Category: English

The company distributed a box of oranges, so sour they could make your teeth ache. My pregnant coworker loved them, so I handed them over without hesitation. When my mother-in-law heard about this, she stormed into the company and made a scene, demanding my coworker return the oranges. Shaking with anger, I asked her, “Don’t I have the right to give away my own things anymore?” She sneered, “You belong to our family now, let alone your possessions!” Suddenly, it dawned on me. I had treated them as family, but they saw me as a slave. It seemed some accounts needed to be settled. I was shaking with anger as I asked her, “Don’t I have the right to give away my own things anymore?” She sneered, “You belong to our family now, let alone your possessions!” Suddenly, it dawned on me. I had treated them as family, but they saw me as a slave. It seemed some accounts needed to be settled. 0 I had just finished lunch when I saw my mother-in-law, Linda, walk into the office carrying a thermal lunch box. As soon as she entered, she started looking around suspiciously. I quickly stood up to greet her, “Mom, what brings you here?” “I brought you lunch,” Linda said, slamming the lunch box on the table with a loud thud that startled my coworkers. After living together for half a year, I had come to understand her a bit. Her hands were shaking slightly – a sign she was suppressing her anger. Besides, she had never brought me lunch before. I opened the lunch box to find only some sandwiches, which I disliked. Clearly, bringing lunch was just an excuse. “I heard your company gave out oranges?” Linda got straight to the point. Our company often gave out things as perks, so it wasn’t unusual. This time, the oranges they bought were organic and sugar-free, but they were so sour they could make your teeth ache. My pregnant coworker, Olivia, who was dealing with morning sickness, actually found them appealing. I gave her my oranges to avoid wasting them. Was Linda here for such a trivial matter? Olivia was sitting right across from me; it would be awkward if she overheard this. “The oranges were sour, so I gave them to my coworker. If you want some, I can buy you some after work,” I said in a low voice. “How dare you! You just give things away without asking me?” Linda slammed her hand on the table and shouted. The entire office went quiet, all eyes turning to us in shock. Olivia had just gone to get water and was now waddling back, sensing something was wrong. “Mom, please don’t make a scene. It’s not a big deal. I’ll buy you two boxes, okay? Please go home now,” I tried to calm the situation, feeling utterly embarrassed for the first time in my life. “I’ve never seen such a disrespectful daughter-in-law! What do you take our family for? You just give away things without consulting us?” Linda’s voice grew louder, ignoring my pleading looks. She kept glancing at Olivia, probably guessing from her belly that she was the one I had given the oranges to. I was breaking out in a cold sweat. Olivia’s pregnancy was hard-won, and she had been on bed rest. What if this upset her? “Stop it! Leave now!” I was trembling with anger as I tried to drag Linda towards the door. “Look everyone, this is my wonderful daughter-in-law, beating her mother-in-law!” Linda cried out dramatically as my grip on her arm tightened. My coworkers stood awkwardly to the side, unsure whether to intervene. “Was it really necessary to come here and make a scene over such a small thing? Don’t I have the right to give away my own things?” I asked, my voice shaking with anger. “You belong to our family now, let alone your possessions!” Linda’s words ripped away all pretense between us. So this was how it was. The harmonious family life I thought we had was just my own delusion. “I didn’t take the oranges home, I only opened the box and ate two. Here, take them back, please don’t be angry!” Olivia, also frightened, hurriedly pulled out the box from under her desk. Her coworkers quickly stopped her and went to help. “Emma, come here for a moment,” my manager, Ms. Smith, beckoned to me. My coworkers got the hint. Two of them led me to the manager’s office, while three or four others gently pushed Linda out the door, along with the box of oranges. Linda left clutching the orange box. She had probably come just to humiliate me, and her goal was achieved. Ms. Smith had always been kind to me. She poured me a glass of water and handed me some tissues. Only then did I realize how disheveled I looked. “I’ve been a daughter-in-law and now I’m a mother-in-law myself. I understand this game. It’s an obedience test,” Ms. Smith said. Her words hit me like a revelation. So that’s what it was! 0

I met Ryan at the hospital where he was my father’s attending physician. To be honest, Ryan was quite a catch. A 32-year-old medical PhD, he was the youngest chief of cardiothoracic surgery at their hospital. He was handsome and kept himself in great shape. That period was my lowest point. When my father was suddenly hospitalized, our world fell apart. My mother and I had been so sheltered by my father that we had little life skills. I was running around with a stack of papers, completely lost, when I literally bumped into Ryan. He helped me pick up the scattered papers and patiently guided me through each counter, being gentle and kind. I followed him obediently, tears in my eyes, afraid of losing him even for a moment. From that day on, whenever we had any issues, my mother would remind me, “Ask Dr. Zheng.” Soon after, my father passed away. Ryan helped me handle the funeral arrangements, taking care of everything personally. Our relatives even mistook him for my boyfriend. Later, we naturally got together. He had a clean dating history, being a studious man focused solely on his career. Despite his good looks and no shortage of admirers, he never gave them a second glance. “I feel like I’ve been waiting for you to come along,” he would say. His romantic lines were cheesy, but I loved them. When we were preparing to get married, my mother had a serious talk with me. “You’re my only daughter, and all our family assets are yours. Ryan’s family is from out of town, and he hasn’t been working for long, so he probably doesn’t have much savings. We’ll contribute more financially. You have a long life ahead, and I believe he can give you a happy life.” My mother was heartbroken after my father’s passing, seeing his memory everywhere. She decided to move south to stay with my aunt for a while. We held our wedding at my family home. At that time, Linda was still living in the countryside and hadn’t moved in with us. Linda still maintained the image of a hardworking rural old lady. She had made an appearance when my father was critically ill, bringing some farm-raised chickens at Ryan’s request. After my father passed away, she would occasionally send me some homemade health supplements. In my mind, she was a simple and kind old woman, lacking in education but honest and sincere. After we got married, we were both busy with work. Ryan had a sensitive stomach that needed care, and I didn’t know how to cook, so we hired a housekeeper. But Ryan was extremely picky about the housekeepers, so eventually, we decided to have Linda move in with us. We gave Linda $1,500 a month for groceries, and whatever was left over was her pocket money. At first, she was diligent and uncomplaining, but recently I felt she had changed. Whenever Ryan wasn’t home, she would just throw together something simple for me to eat. I didn’t think much of it at the time. It wasn’t until today, when she pointed her finger at me and scolded me, that I saw her true colors. I spent the rest of the day feeling dejected, constantly reflecting on my marriage with Ryan, wondering where things had gone wrong. Ms. Smith was right, my mother-in-law was testing my obedience. But was this her idea, or Ryan’s? 0

I called Ryan several times, but his phone was off. I understood this, as he couldn’t answer calls during surgery. Some things couldn’t be said over text, so I wanted to talk face-to-face. Just before leaving work, I noticed I had missed a message from Ryan saying he had back-to-back surgeries and wouldn’t be home for dinner. Before entering the house, I took a moment to prepare myself mentally. After what happened earlier, it would be awkward for anyone to face each other. Hearing the door open, Linda poked her head out of the kitchen. Seeing it was just me, her face darkened. “Where’s Ryan?” she asked. “He’s not coming home for dinner,” I replied. Hearing this, Linda turned back into the kitchen. After I finished showering, I found the house unusually quiet. The lights in the kitchen and dining room were off, and there was no food on the dining table. I could have sworn I smelled something delicious when I first came in. Curious, I walked into the kitchen. The stove was clean, and there was only half a sandwich left. Was this an open challenge? Well, fine then. It’s not like I don’t have hands of my own. I took out my phone and ordered a steak dinner set. Luckily, a new restaurant was offering a 12% discount, so the single-person set was only $14. After placing the order, I lazily scrolled through my phone on the bed until the doorbell rang. I have to say, the service from the new restaurant was excellent. The set I ordered came with extras, filling the entire table. I don’t know if it was the aroma wafting into Linda’s room or if she was trying to monitor me, but she suddenly opened her door and came out. Seeing me heartily digging in, she was stunned. “What… what are you doing?” Linda stammered. “Eating. Can’t you see?” I replied without even looking up. “What kind of daughter-in-law are you, indulging like this every day?” Linda angrily slammed the table again. “What kind of daughter-in-law doesn’t need to eat?” I retorted, not even bothering to lift my eyelids. “Didn’t I leave you a sandwich? That’s what I ate too. What are you complaining about?” “If you want to eat that, go ahead. I don’t like it,” I said. I had already finished eating. I stood up and packed the leftover food, then threw it straight into the trash. Linda’s face turned green. “How much did this meal cost?” Her eyes were sharp. She picked up the receipt on the takeout box, looked at it, and cried out as if she’d been bitten by a snake, “14 dollars! You spent 14 dollars on one meal?” “Yes, and it was on discount. Usually, it costs 20,” I said with a smirk, looking at her. “But the taste is really good. I might order it more often!” “You wasteful thing! You’re going to be the death of me! This is unbearable!” Linda exclaimed. Just as Linda finished speaking, there was a sound at the front door. Ryan was home. “Weren’t you working overtime? You’re too late to see how impressive your dear wife is. She ordered a whole table of steak just for herself!” Linda rushed to tattle. “You didn’t make dinner?” Ryan frowned, asking Linda. Linda didn’t answer, lowering her head and retreating to the kitchen. In no time, a feast was laid out on the table, and she called Ryan to eat. “If you’re not coming home, this food isn’t for me. Half a sandwich is all I get,” I said, looking at the mother and son pair with my arms crossed, waiting to see what would happen next. “You didn’t ask me if there was food. By the time I came out, you had already ordered,” Linda lied, her expression unnatural. “Can you two please stop? I’ve had a long day, my legs are so stiff I can barely bend them. Please…” Ryan slammed his plate on the table and headed upstairs. Linda glanced at me, then ran back to her room crying. I felt like there was a stone pressing on my chest, making it hard to breathe. Were they ganging up to bully me now? 0

I decided to go upstairs and have a proper talk with Ryan. Ryan came out of the shower to find me waiting sternly in the bedroom. Seeing my expression, he sighed. “Emma, I’m really tired today. My mom’s getting old, just ignore her,” he said. “Do you know what she did today? She came to my office and made a scene,” I said coldly, staring at him. He froze for a moment, then threw up his hands and paced around the room. “God, just kill me now. Can’t I catch a break today?” “You need to understand, it’s not me causing trouble, it’s your mother. It’s not me making your life difficult, it’s her making our lives difficult!” I was at my breaking point. I’m a victim here too, you know? “I get it, I’ll talk to her. She’s just bored. Come on, let’s make love. Let’s give her a grandchild to keep her busy,” Ryan said, leaning in towards me. “What are you thinking? We’re having conflicts without a child, and you think having a baby will solve them?” I pushed him away, clear-headed. “Then what do you want me to do?” Ryan was clearly impatient now. Suddenly, my phone rang. Seeing it was my mother, I quickly answered. “Emma, I’m downstairs. Can you come help me? I have too much luggage to carry up myself,” my mother said. “Mom! You’re back? Why didn’t you tell me in advance?” I said, rushing out. Ryan hesitated for a moment before following. My mother was standing downstairs with two large suitcases. The taxi that dropped her off had already left. “Mom, is everything okay?” I asked worriedly. “I’ve got a minor health issue. I wanted to come back to recover, but I didn’t want to worry you, so I didn’t tell you in advance.” It turned out my mother had developed some skin problems due to the change in environment. Back at home, Linda was also alerted by the commotion. She stood at the door in her pajamas, giving my mother a cold look as she entered. “Sorry for the intrusion,” my mother said with an apologetic smile. She then pulled out a gift for Linda from her suitcase. “You didn’t need to bring anything from so far away,” Linda said, quickly accepting the gift and exchanging a few pleasantries. “It’s too late today, let’s go to the hospital tomorrow. Mom, you must be tired from the flight. Get some rest first,” I said, noticing my mother’s weary face. That’s when I saw Linda and Ryan exchange a glance, and I suddenly remembered the room situation. Linda was staying in what used to be my mother’s room, and the other spare room was occupied by Ryan’s younger brother. He was about to graduate from college and was supposedly staying temporarily. On the second floor, apart from our bedroom, there was a small study, but it had no bed and was quite cramped. Linda exchanged a look with me, then turned her face away. “She can stay in the small room for now,” I said decisively, walking towards Ryan’s brother’s room. He was away at school for exams these few days. Opening the door, I was shocked. A foul odor hit me. I usually didn’t go into his room, and I never imagined a nice room could turn into such a pigsty. The room was a complete mess, with garbage, takeout boxes, and crumpled tissues everywhere. The desk and shelves were cluttered with action figures, and there was barely any space to step. “We’re not allowed to touch Kevin’s room. Last time I tried to clean it, he got angry and chased me out,” Linda said loudly. It was too late to clean the room now, so I turned my gaze back to Linda. “Mom, my mother has bad knees and can’t climb stairs easily. Could you sleep in Kevin’s room for now and let my mother have the bigger room?” “What if Kevin gets angry? I can’t afford to upset him!” Linda immediately refused. “I’ll go find a hotel then. I didn’t mean to cause trouble,” my mother said apologetically. “What trouble? This house is yours, you shouldn’t be the one staying at a hotel,” I said. My words were directed at my mother, but my eyes were fixed on Ryan’s face. His face tightened, and he bit his lip before pulling Linda aside. They whispered something, and Linda reluctantly took her bedding into Kevin’s room. I quickly helped my mother settle in. I hadn’t seen her in a while and missed her terribly, so I insisted on sleeping in the large bed with her that night. Next door, Linda was making some noise, with occasional loud thumps startling us. My mother looked like she wanted to say something, but held back. I knew what she wanted to ask, but I didn’t want her to worry while she was still unwell, so I put on a brave face. 0

The next day, I took a day off to take my mother to the hospital. In the morning, we rode in Ryan’s car. Ryan’s face was gloomy, and my mother kept smiling and trying to make small talk, but he remained cold. Finally, when my mother went to the bathroom to provide a urine sample, Ryan and I were alone. “What are you doing? Keeping that sour face, as if someone owes you something,” I said, almost bursting with anger. “You’re asking me? Yesterday was so awkward. Did you consider my mother’s feelings at all? This is all because you didn’t plan well…” I was about to retort when I saw my mother pushing through the crowd. I quickly shut my mouth. Ryan also stopped talking, playing along. After a morning of tests and consultations with specialists, we learned that my mother had a weakened immune system, and the dampness at my aunt’s house had triggered her condition. “With your constitution, you’ve adapted to the local environment all these years. Don’t change locations. Come back and take good care of yourself,” the senior specialist said kindly, out of respect for Ryan. But as soon as he said this, Ryan’s face darkened. He made an excuse about having surgery and left us. I called a taxi to take my mother home. Linda was sitting in the living room watching TV. When she saw us come in, she immediately turned off the TV and came over. “How did it go? I told you it wouldn’t be anything serious.” “It’s not too serious. The specialist said she just needs to rest and recover,” I said. My mother had been quiet on the way back, and now she looked so tired she could barely sit up. “Mom, why don’t you go lie down in your room?” I suggested quickly. “Yes, get some good rest. It must have been tiring coming all this way,” Linda said, her words loaded with meaning. My mother stiffened, then slowly walked towards the bedroom. “My mother is not leaving,” I said, lowering my eyes as I walked past Linda. “Not… not leaving? Where will she stay?” Linda exploded. I stopped my mother from coming out of the room, gave her a look, and firmly closed the door. “I shouldn’t have come back so suddenly. I’ll book a hotel,” my mother said, panicking. “Mom, this house was given to us by you. At the very least, there should be a room for you. Why should you be the one to leave?” I said. “That’s true, but I came so abruptly,” my mother said with a bitter smile. “Mom, have you thought about this? If I give in to them on everything, what will happen in the end?” I said. “Mom, you need to think about this. If I always give in to them, what will happen in the future? If you can’t be my support, they’ll torment me to death. Mom! Dad is gone, you need to live well and protect me!” I said, bursting into tears. “Alright,” my mother’s voice became firm. I couldn’t count on Linda now, so I went to the kitchen to toast some bread and ordered takeout. Linda seemed to be on the phone in her room. I couldn’t hear what she was saying. I took my mother’s dirty clothes and went to the balcony to put them in the washing machine. To my surprise, when I opened it, a rancid smell hit me. Looking closer, I saw that Linda had washed Kevin’s clothes and forgotten to take them out. Just then, Linda hurriedly came out of the inner room. Seeing the situation, she forcefully pushed me aside and took out the clothes. “Kevin is coming back to stay tonight. I can’t stay in his room anymore. Find a hotel for your mother,” she said, not even looking at me. “Why should my mother go to a hotel?” I felt anger rising. “Then where am I supposed to stay? Your mother is a mother, but am I not a mother too? She can’t climb stairs because of her knees, but what about my knees? Why can she not climb, but I have to?” Linda put her hands on her hips and started yelling at me, spitting as she spoke, forcing me to take a couple of steps back. “This house was given to us by my mother to live in. How can she not even have a room when she comes back?” I said. “That’s not how it works. That was the condition when you and Ryan got married. That was given by your family! You’ve married into our family now, what does it have to do with your family anymore?” Linda’s words made me laugh bitterly. “Oh really? So I’ve given you such a big house? Then what did your family give?” I asked. “Look at your conditions. Are you worthy of my Ryan? You should be grateful he even married you!” Linda said. I suddenly realized that marrying for love was the biggest lie. I had always considered their family’s interests, but was I wrong? In her eyes, Ryan was too good for me, and I had actively bought the house. If it weren’t for this house, Ryan might not have even wanted me. Just then, the doorbell rang. It must be the takeout arriving. I brought the takeout in, and the toast was ready too. I took it all to my mother’s room. My mother wasn’t lying on the bed but sitting up straight. She must have heard the argument earlier. “Mom, eat first. Don’t listen to that dog barking,” I said. I had just finished speaking when my phone rang. It was a call from the company. There was an important contract that had to be signed in the afternoon. I told my mother to eat well, and that I would go to the company for a while and come back soon. 0

I got busy as soon as I arrived at the company, and it wasn’t until after 6 PM that I finally had some free time. “I’m so sorry, you guys work overtime first. I really can’t get away from home. I’ll make it up to you later!” I thanked my team members with my hands clasped. They all expressed understanding and told me to go quickly. As I was leaving, I ran into Ms. Smith. Seeing me about to call a taxi, she lowered her car window and offered to give me a ride. “I remember you have a car. Why haven’t you been driving these days?” she asked. “My brother-in-law borrowed it. He’s about to graduate and has a lot of errands to run. It’s not convenient for him to take taxis,” I explained with a bitter smile. “Your in-laws are quite problematic, aren’t they? Is the whole family ganging up to try and tame you?” she said. I fell silent. Looking at it now, it did seem that way. Only my mother’s arrival had suddenly disrupted their plans. I told her about what happened last night. Ms. Smith listened and got so upset her breasts felt clogged. “I shouldn’t interfere in other people’s family matters. But in your case, I can’t keep quiet. I’m afraid you and Ryan won’t be able to continue like this,” she said. We had reached my neighborhood. I wanted to buy some fruit to take up, so I thanked Ms. Smith and got out of the car. As I entered the elevator with my bags, I noticed the neighbors looking at me strangely. I didn’t know what was improper about me, so I secretly adjusted my dress. When I got to my door, I still felt something was off. The welcome mat at the entrance was crooked. I opened the door to see Linda cleaning the house, with a pile of garbage by the door that hadn’t been bagged yet. I was too lazy to deal with her now and strode towards the ground floor bedroom. I pushed open the door and froze. My mother wasn’t there, and even her suitcase was gone. I quickly turned back to ask Linda, “Where’s my mother?” “Oh, her? She’s got such a good son-in-law, she’s gone to a nursing home,” Linda said with an eye roll. I was completely confused. I called my mother’s phone, but it was turned off. I had no choice but to ask Ryan. “A colleague came to my place today on business, and I mentioned Mom’s condition. He said they have a specialist there, and even special medication. He suggested Mom stay there for a while,” Ryan said slowly and calmly, making me feel at ease again. “Why is my mother’s phone always off?” I asked. “Maybe it ran out of battery? I’ll give you a number, you can call and ask. It’s the number for the nurse on duty,” he said. “Never mind, I’ll go see for myself. Give me the address,” I said. I was still uneasy. Even if my mother was going to stay in a hospital, I needed to see it with my own eyes to be reassured. “I’ll go with you tomorrow. It’s about to rain, and the nursing home is in the suburbs, too far away,” Ryan said kindly, back to his patient self from before we were married. I ignored him and focused on checking the address he sent. It was indeed far, halfway up a mountain in the suburbs. The environment looked nice, but the transportation was very inconvenient. Suddenly, my phone started ringing. It was a video call request from my mother.

