Category: English

My billionaire wife, who’d been pretending to be poor for seven years, ran over my mom and daughter with her Maybach. A month later, it finally dawned on her that something was off. She asked her assistant, “After I ran over those worthless nobodies, that old woman and child, did their family not kick up a fuss about compensation?” Marcus, her assistant, his face grim, replied in a low voice, “Madam, *you* are their family.” Seraphina looked completely lost. “What are you talking about?” “That night, when you were drunk, you ran over the old woman and her granddaughter. Mr. Julian tried to stop your car, demanding answers, but you were so intoxicated you didn’t recognize him. You kicked him away and just drove off.” Before Marcus even finished, Seraphina stiffened, her face draining of all color, ghostly pale. It was then that she remembered. Back then, she’d faked bankruptcy and a severe illness, forcing our family to work day and night, spending every last penny of our savings to pay off imaginary billions in debt. To buy her life-saving medicine, my mother and daughter worked tirelessly. But while working in a wealthy neighborhood, Seraphina, driving her luxury car, had plowed into them, their bodies mangled beyond recognition, instantly killed. Numb with grief, after my mother and daughter’s bodies were cremated, I received a call from my wife’s assistant. His tone was like a debt collector’s. “How much do you want? Name your price!”

“I know my boss ran over your mom and daughter, but they were just two worthless lives. How much could they possibly be worth? A million is more than enough for a couple of cheap lives.” “My boss will meet you in person the day after tomorrow, at 2 PM.” Listening to the disdainful male voice on the other end of the line, I felt all the blood rush to my head. The lock clicked. Seraphina walked in, wearing a dress I’d bought her years ago, her eyes curved into a smile as she waved a steaming-hot insulated container at me. Every cell in my body trembled at that moment. Finally, I spoke into the phone, “Alright.” Seraphina didn’t notice anything off about me. Seeing me hang up, a gentle smile played on her lips as she walked toward me. “Julian! I got you your favorite gourmet burger and fries! Come on, try it!” She wrapped her arms around my stiff body and guided me to sit on our thrifted couch. She carefully broke open the forks and handed them to me. A pained look about the price crossed her face. “The boss hiked the price up another two bucks. That could have bought Chloe a new drawing book!” Seraphina glanced around. “Why aren’t Mom and Chloe here? Where did they go? I bought Chloe some sweets with today’s wages. Doesn’t Chloe love sweets the most? But you need to keep an eye on Mom, she can’t have anything sweet with her condition!” Where did Mom and Chloe go? In that instant, as Seraphina’s words landed. My mind was flooded with the image of my mom and Chloe being thrown into the air by that Maybach that plowed into them on the street. “Mom—Chloe—” Watching them tossed in an arc like rag dolls, hitting the ground with sickening thuds. Their warm blood splattered on my face, my screams and the chilling crunch of bones swallowed by the screech of tires. “What… what’s going on? Where did that… pauper come from?” The blinding high beams slowly dimmed, and a drunken voice drifted over. I stared blankly at the driver’s seat. The next second, I saw Seraphina behind the wheel, her brow furrowed as she glared through the window at me, sprawled in the pool of blood. All the blood in my veins froze. How could it be Seraphina? Wasn’t she in the hospital? How could she be here? The next moment, she rolled down the window and vomited, a thick stench of alcohol mixed with blood invading my nostrils. Her eyes blurry, she looked at me. “Who the hell is in my way? Get lost!” I struggled to my feet. “Seraphina!” But Seraphina didn’t recognize me. Instead, she turned the car around and sped out of my sight. Devastated, I was taken away by the Officer who arrived shortly after. He didn’t show me the accident footage. Instead, he sighed and advised me, “The person who ran over your mother and daughter was Miss Seraphina Sterling, the heiress. Our recommendation is to settle this privately.” Seraphina Sterling! The Sterling heiress? A choked sob caught in my throat. I pressed on, “Officer, can you… tell me about this Miss Sterling?” “Mr. Julian, I know what you’re thinking, but I still advise you against suing. The Sterling family could make this city crumble with a snap of their fingers, and this Miss Sterling is the most notorious for her wild antics in the last twenty years.” The next second, I saw pity and helplessness in the Officer’s eyes, then heard him sigh heavily. “Instead of dreaming big, you should try to get more money when Miss Sterling arrives.” As soon as he finished speaking, a voice came from outside. “Miss Sterling, this way, please.” As the words fell, two figures emerged from the automatic sliding doors. I had never seen Seraphina like this. She was dressed in an expensive haute couture dress from a luxury boutique’s display window, every inch of her radiating nobility. She held the leash of a pampered poodle, and Dominic stood beside her, strikingly conspicuous. “…Seraphina!” I instinctively moved forward, desperate to demand what was going on. “Dominic! My ‘poor girl’ bet expires next month. If you keep clinging to me then, I won’t be so nice!” What ‘poor girl’ bet? Seraphina’s words froze me in my tracks. Dominic shrugged nonchalantly. “Why are you mad at me? Isn’t this your family’s bet?” “I don’t necessarily think you’ll win. Who knows, maybe once you’re tired of playing with Julian, you’ll come home and fulfill your engagement to marry me?” Seraphina scoffed. “Delusional! Julian will always be my only husband!” I stared at Seraphina in shock, but her gaze didn’t shift an inch. Even if someone stood directly in front of me, she’d only need to turn her head slightly to see me, the “only husband” she spoke of. But she didn’t spare me even a glance. Instead, she walked past me, chin held high, with an arrogant demeanor I’d never seen from her before. Soon, Seraphina and Dominic entered the glass-walled office just a few feet from me. Their conversation inside was clearly audible. “Miss Sterling, the victim’s family is here. Would you like to meet them?” I couldn’t help but look at Seraphina. Her legs were crossed, propped on the coffee table, her eyes closed as she massaged her temples. “No need! These poor people, once they get involved, they stick to you like superglue! Can’t you even handle this small matter?” Seraphina’s dismissive attitude instantly ignited my fury. Just as I was about to burst in and confront her directly. Dominic’s voice drifted into my ears. A slight smirk on his lips, he said, “Sera, I have a great idea. Let Julian pay the money back. If he doesn’t help you, you lose the bet.” Seraphina opened her eyes and glanced at Dominic, scoffing. “Don’t dream about it. Julian has stayed by my side all these years, even when I was faking poverty and illness. I don’t want to bother him with something like this!” Dominic didn’t get angry, just clicked his tongue. “I wonder if you’re just scared. Is Julian really incapable of coming up with a million dollars for you?” I couldn’t listen anymore. But as soon as I took a step, a sweet, metallic taste filled my throat, and after spitting out a mouthful of blood, I passed out cold. Seraphina’s voice pulled me back to reality. She held me in her arms, speaking softly. “Julian, I accidentally ran over someone last night while making a delivery. They’re demanding an exorbitant sum, saying if I don’t pay, they’ll make me go to jail.” I stared at her, my eyes bloodshot. “But you can’t drive, can you? How could you hit someone?” Seraphina’s eyes darted away, her voice tinged with guilt. “I didn’t want to stay in bed, being a burden to you. I wanted to earn some money to send Chloe to enrichment classes.” Tears instantly welled up in my eyes, but I swallowed them back. I abruptly pulled Seraphina closer, pressing her. “Seraphina! Then I ask you, do you know who you hit?” Hearing this, Seraphina frowned, displeased. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you so emotional?” Looking at the indifferent expression on Seraphina’s face, a raging fire burned in my chest. At this moment, I began to doubt myself, wondering if I had ever truly known the woman I married! “Seraphina!! I ask you! Do you know *who* you hit?!” My emotions were completely out of control now, unstoppable tears bursting forth with my trembling voice. “I think it was an old woman and a little girl. I figured they just wanted to extort money from me.” I didn’t miss the fleeting look of disdain that flashed in her eyes. All my strength drained away in an instant. I said weakly, “Seraphina, I don’t have the money for you.” This was the first time I had ever refused Seraphina’s request. Her face instantly soured, visibly hardening. She stood up abruptly. “Are you really that unwilling to part with a million dollars? Are you just going to stand there and watch me go to jail?! I’m your wife!” In that moment, I suddenly wanted to rip off her disguise. The Sterling family was one of the wealthiest and most influential families in the city. A mere million dollars, what did that amount to in her eyes? “Seraphina, my mom…” Before I could finish, Seraphina impatiently cut me off. “It’s always your mom! How tired could your mom be?! She sits and does intricate needlework all day! She sells it to rich people, adds her pension, and a million should be easy, right?” Watching Seraphina storm out, slamming the door, all the strength drained from my body. I collapsed onto the floor, biting my teeth, silently sobbing. Tears mingled with the blood at the corner of my lips. Before my eyes, I saw my mother and daughter’s tragic deaths, lying in pools of blood, intermingling with seven years of my life with Seraphina, making me question what was real and what was false. Not long after, the doorbell rang.

Mrs. Henderson, our next-door neighbor, saw me when I opened the door, and a look of pleasant surprise crossed her face. “Julian! Not working today? Where’s Chloe? Look what I brought for your little one!” “This paint set is a reward for Chloe! Chloe loves to paint, doesn’t she?” “Oh, and where are your mom and Chloe?” Mrs. Henderson held a back support belt, peering into the house, searching for my mom and Chloe. My throat tightened, and I bit down hard, fighting back tears. “What’s wrong? Julian, why are you crying?” The smile slowly faded from Mrs. Henderson’s face. As if sensing something, her eyes instantly reddened. She looked at me in disbelief, as if hoping for a different answer from my words. “Mrs. Henderson, my mom and Chloe already…” I closed my eyes for a moment, finally uttering the answer. “…are gone.” “What happened?!” Mrs. Henderson cried out in alarm, the gift in her hand falling heavily to the floor. Hearing Mrs. Henderson’s sobs, my own tears couldn’t be held back. I choked out, “A car accident.” I couldn’t bring myself to look up, my shoulders shaking as I quietly wept. A pair of warm arms wrapped around me. Mrs. Henderson wailed, cursing, “That heartless monster! Your mom never even got to enjoy life, and Chloe was so young…” “Oh, does Seraphina know?” The question felt like a sharp blade piercing my heart. Under Mrs. Henderson’s concerned gaze, I slowly shook my head. “She doesn’t know.” Even now, Seraphina had no idea she’d gotten drunk and killed my mom and Chloe. Thinking of this, I could no longer control the grief in my heart and sobbed like a child. After Mrs. Henderson left, I buried my head in my pillow and cried for a long time, until I received a message from the funeral home. Five hundred thousand. Looking at that astronomical sum and my bank account balance, I felt utterly desperate. Where was I going to find five hundred thousand dollars for my mom and Chloe’s burial? As I scrolled through my phone book, trying to find someone I could borrow money from, Seraphina’s call came in. “Don’t let Mom and Chloe work late tonight. I’ll be home early to celebrate Chloe’s birthday.” My mind was still on that five hundred thousand dollars. After a moment of hesitation, I asked, “Seraphina, do you have five hundred thousand?” A long silence on the other end of the line. Finally, she spoke. “Julian, are you kidding me? Where would *I* get money? Didn’t all my wages go to buying things for Chloe and Mom?” There wasn’t a hint of guilt in Seraphina’s voice. She’d told the lie so many times, she even believed it herself. Tears brimmed in my eyes. Suddenly, I cried out loudly, “Seraphina!! You’re lying to me! You do! You clearly do! You just don’t want to give it to me!” Seraphina’s voice rose several octaves. She snapped angrily, “Julian! What are you doing?! What kind of person do you take me for? If I had the money, do you think I wouldn’t give it to you? Who’s been feeding you lies?!” “Please! Can you stop making things difficult for me?!” Oh, “stop making things difficult for me,” indeed! With that, she hastily hung up the phone. To gather enough money for my mom and Chloe’s burial plot, I couldn’t afford to wallow in my grief. I had to rush to the agreed-upon workplace. Encased in a thick mascot costume, I was led into a private room, clumsily swaying my limbs to the music. After my performance, laughter erupted from around the room. “How’s it, Sera? The birthday gift I prepared for your Chloe in advance, pretty good, right?” “Sera dotes on her daughter like the apple of her eye. All the money she earns by humbling herself, she spends on her mother-in-law and daughter.”

It was stiflingly hot inside the mascot suit, yet I felt as if I’d plunged into an ice bath. It was only then that I saw her. In the enormous room, Seraphina was sprawled lazily on the couch, carelessly swirling the wine in her glass, like an untouchable queen. “Looks alright. I’ll call my daughter and ask if she likes it.” As Seraphina picked up her phone, my daughter’s unique ringtone sounded in my ears. But soon, her brows furrowed, and her eyes instantly filled with confusion and worry, because Seraphina had called Chloe several times, but the calls went straight to voicemail. My whole body trembled, tears streaming down my face. Seraphina, you killed our daughter! You’ll never reach this number again! Dominic was close to me. Hearing my fingernails scratch against the mascot suit, he glanced at me. “Sera! You have such incredible patience, pretending to be poor and sick for seven years, tricking Julian, a brilliant graduate from a top university, into slaving away for you, while you, an heiress, condescended to play house with them.” Seraphina scoffed. “Once I win the bet, I’ll bring them back to the Sterling estate. They won’t have to suffer anymore.” Catching the hint of guilt in Seraphina’s voice, I looked at her sharply. “Now you’re putting on the act of a good wife and mother. But why didn’t you give Julian money when he asked you for it just now?” “Why are you meddling in my affairs? If he’s asking for my help, it must be because my mother-in-law’s condition has worsened.” Seraphina’s tone was assertive. “Next month, I’ll find the best doctors to cure my mother-in-law!” “His mom is sick, how could he possibly help you pay?” Dominic’s laughter grated on my ears. Seraphina looked embarrassed. “He *will* help me! If you don’t believe me, I can call him right now and ask him for the money!” My mind went blank. I instinctively raised my clumsy arm, trying to find my phone. It wasn’t until I heard the busy signal that I realized I’d left my phone in my bag before work. “Damn it! What time is it, and he’s not answering my calls!” Dominic casually glanced at me. “That’s why I say, all poor people are the same. What’s love in the face of money? There are plenty of people who would sell their dignity.” Seraphina’s eyes grew colder and colder. Suddenly, she stood up and walked over to me. The next second, her cold eyes stared directly at me, as if piercing through the bulky mascot suit to see my face. Had she finally recognized me?! Just as tears streamed down my face and I prepared to rip off the mascot head to demand what I meant to her, she suddenly spoke. “Would *you* sell your dignity for money?” My hand slowly dropped. I said nothing. Seraphina pulled a stack of money from a nearby box and slapped it against my face. “Get down on your knees!” She yanked my arm, a cold smile on her face, and dumped the entire box of money over my head. Under her icy gaze, I slowly bent down, kneeling before her to pick up the scattered banknotes. I had no reason to refuse this money. With this money, I could buy a better burial plot for my mom and Chloe. “See? Typical poor people, they pick up money the moment they see it! Hey, let me ask you, if I gave you money and told you to die, would you just obediently do it?” “But Julian is different from you! He’s with me only because he loves me, not for money, so whatever I say, he’ll believe it!” I lifted my head, meeting Seraphina’s eyes through the mascot head. I chuckled self-mockingly. “You’re right!” I *am* one of those poor people you talk about! For money, I can also sell my dignity! The moment Seraphina heard my voice, her pupils constricted, and she instinctively reached to pull off my mascot head. But I didn’t dodge. In fact, I was almost looking forward to seeing her reaction when she saw who was under the mask. Dominic pressed down on her hand, scoffing playfully, “Sera, Julian might have upset you, but you shouldn’t take it out on a mascot, should you?” Seraphina angrily yanked her hand away from Dominic’s grasp and glared at me. “Now get lost.” Seraphina didn’t come home that night. It wasn’t until the next morning that I received a text from her. “Julian, my condition relapsed yesterday, and I fainted and was taken to the hospital. I just woke up.” “How’s Mom’s condition? And have you collected enough money for me?” This wasn’t the first time Seraphina had used this excuse for staying out all night. Expressionless, I packed all my belongings and shipped them away, then headed to the address Seraphina’s assistant had given me. As I walked into the high-end restaurant, I immediately spotted Seraphina’s familiar back in the distance. Chloe’s phone watch in my pocket was still buzzing. Seraphina had been calling it incessantly since yesterday evening.

