On Mother’s Day, my husband, who is the chief designer of extreme sports projects, was celebrating the completion of a new venture. His childhood friend, Emily, suggested I try the newly opened extreme zip line across the canyon to “bless the project with good fortune.” Being nine months pregnant, I firmly declined for the safety of our child, but Emily only laughed.
“The new project is exceptionally safe. As Ethan’s wife, you should support his career. If you refuse, aren’t you undermining him?” Ethan, shockingly, agreed with her and dismissed my fears and pleas.
“The whole project is my design—it’s absolutely safe. Think of it as a unique prenatal experience for our ‘child.’” The stress from the extreme activity caused me to bleed. Emily dismissively remarked that I was merely on my period and at my age, it was disgraceful. While I hung suspended in agony, he was in the control room laughing and chatting with Emily. Eventually, I lost the child, and he lost his mind.
“I’m sorry, ma’am!” the waiter said, flustered.
“It’s okay,” I forced a smile, but when I looked up, Ethan was frowning at me. He was holding Emily at “Emily Canyon,” engaging with a group of investors. He turned and scolded me.
“Sophie, can’t you be more careful?”
I opened my mouth but couldn’t muster a response. Emily took Ethan’s arm and handed me a tissue with her other hand.
“Don’t worry, sister-in-law.”
“Today is a big day for ‘Emily Canyon.’ Ethan has a surprise planned for you!”
“What kind of surprise?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly with tension.
Emily led me to the viewing platform, pointing to the silver cable stretched above the canyon.
“Ethan said, as the founder’s wife, you should be the first to experience our flagship project, the extreme zip line, to bring good fortune to it.”
I instinctively withdrew my hand, staring at Ethan in disbelief. “Are you crazy? I’m nine months pregnant!”
He frowned, his gaze shifting nervously between me and the investors. “Sophie, don’t make a scene.”
“The doctor advised against any high-risk activities!” My voice quivered with fear.
“Are you saying you don’t trust our safety measures?” Emily’s voice suddenly took on an emotional tone, “Or do you think the project named after me is cursed?”
Ethan’s expression darkened, his fingers clenched into a fist. “Sophie, don’t ruin this.”
“I’m not unsupportive,” I explained desperately, “but you know my situation…”
“Today is Mother’s Day. Isn’t it the perfect time to experience motherhood? Emily means well,” he smiled.
He wasn’t talking about our unborn child, but about “Emily Canyon.”
“No, I won’t take that risk!” I instinctively stepped back.
Ethan’s smile vanished as he grabbed my wrist.
“Sophie, don’t make me look bad.” He lowered his voice, threatening.
“Are you insane? This is our child!” I struggled to pull away.
He pulled me closer, whispering in my ear, “If you keep this up, I’ll make you regret it later.”
Emily gently pushed me from behind. “Don’t be afraid, sister-in-law. I’ll ensure the staff gives you the safest double protection.”
Her hand pressed lightly against my waist.
I was half-dragged, half-carried to the zip line platform.
Tears blurred my vision as the staff approached to strap me into safety gear.
“Ethan, please don’t do this to me…” My voice choked.
He just looked at me coldly. “Stop pretending. It’s all for work.”
Emily smiled sweetly beside me. “Sister-in-law, you’re so brave. You’ll bring good fortune to our project.”
My legs shook.
The sound of the safety belt locking felt like a countdown to disaster.
I looked down at my swollen belly, overwhelmed with unprecedented fear and despair.
“I’ve carried this child for nine months, I’m about to give birth… Please don’t…”
Ethan turned and walked to the control room without a glance back.
Emily whispered in my ear, “Don’t worry, sister-in-law, you’ll be free soon.”
The staff secured me at the zip line’s starting point, the tightening belt pressed painfully against my belly, making it hard to breathe.
My hands and feet were cold, trembling almost uncontrollably.
“Ethan, please, don’t do this. Think of our child…”
I tried one last time, my voice barely audible through the tears.
“Xixi is still so small, he can feel my fear, it will harm him.”
I gently rubbed my high belly, hoping the name Xixi would awaken some sense of fatherly responsibility in him.
Ethan frowned.
“Don’t use the child as an excuse.”
“Think of it as a special prenatal lesson for ‘Xixi,’ letting him feel the thrill of the world early.”
My heart constricted painfully; this man was a stranger now, and my last hope crumbled.
Emily came over, her smile sweet as she adjusted my clothes.
“Sister-in-law, don’t be afraid. We’re all here watching.”
“Enjoy this ‘special’ love.”
A wave of dizziness hit me, and a dull ache began in my stomach, a foreboding sense rising within me.
Ethan impatiently checked his watch, loudly ordering the staff.
“Hurry up, don’t waste time. The investors are waiting for the demonstration!”
Emily stood next to me, “accidentally” bumping my pocket.
The bottle of prenatal medication I carried fell, the white pills scattering everywhere.
“No!”
Ethan heard the noise but only shot me a cold glare.
“What’s all this fuss now?”
His tone was full of irritation.
“The medicine… my prenatal medication…” My voice trembled, pointing to the ground.
“Don’t worry, sister-in-law, I’ll help you pick it up.”
Emily pretended to squat down but deliberately kicked the bottle further away.
It rolled to the platform’s edge, precariously close to falling off.
“Oh, sorry.”
She leaned close to my ear, ensuring only I could hear.
“Sister-in-law, these are useless now.”
Suddenly, a sharp pain twisted in my belly.
“Ethan, my stomach hurts, something’s wrong, we need to go to the hospital…”
Ethan waved dismissively.
“Stop pretending, it’s always the same. Do you think I’m stupid?”
He didn’t believe me at all, turning to comfort Emily with a smile.
“Ignore her, she’s just being dramatic.”
Emily nodded with feigned grievance, her hand subtly supporting Ethan’s arm.
The staff smirked, continuing to adjust the equipment, ignoring my cries for help.
The investors watched as if it were a show; no one spoke up for me.
I watched Ethan’s back, the man who once said he would give up everything for me.
The man who proposed to me that night, swearing to give me the world.
Somewhere along the way, his eyes no longer held room for me or our child.
Ironically, our child is named Xixi, while the project is called “Emily Canyon.”
Even the names are so similar, yet he carelessly divided them between two different “children.”
The staff signaled to Ethan that everything was ready.
Ethan nodded and walked to the control room.
Emily waved at me cheerfully, as if bidding farewell.
“Sister-in-law, enjoy yourself. Ethan and I will watch you from the control room.”
The timer started counting down, and my fear reached its peak.
“Ten, nine, eight…”
I closed my eyes, the pain in my belly growing more intense.
“Three, two, one!”
The zip line launched, propelling me into the void above the canyon.
As the weightlessness hit, a warm sensation flowed down my leg.
I looked down to see a streak of red staining my dress.
As I sped through the air, I clutched my belly, tears whipped away by the wind.
“Help! My child!” I screamed, my voice torn by the wind.
A searing pain tore through my abdomen, and I was horrified to feel a warm flow between my legs.