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I had just closed a major deal for the company when I received a ring from my girlfriend. Excited, I shared the news on Instagram, thinking she was finally ready to make our relationship official. But suddenly, my girlfriend’s newly hired male assistant slapped me and flipped over my desk: “You’re a director, for crying out loud! How dare you steal the gift my wife gave me? Have you no shame?” Instead of defending me, my girlfriend Gwendolyn said I didn’t deserve my position and publicly announced that her assistant Rowan would take over the big project I had just secured. That’s when I realized Gwendolyn wasn’t planning to go public with our relationship – she was going public with him. The whole office was filming the drama on their phones, enjoying the spectacle. But I didn’t get angry. Instead, I smiled and handed my employee badge to Rowan. “So you’re the CEO’s better half. Here, take the director position as my apology. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness.” Seeing my unexpected reaction, a colleague pulled me aside and whispered: “Don’t do anything rash. You can always land another project.” But what he didn’t know was that I wasn’t being impulsive at all. Yesterday, as I passed by the office, I overheard Gwendolyn’s assistant Rowan pestering her: “Gwendolyn, I want to make something of myself. Give me this new project you just landed. I promise I’ll do a great job and impress you.” At the time, I didn’t think much of it. Gwendolyn and I had been secret lovers for seven years. I had turned down offers from big companies to help her start this business. I had secured 90% of the company’s projects. Gwendolyn knew better than anyone how hard the journey had been. She was also a woman of principle who would never mess with important matters like projects. Moreover, she had once had a project stolen by an opportunist and hated that type of person the most. So when I saw the ring Gwendolyn sent today, I thought she had finally realized I was the best choice and wanted to marry me. I never expected Rowan to turn the tables on me, smearing my reputation by calling me a thief and humiliating me. I was even more shocked that Gwendolyn would abandon her principles for Rowan, who had only been with the company for a few short months. If that’s how it was going to be, I had no reason to stay at this crappy company. Gwendolyn still didn’t realize I had seen through their childish scheme. She thought I was just jealous. She suddenly frowned at me: “What’s with the sarcasm?” Ever since Rowan showed up, she always looked at me with prejudice. This time I didn’t waste my breath arguing. I just calmly said: “You’re overthinking it. I really am giving it to him.” I was giving him both my girlfriend and my job. I was about to leave when Gwendolyn grabbed my arm and dragged me to her office, her face cold. The company wasn’t big, and the office had poor soundproofing. As soon as she closed the office door, the employees outside who had been watching the drama eagerly started sucking up to Rowan, asking when he was getting married and having kids. Rowan responded shyly: “Having children is hard on women. I can’t make that decision for her.” He was already acting like Gwendolyn’s official boyfriend. And because of Gwendolyn’s silence on the matter, the employees believed it wholeheartedly. Hearing this, Gwendolyn’s hand froze as she was pouring water. Realizing she owed me an explanation, she softened her usually stern tone: “Rowan’s just a kid who doesn’t know any better. He was just joking around, don’t take it to heart.” “He has relatives at the client company. This project was landed thanks to him.” I gave her a speechless look. How ridiculous! The client, Thunder Tech, had a professional in-house tech team and didn’t need to outsource. They had rejected collaboration from the start. I was the one who refused to give up, begging and gifting until I finally got a meeting with the person in charge. He generously gave me 30 seconds, and I seized the opportunity to pitch our product. Seeing my capabilities, he tried to poach me with a high salary. When that failed, he agreed to collaborate. I had been pulling all-nighters and running around for this project, but she didn’t see any of that. Yet she believed Rowan’s casual claim without question. If she had given it even a moment’s thought, she would have realized that if Rowan really had those connections, he wouldn’t be working as an assistant at our small, struggling company. Or perhaps she understood everything and was just playing dumb. Seeing that I remained silent, Gwendolyn lowered her eyes for a moment, then took the initiative to make me a cup of coffee. She leaned close to my ear and whispered: “I’m just pretending with him. You’re the only one I’ll marry.” In the past, whenever we argued, I would forgive her without principle as soon as she softened her voice and made promises. So this time, she thought it would work the same way. She waved her hand dismissively: “Go back to work. I’ll handle the project situation.” But what she didn’t know was that I no longer wanted her. I pushed back my chair and stood up: “No need to go to all that trouble. I’ll just leave.” With that, I pulled out a resignation form, filled it out without hesitation, and walked out of the office.

Seeing that I was about to leave, Rowan hurried to block my way, putting on an act of being wronged: “Felix, I know you’re an expert in the industry. You’re right, I’m not qualified for the technical director position. Here, take it back.” He grabbed the employee badge and tried to shove it at me. I simply pushed him lightly, but he took the opportunity to fall dramatically, knocking over a chair and pulling down a computer in the process, alarming the surrounding colleagues. Rowan got up and waved off the concerned inquiries from coworkers, saying it was no big deal. Gwendolyn, startled by the commotion, came running in her 4-inch heels. After making sure Rowan was unharmed, she glared at me with furrowed brows: “Felix, don’t think you can do whatever you want just because you’re a long-time employee.” Hearing this, the surrounding colleagues jumped in to lecture me: “Yeah, Felix. The old giving way to the new is for the company’s development. Don’t bully the newcomer just because you have seniority.” The harshest words came from Jack, the protégé I had personally mentored: “So what if you landed a few projects? You’re acting like you own the place.” “Got addicted to playing favorites, huh? Can’t even respect a genius like Rowan?” We had worked together for years, and I was the top salesperson. In the past, everyone respectfully called me “Felix” when they saw me. Now they were all gloating, staring at me with schadenfreude, eager for me to get lost. Whatever. Let them say what they want. I was done here. I left the company without another word. Gwendolyn chased after me. Seeing no one else around, she rubbed her forehead and said: “You’re just overworked lately. I’ll approve some time off for you to rest.” “Today is our 7th anniversary. Wait for me at home, I have a surprise for you.” As she finished speaking, the elevator arrived. I stepped in without saying a word. Back home, I cooked myself dinner without waiting for her. She still hadn’t returned by nightfall. I put on my shoes and tidied up a bit before heading out to meet with the client representative, but I ran into a coworker on the way. This guy was slow on the uptake, so he hadn’t distanced himself from me like the others. He still greeted me enthusiastically. “Felix! Are you going to the promotion party Gwendolyn’s throwing for Director Rowan? Let’s go together and split the cab fare!” He happily said he finally didn’t have to take the subway, but I shook my head: “That’s not where I’m going.” He gave me an awkward look: “Gwendolyn didn’t invite you?” I nodded indifferently and walked away. I faintly heard him muttering “Gwendolyn sure plays favorites,” but I didn’t look back. She never played favorites. She just favored Rowan. For Rowan’s sake, she could do anything. Breaking promises to me wasn’t unusual. Previously, when I was hospitalized with pneumonia, she said she’d come see me after a meeting. I waited until dawn before she finally showed up, claiming she was working overtime when in reality she was watching a movie with Rowan. A while back, we had an appointment to take couple photos. I waited in a suit until the store closed. She arrived unhurriedly, saying work had held her up, but she had actually taken Rowan shopping for some well-fitting clothes. There were countless similar incidents. Every time I questioned her, she would coldly scold me with a “work comes first” attitude. This dynamic was exhausting. At the café, the client representative looked at the progress report I submitted and exclaimed in admiration: “Felix, are you sure you don’t want to switch companies? We can offer ten times your current salary.” This time, I didn’t refuse. The client representative was delighted and said we could negotiate any requests I had. After discussing the benefits package with him, I returned home to find Gwendolyn sitting on the couch waiting for me, with takeout boxes packed. She had stood me up again. In the past, she would offer a litany of explanations, but this time she said nothing. After a moment of silence, she pushed the food containers towards me: “You must be tired today too. No need to cook, just heat this up and eat.” I glanced down. Various dishes were piled together unattractively in the plastic containers. There were stir-fried and boiled dishes, and even a piece of steamed cake soaking in the soup. It was clearly leftovers, carelessly packed up. She didn’t even bother to pack things separately, just mixed everything in one big container. It looked unappetizing just looking at it. I waved my hand: “No need, I’ve already eaten.” Gwendolyn gave me a long look, and the usually cold woman took the initiative to wrap her arms around my waist: “I’m sorry. He just got promoted, so as the boss, I had to show some support.” “I know you were wronged today. Let’s get our marriage license this weekend.” Hah! Easy for her to say. But when I was promoted to director, I happily took the initiative to throw myself a promotion party. I waited expectantly in the private room. The waiter reheated the food five times. I waited until the restaurant closed, but not a single colleague dared to show up. I sent message after message, but they all sank like stones. A kind-hearted colleague secretly asked if I had offended the CEO. I was baffled at the time. It wasn’t until later that I found out. When I wasn’t in the office, she had coldly scolded each colleague who said they were going to attend the party: “Is your workload too light? Bored out of your minds?” “All you think about is eating, drinking, and having fun. Is this what the company is paying you useless people for? You might as well quit now!” Thinking of this, I pried her restless hands from my waist and said coldly: “There’s no need for that, Gwendolyn. Let’s break up.”

The atmosphere in the room instantly froze. Gwendolyn took a deep breath, unable to hold back her emotions any longer: “I’ve made all these sacrifices for the company’s development. Other men would be grateful, why can’t you see that?” I ignored her twisted logic. She continued muttering about the importance of the company’s development as usual, saying that when the company went public in the future, she would give me a place. I had heard this so many times my ears were growing calluses. I raised my hand to interrupt her: “No need. I’ll pack my things and move out now.” It was the first time Gwendolyn’s words had been interrupted since she became the imposing boss. Her face flushed red with anger. She glared at me for a long while before coldly snorting: “No need. I’ll leave!” She slammed the door as she left. I didn’t chase after her, silently packing my things instead. The client company had arranged a free luxury single room in their staff dormitory for me, which I could move into anytime. I had just finished packing when I called a moving company. As they were nearly done moving things, I happened to run into Rowan sending Gwendolyn home. They were holding hands, chatting and laughing together. Gwendolyn had also shed her cold CEO demeanor, lowering her head with a sweet smile as she stood beside Rowan, the picture of a demure and virtuous woman. Rowan noticed me first and deliberately held her hand tighter. Gwendolyn sensed something was off and followed his gaze to see me. She hurriedly let go of his hand. She walked up to me, habitually about to explain, but when she saw me loading boxes into a van, she was stunned for a moment before changing tack to ask: “Where are you going so late at night?” Are you blind? Can’t you see the big “Moving Company” sign? I was about to continue loading boxes. But Gwendolyn blocked my way, suddenly shoving the clothes she was carrying into my arms. Seeing I didn’t react, she took out the clothes and held them up against me: “I know you’ve been too busy to buy clothes lately, so I picked these up for you when I passed by the mall.” Bought for me? My build requires XL sizes, but this brand-name shirt was a size M. The receipt that fell out of the bag showed it was paid for with Gwendolyn’s credit card, and the price was over $1000. This wasn’t something she casually bought for me. She must have taken Rowan to the store to try on clothes. She sure was generous. Just two days ago, I bought a $20 shirt and asked her if it looked good. She coldly scolded me for wasting money, lecturing me for over an hour about how hard it was to earn money, saying that dressing well wasn’t as important as having real skills. What now? Has earning money suddenly become easy? I put my hands in my pockets and coldly looked at them: “No need. As they say, ‘clothes make the man, saddles make the horse, and bells make the dog run faster.’ These expensive clothes are better left for Director Rowan.” Rowan froze for a moment as he took the clothes, then reacted and angrily threw them down: “How dare you insult me?” He glared at me with reddened eyes, rushing forward to attack. I stood my ground and slapped him, sending him tumbling to the ground: “Not just insult you. I dare to hit you too.” Rowan’s thin limbs were like sticks. The only reason he had managed to hit me earlier was because I was caught off guard. Now, I had returned that slap. Gwendolyn cried out, hugging Rowan protectively: “Felix! We can talk this out. Why did you have to hit him?” “If you want to leave, then leave! Don’t come back!” She didn’t need to tell me. I had no intention of coming back. I turned and got into the moving van, speeding off towards my new life.

After resigning, I went straight to work for the client company, Thunder Tech, where I was entrusted with important responsibilities. When I returned to Gwendolyn’s company as a client representative, I was welcomed in by the receptionist. As soon as I walked into the office area, I saw Rowan wearing a director’s badge, strutting between employee workstations: “Make this logo bigger, but also smaller at the same time.” “When I said make it black, I didn’t mean pure black. I meant that iridescent black, like a crow’s wings.” “Looking at it again, the first version is better overall. But I like the font from the seventh version, and the color from the sixteenth… Make those changes and let me see it today.” The employees at their desks were full of resentment. Someone couldn’t hold back and retorted: “This design has already been approved by the client. The main issue now is the stability of the program.” Rowan snorted coldly: “The client is just a nouveau riche. What do they know about true art?” “I’m the director, so listen to me. With my top-tier aesthetics, the client is sure to be satisfied. They might even give us a bonus.” Give me a break! The company developed a brand new system just to provide convenience for users, not to open an online art exhibition! Moreover, the text was so colorful it was barely legible. Were they trying to contribute to the hospital’s ophthalmology department? With Rowan’s level of competence being so highly valued, no wonder efficiency was plummeting. The program crashed as soon as it ran, and the quality had deteriorated beyond recognition. Some colleagues noticed my presence. Those once hostile eyes now turned to me for help. And my former apprentice Jack, who had said harsh things about me, had already been kicked out of the core team and demoted to buying coffee at his own expense. Rowan swept a contemptuous glance over me: “Looks like I need to suggest to Gwendolyn that we add a security position. Otherwise, any stray cat or dog can wander into the company.” The receptionist was about to remind him to watch his words, as I was representing the client. The next second, Gwendolyn strode past me in her stilettos. Thinking I had come to apologize, she snorted: “Well, if it isn’t Director Felix. Realized jobs aren’t easy to find out there and want to come back?” Rowan chuckled, pretending to be kind: “I think highly of Felix’s abilities. I think we can arrange a manager position for him. Work hard under me, and you’ll make something of yourself in no time.” Gwendolyn crossed her arms and looked at me with disdain: “Manager? He wishes!” “If you want to come back, you can start over as an entry-level employee. Half salary, no performance bonuses.” The other colleagues gasped, distancing themselves from me, afraid of being tainted by my bad luck. I couldn’t help but laugh. Gwendolyn raised an eyebrow, asking curiously: “What are you laughing at?” I silently took out a contract from my briefcase and slapped it on the table: “Let me reintroduce myself. I’m Felix, Technical Director of Thunder Tech.” “I’m here to inform you that…” “The project is suspended, and the contract is terminated!”

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My in-laws were so biased. Three years ago, when I married Ethan, my in-laws claimed they had no money. They couldn’t afford a house or even a wedding gift. So Ethan and I simply registered our marriage, hosted a small dinner for our friends, and called it a wedding. But the following year, when Ethan’s younger brother, Ryan, got married, things were drastically different. My in-laws bought him a three-bedroom apartment. Not only that, they gave his wife a wedding gift worth 180 thousand dollars and a lot of gold. I was furious. “How can you treat your daughters-in-law so differently?” I demanded. Their response left me speechless. “It’s not the same,” they said. “You and Ethan fell in love and got married out of feelings. Talking about money would tarnish that. “But Ryan met his wife through an arranged marriage. Without a house and a wedding gift, no one would agree to marry him.” Their words felt like a slap in the face. I exploded, arguing with them until they couldn’t defend themselves anymore. And when they ran out of excuses, they turned nasty. “Our money, our choice,” they spat. “We can give it to whoever we want. “We love Ryan more because he’s obedient and considerate. “And honestly, you’re shameless. You practically paid to marry Ethan!” I was stunned and burst out crying. All the understanding and generosity I’d shown them suddenly felt like self-degradation. That night, I packed my things, and went back to my parents’ home. From that day on, I refused to speak a single word to Ethan’s parents. It was Ethan who eventually coaxed me into returning. He made a promise. “From now on, it’s just the two of us. Anything you didn’t get before, I’ll make up for it. I’ll make sure you never feel wronged or unloved. I’ll always protect and cherish you.” I was naive and deeply in love, so I believed him. To his credit, Ethan kept his word. He treated me well, and slowly, my resentment eased. But I could never fully forgive his parents. I didn’t stop Ethan from maintaining contact with them, but as for me? The idea of honoring and respecting them was out of the question. Last year, when I gave birth to our daughter, Ethan called them to share the news. But they didn’t even bother to check on me or their granddaughter. It was my mom who traveled from out of town to take care of me during my recovery. Later, I found out that Ryan’s wife was also pregnant. My in-laws doted on her like she was royalty. Everything she or the baby needed was top-quality, and they paid for all of it. Sometimes, I genuinely wondered if Ethan was adopted. Why else would they treat us so differently? But over time, I let it go. Whatever they did to me, I would do the same to them.

I never expected it, but Ethan’s father fell ill. Even worse, his parents wanted to live with us, claiming that our place was closer to the hospital. It started with Ethan casually bringing it up during dinner the night before. “Zoey, we have an extra room. Can my parents stay with us for a while? It’s closer to the hospital,” he said, testing the waters. I refused without hesitation. After all, Ryan’s place was also in the city. The only difference was that it was an hour away from the hospital, whereas ours was just thirty minutes. But Ryan and his wife had a spacious three-bedroom apartment, while Ethan and I were crammed into a small one-bedroom unit. Plus, that extra room wasn’t meant for guests; it was for our nanny. Ethan and I both worked full-time, and my parents, given their age and health, couldn’t help with childcare. So, we hired a nanny to look after our daughter, Lily, during the day. If Ethan’s parents moved in, where would the nanny stay? And more importantly, who would look after Lily? I certainly didn’t expect his parents to lift a finger. “Why can’t they stay at Ryan’s?” I asked pointedly. Ethan hesitated before mumbling, “It’s Ryan and Emma… They don’t agree. Emma’s worried about Dad’s illness being contagious. Little Josh is just over a year old, and his immune system is still developing.” Josh was Ryan and Emma’s precious son. Hearing that made my blood boil. “Oh, so their child can’t risk getting sick, but ours can? Ethan, have you forgotten how they treated us? “Why is it that they get the comfort and we’re left with the burden? Are we just here to be taken advantage of?” I couldn’t hold back my anger and let Ethan have it. He eventually apologized and promised he wouldn’t make any decisions without my agreement. That managed to soothe me for the moment. But I had a gut feeling this wasn’t over. Sure enough, the very next evening, I came home from work to find three unexpected figures in our living room: Ethan’s parents and Ryan. For a moment, I thought I was seeing things. After all, it had been years since I last laid eyes on them. But a closer look confirmed it, and they were indeed here. Ethan looked up as I entered, clearly uncomfortable, and tried to play it off. “Zoey, you’re home. My parents and Ryan are here.” I nodded curtly, my mind racing. Did they just show up uninvited? Or did Ethan neglect to tell me? As I debated whether to greet them or not, my gaze landed on his parents, sitting on the couch like royalty, clearly expecting me to bow and scrape like a servant. Remembering all the times they treated me poorly, I simply turned on my heel and headed into the nursery. Inside, our nanny was putting Lily to sleep. She looked up as I entered and couldn’t help but vent. “Zoey, your in-laws are something else. That’s their granddaughter out there, and they didn’t even glance at her.” She shook her head in disbelief. “Lily didn’t recognize them and started crying. Your mother-in-law even complained about it being bad luck. I had to bring her in here right away. “Don’t worry. I’ve sanitized the room.” I didn’t tell her about Ethan’s father’s sickness. She probably overheard it when they discussed it this afternoon. My heart sank further when the nanny added, “I overheard them talking earlier. Sounds like they’re planning to stay here for a while.” I felt even more irritated. Before I could respond, Ethan walked in. “Zoey, can you make dinner? My parents and Ryan haven’t eaten yet.” The nerve of it all pushed me over the edge. How dare they ask me to cook for them? “Order takeout,” I snapped. The sharpness in my tone made me regret it immediately. It wasn’t polite, not in the slightest. But Ethan just blinked and replied, “All right.” That wasn’t good enough for Ryan, though. “What’s her problem?” he sneered. “Doesn’t seem like we’re welcome here. What kind of attitude is that? Who does she think she is? “Honestly, Ethan, how do you let her walk all over you? “No wonder Mom and Dad don’t like her.” I hadn’t planned to argue, but hearing Ryan’s increasingly obnoxious remarks, I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Oh? And who exactly do you think you’re talking about?” I stormed out of the nursery. “You came here to stir up trouble, didn’t you? Did I invite you? If you don’t like it here, you’re free to leave!” Ryan bristled. “This is my brother’s house. What does it have to do with you?” I laughed in disbelief. “And whose house do you think this is, genius? My husband’s house is my house. So yeah, it has everything to do with me.” Before I could unleash more, Ethan stepped in. “Zoey, that’s enough.” Enough? I wanted to scream. Why should I stay quiet while they disrespected me in my own home? But one look at Ethan’s conflicted face made me bite my tongue. Then, Ethan’s father cleared his throat and started theatrically lamenting, “What a disgrace. Truly a disgrace. Ethan, how could you let your wife behave this way? We’re your parents, not your enemies.” His mother chimed in, “If we’re not welcome, we’ll leave.” “By all means,” I thought. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” But Ryan, as always, played the loyal son. “Come on, Mom, Dad. Just endure it for now. Emma’s worried about Josh getting sick with you both going to the hospital every day. Once you’re better, I’ll come get you right away. “Ethan, take care of Mom and Dad.” And with that, Ryan bolted, leaving Ethan and me to deal with the fallout. I looked at them and felt utterly speechless. Ethan eventually managed to pull his parents back to the couch, promising them they could stay. His mother even threw me a pointed look and said, “Ethan, you wouldn’t turn us away too, would you?” “Of course not, Mom,” he assured her. Meanwhile, I turned and walked back into the nursery. Out of sight, out of mind.