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The apocalypse struck, unleashing a deadly virus. My all-powerful husband called, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “Don’t be afraid, my helicopter will be there soon. I’m bringing you to Safe Zone One.” Faintly, from the other end of the line, I heard his ‘true love,’ Eleanor Vance’s sickly sweet voice. “Darling, why waste time on that mobile blood bag? My purification pod is ready. Hurry up and get her over here to donate!” In my previous life, I believed his promise. But what arrived was a squad of soldiers. They tied me to an experimental table, draining my special, virus-resistant blood. All to save his frail Eleanor. Finally, they discarded me like trash into the horde of infected. Only after my death did I realize: he married me simply because my unique blood type matched his beloved’s, making me her perfect “living source of medicine.” When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day the apocalypse broke out. Listening to his hollow reassurances over the phone, I smiled. He didn’t know that the virus antidote I was developing didn’t rely on blood at all. It needed my living cells for its final activation. And the highest authority key to Safe Zone One, the very fortress I’d personally built, was my heartbeat. Want to live? Fine. But first, watch your Eleanor Vance take her last breath right in front of me. **1** Not long after the call ended, I heard the approaching roar of a helicopter outside my window. Did Dorian Blackwood really think I was still that fool he could twist around his little finger? I hadn’t stayed home waiting to die. I’d long since moved to my true sanctuary—the ‘Heart’ lab beneath the villa. This was my personal creation, a secret base even Dorian Blackwood knew nothing about. The roaring grew closer. Through the surveillance monitors, I saw the familiar black helicopter. Inside the cabin, Dorian Blackwood’s hypocritical face peered down through the window. Pathetic. *Bang!* The villa’s front gate was violently breached. It was Dorian Blackwood’s special forces. Leading them was Captain Ryder, his fiercely loyal commander. They stormed into the living room, only to find the house empty. Just then, I activated the projection system. My image instantly appeared on the living room wall, at least ten feet tall. “Hard at work, gentlemen?” My voice echoed throughout the villa via the sound system. Captain Ryder’s head snapped up, his gun instantly aimed at my projection. “Seraphina Jiang? Where are you?” “No need to be nervous, Captain Ryder. I’m right beneath your feet.” Captain Ryder’s face changed. Realizing something, he immediately contacted Dorian Blackwood via his comms: “Boss, target isn’t on site. Suspected to be in the basement.” Soon, Dorian Blackwood’s furious voice came through the comms: “Find her! Now!” I switched channels, connecting directly to Dorian Blackwood’s private line: “Mr. Blackwood, if you want to invite your ‘mobile blood bag,’ you should at least come in person, shouldn’t you? Hiding in a helicopter, what kind of power is that?” “Seraphina! What exactly do you want?” Dorian Blackwood’s voice was laced with suppressed rage. “What do I want?” My laugh turned sharper. “I want to live. But your Eleanor Vance can’t wait, can she?” From his end, Eleanor Vance’s sickly sweet voice chimed in impatiently: “Darling, hurry up, my purification pod is ready…” Hearing that voice, my heart gave a sharp, painful lurch. In my previous life, it was that same voice that had accompanied my last moments. But this time, things were different. I cut off Dorian Blackwood’s channel, connecting solely to Captain Ryder’s comms. “Captain Ryder, want to hear an interesting story?” Captain Ryder frowned. “Ms. Jiang, please cooperate.” “Cooperate?” I sneered. “Like last time, when I cooperated by letting you tie me to an experimental table?” Captain Ryder froze. He had no idea what I was talking about, because that had happened in my previous life. But I had proof. “Listen to this.” I played an audio recording—encrypted files I’d hacked from Dorian Blackwood’s phone. Dorian Blackwood’s voice came through clearly: “Once you get the blood, dispose of Seraphina Jiang. And Captain Ryder’s entire squad, leave no one. Too many people know; it’s bad for Eleanor.” The recording cut off abruptly. Captain Ryder’s face instantly twisted. His squad members behind him exchanged glances, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief. “This… this isn’t possible…” Captain Ryder murmured. “Impossible?” My voice dripped with mockery. “You’ve risked your lives for him for years, and he wants to silence you all. Captain Ryder, does that still seem impossible?” I watched Captain Ryder’s wavering expression on the monitor, a surge of satisfaction rising within me. Loyalty was crumbling. Just then, Dorian Blackwood’s voice came through the comms again: “Ryder! What are you doing? Get her out of there, now!” Captain Ryder stared blankly at his comm unit. I struck while the iron was hot: “If you want to live, listen to me.” As soon as I finished speaking, I activated the villa’s defense system. *Rumble—* Heavy alloy gates slammed down from the ceiling, sealing the entire villa shut. Captain Ryder and his squad were trapped inside. **2** Dorian Blackwood indeed came in person. The cabin door opened, and Dorian Blackwood emerged, cradling a dying Eleanor Vance. Her face was pale, her breathing shallow, looking as if she could expire at any moment. Dorian Blackwood’s expression was strained and anxious, completely devoid of his usual composure. “Seraphina! Come out!” he shouted at the villa. “Eleanor’s fading fast!” I activated the hidden passage in the ground. A metal door, just wide enough for one person, opened beneath their feet, revealing stairs leading underground. “Come down,” my voice echoed from the loudspeaker. Dorian Blackwood didn’t hesitate, carrying Eleanor Vance inside. As soon as they stepped into the observation room, the alloy door behind them slammed shut. It was a fully transparent, reinforced glass room, with clear views in all directions. I sat at the control panel, watching them through the glass wall. Eleanor Vance leaned weakly in Dorian Blackwood’s arms, yet her eyes still held a defiant glint: “Seraphina Jiang, you can’t win against him. Hurry up and give your blood, and I might spare your life.” I ignored her. “Want to save her? It’s simple. Transfer all the highest authorities of your corporation to my name.” Dorian Blackwood paused, then burst out laughing: “Seraphina Jiang, are you insane? For a dying woman, you want my entire business empire?” “Do you think I’m joking?” I lightly pressed a button. The room’s air purification system activated, but I secretly lowered the oxygen concentration. From 21% down to 19%. Eleanor Vance’s breathing immediately became more labored. Already weak, she now gasped for air. “You… what did you do?” Dorian Blackwood noticed the anomaly. “For every minute you hesitate, the oxygen concentration drops by 1%. How long do you think she can last?” Eleanor Vance’s face grew even paler, and she desperately clutched Dorian Blackwood’s clothes: “Dorian… I… I can’t breathe…” Dorian Blackwood’s expression instantly transformed. Anger, shock, and a hint of panic. “Seraphina! You’re insane! Let us out!” He frantically pounded on the glass wall. The glass didn’t budge. I watched his frantic state, an unprecedented thrill surging through me. In my previous life, they had trapped me on that experimental table, forcing me to watch my own blood drain away. Now, it was their turn to experience this despair. Time ticked by, minute by minute. The oxygen concentration dropped to 18%. Eleanor Vance began to cough violently, her face turning purple. She weakly lifted her head, her eyes filled with venom: “Seraphina Jiang… you bitch… Dorian won’t let you get away with this…” “Really? Then let’s see what price he’s willing to pay for you.” Sweat began to bead on Dorian Blackwood’s forehead. He looked at the dying Eleanor Vance in his arms. “Seraphina Jiang, what exactly do you want?” “I told you. Your corporation, all its authorities.” “Impossible!” Oxygen concentration dropped to 17%. Eleanor Vance was completely unable to speak, only gasping for breath with her mouth open. Her fingers began to turn purple, her eyes unfocused. Dorian Blackwood finally panicked: “Wait! Wait! We can talk!” “Now you want to talk?” My finger hovered above the button. “Too late.” “Seraphina Jiang!” His voice trembled. “You can have anything you want! Money? Status? I’ll give it all to you! Just spare Eleanor!” I paused my hand. Not out of softness, but because I saw genuine fear in his eyes. This man, once so arrogant, who had treated me as a tool, finally had a weakness. “Money? Status?” I laughed. “Dorian Blackwood, do you think I lack these things?” He froze. Yes, I, Seraphina Jiang, the youngest virologist with multiple patents before the apocalypse, had already amassed a fortune in the hundreds of millions. I never lacked money. What I lacked was his life. The oxygen concentration continued to drop. 16%. Eleanor Vance’s eyes began to roll back, her body convulsing. Dorian Blackwood completely broke down: “I’ll transfer it! I’ll transfer everything to you! Please, save her!” I watched him kneel on the ground, but the rage in my heart showed no signs of calming. In my previous life, I had knelt like that, begging them to spare me. But how did they respond? “Why waste time? The purification pod is ready, hurry up and donate blood.” Now, it was their turn to taste despair. I slowly stood up and walked to the glass wall. “Dorian Blackwood, do you know? In my previous life, when you killed me, I begged you like this too.” He snapped his head up, his eyes filled with confusion. But soon, he would understand everything. Because the real game had just begun. **3** Oxygen concentration dropped to 15%. Eleanor Vance had completely lost consciousness. Dorian Blackwood knelt on the ground, repeatedly banging his head: “I’ll transfer it! I’ll transfer everything to you!” I pushed a special terminal towards him. His fingers frantically tapped on the screen, stock transfer agreements flashing by one after another. All corporate authorities were transferred to my name. The moment the transfer was complete, oxygen levels returned to normal. Dorian Blackwood gasped for air, holding Eleanor Vance tightly: “Quick! Save her!” I stood up and walked to the glass wall. Behind me, a giant screen lit up. Complex gene sequence diagrams densely covered the entire wall. “You thought the antidote was in the blood?” My voice was chillingly calm. “Idiot.” Dorian Blackwood froze. “The virus antidote requires my living cells as a culture medium. The final activation and proliferation must occur inside my body.” Data scrolled across the screen. Lines of technical jargon flashed by. “Draining my blood would only get you useless plasma.” His face instantly turned ashen. “Impossible… The doctor said…” “Doctor? Which doctor?” I sneered. “Only I, in this entire world, could decipher this virus. Who do you think understands it better than me?” “Furthermore.” “The activation process is irreversible. It will drain all my life force.” “Saving her means my death.” I activated another projection. An AI simulation appeared on the screen. Images of me, in my previous life, tied to the experimental table. Blood being drawn, drop by drop. My agonizing struggles. My pleas for mercy. My tears. Until the very last moment of my life. Then, I was thrown into the horde of infected. Torn apart. Devoured. Eleanor Vance woke up. She looked at the images on the screen, and to my surprise, she smiled. “Hahahaha… I really hope you died that horribly…” **4** Although Eleanor Vance had resumed normal breathing, the brief oxygen deprivation had reactivated the virus within her. Eleanor Vance lay in Dorian Blackwood’s arms, her breath growing weaker. Black vascular patterns began to appear on her skin, signs of the virus’s spread. Dorian Blackwood completely broke down. He knelt before the glass wall, frantically pounding on the transparent barrier: “Seraphina! I was wrong! Please, save Eleanor! The virus is taking her life!” “I’ll give you anything! The corporation, the fortune, the power! Just save her!” I looked at his pathetic state, a slight smile playing on my lips: “For the sake of what we once were, I’ll give you a chance.” As soon as I spoke, the lab’s automated equipment activated. A mechanical arm slowly extended to my arm, precisely extracting cell tissue. Culture dishes began to churn, complex biochemical reactions unfolding in transparent containers. A progress bar appeared on the large screen. Antidote synthesis: 1%… 5%… 12%… Dorian Blackwood and Eleanor Vance’s eyes instantly lit up with wild joy. “Seraphina! I knew you still cared for me!” Dorian Blackwood’s voice trembled with excitement. Eleanor Vance, though weak, her eyes sparkled with a desperate will to live: “Dorian… I’m saved…” The progress bar steadily climbed: 35%… 58%… 74%… They watched the screen intently, seeing the hope of survival. 89%… 95%… 98%… Just as the progress bar was about to reach 100%, I pressed the pause button. *Ding—* With a crisp chime, the entire synthesis process stopped. Dorian Blackwood froze: “Seraphina? Why did it stop?” I turned around, the smile completely gone from my face: “Oh, I forgot something.” “The key to initiating the final synthesis is my heartbeat.” “And right now, I’m-not-in-the-mood.” Eleanor Vance’s eyes widened, staring at me in disbelief: “You… you’re joking, right?” “Joking? Like you two joked with my life?” The immense chasm between hope and despair instantly shattered Eleanor Vance. She opened her mouth, trying to say something, but couldn’t draw another breath. Her eyes wide, she simply breathed her last. “Eleanor! Eleanor!” Dorian Blackwood clutched her lifeless body, letting out a raw scream. Consumed by loss and rage, he violently ripped open his collar, revealing a miniature bomb detonator: “Seraphina! I’ll make you die with her!” “Let’s die together!” The moment he pressed the button— All the lights and power in the entire base flickered out. Darkness consumed everything. Only a soft blue light, emanating from my chest, illuminated my face. It was the glow from my heart rate monitor. “Forgot to tell you,” my voice echoed in the darkness. “The lab’s highest authority isn’t electricity, it’s not software.” “Your detonator signal can’t get out.” “It’s my heartbeat.” “Here, I am a god.”