Looking down, my white dress was stained with shocking red.
My water had broken.
Suspended mid-air, I continued flying at high speed, the violent jostling making it hard to breathe.
Through teary eyes, I saw Emily nestled in Ethan’s arms in the control room.
They watched the screen showing my struggle, Emily whispering something.
Ethan actually smiled, raising a champagne glass with the investors.
My voice screamed hoarsely, “Ethan! Save the child!”
No one responded.
The blood flowed more, dizziness sweeping over me.
Below, tourists gathered, some pointing, noticing something wrong.
My mind began to blur, the pain in my abdomen like a thousand arrows.
The zip line slowly reached the end, I had no strength to move.
But no one came to receive me.
The zip line automatically returned, dragging me back to the start, pushing me into the air again.
Second round.
My blood fell mid-air like red raindrops.
In the control room, Emily feigned surprise, “Oh, is sister-in-law on her period?”
Ethan frowned, disgusted, “So careless at this age, so dirty.”
Saying that, he held Emily’s waist, leaving with the investors.
They went to celebrate the successful launch of “Emily Canyon.”
I wasn’t discovered by the staff until the ninety-ninth round.
“Awake?” A nurse, a stranger, approached the bed cautiously.
Her eyes avoided mine, not daring to look directly.
I knew.
“The child wasn’t saved,” the doctor entered, his voice low.
“It was a boy, fully formed, but…”
“I don’t want to hear the details,” I interrupted him.
Ethan frowned in disgust and commented, “A grown adult should know better; that’s just messy.” With that, he wrapped his arm around Emily’s waist and left the control room with the investors, heading off to celebrate the successful launch of “Emily Canyon.” I wasn’t found by the staff until the ninety-ninth lap.
4
“You’re awake?” a nurse approached the hospital bed cautiously, avoiding eye contact. I understood. “The baby didn’t survive,” the doctor entered with a somber tone. “It was a boy, fully developed, but…” “I don’t want to hear the details,” I interrupted, my voice eerily calm, even to myself. “About the body…” the doctor hesitated. “Just take care of it,” I said. He paused, “And your husband…” “I said, take care of it.” “Alright, I’ll need you to sign this.” He handed me a document. My hand was steady as I signed.
“Sophie!” Ethan burst through the door, eyes red. I turned my head to look at him silently. “How could this happen?” His voice shook, “Weren’t you always healthy?” I didn’t answer. “Did you never want this child?” he suddenly raised his voice. I felt numb. “Sophie, say something!” He paced anxiously. Emily followed closely, her eyes red and swollen, as if she’d been crying. “Sister-in-law, I’m so sorry…” she choked. “It’s all my fault for suggesting the zip line. I never imagined this would happen…” Her tears fell, quite the performance. “Ethan, I feel so guilty…” she collapsed into Ethan’s arms. He instinctively held her, then quickly let go, realizing it was inappropriate. “Sophie, don’t be like this,” Ethan approached the bedside, “We can have another child. The important thing is not to damage the company’s image.” I finally looked at him. “Ethan,” my voice was hoarse, “You killed your own child.” His face turned pale. “What nonsense is this?” I slowly pulled a USB drive from under the pillow. “This contains the entire zip line footage, including what you did in the control room.” Ethan’s expression changed, “What footage?” “Did you forget? Every corner of ‘Emily Canyon’ is monitored, including the control room.” Seeing his panic-stricken eyes, I felt a small sense of satisfaction for the first time. “You claimed to want the best for me and the baby, naming the canyon after your lover, while our child was named Xixi.” “You let a woman nine months pregnant go on an extreme zip line. When my water broke and I was bleeding uncontrollably, you were in the control room celebrating with champagne.” Ethan’s face turned ashen, “You’re defaming me!” Emily backed away in panic, “Sister-in-law, you can’t do this…” I took a document from the bedside table and threw it at Ethan with all my strength. “Before you worry about the company’s image, take a look at this!”
Ethan impatiently bent down to pick it up, his expression shifting from disdain to shock in just three seconds. “What is this?” “We’ve been married for three years with no children.”
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The day I learned I was terminally ill with stomach cancer, Kieran was in Paris attending a ballet with his old flame, Nadia.
Three years ago, he promised me with a ring, “We’ll face everything together.” Now, he’s oblivious to the fact that I’ll be gone in three months.
Or maybe he’s not so unaware.
Just last night, he broke into my lab, stole the core data for the anti-cancer drug, and called Nadia with glee: “We’ll own all the patents soon.”
“And then, I’ll ensure she’s out of the picture.”
At the Charity Gala, I confronted Nadia and demanded the data back. Kieran tightened his grip on my chin and warned, “Don’t push me.”
After I fainted, I called my lawyer: “I want to amend my will—all my assets, donate to the Cancer Center.”
And I sent the FBI the surveillance footage: him stealing sensitive data and poisoning me.
If I can’t survive, I’ll make sure these two scoundrels pay for it behind bars.
The word “terminal” on the diagnosis hit me like a dagger to the heart.
The doctor’s words faded into a blur, leaving only “three months” clearly imprinted in my mind.
I wiped the blood from my mouth mechanically. My phone buzzed.
It was a message from Kieran: “There’s an international conference tonight, don’t wait up.”
His assistant’s text followed: “Mr. Kieran has arrived at the Paris Opera House with Miss Nadia.”
In the photo, he was gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
The scent of Edelweiss Perfume suddenly filled the air.
I turned sharply to see his black suit jacket casually draped over the sofa.
It still carried that faint scent—the exclusive perfume, with only a hundred bottles in existence.
How absurd. For our anniversary last month, he gifted me a sample of the very same perfume.
He said, “You rarely use perfume, try this sample.”
In retrospect, it feels like a mockery. Is this how he dismisses me?
A sharp pain twisted in my stomach. I staggered to the bathroom, vomiting blood mixed with bile.
When I looked up, my reflection was ghastly pale, with blood still lingering at the corners of my mouth.
Apollo was crouched at the door, his amber eyes silently watching me.
He was a birthday gift from Kieran last year, meant to keep me company when he was away.
Now I realize, it was just to make his absences more convenient.
I petted the scar behind its ear—a mark from protecting its previous owner in an accident.
Even a dog knows loyalty, what about people?
The phone buzzed again.
It was an encrypted file from the private investigator. After decompressing it, a surveillance video appeared.
Late last night, Kieran broke into my lab, used my access to log into the system, and copied the core data of the anti-cancer drug onto a USB drive.
The video froze on him saying into the phone: “Nadia, we’ll soon have all the patents.”
“And then, I’ll ensure she’s out of the picture.”
A flash of lightning outside illuminated our wedding photo on the bedside table.
Once, he knelt and told me, “Meeting you was the luckiest thing in my life.”
Thunder roared, I wiped the mirror clean of blood splatters, and suddenly I laughed.
“Alright,” I whispered to the void, “let’s see who falls in the end.”
Apollo’s claws scratched the floor noisily as I followed him into the study, discovering the safe door ajar.
