dream from this morning still had too much of an effect, because hearing his voice made me feel a bit nauseous. I held my chest, patting it lightly. Before I could speak, he spoke first. “You’re not pregnant, are you?” Pregnant? Realizing my period was late this month, my face instantly turned pale. Although Lucas and I always used protection, what if…? Lucas must have noticed something was off, because he immediately took me to the hospital. The whole way there, Lucas seemed to have returned to how he was before. Asking if I was feeling alright, constantly checking if I was uncomfortable. If I didn’t know about his betrayal, I might have been fooled by this facade. This all lasted until we ran into that young woman at the hospital. “Jasmine, why are you here?” Lucas immediately let go of my arm when he saw her. The worried look on his face was something I hadn’t seen in a long time. I looked at the young woman. Before this, I hadn’t planned on confronting her. Because I had thought that maybe she was tricked by Lucas. That she didn’t know Lucas already had a girlfriend. But it wasn’t until I clearly saw her face that I realized. She and I were actually old acquaintances. Jasmine. Jasmine Lin. The junior I had personally mentored. I stood there, watching them fuss over each other in front of me. After a while, Lucas finally brought Jasmine over. “Senior.” Jasmine greeted me sweetly, not showing any sign of guilt. “Jasmine wasn’t feeling well, and she’s never been to a hospital before, so she’s not familiar with the procedures. I’m going to help her out.” “You’re more familiar with hospitals, and it’s probably nothing serious anyway, so why don’t you go first? I’ll come pick you up when I’m done.” Lucas had some nerve, accompanying an employee to see the doctor while leaving his official girlfriend behind. It was truly laughable. But right now I was anxious to confirm whether I was pregnant or not, so I didn’t have the energy to deal with them. If I wasn’t pregnant, that would be fine. But if I really was pregnant, I’d have to suffer through it. Fortunately, my streak of bad luck didn’t continue. It was just an irregular period. I left the hospital, planning to take a cab home by myself. But then I heard Jasmine’s voice.

Jasmine was sitting in Lucas’s passenger seat, waving at me. Her face was radiant with joy, making her look bright and lively. “Senior, come on!” This made it impossible for me to pretend I hadn’t heard. Might as well take the ride. The whole way, Lucas and Jasmine were chatting and laughing. Making me feel like an outsider. I kept quiet, not intending to interrupt their little world. But Jasmine kept trying to provoke me. “Senior, Lucas is so thoughtful and caring, you must be very happy!” “Senior, you have to treat Lucas well, I’m so envious of you!” “Senior…” “That’s enough, be quiet!” I finally couldn’t stand her constant chatter. I just wanted to get home in peace, was that so hard? “Why are you yelling? Jasmine was just saying a few words.” “When did your temper get so bad? Jasmine is still your junior.” I had only raised my voice a little, but Lucas was already defending her. “She’s my junior, why are you speaking for her?” I couldn’t help but snap back at him. “Jasmine is my employee too, what’s wrong with me saying a few words for her?” “Employee?” I found it laughable. “More like your little mistress, right?” As soon as I said that, the car fell silent. After a while, Lucas coughed awkwardly. “What nonsense are you talking about? Jasmine and I are completely innocent.” Seeing his reaction, I turned to Jasmine. “What, you’re with him but he won’t even give you a proper title?” Jasmine stammered, unable to reply. I gave a cold laugh, not saying anything more. Jasmine got out of the car first. On the way back home, Lucas and I didn’t speak. When we got home, I ignored Lucas behind me. I went straight to finish packing the luggage I hadn’t finished this morning. These were gifts Lucas had given me, I didn’t want them anymore. These were things Lucas and I had bought together while shopping, I didn’t want those either. After clearing things out for a long time, I finally realized that most of the items were related to Lucas in some way. I didn’t want any of it. It’s not like I was short on money anyway. I could just buy new things later. I sorted out some things I particularly liked and some essentials I had to take. As I was about to leave, Lucas finally spoke up. Before that, Lucas had just been quietly watching me. He seemed convinced that I was just putting on an act. “Olivia, are you really leaving?” “There’s nothing going on between Jasmine and me, can you stop being so petty?” “I didn’t say anything when you were out drinking with those businessmen all night for work, I just accompanied her to the hospital once.” “Slap!” Lucas’s words made me tremble with anger. I turned around and slapped him. “Nothing going on between you and Jasmine? You’re still trying to fool me, I saw everything yesterday!” After saying that, I took a deep breath. “Forget about your betrayal, what did you mean by what you just said?” “What do you mean I was out drinking with those men until late?” “If I hadn’t worked so hard to land those big deals, would the company be this successful?” “Now that the company has gone public, you’re using this against me? Where were you when I was drinking until I vomited blood?” I couldn’t believe that the person speaking to me so harshly now was the boyfriend I had loved for five years. The person who used to care for me so tenderly. My throat hurt from yelling earlier. “Lucas.” I couldn’t help it, my voice cracked a little. He was the only person I had ever truly loved. “Let’s end this here.” I left without looking back. Two months ago, I had bought myself a house. Without telling anyone.

Maybe I had already sensed something was wrong back then. It’s too easy for a woman to notice when something’s off with her partner. Not coming home at night, unexplained overtime. Suddenly finding cute little decorations at home that weren’t there before. All these little things, I had long suspected something was wrong. But Lucas had hidden it so well, I just couldn’t find any evidence. Wiping away my tears, I moved my things from the car into my new home. I didn’t have the energy to properly unpack everything, so I just rested for now. Things had gotten to this point with Lucas, and I wasn’t short on money anyway. I still had to go to the company tomorrow. Lucas owned 30% of the company shares, while I owned 21%. There was no reason for him to sit in the office every day while I had to run around for business, putting on fake smiles and drinking until I threw up. The next day when I arrived at the company, I noticed everyone looking at me strangely. Before I could ask, my former assistant quietly told me. Lucas had promoted Jasmine to be his personal secretary. The two of them were openly affectionate at the office, no longer caring about others’ opinions. “Olivia… this…” My assistant felt indignant on my behalf, but I shook my head. “Lucas and I have broken up, his business is none of my concern.” I actually have a very gentle personality. In the past, my friends would call me a pushover. Because I seemed to never get angry, not even knowing how to fight back when bullied. After getting together with Lucas, he would always stand up for me when I was wronged. But now, Lucas was the one bullying me. I didn’t know what to do. I decided to resign. There was no point in staying at this company anymore. I arranged all my work and gave instructions. I had shares in the company, so I didn’t need to worry about money. Now I wanted to travel and relax, not be a workhorse anymore. “Senior, what’s wrong?” I heard Jasmine’s voice as I was giving instructions. The smugness in her tone was about to overflow. I couldn’t be bothered to deal with her and continued delegating tasks. “Senior is resigning? Why not stay on? Even though you broke up with Lucas, if I put in a good word, you could still keep working here.” “After all, our company’s benefits are quite good. Most people wouldn’t want to leave. Don’t you agree, senior?” Jasmine sat down at my desk, crossing her legs and playing with her nails. Seeing her arrogant attitude, I couldn’t imagine how this Jasmine was the same person who had begged me for help before. Back then, she had clung to me, constantly calling me “senior”. Later she said she couldn’t find a job. I pulled some strings to get her into the company, and personally mentored her on how to negotiate deals. But Jasmine couldn’t adapt to running around for business. So I arranged a cushy job for her instead. But now that she had hooked up with Lucas, she came to flaunt her power in front of me. I looked down at her and smiled. “You should stop calling me senior. I don’t have any juniors who are homewreckers.”