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Introduction： “You gave me to a Beta like some common whore,” I whispered, tracing the scar where our bond used to be. Mother flinched. “While you knelt for Selene like a devoted dog.” Now Jarek’s hands shake when he reaches for me. “Come home.” Selene’s fangs gleam in the moonlight. “You’ll never belong here.” I laugh, cradling the life growing inside me—the heir they’ll never touch. “Funny… I don’t recall asking permission.” I was getting ready for my mating ceremony, practically humming with excitement, when my mom decided to drop a grenade on my perfect day. Out of nowhere—right before the ceremony—she announced she wanted a bigger offering for the Pack, something that would solidify our family’s standing among the ranks. Magnus, my fated mate, lost it. He didn’t just reject me—he made a whole spectacle out of it, ditching me at the last second and turning around to claim my cousin, Selene, instead. Classic. Straight out of a bad Pack drama. Humiliating? Understatement of the century. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. Then, like some kind of twisted cosmic joke, Jarek—my childhood best friend and Beta—steps in. He doesn’t even hesitate. Offers to claim me on the spot. And just like that, my mom—who was ready to drain Magnus dry—suddenly has no problem slashing the tribute. Practically shoves me into Jarek’s arms and out the door. Three years later, Selene and Magnus are living the high life—Alpha and Luna, Pack royalty, rolling in wealth. And me? I’m stuck at home, raising pups, feeling like I blinked and lost my entire future. It’s the Full Moon celebration, the Pack’s all gathered at my mom’s for a feast, and I’m just trying to get through the day. Then I hear them—Jarek and my mom—talking in the backyard. “You’re a mastermind, Mom,” Jarek is saying, laughing under his breath. “Jacking up the tribute like that? Got Magnus to walk away so fast his head spun. Now Selene gets to be Luna, just like you wanted. But if Astrid ever finds out you two played her like that… think she’ll ever forgive you?” …I was coming back from the Pack store, arms full of groceries, when I caught the conversation. My mom, cracking sunflower seeds between her teeth like she had all the time in the world, didn’t even blink. “She’s my daughter. What’s she gonna do, cut me off? I could tell her never to take a mate at all, and she’d still listen.” Jarek hesitated. “I mean… You knew how I felt about Selene back then, and now, you basically handed Astrid to me just to make sure Selene got the Alpha. That’s kinda—” Jarek exhaled heavily. “Look, if Selene gets everything she ever wanted, is it really a loss? She’s the sweetest she-wolf I know. If she had to struggle in the lower ranks, I don’t think I could stand it.” “And now she’s the Luna, living in the Alpha’s estate, got wealth pouring in, whole Pack at her feet—it all worked out!” My mom beamed and gave Jarek a pat on the back. “That’s my boy. And now that she’s given Magnus an heir, he’s making sure she’s set for life. Bonus payout, three Pack nannies, everything she could ever need. That’s what real security looks like.” Jarek chuckled, looking satisfied. “Yeah, I saw her earlier. She was glowing. Magnus couldn’t make it, busy with Pack duties and all, but he still made sure she and the pup were taken care of. Just goes to show, we did the right thing.” My chest clenched so hard I thought I might choke. This was my reality? My own mother thought Selene deserved more than me? And my so-called mate—my Beta, my husband—was still thinking about my cousin like she hung the moon? What did that make me? A consolation prize? I stood frozen, gripping the grocery bags. Then, my youngest pup stirred against my back, whining before breaking into full-blown wails. I rocked her automatically, my mind still spinning. I had gone out to do the Pack’s supply run—trying to help, trying to be a good daughter—and this is what I walked into. I used to feel bad for my mother, always alone after my father left. Now, I just felt stupid. She turned at the sound of my footsteps, barely sparing me a glance. “You’re back? Did you get Selene’s favorite venison steaks?” “And the goat’s milk for little Mikey?” Jarek and my mom both looked at me, waiting. Not one of them offered to take a single bag. I said nothing, just carried them inside and set my pup down carefully before making her a bottle. Behind me, I heard them retreat to the living room—back to doting over Selene’s son, the precious heir. Their laughter filled the den, easy and warm. I rubbed my stomach absentmindedly. Three months along with my second pup. One more to care for, while I cooked for a Pack that barely noticed I existed. Tears burned at the edges of my vision, but I swallowed them down. I should’ve known better. Jarek wandered into the kitchen, leaning against the counter like nothing was wrong. “Hey, Ash, don’t let it get to you. Just—” My mother’s voice rang out before he could finish. “See, Astrid? Jarek is such a good mate! You made the right choice accepting his claim.” Right. Such a sweetheart. One who only ever gave me empty words. My pup finished her bottle and reached for me, fussing. I kissed her forehead before passing her off. “Go to Daddy, honey. Mommy has work to do.”

She held on tight, her little hands gripping my leg like a lifeline. No amount of coaxing would make her let go. She barely knew Jarek—how could she, when he was always too busy running around handling Pack affairs as Beta? My mom’s expression twisted with irritation, her amber eyes narrowing. “That wolf? What does he know about pups? Just sling her on your back like you always do and get on with it!” Right. Because that was my job, wasn’t it? I turned my head just in time to see Jarek cradling Selene’s son, Mikey, in his arms, making soft growling noises as he waved a shiny new toy in front of him. He looked like a natural—gentle, patient, even affectionate. Where was that when it came to our daughter? If he spared her even half that effort, maybe she wouldn’t tense up every time he walked into a room. Maybe she wouldn’t look at him like he was a stranger. With a sigh, I shifted my daughter into the sling and adjusted the straps. The weight on my back was familiar by now, but that didn’t make it any easier. My body ached, my energy had been drained dry ever since I got pregnant again, and now, with the truth gnawing at me, even breathing felt exhausting. I forced myself into motion, grabbing a knife and chopping vegetables, but my vision blurred as hot tears stung my eyes. Was this it? Was this the rest of my life? A Beta’s mate—bound by duty, never truly chosen. I was only twenty-eight, and already, I felt like I was suffocating. After being strapped to my back for so long, my daughter’s cries escalated into helpless wails. I sighed and untied the sling, carrying her into the bedroom, whispering soft reassurances. It took a while, but eventually, she curled into my chest and drifted off. My mom, meanwhile, was probably halfway to my uncle’s den already. She never missed a chance to see Selene. “Selene carries herself so well—so refined, like a true Luna. Not like Astrid, always looking like some stray.” I wasn’t sloppy. I just didn’t have anything new to wear. Selene and I were the same age, but my mother always gave her the fresh clothes first. Only after Selene got bored with them did they make their way to me. And somehow, my mom still had the nerve to tell me I looked unpresentable, like I had no sense of dignity. I outperformed Selene in Pack training, but my mother never once praised me for it. “What’s the point of a she-wolf being clever? In the end, the only thing that matters is if she lands a high-ranking mate.” Then came the courting season. I brought Magnus home, hoping to finally prove my worth, to show my mother I had done something right. Instead, she turned right around and invited Selene to meet him. I wasn’t blind. I knew Selene had asked Magnus to go out with her more than once. He never accepted. When I mentioned it to my mother, she just scoffed. “You’re being selfish, Astrid. Selene needs a strong Alpha like Magnus. Why not step aside and let her have him?” For the first time in my life, I disobeyed her. Magnus and I were getting bonded. At least, that was the plan. But my mother wasn’t done yet. At the very last moment, she increased the Pack tribute, setting the price so high it reeked of pure greed. Magnus had the wealth to cover it, but he wasn’t blind. He saw what she was doing and refused to play along. He walked away. I ran after him, begged him to stay. But he never looked back. The invitations had gone out. The Pack Elders had already given us their blessing. But none of it mattered. Selene stepped up in my place, smiling sweetly, lowering her head, offering herself as his Luna—no strings attached. No demand for a tribute. And just like that, she took everything that was supposed to be mine.

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The wedding countdown stood at twenty-two days when I walked in on Liam Hayes and his secretary, Chloe, tangled together, stark naked, in my own bed. My fury erupted, and I demanded to break up right there, cancelling our long-planned wedding. Liam fell to his knees, begging me, claiming it was just one drunken mistake with Chloe. He swore I was the only one he ever loved, that I shouldn’t negate our ten years together over a single error. My heart softened at his desperate pleas and tear-soaked face, and I decided to give him one more chance. But three weeks later, he came to me, hand-in-hand with Chloe, clutching a positive pregnancy test. “Chloe is pregnant, and it’s mine. This pregnancy is incredibly difficult for her. If she were to terminate it, she might never be able to conceive again.” “She’s still so young, I can’t let her carry the stigma of being a home-wrecker. For the wedding, she should be the bride first, just until the baby is born and officially part of the family. Then, we can have an even grander wedding for us.” What he didn’t know was that since the night he cheated, Julian Hayes, the scion of a powerful family, had already approached me. He told me he wanted to marry me. But I, swayed by Liam’s sweet talk and manipulative pleas, had rejected Julian. Julian had proposed a bet to me: whether Liam would actually marry me. If I lost the bet, the price was marrying him instead.

Watching their fingers intertwined, I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. I tossed the wedding gift I’d prepared into the trash can. “Well then, I wish you both a lifetime of sweetness and happiness.” I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms, leaving painful crescent marks. Liam didn’t seem to catch my implied meaning. His entire demeanor brightened. He let go of Chloe’s hand and walked towards me. “Aurora, I knew you’d be the most understanding and mature one, you always are. You’d definitely get it.” “Chloe is only twenty, and she’s carrying a Hayes heir. We can’t let the baby be born without a mother, right?” As soon as he finished speaking, he gave a subtle gesture to Alfred, our butler. Alfred quickly moved Chloe’s luggage into *our* bedroom. Liam offered me a strained smile. “Aurora, the guest room is too small, and Chloe is pregnant, so it’s not convenient for her in there. She’ll stay in the master bedroom for now, and you can move into the guest room.” I scoffed, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “So, you’ll be staying in the master bedroom too?” His words faltered, and he weakly tried to find an excuse. “Chloe is in her early stages of pregnancy, so there are many things to be extra careful about. Staying in the master bedroom will naturally allow me to look after her better.” “But don’t worry, I won’t sleep in the bed. I’ll have Alfred bring in a sofa, and I’ll sleep on that.” A bitter laugh bubbled up inside me. They’d already slept together, and now he was putting on this act? He pulled Chloe in front of me, gently instructing her. “Quick, thank your sister-in-law! If it weren’t for her acceptance, our child wouldn’t receive such treatment.” Chloe, who moments ago had seemed so innocent in Liam’s arms, was now bursting into tears, faking distress. I hadn’t said a word, yet she immediately looked as if she’d suffered a great injustice. “Sister-in-law, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to ruin your relationship with Liam. We just got drunk…” Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. Liam saw them, and his face was etched with concern. He gently wiped away her tears. “Chloe, don’t blame yourself too much. We were just swept up in the moment, our feelings were too intense to control.” “Don’t worry, your sister-in-law is a sensible person; she already forgave us, didn’t she? Getting too upset isn’t good for the baby. You’re carrying a Hayes heir now, I can’t let you suffer out here.” But Chloe still looked terrified of me, her gaze darting between Liam and me. She looked at me timidly. “But Liam, sister-in-law doesn’t seem very happy. Her face looks quite displeased.” The next second, Liam grabbed my arm and pulled me in front of Chloe. “Aurora, it’s no use me explaining things to Chloe. Why don’t you explain it to her? Chloe is sensitive; without your permission, she’ll just overthink everything, and too much stress isn’t good for the baby.”

I watched them, a perfect duet, my gaze turning icy. I didn’t know if he was truly clueless or just pretending. My heart was seething with resentment, and he was still trying to slap me in the face like this. I couldn’t hold back anymore. I yanked my hand free from his grasp. My eyes, red with suppressed rage, fixed on him. “Liam Hayes, are you saying that you got another woman pregnant, and now I’m supposed to rush over and comfort the home-wrecker you brought back? How dare you have such audacity?” Liam’s eyes, which had been upturned in smugness, instantly darkened when he heard my words. His voice deepened several octaves. “Aurora, how could you think that? Chloe is only 20! She’s still so young. Do you have any idea how much physical harm it would cause her if we forced her to have an abortion?” “I already took her virginity; I’ve already wronged her enough. And you can’t even tolerate *this* small thing?” The way he twisted his infidelity into such a grand, righteous excuse, it felt as if I’d never truly known him. Had he forgotten? I wasn’t even twenty when we started dating. And didn’t I give him my first time too? He turned away, no longer wanting to meet my gaze. But the words he spoke were like daggers, each one drawing blood. “Besides, we’ve been together for so long, and your womb has always been silent. Now, Chloe can give our family an heir. You should be on your knees, thanking her!” I let out a cold snort, responding flatly. “So, if I went and slept with someone else, got pregnant with their child, would you still kneel and thank me?” He spun around abruptly, his furious gaze almost devouring me. “Enough, Aurora! Don’t you think your words are truly disgusting?” “I always thought you were kind and sensible, that you’d understand everything I did. I never imagined you’d be no different from those jealous women.” He gritted his teeth, looking utterly exasperated. Perhaps in his mind, I was just as he described. All that talk of me being gentle, kind, and sensible was just an excuse for him to bring Chloe home. I let out a bitter laugh. “My apologies for disappointing you.” Chloe suddenly dropped to her knees, sobbing hysterically. “Sister-in-law, I’m so sorry, it’s my fault. I ruined your relationship with Liam.” “This baby shouldn’t be in my belly. I promise you, I’ll leave right now. I’ll get rid of the baby immediately and never appear before you again.”