The microchip backup card, supposed to be locked inside, lay on the ground with a blurred fingerprint on its edge.
I inserted it into the computer with trembling hands. The system immediately flashed a red warning: [Microchip data anomaly, last modified: yesterday 23:47].
He was supposed to be on a flight to Paris then.
A metallic taste churned in my stomach, and I forced it down.
A new email notification suddenly popped up, a compressed package from the private investigator.
After unpacking, the photos showed him with Nadia in the corridor of a private hospital. The date was the same afternoon I first fainted from stomach pain.
The electronic screen in the photo corner showed a 14:30 timestamp, piercing my eyes.
That day he claimed to be in a board meeting, yet he appeared at a private hospital fifteen kilometers away.
Apollo suddenly perked up his ears, growling towards downstairs.
The garage engine roared to life, earlier than expected by two whole days.
I quickly deleted the records, just as the study door opened.
“Why is it dark in here?”
His voice was cold.
The scent of Edelweiss Perfume grew stronger as he approached. I pretended to tidy the desk, avoiding his reaching hand: “Project finished early?”
“Yeah.”
He loosened his tie, a red mark faintly visible on his neck.
“You don’t look well.”
My nails dug into my palm as I suddenly burst into laughter: “Maybe it’s the stomach acting up again.”
His gaze swept over the computer, lingering on my tightly gripped right hand: “How’s the lab lately?”
“Same as always.”
I turned to the medicine cabinet, swallowing two stomach pills with my back to him.
“The phase three clinical data of the new drug looks promising.”
The air hung still for a few seconds.
Apollo nestled at my feet, his tail brushing my ankle.
“There’s a charity gala tomorrow,” he suddenly said, “you don’t have to go if you’re not feeling well.”
My grip on the medicine bottle tightened.
The detective had just informed me this morning that Nadia would be attending the gala as a special guest.
“Alright.”
I heard myself agree obediently.
He visibly relaxed, bending down to pat Apollo, who evaded him.
The dog bared its teeth, a low growl rumbling in its throat.
“What’s wrong with this beast lately?”
He frowned.
“Maybe it’s in heat.”
I crouched down, hugging Apollo, and discreetly slipped the microchip card into the collar’s pocket.
“I’m taking it to the vet clinic tomorrow.”
As he turned towards the bathroom, I caught a glimpse of the USB drive peeking from his suit’s inner pocket—it was the encryption model from my lab.
The bathroom’s glass door reflected his blurred figure. I gently stroked Apollo’s ears: “Tomorrow, we’ll buy a dress.”
The dog looked up at me, its wet nose nudging my palm.
The next day, the Charity Gala.
I stood in the corner of the banquet hall, watching Nadia enter on his arm.
Her snow-white gown swept the carpet, the “Starry” brooch on her chest gleaming under the lights—an item I had personally designed, which he claimed was for an important client.
Apollo suddenly stirred in the bag; I gently pressed it down.
“Hold on,” I sipped the red wine, “the show is just starting.”
As they approached, I clearly saw his pupils contract in an instant.
“Eloise?”
He released Nadia’s arm.
“I thought you weren’t coming.”
I waved the invitation: “Mr. Johnson sent it personally.”
I turned to the woman beside him: “And you are?”
Nadia extended her hand first: “Nadia, I’ve heard about you, Mrs. Kieran.”
“Mr. Kieran often mentions you.”
I stared at the initials engraved inside her brooch—our names’ initials.
The red wine swirled in the glass, and I suddenly raised my hand, splashing the entire glass onto her face.
The dark red liquid dripped down her exquisite makeup, dimming the sapphire on the brooch.
The room fell silent, all eyes on us.
“Are you out of your mind?”
He gripped my wrist.
I shook off his hand and pulled out the photos from my clutch, tossing them onto the champagne tower.
The surveillance screenshots showed them kissing in my lab, with him holding the encrypted USB drive.
“Your data-stealing skills,” I whispered in Nadia’s ear, “are far worse than your man-stealing tactics.”
She staggered back, knocking over the champagne tower. Amidst the shattering glass, I turned to leave.
He shouted my name angrily behind me, but I didn’t look back.
Apollo emerged from the bag, holding my coat at the door.
As I got into the car, my phone buzzed with a message from the lawyer: [The funds have been traced; all $38 million Mr. Kieran transferred went into Nadia’s overseas account.]
I drove straight to the suburban laboratory.
As I unlocked it with my fingerprint, the system suddenly alerted: [Warning! Core data has been copied].
The surveillance footage showed that last night he brought Nadia here, using my access to copy all research files.
The screen’s blue light reflected my pale face.
I pulled up the hidden folder, activating the blockchain backup program.
The system prompted: [Scheduled release program activated, auto-upload in 72 hours].
Apollo suddenly barked loudly.
Footsteps approached the back door; I quickly pulled out the USB drive and slipped it into his collar.
“So you are here.”
He pushed the door open, his suit stained with wine from the gala.
“Hand over the original data.”
I leaned against the console, smiling: “What, stealing the backup wasn’t enough?”
He grabbed my chin: “Don’t push me.”
Sharp pain stabbed my stomach as I struggled to open the phone.
The screen displayed the live gala surveillance—Detective questioning Nadia, the brooch on her chest taken as evidence.
“Do you know what’s hidden in the brooch?”
I coughed up blood.
“The data you stole is fake; the real research is hidden in the gem’s clasp.”
His face turned ashen instantly.
The sirens wailed from afar, drawing near. I wiped the blood from my mouth: “Now, she’s accused of stealing sensitive information.”
Apollo charged towards the door.
When Detective burst in, I collapsed softly, my last consciousness hearing him roar: “Eloise! You set me up!”
Before darkness fell, I patted Apollo’s head.
The USB drive in the collar was warm and steady against its skin.
I opened my eyes to find myself in a hospital, receiving an IV.
The sky outside had darkened.
“You only stole fake data. The real research results have been safely hidden away for a long time.”
His face went ashen.
Outside, the sirens grew louder. I wiped the blood from my mouth.
“Now, she’s under suspicion for stealing national secrets.”
Apollo suddenly sprang toward the door.
The Detective burst in just as I collapsed, my last conscious thought catching his angry shout:
“Eloise! You set me up!”
Before blacking out, I reached out to touch Apollo’s head.
The USB drive in his collar was warm and secure against his skin.
I opened my eyes to find myself in a hospital, hooked up to an IV.
It was dark outside.
Apollo leaped off the chair, his wet nose nudging my fingers.
I tried to move, but a sharp pain shot through my stomach.
“Stay still.”
Dr. Beckett held my shoulder.
“The gastric hemorrhage was severe. If you had arrived half an hour later, it would have been critical.”
I opened my mouth, but my throat was too dry to make a sound.
Dr. Beckett sighed and handed me a smartphone:
“While you were unconscious, he kept holding this at the emergency room door.”
The screen showed unread messages:
[Nadia taken by FBI for investigation]
[Wen Corporation suspected of industrial espionage, stock plummets].