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## I had worked so hard to climb that mountain and get a protection charm from the temple—only for Anthony Sullivan to casually toss it around the neck of the class queen’s pet dog. The sound of laughter echoed all around me as I stood frozen, humiliated. I turned and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind me. “Relax, Anthony,” one of his friends called after me, laughing. “Chloe will come crawling back in under thirty minutes. She always does.” They were wrong. I wasn’t in this for Anthony Sullivan. Not really. I was just trying to collect the beauty points my system had promised me. See, the system gave me two options if I wanted to become beautiful: One, I could “win over” Anthony Sullivan, the school’s golden boy. Or two, I could become a straight-A academic superstar. Being the lazy girl I was, I chose the first option. Who wouldn’t? Flirting seemed a lot less painful than hours of study. But standing there, humiliated by Anthony’s cruelty, I had a revelation. If I had the determination to chase after a guy like him, why couldn’t I put that effort into something meaningful? Why not aim for the top universities in the country instead? And so, I gave up on Anthony and poured everything into preparing for the national academic competition. But just when I was on the verge of winning gold, Anthony couldn’t take it anymore. “You’re doing all of this for him, aren’t you?” he snapped, pointing at the quiet, sharp-eyed boy standing beside me—the academic prodigy he had just punched in a jealous fit. I slapped Anthony across the face. I had already transformed into someone stunning. Men were lining up for me. Why on earth would I waste another second on him? For Anthony’s birthday, I’d gone all out preparing a thoughtful gift: the protection charm from the temple. It hadn’t been easy. I wasn’t exactly athletic, and climbing that mountain had felt like a death sentence. But for Anthony, I pushed through. Halfway up, I was wheezing like an asthmatic goat, ready to collapse. “Come on, Chloe!” the system chirped in my head. “You can’t win Anthony over without that protection charm! And you can’t get your beauty points without winning him over!” The system had a point. So, gritting my teeth, I pushed myself up the trail. When I finally made it to the top, drenched in sweat and on the verge of passing out, I got my charm. Later that evening, I set up the perfect birthday surprise. I decorated the room, arranged a cake, and waited for Anthony and his friends to arrive. The moment they walked in, my heart sank. Next to Anthony stood Katie Harper, the school’s undeniable queen bee. Her hair was immaculate, her makeup flawless, her features strikingly delicate. The two of them looked perfect together. Still, I wasn’t about to back down. “Happy birthday, Anthony,” I said, stepping forward and holding out the charm. “What’s this?” he asked, taking it from me with as much interest as if I’d handed him a napkin. “It’s a protection charm,” Katie chimed in, her voice sweet and melodic. She turned to Anthony, smiling. “Chloe’s so thoughtful. I heard this charm is only available at the temple on top of Redridge Mountain. She must’ve climbed all the way up to get it for you. Isn’t that sweet?” “Wait,” Anthony said, narrowing his eyes at me. “You climbed a mountain for this?” “Well, yeah,” I replied, trying to sound casual. “I heard the temple was really special and…” Before I could finish, Anthony cut me off with a laugh. “Are you serious? You climbed all the way up there for this stupid thing? What, did you think this would make me fall in love with you or something?” I froze. He wasn’t done. “God, Chloe. Do you seriously believe this is some kind of romance movie? Crawling up a mountain for a charm just to prove how much you ‘love’ me? Did you even stop to think if you’re worth it?” The room filled with laughter. “Man, Anthony,” one of his friends jeered. “Looks like you’ve got yourself a real-life stalker!” “Yeah,” another chimed in. “She finally confessed! Took her long enough!” Anthony’s face darkened, and he turned back to me with a look of pure disdain. “You really picked my birthday to pull this pathetic stunt?” he snapped, holding up the charm like it was trash. “Look at yourself in a mirror sometime, Chloe. You actually thought I’d be into you?” I felt my chest tighten, my vision blurring with unshed tears. I had known Anthony might reject me. I had prepared for that. But I hadn’t expected him to humiliate me like this. This was the same Anthony who’d once been kind to me, the same Anthony who had helped me when I was at my lowest. How could he use my insecurities to tear me apart like this? “Anthony, don’t be so harsh,” Katie said, her voice dripping with feigned sympathy. She turned to me with a pitying smile. “Chloe clearly likes you. She must’ve thought you liked her back. I mean, why else would she have the courage to confess in front of everyone?” Her words were like gasoline on a fire. “Like her?” Anthony shouted, his voice rising. “Are you out of your damn mind, Katie? What makes you think I’d ever be interested in her? I’m not blind!” 2. Anthony was so furious that the veins on his forehead were bulging. Just then, Katie’s fluffy chow chow waddled into the crowd, its tail wagging. Katie scooped up the dog and kissed its head affectionately. “Aww, tell Daddy not to be mad anymore. It’s his birthday—he should be happy!” Daddy? Wait, wasn’t that Katie’s dog? And just like that, it all clicked. Anthony had already become the daddy of Katie’s dog. “Come here, Coco,” Anthony said, his anger melting away as he patted the dog’s head gently. So that’s how it was. Anthony treated me worse than a dog. The next thing I saw made my blood boil—he took the protection charm I had painstakingly climbed a mountain to get for him and tied it around the dog’s neck. “Here, you can play with this,” he said casually. “Whoa, Anthony! You just gave your little fangirl’s gift to the dog! She’s gonna lose her mind, man!” one of his friends jeered, laughing hysterically. They weren’t wrong. I was losing my mind. I had sweated and struggled to climb that mountain for hours to get that charm. And now? He’d just turned it into a toy for Katie’s dog. I felt both angry and heartbroken. Sure, I was chasing Anthony because of the beauty system, but my feelings for him had been real. But this? This was like stomping on my pride and grinding it into the dirt. Sure, I wasn’t beautiful, but I had dignity. If Anthony saw me as nothing more than a joke, then why should I waste another second chasing after him? As laughter erupted around me, I stormed out, slamming the door behind me. “She’ll come back,” one of Anthony’s friends said, snickering. “She’s just a little lapdog—give her half an hour, tops.” But they were wrong. That was the moment I decided I would never like Anthony again. He had let me stay in his life, allowed me to orbit around him—not because he appreciated me, but because I was convenient. I wasn’t a person to him. I was a tool. And I’d been stupid enough to let myself believe otherwise. I had thrown him a birthday party. I had bought him a thoughtful gift. I had even confessed my feelings to him in front of everyone. And all I’d gotten in return was humiliation. Katie’s laughter rang out behind me, sharp and grating. Katie Harper—the transfer student who had turned everything upside down from the moment she arrived. Her striking features and hourglass figure had caused quite the stir. With her long, flowing hair and perfectly styled makeup, she had quickly become the girl everyone wanted to be—or be with. Anthony had been distant ever since she showed up. Before she came, he’d still let me hang around his group. I’d run errands for him, but he’d let me stick around and join their conversations. Back then, I’d convinced myself that Anthony wasn’t shallow. That he wasn’t just about looks. After all, he had stood up for me once. When classmates mocked my appearance, Anthony had spoken out. “Do you seriously think it’s funny to bully someone over how they look?” It was Anthony who had pulled me out of a humiliating situation, who had taken me to the nurse’s office after I’d been pushed down and pepper-sprayed by a group of bullies. “Don’t be scared,” he had said at the time, his tone firm but kind. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” That Anthony had given me hope. He had made me believe that maybe, just maybe, I could win him over. But Katie’s arrival had changed everything. 3. I had officially become a full-time errand girl. Anthony didn’t let me linger around him anymore, nor did he invite me to hang out like he used to. He’d make me deliver an umbrella to the basketball court in the middle of a downpour but wouldn’t let me stay and grab dinner with his buddies. He’d have me take my neatly organized class notes to him but wouldn’t ask me to study with him. The teasing from classmates got worse: “Chloe, don’t tell me you actually think Anthony likes you?” “Only someone like Katie—gorgeous, popular, flawless—could ever match him. Give up already.” But I refused to believe them. I stubbornly continued to treat him well. “Chloe, can you grab some cold medicine from the nurse’s office?” I saw Anthony’s message and thought he was sick. Without hesitating, I sprinted to the nurse’s office and bought the medicine. Then I hurried to his classroom to deliver it. “Well, well, Anthony, your little errand girl is here again,” one of his friends jeered. Anthony barely raised an eyebrow as he took the medicine from my hands. “Are you sick, Anthony? Is it serious?” I asked, concerned. His friends burst into laughter. “Anthony, did you hear that? Your little assistant really cares about you!” But Anthony didn’t even acknowledge me. He calmly poured the medicine into a cup, filled it with steaming hot water, and walked out the door. I stood there, stunned, watching him head straight to another classroom—the one Katie was in. “Katie, here, drink this,” he said, handing her the cup. My heart dropped. Anthony wasn’t sick. He’d sent me to get the medicine just so he could give it to her. “Anthony, how could you? I thought you weren’t feeling well…” Katie glanced between Anthony and me, then smiled sweetly. “Oh, Chloe, you got this for me? Thank you so much!” Wait. What? Why was she thanking me? What was their relationship? “Chloe,” Anthony snapped, annoyed, “it’s just some medicine. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?” He rolled his eyes, speaking to me in a tone he never used with Katie. I felt a lump in my throat. He really did like her, didn’t he? “System,” I whispered in my mind, “it looks like Anthony has fallen for Katie…” “Host, would you like to explore an alternative path to becoming beautiful?” I hesitated, unsure of what to do. I trudged back to my own classroom, feeling defeated. As I passed by a window, I caught a reflection of myself. Small eyes, flat nose, protruding mouth, and a wide face. I was hideous. So, that’s why Anthony liked Katie. Because she was pretty. But if he liked me, I’d become beautiful overnight. You see, I wasn’t just an ordinary girl. I was bound to a beauty system. The system had told me there were two paths to becoming beautiful: Win Anthony’s heart. Become a straight-A student. Naturally, I chose the first option. Who wants to bury their head in books when they can chase love instead? Anthony wasn’t just any guy. He was the most handsome guy at school—tall, athletic, charming, and from a well-off family. Most importantly, he’d never mocked me. In fact, he’d once stood up for me. I still remember that day vividly. A group of mean girls had shoved me to the ground and sprayed chili water into my eyes. Anthony had stepped in, pulled me up, and taken me to the nurse’s office. “Making fun of someone’s looks? Real classy,” he’d scolded them. “Don’t worry,” he’d told me, his voice low and comforting. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” 4. His voice was so deep, so soothing, that I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. So when the beauty system appeared, I was overjoyed. It felt like the universe was giving me permission to like Anthony. To become beautiful for the one I loved—it sounded so romantic. Without hesitation, I chose the first path. I’d even daydreamed about the moment Anthony and I got together. Would he be surprised when he realized I’d transformed into a stunning beauty? Would he be happy? But now, after more than a year of chasing him, I’d gotten nowhere. Despite everything I’d done, the system’s progress bar for my beauty hadn’t budged an inch. It was clear—I needed a new strategy. Why waste my time pining after someone who didn’t care about me? Why not aim for something bigger, something better? Like getting into one of the top universities in the country? I summoned the system. “I want to change my approach. I’ll choose the second option.” “Understood. Host has selected the academic path to beauty. If your test scores improve by 30 ranks next month, you’ll receive 10 beauty points.” With a new goal in mind, I felt a surge of motivation. “Study hard, become a straight-A student, and transform into a beauty—let’s go!” When the new week began, I threw myself into my studies. I highlighted anything I didn’t understand and stayed after class to ask the teachers questions. I used every free moment to study, staying glued to my desk during breaks. Anthony and I weren’t even in the same class. If I didn’t go out of my way to see him, we’d have no interaction at all. Maybe he noticed something was off because, after gym class one day, he cornered me in the hallway. “Why haven’t I seen you around lately? Are you mad at me?” he asked. I ignored him. Anthony shifted awkwardly. “Look, what I said on my birthday was harsh, but you have to admit, you were out of line.” Out of line? All I’d done was confess my feelings. Was that really so terrible? I guess it was, if the person on the receiving end didn’t like you. But I didn’t care anymore. Anthony, seeing that I wasn’t responding, started giving me orders again. “I’ve got a basketball game tomorrow. Make sure to bring water and tissues for the whole team.” And with that, he walked off without waiting for my answer. But there was no way I’d do it. I had no time for that nonsense anymore. My focus was on studying now. If I worked hard, I could become both a top student and a beauty. Why hadn’t I realized sooner how great this deal was? Anthony? He could go to hell. 5. The next afternoon, during club activity time, I was still glued to my seat, working through practice problems like a monk in meditation. “Chloe, aren’t you going to watch Anthony’s game today?” my desk mate whispered. I shook my head. “No. I’m done. I won’t be going anymore.” By the time I finished another worksheet, most of the classroom had emptied out. From the open-air basketball court below, I could hear the roar of the crowd, cheers erupting every now and then. But none of that mattered to me anymore. The girl who sat behind me was the top student in class. She was still at her desk, quietly working on her assignments. I glanced at her, then at the blank questions on my own worksheet. “Hey, genius, mind helping me out with this one?” I asked, forcing myself to sound casual. I braced for sarcasm or a snide remark, but none came. She simply took my paper, scanned the question, and began explaining in a calm, gentle voice. To her, I was just another classmate—no different from anyone else in the room. When she finished, I finally understood the problem. It hit me then: connecting with people wasn’t as hard as I’d made it out to be. Not everyone cared about how I looked or judged me for it. So why should I care so much? For the first time, I started enjoying studying. Just as I was diving back into my work, my phone buzzed with a new message. It was Anthony. “Where are you?” I wasn’t planning on watching his game, but I couldn’t let them go thirsty because of me. “I’m not coming. Ask someone else to grab water for you,” I replied. With that, I turned off my phone and dove back into my sea of practice problems. When the monthly exams rolled around, I hit my goal and jumped 30 spots in the rankings. “Congratulations, Host! You’ve earned +10 Beauty Points. Current Beauty Score: 15.” Wow. That’s when I realized: my starting beauty score had been a measly 5. After the system announcement, I rushed to the bathroom to check my reflection. Was it just me, or did my skin look a little less sallow? I even seemed a bit slimmer. “Host, if you improve by another 50 ranks in the next exam, you’ll earn 15 more Beauty Points.” Another 50 ranks? That would put me in the top 100! It sounded tough, but I couldn’t back down now. I doubled down on my studies, using every spare moment—even lunch breaks and bathroom trips—to memorize vocabulary and history facts. “Chloe has made remarkable progress this time. Everyone should take inspiration from her,” my homeroom teacher announced proudly after handing back the test results. It was the first time I’d ever been publicly praised like this. The feeling was… indescribable. I was still basking in the glow of those words when I bumped into Anthony on the stairs. “Chloe, looks like you’ve grown a backbone, huh? Skipping my game and even blocking me?” Anthony said, a smirk playing on his lips.

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On our third wedding anniversary, I tricked my husband, Benedict Gabor, into signing the divorce papers. The reason was that the doctor said I had stomach cancer and wouldn’t live past three months. Benedict thought I was throwing a tantrum. Annoyed but dismissive, he signed the papers and then whisked his precious Tylor Gabor away on a scenic overseas getaway. Later, when he realized I was serious, he used every method possible, threats, schemes, even outright vengeance, to try and bring me back. But all he got was a final goodbye at my funeral, delivered through a video I left behind. “Benedict,” my recorded voice began, calm and steady, “if you’re watching this, I’m already dead…” That day, the proud and unshakable Benedict finally lost his mind. I first sensed it was over when I landed in the hospital from overworking myself into a bleeding stomach. At that very moment, Benedict was at home, hosting a private fireworks show for Tylor in the backyard. When reporters shoved their microphones in my face, I forced a smile through my pale, exhausted expression. “Don’t speculate,” I said. “Benedict and I are doing fine. The girl you saw with him is just his cousin.” The journalists looked unconvinced, their disdain and disbelief practically dripping off their faces. The truth was, I wasn’t entirely lying. Tylor wasn’t his real cousin, though, just an orphan taken in by Benedict’s family. Our marriage had always been a calculated business arrangement. Benedict had played his role well until Tylor came back three months ago. Since then, he’d stuck to her side like glue, completely forgetting he even had a wife. The “perfect husband” image that the media had painted for him was nothing but a façade. That night, while the entire household staff was preparing fireworks for Tylor, I called Benedict over and over again. He didn’t answer. Left with no choice, I discharged myself from the hospital and took a cab home. The house was alive with celebration, the vibrant colors of fireworks painting the night sky. I stepped into the yard, cold and silent, entirely out of place amidst the revelry. Under the fireworks that illuminated the backyard, I saw Benedict tidying Tylor’s hair and feeding her a piece of cake. Suddenly, I felt like an outsider. The autumn leaves covered the ground. As I stepped on them, they crackled softly. Tylor noticed me first. She jumped out of Benedict’s arms like a frightened rabbit, her delicate expression painted with innocence. “Kendra!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling. “Please don’t misunderstand! We were just celebrating the company’s revival!” Huh. Revival? A celebration? Was she serious? The company did revive, yet she had no part in its recovery, none at all. As my disdainful gaze swept over them, Benedict charged toward me, shielding Tylor like she was a priceless treasure. “Kendra, can you stop wearing that poker face all day?” he snapped, his voice sharp and full of irritation. “Enough with the innocent routine in front of the cameras. Haven’t you had enough? “What do you want? My sympathy? My pity? Dream on!” Behind him, Tylor clung to his arm, her eyes glistening with crocodile tears. “Benedict, please calm down,” she whispered, trembling. “You’re scaring me.” The scene was absurd, a soap opera unfolding in my own home. But I was too exhausted to focus on this drama. To their surprise, I forced a smile, closing the distance between us. “Benny,” I said softly, my tone full of practiced sweetness, “don’t be mad. I didn’t misunderstand. I just wanted to remind you… today’s my birthday. I know you’ve been busy and must’ve forgotten, but it’s okay. I don’t blame you.” For a split second, he froze. A hint of guilt flickered across his face before being quickly buried beneath his usual indifference. “Birthday?” he repeated, scoffing. “Didn’t you always say you hated celebrating your birthday?” Yes. I used to say that. My mother had died giving birth to me. My birthday was also her death anniversary. My father, who worshipped her, would spend every year mourning her with grand ceremonies. For years, I avoided celebrating my birthday. But Benedict had once changed that. Over the first two years of our marriage, he’d celebrated with me, helping me shake off the shadow of grief. I could still remember his gentle words, whispered in my ear with a warm smile. “Kendra, from now on, you’ll never feel alone on your birthday. You’re not a curse. You’re my good luck charm.” Looking at him now, standing in front of me to shield Tylor, I realized those words had long since lost their meaning. But it didn’t hurt anymore. He didn’t know I’d already tricked him into signing the divorce papers a week ago.