With that, Chloe, still crying, rushed towards the door. With a “thud,” she fell directly to the ground. Liam’s eyes filled with panic. He rushed over without hesitation. Chloe clutched her stomach, whimpering. “Liam, help me! My baby, this is our first baby, I don’t want anything to happen to this baby…” Seeing Chloe’s pained expression, Liam’s eyes instantly reddened. He quickly scooped up the whimpering Chloe from the ground. His panic was visible, his lips trembling. “No, Chloe, I won’t let anything happen to our baby, don’t worry.” “You’re still young, we’ll have many more children, as many as you want, I’ll give them to you, okay?” Listening to his touching declaration, tears streamed uncontrollably from my eyes. Five years ago, I too was pregnant with his child. But back then, he claimed it was his career’s crucial period and told me to terminate the pregnancy. We were both young then, and I didn’t think much of it, so I went through with the abortion. The moment I was wheeled into the operating room, I suffered a hemorrhage and almost died on the table. That surgery severely damaged my uterus, making it difficult to conceive afterward. Liam knelt by my hospital bed, clutching my hand, sobbing uncontrollably as he repented. “Aurora, I’m so sorry, I truly didn’t know that abortion would cause such severe damage to your body. Don’t worry, I promise I’ll never fail you again. From now on, if we have a child, we’ll keep it, okay?” “If we really can’t have children, that’s okay too. I’ll be child-free with you.” What were once such moving and heartfelt vows now felt like a sharp blade piercing my heart. I turned, wanting to leave, but he, still holding Chloe, rushed up from behind me. Suddenly, he kicked me hard in the back. I lost my balance and stumbled, falling backward. I knocked over a nearby vase, and glass shards pierced my palm. “What are you standing around for?! Get the car ready! If something happens, can you take responsibility?!” “Chloe is pure-hearted; she thinks of everything for you, yet you say such vicious things to upset her. You’re so much older than her, can’t you be more mature?!” The crushing pain in my chest made it hard to breathe. I slowly got to my feet, pulling the glass shards from my palm. Blood instantly welled up. To avoid giving him any more leverage, I forced myself to endure the pain and went to get the car for him. Perhaps, as he said, there was a life in her belly. Blood dripped onto the steering wheel, while in the backseat, Liam and Chloe’s fingers were intertwined. After dropping them off at the hospital, I felt my task was complete. Trembling, I called Julian. “What you said last time, I agree.”

Julian didn’t seem surprised to hear from me. He told me to send him my address. After I sent it, he replied with a text. “Wait for me. Ten minutes.” For some reason, receiving Julian’s message filled me with a strange sense of calm. I took a closer look at myself; I was a mess, my hand still oozing blood. I decided to head to the doctor’s office first to get some medicine and a simple bandage. As I passed Chloe’s hospital room, through the half-open door, Liam was spoon-feeding her swallow’s nest porridge, blowing on each spoonful carefully. He gently wiped the porridge from her lips. “Eat slowly, little glutton, don’t choke.” Their eyes met in the air, and Chloe couldn’t help but lean in and kiss his lips. Liam didn’t refuse; he even closed his eyes. Watching this scene firsthand, my heart twisted painfully. As I pulled away, Chloe seemed to notice me. A hint of challenge appeared in the corner of her mouth, and she wrapped her slender arms around Liam’s neck. “Liam, don’t you think it’s all my fault? It’s because I’m pregnant with your baby that sister-in-law is so unhappy.” “You don’t know how scared I was when I saw the way sister-in-law looked at me. I know she hates me, but I really don’t want to ruin your relationship, and I don’t want her to hurt our baby. Maybe I should just leave.” Liam suddenly cupped her face, gently stroking her cheek with the same hand that had once caressed mine. “Silly girl, how can you say that? It’s Aurora who’s being childish. You’re having such a difficult pregnancy, and she keeps doing things to upset you. When I get back, I’ll teach her a good lesson.” “You’re carrying a Hayes heir now; I’ll naturally give you a proper status.” Chloe said, teary-eyed and full of feigned grievance, her tears coming on cue. “But what if Aurora really gets angry and leaves? Then I’ll truly be a sinner.” Liam placed the swallow’s nest porridge aside and sneered. “She won’t leave me. Everyone knows she’s been with me for 10 years; no one would want a ‘damaged good’ who’s cohabited with another man for a decade.” “She loves me to death, she’s like a persistent shadow, impossible to get rid of. This wedding, she was the one begging me to marry her.” So, in his eyes, all my efforts were just one-sided devotion. Hearing this, my stomach churned, and I rushed to the bathroom, dry-heaving. But there was nothing in my stomach, only bitter acid. Ten years. Memories flooded my mind like a torrent. All those solemn vows played out like a movie in my head. Liam Hayes, you were the one who pursued me back then. To be with you, I even risked cutting ties with my parents. And now, all I got was a dismissive “desperate fool chasing after me.” I dragged my battered body, slowly walking towards the hospital exit.

Liam, who had come out to get water for Chloe, spotted me and called out. “Aurora Hayes!” I instinctively stopped. He walked towards me, holding the kettle, and started to speak but then noticed my hands, wrapped in bandages. He frowned, a rare flicker of concern in his eyes. “Aurora, what happened to your hands?” He reached out to touch them, but I instinctively pulled away. “It’s nothing. You should go back and care for your little darling in the hospital room, Liam.” Hearing my deliberately distant tone, his outstretched hand froze in the air, and a rare hint of disappointment crossed his features. “Aurora, stop playing games, okay? Chloe is pregnant and her emotions are unstable right now. As her sister-in-law, you should be more generous.” “Didn’t you always want to travel? After the baby is born, we can go together, okay?” Watching his self-righteous demeanor, I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. In the past, whatever I did or said, he would agree without question. But ever since Chloe joined the company, he’d stood me up countless times. His promises, I no longer dared to hope for. As he spoke, his fingers were still busy replying to Chloe’s messages. I clenched my fists and looked up, meeting his cold eyes. “Liam Hayes, let’s get a divorce.” He was still engrossed in his chat with Chloe. When he finally registered my words, he froze. He lifted his eyelids, looking at me. “Aurora, what did you just say?” I repeated myself, word for word, enunciating even more clearly than before. “I said, Liam Hayes, let’s get a divorce.” Upon hearing this, he slammed the kettle to the ground. He paced wildly like a madman, hands on his hips, his bloodshot eyes fixed on me. “Aurora, do you even know what you’re saying?” “You’re overdoing this hard-to-get act, aren’t you? So what if Chloe got pregnant? Why are you sulking so much?” “You always said you loved me, but now, when our love is truly tested, you’re backing down? Do you think I’d still be a man if I let Chloe go and terminate the pregnancy? Do you want Chloe to end up like you, unable to bear children?” …He practically tore his throat screaming. Passing patients stopped to watch the spectacle of his madness. So, in his eyes, I had always been useless, a woman who couldn’t bear children. I bit my lip, trying my best to keep the salty tears from falling. My throat aching, I looked at him. “I’m not making her get rid of the baby, Liam. Listen carefully: this time, *I’m* leaving *you*.” A message popped up on my phone from Julian: “I’m in the parking lot. Come over.” I turned to leave, Liam’s furious voice echoing behind me. He ripped his throat screaming, “Aurora Hayes, go! If you leave, don’t ever come back!” “Divorce then, divorce! See how everyone will mock you, how you’ll become an abandoned woman everyone can whisper about behind your back in our social circle.” “Don’t come crying back to me for charity later.” No, Liam. From the moment you hurt me again and again for Chloe, I should have known I needed to leave. The hospital layout was unfamiliar, and I searched for a while but couldn’t find the parking lot Julian mentioned. Just as I spotted a parking sign and started walking towards it, a large hand suddenly grabbed me. A furious face appeared before me.

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For ten years, my CEO wife, Chloe, had consistently ghosted on our vacation plans. This year was no different; she cancelled our long weekend getaway, claiming she had to go on another urgent business trip. Yet, moments later, I received a message from Dylan, the man she truly loved. It was a picture of him and Chloe on a family outing, a wide smile on her face as she played with a child. “Ryan,” the text read, “if I’m not mistaken, she probably told you she had a business trip, didn’t she? After all these years, it’s hilarious you still fall for that excuse.” “Guess where she’s taking me this time?” My gaze locked onto the corner of the photo, where a boarding pass clearly showed “Fairbanks, Alaska.” I typed back immediately: “Couldn’t care less if you went to hell.” Not long after, Chloe’s furious call came through. “Dylan was just sharing his life, and you’re being so petty! Why do you have to pick a fight with him over everything?” “You apologize to Dylan right now. I’ll make it up to you, I promise I’ll find time to go on a trip with you when I get back from my business trip.” Listening to her make yet another empty promise, I mumbled a few dismissive words before hanging up. But she didn’t know. I’d already discovered she had a pair of twin boys with another man. In three days, my divorce petition would be finalized. It was time for this marriage, built on a foundation of lies, to end.

I stared at the dozens of angry calls from my wife, Chloe Thompson. I’d just snapped at Dylan, the man she truly loved, and she immediately jumped to his defense, practically demanding I get on my knees and apologize. Anyone who didn’t know us would have thought Dylan was her husband. The screen went dark again. Perhaps her patience had run out; the frantic ringing stopped. Instead, a few SnapChat messages popped up. They were from Chloe: “Ryan, apologize to Dylan right now. I promise you, I’ll take you on vacation when I get back.” “Haven’t you always wanted to see the Northern Lights? We can go to Fairbanks and see them.” A bitter laugh escaped me. Fairbanks, Alaska, the exact place she was supposedly going on her “business trip.” Did she have to take Dylan to every single place I ever dreamed of? I didn’t want to deal with it and was about to turn off my phone when another message from Dylan appeared. It was a family photo. Even without zooming in, I could clearly make out Chloe’s slender figure. “Ryan, I honestly can’t believe it. You know your wife has a whole other family, and you’ve tolerated it for years. How can you stand it? You must have been a spineless coward in your past life.” “Given your years of patience, I’ll tell you one more thing: about Chloe’s hospitalization abroad three years ago.” “She told you she had uterine fibroids and needed foreign medical treatment, but that was a lie. I came up with that excuse for her. I just never thought you’d believe it so easily, or that you’d even thoughtfully give her your life savings.” “Actually, she went abroad that year to give birth to my children. I wanted her to have them in a local hospital, but she insisted on flying overseas, considering you…” I didn’t read the rest of the lengthy text. I had no desire to. Three years into our marriage, all my friends were raising families, and I envied them deeply. I went back to Chloe and told her I wanted a child, but she said her career was taking off, and a baby would only be a burden. Two more years passed. Just when I finally got her to agree, she broke down in tears, telling me she had uterine fibroids and had already contacted a doctor abroad for a minor surgery that would make her healthy again. That trip lasted three years. When she finally returned, she told me, with red eyes, that the surgery had gone wrong, and she could never have children. I still remember her sobbing uncontrollably that day: “Ryan, I’m so sorry. I made you wait all these years, and I still couldn’t fulfill your dream of becoming a father.” Looking at her swollen, red eyes, my heart ached as I said, “It’s okay, Chloe. As long as you’re healthy, it’s fine if things stay this way.” I thought Chloe and I would adopt a child and live out our lives together. But then, Dylan, her true love, suddenly sent me a pregnancy confirmation. It boldly displayed my wife, Chloe Thompson’s, name. I thought it was a prank, one of Dylan’s tricks to mess with me, and I dismissed it several times. Deep down, I still believed Chloe’s heart belonged only to me. It wasn’t until I received another photo from Dylan, showing children strikingly similar to Chloe, that I had no choice but to believe. That pregnancy confirmation was real. She had indeed given birth to Dylan’s children behind my back, twins no less. She even used her health as an excuse to deceive me, all to keep me from suspecting. The thought sent a sharp, stabbing pain through my heart. The excruciating pain in my palm brought me back to reality. I angrily blocked and deleted Dylan from SnapChat. A moment later, Mr. Henderson, our butler, came over, holding a gift box. “Master Ryan, this is a birthday present from Miss Chloe.” With that, Mr. Henderson opened the box. Inside was an exquisite watch. Its design clearly indicated it was custom-made. My heart sank at the butler’s words. Staring at the expensive watch, I suddenly remembered Chloe’s promise years ago that she would spend every one of my birthdays with me, wholeheartedly. Ever since Dylan reappeared, her promises had become empty words. Whether she was with me or not, she always prepared a gift for me every year. However, this was the fourth time she’d given me this exact watch. Yet, the gifts she gave Dylan were always new and unique, each one clearly chosen with more care than this watch. I snapped a few pictures of the watch and casually listed it on eBay, setting the starting bid at $10. Mr. Henderson, seeing my slight smile, assumed I was chatting with Chloe and said contentedly, “Seeing you two so happy together, I can rest easy.” I didn’t reply. After a few more polite words, the butler left. Just as I was about to head upstairs, my phone buzzed with an update on the divorce application I’d submitted earlier. The papers would be finalized in three days. I gripped my phone, my eyes darkening. It was truly time for this marriage, steeped in lies, to end.