At the bottom was a notification that the encrypted file transfer was complete—the data from the USB drive in Apollo’s collar had automatically uploaded to cloud storage.
The hospital room door suddenly opened.
Kieran stood there, his suit wrinkled and eyes bloodshot.
“You planned this all along.”
His voice was frightfully hoarse.
“When did it start?”
I gestured for Dr. Beckett to leave and slowly sat up.
“From the first time you logged into her email on my computer.”
His pupils contracted sharply.
Three months ago, late at night, I caught him secretly checking my research emails on cancer drugs and forwarding them to an unknown account.
Back then, I naively thought he was just worried about my health.
“That data was fake.”
I coughed, the metallic taste of blood spreading in my mouth.
“I had already secured a military patent for the real formula.”
His smartphone suddenly rang.
After he answered, the lawyer’s panicked voice came through clearly in the quiet room:
“Mr. Johnson, Swiss Bank just froze all your overseas accounts!”
I watched him stagger back against the wall, my mind flashing back to the day he proposed.
He was so nervous he knocked over the coffee, yet he stubbornly knelt on one knee among the shards, asking me to marry him.
“Why?”
He clenched his fists.
“Just because I fell in love with someone else?”
“No.”
I pulled out the needle, blood droplets rolling from the pinhole.
“Because the cancer drug formula you stole was meant to save my dad’s life.”
His face went ashen.
Five years ago, my dad’s stomach cancer surgery failed due to the lack of a crucial drug.
I never told anyone about this secret.
Apollo suddenly barked wildly at the door.
Two officers walked in, flashing an arrest warrant.
“Mr. Johnson, you’re under investigation for industrial espionage and attempted murder.”
As he was taken away, he looked back at me with an expression that was a mix of emotions, impossible to decipher.
I lifted my smartphone to show him the last photo—
Me, unconscious on the hospital bed, with a hint of blue sediment in the IV tube.
“Remember that glass of water you gave me last night?”
I said softly.
“What a coincidence, the lab surveillance captured it perfectly.”
The sunset outside was as red as blood. I petted Apollo’s head, watching the police cars speed away.
The smartphone vibrated, and a new message popped up:
[Mrs. Wen, the ultrasound shows you’re 8 weeks pregnant].
I stared at the blurry little dot in the ultrasound photo, suddenly laughing through tears.
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After my family went bankrupt, I started delivering food to make ends meet. I never expected to run into my lifelong rival while delivering to his house. To embarrass me, he said, “Kiss me, and I’ll give you 100,000 yuan.”
Without hesitation, I grabbed his collar and kissed him hard. “How could you change like this for money?” he blushed, covering his mouth as if he were a vulnerable spouse. I pushed him down and kissed him again before leaving with the check he’d signed, leaving him stunned on the couch with a red face and clear teeth marks.
Walking through the familiar villa area in my delivery uniform, I was filled with a mix of emotions. I knew this place so well I could find the door to 65-3 with my eyes closed, but now there was a big foreclosure notice on it. I glanced at it silently, then turned to the neighboring villa, took a deep breath, and rang the doorbell.
“Hello, your delivery is here.” I used the professional tone I had practiced over the past few days. “Oh, Adeline, how did the Lin family’s eldest daughter end up doing this?” The person who opened the door was my childhood rival, Finn, whom I had bullied since we were kids.
“Well, Finn, the eldest son of the Aiden family, why do you have to pick up your delivery yourself?” I regretted taking this order just for the high delivery fee. I snatched it up when I saw the 200 yuan fee, but only realized afterward that it was in the suburbs, dozens of kilometers from the city, where I used to live. I even had to change my electric scooter’s battery on the way here.
“Hmph, even now you’re down and out, your mouth is still so sharp.” I didn’t want to engage with him, so I dropped off his expensive custom-made suit and turned to mark the delivery as complete. “Did I say you could leave? Did I confirm I received everything correctly? You know this is expensive, right? If anything happens to it, you couldn’t afford to compensate even if you delivered for a year. Aren’t you afraid I’ll complain about you?”
Finn grabbed my hand, unwilling to let me go easily. “Mr. Aiden, your items have been delivered. Is there anything else? If not, could you please give a five-star rating? Thank you.” “A five-star rating? Does your attitude deserve a five-star rating?”
“Sir, it’s fine if you don’t rate me well. Just please let go so I can make my next delivery. I’m running late.” Finn held my arm tightly, and I couldn’t break free. Reluctantly, I softened my tone, eager to escape. After all, I’d already wasted a lot of time on his delivery today. “And if I don’t let go?” Finn tightened his grip, glaring at me.
I sighed and asked patiently, “What will it take for you to let me go?” “How about this: if you’re so short on money, kiss me, and I’ll give you 100,000 yuan.” He smiled smugly, expecting his words to provoke me. Unfortunately for him, he was wrong.
I grabbed his collar with my free hand, pulled him close, and kissed him hard, even biting him in retaliation. His expression changed from superiority to panic. “How could you change like this for money?” His face turned beet red as he covered his mouth, looking vulnerable.
I ignored his question, knocked him to the ground, and kissed him all over, satisfied as I got up. “That’s 10 kisses, 1 million yuan. Will you pay by transfer or check?” I shamelessly asked for my money. Finn, doubting his life choices, mechanically took out his checkbook. I filled in the amount, had him sign it, and left with the check, leaving him disheveled on the couch.
I shook my sweat-soaked hair, put on my helmet, mounted my electric scooter, and continued taking orders. After all, 1 million yuan wasn’t nearly enough.
Three months ago, I was still a wealthy girl, returning home with a prestigious degree from abroad to the villa that is now long gone. I thought taking over my father’s business empire and making it bigger and better would be my goal. But upon returning, I learned my father’s company had gone bankrupt.
To pay off debts, my father sold all our properties, including the villa I used to live in. Our family went from wealthy to penniless overnight, still owing lots of debt. Because my father’s reputation plummeted in the industry, it was hard for either of us to find respectable jobs.
I, who was always proud, couldn’t accept being trampled on by the rich kids who had always been beneath me. The disparity in status hit me hard until I saw my parents doing odd jobs to repay the debt. I finally put my worthless pride aside. After all, staying alive was more important than being respected.
But I didn’t completely give up. Even though I had a degree in finance from abroad, I refused to enter the business world where my father once fought, unwilling to work for those who wouldn’t lend a hand when he struggled. Out of options, I started delivering food.
The once pampered young lady who never did manual work now climbed stairs and carried heavy loads for extra delivery fees. I went from a well-maintained, fair-skinned girl to someone who couldn’t stop getting tanned, even with a mask on.
Many things had changed, including my old life. Finn’s order was the biggest I had received since starting food delivery. I thought it was fortune smiling on a fallen phoenix like me, but the order was left unclaimed because, to experienced couriers, it wasn’t worth as much as delivering five closer orders.
I only figured this out later. When I returned to the familiar wealthy neighborhood, my status no longer matched. The security guards who had once nodded and bowed to me now waved me off in disgust, demanding I register before entering. Worse, I needed the owner’s permission to deliver.