The stomach bleeding today wasn’t a fluke. A week ago, I had been diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer, with only three months left to live. That scene was still fresh in my memory. It was our third wedding anniversary, and I sat alone in the hospital hallway. Sweat soaked through the diagnosis report in my trembling hands. My legs felt like lead; I tried to stand several times but failed. My frayed nerves finally snapped after I called Benedict for the tenth time. “Kendra! Are you insane? Just because you have nothing better to do doesn’t mean others aren’t busy!” he roared. He wasn’t wrong. I was very sick, and it was indeed driving me insane. Before I could respond, a woman’s honeyed voice floated through the phone, turning my unsaid words into a lump in my throat. “Benedict! I knew you’d come! You missed me, didn’t you?” I heard Benedict’s low chuckle before the call was abruptly cut off. It wasn’t the first time. The first time he stood me up was to pick up Tylor when she returned to the country. The first time he hit me was because Tylor had damaged my piano. At first, I was shocked, but gradually, I stopped caring. The searing pain I once felt dulled into a faint ache. I made excuses for him over and over again, convincing myself it was all because Tylor was his cousin, and he had no other choice. But eventually, I had to face the truth—he wasn’t powerless and chose this willingly. To Benedict, I was nothing more than a distraction when Tylor wasn’t around, a pastime he could step on. My dignity and love were crushed beneath his feet. So, I decided he would taste the bitterness of unrequited love. I would make him fall for me and be haunted by me. If he refused to care about me now, I would make myself a thorn in his heart. While I was alive, I would be a constant, nagging pain. After my death, I would leave him utterly broken. I recorded three videos, preparing to leave Benedict a gift he would never forget.

In my last month alive, I set aside my pride. I tolerated Tylor’s blatant provocations, pretending not to notice. But she wasn’t planning to let me off so easily. One evening, I discovered razor blades hidden in my piano keys. When Benedict came home, he saw me shouting at the teary-eyed Tylor. “Did you really have to go this far?” he scolded, his voice sharp and cold. Silently, I raised my hand, showing him the blood dripping from my wrist. “Benedict! Don’t you know what she…” Before I could finish, Benedict’s gaze fell on Tylor, trembling in the corner with fearful eyes. His face twisted in anger. The next thing I knew, a sharp slap landed across my cheek. “If your hand’s injured, go to the hospital. Stop making a scene here! You really are just a piece of trash with no one to teach you any better!” Every ounce of pride and ambition I had built up in my life crumbled in that moment. The man I had once leaned on now mocked me with disdain. “If you can’t play piano, then don’t. It’s just a tool you use to fish for attention, anyway.” My desperate, hysterical questioning only made me look like a lunatic in his eyes. He scoffed, “How dare you compare yourself to Tylor? She plays piano because it’s her dream. You? You only do it for your pathetic vanity and self-interest.” Tylor picked up a glass of water, pouring it over her head before smashing the glass onto the floor. With her drenched face and trembling lips, she looked pitiful as she turned to me. “Kendra, I didn’t mean to… Is this enough for you?” Benedict immediately rushed to her side, cradling her in his arms as he led her away to change clothes. Before leaving, he threw a cold glance my way. “Kendra, Tylor is like a sister to me. Watch yourself.” His gaze lingered on my bleeding hand, softening for just a second. Tylor seemed to notice this change. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she collapsed dramatically into Benedict’s arms. “Tylor!” he shouted, his voice panicked. Without another word, he carried her away. That extinguished the last flicker of hope in my heart. Left alone, I hailed a cab and went to the hospital to get my wounds treated.

I sent all the pre-recorded videos to my brother, who knew about my diagnosis and was fully aware of my plan. Ours was a family devoid of warmth. Raised under my father’s influence, my brother had always resented me, blaming me for our mother’s death during childbirth. “Kendra, your cancer is karma. You should’ve paid with your life for my mom a long time ago.” That was his first response upon hearing the news. I promised him the company, and he promised to play my videos at my funeral. My phone screen blinked on and off, and the messages came in nonstop. They were from Benedict, his location pinging from abroad. [Kendra, don’t worry. I’ll make it back for the family dinner tomorrow.] [You’re not mad, are you?] [Kendra, you have to understand. Tylor threatened suicide. I couldn’t just ignore her.] [She’s a living person! What kind of man would I be to let her die?] Each new message brought a numbing sensation to my lips and drained the strength from my limbs. As the screen filled with more notifications, I lost consciousness. When I collapsed to the ground, my final question lingered in my fading mind. Benedict, I just wondered how miserable your end would be. My soul detached from my body. I floated above, staring down at my pale face and lifeless body sprawled across the floor. Perhaps my unfulfilled rage moved the heavens, granting me this chance to witness their inevitable downfall. My phone, now running on its last bar of battery, showed over 99 unread messages. The final one from Benedict popped up: [Kendra, stop causing a scene. I might be late from the airport. Wait for me at Gabor Estate.] I let out a cold laugh and willed my consciousness to Gabor Estate, ready to watch the drama unfold. Soon, Benedict arrived in a rush, his tie crooked, his breaths uneven as he stormed into the estate. “Grandfather, where’s Kendra? I need to speak with her privately,” he asked. Anton’s furrowed brows deepened at his grandson’s frantic demeanor. “Benny! Must you always act so recklessly? And you’d better rein in Tylor’s antics from now on. Our family isn’t yet free from relying on Kendra’s family’s support. “If it hadn’t been for Tylor’s tantrums about studying piano abroad and your secret misuse of company funds, the company wouldn’t have ended up in such a dire situation. You can’t afford to push Kendra away. Watch your temper!” Benedict’s expression twisted, a mix of annoyance and frustration darkening his features. “Grandfather, is this really the time to bring that up? If Kendra hears about this, everything will be ruined!” A pang of bitterness coursed through me. So, the financial crisis I nearly died trying to save them from was Tylor’s doing. Benedict’s past kindnesses were never about love; they were about greed, about using me to revive his failing company. “What?” Anton asked, confused by Benedict’s accusatory tone. Benedict froze for a moment, his composure cracking. “She… hasn’t arrived yet?” He sighed, pulling out his phone. He dialed my number over and over, but no one picked up. By the time he had called three times with no answer, panic began to creep into his expression. “Pick up, Kendra! Answer the phone!” He started pacing, frustration boiling over as he stomped his feet in agitation. Anton suggested they sit down, reminding him that the family dinner couldn’t be delayed since everyone was already present. Benedict reluctantly took his seat at the table, but no sooner had he settled than his phone rang. Excitement lit up his face, only to be replaced by confusion and unease as he listened to the voice on the other end. It was my brother, Victor. “Benedict, make sure to attend Kendra’s funeral tomorrow.”

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I was Alpha Gorge’s dog—silent, submissive, chained by his every command. I crawled in the dirt, did things even the moon would scorn, all for a love I thought would one day be returned. But when that day came—he stood there, arms around another, his eyes as cold as the void, his words cutting deeper than any claw. “I’m bored with you.” My heart turned to ice. I bonded with Alpha Mike. Alpha Gorge, waiting for me to beg, to crumble, stood paralyzed—shocked—as I walked away, leaving him behind. When he saw me standing strong, unbowed, beside another—his wolf howled. “Selina, you’re going to be Alpha Gorge’s luna? You didn’t even tell me? Do you have any conscience?!” Eva’s words struck like claws, echoing in my ears. I froze. Alpha Gorge—my Alpha—had announced it to the Pack? Why didn’t he tell me? Three years of devotion. Finally… it’s my turn. But when I stepped inside,the familiar scent of my Alpha, that earthy, primal scent, mingled with something sharp. I pushed open the door, everything shattered. There she was. Innocent, pure. Her arms wrapped around Alpha Gorge’s neck, her head nestled against his chest. “Gorge, how does it feel…” Her voice was soft. Suddenly, Alpha Gorge’s hand shot out. “Let me smell it.” He yanked her bra strap aside. The girl let out a soft, silvery laugh. The moment I stepped in, the girl’s laughter cut off, her eyes flashing with panic as she scrambled to get off Alpha Gorge’s lap. But he caught her, his grip like iron, pulling her back against him. “What are you afraid of?” His voice, low and taunting, sent a shiver down my spine. He shifted his attention back to her, fingers gently lifting her chin, pushing her face toward his. “You think you’re my Luna?” I laughed, bitter and forced, my voice laced with fury. “I thought you were claiming me, Gorge. Finally making it real. But it’s just another game, isn’t it?” Alpha Gorge’s eyes darkened. “Oh, it’s real, alright. I am claiming my Luna.” His hand slid down Amelia’s neck, possessive and slow, like a hunter savoring the kill. “But it’s not you, Selina. She’s my true mate.” Amelia curled deeper into Alpha Gorge’s lap, her eyes sparkling with victory. “So, you must be Selina, huh? The longest lover of Alpha Gorge. But guess what? It’s me and him now. Guess I’ve won.” Her words sliced through me. Alpha Gorge, with that same mocking smile, leaned down to kiss her. “Oh, Alpha Gorge, my shoes are dirty, my OCD… let me clean them first.” “You don’t have to do that, Selina,” he sneered. “Selina, Just lick them clean.” My heart shattered into jagged pieces. Three years of devotion—and this is how I was discarded. “If this is just to humiliate me, congratulations. You’ve succeeded,” I turned to leave. But in an instant, Alpha Gorge’s hand was on me. He yanked my arm hard, pulling me back. “Where do you think you’re going?” Before I could react, his fingers twisted under my chin, forcing me to look into his icy eyes. “Look at you,” he snarled. “Look at this pathetic thing you’ve become. Filthy. Weak. So damn common. Do you really think you deserve me? A beast like you?” I struggled, pulling away, but his hold was suffocating. “You’re nothing but a plaything!”