Eventually, Ethan ordered takeout for his parents. I brought a separate portion to our nanny in the nursery. I wasn’t hungry. I’d already eaten at work, so I sat on the bed, mulling over the situation. I was not a heartless person. Sure, I had a sharp tongue, but I couldn’t bring myself to kick two sick, elderly parents out of my home. Even though they had treated me poorly, they were still family, and his father was seriously ill. If I turned them away now, my conscience wouldn’t let me sleep at night, and it might even put a strain on my relationship with Ethan. Because as much as Ethan’s parents had shown blatant favoritism, and as much as it had created distance between him and them, he was still their son. He was softhearted, and I knew he couldn’t bear to see them suffer. But our home was just too small. It was barely 850 square feet. Ethan and I shared one room, and the nanny occupied the other. What was I supposed to do, ask his parents to sleep in the living room? I decided to discuss the matter with Ethan. Maybe we could rent an apartment for his parents near the hospital. But there was no way I’d shoulder the cost alone. Ryan and Emma would need to split the rent with us. However, things took an unexpected turn. Ethan’s father was diagnosed with kidney failure. I looked it up online. It was not an easy illness to manage. The treatments were expensive, time-consuming, and grueling. He’d need dialysis three times a week, each session lasting four hours, a stopgap at best. The only real solution was a kidney transplant. And that would cost hundreds of thousands, not to mention the challenge of finding a suitable donor. For an average family, it was a devastating blow. A sense of dread settled in my chest. I had a sinking feeling that our household was about to be thrown into chaos. On the day of the diagnosis, Ethan was unusually quiet. That night, he stood on the balcony, chain-smoking. By the time he came back inside, his eyes were bloodshot. “Zoey,” he started, his voice trembling. “What am I supposed to do? My dad… he’s sick.” And then, before I could respond, the tears came. It was the first time I’d ever seen him cry. I didn’t know what to say, so I simply wrapped my arms around him and held him close. The idea of renting an apartment for his parents suddenly felt impractical. I sat down with our nanny and worked out a compromise. She would continue to come during the day to help with Lily but would sleep at her own home at night.

Ever since Ethan’s father fell ill, they’d been staying at our place. Three times a week, without fail, he’d go for dialysis. Ryan showed up a handful of times at the beginning, but his visits grew less frequent as the weeks went by. By the end of the first month, he had barely been around. He was clever, though, always sending sweet messages to their parents, keeping them smiling and in good spirits. But when it came to money, there was only dead silence. Neither Ethan’s parents nor Ryan brought up finances as if they had a tacit agreement to play dumb. Two months in, every single expense for Ethan’s parents, their food, shelter, and medical bills, had fallen squarely on us. I calculated it: we’d spent over 100 thousand. That was basically everything we had. After all, we’d only been married for a few years and had no financial support from anyone else. On top of that, we had to pay for our mortgage, car loan, and the nanny’s salary. With our daughter now in the picture, we also had to buy formula, diapers, and other baby essentials. We were barely breaking even each month. If this continued, we’d go broke. I told Ethan to ask his parents for money. He hesitated. I told him to ask his brother for help. He hesitated again. Watching him hem and haw, I snapped. “Are you going to ask them or not? If you don’t, I will. “This is ridiculous! All the assets went to Ryan, and now the burden of their illness is dumped on us? “Is your whole family just pretending not to notice because they think they can take advantage of us?” Despite Ethan’s protests, I called Ryan myself. As expected, the moment he realized I was asking for money, he started playing the victim. “You know Josh is only a year old. This is such an expensive time for us. My wife and I just aren’t as capable as you and Ethan. Can’t you two cover Dad’s medical costs for now? We’ll pay you back when we can.” I was speechless at the sheer audacity. “Ryan, let me remind you: your dad has two sons, not just one. When you got married, your parents bought you a house and a car, while we got nothing. Are you seriously suggesting that we bear all the responsibility now that he’s sick? “Since he fell ill, you haven’t contributed a single cent. Ethan’s the one taking him to every hospital visit. “If this is how it’s going to be, I’ll tell Ethan to drive his dad back to your place tomorrow.” That got him. “Please don’t! My wife will kill me if Dad comes back here. And you know how fragile Josh is. What if he catches something from the hospital germs? We can’t take that risk.” Unbelievable. How could these two be so selfish and stupid? So, only their child deserved protection while mine didn’t? I stood firm: no money, no deal. Ryan eventually transferred 20 thousand dollars. It wasn’t much, but at least it covered immediate needs. I thought I’d done a good deed. But instead, I ended up on Ethan’s parents’ blacklist again. It turned out Ethan’s parents were upset with me for asking Ryan for money. How had this become my fault? When I got home from work, Ethan’s father was sitting on the couch, his face dark as a thundercloud. His mother was pacing and sighing dramatically. “Oh, poor Ryan. He’s already struggling, and now he had to scrape together 20 thousand. What’s he going to do? “They don’t even have proper jobs. How could they possibly afford this? “It’s been so long since I’ve seen Josh. I hope the little boy is doing alright.” I ignored her muttering, but my silence seemed to embolden them. Their behavior only escalated as if they thought I was someone they could walk all over. That evening, I didn’t have time to stop by the store, so dinner was simple: two vegetable dishes, one meat dish, and some sliced sausage. I thought it was perfectly reasonable given the circumstances. But Ethan’s father didn’t agree. The moment he saw the table, he threw his fork down in disgust. “If you want us gone, just say so! No need to starve us with this garbage.” I was stunned. What was going on? “Can’t you cook something else? These taste awful, and they’re barely nutritious. You did it on purpose, didn’t you?”

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### When I stormed the drug cartel’s hideout, my fiancée, Mira, was taken hostage by the mastermind behind it all. In the heat of the moment, I pulled the trigger and killed him. Five years later, Mira and I got married. It was the happiest day of my life—or so I thought. That night, when I least expected it, she drugged me. I woke up in a dimly lit basement, my body broken and battered after a week of relentless torture. Mira stood over me, her heel crushing my unrecognizable face. “Jeremy was just an accountant,” she sneered. “Taking me hostage was nothing but a desperate move. And yet, you killed him in cold blood.” Given a second chance, I wouldn’t hesitate. I’d pull the trigger all over again. After seven days and nights of torture, Mira finally showed up. Her stiletto heel pressed hard against my face as I lay on the floor, barely able to breathe, each gasp a shallow rasp. “How does it feel to be on the verge of death, Alex?” she sneered, her voice dripping with venom. “Compared to what Jeremy went through, I’ve been far too kind to you.” I stared up at her twisted, hate-filled expression—and somehow, I laughed. I laughed at my own stupidity. All those memories of love, the kind that felt so deep it burned into my soul—they were nothing but a lie. “What’s so funny?” My laughter must have enraged her, because she crouched down and dug her nails into my jaw, forcing me to look her in the eye. “Jeremy was just an accountant,” she hissed, her voice trembling with fury. “He was as innocent as a blank sheet of paper. Taking me hostage was nothing but a last resort, and yet you, Alex, you shot him down in cold blood.” She leaned in closer, her breath hot and bitter against my ear. “It’s been five years, Alex. Five long years. Jeremy’s been all alone down there, waiting. Don’t you think it’s time you join him?” Before I could react, she raised the gun and fired a single shot into my chest. The pain was indescribable, like fire ripping through my body. And just like that, I died—consumed by rage and regret. “Captain! One of the informants said Miss Mira is inside. Should we adjust the plan?” A familiar voice rang in my ears, pulling me out of the darkness. For a moment, I was disoriented. “Captain?” The voice called out again, more urgent this time. When I finally turned to look, I saw a face I hadn’t seen in years—Chris, one of my old teammates, standing right in front of me. Wasn’t I just shot? Wasn’t I dead? Panicked, I clutched at my chest, expecting to feel the wound, the blood. But instead, my chest was smooth, untouched. “What are you doing, Captain? Now’s not the time to show off your pecs!” Chris grabbed my arm, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. It didn’t take long for the reality to hit me. This wasn’t a dream. I was alive. I had been reborn—sent back to the day when I led the raid on the cartel’s hideout. In my previous life, Mira had already been taken hostage by Jeremy when we stormed the place. To save her, I shot him without hesitation. Afterward, we dismantled the operation, confiscated a massive stash of drugs, and celebrated a job well done. But I ignored the look in Mira’s eyes—the dazed, haunted expression she wore as she watched Jeremy die. At the time, I thought she was just shaken by the violence. It wasn’t until she killed me that I realized the truth. She wasn’t scared. She was grieving. She loved him. The memory of it made my chest ache, as if the bullet had hit me all over again. This time, I wasn’t going to make the same mistake. I wasn’t going to waste another thought on Mira’s survival. “Stick to the original plan,” I ordered, my voice cold and unfeeling. “We go in.” This time, I wouldn’t hesitate to add another body to the count. When we stormed the hideout, there he was—Jeremy, holding a knife to Mira’s throat, just like before. I narrowed my eyes, taking in the scene. I didn’t see a victim and a captor. I saw two snakes, coiled together in their betrayal. Without a second thought, I pulled the trigger. If my calculations were correct, the bullet would tear through Jeremy’s hand and lodge itself in Mira’s shoulder. Years of training had honed my aim to perfection. But what I didn’t anticipate was this: At the very last second, Mira moved. She threw herself in front of Jeremy, risking her own life to shield him, even with the knife pressed against her throat. The bullet hit her shoulder, just as I’d aimed. For a moment, everything seemed to slow down. Mira turned her head, glaring back at me with eyes filled with pure hatred. She didn’t say a word, but her expression spoke volumes. It was a look that said, You’ll pay for this. I tilted my head and smiled faintly, unbothered by her rage. What a shame. I missed her heart.

In my previous life, after Jeremy was shot dead, someone came forward with evidence exposing him as the real mastermind behind the drug ring. As we pieced everything together, the truth emerged: Jeremy was the illegitimate son of the city’s most notorious crime family. After college, he took over the family’s criminal empire and used his expertise to design a new type of drug. These drugs were distributed through the family’s nightclubs and underground casinos, while Jeremy hid behind the unassuming guise of a mild-mannered accountant. The media ran wild with the story. Jeremy became the city’s most hated man, condemned by everyone. Everyone except Mira. Her eyes red and swollen, she muttered to anyone who’d listen, “He was just an accountant…” I hated myself for not seeing through her back then. After Mira was taken to the hospital, I didn’t visit her. Instead, I went straight to the interrogation room, where Jeremy was being held. He sat there, calm and composed, wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses that made him look more like a college professor than a criminal. But I knew better. I’d seen the real Jeremy years ago—when he was a high schooler torturing stray cats in an alleyway. I knew then that his soul was rotten to the core. And yet, somehow, he always managed to twist the narrative. No matter what he did, everyone else ended up believing I was the one with a vendetta against him. “Alex, don’t make this personal,” Jeremy said with a smirk. “I’m just an accountant. Taking Mira hostage was a desperate move, nothing more.” I stared at him silently, letting him put on his little performance. “So tell me,” I said calmly, “since when does an accountant carry a weapon?” The knife he’d used to hold Mira hostage wasn’t just any knife. It was a finely crafted Swiss Army blade—customized, no less. Jeremy chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “How about this—you send your officer over there to get me a glass of water, and I’ll tell you everything you want to know.” I could see what he was doing. He wanted the room cleared. Fine. I played along. I dismissed everyone, leaving just the two of us in the room. “Alright,” I said, standing over him. “It’s just us. Talk.” Jeremy crooked a finger, motioning for me to lean in. Reluctantly, I did. And then he whispered in my ear. “You haven’t tasted Mira yet, have you? What a shame. She’s probably hating your guts right now.” My fists clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. I wanted nothing more than to smash his smug face into the table. Jeremy grinned, clearly enjoying my reaction. “I love seeing you like this,” he added, his voice dripping with mockery. “Oh, by the way, how’s your brother doing these days?” That did it. My fist shot forward, slamming into his face with everything I had. Our family had always been in law enforcement. My parents were legends in the Organized Crime Unit, dedicating their lives to cleaning up the city. When I was a kid, they died during a raid on a crime syndicate. My older brother took up their mantle, becoming a cop and vowing to finish what they started. But during an undercover operation, his cover was blown. The gang tortured him, severing the tendons in his hands and feet. By the time we rescued him, the damage was done—both to his body and his mind. He was never the same again. I took up his badge and joined the force, swearing to continue the fight. It wasn’t until after Jeremy’s death in my previous life that I learned the truth: Jeremy was the one who had personally mutilated my brother. The hatred I felt for him now was enough to drive me to the brink of madness. Before I could land another punch, the door burst open. “Alex, what the hell are you doing?!” Mira’s voice, shrill and panicked, filled the room. She rushed to Jeremy’s side, shielding him like a fragile porcelain doll, her once flawless image as the city’s socialite now reduced to a pale, trembling wreck. “I brought a lawyer!” she shouted, her voice cracking. “I’m filing a complaint for police brutality!” Gone was the composed, elegant woman the city once adored. Now she looked like a desperate patient on the verge of collapse, clutching onto Jeremy as though her life depended on it. Jeremy, ever the opportunist, peeked out from behind her with a sly, taunting grin. I glared at them, my anger boiling over. If looks could kill, they’d both be dead. But I knew better. Jeremy didn’t deserve a quick death. He deserved to rot in prison, to be stripped of his freedom and power, to face the full weight of the law. No matter how much I wanted to end it right here, I wouldn’t let him escape justice. Not this time.

It didn’t take long for me to get called into the captain’s office over the punch I threw at Jeremy. I knew the truth—Jeremy was the one responsible for what happened to my brother. He was also the mastermind behind the entire drug operation. But without evidence, my hands were tied. I couldn’t say anything. The captain sighed deeply and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Alex, I get it. I know you want to take down criminals like him. But without proof, he’s innocent until proven guilty. You can’t let your emotions get the better of you.” Once again, Jeremy had played everyone like a fiddle with his innocent act. Even the captain and Chris thought I was overreacting, convinced I was letting my personal feelings cloud my judgment. The captain suggested I take some time off. Frustrated, I kicked a chair on my way out of the station. Mira was waiting for me outside. “Alex, I know you’ve never liked Jeremy,” she said, grabbing my hand and looking at me with an expression that might’ve been convincing—if I hadn’t known better. “But can’t you just let it go? He’s just an accountant. That’s all he is. Stop trying to make him into something he’s not.” In her mind, Jeremy would always be the harmless, defenseless little rabbit. I forced a bitter smile. It felt like the bullet that had once pierced my chest had now lodged itself straight into my skull. When my dad died, I was too young to understand what had happened. I followed my brother everywhere like a shadow until he joined the police academy, leaving me behind to live with my grandmother. Back then, I was timid and insecure, always the target of the neighborhood bullies. Then Mira showed up—a girl from out of town who stood in front of me like a shield, protecting me from everyone who wanted to hurt me. To my younger self, she was everything: my light, my hero. I relied on her. I admired her. I loved her. But looking at her now, I couldn’t help but feel like all of it had been one big joke. I stared at her anxious face, then closed my eyes and shook my head. “Mira, Jeremy is a criminal. He belongs in prison. This isn’t personal—it’s about justice.” I’d said these same words to her in my past life. And just like then, she didn’t listen. “You’ve disappointed me, Alex!” she snapped before storming off in a huff. After a few days of forced leave, I got a message from Chris. The drug dealers we’d arrested weren’t talking. Unlike in my previous life, they refused to point the finger at Jeremy. They were too scared of him to say a word. Furious, I slammed my fist against the edge of my bed. To make things worse, Mira had hired a high-powered legal team to defend Jeremy. And, just as I feared, Jeremy was released on bail. Fuming, I stormed into the captain’s office, ready to argue. But before I could even get a word out, the captain raised a hand to stop me. “Alex, it’s done. There’s not enough evidence to hold him. He’s walking free, and that’s final. Arguing won’t change anything.” The day Jeremy was released, Mira herself came to pick him up. She had gone all out, wearing a perfectly tailored dress and flawless makeup. She even invited the media to document the occasion, spinning the narrative that Jeremy had been wrongfully accused. I stood at a distance, watching the spectacle with cold detachment. Then I pulled out my phone and sent Mira a single text: [We’re done.] I saw her glance at her phone. She barely reacted, as if the message meant nothing to her. She put it away and went back to fussing over Jeremy like a concerned lover. It didn’t take long for the two of them to start appearing everywhere together. Hand in hand, side by side, they became the new “it” couple. I had to admire Jeremy’s cunning. Mira’s family had gone to great lengths to keep her from dating me, pulling every string they could to drive a wedge between us. But with Jeremy? They welcomed him with open arms. No matter how they twisted the story, I couldn’t care less about their relationship. Jeremy might’ve won this round, but I’d make sure he didn’t win the war. I swore to myself: no matter what it took, I would bring him down.