That’s how I ended up calling Finn. We never got along, and since childhood, we never spoke kindly to each other. When he saw my name on the caller ID, he instinctively answered with sarcasm. “Adeline, are you finally coming to beg me?”
In the past, I would’ve snapped back and started a fight. But now, he was my VIP customer. One bad review from him, and I’d lose the hefty delivery fee for traveling so far. “Hello, ExtremeSwagMaster, I’m your delivery person. Could you let the security know to let me in?”
When I called, I realized that ExtremeSwagMaster was Finn, who grew up with me. I thought my ties with him ended when my family fell from grace. Little did I know I’d return to this villa area within days of delivering food.
And the order was Finn’s. I tried to keep my voice calm, waiting for his permission. It wasn’t that I felt ashamed. But wearing a delivery uniform, helmet, and being as tanned as I was, facing my childhood rival gave me a sense of unease.
Moreover, Finn’s chosen name was more ridiculous than mine. This reunion was surprising for both of us. He took a while to let me deliver the order, even coming out to meet me, allowing me to earn 1 million yuan.
He thought his joke would humiliate me, but for me now, only a fool wouldn’t take the money. This 1 million yuan is just a drop in the bucket for my family’s debts. I didn’t plan to accept this fortune comfortably. Owing Finn money is better than owing strangers.
I thought of writing Finn an IOU if I had the chance. Even if I delivered food forever, I’d find a way to repay him. I didn’t expect our next meeting to come so soon.
Because of Finn, it took me over an hour to return to the city. Apart from the 1 million yuan and high delivery fee, I made nothing today. After the dinner rush, I ended my workday and rode my little scooter home.
By the time I got back, my parents had already eaten, leaving my portion in a simple dish to keep warm. To save electricity, they only had one lamp on and were doing handicrafts together.
During the day, my mom worked as a waitress, and my dad drove for a ride-sharing service. At night, they did crafts, planning to sell them at a stall once they had enough. This high-intensity life barely covered the rent for our shabby place, our daily expenses, and the monthly loan shark payments.
I greeted them softly and sat down to eat. Mom had made bean sprouts and tomato tofu, and the plate was still half full. No matter how tough things got, they always tried to give me the best. I quickly finished my meal and went to join them.
Such an intense lifestyle barely managed to cover the rent for this rundown house, our daily expenses, and the monthly visits from the loan shark.
I greeted them softly and sat down at the dining table to eat alone.
Today, Mom made stir-fried bean sprouts and tomato tofu. More than half was still left on the plate. No matter how tough life was, they always tried to give me the best.
I quickly ate up the food and walked over to them.
This was one of the few happy moments for our family of three since moving into this shabby house.
I took out the 1 million check I got from Finn and gently placed it in front of Dad.
Seeing the number, Dad’s eyes filled with panic as he grabbed my hand.
“Tell me honestly, where did this money come from? Please don’t do anything foolish, Adeline. We can repay the money slowly. Don’t let this ruin your life!”
Dad’s hand trembled with anxiety and worry. His eyes, once bright and confident, had become dim and cloudy, with tears barely held back.
“Dad, don’t overthink it. I delivered food to Finn’s house today, and he gave this to me.”
I left out the more delicate details about the 1 million when explaining it to Dad.
“Alright, alright, as long as you’re okay.”
Dad sat back down on the bench, trembling as he picked up the 1 million check again, letting out another sigh.
“Finn has a good heart. Ever since our family had troubles, those so-called old friends of mine have avoided me completely. They even let you down. With your high education, you couldn’t even find a decent job. I’m sorry, my child.”
I quickly stopped Dad from continuing.
“Alright, Dad. Just think about how you plan to use this 1 million. I need to rest now.”
I believed that in the hands of someone who once built such a powerful business empire, this money would be put to good use.
I went to the less than 3-square-meter bathroom to wash away the day’s dirt and fatigue. I threw my yellow vest into the washing machine and took out a new one.
Even though life had taken away my comforts, I still hoped to find solace in small details.
I soon fell into a dreamless sleep, worrying about how to repay Finn. Little did I know that Finn’s troubles were not that simple.
The next morning, to catch the breakfast delivery rush, I left early with a piece of bread in my mouth.
I skillfully hopped on my electric scooter, opened the delivery app, quickly snagged a few orders I could handle, and rushed to pick up the food.
So when Finn’s call appeared on my phone again, I hesitated.
I didn’t know how to face someone I grew up with, especially after impulsively taking his 1 million. This call might be his way of addressing the situation. But the money was taken, and there was no way to avoid the matter.
Finn’s persistent calls severely affected my delivery speed. I decided to just block him.
But I underestimated Finn’s determination to find me.
He placed countless errand orders on the delivery platform, each offering a 1000 delivery fee. His only requirement was for the delivery person to find a female delivery person named Adeline and personally deliver to his address.
A 1000 delivery fee! Even a top delivery person couldn’t earn that in a day without eating or drinking.
Usually, the order hall was emptier than my stomach, but today there were plenty of orders. I even had the luxury to choose. Just when I was happy about today’s influx, our team’s top delivery person contacted me.
“Hey Adeline, this order seems to be looking for you.”
After finishing my last order, I finally had time to check my phone and see the message he sent me.
Seeing the familiar address, I felt faint.
“You know, there are many such orders now. A lot of people are looking for you. You’ve been good to me, so can I take this one?”
Before I could faint completely, the top guy sent another message.
He really had been good to me, teaching me how to snag orders, showing me where to find delivery hotspots, and helping me navigate shortcuts in the city.
The delivery folks I met were all kind-hearted, without prejudice or disdain. Their help allowed me to at least cover the cost of renting the battery and have some savings.
“Alright, I’ll go with you.”
If I didn’t go, Finn would find another way to find me. I might as well see what he wanted.
“Thanks, Adeline. With this delivery fee, I can take two days off.”
In just one day, I crossed the familiar yet distant place I once knew so well.
24 hours later, I stood before Finn again. His expression looked like he wanted to devour me, but the presence of the delivery guy stopped him from confronting me like we used to as kids.
“Boss, is this the person you were looking for?”
The delivery guy didn’t notice the tension in the air and asked eagerly.
“Yes, it’s her.”
“Okay, I’ll mark it as delivered. Thanks, boss. Thanks, boss. Adeline, I’ll head off now. With this 1000, I’m done for the day. You take care and don’t work too late.”
“Thanks, man.”
I smiled and waved him off.
“Have you seen enough?”
I turned around, and Finn was glaring at me with gritted teeth.
“Master Finn, what’s the big fuss about looking for me? Let me clarify, yesterday’s money is spent, so if you want money, I don’t have it. But if you’re offering the same price as yesterday, I’ll try to earn more.”
I grinned slyly, staring at yesterday’s handiwork. Finn still had marks on his neck from yesterday.
Honestly, I did have feelings for Finn; otherwise, I wouldn’t have put so much effort into kissing him.