Three years ago, on a blistering afternoon, I sat at a street-side café, sipping my iced latte. Lost in the quiet of the moment, I didn’t notice him. Alpha Gorge was parked across the street, his eyes fixed on me like a wolf tracking its prey. I had no idea, but the moment my lips brushed the straw, he was already enchanted. “ I saw an angel, glowing under the sun, pure and untouched.” I teased, “Is this how you charm all the women, Gorge?” He just smirked, and from that moment, I became his target. He sent flowers—mountains of them. Cars. A villa. Not a love letter, but a full-on show of force. The Pack watched as I became the envy of every woman around. But behind that glittering world, there was a dark truth. I was the one hundredth. The one hundredth, they whispered. Three months. That was his average. Then the next one. Gone. I was completely captivated by him. Back then, he doted on me like I was the center of his world. If I was the slightest bit upset, he’d be broken-hearted, ready to spend a fortune just to see me smile again. A hundred million, just for me to buy something to cheer up. I fell for him, deeper than I ever thought possible. And with each passing day, a new fear gripped my heart: Would I end up just like his exes, tossed aside after three months? The thought terrified me. It was like clockwork. I couldn’t bear to be just another one. So, I changed. I let go of everything that once made me who I was. All that mattered was keeping his attention. “Do you like this?” I asked, spinning in front of him, wearing something bold, daring—desperate for that flicker in his eyes. He didn’t even look up at first. That flicker. That was all I needed. In the bedroom, I morphed into whatever he wanted. Roleplay? Anything. Limits? Nonexistent. “I need you like this,” he’d demand, and I’d bend until I was unrecognizable, just to see him smile. And when Alpha Gorge hung out with his pack, I became them,making porn jokes. “Bet you can’t handle this,” I’d joke, crude and low, pushing out words that once would’ve made me sick. They laughed, and I basked in it. Soon, the Pack had heard it all. I wasn’t his lover anymore. I was his slave. “Call me. I’ll be there . ” I said to him one night, my voice hollow. “I was just… your personal slave.” No matter where I was, no matter what I was doing—Alpha Gorge’s voice echoed in my mind. “Come here.” It didn’t matter if I was with friends, in a meeting, or in the middle of something important. I dropped everything. Within half an hour, I was his. One day, he stood before me, eyes dark, commanding. “I want to see you act like a horse.” A horse. I barely blinked before I was on all fours, the collar cold against my skin. “Now,” he demanded. “Crawl.” I didn’t hesitate. Hands and knees hit the concrete, scraping against the rough pavement, my body sinking into the cold ground. The collar tugged on my neck as if it owned me. The world around us kept moving, oblivious to the humiliating scene I was playing out, but I didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was his approval. “Crawl.” His voice was sharper now. I obeyed, head bowed low. My hands and knees burned with the friction, but I kept crawling. I felt eyes on me. Whispered. Judged. But I didn’t hear them. “Faster.” His voice was cold and commanding, and I moved quicker, each scrape of my skin on the concrete a reminder of my place. I was nothing. No one. His. And that was all that mattered. The moment the footage hit the internet, it exploded. Images of me—humiliated, broken, crawling through the streets like a creature—spread across every screen. “Look at her. Pathetic. A toy for the Alpha.” “She’s nothing but an animal now.” But then, I heard it. The ring of a phone. Alpha Gorge’s voice on the other end, cold and commanding. “I see they’re talking about you.” I swallowed hard, but I didn’t speak. I knew what he meant. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.” And just like that, the chaos started to fade. But in others’ heart, I became nothing more than a whisper—a fleeting shame in the background of his world. I was Alpha Gorge’s slave. Three years. And I thought I’d finally broken the curse of the three-month rule—I thought I had his heart. But this morning—he announced he was claiming a new Luna. And I? The last to know. The bride wasn’t me. He brought her back to our home, kissed her in front of me, just to see me break. And then, with that cold smile, he said, “You’re nothing. Low, vulgar. You could never be worthy of me.” Wasn’t I molded by his own hands?

After Alpha Gorge tossed me aside, I became the entire Pack’s punchline. “Selina, huh?” they whispered, laughing behind my back. “Three years with Alpha Gorge, and what does she get? Played, used, then tossed. ” I ignored my parents, thinking staying close to him was worth it. Riverpack—his world—was supposed to be my place. Now, look at me. I knew the man was a flirt, a player. He loved new faces. But I thought—I thought—I could keep him. How naïve. When I was his, his brothers would call me “sister-in-law,” their smiles all fake warmth. Respect in front of him, mocking behind his back. But now? Now, they look at me like I’m a disease. “Don’t catch anything from her,” I can see it in their eyes. Alpha Gorge was my first. I never even looked at another man. But now, I’m nothing to him. I stepped out of the villa. Without Alpha Gorge, Riverpack felt massive, and I was utterly lost. Thankfully, Eva—my blunt, carefree best friend—was there. I crashed at her place. Three years of being Alpha Gorge’s slave came flooding out. She held me silently. “You’ll figure it out, Selina. ” That night, the phone rang. It was my father. “Selina,” “Mike from Stonepack wants to marry you.” I froze. The name echoed from my childhood. The Alpha of Stonepack. “He’s an Alpha now, Selina..” “But… I haven’t seen him in years. Why now?” “He wants you, Selina. This is your chance.” I was dizzy. Eva’s eyes were on me. “But… didn’t Mike have that accident? Isn’t he sex impotent…?” My father hesitated. “Yes. But he’s still Alpha. ” After my parents told me about the situation, they were very hesitant and said that if I couldn’t accept it, I should just reject it. Given the long-standing relationship between the families, Mike’s side wouldn’t make things difficult for us. In the midst of their shock, I directly told them, “I agree to the marriage.” All these years, living by Alpha Gorge’s side, I’ve done it all—the things I should and shouldn’t have done. I’ve become numb to all those so-called romantic passions between men and women. Marrying Alpha Mike, first, it would solidify Mountain pack’s position within the pack, and second, I want to settle down for once. As for whether Alpha Mike can still perform his duties as a mate, it’s no longer the most important thing to me. I didn’t expect to run into Amelia while I was grabbing my things from Alpha Gorge’s villa. “Well, well, if it isn’t Selina,” she sneered. “Is this because Alpha Gorge tossed you aside, and now you’re packing up to go back home?” It hadn’t been long since I’d last seen her, but she was already so different from the girl I first met. Back then, she was all innocence—long black hair, a white dress, and a shy, demure gaze. But now she was decked out in designer brands, jewelry glittering at every turn. I smiled, a bitter laugh. “You know, Amelia,” I said, “you’re becoming exactly what I used to be.” She froze for a second, but I could see the flicker of doubt in her eyes. “One day, you’ll end up just like me,” I added, my smile growing colder. “Maybe even worse.”

I tried to walk past her, but Amelia quickly blocked my path again, “Don’t walk away, Selina,” she taunted. “You served Alpha Gorge for three years—his personal slave. You were used up, tossed aside… and now you’re just a broken toy. Aren’t you angry? Especially since I’ve only been with him for a few days, and he’s already claiming me as his luna?” “Move. His marriage to you has nothing to do with me,” I snapped, fury rising, but I was ready to walk away. “Tell me,” she smirked, “What was it like crawling on the streets like an animal? Did it excite him? Teach me how to please him!” The words hit me like a punch. Although Alpha Gorge used his position to get me out of the mess, it took months of therapy to even start healing. But then Amelia, that bitch, kept hitting me where it hurt. I raised my hand, ready to slap her across the face. But before I could reach her, she screamed, falling to the ground in an exaggerated heap. “Wahhh… I was just trying to say hi! Why do you hate me so much? Is it because I’m taking your place? ” she wailed. Before I could even react, the sharp sting of a slap burned across my cheek. I froze, eyes wide, realizing Alpha Gorge was standing right in front of me. “Selina, are you out of your mind? If you’re angry, take it out on me, but don’t drag her into this!” Alpha Gorge’s voice slashed through the air like a whip. “I didn’t touch her. She tripped on her own, but I’m sure you’d like to blame me for that,” I snarled. Alpha Gorge’s lips curled into a cruel smirk. He stepped closer, towering over me. “You’re mad because she’s replacing you, aren’t you? You’re nothing but a broken toy, Selina. A used-up thing I’ve grown tired of. But if you beg, I might allow you to be my mistress. After all, you’ve been well-trained—like a good little bitch.” My fists clenched, my wolf stirring beneath my skin, but I held it in. “No,” my voice steady, though every word dripped with fury. “Keep your twisted affection for her. You’ve already destroyed me once. I’m done. I’m not your pet anymore.” His eyes flashed dangerously. “You think you can walk away from me? ” “Try me.” He took a step forward. “Fine,” he spat. “But don’t think you’re safe. I own you, Selina. You’re nothing without me.” “I don’t need you. You’ve done enough damage,” I whispered, turning on my heel, my wolf fighting to get free as I walked away from him. I walked into my house, my heart still pounding. But then I froze. There, in the middle of the room, stood Alpha Mike. It had been nearly ten years since I last saw him, from middle school until now, after I graduated from college. The last time I saw him was at our elementary school graduation ceremony—he was a pale, skinny, brooding boy. But when we met again this time, I barely recognized him. He had grown into a tall, handsome man, standing at nearly six feet. After so many years, I felt both strange and shy in his presence. But he, on the other hand, greeted me with a confident smile and extended his hand toward me. “Luna, I’ve waited for you to grow up. Now I can finally marry you.” I stumbled over my words, looking into his deep, bright eyes. “Who’s your luna? We’re not even married yet, don’t call me that.” “Well, tomorrow we’re getting married. Today, let’s just call it a preview,” he teased . The next day, Alpha Mike and I held a grand Luna ceremony at the Mountain Garden Hotel. As we were reading our wedding vows, the doors of the hall suddenly burst open with a loud bang. “Selina! You can’t marry him, you can only marry me!” A figure drenched in sweat, eyes frantic, rushed toward us.

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My best friend and I had both transmigrated to a primitive beastman tribe. In this tribal world, females were rare and revered, and the society practiced polyandry. The tribe’s chieftain allowed us, as newcomers, to choose our first partners. Last time, my bestie, Nicole, blushing with excitement, picked a naturally gifted serpent beastman. I chose a loyal werewolf. Nicole, however, couldn’t stay content. When the serpent went into hibernation for the winter, she opened her own “harem” and added several more partners, hoping to live a life surrounded by handsome men. But the serpent was possessive and obsessive. When he found out, he locked Nicole in a cold, underground cave and kept her there to lay egg after egg. Meanwhile, my werewolf treated me like a queen. To top it off, he eventually became the tribe’s chieftain. On the day of his succession, a jealous Nicole pushed me off a cliff. When I opened my eyes again, we were back to the day we first picked our partners. This time, Nicole rushed to pick the werewolf before I could. “Lily,” she smirked, “this time, I’ll be the chieftain’s wife.” I simply smiled and pointed at the tall, powerful white tiger priest nearby. “I’ll choose him,” I said calmly. Who needs the title of chieftain’s wife? If females truly rule this world, then why not aim higher? Becoming the queen of the beastmen sounds much better.

After being pushed off that cliff, I was reborn. I woke up on the exact day Nicole and I first arrived in the primitive beastman tribe. As soon as I opened my eyes, I heard the elderly voice of the tribe’s chieftain. “All our unmated males are here for you two esteemed females. Choose whomever you like as your partner.” Last time, Nicole and I were confused and overwhelmed. Thankfully, we were somehow able to understand the beastmen’s language despite being new to this world. Nicole, ever the thrill-seeker and self-proclaimed “dating expert” back in our world, didn’t hesitate for even a second. She immediately pointed to the serpent beastman—handsome, with sharp, almost feminine features—and declared him her choice. “Two tails? I can handle it,” she whispered excitedly to me, practically bouncing with glee. To her, this tribe was paradise. As she scanned the remaining beastmen, she turned to me with a grin. “Lily, you’re too boring to handle someone flashy. If you choose someone too good-looking, another female might steal him from you. Go for someone plain and reliable.” She pointed at a few beastmen who had average appearances after taking human form. I followed her advice—not because I was afraid of losing my partner, but because one of the beastmen she pointed to was a werewolf. I’d heard that werewolves were fiercely loyal to their mates. Once bonded, they would never leave or stray. With him, I wouldn’t have to worry about Nicole trying to take him from me. And I was right. My werewolf remained devoted to me, no matter how hard Nicole tried to seduce him. Her frustration grew, and one day, she sneered, “Ugh, Lily, your werewolf is so stubborn. He’s too dumb to know what’s good for him.” I only smiled in response. Sure, he was single-minded when it came to his mate. But dumb? Far from it. If he were truly dumb, he wouldn’t have been able to leverage my influence in the tribe to climb all the way to the chieftain’s position. Of course, Nicole didn’t know about the lengths my werewolf went to protect and guide me. This time, as soon as the chieftain finished speaking, Nicole wasted no time. “I’ll take him,” she said, pointing directly at the werewolf. Hearing her words, the werewolf’s eyes lit up with surprise and joy. In the White Tiger Tribe, werewolves were considered mid-tier at best—strong, but not extraordinary. Most females overlooked them. The other beastmen, however, were clearly upset. One particularly large black bear beastman thumped his chest, saying, “Esteemed female, why would you choose a lowly werewolf when I’m right here?” The werewolf stiffened, his expression betraying a hint of self-doubt. But Nicole walked straight up to him with a sweet smile. “I’ll take him. I trust that the mate I’ve chosen will prove to be the best.” Before leaving, she leaned toward me and whispered smugly, “Lily, this time, I’m going to be the chieftain’s wife.” I said nothing, watching as she confidently grabbed the werewolf’s hand. The werewolf, overcome with emotion, let out an excited howl. The other beastmen could only glare enviously at him before turning their attention to me. I scanned the remaining group, my gaze landing on the serpent beastman. Nicole noticed and smirked. “Lily, you know serpents are… skilled in certain areas. You’re inexperienced, so maybe he’d be a good choice for you. Save yourself some discomfort, you know?” I chuckled lightly, shaking my head. “No thanks. You know I don’t like spineless creatures.” Then I pointed to the tall white tiger priest standing near the serpent. “I’ll take him.” The priest’s eyes widened in surprise, while the chieftain’s face lit up with approval. Nicole, however, couldn’t hide her amusement. I knew what she was thinking. The white tiger priest wasn’t just the tribe’s spiritual leader—he was also the chieftain’s son and the heir to the White Tiger Tribe. Ordinarily, he’d be a perfect choice. But in my previous life, he’d been ambushed by a neighboring tribe while hunting and died from his injuries. His death had paved the way for my werewolf to rise to power. This time, though, I wasn’t about to let history repeat itself. I would make sure the white tiger priest survived—and I would turn him into the sharpest weapon in my arsenal. Nicole could have her petty dream of being the chieftain’s wife. As for me? In a world where females ruled, why settle for anything less than becoming queen? This time, I would take control of my own destiny.