I’d just been assigned a new case—a cross-border drug trafficking operation in a neighboring city. In my previous life, I remembered Jeremy’s half-brother fleeing to that city, eventually cementing his control over the underground drug market there. Back then, after taking down Jeremy’s gambling ring, I retired from the force. I never got involved in the neighboring city’s operations. But this time? This time, I wasn’t going anywhere until I saw Jeremy and everyone connected to him behind bars. On the day I was set to leave, Jeremy showed up, flipping a lighter in his hand as he sauntered toward me. His expression was smug, his posture that of a man who believed he’d already won. “Leaving the city, Officer Reed?” he asked with a smirk, his tone dripping with mockery. The hatred I felt for him was no longer a hot, uncontrollable rage. It had cooled into something sharper, something focused—a determination to see him brought to justice. I didn’t respond. I didn’t even look at him. “Our wedding’s coming up soon,” he added, his smirk widening. “You wouldn’t want to come and congratulate Mira and me?” Still, I said nothing. “Shame,” he said, leaning in closer. “You know, I don’t even love her. She’s just a game to me. Just like you were back in high school.” His words slithered through the air like venom from a snake, making my stomach churn. Mira and I had grown up together. From elementary school to high school, we’d been inseparable—until Jeremy entered the picture. Back then, Jeremy was the golden boy. Polished, charming, smart, and good-looking. Teachers adored him, classmates admired him, and no one could get enough of his perfect image. Meanwhile, I was the stereotypical jock—good at sports, terrible at academics, and always getting into trouble. But beneath Jeremy’s flawless exterior was a monster. I’d seen it with my own eyes one day after school. I’d caught him in an alley, torturing a stray cat. He didn’t panic when I confronted him. Instead, he calmly dropped the cat’s lifeless body into my desk the next day. From that moment on, Jeremy stopped pretending around me. He showed me his true colors—his sadistic, manipulative side. He took every opportunity to provoke me, to make me lose control, only to turn around and play the victim. “Ah, that look in your eyes,” he said now, leaning in so close I could feel his breath on my ear. “It’s the same as back then. God, it’s exciting.” Then, his voice dropped to a whisper. “Mira’s been in my bed since high school. You didn’t know? What a shame.” My vision went red. My fists clenched instinctively, and I was ready to swing. “Alex Reed! Don’t you dare!” Mira’s voice rang out as she came running toward us, screaming. Before my punch could connect, Mira’s purse came down on me instead—over and over again. “Stop it, Alex! Stop!” “Don’t blame him, Mira,” Jeremy said, stepping back with mock innocence. “I told him I love you, that we’re in love. He’s just upset because he cares about you so much.” Jeremy’s ability to play the victim was nothing short of Oscar-worthy. “Alex! You’re the one who broke up with me! And I love Jeremy now! If you’ve got a problem, take it up with me, not him!” Mira turned to shield him, her face pale with rage and indignation. “Jeremy’s innocent!” she shouted, her voice trembling. That phrase. I’d heard it more times than I could count. When had she become so unrecognizable? The girl who once stood in front of me to protect me from bullies was now standing in front of Jeremy, defending him. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. Then I looked her in the eyes and said coldly, “Don’t worry. A snake and a rat are a perfect match. I wish you both a long and miserable life together.” With that, I turned and boarded the bus to the neighboring city. It didn’t take long for me to uncover Jeremy’s crimes during the raid on the neighboring city’s drug operations. His half-brother, as it turned out, had kept a backup of everything—an encrypted hard drive containing damning evidence of Jeremy’s involvement in the torture and murder of law enforcement officers. The moment I got my hands on it, I didn’t stop. I raced back to the city, straight to the captain’s office. Slamming the hard drive on his desk, I filed for Jeremy’s arrest. The captain, stunned by the overwhelming evidence, wasted no time. Within minutes, I had the warrant in hand. Jeremy and Mira’s wedding day was nothing short of a spectacle. The hall was packed with guests, the decorations lavish, the champagne flowing freely. I walked in, interrupting their vows. “Jeremy Brooks,” I said, my voice cutting through the room like ice. “You’re under suspicion for the murder of a police officer.” I threw the arrest warrant onto the table in front of him, watching as Mira’s face twisted in shock. The room erupted into chaos. Mira screamed, clinging to Jeremy as I dragged him away in cuffs. Through all the noise, I kept my focus. This time, I was going to finish what I started. This time, I was going to end him.

In the interrogation room, I found myself face to face with Jeremy once again. He leaned casually against the table, a faint smirk tugging at his lips, his eyes filled with mockery. I placed the evidence in front of him. Jeremy glanced at it—and to my disbelief, he looked completely unfazed. In fact, he stared at the footage as though he were admiring some kind of masterpiece. “Hm,” he said, smirking even wider. “The execution’s a little sloppy, though, don’t you think?” He actually had the audacity to critique the crime scene footage. “Jeremy,” I said, my voice sharp, “the evidence is right here in front of you. What do you have to say for yourself?” I was curious—what excuse could he possibly come up with this time? Jeremy shrugged, the picture of nonchalance. “I’ll wait for my lawyer. Until then, I have nothing to say.” I knew I wasn’t going to get anything out of him, so I didn’t bother wasting more time. But his calm, almost smug demeanor stirred something uneasy inside me. Taking the hard drive back to my office, I replayed the footage over and over again. The video clearly captured Jeremy’s face. There was no doubt it was him. And yet, something about it didn’t sit right. I paused the video at the final frame, freezing on the moment Jeremy looked directly into the camera. That’s when I saw it. He smiled—a slow, chilling grin. And at the corner of his left eye… there was a teardrop-shaped mole. Jeremy didn’t have a mole. A cold shiver ran down my spine as realization hit me. Before I could leave my office, Chris burst in, his face pale with urgency. “Captain, Mira’s here,” he said quickly. “She’s brought a lawyer… and someone else.” He hesitated, his expression uneasy. “You should probably see for yourself.” Pushing past him, I headed straight for the reception area. When I saw who was standing there, the world seemed to tilt. It was Jeremy. Or rather, someone who looked exactly like him. The only difference was the distinct teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of his eye. “Officer Reed!” Mira shouted at me, her voice sharp and commanding. “I’ve brought a lawyer and the real culprit. You need to let Jeremy go immediately!” I ignored her completely, my eyes locked on the man in front of me. He shifted nervously under my gaze, shrinking slightly as though I could see right through him. He was nothing like the cold, calculated monster from the video.

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I never thought my step-sisters would lock me in a tiny, airless storage room after Tyler falsely accused me of making him have an allergic reaction. They even chained the door shut. I pounded desperately on the door, begging my sisters to let me out. Maeve, the eldest and a successful businesswoman, coldly berated me before leaving: “It’s bad enough you’ve been bullying Tyler, but to deliberately give him food he’s allergic to? You could have killed him! You need to stay in there and think about what you’ve done.” Amelia, an up-and-coming singer, and Eloise, a talented artist, chimed in: “How can you be so cruel? Stop trying to play the victim – you deserve this punishment!” With that, they left to rush Tyler to the hospital, his body shaking in their arms. As the oxygen slowly depleted, each breath became more difficult. I died alone in that storage room, suffocating in the dark. Three days later, when my sisters finally returned home with Tyler and remembered me, I was already long dead.

I died from lack of oxygen in that storage room. When I regained consciousness, I found my spirit hovering near my three step-sisters. They had just returned to the mansion with Tyler. Maeve and Amelia were fussing over him: “Thank goodness we got you to the hospital in time. You’re recovering so quickly!” Eloise added solicitously: “The doctor said you’re still weak and need to build up your strength.” She heaped more food onto Tyler’s plate. A housekeeper hesitantly spoke up: “Miss, the young master hasn’t made a sound in the storage room for three days now…” Maeve snapped: “Today is about Tyler coming home from the hospital. Don’t bring up that troublemaker.” The housekeeper tried to continue, but was silenced by Amelia and Eloise’s icy glares. “That brat must have known about Tyler’s allergy and deliberately cooked with seafood,” Amelia fumed. “And here I thought he was finally starting to accept Tyler. It was all premeditated!” Eloise added. Tyler put on a frightened expression and said timidly: “Big brother’s been punished because of me for so many days. Won’t he be angry when he comes out?” Maeve’s face hardened. “Don’t worry, Tyler. We’ve been too lenient with him. This punishment will teach him not to bully you anymore.” She pulled out her phone, refreshing our chat history. I hadn’t sent a single message or called in three days. Maeve grew even angrier. “That ungrateful brat hasn’t even bothered to check on Tyler after all this time!” Tyler grasped Maeve’s hand, his voice trembling: “I don’t want to cause trouble between you and big brother. I just wanted to spend time with you all, not take anything away from him.” Maeve stroked Tyler’s head tenderly. “You’re so kind, Tyler. Unlike that ungrateful boy – he’s nothing but trouble.” Amelia’s eyes flashed coldly as she thought of me: “Imagine hurting family just for attention. How despicable!” Eloise nodded in agreement. “Unless he’s ready to kneel and beg Tyler’s forgiveness, I say we kick him out for good!” I stood there listening, feeling nothing but bitter amusement. My sisters couldn’t see or sense my spirit at all. After our parents died when I was young, my three step-sisters had devoted themselves to raising me. One day I mentioned wanting a friend my own age, so they adopted Tyler from an orphanage. I welcomed Tyler with open arms, but he constantly manipulated my sisters against me, making them grow more distant by the day. This time was no different. They locked me in that storage room without a second thought. I struggled and gasped as the air grew thinner. I pounded on the door, pleading for them to let me out. But my sisters were unmoved. They berated me: “Stop yelling! This is your own fault. Tyler wouldn’t be suffering if it wasn’t for you!” “We’ve clearly been too soft on you. Stay in there and think about what you’ve done!” Amelia even wrapped chains around the door. Eloise piled heavy objects in front to block any chance of escape. Now, watching Tyler’s fake smiles, I felt a surge of bitter disappointment. Sisters, the brother who loved you most in this world is dead – killed by your own hands!

Tyler tugged on Maeve’s sleeve, his voice wavering: “Don’t be angry anymore. It’s my fault for having allergies. I’m sure big brother didn’t mean it. Please don’t blame him!” Maeve’s expression instantly hardened. “That brat! We’ve spoiled him too much, letting him develop such an arrogant personality.” Amelia’s eyes flashed with anger: “He’s gotten more and more spiteful as he’s grown up. Tyler wouldn’t be in this state if it wasn’t for him!” Tyler deliberately exposed his arms, still slightly red from the allergic reaction, to the sisters. Eloise gently stroked the fading rash. “Does it still hurt, Tyler?” Tyler hung his head, his voice trembling as if about to cry: “It doesn’t hurt… really…” Amelia’s temper flared. “If we’d been even a little later getting to the hospital, it could have been life-threatening! And he hasn’t even sent a single message to check on Tyler. He clearly doesn’t regret his actions at all!” Maeve fumed: “Go drag that brat out here to apologize! I refuse to believe he’s so stubborn he won’t admit his mistake!” Amelia and Eloise chimed in angrily: “He only acts tough because he has our support. Now that he’s done something wrong, he needs to face the consequences!” They turned to the housekeeper, faces livid: “What are you waiting for? Go bring that ungrateful boy here! And bring our riding crops – if Wesley hadn’t deliberately used seafood, Tyler wouldn’t have suffered in the hospital for three days!” “It’s time we taught him a proper lesson about family values!” The housekeeper had no choice but to hurry off. I let out a bitter laugh. My sisters hadn’t even bothered to investigate before jumping to conclusions about my guilt. Three days ago, Tyler had asked for soup. Wanting to please him, I’d volunteered to make it. He’d even given me a small packet of seasoning, saying he wanted that flavor. I tasted it – just simple seafood stock. Who could have guessed it was the source of his allergies? Wasn’t Maeve supposed to be a brilliant businesswoman? How could she not see through such an obvious ploy for attention? If this wasn’t favoritism, what was? In my sisters’ hearts, I would never be as important as Tyler. I felt a wave of despair. But it didn’t matter anymore. I was already dead in that storage room. My sisters could give Tyler all their love now. “Miss, we’ve been calling for the young master, but there’s no response at all.” “We can’t hear any breathing from inside!” Maeve’s brow furrowed as she stood up abruptly, her face cold with anger: “What game is he playing now? Does he think it’s beneath him to apologize to Tyler?” “Doesn’t he understand he nearly killed you this time?!” Tyler tugged at Maeve’s sleeve again, his voice mournful: “It’s okay, I’m just an orphan. I don’t deserve an apology from big brother.” That was the last straw for Maeve. Her fury exploded: “Using such a cheap tactic for attention – does he really think I can’t see through it?” “He’s dreaming if he thinks playing mute will get him out of this! Clearly my punishment was too light!” “Let’s go drag him out. I’d like to see how he tries to avoid this! He WILL kneel and apologize to Tyler!”

I found myself following my sisters, my heart growing heavier with each step. Fueled by anger, the three sisters soon arrived at the storage room door. “Wesley, hiding in there silently won’t let you escape punishment!” Maeve called out. But there was no sound from inside the room. Amelia’s face darkened further. “Wesley, what are you playing at? Get out here and apologize to Tyler on your knees!” “Don’t think you can avoid the consequences of hurting Tyler by hiding in there, turning off your phone, and ignoring us!” Eloise’s eyes blazed with fury as she shouted: “Wesley, you’ve really gone too far! You just can’t stand us being kind to Tyler, can you? Is this silent treatment supposed to guilt us into backing down?” “Do you really think hiding in there and refusing to speak will make us give in?” The storage room remained silent. Maeve turned to the trembling housekeepers, her voice cold: “What are you all shaking for? Tell the truth – did that brat bribe you to let him out secretly?” Amelia snorted: “With his nasty personality, he probably couldn’t stand being in there and got the staff to let him out as soon as we left.” Eloise’s eyes filled with disappointment: “You can’t even face the consequences of nearly killing Tyler? Is this really the brother I thought I knew?” “Does he think we only have him for a brother?” A housekeeper finally stammered out: “Miss, we wouldn’t dare let him out without your permission!” “The young master has truly been in there for three whole days now.” Maeve stared at the still-quiet storage room, a flicker of unease crossing her face. She stepped forward and yanked hard on the door several times, but it wouldn’t budge. “Wesley, this is ridiculous! I’ve unlocked it, why are you still holding the door shut? Stop this nonsense!” I looked at the warped door, remembering how I’d frantically tried to force it open while suffocating, desperate to survive. But the door had been too solid – not even a crack appeared. I could only die, gasping for air. Sisters, when you see my body, will you finally show me even a scrap of love? Will you at least bury me next to our parents? Maeve grew increasingly agitated. She started kicking the door violently. The warped door cracked open slightly, releasing a foul stench. A housekeeper trembled as she spoke: “It smells like… a corpse!” The other two sisters stormed over, faces twisted with rage. “What corpse smell? He clearly escaped ages ago and just tossed a dead rat in there to trick us!” “Wesley, do you really think we’re that gullible?” All three sisters began furiously kicking the door. With a final crash, it flew open, releasing an even stronger wave of putrid air. The dark, cramped storage room was exposed to everyone’s view.

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## Quinn Monroe once vowed to love Ryan Winters for the rest of her life. But when Robert, Ryan’s father, was in a life-threatening car accident, she betrayed him. She flaunted her affairs in front of him, teasing and toying with other men while holding his father’s medical bills over his head, ensuring he couldn’t leave. Eventually, Ryan’s heart broke completely. He decided he’d rather marry a woman he had no connection to—even one with a disability—than stay by Quinn’s side. But when she finally lost him for good, regret came too late. “I’ve made up my mind, Mr. James,” Ryan said, his voice steady despite the weight of his words. “If you’re still willing to cover my father’s medical costs, I’ll marry your daughter.” On the other end of the line, the middle-aged man’s excitement was barely concealed. “You’re serious? You’re really okay with her being disabled? You don’t mind?” Ryan’s response was calm, resigned. “I don’t mind.” After all, as long as his father could be saved, it didn’t matter who he married. The woman he truly loved had already given her heart to someone else. “Good, good!” Mr. James said, trying to suppress the excitement in his voice, afraid Ryan might change his mind. “Give me two weeks. I’ll wrap up my business abroad and fly back to get your father the best care possible.” “Thank you, Mr. James.” Ryan’s tone was polite but distant. After ending the call, he slowly set the phone down and glanced at the black stocking lying on the sofa. The tears in the fabric told him everything he needed to know about how wild things had gotten the night before. The pale morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over Ryan’s exhausted face. He let out a bitter laugh. Last night, while his father was in critical condition, Ryan had spent hours sitting alone outside the operating room, frantically calling Quinn. Each call went unanswered, met only with the cold sound of the line disconnecting. At first, he’d convinced himself that she was busy with work and couldn’t pick up. But returning home to find a discarded stocking on the sofa, red-bottomed stilettos tossed carelessly on the floor, and the master bedroom door tightly shut told him the truth. She wasn’t busy with work. She was busy with someone else. Ryan picked up the black stocking, walked to the bedroom door, and knocked lightly. “If you’re going to fool around, at least clean up after yourselves. Don’t leave your trash lying around where I can see it.” Without waiting for a response, he tossed the stocking onto the floor and walked away, heading for the study. Even when he heard the hurried sounds of movement behind the door, he didn’t care. Why would he? In two weeks, he’d be gone. The study was filled with pictures of Ryan and Quinn—photos they’d carefully hung on the walls together. Each frame held a moment from their six years of love, a timeline of a relationship that had once been unshakable. Tears blurred his vision as Ryan stared at the wall. He wiped his eyes, took a deep breath, and began tearing down the photos one by one. They’d met in college and fallen in love quickly. After graduation, Ryan had turned down his father’s request to return home and take over the family’s traditional medical clinic, choosing instead to stay and help Quinn build her business. When her company took off, Quinn had proposed to him the moment she tasted success. Their friends and families had called them a golden couple, a match made in heaven. But everything changed in the blink of an eye. Right before the wedding, Robert was struck by a car and left critically injured. The medical bills were astronomical, and suddenly, their passionate love began to wither under the weight of financial stress. Quinn grew resentful, blaming Robert for “dragging them down.” She became impatient with Ryan, and six months ago, she hired a young, attractive assistant who never left her side. She paraded her flirtations openly, using “work” as an excuse to spend time with the man in ways that made Ryan sick to his stomach. Ryan saw it all for what it was. He wasn’t blind. He’d thought about leaving her more times than he could count. But the cost of his father’s care was too much. Without Quinn’s financial support, Ryan couldn’t even imagine how many days his father had left. So, he swallowed his pride. He endured the humiliation. He stayed. But now, everything was different. Mr. James had promised to take on the medical bills. In two weeks, Ryan would no longer have to live under Quinn’s roof, no longer have to bow his head and endure her cruelty.

The door to the study swung open, and Quinn stormed in, her disheveled silk pajamas barely hanging on her shoulders. She snatched the photo Ryan had just torn from the wall, her voice tinged with panic. “Ryan, stop tearing them down! You’ve got it all wrong. Last night, George and I were out meeting clients. He drank too much, and I was worried about him getting home safely, so I brought him here. Nothing happened, I swear!” As if to prove her innocence, she called over George, who had just stumbled out of the bedroom, looking equally as rumpled. “Ryan, I promise it’s not what you think,” George said as he walked up, speaking in a voice so exaggeratedly sweet it was nauseating. “Quinn and I just slept in the same bed—platonically. Nothing happened.” Ryan glanced him over, his eyes cold and calculating. “Nothing happened?” he repeated, his tone dripping with mockery. “Well, Mr. George, you must be a real disappointment then. Dressed like that and still couldn’t win over your boss? So, tell me—who’s the problem here? Is it you… or is it her?” His gaze flicked to Quinn, whose face immediately darkened. “Ryan!” she snapped, her voice sharp. “George and I already explained everything. Why are you still throwing out snide remarks? Who do you think you’re impressing?” George tugged gently at Quinn’s sleeve, his voice soft and saccharine. “Don’t be so harsh on him, Quinn. He’s just upset. It’s understandable—Ryan’s never worked in the corporate world. He doesn’t get what it’s like to entertain clients. Misunderstanding us is only natural.” Ryan’s lips twitched, a bitter smile tugging at the corners. Entertain clients? He thought back to all the times he’d stood by Quinn’s side at events, supporting her every move. Back then, George was probably still in some college internship, dreaming of being noticed. Ryan stayed silent, lowering his gaze. George must have interpreted it as shame, because he pressed on, now emboldened. “But seriously, Ryan, you need to let these little things go. Quinn’s running a whole company and covering your dad’s hospital bills. She’s under a lot of pressure. You can’t keep nitpicking over every small misunderstanding.” He tilted his head slightly, his tone almost condescending. “Why don’t you apologize to her and drop this? Let’s just move on.” The confidence in George’s voice was so unshakable, so smug, that it almost felt like he believed he was the one wearing the ring on Quinn’s finger. Ryan’s eyes flicked to Quinn, searching for even the slightest hint of defense or reassurance from her. But there was none. She stood there, arms crossed, clearly waiting for him to give in. Ryan let out a long, heavy sigh. “You’re right. I’m sorry for misunderstanding.” Quinn waved her hand dismissively, as if she couldn’t be bothered with his apology. “Fine. Now, go make some hangover soup for George and me.” “Got it,” Ryan replied evenly, his tone devoid of emotion. As he turned and walked toward the kitchen, Quinn furrowed her brow slightly, an uneasy feeling creeping in. Something was… off. She remembered how, in the past, whenever something like this happened, Ryan would lose his temper—shouting, crying, fighting with her until she shut him down by reminding him of his father’s medical bills. Only then would he begrudgingly back down. But tonight, he hadn’t argued at all. He’d apologized and done what she asked without a single complaint. What’s gotten into him? Before she could dwell on it any further, George’s arm slid around her waist, pulling her close. “George, stop it,” Quinn said, brushing his hand off with a light slap. “He’s still here.” “Fine,” George pouted, his voice playful. “But how about we book a room tonight, just the two of us?” Quinn laughed softly and tapped him on the nose. “Alright, alright. You win.” Standing in the kitchen, Ryan overheard every word of their exchange. He froze, his hand gripping the counter, his knuckles white. He had always suspected their relationship was more than just professional, but hearing it laid out so plainly still felt like a knife to the chest. He wiped at his eyes, forcing back the tears. It’s fine, he told himself. I’ll be gone soon anyway.