“Adeline! How did you become such a scoundrel? You’re so gentle with the delivery guy, but so harsh to me. Not just harsh, but you also… took advantage of me.”
“Master Finn, you said I get 10,000 for a kiss, and you didn’t say there’s a limit. It’s more the merrier. If you want more, I’m available.”
Finn’s face turned beet red, filled with embarrassment and confusion.
I knew what he wanted to ask, but this was the only way to make Finn hate me, to make him loathe me.
I’m an insatiable void. Dad’s loan shark debt keeps growing, and the back pay hasn’t been settled.
Now I owe Finn 1 million. I had no choice but to take the money because our shattered home couldn’t endure another visit from the loan shark.
Finn remained silent, so I clenched my fists, resolved to approach him.
“Master Finn, is there more business today? Or does it need some cuddling?”
I teasingly whispered close to his ear.
He had a familiar scent, a cologne I specifically brought back for him from abroad.
He once mocked my taste, but the sharp fragrance now filled my nostrils with his tense breaths.
He instinctively pushed me to the ground.
“Adeline, enough! You…”
His chest heaved violently, taking several breaths before suppressing his anger.
“Master Finn, if you have no other business, I’ll leave. You’ve already taken up too much of my time.”
I tried to sound cold and disagreeable, slowly getting up from the ground, brushing off nonexistent dust.
“Wait, I have a new business proposition for you.”
It looks like I didn’t receive the text you wanted me to translate. Could you please send it again so I can help you with it?
6
I looked into his serious eyes, unsure of what new plan Finn was concocting.
“What?”
Even though I was determined to cut ties with Finn, those sparkling eyes made it hard to say anything insincere.
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Adrian hasn’t touched me in the three years we’ve been married.
I put on a lace nightgown, faked some kiss marks, and sent him a sleeping selfie from his perspective.
“Dude, she smells amazing. Why don’t you divorce her and let me have her?”
I guessed Adrian would be disgusted and angry when he received this anonymous message, and would throw me away like trash, the sister who was just a replacement.
I thought that this time, I’d finally be able to divorce him.
Natalie was on vacation in Europe, celebrating her third wedding anniversary.
She asked me what gift I wanted, and I asked for an anonymous international phone card.
Holding the phone card, standing in the empty hotel room, I let out a tired sigh.
Then I put on the sheer lace nightgown I had bought specifically for this plan.
In front of the mirror, I created fake kiss marks on my collarbone and neck.
The marks were scattered, as if left by a man consumed by desire, forceful and domineering.
One strap of the nightgown was “torn” by the “man”.
Finally, I carefully smudged my lipstick in front of the mirror.
Then I sat on the bed, making the other side look as if someone had slept there.
I closed my eyes.
The camera was set on a timer from his perspective.
Three, two, one.
In the photo, the woman seemed to have just fallen asleep after an intimate moment, completely defenseless.
I stared at it for a long time.
I couldn’t help but think of Adrian’s notorious reputation in the business world.
The smiling tiger.
The capitalist who devours without spitting out bones.
But what I was most familiar with was his perpetually cold and emotionless face.
Although handsome, all his affection was only for my sister.
I prepared for the worst.
Even if Adrian had no feelings for me, a man should find it hard to tolerate a woman’s betrayal.
He might seek revenge.
But in the end, he would disgustedly and angrily abandon me and divorce me.
As long as I could get a divorce, that’s all I wanted.
I closed my eyes and pressed send.
On the phone screen, that casually worded text message—
“Dude, she smells amazing. Why don’t you divorce her and let me have her?”
Along with that photo.
Sent successfully.
In less than two seconds.
I received a reply.
Adrian: “Who are you?”
I changed clothes slowly.
Almost mischievously prolonging the response time.
Was he about to explode with anger, desperately wanting to tear the anonymous sender apart?
He, who had always been heaven’s favorite, perfect from childhood to adulthood, was now having his emotions controlled by someone else, and by someone like me who he had always held in the palm of his hand.
Three years of depression and pain, finally getting a moment of satisfaction today.
I changed into my regular clothes, and during this interval, Adrian sent two more messages.
“Don’t use such poor AI face-swapping. Tell me your purpose.”
“I advise you to come clean yourself, and I might leave you in one piece.”
I chuckled.
“Mr. Shaw, why don’t you ask your wife if it’s AI face-swapping? You’ll know then.”
“The kiss marks on my baby’s neck won’t fade that quickly (＾ｖ＾).”
I dared to say this because I knew Adrian was abroad negotiating an important deal.
He couldn’t come back for at least half a month.
The next moment, my own phone suddenly rang.
I was startled.
The phone kept ringing furiously, it was Adrian calling.
I pursed my lips, staring at the phone until the call ended.
But soon, the screen lit up again, Adrian was persistently calling me.
I understood that this time, he was really angry.
My heart was pounding, feeling like I was walking a tightrope, playing an absolutely dangerous game.
I sent: “Mr. Shaw, stop calling. We did it five times, your wife is exhausted and asleep.”
The phone finally stopped ringing.
My phone fell into dead silence.
I sent from the anonymous phone card: “I didn’t mean to break you up, Mr. Shaw. Your wife and I are truly in love. Be magnanimous and divorce her soon, give her to me. Otherwise, if word gets out about you being cheated on, you’ll lose face.”
Adrian didn’t reply anymore.
I nervously threw the torn lace nightgown into the trash, checked out of the hotel, and returned to the mansion.
The housekeepers were cleaning.
Everything was perfectly normal, as quiet as if nothing had happened.
Wash up, sleep.
At dawn, when the sky was turning white, I vaguely heard the roar of an engine and the sharp sound of tires braking outside the window.
When I realized and opened my eyes in panic, the bedroom door was knocked at the same time.
“Aria, open the door.”
That voice was cold, the tone forcibly controlled to be steady, only faintly revealing a hint of anxiety and unease.
I was wide awake now, as if cold water had been poured over me, my whole body cold.
It was Adrian.
I panicked.
How could he be back?
To him, I was just an insignificant replacement tool.
The knocking sounded again, still three knocks, extremely restrained.
He spoke a bit faster: “Aria, I want to see you.”
I sat up, trying not to panic, not to give myself away.
I took a deep breath and said sleepily but pretending to be calm: “Mr. Shaw, I… need to use the bathroom and take a shower. Please wait a moment.”
I quickly ran into the bathroom, turned on the shower, then stared at the kiss marks on my neck.
These were marks I had made myself yesterday by pinching with a bottle cap. For the sake of realism, I had been rough, and now they were so obvious that even foundation couldn’t cover them!
But I couldn’t not cover them either.
Because the first reaction of someone who’s cheating would definitely be to lie and cover up.
Adrian was shrewd; I had to play my part thoroughly.
I wet my hair to look like I had just showered, then changed into a high-necked black dress that covered everything, including my arms.
I carefully covered the half-visible kiss mark at the neckline with a band-aid.
I looked in the mirror, practicing an expression of guilt poorly hidden beneath forced calmness.