No sooner had I packed up the watch than Mr. Henderson came in with a package. “Master Ryan, this package is a bit damaged. The delivery person required a signature. Could you please check if everything inside is alright?” I took the package from Mr. Henderson, my mind puzzled. I hadn’t ordered anything recently. I instinctively knew it couldn’t be Chloe’s; she never bought things online. I personally purchased all her daily necessities; she wouldn’t touch such things. It wasn’t until I saw the recipient’s name on the shipping label that my shocked expression softened. It was indeed Chloe’s package. At Mr. Henderson’s urging, I opened the box. Inside were two pairs of children’s shoes. Mr. Henderson looked equally surprised: “This… could it be that Miss Chloe is pregnant? Didn’t she say she could never—” Before Mr. Henderson could finish, Chloe’s call came through. Her voice was hurried, laced with a hint of nervousness: “Ryan, did a package just arrive at the house? Did you…” I didn’t wait for her to finish. I already knew what she was going to say. Looking at the children’s shoes in the box, I calmly replied: “Just got it. Don’t worry, I’ve signed for it.” She paused, then after a long silence, said, “Good. Don’t overthink it. Those are gifts for a friend’s children. He helped me out a great deal before, and I’m just showing my appreciation.” A bitter laugh escaped me. They were clearly for Dylan’s twin boys, yet she still came up with such a flimsy excuse. I couldn’t help but snap back, “Is that friend named Dylan?” At my words, Chloe’s tone instantly changed: “Ryan, what are you talking about? Are you mad I didn’t spend your birthday with you? Didn’t I promise you I’d make it up to you when I get back from my time off?” “Stop dragging Dylan into everything! How many times do I have to tell you, we’re just friends!” I tightened my grip on the gift box, smiling as I asked, “Then why were you in such a hurry to call back? Aren’t you just afraid I’ll go confront Dylan?” I expected her to explode, but she merely mumbled a few words: “You’re being completely unreasonable! I just didn’t want you to overthink things when you saw it. I can’t believe you’d think that of me. Looks like I worried about you for nothing!” I was somewhat surprised. Before, whenever I mentioned Dylan in front of her, she’d ignite like a powder keg, ready to explode at the slightest spark. But any lingering doubts vanished the next second when I heard a child’s tender voice on the phone. Then I realized: she hadn’t changed; she was just trying not to argue with me in front of the kids. Before I could speak, she hung up, leaving me with a dead line. She kept claiming that she and Dylan were just friends, yet she turned around and had children with him. Were they really just friends? Just then, Chloe’s Ragdoll cat, Maoqiu, suddenly ran over. My eyes darkened. I immediately tried to leave, but it was too late. Red spots were already appearing on my arm. In moments, the few scattered spots became a full-blown rash all over my body, itching intensely, even swelling. I was highly allergic to cat fur, but Chloe still insisted on keeping the cat, simply because Dylan had given it to her. I’d even given her the cold shoulder for a month over it. She brushed it off, a look of disdain on her face: “It’s just a minor allergy, isn’t it? I’ll buy you some allergy medicine, that’s all. Only a cold-hearted person like you would shut out such a cute cat!” The swollen area on my body grew larger. I quickly went to find my allergy medicine. But I rummaged through the medicine cabinet several times, and there was no allergy medicine inside. My body felt worse and worse, even my breathing became difficult. My head felt increasingly heavy, and the next second, I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I overheard Mr. Henderson on the phone with Chloe. Mr. Henderson was elderly and used the speakerphone when taking calls. Chloe’s cold voice crackled through the phone: “It’s just a minor allergy. Is it worth calling me in the middle of the night for this? Can’t you just buy him some allergy medicine? You’ve been with the Thompson family for years; do I really need to teach you such things?” “And by the way, don’t bother me with trivial matters like this again!” Through the crack in the door, I saw that before Mr. Henderson could speak, she had already hung up. I chuckled to myself, a bitter, self-deprecating sound. I should have expected this outcome. What was I still hoping for? Mr. Henderson entered the room, looking at me with a sympathetic expression.

After a day of observation, the doctor finally discharged me. As soon as I finished the discharge procedures, I received a message from the family court. With the divorce certificate in hand, I took a taxi home. As I approached the main gate, I heard laughter and lively chatter from inside. I thought Chloe had returned early. I intended to give her the divorce certificate and explain everything to her face. The next second, I heard Mrs. Thompson, Chloe’s mother, and her second aunt, Aunt Margaret, speaking: “If Chloe hadn’t been so stubborn about marrying him back then, I never would have allowed him into our Thompson family!” “Anyway, Chloe and Dylan have children now. Ryan is utterly useless. When he gets back, we’ll just make him sign the divorce papers!” Aunt Margaret immediately chimed in, “Yes, yes. The children are growing up in the blink of an eye. You should enjoy the blessings of having grandchildren.” I clenched my fists. So, their entire family knew Chloe had given birth to twins with another man, and I was the only one kept in the dark, foolishly believing her for all these years. I pushed open the door, my face cold. The two women turned, startled. “Are you a ghost! Don’t you make a sound when you walk!” Mrs. Thompson impatiently glared at me, her face darkening: “What are you standing around for? Go make some tea! I don’t know what you learned in all those etiquette lessons over the years. You’re still so unrefined, a disgrace to look at.” Back then, Mrs. Thompson despised my humble origins. Although she agreed to my marriage with Chloe, she privately enrolled me in various etiquette classes, hinting repeatedly that I was unworthy of her daughter, and if I didn’t practice diligently, her daughter would embarrass the Thompson family when taking me out. Though I was utterly unwilling, thinking of Chloe’s difficult relationship with her mother because of me, I endured everything, doing exactly as Mrs. Thompson wished. But I never imagined that after all these years, she still looked down on me. When I brought them two cups of hot tea, Aunt Margaret vigorously nudged Mrs. Thompson, giving her a pointed look. Just as I was about to head upstairs, Mrs. Thompson directly flung a divorce agreement at me. She said coldly, “Wait a moment. Sign this divorce agreement first.” She paused, then continued, “This is Chloe’s wish too. She’s too shy to say it, so as her mother, I naturally have to help her.” “I assume you overheard what Aunt Margaret and I were saying. I won’t hide it from you. Chloe has already had children outside this marriage. This divorce was bound to happen sooner or later.” I looked up at her. Regardless of whose wish it was, I already had the divorce certificate. This marriage was over no matter what, so what harm was there in signing another agreement? With that thought, I signed my name in a flash. Seeing my decisiveness, both women were stunned, as if they were dreaming. “May I leave now?” I asked, looking at their shocked expressions. Aunt Margaret instantly reacted, scoffing, “Yes, you should. You’re no longer the Thompson family’s son-in-law. There’s no reason for you to overstay your welcome.” Mrs. Thompson immediately followed up: “Mr. Henderson, quickly tell the staff to pack up his things. Make sure he’s out of the Thompson estate today.” Mr. Henderson heard her and was about to call the staff, but I stopped him: “No need. I’ll pack my own things.” Aunt Margaret, hearing this, her eyes glinted, mocked, “We’d better have someone watch him. Can’t guarantee he’ll be honest about taking his things. If anything goes missing, it’ll be our Thompson family’s money lost!” I ignored her and went straight upstairs, packing a few of my most used clothes. I didn’t touch any of the clothes Chloe had given me. I also placed the divorce certificate in a gift box and asked Mr. Henderson to give it to Chloe. After I finished everything, I dragged my luggage and left the Thompson estate. To my surprise, as soon as I stepped out the main gate, I overheard the servants saying they were preparing to welcome back the young masters who were living elsewhere in a couple of days. Only then did I realize that Mrs. Thompson was so eager for me to divorce because she wanted to welcome Dylan’s two sons into the family. The next day, Chloe returned from her time off, with Dylan trailing behind her. She walked in and looked around. Not seeing me, a strange sense of dread pounded in her chest. Dylan, however, scanned the living room, looking left and right, and asked, “Chloe, where’s Maoqiu? Did Ryan throw him out while you were gone?” Maoqiu was the Ragdoll cat’s name. Chloe frowned, remembering my allergy. She wanted to say something but didn’t. It wasn’t until Mr. Henderson said the cat had been sent for vaccinations that Chloe’s expression softened slightly. Then she asked, “Mr. Henderson, where’s Ryan?” Before Mr. Henderson could reply, Mrs. Thompson spoke from the stairs: “Ryan has left the Thompson estate.” Chloe looked confused: “Mom, what do you mean?!” Mrs. Thompson usually had strong opinions about me and often taunted me; it was commonplace. Chloe was about to say more, but her gaze shifted to the gift box in Mr. Henderson’s hand. Mr. Henderson handed the gift box to Chloe: “Master Ryan asked me to give this to you.” Chloe saw the familiar gift box, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. She remembered this was the box she’d used the first time she gave Ryan a gift. She hadn’t expected him to keep it for so long. Dylan, seeing the unusual look in her eyes, scoffed, “That box looks so old. Did Ryan just find some broken box to try and gross you out? Chloe, don’t even look at it.” “What good thing could possibly be in such a piece of junk? Ryan is probably just trying to play a trick on you. You’ll regret opening it.” The next second, Chloe opened it right in front of them. When she saw what was inside, her face instantly turned ashen. Everyone looked on in shock.

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When I gave up my law license, the legal community rejoiced.
Only Rachel Wilson, my fiancé’s ex-girlfriend and the star prosecutor, strongly objected.
At the press conference, she tearfully pleaded:
”Jennifer is one of the most promising young lawyers I’ve ever seen. I sincerely hope she can return to the courtroom.”
I blocked her number and boarded the plane, feeling nothing.
In my previous life, I defended a death row inmate.
Internet users called me an accomplice, cursing my whole family to hell.
The key evidence I submitted in court mysteriously failed. Rachel Wilson won the case.
All of this turned me from a golden girl of an elite law school to a despised “murderer’s lawyer” that everyone wanted to beat up.
Internet users sent me razor blades and dumped feces at my door.
My grandparents who raised me were surrounded and insulted by angry netizens, dying from sudden illness.
I fell into severe depression. On the day Rachel Wilson won a lifetime achievement award and kissed Ethan Cole, I hanged myself in the law firm building.
When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day the case was submitted. 0

“Ms. Shaw, that was brilliant! With this evidence, we can even overturn a death sentence! You’re truly a shining star in our field!”
As my assistant finished speaking, I gasped.
This wasn’t the altar or the noose, but my familiar office?!
I had been reborn.
Back to the morning of the case, at 10 AM when the case evidence was about to be submitted.
On the desk, my assistant had already plugged the USB drive into the computer. Seeing my horrified expression, he hurriedly comforted me,
”I’ll upload it first, Ms. Shaw. You should rest. You must be exhausted these past few days!”
I grabbed his wrist.
”Wait.”
”Bring the materials back, I’ll revise another version.”
My assistant looked confused but still followed my instructions and didn’t upload the materials.
I counted the clock on the wall…
Ten minutes later, my phone rang as expected. It was a call from the judge.
”What?! Our evidence hasn’t been submitted yet, but it’s already been fully refuted by prosecutor Rachel Wilson?”
My assistant shoved the phone in front of me, his voice shaking:
”Jennifer, look, the materials in our hands haven’t been sent out yet. How did Rachel Wilson know about them and how could she refute them point by point? Is it… is it possible that we have a mole in our team who leaked information?!”
I closed my eyes, my breathing tense:
It was the same time, the same evidence, the same case as in my previous life.
For some reason, Rachel Wilson was able to know all the evidence I had in advance,
Refuting everything and outmaneuvering me at every turn.
She even managed to achieve a spectacular reversal victory in her career when we had the trump card.
I remember that day in court, the applause for her was endless.
I frantically tried to make the evidence sources public to everyone, but still couldn’t prove my innocence.
Instead, I was expelled from the law firm for leaking confidential information and completely lost my lawyer qualification.
I thought my fiancé Ethan Cole would believe me and confided in him.
But he made our conversation public. He came out to apologize for me publicly, expressing his disgust and cutting ties with me.
He finally succeeded in eliminating me, his biggest competitor, allowing Rachel Wilson to stand on the pinnacle of the lifetime achievement award.
On stage, Rachel Wilson was radiant, smiling and saying, “Justice will never be tainted.”
Off stage, I was in despair, hanging myself at the lawyer position I loved most.
I never expected that the person I trusted most would stab me in the back so deeply.
This life, I looked at the camera on the wall and smirked,
”Check the surveillance footage for me.”
I want to see which ghost leaked the key evidence I had carefully prepared in advance. 0

My assistant rushed off with the security guard to check the surveillance footage.
I sat alone at my desk, not moving for a full five minutes:
That key piece of evidence was the core material I had spent half a year visiting multiple places and investigating.
Even if it was refuted by Rachel Wilson in advance, we absolutely cannot give up this opportunity easily.
I opened my computer and started browsing through countless interview recordings with the client.
When I opened the seventh video, I froze:
The detention center surveillance showed that in the last few months, every time I went to see the client, Rachel Wilson was also there.
Her timing was always perfect.
Just an hour after I finished meeting with the client, she would go to visit.
Why?
Rachel Wilson was from the prosecution. Unlike me as a defense lawyer, she didn’t need to contact the suspect so frequently.
Could it be that she knew in advance when I was going to see the suspect?
An even stranger point was:
In Rachel Wilson’s rebuttal document, she clearly mentioned “the climate conditions of the rainy season”.
Rachel Wilson and my fiancé grew up together in the north as childhood friends.
How could she possibly understand that unique damp texture of the south?
Inspiration struck. My whole body shook as I stared at her gentle smile on the screen.
Ethan Cole had said countless times in front of me:
”Rachel is the person I’m most grateful for in my life.”
She was Ethan Cole’s “orphanage sister” during his childhood, and also his benefactor.
Back then, Rachel Wilson sponsored Ethan Cole all the way through school.
Later, when Ethan Cole became the CEO of a multinational company, he in turn sent Rachel Wilson abroad for further studies.
After she came back, he even helped her all the way to becoming a prosecutor.
My one-sided love for Ethan Cole seemed like a joke.
Loving too humbly and fearfully, even though I was sour and choked up inside at how much he cherished Rachel Wilson, I didn’t know how to object.
My assistant sent a message:
[Ms. Shaw, I’ve checked all the surveillance footage and found no one copying the materials.]
I couldn’t figure it out:
If there was no mole in the law firm, how did Rachel Wilson know about my evidence in advance?
Gritting my teeth, this time I went all out, locking myself in the office for three full days without leaving.
Phone off, computer disconnected from the internet.
I completely scrapped the old draft, rewrote the defense plan, and retrieved over 5,000 pages of materials.
At dawn on the fourth day, I handed the evidence to my assistant:
”Use this version. Submit it immediately.”
My assistant sent a string of praise:
[This version is amazing, Jennifer my legal goddess!!]
[There’s been no new move from prosecutor Rachel Wilson’s side, not even supplementary materials submitted.]
[We’re definitely going to win this time!]
I finally felt a weight lift from my heart.
But just as I was about to take a nap on the couch, before dawn, the door was banged so hard it shook:
”Ms. Shaw, something terrible has happened!!”
”Prosecutor Rachel Wilson’s side quickly submitted a new rebuttal this morning, and even applied to change the court hearing to a live broadcast!”
The moment my assistant rushed in, my mind went blank.
I suddenly stood up, turned on my phone, and notifications from various platforms flooded in.
[Shocking! Beautiful prosecutor personally applies for live court broadcast, justice to be open and transparent!]
[Justice will not be silent, how many dirty secrets are hidden behind the death row inmate?]
Someone must have bought trending topics for Rachel Wilson.
With this series of operations, the heat directly surpassed all entertainment news that day.
Internet users cursed even more viciously than in my previous life.