Ryan placed the bowl of hangover soup on the dining table, ready to retreat to his room and finally get some rest. But Quinn grabbed his wrist, stopping him in his tracks. “You called me so many times last night. Was something wrong?” Ryan froze mid-step, his body stiffening. For a moment, he couldn’t bring himself to answer. When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse, and his eyes turned red. “Last night… my father was in critical condition.” Quinn fell silent for a few seconds. Then, without saying a word, she picked up her phone and transferred $50,000 to Ryan’s bank account. “This should cover your dad’s expenses for the next month,” she said. A rare flicker of guilt crossed her face. “Tonight, I’ll go with you to visit him.” It was the first time in six months that Quinn had voluntarily offered to see Robert. Maybe she felt bad for ignoring his calls the night before. Ryan hesitated, debating how to politely refuse, but George jumped in before he could say anything. “Quinn, don’t forget—you’ve got that meeting tonight,” George said, giving her an exaggerated wink, clearly hinting at their “appointment.” Ryan seized the opportunity and replied, “You should take care of your work. I’ll go by myself. He hasn’t woken up yet anyway—your visit wouldn’t make a difference.” Quinn’s eyes flicked to George’s toned figure, and her resolve wavered. Clearly unwilling to give up her evening plans with him, she sighed and pretended to be concerned. “Alright. But be careful, and let me know if you need more money.” Ryan nodded. “Got it. I’ll go rest now.” He instinctively headed toward the master bedroom but stopped dead in his tracks when he remembered the events of the previous night. Just thinking about what had happened in there—Quinn and George, tangled up in those sheets—made his stomach turn. He stood outside the door for a couple of seconds, his hand hovering over the doorknob, before he turned around and walked to the guest room instead. If the bed was dirty, there was no need to force himself to sleep in it. Ryan fell into a deep sleep and dreamed of the past—back when he and Quinn had first met. In his dream, there was the nervous excitement of their first kiss, the way her cheeks would flush whenever their eyes met. He remembered their arguments, too, and how Quinn would soften her voice to gently coax him out of his anger. And then there were the good times, like the year she saved up for months to surprise him with a birthday gift he’d casually mentioned wanting. When he woke, tears were streaming down his face. He sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the floor. How had it come to this? They had been so in love once. Was it really just his father’s illness that had broken them? Or had Quinn’s feelings faded long before that? His thoughts were interrupted by the buzz of his phone. Several new messages popped up on the screen. They were from George. Ryan hesitated before opening them. When he finally did, his blood ran cold. The photos showed a man and a woman locked in a passionate kiss. It only took a second for Ryan to recognize the woman’s familiar figure—it was Quinn. It was a blatant taunt. Ryan exhaled slowly, forcing himself to remain calm. He didn’t respond. Instead, he turned off his phone and began packing his belongings. The years had left him with a collection of small, scattered items, but he didn’t want to leave anything behind when he left in two weeks. No traces. No memories. For three days, Quinn didn’t come home. Ryan didn’t care. But on the fourth evening, she suddenly texted him, asking him to accompany her to a business dinner. Ryan had no intention of going, but Quinn mentioned that Mr. Walker, a major investor who had helped her during the early days of her company, had specifically requested that Ryan attend. Out of respect for Mr. Walker, Ryan reluctantly agreed. When Ryan arrived at the restaurant, George was already waiting at the entrance. With a smug grin, George handed Ryan an outfit—a sleek, fitted shirt with an intricate cutout design. “Here, Mr. Winters. Change into this before you go in. We wouldn’t want you embarrassing Quinn.” Ryan glanced at the shirt, then back at George, his expression cold. “And who do you think you are to tell me what to wear?” George’s smile faltered, but he quickly recovered, pouting dramatically. “I’m just trying to help! You don’t want to look cheap in front of important people, do you?” Ryan’s lips curled into a faint smirk, his voice sharp. “If I embarrass anyone, that’s my problem—not yours.” Without another word, he brushed past George and headed toward the private dining room. The moment Ryan stepped into the room, Quinn’s expression soured. She was seated near the door, and her displeasure was obvious. “What are you wearing?” she hissed under her breath, her tone dripping with irritation. At the head of the table, Mr. Walker—an older man with a gruff demeanor—looked Ryan up and down, the disappointment clear on his face. “Quinn,” Mr. Walker drawled, leaning back in his chair with a mocking smile. “Your boyfriend’s really changed, hasn’t he?”

Quinn immediately plastered on a fake smile. “Oh, Mr. Walker, I’m so sorry you had to see him like this. Ryan, hurry up and pour Mr. Walker a drink.” Ryan silently grabbed the bottle and began pouring. As he did, George slipped into the room, leaning down to whisper something in Quinn’s ear. Whatever he said made Quinn’s face turn pale with fury. If it weren’t for the important guests in the room, she probably would’ve exploded on the spot. “Ryan,” Mr. Walker said, his tone laced with mockery, “it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. What happened? You look so… worn down. Is Quinn too busy running her empire to take care of you properly?” Ryan’s worn outfit and tired face—aged prematurely by sleepless nights—stood in stark contrast to George’s sharp, tailored suit and confident demeanor. The comparison was humiliating, and the jab cut deep. “Here’s your drink, Mr. Walker,” Ryan said evenly, placing the glass down without meeting her gaze. But Mr. Walker wasn’t done. “Don’t go anywhere! Sit here, next to me.” Before he could walk away, her clammy hand clamped down on his shoulder, forcing him back into the seat. Across the table, Quinn glanced at the scene but didn’t lift a finger to intervene. Ryan gritted his teeth and sat down. After a few rounds of drinks, Mr. Walker’s wandering hand started inching toward Ryan. He flinched and quickly stood up. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.” He barely made it out of the room before Quinn followed him, grabbing his arm. “Where are you going?” she snapped, her nails digging into his skin. Ryan turned, his expression a mix of disbelief and anger. “Quinn, what are you doing?” She folded her arms, her voice low but firm. “The company’s negotiating a major deal with Mr. Walker. I need you to stay and make sure she’s happy. Just play along.” Ryan stared at her, stunned. “Are you serious? You dragged me here to use me as some kind of bargaining chip?” “Don’t say it like that,” Quinn muttered, her voice dropping to a whisper. “All I’m asking is for you to keep her entertained. I’m not asking you to sleep with her.” Ryan let out a bitter laugh. “Funny. When you first started this business, you wouldn’t even let me pour someone a drink. Now you’re fine with me being groped in front of you?” His voice cracked. “Quinn, do you even care about me anymore? Even a little?” Quinn’s lips curled into a smirk, as if he’d just told a joke. “If I didn’t care about you, Ryan, I would’ve let your father die a year ago. Do you think keeping him alive was free? Do you think the money I’ve given you for his medical bills grows on trees?” Her voice turned icy. “Let me make this clear: if you don’t go back in there and make Mr. Walker happy, I’ll take back the $50,000 I just sent you.” Each word hit him like a blow. Ryan’s hands trembled as he clenched his fists at his sides. “Fine. I’ll do it,” he said through gritted teeth. Pushing down the humiliation, Ryan straightened his back and walked back into the private room. But as he opened the door, he froze. Mr. Walker, now visibly drunk, had one arm draped over George’s shoulders. “You’re Quinn’s secretary, right?” she slurred, giggling. “You’re way better looking than her boyfriend. So much more my type.” George tensed, his face turning red as he glanced at Quinn for help. Quinn stormed into the room behind Ryan, her face twisting with rage. She immediately pulled George away from Mr. Walker’s grasp. “What the hell are you doing?” she shouted, her voice cutting through the room. Mr. Walker blinked, startled. “What’s your problem? I barely touched him.” Quinn’s eyes blazed. “You think you can just put your hands on my secretary?!” Mr. Walker’s drunken confusion turned to anger. She let out a bitter laugh. “You’re something else, Quinn. I’ve been touching your boyfriend all night, and you didn’t say a word. But the moment I lay a hand on your secretary, you lose it?!” The room fell silent as the weight of her words settled. Quinn’s jaw tightened, her eyes darting toward George, who was still flustered and avoiding her gaze. Mr. Walker’s laughter turned cold. “Well, guess what? That deal you wanted? Forget it.”

“I don’t need it anyway.” Quinn scoffed, spitting the words out like venom. She grabbed George’s hand and stormed out of the restaurant, but not before calling Ryan to follow along behind them. Outside, as they waited for the car to pull up, Quinn simultaneously comforted a visibly shaken George, who was trembling in her arms, while throwing blame in Ryan’s direction. “This wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t made such a scene and left the room,” she snapped. “If you’d just stayed, George wouldn’t have had to deal with that creep.” Ryan stood motionless beside them, the chilly autumn wind brushing through his hair. For the first time, he felt the city’s fall air truly bite. It was colder than he’d ever remembered it. George, clinging to Quinn like a frightened rabbit, buried his face in her shoulder, his tears streaming down in dramatic streaks. “I’m fine, Quinn,” George sniffled, his voice trembling. “Don’t be mad at Ryan. He didn’t mean for this to happen.” Ryan said nothing, his gaze fixed on them in silence. After a moment, Quinn seemed to calm down. “George works for my company. He’s fresh out of college, completely inexperienced. As his boss, it’s my responsibility to protect him. Otherwise, how could I explain this to his family?” “Of course,” Ryan replied simply, his tone devoid of emotion. He let the ache in his chest simmer, unaddressed. It doesn’t matter anymore, he thought. In ten days, I’ll be gone. Let her do whatever she wants. When the car arrived, Ryan climbed into the passenger seat without a word, leaving the backseat for Quinn and her precious George. “Take us to the Westwood Hotel first,” Quinn instructed the driver. Only then did she glance at Ryan, as if suddenly remembering to explain herself. “I need to drop George off at his hotel before I can head home with you.” “Sure,” Ryan murmured, leaning back against the seat, his eyes closed. The alcohol he’d consumed earlier had started to hit, and his stomach churned with a dull, persistent ache. Ryan wasn’t sure how long he’d been asleep when the driver shook him gently. “Mr. Winters, Quinn said she had something to take care of and left.” “Alright,” Ryan replied flatly. He grabbed his bag, the sound of his black coat brushing against the leather seat filling the quiet car, and stepped out. Walking into the house, he wasn’t surprised to find his phone empty of any messages from Quinn. He didn’t need to ask where she’d gone—he already knew. She was with George. And yet, even though he was counting down the days until he’d finally leave her behind, the knowledge of her devotion to another man sliced through him like a knife. After taking a long, scalding shower, Ryan heard his phone buzz. He picked it up, expecting nothing of importance, but what he saw made his blood boil. It was a photo from George. Unlike the last time George had sent pictures meant to taunt him, this one didn’t spark sadness—it ignited rage. Quinn, in an effort to appease George, had given him the jade pendant. That pendant wasn’t just any piece of jewelry. It was the Winters family heirloom, passed down through generations. It symbolized peace, love, and eternal partnership. Quinn had received it from Robert as a wedding gift—a gesture of welcoming her into the family. And now, she’d handed it off to another man, as if it were nothing more than a cheap trinket. This was the only thing my father entrusted to me. If his condition doesn’t improve, it will be the last thing I have to remember him by. Ryan clenched his fists, his chest heaving. Without hesitation, he called for a cab and headed straight to the Westwood Hotel. Ryan didn’t know George’s room number, so he knocked on door after door, ignoring the glares and insults from annoyed hotel guests. Finally, on the fourteenth try, he heard Quinn’s voice behind the door. When she opened it and saw Ryan standing there, her face immediately darkened. “What are you doing here?” she demanded. “Where’s the jade pendant?” Ryan pushed past her, stumbling into the room. His voice cracked with desperation. “Give it back to me!” Quinn barely had time to react before Ryan turned to face George, who was sitting on the bed, clutching the blanket like a frightened child. “That pendant belongs to my family,” Ryan said, his voice shaking. “It’s not yours to take. Hand it over!” “Quinn, I’m scared,” George whimpered, looking to her for rescue.

Quinn stepped forward, grabbing Ryan’s wrist and yanking him back. “It’s just a piece of jade, Ryan. Why are you making such a big deal out of this?” Ryan’s voice broke as he snapped, “My father is lying in a hospital bed, unconscious, and you’re using the one thing he gave you to bribe another man. Do you even have a conscience?” For a moment, Quinn looked startled, but the fleeting vulnerability quickly vanished, replaced by her usual indifference. “Do you think keeping your father alive is free?” she spat. “I’ve spent a fortune on his medical bills. Don’t I deserve to use that pendant however I see fit?” Ryan’s eyes burned with tears of frustration. “Don’t forget—I gave up everything for you. I transferred all my shares to your name because you promised to take care of my father. And now you’re acting like it’s all your money?” “Stop being so dramatic.” Quinn rolled her eyes and shoved him back. Ryan stumbled and fell to the cold, hard floor. “Give it back!” Ryan shouted, scrambling to his feet. He lunged toward George, determined to find the pendant himself. “Don’t touch me!” George screeched, flailing his arms as the two struggled. Quinn’s expression hardened. Without hesitation, she kicked Ryan square in the stomach, sending him sprawling to the ground. The pain was immediate and excruciating. Ryan clutched his abdomen, gasping for air as cold sweat drenched his face. For a brief moment, Quinn hesitated, guilt flickering across her face. But just as she started to move toward him, George tugged at her arm, his voice trembling. “Quinn, I don’t feel well,” he whispered, his eyes wide and pleading. Her focus shifted instantly. “Where does it hurt?” she asked, her voice laced with concern. She forgot about Ryan entirely, fussing over George like a doting mother. “Ryan!” she barked suddenly, turning back to him. “You’re from a family of doctors, aren’t you? Come check on George.” Ryan looked up at her, his face pale and his body trembling from the pain. “Do it,” she snapped. “If something happens to George, don’t forget—your father’s health depends on me.” Ryan stared at her, the last shred of warmth he felt for her crumbling into nothingness. He forced himself to his feet and staggered toward George. Gritting his teeth, he reached out to take George’s pulse. After a long pause, Ryan muttered, “He’s fine.” “Are you sure?” George whined, clutching Quinn’s hand. Quinn glared at Ryan, clearly dissatisfied with his answer. “Just go home,” she said sharply. “I’ll deal with you later.” Ryan didn’t argue. “Give me the pendant,” he said, his voice flat. “It’s not even that valuable,” George chimed in, pulling the pendant from under his pillow and tossing it carelessly at Ryan’s feet. “I don’t know why you’re so obsessed with it.” Ryan scrambled to pick it up, but it was too late. The jade pendant hit the floor and shattered into pieces. As he knelt there, staring at the fragments, tears streamed down his face.

“You can go home now,” Quinn said, her brow furrowed as she stepped in front of George, shielding him like he was some fragile treasure. “I’ll find someone to fix the jade pendant later.” “There’s no later,” Ryan said, his voice trembling. He slipped the shattered pendant into his pocket, leaning against the doorframe for support before staggering out of the hotel room. Quinn watched his hunched figure disappear into the hallway. For a brief moment, a strange pang of unease tightened in her chest. What did he mean by ‘there’s no later’? She shrugged it off just as quickly as the thought came. It’s just one of his tantrums. Give it a few days, and he’ll get over it like always. With a dismissive shake of her head, she turned her attention back to George, who was wrapped tightly in her arms. The two cuddled sweetly, while across town, Ryan walked home alone, tears streaming down his face. When Ryan got home, the first thing he did was swallow a painkiller. The ache in his stomach—whether from Quinn’s kick or the emotional toll—refused to subside. For the next three days, he was bedridden, the pain locking him in a prison of physical and emotional torment. By the fourth morning, the pain had finally begun to ease. Opening his eyes, Ryan was surprised to find Quinn sitting on the edge of the bed. Unlike him, pale and worn from the sleepless nights, Quinn looked radiant. Her energy was reminiscent of the days when they were first in love, back when she still cared. “You’re awake? Good,” she said briskly, showing no concern for his condition. “I need to talk to you about something important.” Ryan sat up slowly, his body still weak. “What is it?” “It’s about George,” Quinn said, her tone casual. “He’s had some bad luck. His ex-girlfriend cheated on him, and he doesn’t want his family to worry. So, he asked me to pretend to be his girlfriend for dinner with his parents. You don’t mind, do you?” Ryan froze for a moment, his lips curling into a bitter smile. She’s not even trying to come up with believable lies anymore. “I don’t mind,” he said softly, his voice barely audible. “I knew you’d understand,” Quinn said, leaning in to plant a quick kiss on his forehead. “You’re always so considerate.” She stood to leave, but paused at the door. “Oh, and next month on your birthday, I’ll make sure to spend the whole day with you. We’ll visit your dad together, okay?” Ryan’s eyelashes fluttered, his gaze dropping to the bedsheets. Next month? Quinn, I’ll be gone in five days. The words sat heavy on his tongue, but before he could say anything, Quinn’s phone rang. “Quinn, my parents showed up early. I don’t know what to do!” George’s panicked voice echoed through the speaker. Quinn barely hesitated. “I’ll be right there,” she said, grabbing her purse and heading for the door. She didn’t look back. Ryan watched her leave, the door slamming shut behind her. For the next four days, she didn’t come home. George, however, made sure to send Ryan a steady stream of taunting texts. But Ryan felt nothing—his heart was numb now. On the morning of his departure, Ryan received a text from Mr. James. “The car will pick you up at 9 PM tonight.” Ryan replied with a simple, “Got it,” and began packing the last of his belongings. Around 10 AM, a package arrived at the door. Curious, Ryan opened it to find a familiar necklace inside—Emerald Dream, the one Quinn had once gifted him. Back when they were in love, Quinn had spent $500,000 on the piece, knowing how much Ryan adored it. But when his father fell ill, Ryan sold it on Quinn’s suggestion to cover the hospital bills. His hands trembled as he held the necklace. Did Quinn buy it back?

For the first time in years, a faint flicker of hope stirred in his chest. But it was quickly extinguished when his phone rang. “Mr. Winters,” George’s smug voice greeted him. “That package you just signed for? Quinn accidentally sent it to the wrong address. Could you bring it to the New Haven Hotel? She needs it for something urgent.” Ryan paused for a long moment before replying, “Sure, I’ll bring it.” Ryan took a cab to the New Haven Hotel, the necklace tucked safely in its box. But as the cab pulled up to the entrance, his breath caught in his throat. A massive banner hung over the entrance, displaying a photo of Quinn and George. The text beneath it read: “C&E Engagement Party.” Ryan’s vision blurred as tears welled up in his eyes. So this is what she needed the necklace for. A hotel staff member escorted him to the event hall. At the door of the bridal suite, he ran into Quinn and George’s mother. “Oh, who’s this?” George’s mother asked, her brows furrowing in suspicion. Quinn’s eyes widened slightly, her gaze darting nervously between Ryan and the older woman. “He’s… he’s my driver,” she said quickly, her voice trembling slightly. “Why don’t you head back inside, ma’am? I’ll handle this.” Without waiting for a response, Quinn grabbed Ryan’s arm and pulled him into a quiet corner. “Why are you here?” she hissed. Ryan chuckled bitterly. “Your ‘driver’?” he said, his voice heavy with sarcasm. “Six years together, and now I’m just your driver?” Quinn ignored the jab, her tone sharp. “I asked you a question. Why are you here?” Ryan held up the necklace. “George said you needed this for something. Congratulations, by the way.” “You’ve got it all wrong,” Quinn said quickly. “This engagement party—it’s not real. I told you, I’m just pretending to be George’s girlfriend.” Ryan’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. “Pretending? You’re using the engagement plan we created for our wedding. The same decorations, the same fireworks. Is that part of the act too?” Quinn’s eyes flickered with guilt for a moment, but she quickly recovered. “It’s just a coincidence. Why don’t you believe me?” Ryan stared at her for a long moment, tears silently rolling down his cheeks. Finally, he nodded. “Fine. If you say it’s fake, it’s fake.” Relieved, Quinn smiled. “I’ll explain everything when this is over, okay? Just go home for now.” Ryan nodded again, too tired to argue. As Ryan left the hotel, his phone buzzed with another text from George. The photo showed George wearing the necklace, his arms wrapped around Quinn. “Quinn says only I deserve this necklace. She’s always loved me, you know. Oh, and once we’re married, she’s cutting off your dad’s medical bills. Makes sense, right? After all, I’m way more useful than your half-dead father.” Ryan closed the message, his chest heaving with quiet sobs. It’s over, he thought. We’re done. Later that night, as fireworks lit up the sky—part of the engagement celebration Ryan and Quinn had once planned for their own wedding—Ryan received two texts. One from Mr. James: “The car is outside.” And one from Quinn: “Sorry, I’m too busy tonight. I’ll come home tomorrow to explain everything.” Ryan typed a brief reply: “Don’t bother.” Then, with a deep breath, he deleted her number, blocked her on every platform, and stepped into the car. As the vehicle pulled away, Ryan glanced one last time at the house he had called home. Goodbye, Quinn. We’ll never see each other again. The cityscape blurred as the car sped off, taking Ryan toward a future where Quinn no longer existed.