Once Nicole and I had chosen our partners, we stood in front of all the beastmen of the White Tiger Tribe to officially form our contracts. In this primitive society, a female could have multiple male consorts, but only the males who had a formal contract with her were allowed to live with her. The rest—those who weren’t bound by contracts—were no better than ancient mistresses in human history. Of course, there was one key difference between this world and human society: male consorts were an openly accepted part of life here. There was no secrecy or shame, no hiding them in the shadows. That said, being kicked out by a female if she no longer found you desirable was completely normal, and no one would bat an eye. In our past life, Nicole had taken full advantage of this system. Despite knowing how possessive and obsessive the serpent beastman could be, she still dared to flirt with other males during his hibernation. Why? Because she’d never planned to keep him around forever. Nicole’s goal was simple: have her fun, then toss him aside with some convenient excuse. But things didn’t go as planned. In this world, female beastmen were extraordinarily rare. For the males who had fought tooth and claw for the chance to become her consorts, being discarded wasn’t something they’d accept quietly. By the time the serpent beastman emerged from hibernation, Nicole’s actions had already come back to haunt her. The males she had flirted with surrounded him, demanding answers. Nicole’s excuse? “The serpent doesn’t allow me to have other consorts.” When the serpent beastman learned what she had done while he was hibernating, he was livid. After a brutal fight with the other males, he dragged Nicole back to his lair, his expression dark and stormy. That was when her nightmare began. He tormented her in every way imaginable, refusing to let her leave until she bore his children. One clutch of snake eggs turned into another, and another. Nicole tried to escape, of course, but the serpent beastman never allowed her the chance to set foot outside his cave. Her only opportunity came on the day the werewolf was set to inherit the position of White Tiger Tribe chieftain. The entire tribe—old, young, male, female—was required to attend the ceremony. Nicole used this as her chance, emerging with her snake offspring in tow. The ceremony was held on a cliff behind the tribe, a sacred location used for offerings to the gods. Nicole’s jealousy boiled over when she saw me, someone she’d always thought inferior, standing proudly as the chieftain’s mate. She waited until all the beastmen were kneeling in prayer, then made her move. Charging at me with wild eyes, she screamed, “Lily! You’ve always been beneath me in everything—how dare you have a better life than me?! Go to hell!”

My family used to live next door to Nicole’s family. Back then, we were better off than they were. But after my parents died in a car accident, everything changed. My grandmother, biased and cold-hearted, funneled everything my parents left behind to my uncle’s family. In her eyes, I was just a girl—an outsider—unworthy of inheriting my father’s estate. Nicole’s mom, noticing my pitiful situation, stepped in and offered to financially support me. At the time, I was grateful. But later, I regretted accepting their help more times than I could count. Nicole made sure everyone knew about it. She loved to tell people how her family had “saved” me, how I’d never have finished school without their help, and how I would’ve ended up in an orphanage if it weren’t for their generosity. From then on, I was always a step below her. If I did well in school, she hated it—so I started intentionally scoring lower just to appease her. I became her shadow, the sidekick she could outshine. Even the friends I made slowly drifted away whenever Nicole appeared, drawn to her magnetic, self-centered charm. And when I got a boyfriend in college? Nicole made a special trip during fall break just to steal him. “Lily, don’t be mad,” she said with a sweet smile. “I just wanted to test if he really loved you. You’re my best friend, after all, and I didn’t want to see you get hurt by some loser.” She had the audacity to add, “See? Now you know the truth. You should be thanking me.” So I forced myself to smile back and said, “Thank you, Nicole.” Her grin widened with smug satisfaction. “Of course! That’s what best friends are for, right?” Inside, I was seething. The word best friend had been thoroughly defiled by people like her. But as much as I wanted to cut her out of my life, I couldn’t. Her mom had helped me when I needed it most. I couldn’t bear to repay that kindness with hostility or risk upsetting her family. That was my past life. The moment Nicole shoved me off that cliff, all debts were erased. I didn’t owe her or her family a single thing anymore.

The contracts were finalized quickly. The chieftain smiled warmly at us and said, “Well, now that the contracts are complete, you may go back to your homes.” He turned to address the other males, his tone reassuring. “As for the rest of you, don’t lose heart. If you can win the favor of either one of these females, you still have a chance to become one of their consorts.” Hearing this, the other beastmen visibly relaxed. Their eyes lit up as they turned their attention back to Nicole and me, their gazes filled with desire. Before they could act, the white tiger priest stepped forward and shielded me with his massive frame. His piercing gaze swept over the crowd as he let out a low, menacing growl. “She’s mine,” he snarled. “I won’t share her with anyone.” His voice carried a deadly edge. “If anyone dares to lay a hand on my female, I’ll rip them apart.” The room fell silent. The other beastmen exchanged uneasy glances. They knew better than to challenge him. As the tribe’s priest and strongest warrior, his strength was unmatched. Competing with him for a female was a losing battle. Nicole, however, wasn’t as fortunate. The werewolf she’d chosen was nowhere near as powerful. Compared to the other males in the White Tiger Tribe, his strength didn’t even place him in the top 100. The rest of the beastmen quickly turned their attention to Nicole, their gazes predatory. Their eyes flicked to the werewolf, filled with disdain and thinly veiled hostility. Males in this world valued strength above all else. The werewolf’s mediocre abilities made him an easy target. Why should someone so weak have the right to monopolize a rare and delicate female like Nicole? The priest’s dominance made sense to them. But the werewolf? He didn’t deserve the privilege in their eyes. Nicole, however, seemed oblivious to the danger. Instead, she reveled in the attention, a satisfied smile spreading across her face as the males argued and glared at each other. In her mind, this was exactly how things were supposed to be—males fighting over her, treating her like a prize. What she didn’t realize was that once she entered the werewolf’s den, leaving wouldn’t be so easy. I cast her a calm, uninterested glance before turning to the white tiger priest. “I’m tired,” I said softly. “I’d like to rest.” His golden eyes softened with concern, and in an instant, his massive arms—each thicker than my thighs—swept me up effortlessly. “I’ll take you back to rest right now,” he said firmly. Without another word, he carried me out of the gathering, holding me securely to his chest as he sprinted toward his stone house.

In the White Tiger Tribe, the priest’s status was even higher than the chieftain’s. The priest wasn’t just responsible for rituals and divinations or keeping the tribe’s ancient secrets; he was also the tribe’s sole healer. In a primitive society with almost no medical infrastructure, whether an injured beastman survived often depended entirely on the priest’s knowledge of medicine. When the white tiger priest carried me back to his stone house, he carefully laid me down on a stone bed covered with animal pelts. His piercing golden eyes fixed on me as he spoke gently, “Rest here for a moment. I’ll grab you an extra blanket.” I nodded, watching as he rummaged through a wooden chest and pulled out a large, thick pelt. But instead of covering me with it, he spread the blanket over the bed, layering it on top of the existing pelts. After smoothing it out, he turned back to me, his gaze lingering on my exposed skin. “Your skin looks delicate. With this extra padding, you won’t feel the hardness of the stone bed.” I couldn’t help but be surprised. For someone as strong and imposing as the white tiger priest, his attention to detail was unexpected. “Thank you,” I said. “By the way, what’s your name? I’m Lily.” “My name is Kaelan,” he replied. “If you need anything, just let me know.” I nodded again. “Got it. Thanks, Kaelan. Now, I think I’ll get some sleep.” Nicole and I had stumbled into this unrecorded, primitive tribe during a hiking trip in the mountains. By the time the beastmen from the White Tiger Tribe found us and brought us back to their village, we had already been hiking for nearly two hours. I was completely drained. Kaelan seemed to notice my exhaustion. As I lay down, his deep voice softened. “I won’t disturb you. I’ll go find you something to eat. What would you like for dinner?” The thought of food in a primitive tribe sent a shiver through me. Quickly, I blurted out, “Some berries, please. And maybe some meat soup, but make sure the meat is cut into small pieces. I can’t chew big chunks.” Beastmen could shift between their beast and human forms, and when in their beast forms, eating raw meat was completely normal for them. In their human forms, however, they mostly cooked their food—boiling it into soups or roasting it over a fire. The issue was that their sheer size made them cook everything in massive portions. The meat chunks were the size of my arm, and their bones were even longer than my forearm. For them, gnawing on these was effortless. For me? It was like trying to chew through a tire. In my past life, I couldn’t adjust to their food and had to survive on berries alone. That led to severe malnutrition, and during a summer rainstorm, I fell sick and nearly died. It was Kaelan’s medical skills that saved me. He brewed a foul-smelling herbal concoction that tasted awful but brought my fever down within hours. Kaelan stared at me for a moment, then nodded seriously. “Understood. Rest now.” “Okay,” I murmured, closing my eyes. Exhausted from the day’s events, I quickly drifted off into a deep sleep. When I woke up, the sky outside had already grown dark. I sat up abruptly on the stone bed, startled by how much time had passed. “Lily, you’re awake,” Kaelan’s deep voice rumbled from nearby. “You must be hungry. Come eat something.” Rubbing my stomach, which was now uncomfortably empty, I got out of bed and walked over to the wooden table. Two stone bowls were already set out. One was filled with steaming meat soup, and the other with a selection of unfamiliar berries. “Did you eat already?” I asked as I sat down. Kaelan nodded, his golden eyes locked onto my face. There was something uncomfortably intense about his gaze—warm, almost scorching, like an unspoken hunger simmering beneath the surface. “I’ve eaten. Don’t worry about me. Eat up,” he said, his voice low and steady. Gripping the wooden spoon tightly, I tried to ignore the tingling sensation his eyes sent down my spine. I knew then that Kaelan wasn’t going to let me off easily tonight. I took a cautious sip of the soup. To my surprise, Kaelan had gone above and beyond. The meat was cut into thin, tender strips and cooked to perfection—it practically melted in my mouth. Though the soup was simply seasoned with salt, it was rich and flavorful, the natural taste of the meat shining through. Before I knew it, I was halfway through the bowl. But the portions were enormous, far more than I could handle. I set the spoon down, feeling full. “I can’t eat anymore,” I said, pushing the bowl away. Kaelan’s gaze flicked to my stomach, as if to confirm I’d eaten enough. After a moment, he nodded, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. “I’ll clean up,” he said, gathering the bowls. “There’s a hot spring in the back of the house. You can use it to wash up.” A hot spring? I couldn’t hide my excitement. Most beastmen were rough and unbothered by hygiene, often bathing in rivers or streams. But for someone like me, accustomed to modern comforts, the idea of bathing in a river was out of the question. With a hot spring in Kaelan’s home, I wouldn’t have to worry about that anymore. As soon as Kaelan left with the bowls, I followed the dim light toward the part of the house he mentioned. Sure enough, warm steam rose from a natural pool of water, filling the air with a soothing heat. I wasted no time shedding my clothes and slipping into the water. The warmth enveloped me, easing the tension from my muscles. Just as I was beginning to relax, the faint glow of firelight entered the room. Kaelan stepped in, holding a torch in one hand. He mounted it on the wall before turning toward me. His golden eyes burned with an intensity that made my breath hitch as he began walking toward me. His towering frame loomed closer, his gaze hot enough to melt the water around me. My body trembled involuntarily. The werewolf from my past life was nowhere near Kaelan’s size or strength, and even then, I had barely survived the experience. If Kaelan had his way with me, would I even make it out of this alive? As my thoughts spiraled, Kaelan reached me, his arms wrapping around me with a possessive strength. His body heat radiated even hotter than the spring water. I felt my legs go weak, my worries melting away as his steady heartbeat thudded against my back.