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My son was a star student, accepted into a top university, but my husband dragged him to the hospital for a vasectomy. Just because our son defended me and kicked my husband’s first love, Serena. To get revenge for Serena, my husband ordered his bodyguards to forcibly take our son to the hospital. When I found out, I knelt on the ground, desperately pleading with him. “Damian, what are you doing?! Luke is your own son! What did he do wrong?” “Take it out on me, please, just don’t hurt him!” His eyes were cold as ice as he kicked me away. “It’s because you didn’t raise him right. He damaged Serena’s uterus. I’m just having him sterilized for a while as punishment. That’s fair!” I searched frantically, finally finding the hospital where my son was, only to see him leap from a high floor… And on the phone, I heard only Serena’s mocking voice: “Damian, my injuries are fine now. If Chloe knew you secretly divorced her for me, she’d really make a scene.” My mind went blank. When I finally came to, I dialed a number I hadn’t touched in years. “Please, come save my son! If you save him, I’ll agree to anything!”

The moment I rushed to the hospital entrance, I heard gasps erupt from the crowd. I looked up sharply, and a dark shadow plunged straight down from the high-rise! A dull thud echoed, heavily striking my heart. Time seemed to stand still. I saw him. It was my son, Luke. He was still wearing the red T-shirt I’d bought for him. Now, that red was soaked with blood, making it even more jarring. My legs gave out, and I practically crawled to his side. “Luke! Luke! Look at Mom!” My hands trembled, but I didn’t dare touch him, terrified he’d shatter like a porcelain doll. He struggled to open his eyes, his fractured gaze focusing on my face. Bloody foam spilled from his mouth. With his last ounce of strength, he clutched the hem of my shirt. “Mom… it’s… it’s not… sterilization…” His voice was barely a whisper, each word a knife slicing through my heart. “They… they gave me… gender reassignment surgery…” “I… I can’t live like this.” *Boom!* My mind went blank instantly, and the world spun around me! Before I could even process this cruel truth, a group of strangers in black suits rushed over. They were expressionless, their movements swift and precise. They roughly dragged my dying son and me away. “Who are you?! Let go of my son! Help!” My screams and struggles were so futile against them. A black bag was violently pulled over my head, and I was shoved into a car. I don’t know how long passed, but the car finally stopped. Luke and I were brutally thrown onto the cold concrete ground. The hood was ripped off, and the suffocating smell of mildew and dust filled my nostrils. It was an abandoned warehouse. The single metal door clanged shut, locked from the outside. *It’s over.* They were going to trap us here to die. I fumbled around. Thank goodness, my phone was still in my pocket! This was our only hope! Trembling, I dialed Damian’s number. “Damian! Save Luke! We’ve been kidnapped, he’s dying!” On the other end of the line, Damian’s voice was filled with contempt and impatience. “Chloe, what new trick are you pulling now? It’s just a small procedure, why are you making such a fuss?” “It’s true! He jumped from the building! He’s bleeding so much! We’re in a warehouse in the suburbs, please…” Before I could finish, Serena’s delicate cries came through the phone. “Damian… is Chloe mad at me again? It’s all my fault, I shouldn’t have let you get revenge for me…” “It’s my bad, go comfort her quickly, don’t let her fight with you because of me again…” Damian’s voice instantly turned cold, full of disgust. “Enough! Chloe, stop trying to gain sympathy with these tactics, it’s sickening!” *Beep… beep… beep…* The call was ruthlessly cut off. I clutched my phone, my blood feeling like it had instantly frozen. My last sliver of hope, extinguished by his own hand. A tidal wave of hatred surged from deep within me, threatening to consume me whole. At the edge of despair, I looked at my son, whose breathing was growing weaker in my arms. My finger slid across the screen, stopping on a number I hadn’t touched in years. My eyes turned cold and resolute as I dialed that number. “Please, come save my son! If you save him, I’ll agree to anything!”

Soon after I hung up, dozens of top-of-the-line ambulances, loaded with advanced equipment, swarmed into the abandoned warehouse. Medics in sterile gowns rushed to my son’s side, their movements swift and professional. I saw a glimmer of hope and immediately grabbed one of the doctors by his white coat, crying incoherently, “Save him! Please, save my son!” But the doctor just shook his head gravely, his cold gaze falling on me. “Hope is slim. His injuries are too severe – ruptured internal organs, massive blood loss. He’s missed the optimal rescue window.” His voice was devoid of emotion, like he was pronouncing a death sentence. “Ma’am, you should notify your husband. Prepare for the worst.” Husband… Damian… Those words stabbed me like poisoned darts, leaving me bleeding internally. Tears of regret blurred my vision. I remembered years ago, how I was forced to marry Damian to pay off my father’s massive company debts. Back then, we seemed affectionate in public, but behind closed doors, we were just polite strangers. Only with the birth of our son did a flicker of warmth enter our cold, business arrangement. Damian held the tiny infant, a rare, genuine smile gracing his face, and our relationship slowly warmed. I naively thought things would continue to be good. But then, his first love, Serena, returned to the country, and everything changed. Damian’s tenderness and patience vanished overnight, given entirely to another woman. I had thought about divorce, about leaving this suffocating home with my son. But my selfish father had pointed a finger at me, roaring, “Chloe! If you dare divorce, I’ll jump off this building! Our whole family will be ruined because of you!” I retreated. For my family, I silently accepted Serena’s presence. I thought my forbearance would buy me peace, but she only grew more brazen. One day, she even tried to push me down the stairs. It was my son who fiercely protected me. And it was because of that intervention that my poor son suffered this terrible calamity! The red light of the emergency room went out. My son’s heartbeat stopped. Like a puppet drained of its soul, I numbly pulled out my phone. Clinging to a final shred of hope, I dialed Damian’s number. The phone was noisy on his end, party music blaring. My voice trembled uncontrollably: “Damian, our son… he’s gone. Can you come back, just to see him one last time?” “Chloe, what game are you playing now?” His voice was utterly cold, laced with impatience. “To get me to come back, you’d even lie about something like this? How pathetic are you?” I pleaded humbly: “I’m not lying, Damian, please, just a glance, a final glance!” “Ha, if I believe a single word you say today, I’m an idiot!” “Serena’s birthday party just started. I don’t have time to play along with your drama. Don’t call me again!” “If you dare disturb us again, your father’s company can expect to go bankrupt!” *Beep… beep… beep…* The call was mercilessly disconnected. I clutched my phone, the world instantly quiet, leaving only an endless roaring in my ears.

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On the day of the graduation ceremony, I mustered up the courage to confess my feelings to my long-time crush. But I accidentally got hit by a car. When I woke up, my crush was standing in front of me, looking at me with a cold expression. “You’re awake? Perfect timing. Let’s discuss the divorce agreement.” Me: ??? I haven’t even confessed yet, how did we end up talking about divorce? 0On the day of my college commencement ceremony, I finally mustered up the courage to confess my feelings to Aria, my long-time crush. Across the street, Aria was taking photos in her beautiful graduation gown. Excited, I ran towards her, not noticing the red light at the crosswalk. A loud “BANG!” echoed, and I was struck by a car. Everything went black. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself staring at a stark white ceiling. To my surprise, Aria was standing by my bedside. She was as beautiful as ever, and this was probably the closest we’d ever been. Aria stood there, her gaze shifting from the IV drip to my face. As I looked at her, I noticed a ring on her left ring finger. My heart sank. Had the girl I’d loved for so long already found someone else? Swallowing my disappointment, I forced a smile and greeted her, “What are you doing here?” As I tried to sit up, I realized my arm was wrapped in thick bandages. Aria sat down on the chair beside my bed, her voice cold and distant. “Mr. Liam, you really know how to make a scene. Risking your life for a divorce? That’s a bit much, don’t you think?” I stared at her, completely bewildered. Divorce? I hadn’t even graduated yet, let alone gotten married. Where did this talk of divorce come from? Just then, a nurse entered the room, carrying a tray of bandages. “Dr. Aria, you’re still here? Sir, you’re so lucky. When you had the accident, Dr. Aria happened to be passing by and gave you emergency treatment. Otherwise, you’d be dealing with more than just a broken arm.” The nurse carefully cleaned my wound as she spoke. As she gently placed my hand down, I noticed something shocking – there was a ring on my right ring finger too! And it clearly matched Aria’s ring. Panic and confusion flooded my mind. After the nurse left, I grabbed Aria’s sleeve. “Your name is Aria, right?” Aria frowned, looking annoyed. She jerked her sleeve away from my grasp and stared at me coldly. “Since you’re awake, let’s discuss the divorce agreement.” 0

This was absolutely insane! I was certain I had been on my way to the commencement ceremony when I got hit by a car. How did I wake up to this scenario where I was supposedly trying to divorce Aria by “risking my life”? I was convinced that either I had gone mad, or Aria had. “Wait a second!” I started, but before I could finish, a little girl suddenly appeared in the room, running straight into Aria’s arms. I was stunned. What an adorable child! I reached out with my uninjured hand, wanting to pinch her chubby cheeks, but she shyly hid in Aria’s embrace. “Hey sweetie, I’m sorry. You’re just so cute, I couldn’t help myself,” I said, trying to sound friendly. Aria looked at me disapprovingly, reminding me that I had called her to wait but hadn’t explained why. “Look, this might sound unbelievable, but I have no memory of what you’re talking about. The last thing I remember is going to the commencement ceremony…” Aria impatiently cut me off. “So, you’re saying you have amnesia now?” Amnesia? Yes, that must be it. It was the only explanation for why I had no recollection of all this. I nodded vigorously and sincerely. Aria’s face remained icy as she pulled out a document from her bag and tossed it in front of me. “This is the divorce agreement. All the terms are as you requested. If you have no objections, sign it quickly.” I opened my mouth to speak but couldn’t find the words. The little girl in Aria’s arms looked at me with a pout when she heard Aria mention divorce. “Maybe we shouldn’t discuss this in front of the child,” I suggested. “It might not be good for her. Perhaps we could put this on hold for a while?” Aria scoffed. “The child? Liam, you’re really playing this amnesia act well. This is our daughter.” I hadn’t even processed her first statement when she continued, “And when you were having dinner with another woman, did you consider whether that was good for our child’s well-being?” My mind went blank as I tried to absorb this information. Not only was I married, but I had a child too? And apparently, I had been unfaithful? The little girl didn’t even look at me, burying her face in Aria’s neck. It was too much information. My brain crashed like an overloaded computer. 0

It took me an entire day to process the situation in my head. It seemed I really did have amnesia. I was still me, and Aria was still Aria. The only difference was that we were married and had a baby. But the divorce papers on the hospital bed silently conveyed another message: our marriage was clearly in trouble. The problem seemed to be that I might have cheated? But how was that possible? Why would I cheat on someone as beautiful and intelligent as Aria? Had I lost my mind? Where did things go wrong? How could I regain my memories? I scratched my head in frustration, feeling completely lost. “Daddy.” I looked up at the sound of a soft knock. The door opened slightly, and the little girl’s cute face peeked in shyly. “Mommy said to remember to disinfect your hand. Here’s the antiseptic. She said you should do it yourself.” Her tiny hands clutched a bottle of iodine solution. I reached out to her, gesturing for her to come in. “Daddy’s hand hurts a bit. Can you bring it over for me?” The little girl looked at me hesitantly but eventually nodded. She timidly ran to my side and placed the bottle on my bedside table. I picked her up with my good arm and sat her on my lap, studying her features closely. She had my eyes – big, round, and bright. Her nose was like Aria’s, high and straight. She had Aria’s oval face shape too. She was absolutely beautiful. This was my daughter with Aria. I couldn’t help myself. I hugged her close and planted a big kiss on her cheek. The little girl smelled like milk, and I found her utterly adorable. When I looked up, I saw that her face had turned bright red. She froze in my arms for a moment, then wrapped her little arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. She whispered in my ear, “Daddy, you smell nice.” She was the sweetest thing in the world. As I basked in the joy of being complimented by my baby, the door opened. Aria’s familiar figure appeared in the doorway and walked towards us. “Mommy!” The little girl in my arms immediately ran to Aria, stretching out her arms to be picked up. Aria had clearly just showered, wearing casual home clothes that made her look both sexy and relaxed. Her hair fell naturally over her forehead, with droplets of water sliding down her neck into her collar. I swallowed hard, feeling the allure of her beauty. As she came closer, my heart began to race even faster. However, Aria’s words quickly doused my excitement. “Mr. Liam, don’t you think it’s a bit late to start being nice to Coco now?” “I’m not… I…” I wanted to explain, but one look at Aria’s cold expression told me she wouldn’t believe anything I said. In the end, I chose to remain silent. “Never mind. You can go about your business. I’m leaving,” she said. As I walked out of the study, Coco peeked out from Aria’s neck and glanced at me. Seeing how close they were made my heart ache. What good was having a wife and child if my wife wanted to divorce me and my child was closer to her mother? I started to wonder why we had chosen to get married in the first place. Outside on the balcony, a full moon hung high in the sky. The night breeze blew in, scattering my thoughts. Everything else remained the same. It seemed I was the only one who had changed. 0