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When I returned from my business trip, I found my five-year-old daughter, Selina Whitaker, sitting alone at home, nibbling on some cookies. Feeling a pang of guilt, I embraced her tightly and asked, “Selina, where’s your mom?” Selina pouted, her face full of grievance, and burst into tears. “Mommy is at the hotel downstairs marrying Mr. Blackwell. She told me to stay home by myself… Daddy, I’m so hungry…” After settling Selina down, I rushed to the hotel. And sure enough, it was true. There was Ophelia Whitaker, dressed in a wedding gown. When she saw me, her face turned pale with shock, and she quickly pulled me aside. “Dorian, don’t misunderstand! This is just me helping Nathan act out a scene. His mom kept pressuring him to get married, and this was the only way…” Furious, I let out a cold laugh. “Congratulations. May your life together be filled with love and laughter, and may your arguments always be short!” Later, at my wedding to her younger sister, she begged me to take her back. But instead, I made her listen to the sounds of us making love all night. Chapter 

“Congratulations. May your life together be filled with love and laughter, and may your arguments always be short!!” Everyone present thought I was an invited guest, and they applauded my blessings to the groom and bride. Only the bride, Ophelia, looked at me in disbelief, thinking I must be joking. When she realized I wasn’t kidding and saw the seriousness on my face, she reluctantly let go of Nathan Blackwell’s arm and dragged me into a corner, visibly annoyed. “Dorian, what’s the meaning of this?” I couldn’t believe she had the audacity to ask such a question. Last week, during my business trip to Frandel, I had taken a shortcut, desperate to get back early out of concern for her and our daughter’s safety. That choice had nearly cost me my life in a foreign land. But when I finally returned home, the first thing I saw was my five-year-old daughter sitting alone, nibbling on some cookies, while my beloved wife was downstairs marrying her first love. When I walked into the hotel earlier, I saw her and Nathan locked in a sweet embrace, making their vows with sincere devotion. “In wealth or poverty, in sickness or health, through good times and bad, I vow to stand by Nathan for the rest of my life…” She looked utterly devout, her eyes even sparkling with tiny stars of emotion. Yet when we got married, she had asked the officiant to skip the vows altogether, saying it was “too much trouble.” It turned out it wasn’t about the vows being troublesome, and it was about the person she was vowing to. With Nathan’s parents, she was warm and natural, the perfect picture of charm. But in our six years of marriage, she had never once treated my parents with such enthusiasm. If this wedding with Nathan was just an act, then what had our years together been? My heart felt like it had turned to ash. In a flat voice, I said, “I mean what I said. You two belong together, and I’ll bow out.” Ophelia’s brows furrowed, and she let out a derisive snort. “Dorian, stop being unreasonable, will you? My patience has its limits. “I’ve already explained everything to you. Nathan and I are just staging a fake wedding to put his parents at ease. And here you are, making a scene. Can you not let it go?” I let out a cold chuckle and replied indifferently, “Don’t overthink it. I’m genuinely stepping aside. Rest assured, I’m not the clingy type. I’ll file for divorce as soon as possible and won’t drag you down.” Ophelia looked at me in stunned disbelief, as if she couldn’t believe the words coming out of my mouth. “You…” Before she could finish, I turned and started to leave the hotel. But Nathan stopped me, his face full of guilt as he repeatedly apologized. “I’m so sorry, Dorian. Let me explain. “My parents have been pressuring me about marriage, and I didn’t want them to worry, so Ophelia and I staged this. We should have told you beforehand. I truly apologize.” Before Nathan could finish, Ophelia grabbed his arm, her voice icy. “Why are you apologizing to him? He’s just being petty. If he wants to sulk, let him! We don’t need to bother with him.” When I married Ophelia, I had known she still harbored feelings for her first love, Nathan. I had naively thought that with time and my love, I could win her over. But she treated my sincerity as nothing more than the behavior of a pathetic fool. I no longer wanted to play this one-sided game of giving without receiving. If someone else wanted to take my place, they were welcome to it. I felt nothing toward her shameless, outrageous behavior—not anger, not indignation. All I wanted was to sever ties with this woman completely. Chapter 

Seeing my silence, Nathan put on an aggrieved expression. “Dorian, how about this? I’ll explain everything to the guests and publicly apologize to you in front of them. “It doesn’t matter much to me. The worst that can happen is that I’ll lose face in front of my relatives and friends, and my elderly parents will worry about me. As long as it doesn’t hurt the relationship between you two, I’m willing to bear these sacrifices.” He sounded so self-righteous, but I could hear the insincerity dripping from every word. Yet Ophelia seemed completely moved by his performance. She glared at me and was about to scold me when Nathan’s father walked over. Nathan’s father asked, “Ophelia, what are you doing? This is your wedding. Why are you here arguing with another man?” The moment Ophelia saw Nathan’s parents, her demeanor shifted instantly into one of meek compliance. “This is just my neighbor. He happened to be passing by and stopped in to congratulate me.” To protect an outsider, she could so casually refer to me, her husband of six years, as merely her “neighbor.” That was probably all I was to her—a man who shared a roof but held no place in her heart. When I met her gaze, I saw a flicker of panic in her eyes. “Fine. Let’s grant her wish,” I thought. Faced with the curious stares of Nathan’s family and friends, I decided to help them keep up appearances. “Yes, I’m just her neighbor. I came by to wish them well. I’ll leave now. Enjoy the party.” Perhaps my resoluteness caught Ophelia off guard. For a moment, it looked like she might come after me. But Nathan grabbed her hand. “Ophelia, don’t go. My aunt and uncle are waiting for us to toast them. “After everything’s settled, I’ll go with you to find Dorian and clear things up. Once he’s calmed down, it’ll all be fine.” At Nathan’s words, Ophelia stopped in her tracks. However, I walked out of the hotel without looking back. When I got home, Selina threw herself into my arms. “Daddy! You’re finally back. I don’t have to sleep alone tonight! “Daddy, the wind outside was so scary last night. I was hiding under the blanket all by myself, and I was so scared.” When I looked at her sweet, innocent face, my heart ached. I deeply regretted leaving her with her unreliable mother while I went on that trip. Seeing the empty croissant box on the table, I praised her, “Wow, my little princess is amazing! You finished all four croissants I bought for you.” Selina pouted and mumbled, “Daddy, I’m still hungry. Mommy hasn’t cooked for me in three days. She said she’s been busy with Mr. Blackwell…” A lump formed in my throat, and guilt washed over me. Gently stroking her head, I pressed my cheek against hers to comfort her. “Daddy’s here now. I’ll make you something delicious to eat right away.” Selina cheered and jumped up. “Yay! Daddy’s back, and I can have real food again!” Her words brought tears to my eyes as I headed to the kitchen to prepare a meal for her. But when I opened the fridge, I found only some pasta and nothing else. Clearly, no one had cooked at home for days. In the end, I made a simple creamy pasta soup for Selina. Even so, it lit up her face with joy. “Daddy, this is so good! You’re the best!” Hearing her childlike praise filled me with mixed emotions. Just then, the door clicked open. Ophelia walked in, her face sullen, holding a takeout box in her hand. She tossed the box onto the table and glared at me. “What’s wrong with you? All you made for Selina is some lousy pasta? Is this how you take care of your daughter?” Chapter 

In front of Selina, I didn’t want to argue with Ophelia, so I gave her a warning glance, silently telling her not to go too far. Seeing my expression, Ophelia seemed to remember our agreement not to argue in front of our daughter. She refrained from saying anything more but still shot me a defiant look. Nathan, who had come in right after her, immediately tried to diffuse the tension. Squeezing between us with a cheerful smile, he opened the takeout box. “Dorian, we had the hotel pack this for you. Knowing you and Selina might not have eaten, we thought to bring it over.” I glanced at the contents: the remains of a fish with nothing but bones left. It was clearly leftovers. Selina is allergic to fish, and I didn’t want her to be affected even by proximity, so I pushed the box aside. Upon seeing this, Ophelia’s expression darkened. She seemed to think I was insulting Nathan and immediately snapped. “Nathan, don’t bother with them. If they want to eat, fine. If not, who cares?” I hadn’t intended to argue, but I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Ophelia, have you forgotten that Selina is allergic to seafood and fish?” Ophelia’s brow furrowed as if she had just remembered. My family has a history of allergic reactions to fish, and Selina was no exception. I had repeatedly reminded Ophelia not to expose Selina to fish, but she never seemed to take it seriously. However, Nathan loved fish and chips. Whenever they ate out together, he would order it and sometimes even take Selina along. Every time they came back, Selina’s face would be covered in rashes. I had to carefully apply ointment to soothe her skin while reproaching Ophelia for bringing Selina near fish. Yet she remained indifferent. “Oh, it’s just a little rash. Girls her age get these things. It’s no big deal,” she would say. It wasn’t until one incident when Selina’s allergic reaction became severe, causing her throat to swell and her breathing to become labored, that she finally seemed to take it seriously. Thankfully, we got her to the hospital in time to save her. After that, Ophelia seemed to learn her lesson and stopped bringing Selina along to her outings with Nathan. But it didn’t last long. To continue dining out with Nathan, she began leaving Selina home alone, distracting her with snacks and toys. Once, Selina nearly choked on a snack while she was home alone. Luckily, I arrived just in time to save her. She had brought fish back for Selina to eat. It seemed that, just like me, Selina didn’t matter to her as much as Nathan, the one who had once abandoned her. Seeing Ophelia’s embarrassment, Nathan quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Oh, my apologies. I packed this, and I completely forgot about Selina’s allergy to fish…” Ophelia looked at Nathan gratefully, her tone softening. “Nathan was just being thoughtful. Dorian, can you stop nitpicking? “It was inconsiderate of me today. I’ll cook a big meal at home tomorrow to make it up to you and Selina. Will that do?” Before I could respond, a commotion erupted outside the door, followed by the sound of someone unlocking it. I was puzzled, wondering who else besides Ophelia and I could have a key to our house. The voices of Nathan’s parents bragging to their guests provided the answer. “This is my son’s marital home. It’s enormous! “Ophelia is amazing, and she paid for it in full. Nathan didn’t have to spend a penny!” Chapter 

Nathan’s parents entered, cheerfully leading their friends and relatives into the house, only to freeze when they saw my furious face. I was about to explode when Ophelia grabbed me, her eyes pleading. Nathan’s parents’ smiles faltered, and they looked awkwardly at their guests. As everyone exchanged puzzled glances, Nathan’s mother, Hailey Blackwell, avoided confronting me. Instead, she stormed over to Selina, who was eating her pasta and slapped her hard across the face. “Whose child is this, so ill-mannered? Sneaking into someone else’s home and eating their food!” Seeing Selina struck, I lunged forward, ready to kick that vile old woman, but Nathan held me back with all his strength. “Dorian, please, I’m begging you…” “Mommy, she hit me! My face hurts!” Selina, now wailing in pain, tried to run to Ophelia for comfort, only to be pushed away. “Selina, I’m not your mommy. You’re just the neighbor’s kid here for a visit. Don’t call me that… “Sorry, everyone. She’s the neighbor’s child who comes over to play sometimes. I jokingly told her to call me Mommy. Don’t misunderstand.” Ophelia’s face was full of embarrassment as she explained herself to Nathan’s family, desperate not to tarnish his image. “Mommy… Mommy…” Selina, now utterly helpless, tried to inch closer to Ophelia again, only to be stopped by her icy glare. I wanted to comfort Selina, but Nathan still held me back tightly. Nathan’s father, witnessing this, was livid. He picked up a bowl of creamy pasta soup from the table and poured it over Selina’s head, shouting obscenities. “Where did this little bastard come from, calling Ophelia ‘Mommy’ in my son’s new home? How disgusting!” The scalding soup spilled onto Selina’s head, making her scream in pain. I kicked Nathan aside, rushed to hold Selina, and tried to take her to the bathroom to rinse off the burns. But Hailey blocked my way with a group of their guests. “This is my son’s new home. What do you think you’re doing, barging around like this? “Get out of here! You’re bringing bad luck!” I couldn’t hold back anymore. “To hell with you! This is my goddamn…” Before I could finish, Nathan and his people dragged me toward the door. He shouted loudly at Ophelia, “Ophelia, talk to your neighbor! Tell him to leave and not ruin our big day!” Selina and I were thrown out, and Ophelia stood at the door, tears streaming down her face, begging me. “Please, just let this go. I’ll get them to leave tonight. Don’t embarrass Nathan in front of his family…” Looking at the blister forming on Selina’s face and hearing Ophelia’s outrageous words, I couldn’t hold back my rage. “You shameless woman, Ophelia! I want a divorce! “And unless you drag those bastards out of my house this instant, I’ll make sure all of you spend your honeymoon in a jail cell!”

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My boyfriend’s “one true love”—his precious Carol Laurel—stole highly radioactive material from my home, putting me at risk of a prison sentence. When I confronted her, she denied everything, playing innocent like it was second nature. Worse, my boyfriend, Nathan Reed, refused to testify for me, instead doing everything in his power to throw me under the bus. What neither of them realized, though, was that I worked for a top-secret government research facility. And the material they stole? It wasn’t just dangerous—it was lethal. The radioactive material I’d been tasked with transporting was stolen from my apartment overnight. Nathan, my boyfriend, was out of town at the time. The only other person with a key was Carol—his “close family friend,” though everyone knew that was just a convenient label. I didn’t hesitate. This wasn’t a situation I could take lightly. I called the police immediately. When Carol was brought in for questioning, she played the part of the innocent victim perfectly. “Claire,” she said, her voice trembling, “I know you don’t like me, but accusing me of something like this? That’s just cruel.” Nathan burst into the room moments later, his face red with anger. “Claire, are you serious right now?” he snapped. “Carol’s already been through enough because of you. She lost her baby! And now you’re trying to pin this on her?” Because of me? I stared at him, stunned by the sheer audacity of his words. This was the same man I’d caught in bed with Carol just weeks ago. I’d returned early from a work trip to find them lounging together, scrolling through maternity websites and picking out baby items. I had demanded we break up on the spot, but Nathan refused to let me go. As for Carol, she disappeared for two days before reappearing, pale and fragile, as though she’d just been through hell. “Claire,” she’d said softly, tears streaming down her face, “I terminated the pregnancy. Please don’t blame Nathan. It wasn’t his fault—it was mine.” Her “sacrifice” had driven an even deeper wedge between Nathan and me, turning our fractured relationship into an all-out war. But now wasn’t the time to hash out personal grievances. “The missing material,” I told the officers, “is Iridium-192. A highly radioactive source.” The room shifted instantly. The officer in charge straightened, his expression turning grim. “That’s an incredibly dangerous substance,” he said. “We need to locate it immediately.” He turned to the small group in the room, his sharp gaze cutting through the air like a blade. “If anyone has it, hand it over now. Stealing something like this isn’t just theft—it’s a felony. You’re looking at serious prison time.” Carol broke down, crying as though the weight of the world had just fallen on her shoulders. Nathan rushed to her side, his voice trembling with anger. “Carol is a public figure! She’d never risk her reputation by doing something illegal. We have surveillance footage to prove it.” Carol was an up-and-coming social media influencer who made her living as a product promoter. Her career relied heavily on her public image, so Nathan’s confidence made sense. But something about his tone put me on edge. We had a security camera in the hallway outside my apartment, installed for safety reasons. When the footage was reviewed, my stomach dropped. The video only showed me entering and leaving the apartment. There wasn’t a single trace of Carol—or anyone else, for that matter. “This can’t be right,” I said, my voice faltering. But Nathan and Carol exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions smug. That’s when it hit me. This was a setup. They had tampered with the footage. Nathan stepped forward, pointing an accusatory finger at me. His voice was loud, filled with righteous indignation. “It was you,” he declared. “You staged this whole thing. You stole it yourself and are trying to frame Carol!” The same hands that had once held me, that had promised me love and loyalty, were now pointing at me like I was a criminal. I locked eyes with him, my voice calm but firm. “Do you even realize what you’re saying?” If I was charged with theft, I’d be looking at years behind bars. Was his hatred for me really that deep?

“Claire,” Nathan said coldly, “you shouldn’t be dragging Carol into this.” “You made this mess, and you should take responsibility for it.” His gaze shifted to Carol’s stomach, and for a moment, his expression softened into something that almost looked like grief. He was blaming me for her miscarriage. Did he really love children that much? A pang of pain shot through my chest as memories flooded back. We had once had a child, too. Back when he went missing during a mountain hike, I had spent days searching for him. I fell during the search, tumbling down a slope, and woke up covered in blood. I’d lost the baby that day. When I found him, alive and well, he held me and cried his heart out, swearing he would never let me go. Now, it seemed he’d forgotten all of it. The tension in the room was broken by the arrival of someone unexpected—a man with sharp features and gold-rimmed glasses. “Elliot?” I said, startled. He nodded at me. “I’ve brought the detection equipment from the lab.” The lead officer wasted no time. “Good. This is serious. We’ll conduct a full-scale search.” “What does that mean?” Carol asked, confused. The officers ignored her, moving quickly to coordinate the operation. They began sweeping the area, starting with my apartment and extending outward in a radius. Even Carol’s home was included in the search. Nathan pulled me aside, his voice low and accusatory. “What kind of job do you have, Claire? What’s so important about this ‘missing item’ that it warrants this kind of manhunt?” I stared at him, my voice flat. “It’s classified. What was stolen is deadly. If you don’t want to die, I suggest you find it.” Carol scoffed, cutting in. “If it’s so dangerous, wouldn’t stealing it make you even guiltier?” Her words seemed to bolster Nathan’s confidence. “She’s got a point,” he said, his expression hardening. Neither of them believed me. They were so caught up in their lies that they couldn’t see the truth staring them in the face. The search lasted all night, but Elliot eventually packed up his equipment, shaking his head. “There’s no trace of it,” he said. “It’s likely still sealed in its lead container. Let’s hope no one is stupid enough to open it.” The lead officer sighed. “Well, that’s… something, at least.” Carol’s tense expression melted into relief. “See?” she said smugly. “Nothing’s missing. Someone’s just trying to cover their tracks.” Nathan nodded in agreement. “The surveillance footage is clear. There’s only one suspect here.” The room fell silent. Elliot placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “The lab has decided to pursue this. Don’t worry—we’ll clear your name.” I nodded, grateful for his support. But it didn’t matter. As the person responsible for the missing material, I was now the prime suspect. Carol and Nathan were practically glowing with satisfaction when the officers informed me that I’d be taken into custody. “Are you happy now?” I asked, looking directly at them. Carol lifted her chin, her voice dripping with arrogance. “The person who killed my baby is finally getting what she deserves. Of course I’m happy.” “And you?” I said, turning to Nathan. “Does it matter what I think?” he spat. “Did you care about my feelings when you caused Carol’s miscarriage?” His eyes, once filled with love, were now cold and filled with hatred. For a moment, I wavered, remembering the man who had once fought for me, defended me, loved me with everything he had. But that man was gone. I lowered my gaze, steeling myself. If they wanted to ruin me, I wouldn’t go down without a fight. Before handing in my phone, I made a few quick adjustments. Elliot raised an eyebrow. “Making your move?” I smiled. “If I don’t fight back now, I’ll be nothing but a punching bag.” I uploaded a detailed timeline of everything—our relationship, their betrayal, and the missing material—to every major social media platform. If they wanted war, I’d give them one.