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During the company’s video conference, a different girl’s face appeared on Byron Adams’ screen. The girl, seemingly innocent, was playing with his computer, completely oblivious to the fact that the camera was on. It wasn’t until Byron returned from the bathroom that she said in a sweet tone, “I didn’t know you were in a meeting. You promised to spend three days with me, but now you’ve been in meetings for days. How annoying.” The colleagues who had been speaking earlier fell silent. Everyone waited to see how I would react. After all, they had witnessed more than a few of our arguments in the office before. But this time, I didn’t make a scene. Instead, I coldly told the colleague, “Please continue, don’t mind the irrelevant things.” I watched as the room became quiet, and my eyes focused on Byron’s screen where the girl was still playfully cuddling him. I ignored it and asked the colleague to continue. If this had happened at another time, I would have probably snapped and confronted Byron, but today, I was calm. After all, Byron never let me, his wife, touch his computer. The way the girl was interacting with it seemed so familiar, and their closeness was undeniable. I had never seen him like this before. Every time I tried to be affectionate with him, he would coldly push me away, saying, “Lydia, don’t you have your own things to do? We’re adults. Just don’t do this.” Even when I wanted to use his computer, he would immediately take it away, saying he didn’t like anyone touching it. As the meeting continued, my mind kept returning to these thoughts until Byron called me and asked, “Did you see what happened just now?” I replied, my tone calm, “See what? I don’t have time to pay attention to things that aren’t work-related.” I could almost hear him sigh with relief on the other end of the line. Then, I added, “Did you do anything?” He quickly explained himself, and after listening, I nodded and hung up the phone. For the first time, I didn’t argue with him.

He probably didn’t expect me to hang up, so he sent a follow-up message explaining again. I ignored it, replying with a simple “OK”. His dissatisfaction with my indifferent attitude was clear. [Byron, I don’t want to argue with you.] I replied and then turned on the “Do Not Disturb” mode for his chat. Just then, a friend request notification popped up. It was from a girl with a little bunny profile photo. I accepted her application. She didn’t say anything after adding me. When I clicked on her recent photo, I understood everything. It was a fresh selfie of the same girl who had appeared on Byron’s screen earlier. She was holding his computer, and it captioned: [Oops, I disturbed baby during his meeting, but he didn’t get mad at me.] Her post and friend request were clearly intended to provoke me, but I didn’t delete her. Instead, I let it linger, observing in silence. The post that caught my attention the most was one from my birthday. Byron, who was supposed to be on a business trip, was in a photo with her. They were seated at the center of the table, and the girl was wearing a crown, looking incredibly happy. Byron’s friend commented under the photo: [You two look so happy. Byron has abandoned me.] Byron replied: [Shut up, man.] I could feel the joy in his words through the screen. I suddenly remembered how, on my birthday, I had waited at home for him to return, only for him to ignore my many calls. When he finally picked up, his voice was impatient, and he only told me to sleep early. My call must have interrupted his good mood. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at myself.

I scrolled through more of the girl’s posts but found them uninteresting. After washing up, I went to bed, intending to sleep. But Byron returned just as I was about to drift off. I heard his footsteps upstairs and pretended to close my eyes. Then I heard him undressing. After a while, I felt the bed dip as he sat down and pulled me into his arms. His body carried the scent of the cologne I bought him, mingled with a faint fragrance of gardenias. It wasn’t my scent. I couldn’t help but think, was she also wrapped in his arms like this? Was she leaving her scent on him too? The thought made me feel nauseous. Without making a sound, I pulled away from his embrace and resisted his intimacy for the first time. In the past, I would have snuggled closer to him the moment he lay down. I would have buried my head in his arms, greedily inhaling his scent. But now, I couldn’t stand it. He stiffened behind me, seemingly confused, and tried to pull me closer again. “Don’t hold me. It’s uncomfortable,” I said, my eyes still closed. He sat up, suddenly irritated. “What’s wrong with you? Did you hear something? Or is there something I’ve done wrong to upset you?” I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. What could I ask him? Who was that girl? Did he love me? Right now, those questions didn’t matter anymore. “I’ve worked all day and stayed up late to revise the proposal. I’m really tired,” I replied, my voice devoid of emotion. “Please, stop making this a big deal. I just want to rest.” He exploded. “You’re insane! I just wanted to hug you, and now I’m wrong?” With that, he slammed the door and stormed off, leaving me with his cold back. In the past, I would have chased after him, clinging to his hand, begging him not to be angry. But now, I just silently pulled the blanket back over myself and tried to sleep. My rest was more important than anything else. The wall between us felt thicker now, and neither of us reached out to the other. We stayed like that in a strange silence. For the next week, Byron didn’t come home for dinner or send me any messages. When he saw me at work, he only gave me a brief, indifferent glance. Colleagues whispered about whether we had fought, or if it was because of the events that day. But the girl kept posting frequently on her social media. I thought the cold war would continue indefinitely, until one evening, I received a message from home about a family dinner. I realized I had to reach out to Byron, but my message was met with complete silence. Reluctantly, I went to the house he had lived in before we got married. It was where he always went after our arguments, and this time was no different.

I stood at the door, listening to the laughter coming from inside the villa, and couldn’t help but frown. The familiar, coquettish voice sounded exactly like the one I had heard coming from Byron’s computer that day. With a scowl on my face, I pushed the villa’s door open. Suddenly, something white and fluffy pounced at me, knocking me to the ground. My back scraped against some small stones, and I winced in pain. I looked up to see a dog. Completely unsure of how to react, I froze. “Where did this dog come from? Get it off me!” I shouted. I had been terrified of dogs since childhood after being chased by a neighbor’s large dog. Now, with a big dog pinning me down, I couldn’t stop shaking. Just then, the dog was pulled off me. Byron’s hand reached out in front of me, his face filled with confusion. I ignored him, got up, and moved away to put some distance between myself and the dog. I took a good look at the dog. Its fur was well-groomed, and it even had a cute little butterfly ornament on its ear. When it saw me standing, it tried to pounce again. I instinctively stepped back a couple of steps. “Why are you here?” Byron said softly and squatted down to pet the dog. “Didn’t you see…?” “Byron, what happened? Where’s Peach?” A high-pitched, girlish voice called out, and the figure of the girl I had seen in the photos appeared before me. Seeing her face in person made my heart ache with bitterness, especially the way Byron looked at her—his gaze was full of warmth. He quickly stepped in front of the girl, blocking her from my view, and his soft expression disappeared immediately. “What’s wrong, Byron? Why are you standing in front of me? Did Peach have an accident?” The girl slipped from behind him, and as soon as she saw me, her smile faltered. She froze when she saw me standing there. As she came closer, I couldn’t help but feel drawn to her vibrant energy. “Who is she?” the girl asked, her voice filled with confusion as she looked up at Byron. But when her gaze shifted to me, there was an unmistakable hint of challenge in her eyes. She knew who I was, and after adding me on social media, she probably knew about me long before this. “She is…” “I’m his wife, legally his wife.” I interrupted Byron’s attempt to explain and smiled at the girl in front of me. As I expected, her expression faltered for a moment before she tried to regain her composure. Her little act only made me laugh. She took a few steps back, looking uncomfortable, and struggled to pull the large dog back inside. “Well, since your wife is here, you two can have a talk. I’ll go give Peach some water.” Her fake, sad demeanor made even me feel a little sorry for her. But Byron, of course, was completely captivated by her. After she left, Byron glared at me with clear frustration. “What are you even doing here?” he asked, his voice cold. “Your family invited us for dinner, and you didn’t respond to any of my messages, so I came.” I answered calmly, indifferent to his anger, as though I didn’t even feel it. My response shut him down, leaving him speechless. I ignored him completely and walked confidently inside the house. I sat down on the sofa and looked at Byron as he followed me in. “You have 20 minutes to get ready. We need to leave on time,” I said, my tone firm. As soon as I finished speaking, the same large dog that had tackled me earlier charged toward me, as if triggered by something. It viciously bit at my clothes. “Get off me!” I shouted, grabbing my handbag and swinging it at the dog. It hit the dog on the head, leaving a small cut. I called out for Byron, but by the time I was knocked down, he was already over by the girl, shielding her in his arms. Seeing that, my heart sank completely.

It wasn’t until the housekeeper came in to control the dog that I managed to free myself. My hand had been bitten, and I couldn’t stop myself from shivering when I saw the dog again. The girl, as if I had done something truly unforgivable, started crying loudly. “Why did you hurt my dog?! “It just wanted to play with you, and you broke its head!” She cried, burying her face in Byron’s chest. Meanwhile, I stood there, bleeding, listening to her accuse me. Was I supposed to just let the dog attack me? Should I have waited until it bit me to death? “I don’t understand what this lady is saying, but your dog kept pouncing on me again and again. “And this time, it even bit my hand. “I haven’t even asked you for compensation yet, and you’re crying?” I pushed my bloody hand right in front of Byron and the girl, showing her the wound. “Ah!” The girl gasped, terrified, and buried her head even deeper into Byron’s chest. Her fragile act only made Byron look even more concerned for her. His gaze toward me was full of reproach. “Lydia, Flora just said that Peach only wanted to play with you. “It’s because you’re afraid of dogs that Peach reacted like that and bit you. “You’re really becoming impossible to reason with.” Byron’s words made me feel utterly disgusted. He remembered that I was afraid of dogs but still took her side and blamed me. “Byron, you’re really being unreasonable,” I snapped. “Go ahead and pamper your dog and the girl in your arms. I don’t care anymore. “You can skip the family dinner.” With that, I straightened myself up, tidied my disheveled appearance, and left for the dinner on my own, without giving Byron a chance to speak. By the time the family dinner was over, Byron still hadn’t shown up. He didn’t come home that night, just like before. I was perfectly fine with the peace. But the girl’s social media updated again. [Thank you for always being there for me and taking care of Peach.] The accompanying photo showed a man’s back, who was lovingly petting the dog. There was no doubt that it was aimed at me, like a deliberate provocation. I didn’t feel much of anything. I simply turned off my phone and went to sleep peacefully. The next morning, I was woken by a loud knock on the door. I got up and opened it to find Byron, his face red with anger.