Disgusting enough, right?
Adrian would surely be repulsed and immediately propose divorce, telling me to get lost.
I opened the door.
Adrian was sitting on the sofa, brows furrowed, eyes closed as if resting.
His face was a bit pale, with a faint shadow of stubble on his chin.
He had forgotten to wear his watch, and the cufflinks that matched his suit were missing.
One hand tightly gripped his phone, the other hung on the sofa armrest, with four deep wounds on the knuckles.
As if he had hit something hard, more than once.
But he didn’t seem to care, not even bothering with a band-aid.
“Mr. Shaw, why are you back?”
Adrian opened his eyes and looked at me, his pupils dark and deep.
He stood up from the sofa, the man who had been so anxious just now suddenly moving very slowly as he walked up to me.
I instinctively stepped back, but Adrian grabbed my arm and pulled me back.
He lowered his eyes to look at my neck, his pupils contracting.
I forced a smile and said, “Did something happen?”
He didn’t answer, just used his cold fingers, two fingers together, slowly hovering over the band-aid, as if he would roughly tear it off the next second, along with all my lies, and then angrily, humiliated, tear up our fake marriage contract.
My body started to tremble, I closed my eyes waiting to be exposed.
But his index and middle fingers just lightly touched the band-aid.
Adrian calmly asked, “How did you get this?”
I deliberately avoided his gaze, “Just… just accidentally got scratched by a book page yesterday.”
“Book page…” Adrian blinked very slowly, “What were you doing last night?”
His fingertips explored into my collar, just a little more force and he could see the kiss marks hidden under the fabric.
I swallowed, “I went out for a hair treatment last night.”
Adrian’s breathing became heavy.
He looked at me expressionlessly, for a moment, I had the illusion that he would devour me whole.
His fingers tightened on my collar, I stumbled along with that force, almost falling into his arms, I quickly extended my arms to block his chest.
His palm encircled my lower back, like an iron hoop, tightening bit by bit, that restrained anger seemed to be venting in this way.
I couldn’t match his strength, my resisting arms began to soften.
Adrian approached me inch by inch.
“Mr. Shaw, don’t,” I said trembling, though I didn’t know what he intended to do, but instinct told me it would be dangerous.
My mind went blank, my voice shaking, I begged incoherently.
After three or four seconds.
He actually slowly withdrew his fingers, clenched them into a fist, his face turning iron-gray, his lips tightly pursed.
I realized what I had been saying — “I’m scared, don’t touch me, please.”
“I’ll assign you two personal bodyguards. They’ll follow you when you go out from now on to ensure your safety,” Adrian announced flatly.
Then he turned and left without hesitation.
When I heard the familiar engine sound from outside, I finally came to my senses—
He’s not pursuing it?
How could this be?!
I was monitored very strictly, with almost no chance to take out that phone to make contact.
Adrian, who was supposed to be abroad, somehow finished his business trip in just five days this time and hurried back.
After he returned, the surveillance on me loosened a bit, and I finally had the chance to pick up the phone again.
I sent a message using that anonymous phone card.
“Dude, you can’t take it like a man? Even if she cheated, why not just divorce? Why lock your wife up?”
Adrian replied quickly: “She didn’t cheat. I trust her. Aria isn’t the kind of person who would do such things.”
I stared at this text message in a daze.
What does he mean?
Although I indeed didn’t have the courage to actually find a man to cheat with, which is why I resorted to this plan. But how could Adrian understand so well what kind of person I am?
He had always been so cold to me.
I pushed on, disregarding everything else, adding fuel to the fire:
“Mr. Shaw, you don’t know your wife better than I do.”
“She has three moles, on her ribs, near her belly button, and… Every time I trace them with my finger, connecting the dots, she trembles uncontrollably from the stimulation.”
“But you’re her husband, married for three years, you must have known this long ago, right?”
The last sentence was dripping with sarcasm, because in these three years, Adrian had never touched me.
“Bang!” Just as I sent it, suddenly a huge crashing sound came from upstairs.
The sound came from Adrian’s study.
I trembled, nervously hurrying to hide the backup phone.
The crashing sound rang out a few more times.
Then, I heard Adrian coming downstairs.
He tiredly instructed the housekeeper: “Find someone to clean up, the computer needs to be replaced.”
Footsteps approached.
I was so scared I was shaking, vaguely feeling that I would be the next thing he tore apart.
I escaped into the blankets, pretending to be asleep.
The lock on my door had mysteriously broken since he returned.
Adrian gently turned the handle, seeing the bedroom was dark, he didn’t say anything.
In the dead silence, his heavy, uneven breathing and unsettled heartbeat were extremely obvious, so much so that I wondered if Adrian could hear my own racing heart.
He came closer and closer.
I kept my eyes tightly shut.
Adrian didn’t shake me awake, didn’t furiously grab my neck demanding an explanation.
He stood by my bed.
Even though I didn’t open my eyes, I could still feel a sharp, burning gaze deeply fixed on my lower abdomen, as if hesitating whether to check.
Don’t shake, keep breathing steady, keep acting!
I didn’t move.
Suddenly I felt the mattress sink down beside me.
Adrian slowly lay down next to me.
That icy yet burning gaze still focused on me.
I gritted my teeth, no gain without pain.
I gave him more fuel!
As if lost in a sweet dream, I murmured and turned towards him, nuzzling my head into his embrace.
Adrian paused for a moment, that fierce, burning gaze suddenly softened.
“Honey…” I mumbled.
Adrian stiffened for an instant.
I persistently wrapped my arms around him, using the sweetest voice I could muster, “Honey, hug me.”
I thought he would get angry, even wake me up with a slap.
Because I had never called him honey before, he knew I was calling someone else.
But—
He stared at me hard, gripping my arms tightly, trembling with anger, but the next moment, hearing my muffled whimper, he forced himself to loosen his grip.
Adrian held the back of my head, letting me hug him tighter.
He kissed my hair.
Then he stroked my back from top to bottom with his palm, in a clumsy yet gentle soothing gesture.
He said softly, “Mm, honey’s hugging you.”
I froze.
This kind of eerily calm reaction was utterly insane.
Adrian was an exceptionally intelligent person. He should have understood I was cheating from the first text message he received. To avoid a scandal, he should have quickly drafted divorce papers and forced me to leave with nothing.
But instead, he denied it again and again, frantically, obsessively insisting that I hadn’t slept with someone else.
Even now, he was almost self-hypnotizing, snatching away the pet names meant for someone else.
What on earth was he doing?
Adrian thought I had stopped sleep-talking and fallen into a deeper slumber.
He silently lifted the blanket, his finger resting on my ribs, then lightly sliding down along the direction of that mole.
A light touch, his fingertip cool.
So quick, I didn’t even have time to react before I suddenly curled up, shaking uncontrollably.
That text was something I had made up, I didn’t even know myself that being touched on the moles would cause such an electrifying stimulation!
I trembled pathetically, unable to keep up the act any longer, immediately wanting to turn away and hide.