Because of the structured format of my post and the explosive nature of the title, the story spread like wildfire online. Meanwhile, Nathan and Carol remained clueless, basking in the thrill of successfully framing me. Before I was taken in, I turned to them with a small smile. “Don’t get too comfortable,” I said calmly. “Remember the way you look right now—so smug, so self-satisfied. Because soon enough, you’ll be paying for this with your blood. And when that time comes, it’ll clear my name.” If they were foolish enough to steal something as dangerous as Iridium-192, I had no doubt their recklessness would catch up to them. They dismissed my words as empty threats, laughing as they walked away hand in hand. But it only took one night for cracks to appear in their confidence. The next morning, Nathan frantically requested to see me, his desperation apparent. I refused every single one of his attempts to meet. Three days later, Elliot paid my bail, and I was released on probation. The moment I stepped out, I could tell the situation had shifted dramatically. Nathan was waiting for me, holding a large bouquet of roses. He rushed toward me, reaching out to grab my arm, but Elliot stepped in, blocking him effortlessly. Elliot turned to me with a questioning look. I smiled softly. “It’s fine. Let me talk to him.” The conversation took place at a nearby coffee shop. Nathan shoved the bouquet into my hands, acting as though the last few days hadn’t happened. There wasn’t even a hint of shame on his face. “Claire,” he said, his tone light and casual, “we’re about to face a few years of long-distance. Let’s use this time to make peace, okay? No hard feelings.” I almost laughed out loud. He was referring to my impending prison sentence as a “long-distance relationship”? I shoved the bouquet back at him. “If you’re not going to speak like a human being, I’m leaving.” Nathan’s smile faltered, and he quickly got to the point. “What you posted online,” he began, lowering his voice, “has caused a lot of problems for Carol.” I pulled out my phone, scrolling through the latest updates. The public backlash against Carol was brutal. The internet was ablaze with stories about the influencer who knowingly became “the other woman” and framed me for a crime. Her reputation had taken a nosedive. She wasn’t just losing followers—she was losing brand deals and sponsors left and right. “She’s not doing so well these days, is she?” I said, my tone mocking. My eyes wandered to the table next to us, where a woman sat wearing a mask and a baseball cap pulled low over her face. Even disguised, I could tell it was Carol. Her hands, resting on her lap, were covered in angry red rashes. I glanced at Nathan. He coughed lightly, a persistent, dry sound that made my stomach twist. My heart sank. Those were early symptoms of radiation poisoning. They must have opened the lead container holding the Iridium-192. Nathan, oblivious to my realization, continued speaking. “I need you to issue a public apology,” he said. “Admit that you were jealous of Carol and me, and that everything you posted was a lie.” I blinked, certain I’d misheard him. “You want me to confess that I’m the one who tried to sabotage your relationship?” Nathan nodded, his tone soothing, as though he were offering me a favor. “It’s just a title, Claire. Who cares what people think? We love each other—that’s what matters.” He leaned forward, lowering his voice further. “Think about it. Once you’re in prison, no one will even remember this after a few years. But Carol? She has to live with public scrutiny every day.” Slap! The sound echoed through the coffee shop as my hand connected with his cheek. Nathan recoiled, stunned, his face turning red with anger. The surrounding patrons turned to stare, some even leaning closer to watch the unfolding drama. “You’re shameless,” I said coldly, my voice cutting through the silence. Nathan finally snapped. “Claire! You’re on probation! If you cause trouble, I’ll call the police right now and have you thrown back in jail!” I didn’t flinch. Instead, I grabbed my coffee and threw it in his face. Hot liquid splattered across his shirt, the strong smell of espresso filling the air. “If you have time to threaten me,” I said, my tone icy, “you should be calling a hospital. You might not live through the winter.” Nathan jumped to his feet, his face contorted with rage. “All you ever do is curse people! What’s wrong with you?” He lunged forward, grabbing for my arm, but before he could touch me, a strong hand shot out and grabbed him by the collar.

“It’s not a curse—it’s a fact.” Elliot, who stood a full head taller than Nathan, leaned in close, his presence radiating quiet menace. Instinctively, Nathan stepped back, his confidence faltering. “You again?” he sneered, his eyes darting between Elliot and me, suspicion flickering in his gaze. “So this is what you’ve been hiding, huh?” he spat. “Always claiming your job is some big secret, disappearing for months at a time—turns out you were shacking up with him the whole time.” His voice rose, laced with bitterness. “How long has this been going on? You’ve probably been sleeping together for years. And now you’re pretending to be some innocent victim in front of Carol? It’s pathetic.” Before I could respond, Elliot’s fist shot out, landing squarely on Nathan’s jaw. The punch sent him sprawling to the ground, clutching his face in shock. Carol, who had been trying to blend in with the crowd, finally broke character. With a gasp, she rushed forward, throwing herself down beside Nathan to help him up. “You can’t just hit someone in broad daylight!” she shrieked, glaring at Elliot. “Aren’t you afraid we’ll call the cops?” I crouched down next to her, my tone light but cutting. “You should worry more about yourself.” I reached out and brushed a lock of hair off her shoulder. A few strands came loose, falling into my palm. “You’re losing hair,” I said flatly, letting the strands drift to the ground. “Might want to get that checked out.” Her face twisted with anger, and she slapped my hand away. “You’re insane. It’s just a cold! Stop trying to make everything into some dramatic performance.” I stood, brushing off my hands. “Suit yourself.” Carol’s hostility didn’t faze me anymore. Without another word, I grabbed Elliot’s arm and led him out of the café, leaving the scene of chaos behind. Snow was falling softly, the crisp air cooling the lingering heat of my frustration. “Sorry about that,” I said, glancing at Elliot. “I didn’t mean for you to get bitten by rabid dogs.” Elliot shoved his hands into his coat pockets, walking in step beside me. “Don’t worry about it.” His voice was calm, steady as always. “They’re already showing symptoms. Are you going to feel sorry for them?” I stopped in my tracks, the question hanging in the frosty air. “Maybe I would have,” I admitted after a pause. Iridium-192 is dangerous. I had warned them repeatedly, but they treated my words as empty threats, too focused on framing me to realize the risk they’d taken. I glanced down at the snow beneath my feet, where the pristine white flakes mixed with the muddy street. The filth reminded me of them—shameless, self-serving, and beyond redemption. I stepped forward, leaving the mess behind. “But now?” I said, my voice cold. “Now, I just hope they get exactly what they deserve.” Later that evening, Carol went live on her social media platform. Her face filled the screen, tears streaming down her cheeks as she crafted the perfect sob story for her audience. “I never tried to steal someone else’s boyfriend,” she said, her voice trembling. “Nathan and I have known each other for years. We’ve been together long before Claire ever came into the picture.” She sniffled, her makeup smudging as she leaned closer to the camera. “And Claire? She’s the one who stole from herself and tried to frame me for it. Thank God there was surveillance footage to prove my innocence.” Her voice cracked as she continued, “She’s about to go to prison soon. Are you really going to believe anything a criminal says?” Carol’s tears were convincing, and her performance was Oscar-worthy. Her followers ate it up. The comments section exploded. “Wait, what? Claire’s a criminal?” “Lies. The cheater and her boyfriend got exposed, and now they’re trying to shift the blame.” “Hold on… what did Claire even accuse her of stealing?” I sipped my tea, scrolling through the comments like a casual observer. I copied the last comment and pasted it into the chat, spamming it a few times to make sure Carol saw it. As the flood of questions grew, Carol finally addressed the elephant in the room. “She said it was some… Iridium-192 or whatever,” she said dismissively, waving her hand like the whole thing was ridiculous. “It’s just some pretentious science term she threw around to scare me.” She rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair. “She even tried to tell me it was dangerous—like it could kill people or something. So dramatic, right?” But her smug attitude faltered as she suddenly covered her mouth, gagging uncontrollably. Among the flurry of comments, someone finally connected the dots. “Wait… Iridium-192? Are you serious? That stuff is deadly!” “Can someone explain? I don’t know what that is.” “You don’t need to know what it is. Just understand this: if you carry that stuff around for even two hours, you’re going to get radiation poisoning. And trust me, it’s not a pretty way to go.” The comment section exploded, the chat scrolling so fast it was almost unreadable. And then, on live stream, it happened. Carol’s eyes suddenly rolled back, and her body went stiff. Without a word, she collapsed, hitting the floor with a sickening thud.

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After my parents stripped me of the last cent I had, stolen in the name of buying my brother a house, and my boyfriend—no, the man I once thought would stand by me forever—betrayed me with an affair, I left everything behind. With nothing but the weight of my own despair, I found myself in Asheville, a city that promised nothing but the possibility of something new. This was where my journey began, and I swore to myself: I wouldn’t just survive. I would flourish. I never imagined that something like this would happen to me. In the living room, my parents sat solemnly in the main seats, my younger brother was sitting on the sofa beside them, his head lowered, silent. I stood alone in front of them, isolated and helpless. “Why…” I couldn’t believe these words were coming from my parents, who had loved me for 23 years. “No why,” my mother said impatiently. “Your brother is getting married, and we’re short on money for the house.” She sighed, clearly irritated. “It’s just $20,000. Why are you acting like we’re asking for your life?” “But Mom, I only have $20,000. I was saving this for my wedding with Lucas,” I explained, my voice shaking. “You only have $20,000 because you’re not making enough. It’s generous enough that we’re not asking for $50,000. After raising you all these years, you can’t even give us this $20,000?” she snapped. “But Mom, you know, Lucas and I are getting married next month. And my brother isn’t just short $20,000 for the down payment. He’s short $20,000 for the entire house!” My heart was breaking as I spoke. “Why can’t he just get a loan?” My mother’s voice was sharp, but I felt like my whole world was crumbling. I had once thought my parents really loved me. Even when they left me in the countryside with my grandmother until I was five and only brought me to the city once my brother was old enough for kindergarten, I had always believed they were just too busy to care for me. When my friends talked about their families’ favoritism towards boys, I would always insist that my family wasn’t like that. My brother was just an unexpected child, not something deliberately planned by my parents. I had been living in this lie for over twenty years. I looked at my parents in disbelief. My brother was getting married in a year, and my parents were already using all their savings to buy him a house in the best area of the city. They didn’t even want him to take out a loan. But I was getting married next month, and they hadn’t contributed a penny—now they wanted to take all my savings. Why was this happening? “Then you can just take out a loan,” my father said from the side. “What kind of nonsense is that? The woman shouldn’t pay for the house. Look at your brother. His wife isn’t contributing anything. You should talk to Lucas and tell him that we’re not contributing,” he added dismissively. It felt like my heart had been crushed by a weight I couldn’t describe. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t even breathe. “I’ll think about it,” I muttered, needing some time to process the blows. “No need to think. I’ve already taken the money out. I was just testing you. I didn’t expect you to be such an ungrateful child,” my mother said coldly. “What?”I was stunned. “What do you mean, ‘what’? I found your card at home, so I just took it out. The password has always been the same, hasn’t it?” my mother said dismissively. I felt like the world was crashing down around me. I rushed into the room, grabbed my bank card, and ran out of the house, barely putting on a jacket. I headed straight to the bank. When I saw that the balance was zero, I leaned against the ATM, slowly sliding to the floor. $20,000. To withdraw it all without alerting the bank would take at least four months. They had been planning this for a long time. Growing up, they always told me that we were a family, and in a family, there should be no secrets. That’s why everyone’s passwords were public. I never imagined they had been setting this up all along. I had always naively believed that all loving families were like that. I had never coveted their privacy or their money, so I never tried to use their passwords. But I never expected that one day, they would take everything I had. In a daze, I picked up my phone and shakily opened my Messenger app, typing in my father’s account number. Times had changed quickly, and they no longer used that app, so I assumed the password hadn’t been changed. A moment later, I saw the “incorrect password” error message and forced out a bitter smile. I tried my mother’s and brother’s accounts as well. None of them worked. It turned out that all these years, the only one whose password was public was me. Chapter 2 Knock knock knock. There was a knock at the door. I looked up and saw a tall, slender man standing outside. “Miss, are you okay? Do you need help?” The man appeared to be in his thirties, wearing casual athletic clothes, his posture tall and straight. I propped myself up and stood, reminding myself that this was a public place, and I shouldn’t delay the normal flow of things. I shook my head and said, “I’m fine, sorry to take up your time.” I turned to leave. A few seconds later, I heard the man calling from behind, “Miss, you dropped your card!” I waved my hand, not turning around. What use could he have for the card? To remind me that I’m a complete fool? To remind me that I’ve been living in lies all this time? I walked aimlessly down the street, surrounded by bustling crowds and the endless flow of cars, but I felt completely detached from it all. Just then, my phone vibrated. Since I started working, my phone had never been set to ringtone mode. The caller ID displayed “Manager Jason.” It might be the result of the year-end evaluations. I had worked diligently all year, taking no more than 30 days off, with countless overtime hours. Manager Jason had promised to help me apply for the year-end evaluation and possibly earn me a bonus. Considering my empty wallet now, any bonus would at least provide some comfort. I took a deep breath to steady myself and answered the call, “Hello, Manager Jason.” “Amelia, there’s something I need to tell you,” Manager Jason’s voice was calm, but I had a bad feeling. “What is it, Manager Jason?” I feigned calmness. “About the evaluation… you didn’t make it,” Manager Jason sighed. “The boss’s nephew got selected.” “Amelia, we can see your effort, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out this time. Keep at it, and next year’s evaluation will definitely be yours.” “Okay, Manager Jason. I’ll work hard,” I said, calmly hanging up the phone. What else could I say? Argue with Manager Jason? What difference would it make? It was just… a little sad. Family was a disappointment, and now work was a disappointment too. Thinking about how I’d have to go back to work tomorrow, I felt an overwhelming sense of frustration. I decided to indulge myself for a moment and pulled out my phone to send Manager Jason a message: “Manager Jason, I’ve finished all the work I had on hand. I’m thinking of taking my annual leave. Do you think that would be alright?” Within three minutes, Manager Jason replied: “Amelia, take a good rest. When you come back, we’ll get back to work. I have high hopes for you.” I gave a bitter smile and quickly submitted a leave request through the company system. Despite many overtime hours going unapproved, I found that I had 15 days of leave plus compensatory time off. I clicked submit without hesitation. Three minutes later, the notification popped up: Manager Jason had approved the request. For a moment, I wasn’t sure whether to feel happy or sad. Happy that I now had so many days off. Sad because it became clear that I wasn’t as indispensable as I thought. The reason I hadn’t taken leave earlier was because I had always believed that the company wouldn’t run without me. But now, I realized it didn’t really matter. I suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for the version of myself who had worked tirelessly. At that moment, I didn’t know yet that this wasn’t the worst of it. Chapter 3 I couldn’t go home, and I didn’t need to work overtime. For a moment, I didn’t know where to go. I checked the time—it was already six. Lucas should be off work by now, so I decided to pick him up. It used to be me working overtime while he waited for me downstairs at the office. This time, I had some free time, so I thought I’d surprise him and go pick him up. On the way, I stopped at a familiar flower shop and bought a bouquet. Romance knows no gender, right? While swiping my card, I pulled up the hidden messenger account linked to a bank card my family didn’t know about. Thanks to my best friend,Sarah, who dragged me five years ago to open a new bank account and repeatedly told me not to tell anyone about this card. She also made me set this card as the default for my bonuses and some freelance income. Over the years, this card had accumulated quite a sum. I was grateful to myself for not telling anyone about it. Otherwise, I’d probably be a truly pitiful person—disappointed in both family and work, with an empty wallet and no home to return to. Though things were still pretty bad now, at least I still had money. I carefully picked out the bouquet, then went to a nearby beauty store and spent some money getting my makeup done. Afterward, I took a taxi to Lucas’s office building. I had planned to surprise him, but what I didn’t expect was that I would be the one receiving the “surprise.” At 6:30, Lucas appeared downstairs from his office. I straightened my clothes, holding the flowers and preparing to give him the surprise. But just as I took a few steps, I saw a well-dressed woman running toward him, spinning around and throwing herself into his arms. The next moment, they kissed. The flowers fell from my hand, and I stood frozen in shock. Two blows in a single day were already too much. Who would have thought that fortune wouldn’t come in twos, but misfortune surely wouldn’t come alone? With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and recorded a video. At least this way, I wouldn’t have to explain why the money for the house was gone. Now, work had failed me, family had failed me, and now love had failed me too. I couldn’t say I was heartbroken anymore. At this point, I felt numb. The things that used to support me seemed to have disappeared all at once. I once had a happy family, a stable relationship, and a promising job. But today… today, in less than a day—hell, not even twelve hours—I discovered that the once-happy family was a bubble, the seemingly stable love that was supposed to lead to marriage was already shattered, and what I thought was a promising job was just someone else dangling a carrot in front of me. Once, I was busy with work every day, then spent time after work on my relationship, and after that, I’d enjoy time with family. But now, I had nowhere to go, nothing to do. I found a McDonald’s and ordered a kids’ meal. While eating, I played with the toy that came with it, zoning out. After finishing the pitiful little burger and snack, I ordered another burger meal. I hadn’t eaten fried chicken in six months because I wanted to look good for the wedding. But now? Who cares. After eating the fries and licking my fingers, I checked for the next available flight to the city I’d wanted to visit for the past three years—Asheville. I didn’t need to pack anything. I’d buy whatever I needed when I got there. Though I didn’t have much money, I figured it would be enough to get me through the next few days. As for what would happen after that, I’d cross that bridge when I came to it. No use thinking too much about it. Once, I thought about marrying Lucas, about what kind of wedding dress I’d wear and what kind of celebration I’d have. But what was the point of preparing so much? Things that weren’t under my control never would be. Just then, Lucas’s call came through. Thinking about how he had just kissed another woman made me feel disgusted. I wanted to reject the call, but then I thought I should at least hear his explanation, so I answered it: “Hello?” Lucas’s voice was as deep and pleasant as always: “Amelia, what are you doing?” “I’m eating. I’ll be working overtime later. How about you? Have you eaten?” I don’t know if it was my imagination, but when I mentioned working overtime, I felt like Lucas breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m also working overtime. You should rest early tonight and not overwork yourself.” Hearing him say he was working overtime made me sneer internally. “Overtime, huh? You’re too busy kissing your new girlfriend.” After hanging up, I sent him the video I had just recorded and added a simple message: “Let’s break up.” Then, I blocked all his contact details. I didn’t care to go back and figure out when exactly he strayed. It didn’t matter. Just like why I didn’t get the year-end evaluation—none of that mattered now. All I wanted was to enjoy this rare moment of free time. After finishing everything, I let out a satisfied burp, handed the toy to a little kid who had been eyeing it, and left to catch a taxi to the airport. At least I had my ID with me. Chapter 4 By the time I arrived in Asheville, it was already midnight. Recently, it was peak tourist season, and all the nearby hotels were fully booked. After searching around, the only available option was a hostel, but it was just a spot in the common room for backpackers to sleep overnight. Well, I thought, I’ll just find a place to sleep for now and figure things out tomorrow. The hostel had self-check-in. I opened the door with the address and password from the booking message. It wasn’t very big—two floors. The upper floor had four rooms: two for men and two for women, with one room for six people. The lower floor had a common room and a few shared spaces like a kitchen. I entered the door and found the common room empty, though I could vaguely hear laughter and voices coming from upstairs. The sofa was big enough, and I was tired and had no luggage. So, I didn’t bother to freshen up and simply lay down on the couch, fully clothed, and fell asleep. Oddly enough, I often suffered from insomnia at home and would frequently have nightmares when I did sleep. But I never expected to sleep so well in this unfamiliar place on an unfamiliar bed. I slept soundly, and when I woke up, it was already 6 AM. The upstairs was quiet, likely because no one had gotten up yet. I couldn’t sleep anymore, so I got up and poured myself a glass of water. As I turned around, I noticed a man sitting at the dining table by the door. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t immediately place where I had seen him before. When he saw me looking at him, he smiled and greeted me. “Hello, I’m Nicola. I’m the owner of this place.” “Ah, hello, I’m Amelia,” I said, nodding. He looked gentle, and the early morning sun shining on his face made his features appear softer. “Hello, Amelia. You haven’t checked in yet, right?” “Yes, when I arrived yesterday, the customer service said I could stay for the night and check in when the staff came in.” Nicola smiled. “The volunteers went out to play and haven’t come back yet, and I’m still in City A, not back yet.” “I’ll help you check in now,” he said. I nodded. “Okay.” After completing the check-in, I poured myself a cup of hot water and sat on the sofa, looking around. I hadn’t paid attention the night before, being so tired that I just collapsed into bed. There were a lot of things around, though it wasn’t messy—just a cozy and functional setup. In the corner of the living room, there were several suitcases scattered about. The dining table was large with many power strips, all plugged in and filled to the brim. “Nicola, why did you decide to open a hostel?” I asked, feeling curious. There was nothing to do at the moment, and since Nicola seemed free too, I decided to strike up a casual conversation. “I went backpacking when I was in school more than ten years ago, and back then, I stayed in hostels. As I grew older, I thought it would be nice to run a place like that, where I could welcome people like the younger me. So when I had some extra money, I opened this one here,” Nicola explained. He handed me a cup of freshly ground coffee. “Just made it. Try it.” I took the cup. “Thank you.” The coffee smelled amazing, and there was a sun-shaped pattern in the foam. It was clear Nicola was attentive and romantic. “Did you go out on business yesterday?” I asked, recalling that Nicola had said he was still in City A the day before. I found it strange—while this was a hostel, with no staff around, it felt a little too casual. “You and the staff weren’t here. Isn’t that too risky? What if something happens?” I asked. Nicola suddenly laughed. “I was working yesterday. Today is my day off, so I flew here.” “Working?” I must have looked like a deer caught in headlights. “You were working?” “Yep, working,” Nicola said with a grin, his eyes narrowing into slits. “I have my own job. This place is mostly run by volunteers. They don’t get paid, just get free accommodation in exchange.” He really was a genius. I thought to myself, balancing a full-time job and running a hostel, with volunteers as staff. This truly seemed like a no-risk, high-reward business. “Aren’t you worried something might go wrong?” I asked, taking a sip of the coffee. “If something goes wrong, we’ll just solve it. But it usually doesn’t get too out of hand,” Nicola said, leaning back against the sofa. “I only take guests under 30 here. Most people of that age choose to stay in hostels for three reasons.” “First, students on backpacking trips during holidays—generally, they’re pure-hearted and have no ill intentions. Second, people who’ve started working—those who stay here usually don’t like the monotony of life and want to meet new people and experience new things. They tend not to cause any problems. Lastly, people who are struggling with work and can’t afford a nice hotel, so they stay here temporarily while looking for a job. These people usually don’t have bad intentions because they’re all in the same boat. Sure, there are some who might try to take advantage, but that’s rare. If it does happen and it’s not caught in time, we just have to accept it.” Nicola spoke quickly and without hesitation, then took another sip of coffee. “We have to believe that there are more good people in the world than bad,” he added. I found myself lost in thought. Are there more good people in the world? Then what about the people around me?