The master bedroom had only one large bed. The room’s decor was minimalist, with a simple black, white, and gray color scheme. Apart from that, the room was kept immaculately clean, with a faint scent of gardenia wafting through the air. I remembered that this was a fragrance I liked. I walked to the walk-in closet, hoping to find some of my pajamas, but all I saw was a sea of black clothing. … With no other option, I knocked on the study door. “Honey, I’m sorry to bother you,” I said, trying to sound as respectful as possible. Aria, who was working at her computer, looked up at me. “Do you know where my pajamas are? I looked in the master bedroom closet but couldn’t find any.” Aria stared at me for a few seconds without saying anything. Just as I thought she wasn’t going to answer and was about to leave, she suddenly stood up from her chair and walked towards me. Aria smirked, hands in her pockets. “What, are you planning to keep up this amnesia act?” I swallowed hard, not knowing what to say. The problem was, even if I told the truth, she wouldn’t believe me. Fortunately, she didn’t press the issue this time and walked past me towards another room. I stood there, unsure of what to do. She glanced back at me. “Aren’t you coming?” I immediately followed her like an obedient puppy, making sure to keep a respectful distance. “Thank you.” Two minutes later, when I happily opened the closet door to get my pajamas, I immediately slammed it shut. My face turned bright red. It was too embarrassing to look at! “This is…” I didn’t finish my sentence, but I was sure Aria understood. She was leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed, silently watching me. Her eyes seemed to say, “Go ahead and keep pretending. I’ll just watch without saying a word.” … I took a deep breath and slowly opened the closet door again. The clothing style inside was so revealing that I could hardly believe it. The worst part was that Aria was still standing there, showing no intention of leaving. I tried my best to ignore her gaze. With my back to her, I rummaged through the clothes from top to bottom, unable to find a single “normal” piece of clothing. … I sighed inwardly, turned around, and not knowing what came over me, I asked Aria, “Honey, which one do you… prefer me to wear?” Then, I clearly saw Aria’s eyes darken. She scoffed and walked out, slamming the door shut behind her so hard it made me jump. Why did she get angry? As I took my pajamas to the bathroom, a thought suddenly occurred to me. Could our impending divorce be due to problems in our intimate life? After showering, I put on a robe and went to Coco’s nursery. The nursery was decorated warmly, showing that Aria cared a lot about the child. I tiptoed in. Coco was already in a sweet dream, hugging a stuffed animal. I gently tucked the kicked-off blanket back around her and carefully removed her thumb from her mouth, wiping it with a tissue. It was at this moment that I truly felt like a father. But I only knew her name was Coco; I didn’t even know how old she was. I looked at my marriage certificate with Aria. The date was four years ago. So Coco must be around three years old. I stroked her head and then left her room. As soon as I closed the door and turned around, I saw Aria standing in front of me. My heart started racing so fast I thought it might jump out of my throat. “Are you done?” she asked. “Yes,” I replied. The atmosphere was awkward, and I didn’t know what to say. “So… are you going to bed?” I asked. Aria didn’t respond or make any move. “I’ll go to sleep then,” I said, and quickly escaped to the master bedroom. Without another word, I lifted the covers and lay down, keeping myself as still as possible. Not long after, the bedroom door opened, and Aria walked in. Seeing me lying in bed, she paused for a moment, her footsteps stopping as she just stood there looking at me. Her gaze made my scalp tingle. “Honey, which side do you usually sleep on?” I asked. She didn’t answer. I was starting to feel that Aria’s personality had become quite strange in the years I couldn’t remember. She always liked to stare at people coldly without saying a word. I forced a smile and got out of bed. “You choose first,” I said. Petty Aria! I cursed her in my mind, knowing she couldn’t hear my thoughts. But this time, she moved. She walked to the other side of the bed, lay down, and ignored me, turning off the bedside lamp with a sharp click. I… I fumbled in the dark, getting back under the covers. The person beside me was breathing evenly. Everything around was quiet, but I couldn’t sleep at all. I couldn’t even think straight; my mind was a jumbled mess. But I could feel that she was very close to me, so close that our breaths seemed to mingle silently in the air between us. “Honey, are you still awake?” I asked softly. “What do you want?” she replied. “What?” “You were the one who wanted to get married, and you were the one who went to great lengths to get a divorce. Now you’re lying here with me, trying to seduce me. Liam, I don’t have time to play your games. If you want something, just say it.” “Seduce?” I stared at her with wide eyes, suddenly feeling a chill run through my chest. I looked down and realized how revealing the outfit I was wearing actually was. No wonder Aria thought my current behavior was an attempt to seduce her. “I… I didn’t mean it that way. I’m sorry,” I stammered. But Aria clearly didn’t want to continue sharing a bed with me. She got up and left the bedroom, leaving me with these parting words: “Liam, I don’t care what you’re thinking right now. I have no feelings left for you. I hope you understand that. Whether you’re pretending to have amnesia or trying to seduce me, it doesn’t matter to me anymore.” “I’ll sleep in the guest room tonight. Do whatever you want.” Aria left. In the vast space of the bedroom, I was left alone with nothing but my sorrow. 0

I couldn’t sleep. I lay there, wide awake until dawn. Around seven, I heard Aria talking outside, along with another woman repeatedly saying “okay, okay.” I guessed it must be the housekeeper. A moment later, the front door closed, and the sound of a car engine starting up told me Aria had left for work. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind in chaos as I began to reflect. I had never been an outgoing guy; otherwise, I wouldn’t have secretly harbored a crush on Aria for so many years. But now, finding out that not only had my crush been successful, but I had become her husband, I felt shocked, yes, but more than that, I felt an undisguised joy. I thought this was a chance given to me by fate, but I never imagined I’d mess up this marriage so badly. Low emotional intelligence really is a fatal flaw. Lost in my thoughts, the bedroom door suddenly opened. A woman wearing a housekeeper’s uniform walked in. Seeing me, she quickly apologized. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was in here.” “It’s alright, I was just about to get up,” I said with a smile. She seemed relieved and slowly entered the room. “Ms. Aria left for work. I thought this room was empty. Didn’t you used to sleep in your own room?” she asked. My own room? I suddenly remembered that when I went to get clothes yesterday, there was indeed a bed in that other room. So, I had been sleeping in a separate room all along. Does this mean we were living separately? Thinking about it this way, all of Aria’s unusual behavior yesterday started to make sense. I felt utterly embarrassed. I buried my face in my hands, already regretting my actions many times over. Coco must have heard our conversation because she came running to the bedroom door, barefoot. She looked at me expectantly but didn’t dare to come in. “Coco, come here to Daddy,” I said gently, holding out my arms to her. Hearing this, the little one excitedly ran towards me. She pounced on me, knocking me back onto the bed, and flashed her little tiger teeth in a big smile. “Daddy,” she said, nuzzling her head against my chest. My heart melted. She really was my adorable baby girl. No matter how much Aria might hate me right now, Coco was still my daughter, and I was determined to be a good father to her. I said goodbye to the housekeeper and took Coco out for a day just for the two of us. We went shopping, and I bought her lots of pretty clothes. I also bought some normal clothes for myself. After all, my post-marriage style was a bit hard to accept. I carried Coco in my arms as she happily ate ice cream, her face covered in cream. I gently wiped her face clean. “Coco, what was Daddy like before?” I asked. Coco looked at me, pouted a little, and said in a slightly hurt tone, “Mean to Coco.” Then she added, “Grumpy.” Children don’t lie, and her words made my heart ache. It seemed the old me had changed so much that even I couldn’t recognize myself. So why did Aria choose to marry me? Was it because she liked me? If so, she must have had quite unusual taste. “Daddy, I want that!” Coco suddenly pointed her chubby little hand at a poster for the latest McDonald’s family meal deal. Ah, the irresistible appeal of fast food to kids. “Sure, let’s get it!” I said. An hour later, Coco and I sat with our heads down on the couch in Aria’s office, looking very much like two kids who had been caught doing something wrong. The cause of our predicament was the aromatic family meal deal sitting on the coffee table in front of us. It all started with Coco’s filial piety. She felt that while we were out having fun, her mom was working hard alone, so she wanted to share her “delicious food” with her mom. Aria’s workplace happened to be near the mall, and I couldn’t bear to refuse the little one’s request. So, we cheerfully went to Aria’s office. But in Aria’s eyes, Coco’s “delicious food” was nothing but “junk.” And that’s how we ended up in this interrogation.

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I was the daughter of the city’s wealthiest family. But I had a secret: once a month, I’d transform into a Ragdoll cat. My dad, terrified this secret would get out, handpicked five fiancés for me. They had all grown up alongside me, a gesture of shared history. Each of them was a high-flyer, but their eyes held nothing but ambition and greed. Only Liam Hayes was different. When I, as a cat, was lost outside, he would always pick me up and bring me home, caring for me. On a day that was supposed to be special for us, I had planned to gift him a vintage piano worth millions and set our engagement date. But I transformed into a cat again. On the couch, Liam held me close, promising Chloe Miller, our housekeeper’s granddaughter: “Marrying Skylar is just a stepping stone. Once the Sutton empire is mine, the only one standing by my side will be you, Chloe. As for her… a payout will keep her quiet.” “Chloe, you’re the one for me.” The engagement party was just around the corner, and Dad asked me who I’d finally choose. The greedy glint in those men’s eyes flashed through my mind… I said, “When choosing a husband, I definitely need the one who’s the least trouble… and the most handsome. Let’s go with Julian Thorne from the Thorne family.” Dad’s teacup shattered on the floor. “Skylar! Julian Thorne was in a car accident three years ago… he’s been in a vegetative state ever since. Are you sure?” “Why?” Dad was incredulous. “Wasn’t Liam a good kid? The others are all the cream of the crop, and you…” “You know about… my situation. What would happen to the Suttons if word got out? What would I become?” Dad’s face instantly turned grave. “But Julian Thorne… he’s been like that for three years. My child, you’d be tied to a man who’s essentially gone, so young! How can I be at peace with that!” The Thorne family’s eldest son, once one of the most eligible bachelors in the city, had been in a car accident three years ago, leaving him in a medically confirmed vegetative state. Dad had picked those five back then, fearing I’d be alone someday, hoping at least one of them would genuinely care for me. But he couldn’t guard against the treacherous nature of people’s hearts. I leaned softly on Dad’s shoulder. “Dad, having you is enough. I’m fine on my own.” At least Julian wouldn’t harm me, nor would he have ulterior motives because I could turn into a cat. Dad sighed, finally giving up his objections. After Dad left, my heart felt icy. Who would’ve thought Liam, who seemed pure as driven snow, was actually calculating furiously with Chloe Miller behind my back! If he knew I could turn into a cat, he’d probably see me as a monster, or even… eagerly pack me off to some secret research lab, right? Just the thought sent a shiver down my spine. I had just returned from the company when four figures blocked me at the villa entrance. Everyone was there, except Liam. Dylan Reed, the investment banker, was the first to lose his patience, speaking with a languid drawl: “Skylar, darling, we’ve supported you for ages. How come there’s still no word on that five-million-dollar investment Mr. Sutton promised? You’re not playing dirty, are you?” Next to him, Dr. Alex Gray, still in his scrubs, hands in his pockets, chimed in: “Skylar Sutton, are you going to get me that Chief Resident title or not? Spit it out! My time is far more valuable than yours. A single wasted minute could mean a life lost, and you think you can afford that?” Ben Stone, the lawyer, adjusted his glasses. “No one understands the Suttons’ intentions better than I do. Are you trying to burn bridges now? Either sign a ten-year contract with our firm, or I can’t guarantee what the Sutton name will become.” Even Lucas Blackwood, who always prided himself on his artistic integrity, spoke up, full of indignant betrayal: “What about us? Forget us! What about Liam? He’s too pure for this world; he wouldn’t have gotten involved in this mess if your family hadn’t forced him! You have to compensate us!” In their mouths, I was an ungrateful, unforgivable liar. But which one of them wasn’t where they were today because of the Suttons? From their tuition for prestigious overseas education to their connections for high-paying jobs back home, the Suttons had paved the way for everything. And now they were turning around and accusing me? I pointed at the main door. “Done talking? If you’re so wronged, you shouldn’t have come in the first place. This is perfect, now get out! Isn’t it better for everyone to be free?” Their faces instantly twisted into ugly grimaces. I tugged at the corner of my lips, finding it somewhat amusing. “What? You’re free and not happy? Is it because you won’t have the chance to rightfully covet the Sutton fortune anymore?” “Stop pretending, you pillars of society. When you were falling over yourselves to get your foot in the Sutton door, why didn’t you show so much pride?” Dylan and the others flushed, their faces turning pale, but they stubbornly tried to argue. Alex forced out a defense. “Wh-what’s with the nasty talk! We… we’re from ordinary families, how could we dare challenge a family as wealthy as the Suttons? It was your dad who insisted on choosing us…” Ben echoed, “Exactly! What right did we have to refuse? Beggars can’t be choosers!” Their shamelessness almost made me laugh in exasperation. Before I could even process their ridiculous accusations, Liam and Chloe appeared. The moment Chloe saw me, she clutched Liam’s sleeve like a startled little bunny. Liam instinctively pulled her behind him, and the four others immediately surrounded them, as if I was about to tear Chloe apart. This scene was so familiar. Five years ago, when Chloe first came to the Suttons with her grandmother, she shyly handed me a small, carved wooden charm on a red string, saying it was a protective amulet from her village. I saw her genuine sincerity and was touched. Thinking little girls loved pretty things, I immediately gifted her a diamond bracelet in return as a welcome present. Who knew that just two days later, Liam would angrily confront me, holding that wooden charm. “Chloe said she’s had this since birth, that her mother had practically begged for it on her knees for days! And you’re trying to take it from her too?!” I was stunned, looking at Chloe, hoping she’d speak up for me. Instead, she sank to her knees, tears welling up instantly. “Liam, don’t blame Skylar! It was… it was my fault for insisting on giving it to her! Skylar is very good to me, she even gave me such a beautiful bracelet… *sob*… I’m not upset, really…” She cried and bowed her head, her forehead quickly growing red. This display of utter helplessness and false martyrdom instantly ignited the fury of those self-proclaimed knights in shining armor. “Skylar Sutton, just because you’re a Sutton, you think you can push people around like this?” “Someone gives you a heartfelt gift, and you throw money in their face?” “Don’t be scared, Chloe! We’re here, she won’t dare touch you!” From then on, whenever Chloe shed a single tear in front of me, no matter what I had or hadn’t done, Liam and the others would immediately decide it was my fault. Chloe, meanwhile, never once explained. Later, when I turned into a cat, I personally saw her casually toss that wooden charm into the trash, not caring about it at all. In front of those men, she’d lavish me, a cute little cat, with affection, but secretly, she’d pull my fur, even pinch my tail until I cried out in pain and fled. One time, I couldn’t stand it anymore and suggested to Dad that we send Chloe to school, to learn a skill. My mom passed away early, and Mrs. Miller had been with our family for nearly twenty years, taking devoted care of Dad and me. Because of Mrs. Miller, I had always shown Chloe a lot of patience. Sending her to school was truly for her own good. But Chloe immediately burst into tears and ran out. Those men instantly came running again, without bothering to understand the situation, accusing me: “Skylar Sutton! Chloe never got much schooling growing up, aren’t you just rubbing salt in her wounds?!” “She’s already so insecure and sensitive, can’t you just be nicer to her? Do you have to provoke her like this?” “How can you be so malicious! Can’t stand to see anyone do well, can you?!” They became even more convinced she was pathetically vulnerable and innocent. And I, through and through, was nothing but a spoiled, manipulative, and utterly irredeemable villain. My thoughts snapped back to the present. Looking at the faces of these five men, I felt a wave of nausea. “Take your pathetic little saint and get out!” Accusations once again rained down on me, overwhelming. “Skylar Sutton! How dare you speak like that! You’ve gone too far!” “Chloe came to see you out of kindness, don’t you know what’s good for you!” Chloe’s tears started to well up again. She peeked half her head out from behind Liam, pulling out a few crumpled bills and offering them to me. “Skylar, please don’t be angry… this is my allowance I’ve saved for ages, it’s not much… please don’t blame Liam and the others…” Again? I swatted her hand away, scattering the bills across the floor. “Cut the sickening act!” *SLAP!* Liam’s palm slammed against my cheek. My face instantly swelled, burning with stinging pain. “Skylar Sutton! Are you done with your tantrum?! Chloe was just trying to be kind! How dare you humiliate her like that?!” Liam’s tone was laced with condescending arrogance. “Skylar Sutton, if you still want to marry me, you *must* respect Chloe!” “And Dylan and the others, you need to compensate them properly!” He ticked off my supposed misdeeds on his fingers, one by one: “Dylan’s boss is constantly chewing him out these days; can’t the Suttons pull some strings for him?” “Alex can’t get promoted and is constantly bossed around by his supervisor; are you blind?” “Who even understands art these days? Lucas’s gallery is barely staying afloat. Is it so hard to buy a few paintings to help him out?” He paused, his voice turning threatening. “My orchestra has an overseas tour coming up in a few days. If you keep acting like this, don’t blame me if I don’t come back!” Dylan and the others looked profoundly touched.