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Six years after breaking up with my ex-girlfriend, I saw her again at a class reunion, arm in arm with her younger boyfriend. She publicly announced their engagement to everyone. Instantly, the private room erupted with cheers and jeers. Everyone was waiting to see how I, the ex-boyfriend, would react to this embarrassing situation. But I didn’t make a scene. Instead, I calmly transferred $1,000 as an engagement gift. My ex-girlfriend suddenly lost her composure. She pulled me aside and whispered urgently: “It’s been six years. Isn’t that long enough for you to get over it? I’m just putting on a show with him to appease his family back home. After this, I’ll marry you.” But later, when she discovered I was already married with a child, she broke down in tears, desperately begging me to come back to her. In the private room, everyone was stunned when they saw me give the engagement gift. They hadn’t expected this reaction from me. After all, they all knew how much I had loved Olivia. I couldn’t stand seeing her being intimate with Ethan. In the past, I would get insanely jealous even if they just had a meal together. But soon, the classmates, always eager for drama, started teasing and cheering again. Some praised me for being generous, others for being devoted. An ex-boyfriend giving $1,000 for his ex’s engagement was quite a gesture. Amid the commotion, Ethan’s lips curled into a smug smile, his eyes flashing with triumph. Olivia, however, furrowed her brow, her eyes clouded with an unreadable expression. After a moment of silence, she pulled me aside and whispered: “Jack, it’s been six years. Isn’t that long enough for you to get over it?” “Ethan and I are just going through the motions. You know his family back home has been pressuring him to get married…” “This is the last time I’m helping him. After this is over, I’ll marry you.” Hearing Olivia say this, I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly to myself. I had lost count of how many times I had heard her say these words. In the past, every time Olivia got close to Ethan, she would habitually make empty promises to me, either promising to cook for me or to marry me. And every time, I would eagerly swallow her promises, taking the way out she offered. But now, I no longer wanted to eat the cake she was offering. I didn’t want to take the easy way out anymore. Besides, we had broken up. Whether her relationship with Ethan was real or fake, what did it have to do with me? Thinking of this, I discreetly pulled my hand away and said coolly: “Olivia, we’ve broken up. You don’t need to explain anything to me.” Olivia was taken aback for a moment, then her eyes immediately turned cold. “What do you mean, broken up? We’ve just been having a cold war these past few years, haven’t we?” But I found it laughable. Who has a cold war that lasts six years? The truth was, I had blocked and deleted her six years ago. I had even sent her a breakup email and moved all my belongings out of our shared apartment. If she had cared about me even a little, she would have noticed something was wrong. Moreover, for the past six years, our mutual friends had all accepted the fact that we had broken up. It was only Olivia who was living in denial. Thinking of this, I didn’t bother to argue further. I just gave a cold laugh and turned to leave. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have come to this class reunion at all. As soon as I left the private room, Olivia and Ethan immediately chased after me. Ethan ran ahead to block my way, putting on a fake concerned expression: “Brother Jack, why are you leaving so suddenly? It’s a good class reunion.” “Are you still upset about what happened six years ago? If you’re feeling guilty, I can apologize to you.” He deliberately emphasized the words “six years ago”. Hearing this, Olivia’s face immediately darkened. She instinctively shielded Ethan behind her, glaring at me coldly. “Jack, why are you so petty? How can you still be holding a grudge over such a small matter?” But I found it laughable. So my life was just a trivial matter in Olivia’s eyes? Six years ago, just because Ethan said he was afraid of the dark and didn’t dare to go downstairs to buy medicine, Olivia abandoned me on the highway on our wedding day, nearly getting me killed by oncoming traffic. I trudged through a heavy snowstorm for three hours to reach the wedding venue. By the time I arrived at the wedding venue, I was a complete mess. I had to cancel the wedding in front of everyone, utterly humiliated. Afterward, I caught a severe fever from exposure to the cold. During that time, Olivia never once came to see me. Her heart and eyes were full of Ethan. She even stayed overnight at Ethan’s place, taking care of him who was “traumatized”. Ethan even posted about it on social media to show off, making me the laughingstock of everyone. That was the 99th time Olivia had abandoned me for Ethan. Because of that, my heart completely died. I accepted a job transfer and left for the States, staying away for six years. I knew Ethan was deliberately trying to provoke me by bringing up old wounds. In the past, I would have definitely blown up in anger. Unfortunately for him, this time, he was going to be disappointed. Thinking of this, I calmly replied: “There’s nothing to be angry about. After all, Olivia and I ended things six years ago. Besides, I’m doing very well now.” But Ethan was convinced I was angry. He continued his act, explaining in a pretentious manner: “Brother Jack, don’t misunderstand. My engagement to Olivia is just for show, just to appease my relatives back home.” “If you’re really bothered by it, I can cancel the engagement party…” Before he could finish, Olivia had already interrupted him. “No way, Ethan! We’ve already invited the guests. Canceling at the last minute would be so embarrassing for you!” I found it amusing. So Olivia did know that canceling a wedding at the last minute was embarrassing. Then why didn’t she think about how embarrassing it would be for me back then? She knew that a runaway bride would make me lose face and feel awkward, yet she still chose to abandon me for Ethan, leaving me to face a room full of guests alone, humiliating me… Here, sensing my disgusted gaze, Olivia faltered for a moment, unconsciously biting her lip before quickly softening her tone to explain to me. “Jack, Ethan needs me. I can’t just ignore him…” Ethan also played the good guy, taking off his engagement ring and handing it to me with fake sincerity. “Brother Jack, this ring originally belonged to you. Now that you’re back, I should naturally return it to its rightful owner.” He was pretending to be noble on the surface, but in reality, he was just taking the opportunity to show off. Olivia, looking at the familiar ring, couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smug smile. “Jack, remember? I had this ring specially designed for you back then.” It was true that Olivia had the ring designed for me, but I had never worn it. Just because Ethan said he liked it, she unhesitatingly gave him the ring that was specially customized for me. He had been wearing it ever since. I let out a cold sneer and threw the diamond ring into a nearby trash can. “I don’t want something that someone else has worn.” With that, I turned to leave, not bothering to waste any more words. Seeing that I was about to leave, Olivia’s eyes flickered. She quickly ran up and grabbed my hand. “Jack, stop right there!” As she grabbed me, she was unexpectedly pricked by something. When she let go and looked, she was surprised to find a wedding ring glittering on my ring finger. Olivia froze on the spot. “A wedding ring? You… you’re married?”

I didn’t deny it. After all, my marriage was a fact. Seeing my silent confirmation, Olivia’s eyes widened in disbelief. She stared at me intently, her burning gaze seeming to bore holes through me. Ethan, on the other hand, was stunned for a moment before speaking in a sarcastic tone: “Brother Jack, doesn’t that ring look kind of fake? You haven’t been scammed, have you?” “And when did you get married? How come we didn’t hear anything about it?” Hearing him say this, Olivia unconsciously let out a sigh of relief, then said smugly: “Jack, I knew it. Who else in this world would want you except me?” “Alright, I get it. You’re doing this just to get my attention and make me marry you, right?” “I promise you, after I help Ethan this time, we’ll get married. Is that good enough for you?” I knew Olivia was giving me a way out. She had always been arrogant, even in the way she offered compromises. It was as if she was bestowing a great favor upon me. She always did this. Whenever I got angry, she would habitually make empty promises, trying to appease me. For the past six years, I had indeed wanted to marry Olivia. Even my birthday wish every year was for her to become my bride. Olivia knew I loved her, so she repeatedly used marriage to manipulate me, forcing me to compromise. As long as she offered a way out, no matter how angry I was, I would always take it. I didn’t want to make things difficult for her. But now, we had broken up. Why should I care about her feelings anymore? I pretended not to hear Olivia’s words, not even bothering to lift my eyelids. Seeing that I wasn’t eagerly accepting her words like before, but instead remained completely indifferent, not giving her any face at all, Olivia frowned in dissatisfaction. She grabbed my hand and said coldly: “Jack, what do you mean by ignoring me? I’ve already agreed to marry you, what more do you want?” But I remained cold: “Do whatever you want, but don’t stop me from going back to my wife and child. Move aside.” With that, I shook off Olivia’s hand and turned to leave. But Olivia became anxious: “Jack, what do you mean? Explain yourself clearly!” She was about to chase after me when Ethan suddenly crouched down, clutching his head and pretending to be in pain. He tightly gripped Olivia’s clothes. “Olivia, my head hurts so much…” Olivia immediately stopped chasing me and rushed to Ethan’s side, her face full of concern. “Ethan, what’s wrong? Did you drink too much earlier?” “Jack, Ethan is feeling sick from the alcohol. I’m going to take him to a nearby hotel to rest…” As she said this, Olivia glanced at me guiltily, as if seeking my approval. But I found it laughable. Was she trying to explain herself to me? Before she could finish, I had already coldly interrupted: “Go if you want to. You don’t need to ask me. Don’t forget, we broke up long ago.” Olivia was stunned, not expecting this reaction from me at all. In the past, whenever I knew she was going to be alone with Ethan, I would always try to stop her frantically, going crazy with jealousy. But the reason I acted that way was because I loved her and cared about her. Now that I no longer loved Olivia, what did it matter to me who she was with? Hearing me say this, Olivia’s voice quickened, her breathing becoming more rapid. “Jack, aren’t you worried at all about me going to a hotel alone with Ethan?” I knew she wanted me to stop her like I used to, even to beg her shamelessly not to go. In the past, when I tried to stop her, she would accuse me of being controlling, call me narrow-minded, saying that people with dirty minds see everything as dirty. Now that I was letting her be free, why was she suddenly unhappy about it? Thinking of this, I looked at Olivia and said with a cold smile: “You’re just my ex. Why should I worry about you?” Olivia’s face turned ashen. She opened her mouth to say something. Before she could speak, Ethan had already interrupted, frantically complaining about his headache. Olivia finally turned her attention back to Ethan. She supported him and gave me a cold look. “Jack, you said it yourself. Don’t regret it later!” “Let’s go, Ethan. I’ll take you to the hotel!” With that, Olivia supported Ethan and left in a huff. I knew she was trying to do the same thing as before, deliberately being intimate with Ethan to make me jealous and coax her. But this time, I turned and left without looking back, preparing to return to the hotel to see my wife and daughter. This trip back home, attending the class reunion was just a side event. The main purpose was to bring my wife and daughter here for a vacation. Come to think of it, I should thank Olivia. If she hadn’t driven me away six years ago, I wouldn’t have met my wife Emma, and we wouldn’t have had our lovely daughter Lily. Emma and I met on the streets of Paris. At that time, I was slightly injured and wandering the streets in a daze when I accidentally bumped into her. I quickly apologized to her. After learning what had happened, not only did she not mind, but she also bought me a cup of hot milk tea, comforting me that life was beautiful and encouraging me to look forward. After that, we exchanged contact information. She listened to my grievances, and I shared my life with her. Unlike Olivia, Emma always greeted me with a smile, always gentle and kind. With her encouragement and companionship, I gradually moved past the shadow of my failed relationship. Soon, we got together, and we even had our adorable Lily. Over the years, my wife and daughter have been my motivation to work hard and move forward. Just thinking about seeing them soon put me in a great mood, and my steps unconsciously quickened. But as luck would have it, as soon as I arrived at the hotel, I ran into Olivia and Ethan. They were staying at the same hotel. Seeing me, Olivia was stunned: “Why are you here?” Ethan immediately stirred up trouble: “Olivia, Brother Jack must have realized his mistake and followed us here to apologize!” Hearing this, Olivia’s eyes flashed with joy, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly, but her tone remained as arrogant as ever. “Jack, weren’t you acting all tough earlier? What, you regret it so soon? You even followed us here?” “Well, considering your good attitude in admitting your mistake, if you just apologize to me, I might forgive you.” Looking at Olivia’s self-absorbed expression, I only felt disgusted. I laughed coldly. “Don’t flatter yourself. I just happen to be staying here.” But Olivia didn’t believe me. She snorted coldly: “This is a couples’ hotel. You’re staying here? Who are you trying to fool?” I was about to speak when the door behind me opened. Emma walked out from inside, giving me a gentle smile. “Honey, you’re back.”

“What? Honey! She called you honey?” Olivia stood frozen, her voice trembling slightly. When she saw the matching wedding ring on Emma’s finger, her face turned even paler, looking extremely ugly. “A wedding ring… Jack, you really did get married?” But soon, Olivia regained her previous cold and arrogant demeanor. She looked down at Emma standing next to me, sneering with disdain: “So you’re Jack’s wife? You don’t look like much!” “So what if you’re married? How long have you been together? Jack and I have 18 years of history. How could you possibly compare?” “Jack loves me the most, and only me. He’s just playing around with you.” “He left the country back then because we had a fight. He found you out of spite. You’re just a rebound.” “Otherwise, why would he come back home for no reason? It’s obviously for me!” “Let me tell you, Jack coming back to me is just a matter of time.” “If you’re smart, you should leave now. Save yourself the embarrassment of being dumped later!” I was speechless, finding Olivia utterly ridiculous. Emma also looked at Olivia as if she were looking at an idiot. Even though she was very angry, she still maintained her inherent gentleness and good manners. She walked to my side, linking her arm with mine in a gesture of claiming ownership, and smiled graciously at Olivia. “Jack and you are in the past. Now, I am his wife.” “And you are just an ex, not worth mentioning at all.” Emma used the gentlest tone to say the most cutting words. Olivia’s face turned red with anger. She raised her hand, about to slap Emma. “You bitch, you’re just my replacement! Jack loves me the most. Who are you to talk back to me?” As Olivia’s hand was about to land on Emma’s face, I reached out to block it, coldly slapping Olivia instead. “Olivia, that’s enough!” After slapping Olivia, I immediately turned to comfort Emma. “Honey, are you okay? Are you hurt?” Olivia, holding her reddened cheek, looked at me in disbelief. Seeing that I didn’t care about her at all and was only concerned about Emma, her eyes welled up with tears, full of grievance. “Jack, you hit me? You actually hit me for another woman?” “Is this how you repay me after I waited for you for so long? Do you know how I’ve spent these years?” “I’ve been waiting for news from you, waiting for you to come back! I couldn’t even sleep well at night thinking about you. Now that you’re finally back, you’re protecting another woman?” “You said before that you would love and cherish me for a lifetime. How come it doesn’t count now?” But I just laughed coldly to myself. I hadn’t even started feeling sorry for myself, and she was already playing the victim. So Olivia knew that a cold war was hard to endure, but wasn’t that exactly what she did to me before? Several times, I sat up all night just waiting for her to come home. When I finally saw her, I would see intimate scenes between her and Ethan. Seeing me lost in thought, Olivia thought I was wavering. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately rushed over to cling to my other arm. “Jack, I knew you were just playing around with her. You still have me in your heart!” “Look, I’ll divorce Ethan and marry you. I won’t hold these years against you…” “After we get married, we can have a child. Didn’t you say before that you love children the most?” Children? She still had the nerve to mention children? Back then, Olivia accidentally got pregnant after getting drunk. I wanted to persuade her to keep it, imagining a sweet life as a family of three after marriage. But Olivia secretly had an abortion behind my back, just because Ethan was still single. She thought getting married and having a child first would upset Ethan and make him the subject of gossip among relatives. By the time I found out, our child was already gone, and the baby crib and toys I had carefully prepared became a joke. Olivia was unmoved, even mocking me for being childish. She had killed our child with her own hands back then, and now she was talking about having another one with me? Ridiculous! Seeing that I wasn’t saying anything, Olivia thought she had convinced me. A hint of joy appeared on her face, and her voice was filled with barely concealed excitement. “Jack, come back to me. Once the baby is born, we can live happily as a family of three…” Before she could finish, I coldly interrupted: “No need.” Olivia looked at me in surprise, unwilling to give up: “Why?” I laughed coldly and said word by word: “It’s simple. Because I already have a daughter.” Olivia was stunned for a moment, then shook her head frantically: “Impossible, how could you when you love me so much…” Before she could finish, a small figure suddenly rushed out from the room and threw herself into my arms. “Daddy, why aren’t you and Mommy coming in? Lily has been waiting for you for so long!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295222”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #魔幻Magic #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn #校园School #惊悚Thriller #后宫Harem