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Before my mother passed away, she had wished for a grandchild. However, my wife, who disliked children, refused to have one. But when her beloved “Adeline” fell gravely ill and wanted a child to carry on his lineage, she changed her mind and decided to have a baby for him. My father-in-law was worried I might cause trouble. So, while I was volunteering in a remote countryside, he bribed a female student to falsely accuse me of misconduct. I was imprisoned and only cleared of the charges a year later. On the day my wife gave birth, my mother-in-law held her hand and reassured her: “Fiona, don’t worry. Your dad and Asher are just outside the delivery room. They won’t let him cause any trouble.” Even when the baby cried, I never appeared. My wife was pleased, thinking I had finally learned my lesson and wouldn’t make a fuss over Adeline anymore. She never understood—it’s just about leaving a child for Adeline—why couldn’t I just empathize with her? She thought generously that if I visited her in the hospital the next day, she might consider letting me be the child’s nominal father. But she didn’t know, I was completely disheartened. In ten days, I would be leaving as a volunteer teacher in a conflict zone, never intending to see her again in this life.

The day I filled out the volunteer teacher registration form was the very day Fiona Lin was discharged from the hospital. Bringing home my resignation paperwork, I witnessed their family of five in the living room, basking in joy. Fiona Lin was wearing a maternity dress, happily nestled in Asher Young’s arms. My mother-in-law fondly kissed the baby’s cheek: “Look, this child’s eyes are like Fiona’s, but the features resemble Asher. He’ll surely grow up to be a handsome young man.” My father-in-law beamed, smiling: “Yes, this child is destined for greatness. Luckily, he’s Asher’s child. If he were Ethan Quinn’s, he might have a hard life!” Hearing this, I couldn’t help but mock myself. There was a time when my father-in-law was proud of me being a teacher. During family visits, he often boasted about me. But now, everything changed. I became the target of his disdain, labeled as having a “hard life.” How ridiculous. Three years ago, when I volunteered to teach in a remote countryside, Fiona Lin, teary-eyed, said she was proud of me and would wait at home for my return. My in-laws were equally moved, praising me: “Ethan, you are the pride of Mom and Dad. We will wait for you to come back with Fiona!” When I first went, I struggled with the harsh conditions and climate, falling sick frequently, and nearly dying due to a lack of medication. But I pushed through, driven by the desire to return to my family. Until the third year of my teaching, a friend told me my wife was pregnant. “Ethan? Why didn’t you say you were coming back?” Asher Young spoke as if he were the head of the house, naturally blaming me. Fiona Lin and my in-laws turned to look at me. My father-in-law frowned, seeing my resignation papers, and reproached: “Fiona just gave birth and needs to recuperate. Raising a child requires money. You just got reinstated as a teacher, and you dare to quit?!” “Prison must have fried your brain! I must have been blind to let my daughter marry you!” Fiona Lin was also impatient, speaking coldly: “Ethan, you spent a year in jail, and the family is barely getting by! What about the child now that you don’t have a job?” Hearing this, I sneered: “Is this child mine? What does it have to do with me?” Fiona Lin’s face darkened, glaring at me: “Just because the child isn’t biologically yours, you won’t raise it? Ethan, you’re so selfish!” “Three years ago, I had a car accident. If not for Asher, I would’ve died! He has liver cancer now and is dying soon. I just wanted to give him a child to continue his bloodline. Are you really so petty and jealous?” Hearing this, mockery flashed in Asher Young’s eyes, but he feigned pitifully: “Ethan, the child will call you dad from a young age. Won’t it become your child when it grows up?” “If you’re upset because of me, I can leave. After all, I’m about to die. Just take care of my loved ones and child.” He said he would leave, but didn’t move an inch. Fiona Lin immediately held him back, her eyes full of pain: “Asher, where can you go? You don’t have much time left.” Not much time left? Diagnosed with liver cancer a year ago, yet still lively now. Is this what they call not having much time? It’s just an excuse from Fiona Lin! Fiona Lin looked at me coldly, speaking impatiently: “Ethan, if you behave and don’t cause trouble, you’ll still have a place in this family!” “In ten days, it’s the child’s one-month birthday banquet. Attend as the child’s father to avoid gossiping about our family, understand?!” Ten days from now is when I leave for overseas. Since that’s the case, I’ll give them a big gift before I go! I said nothing, turned, and went to my room.

I packed my luggage, but outside, endless laughter continued. “Asher, rest assured, I promise Ethan will only ever be the nominal father to the child. I won’t hide this from the child.” “The child will take the surname Young, not Quinn.” Hearing this, it felt like shards of glass tore through my heart, causing sharp pain. I remembered a year ago, during the New Year, when I filed a report to return from the mountains. Opening the door, I saw Asher Young. He frowned, asking who I was and who I was looking for in his house. As confusion about whether I had entered the wrong house set in, Fiona Lin walked out with a pregnant belly. Seeing me, her eyes showed no joy, only panic and helplessness. “Honey, aren’t you teaching in the mountains? Why did you suddenly come back?” Hearing this, Asher Young showed no panic but greeted me as if he were the host. “Ethan, I planned to hide it from you, but since you’re back, there’s no point.” “Let me introduce myself. I’m the biological father of the child in your wife’s belly…” He smiled as he spoke, but I couldn’t hear the rest. What did he say? Fiona Lin is pregnant with his child! Before my mother died, she longed for a grandchild. Fiona Lin coldly refused, citing her dislike for children. But now, she had an affair and conceived for this man! I lost my mind, tackling Asher Young, punching him repeatedly, venting my grievance and rage! At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to kill this shameless pair! Fiona Lin screamed, but with her pregnant belly, she dared not approach, so she called the police. The arriving officers restrained me. After understanding the situation, they awkwardly said it was a domestic issue for us to resolve. My in-laws rushed over, urging the police to arrest me for “disturbing the peace” to “cool me down.” They took Asher to the hospital with care, while the police took me away, leaving me with no home to return to, locked in a cold cell for seven days. I realized that this home no longer had a place for me. Everything about me was replaced by another. My DINK wife bore a child for him. My in-laws treated him as the perfect son-in-law. And I was nothing more than an obsolete object. Seven days later, Fiona Lin came reluctantly with her pregnant belly to pick me up. “Ethan, can you stop causing trouble? Asher is not in good health and is about to die. I just want to leave him a child before he goes.” “He’s willing to let his child call you dad, why can’t you learn from him and be more magnanimous?” Hearing this, I buried my head in darkness, my voice slightly hoarse: “Then why didn’t you want to have a child with me when my mother died?” Fiona Lin fell silent, but I already knew the answer. In that moment, I felt like a joke. I left the police station and didn’t follow Fiona Lin. After all, that was no longer my home. However, at that moment, the internet was flooded with news that my female student falsely accused me of defiling her, even producing surveillance of me leaving her house at night, but I was merely tutoring her out of kindness. Yet, no matter how I explained, it was all in vain. Everyone condemned me, the police took me, my in-laws cursed me, Fiona Lin said I was unfit to be her husband. I was jailed for a year, carrying a notorious reputation. It wasn’t until my lawyer found evidence proving the female student lied that I was exonerated, cleared of infamy, and reinstated. Fiona Lin walked in. “Ethan, at least you’re sensible. Pack up and sleep in the study. Asher and I still need to take care of the child at night.” “Asher… doesn’t have long to live. You don’t need to be jealous of a dying man. I just want him to be happy in his final days…” Fiona Lin wanted to explain more, but I didn’t want to listen. An affair is an affair. With a cold face, I took my luggage to the study. It was late; I’d find a hotel tomorrow. But just as I was about to fall asleep, indecent sounds came from the master bedroom next door. “Asher… a bit gentler, the house isn’t soundproof.” “Isn’t that better?” “Asher… he doesn’t have much time left. You don’t need to be upset over someone who’s dying. I just want him to enjoy his last days…” Fiona Lin tried to explain further, but I didn’t want to hear it. Cheating is cheating. With a cold expression, I took my luggage to the study. It was too late to find a hotel tonight; I would look for one tomorrow. Just as I was drifting off to sleep, inappropriate noises came from the master bedroom next door. “Asher… take it easy, the walls aren’t soundproof.” “Isn’t it more exciting that way?” “You’re incorrigible… I meant don’t wake the child.” So much for their happiness. Holding my wife and making sure I could hear everything—could they flaunt their joy any more? Fiona Lin, you truly are heartless.

The next day, before dawn, I took my luggage to the education bureau to finalize the paperwork. Unexpectedly, a staff member exclaimed: “Are you Teacher Ethan? It’s me, Peach! Are you… heading abroad to volunteer teach?” It turned out to be a former student who had joined the education bureau. We chatted, exchanged contact information, and I left after completing the paperwork. At the mall and supermarket, I was planning to buy gifts for children in the war zone when I unexpectedly ran into Fiona Lin with her family of five. “Ethan, what are you doing here? You’re not working as a supermarket clerk, are you?” Asher Young, looking sharp in a burgundy suit, chimed in. On hearing this, my father-in-law immediately scolded: “Ethan Quinn, have you lost your mind?” “If word gets out, you’ll disgrace the Lewis family again!” Fiona Lin, with a cold and impatient demeanor, reproached me: “I told you not to volunteer teach, but you didn’t listen! What good has it done you?” “You spent a year in jail for nothing, dragging us down with you. Now that your name is cleared, you’re not even taking your teaching job and instead working as a store clerk!” I couldn’t help but mock myself. Once, Fiona Lin said she admired people like me, ordinary yet noble. She was proud of me. But now, her tone was full of blame and disdain. Time can truly change a person, or maybe, it’s just that love is gone. My mother-in-law, holding a child, rolled her eyes at me: “When you go out, don’t say you know us. Just say you and Fiona are divorced.” “It’s embarrassing! Let’s go somewhere else, this is such bad luck.” Hearing this, Asher Young wore a mocking smile but pretended to hesitate: “Isn’t that bad? Ethan is earning money for my child’s baby formula.” “Let’s go, Asher. It’s his duty; otherwise, why would the child call him dad?” With that, Fiona Lin linked arms with Asher Young, surrounded by her parents, and left without looking back. Truly, they belong together. Since that’s the case, I’ll grant them their wish and divorce Fiona Lin! Before the one-month birthday banquet, I received a message from my lawyer. He learned from a female classmate that she was bribed by my father-in-law to slander me, asking if I wanted to sue or report it. My father-in-law paid to have me slandered and cyberbullied? I stared blankly at the message, feeling as if I had fallen into a dark hell. The insults and humiliation I suffered over the past year, and the more than three hundred days I spent in prison, were all thanks to my “beloved” father-in-law?! I clenched my fist involuntarily, wanting to rush to him and ask why he did this to me!! Just then, Fiona Lin’s family came over with the child. My father-in-law’s happy face turned dark the moment he saw me. “Ethan Quinn, you’re the child’s nominal father. It’s the child’s one-month party today. How can you be so indifferent?” “Dressing like this! Can’t you learn from Asher? You’re embarrassing us!” I stared at him, about to speak, but Asher Young immediately chimed in, dissatisfied: “Exactly! Ethan, have you been in prison so long that you’ve lost your sense of priority?! “My child’s one-month milestone, and you’re so casually dressed. Even if the child is mine, he still has to call you dad!” My mother-in-law also rolled her eyes, holding the child with a sarcastic tone: “He’s not a teacher anymore; he’s a junior store clerk. It’s normal he can’t afford good clothes.” Seeing this, Fiona Lin pulled me aside with a stern face. “Ethan Quinn, stay here, keep your head down, and don’t embarrass us.” “And after the banquet, quit that clerk job! Cry, beg, whatever, get back to teaching! Stop embarrassing me!” With that, she turned and left. Looking at their retreating figures, I was fuming with anger. They slandered me and got me imprisoned, and now they keep belittling me, wanting me to be a fool to raise their child?! Do they really think they have me cornered?! Well, I’ll give them an even bigger gift at the banquet later!

Not long after, the one-month banquet began, and the hall was filled with friends and family. “Ethan?! Ugh, how did this scumbag get out?!” “Probably here for the child, what a beast. Has a wife and child, yet violated a female student!” Those who didn’t know I was wrongfully accused recognized me and spat insults, keeping their distance. I remained expressionless, explaining nothing. Then, the staff brought in a large family photo, showing Fiona Lin and Asher Young’s family of five, but I was absent. Someone wondered, “Why isn’t Ethan Quinn in it? Who’s the guy holding his wife, is it her brother?” I smiled and responded: “That’s Fiona Lin’s husband. I’m her ex.” Hearing this, everyone around me was shocked. They whispered and spread the news throughout the hall. Sensing something was wrong, my in-laws pulled me aside, threatening: “The friends and family here don’t know you were wronged. If you keep causing trouble, don’t blame us for using this as an excuse to kick you out!” “If it weren’t for the Lewis family’s reputation, we wouldn’t let a loser like you be our grandson’s dad!” Fiona Lin also came over with a stern face: “Ethan Quinn, today is your child’s one-month party. You should know what to say and what not to say. If you speak out of line, don’t blame me for divorcing you!” I calmly nodded, assuring them I wouldn’t “cause trouble.” They let me go, and the family smiled as they went on stage. Fiona Lin took the microphone, happily saying: “Dear friends and family, welcome to my son’s one-month celebration. I believe the happiest moment in a woman’s life is marrying a good husband.” “And even happier, having a child with that husband. Because when the child appears in the world, it represents happiness becoming tangible!” She spoke passionately, occasionally gazing lovingly at Asher Young. But when her eyes landed on me, her warmth vanished instantly. Seeing this, I smiled and walked on stage, her expression changed, and she whispered cautiously: “Ethan Quinn, what are you doing?” “Today is the child’s one-month party. As your ‘husband,’ I naturally have something to say.” Fiona Lin frowned, but under the watchful eyes of all, she could only grit her teeth and warn me softly: “If you dare speak out of line, don’t blame me for never letting it go!” Not only was Fiona Lin’s face full of panic, but Asher Young and her parents were also wary. I even saw my father-in-law clench his fist, ready to stop me if I said anything wrong. I smiled faintly, reassuring them I wouldn’t speak out of line. “First, as the child’s ‘father’ and Fiona Lin’s ‘husband,’ I thank all the friends and family for coming from afar to celebrate the child’s one-month.” Seeing me so docile, Fiona Lin’s eyes flashed with joy, and she breathed a sigh of relief. But Asher Young and my in-laws showed a hint of disdain and mockery. Seeing this, I immediately changed my tone: “But I must tell everyone the truth about the child! This child isn’t mine! It’s the child of Fiona Lin and this man, Asher Young!” Hearing this, the faces of all the friends and family changed, especially those on my side, who angrily slammed the table. Seeing this, Fiona Lin immediately came to grab my microphone, Asher Young, and my in-laws frantically tried to control me. I dodged them and continued: “Fiona Lin not only had a child with someone else, but she also wanted me to claim this child and raise it for them! This is outrageous!” “As a husband, I refuse to take the blame! As a teacher, I refuse to lie and cover up!” “From today, Fiona Lin, I want a divorce!” With that, I voluntarily dropped the microphone, slamming down a divorce agreement in front of everyone. Fiona Lin quickly picked up the microphone, her eyes red with tears as she cried out to everyone: “Ethan Quinn! What nonsense are you talking about! It’s not like you said!” I sidestepped their attempts to interrupt and continued speaking: “Fiona Lin didn’t just have a child with someone else; now she wants me to accept and raise this child. It’s absolutely preposterous!” “As a husband, I won’t take the fall for their actions! And as a teacher, I refuse to lie and cover for them!” “From today onwards, Fiona Lin, I want a divorce!” With that, I set down the microphone and presented a divorce agreement on the table for all to see. Fiona Lin quickly picked up the microphone, tears brimming in her eyes as she cried out to everyone: “Ethan Quinn! What are you saying? That’s not true at all!” My father-in-law, furious, grabbed my shirt and slammed me onto the table, shouting: “You little scoundrel, I knew you had bad intentions!” “Friends and family, don’t believe him! He’s lying! Watch me deal with this deceitful scum who even preys on his female students!” He grabbed a bottle of liquor, ready to smash it over my head! Just then, the doors burst open, and a group of police officers rushed in! “Stop!” Seeing the police, my father-in-law was momentarily stunned but then laughed heartily: “Ethan Quinn! You’ve done wrong for so long, and now it’s catching up to you! Look, the police have come to arrest you!” “Officer, quickly take this criminal away!” My mother-in-law had a grim expression as well. “Ethan Quinn, this is your comeuppance! The law won’t let any wrongdoer go unpunished! This proves that Asher Young is the better son-in-law for us!” Hearing this, I smirked, “Oh really? Are you sure the police are here for me?” The next moment, the police approached and presented an arrest warrant, but the suspect’s name wasn’t mine. “Gideon Lin! You’re suspected of false accusations and framing! Please come with us for questioning!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295441”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #重生Reborn #魔幻Magic #校园School #擦边Steamy