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I was notorious in our circle: a frail socialite with an unhinged reputation, my delicate constitution supposedly sustained by the mysterious power of blood. I despised the fiancé my father had chosen for me, Julian Vance. So, to spite him, I kept nine male companions at home. Each time Julian, the richest man in the city, whose very being was a living remedy, questioned me, his eyes blazing with fury, I’d merely scoff at him. But then, those nine men poisoned the blood I drank, and absconded with all my assets. As blood streamed from every orifice, Julian, his eyes red-rimmed, tortured them to death. Their screams died out as their blood stained the entire mansion. He then severed a major artery, offering his blood to my lips, tears streaming down his face. “Elara, my love, my blood can cure all ills. Please, live for me, okay?” But I never opened my eyes, even as his lifeblood drained away. It was then I finally understood the depth of his devotion. I reopened my eyes, reborn to the very day my father was choosing my husband. This time, I sent all my male companions away. I wanted only him. I truly believed we would live happily until the very end. But then, to bail out his cousin, Valerie Reed, who’d gambled away everything at the casino, he and my father delivered me straight to the opponent’s poker table. … At the poker table, my body wouldn’t stop trembling. In my last life, Julian would sever a major artery, bleeding himself nearly to death to save me. Just three minutes ago, he willingly subjected himself to drugs, making me drink his sedative-laced blood. He sighed, his warm thumb gently wiping away the tears at the corner of my eye. “Elara, I’ve replaced everyone at the casino with my own people. They won’t hurt you. You just need to act the part, to soothe Valerie’s bruised feelings.” “You ruined her dress yesterday, so consider this your apology.” Even my doting father chimed in, “Consider it character building. If it weren’t for you, Valerie wouldn’t have been so heartbroken she ran off to the casino.” I was shaken, trembling all over, unable to believe these words came from my doting father’s lips. Yesterday, Valerie saw the dress I was wearing at the mall. She came at me, all flailing limbs and furious intent, only to slip, tearing her dress and humiliating herself in front of everyone. She claimed I made her barely clothed, leaving her to be photographed by strangers. Then, heartbroken, she went to the casino and lost everything, utterly ruined. My pupils constricted violently, comparing them to the two men who had loved me so deeply in my previous life. Could it be that they, too, had been reborn? My body stiffened, but my mind was terrifyingly clear. Tears instantly streamed down my face. Julian then arranged me into a pose that seemed to satisfy everyone. The poker chips, heavy with their weight, teetered precariously on my barely covered body. “Young Master Vance, this is the unhinged beauty from the Sterling family; you’re going to get us in trouble… Isn’t the cousin a safer bet?” The playboys eyed me with lust, yet recoiled in fear. Their sticky hands cautiously brushed against my skin. Julian leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the changing room, his expression cold. “Since I brought her, feel free to enjoy yourselves. Her body, cultivated by daily blood, just a touch and she’s ready.” My body shook like a sieve. Julian, who’d painstakingly nursed himself back to health, used to fuss over a mosquito bite for half a day. Now, he was personally offering me up. Seeing me like a fish on a cutting board, ready to be carved, those men rubbed their hands in anticipation. They tore at the few remaining inches of fabric on my body. A wave of intense humiliation washed over me. My heart shattered into a million pieces. From across the room, Valerie emerged, her eyes red. Julian tenderly pulled her into his embrace. His doting tone made her giggle sweetly. Those who’d dared disrespect her instantly fell to their knees, groveling for forgiveness. My heart twisted with a mix of emotions. I remembered. Before, if anyone so much as glanced at me too long, he’d taught them a lesson they’d never forget. Valerie looked at me, her eyes suddenly red, but a vicious glint shone within them. “Sister, even if you’re used to being arrogant and overbearing, you shouldn’t walk around without clothes. So many men, it’s embarrassing. Why don’t you all get close to Elara, so she doesn’t get cold.” The words had barely left her lips when Julian stepped forward, his large hand possessively covering her eyes. “Don’t look. She’s dirty.” My fingertips dug deep into my palms, my heart aching and trembling as large tears fell. It was June; how could Julian not understand what she meant? He was indulging her, backing her up. A man with such severe germophobia, who in my previous life held me, covered in blood, and kissed me gently. Why was he so cruel this time? Seeing Julian leave, the men no longer held back, crowding around the poker table, indulging themselves wildly. Once they were satisfied, they discarded me. Their laughter in the room drowned out my heart-wrenching screams. Even my breaths were tainted with the sickly sweet taste of pain. I stumbled home on trembling legs. But at the doorstep, I froze, my breath hitched. My hands, hanging at my sides, clenched into tight fists. Valerie and I shared the same birthday. At this moment, my father and Julian were at the table, celebrating hers. Countless gifts were piled high in the living room. Everything that should have been mine in my last life, and even now, meant nothing to me. The three of them laughed and chatted around the dining table. That warm and harmonious scene was all I had ever craved, in this life and the last. It turned out Valerie could get it so easily. I averted my eyes, taking the back stairs to the second floor. The moment I closed the door, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I broke down, sobbing. I had clearly changed my temper for him. So why had he and Father acted so strangely? This time, I wanted to love him truly, but he wouldn’t give me a chance. My face was ashen as I pulled out my phone. “Leo, I’m coming to you, I’m not marrying him.” The man on the other end sighed, his voice cold. “Little sister, it’s good you finally understand. Caleb will be very happy when he hears this.” After hanging up, I lay sleepless on the cold floor all night. My phone vibrated, shattering my already frozen heart. It was a SnapChat video from Valerie. My hands trembled as I tapped it open. When I saw the end of the video, my body went rigid. “Sister, did you sleep well last night? I’ve arranged for the baby in your belly to return and repay your kindness. I specifically chose prime genetic material. No need to thank me.” I froze, a bone-deep chill spreading through me. I couldn’t move an inch. Valerie had replaced the casino staff… And then I saw someone injecting something into me. I rushed to the bathroom, retching until blood appeared in my vomit. I scrubbed my skin raw with a steel wool scrubber until blood mingled with the water, tears streaming down my face. In my last life, Valerie, though adopted, had always behaved herself in the Sterling household. But this time, she was like a completely different person. A chilling realization dawned on me: they had all been reborn. I dragged my broken body, frantic, into the hospital, begging the nurse, “Please, I need an abortion.” The words had barely left my lips when I heard the click of heels behind me. I looked up to see Julian, his face darkened ominously, striding towards me. “Sister, you’re pregnant? Why are you asking the nurse for an abortion? Do you really not want Julian’s child?” I rushed forward, clutching Julian’s hand tightly. “I’m not pregnant. This isn’t my child. Valerie replaced the people at the casino. She had someone inject…” Julian, his eyes blazing, pinned me against the wall, gritting his teeth. “You’re still trying to frame Valerie? I thought your temper had improved, but you’re still so inconsiderate of others.” Even my father, who had rushed over at the commotion, slapped me hard across the face. “You demon child! When will you learn to be as obedient as Valerie? This is your own child!” Blood seeped from the corner of my mouth. I swallowed the coppery taste in my throat. I looked at them and laughed, tears streaming down my cheeks. The two men who loved me most had personally sent me to the casino, preferring to trust an outsider over his own daughter. They wouldn’t even ask their own daughter a single question. In my previous life, I distinctly remembered that if I coughed just once, they would have all the doctors on standby at the mansion. Helpless tears, which I could no longer hold back, streamed down my face. Seeing me in such a state, a sharp pang hit his chest, and he stepped forward. But Valerie chose that moment to let out a delicate sob. “I’ve already forgiven Elara, why must you still try to frame me? I’m a victim too, I almost…” Her perfectly timed, dramatic pause fueled Julian’s rage. Her eyes gleamed with triumphant malice as she looked at me. My blood boiled. I glared at her viciously, stumbled to my feet, and lunged towards her. But the moment my fingers brushed her hair, Julian shoved me away violently. I crashed into a cart, and the IV drip shattered all over the floor, pain radiating through my entire body. As blood gushed from beneath me, I saw Julian tenderly blowing on Valerie’s hair. And my usually composed father frantically called for doctors and nurses. I smiled, then blacked out. When I woke up again, I was tightly bound to the hospital bed, unable to move an inch. My hands and feet were bound until my limbs were bruised and swollen. Envious whispers from the nurses drifted into my ears. “When will I meet a man like Mr. Vance? His fiancée pulled out a single strand of his adopted sister’s hair, and he brought in the top hair transplant specialist.” “Right? And to prevent her from harming Miss Reed again, he’s treating her like a mentally ill patient. It’s the first time I’ve seen restraints used like this!” Their voices faded. I looked up, and Julian appeared at the doorway. Was there a hint of heartache in his eyes as he looked at me? I scoffed. He noticed my gaze, loosened the restraints on me, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. “Elara, you’re being so unreasonable. Valerie said you were just having your period and not pregnant at all. Your paltry attempt to gain my sympathy is too clumsy.” My breath hitched. He believed Valerie’s words just like that. “You should apologize to Valerie. As compensation, give her your Four Seasons Estate. You don’t use it anyway.” I gasped, my eyes widening. The Four Seasons Estate was divided into four sections—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—and was my mother’s specifically designed wedding gift for me. Before she passed, she clung to life just to ensure I signed for it myself. Julian once held me, promising that we would let Mother witness our happiness. How could I just hand it over to someone else? “I refuse!” I snapped. Julian’s face twisted, and he stared at me coldly. “Valerie’s health isn’t good. The Four Seasons Estate has special climate control for each season, perfect for nursing her body. Don’t be so petty.” My face drained of all color, but I stood my ground. “You’re a living remedy; if her health isn’t good, use your blood to heal her!” Julian’s expression flickered. “No! Valerie isn’t like you; she can’t stand the smell of blood. It’s settled.” I looked at Julian, a profound sorrow gripping me. Then I suddenly remembered my father. Right! Father and Mother loved each other so deeply; he surely wouldn’t agree! I rushed out of the hospital and went home. But when I approached my father with a glimmer of hope, he slapped me hard across the face, his rage blazing. “Is this how your mother taught you to be so cold-blooded? For a useless relic left by a dead woman, you’re willing to let her be frail and sickly!” My pupils violently constricted, and my entire body trembled. Mother had been so good to Julian. She’d even managed Father’s company until her dying breath. Yet, this same man now only offered a cold back and cruel words. My lips were bitten raw until they bled. Julian flinched, stung by the hatred in my eyes. He was about to say something when Valerie strutted out, holding an authorization form, flaunting it in front of me. “Thank you, Elara, for your apology. Our grievances are now completely erased.” As she spoke, she pulled out two racing tickets from the file. “Sister, I invite you to my race tomorrow. Father and Julian will both be there.” My hand trembled violently when I saw the tickets. I looked at the two men, my face filled with panic. When I was a child, a race car had crashed through the barrier and hit me. I lay in the hospital for two years, the cold machines making it hard to hold on. “I’m not going!” I tried to escape, but Valerie grabbed me, her nails digging into my flesh, as if tearing a piece of me away. Valerie suddenly arched backward uncontrollably, too fast to react. “Ah, don’t push me…” She fell straight into the fireplace behind her, flames leaping up. Julian pulled her out, and she sobbed uncontrollably in his arms. “What if my hair is burned? Sister must resent me. I didn’t mean to take anything from her.” I looked up. “Would you believe me if I said I didn’t?” “Elara Sterling, what are you doing?” Julian’s eyes were crimson, as if he wanted to gouge me out. I merely sneered at him, seeing no need to explain. He knew how terrified I was of cars, yet he still wouldn’t believe me. Seeing this, Valerie ran off crying. Julian raised his hand, ready to deliver a fierce slap. He went after her like a madman. In the dead of night, I curled up in bed, my pillow soaked with tears. “Mom… why didn’t you take me with you?” In a blur, I heard someone push open the door and lead me downstairs. When I reopened my eyes, the screech of tires against the pavement was deafening, and everything blurred before me. I bit my lower lip hard, the sensation of impending death washing over me. My body was covered in vomit mixed with blood. I instantly understood: Julian was getting revenge for Valerie. This time, I couldn’t even shed a single tear. The car door opened, and I rolled out like a dead weight. The smell of burning filled the air, but I no longer had the strength to struggle. I didn’t understand why this life had turned out this way. Julian and Father were like different people. But it didn’t matter anymore. Everything was about to end. I curled my lips into a relieved smile and slowly closed my eyes. ———-此处为截断点———- “What unhinged socialite? I’d say she’s a promiscuous socialite, ha…” “Ah!” The unrestrained laughter came to an abrupt halt.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “297009”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #惊悚Thriller