My childhood friend Robin Moore’s girlfriend stormed into my house and slapped me across the face. She even smashed my most expensive set of cups. “Rebecca, are you out of your mind? Don’t you have a man of your own? Publicly flirting with someone else’s husband—don’t you have any shame?” Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, she looked innocent. “I just care about Robin! You’re not holding a grudge against me, are you?” I laughed. “Of course not!” I was the type to settle scores right away. So, I returned her slap and demanded compensation for my broken cups. A week later, she started flirting with my husband. One night, while Logan Ridley and I were deep in sleep, his phone suddenly rang. He was dead to the world, so I kicked him a few times, but he didn’t budge. I groggily reached for his phone, answered it on speaker, and held it to his ear. Logan mumbled a sleepy “Hmm.” I was still half-asleep when a sweet voice broke through the haze. “Hey, Logan!” That voice jolted me awake. “Logan, I just started my period, and I feel awful. Can you bring me some pads?” I flipped on the light with a snap, and Logan shot up in bed, panic written all over his face. He instinctively reached for his phone, but I shot him a look that said, “Not a chance.” I spoke into the phone, “Logan doesn’t know anything about that! Just tell me what you need! What brand do you like? Regular or overnight? Cotton or breathable? I’ll bring it right over!” There was a long silence on the other end. Then the girl giggled. “Oh, it’s you, Rebecca!” I recognized her voice now. “Snow Lane?” “Yep, it’s me! Hi, Rebecca and Logan!” Logan and I exchanged glances. Just a moment ago, I was ready to bury him six feet under. But now, I wanted to believe in his moral compass. After all, Snow was Robin Moore’s girlfriend, and Robin was one of our childhood friends. “Have you been drinking?” I asked. Snow laughed. “Rebecca, you’re sharp! I can see why even Logan is scared of you at the dinner table!” Before I could decipher if there was a hidden meaning in her words, she changed the subject. “I was playing Truth or Dare with my friends, and I lost, so I called Logan for help. Sorry to interrupt your beauty sleep, Rebecca! You’re not mad at me, are you?” I replied smoothly, “Not at all! But calling Logan was quite the risk, considering he’s a married man. If I had lost my temper and said something nasty, that would’ve been pretty embarrassing for you, right?” “A married man? Ah, I’ve learned something new! Let’s keep that in mind, Rebecca! Alright, Logan and Rebecca, goodnight!” And just like that, the call dropped.

I clearly didn’t handle the confrontation well and stood there, feeling like a fishbone stuck in my throat. I couldn’t stay silent any longer! “Are you okay, babe?” Logan asked cautiously, eyeing me with concern. “Is she insulting me?” I asked, my face darkening. “Uh…” “She is! What’s this nonsense about ‘Let’s keep that in mind’? Is she implying that I’m not being faithful?” “Okay, okay, just calm down!” Logan wrapped his arms around me, trying to soothe my rising anger. “She’s just a drunken mess—don’t pay her any mind!” I pulled away from him, my frustration bubbling over. “I haven’t even asked you yet—why did she call you in the first place?” Logan raised his hands in surrender. “I swear, I have no idea! Look at my phone—I don’t even have her number saved! I’ve never contacted her! You can check my call log; it’s completely clean!” I shot him a skeptical glance and snatched his phone from his hands. He chuckled nervously. “You’re really going to check?” I smirked. “What? Afraid of what I’ll find?” Logan sighed in resignation. “Fine, fine, check away!” I hummed in acknowledgment and scrolled through the call history, finding nothing suspicious. Then I decided to check WhatsApp. But Logan suddenly hesitated. “Uh, do you really need to look at that too?” I instantly sensed something was off. “Logan!” He looked like he was about to fall to his knees. “Go ahead, look! But you have to believe me, no matter what you see… I swear, I haven’t done anything wrong! If I did, may lightning strike me!” It didn’t take long for me to understand why Logan looked so terrified. Compared to the barren call log, his chat window was buzzing with activity. The most glaring entry was from someone named Snow, with the nickname “Summer’s Snow.” “Oh, ‘Summer’s Snow’? Your snow?” That’s right—Logan’s nickname was “Summer”. He’d chosen it because that was the summer we got together. Logan clasped his hands together, looking pitiful. “Babe, it’s a misunderstanding, just a coincidence! I swear it has nothing to do with me!” I shot him a cold glance and began scrolling through the chat history. The most recent message was from just yesterday: [Logan, I brought you some delicious snacks! I’ll save one for you!] Attached was a selfie of Snow biting into the snack. I could only describe it in one word—innocent! I scrolled up to three days ago. Summer’s Snow said: [Logan, how much longer until you arrive?] Summer replied: [About ten minutes. You all go ahead and eat without me.] Summer’s Snow said: [Okay, no rush! Just drive safe!] Summer’s Snow said: [Logan, could you bring me a milkshake? The usual!] Summer replied: [Sure thing.] Summer’s Snow said: [Love you lots, mwah!] Further up, a week ago. Summer’s Snow said: [Logan, drive safely home alone. Text me when you get there so we don’t worry!] Summer replied: [Okay.] Summer’s Snow said: [Get some rest, Logan. Goodnight!] The earliest message read: [Logan, this is Snow. Looking forward to getting to know you better!]

“Logan, grow up! You don’t expect me to believe you didn’t notice the clingy vibes, do you?” I said, my voice eerily calm as my fury brewed. Logan knew better than to mess around when I got like this. He put away his joking attitude. “At first, I really didn’t notice. “When Robin first introduced her to us for dinner, she was all about adding friends and wanting us to spill Robin’s embarrassing secrets. “Ryan and I didn’t feel right saying no, so I agreed. “She even sent that message right in front of Robin, to both Ryan and me. “Later chats, now I realize, might have been her own doing. But back then, I genuinely thought Robin put her up to it. I kept my responses short when necessary and ignored the ones I could. It wasn’t until she sent me her selfie that I realized something was off—too flirty, so I ignored her completely! I was planning to have a talk with Robin…” But before he could, she had stirred up trouble on my end. “Honey, I’m sorry, I’ll delete her right now!” Logan hastily said, his voice pleading. “Wait! Keep her for now. Call Robin!” I interrupted. “Why?” Logan asked, confused. “We’re going to pick up his little girlfriend together,” I explained. I didn’t do grudges; if someone wronged me, I settled it then and there, or I couldn’t sleep. Like last time when she slapped me, I slapped her back.

A week ago, I returned from a business trip and decided to throw a dinner party at home. Ryan Watson and Amelia Jones arrived early, followed shortly by Robin. “Where’s your little girlfriend?” I asked Robin. “She just finished class; she’ll be here soon,” he replied. We left the door open, waiting for her. Meanwhile, Ryan was getting bored and insisted Logan play cards with him to pass the time. Amelia was busy editing videos on her phone. Robin had pushed Logan aside so he could make me coffee while chatting about the design of his new apartment. I had never met a more particular client than him. Honestly, if we weren’t childhood friends, I wouldn’t have taken on the job. He shared several ideas with me, and while they were all great, I was at my wit’s end. I exclaimed, “It’s over budget! Seriously, there’s just not enough money!” He waved his hand dismissively. “No big deal; I’ll just ask my dad for more.” I shook my head vehemently. “Absolutely not! He told me not to listen to you!” “Then you can cut me some slack,” he said with a grin. “How about I just add a little help?” I suggested. “Is that for real?” he asked, intrigued. Feeling cornered, I decided to redirect my frustration. “Why not ask Ryan and Logan to help you with the tiling? That would save you some cash for the entrance.” Robin’s eyes lit up, but Ryan and Logan looked less than pleased. Amelia was off to the side, laughing and giving me a thumbs-up. Just then, Snow burst through the door, strides heavy and purposeful. “You…” Before Robin could even get up, she rushed over to me and slapped my face. Everyone froze, including me. It was the first time I had ever been hit, and my ears were ringing. The next second, Snow unleashed a tirade. “Rebecca, are you serious? Don’t you have a man of your own? Acting all chummy with someone else’s husband in front of everyone—have you no shame?” Logan dashed over to wrap his arms around me, his face stormy, full of concern. “Are you okay?” Amelia moved quickly, fetching ice from the freezer and wrapping it in a towel to place against my cheek. “Yikes!” Robin grabbed Snow, yet she was still struggling to reach me, hurling insults like a pro. This delicate girl could curse like a sailor. “Enough!” Logan’s voice boomed, cutting through the chaos. But Snow sounded like she was on the verge of a breakdown. “You’re all defending her! She’s the one who’s misbehaving, and you’re blaming me!” At that moment, she picked up the coffee set from the table and launched it to the ground. “Stop!” “No!” The sharp sound of shattering wasn’t just the coffee set; it felt like my heart was breaking. I stood there in shock, gazing at the mess on the floor. Robin shouted, “Snow, are you done? What the hell is wrong with you?” But Snow just wailed, breaking into tears. Between sobs, she stammered that she had come in to find Robin and me kissing, which had sent her into a frenzy. I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. Amelia chimed in, “So, are we all just ghosts here? Why didn’t we see that?” I said, “Let’s check the security footage. If we can gather evidence, it’s better than pointless arguing. Not everyone deserves a rational discussion.” When faced with the truth, Snow fell silent. But she was clearly resilient. She reached out to Robin, clutching his arm with faux vulnerability. “Robin, I’m so sorry! I was just acting out of jealousy. Rebecca, you won’t hold this against me, right?” What a classic case of emotional manipulation! I nodded earnestly. “Of course not!” In truth, I never held grudges. I preferred to settle scores on the spot. With everyone distracted, I stepped forward, raised my hand, and slapped her back hard. “Whoa!” Amelia shouted, clearly loving the drama unfolding. Ryan quickly covered her mouth, trying to keep things under control. “You!” Snow glared at me, fury etched across her face. Robin stepped in to restrain her, holding her back as I sensed a storm brewing. “Alright, now that we’ve dealt with the slap, let’s talk compensation!” I declared. Snow blinked in confusion. “Compensation for what?” I gestured to the shards strewn across the floor. “That little incident cost 120 thousand. But for you, I’ll cut you a deal—100 thousand!” “One hundred thousand for a bunch of broken cups? Are you out of your mind?” she scoffed, disbelief filling her eyes. I raised my chin defiantly. “Ask your Robin; he knows quality when he sees it.” After all, he was the kind of guy who would pay 80 thousand for a single cup. Robin, keeping a straight face, nodded in agreement. Snow’s eyes widened in shock. “I don’t believe this! You’re all in cahoots, trying to gang up on me!” With that, she stormed off in tears, her footsteps echoing the panic in her soul. Robin turned to me, ready to offer me the 120 thousand, but I shook my head. “No way. You’ll pay me when you two tie the knot. Until then, it doesn’t count.” I thought, “If she plays nice, I can forget this ever happened. But if she keeps looking for trouble, then she’s got another thing coming. After all, as Amelia put it, that slap was way too calculated!” Logan called Robin. “Wait, so am I being cheated on?” Robin asked, bewilderment lacing his voice. Logan inhaled sharply. “I have a family, don’t talk nonsense!” The two men fell into an uncomfortable silence. When we found Snow, she was crouching pitifully at the edge of the road. Upon spotting Robin, she stretched out her arms. “Robin, hug me!” I couldn’t help but twitch my mouth and suppress a grimace. “What’s wrong?” Logan asked me, concerned. “Just a toothache!” I replied. “Oh, hey! Logan and Rebecca are here! Sorry for dragging you guys into this mess!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295238”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #魔幻Magic #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn #校园School #惊悚Thriller #后宫Harem