Adrian stopped his caressing motion and completely enveloped me in his arms, forcing me to face him chest to chest.
Forceful, secure, like interlocking hearts, so tight that I could feel his heartbeat from beneath his ribcage against my chest.
Chaotic, frenzied, powerful.
He whispered softly: “You are mine, I am yours.”
He had truly gone mad.
He had completely abandoned all rational, cool logic and weighing of pros and cons, becoming a wild beast.
Savage, direct, possessive without compromise.
As if I had been carried into his lair, and could only belong to him.
Adrian had objectified me, objectified himself. We were not humans with fragile shells and sensitive souls, but two lifeless iron locks.
With a “click”, locked together.
He could stubbornly believe, I am his, he is mine.
He had truly gone mad.
I opened my eyes in the darkness, looking at Adrian’s sleeping face with complex emotions, between his burning chest and arms.
Until my eyelids grew heavy and I fell into a dream.
In the dream, three years ago, I cried and begged Adrian to let me go.
He looked at me coldly.
Until I shouted: “I don’t owe you anything, you have no reason to lock me up!”
Only then did he take a step back, silent for a full minute before looking up, “You do owe me. Your sister ran away and ruined the engagement, so you have to pay me back for life. I won’t let you go.”
At that time, I collapsed on the ground, touching the face so similar to my sister’s, finally understanding that he would never let me go because he saw me as a replacement for my sister.
Three years passed like this, bitter and unbearable.
When I opened my eyes, Adrian was already gone.
The bed beside me was neat and clean, as if no one had ever been there.
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Grandma, a billionaire, was on the brink of death, so I donated a kidney to save her. But once she recovered, she humiliated me by throwing me into a pile of garbage. When Grandpa arrived, they were laughing and forcing me to eat trash from the street.
Jasper coldly blocked Grandpa, saying, “He’s just a lowly beggar, not worth your time.”
Grandpa slapped him, “Who do you think you are? Just a toy my grandson picked up, and you dare lay a hand on him?”
The guests were shocked, exclaiming, “Oh my God! He’s the true heir of the Mason Family!”
In my past life, I endured everything to please Sister and Grandma, but they ended up pushing me into the water, drowning me.
Reborn, I stormed into the birthday banquet and kicked him down. “A beggar picked up from the trash dares to impersonate a noble Young Master?”
The crowd was taken aback.
Sister, in her high heels, shielded Jasper. “Declan, have you lost your mind? How dare you cause a scene in the Mason Family!”
My fiancée knelt by Jasper, tenderly massaging his wrist with pity in her eyes.
Sister immediately ordered the Bodyguards, “Are you all blind? Letting a beggar bully the Young Master!”
A dozen Bodyguards swarmed, beating me mercilessly.
Grandma swung her Cane at me relentlessly. I clutched my stomach in agony. Though the wound from donating my kidney had healed, the pain was still unbearable.
I couldn’t believe that the Grandma I saved now wanted to beat me senseless for a beggar.
“Dare to touch my precious grandson, and I’ll make you pay!” she shouted.
Jasper pretended to hold Grandma back, “Grandma, don’t get so upset, it’s not good for your health!”
Sister pointed at me, “Even a dog knows loyalty. How have we wronged you that you ruin Jasper’s birthday party?”
“A filthy beggar who doesn’t know his place!”
“The true Young Master of the Mason Family is clearly me, Declan…”
Smack! Sister slapped me before I could finish.
Jasper lowered his head, feigning innocence, “I know you want the Mason Family’s wealth, but you shouldn’t go against Grandma and Sister!”
“We’ve raised you for so many years, we’ve fulfilled our duty. How can you treat them like this?”
With Jasper’s restrained demeanor, the guests began to defend him.
“How could you! Eating someone’s food and then attacking their Young Master!”
“Truly despicable, a stinking beggar causing trouble in the Mason Family. The Young Master is too kind. Otherwise, throw him into the Hudson River!”
No sooner had these words been spoken than a security guard approached to snatch the Jade Bracelet from my hand. I kicked him hard, sending him flying, and he lay on the ground wailing.
Jasper quickly helped him up, glaring at me, “You, an imposter, are more arrogant than me, the Young Master, striking in public!”
Hearing this, more people began to blame me.
I laughed in disbelief, “You’re the Young Master? Then who am I?”
Jasper shook his head helplessly, looking at Sister pitifully, “If he wants it, just give it to him.”
Sister erupted in anger, “This is the Heirloom from Grandmother, how can it be given to a beggar! It’s meant for my real brother!”
Chapter Two
Real brother, she said it so self-righteously.
She used to be the Sister who loved me the most. Even if I lost a strand of hair, she’d fire all the maids at home, wanting to give me the best of everything.
Why did things change when Jasper came?
A beggar picked up from a garbage dump, is he worth the Mason Family’s care?
They gave him my identity, my fiancée, and in the end, even drowned me to make him the Mason Family’s heir.
This time, I won’t make the same mistakes.
“This is clearly something Grandmother left for me! How did it become Jasper’s because of your words?”
“Aren’t you afraid Grandpa will blame you when he comes?”
Grandpa had planned to retire abroad but couldn’t rest easy about me. He intended to officially hand over the Mason Family to me on my birthday.
Once they found out, they tried to transfer all my shares to Jasper, leaving Grandpa unable to help me.
Jasper’s Rowdy Friends were the first to defend him, “A beggar picked up and really thinks he’s the Young Master?”
“This was always Jasper’s, who can say otherwise?”
Jasper smiled proudly, “You should have told me what you wanted, instead of behaving so disgracefully. You don’t care, but the Mason Family does.”
Sister quickly said, “Almost let a bad apple spoil the whole pot.”
“Ignore him, today is the day the Mason Family announces the heir. Bring the share transfer documents.”
In the next moment, a few Bodyguards grabbed my arms and dragged me aside.
They’re actually going to give the Mason Family to Jasper, it’s insane!
“That’s what Grandpa left for me!”
“If you do this, just wait to be kicked out by Grandpa!”
Sister hesitated for a moment, then signed her name heavily.
“Grandpa said the Mason Family’s assets are for the Young Master, and Jasper is the Young Master!”
Grandma banged the Cane loudly, “An ungrateful wretch, dreaming of the Mason Family’s wealth, not even worth a glance.”
Jasper stood proudly behind Grandma, glaring at me, “Declan, stop making a fuss, or you’ll gain nothing but be kicked out of the Mason Family.”
“Grandma, just consider it as if the Mason Family raised a dog. Toss it away if you must.”
A dog raised by the Mason Family, that would donate a kidney for Grandma, what a joke.
If I hadn’t saved her, she’d have met her end.
The Business Elite present couldn’t stand it and spoke up.
“See! A great kindness is like a great enemy! Never raise an ungrateful wretch.”
“In the end, it’s all for money, making a scene, a stinking beggar, so shallow.”
Grandma pointed her Cane and commanded, “You ruined my grandson’s birthday party. Kneel and kowtow to him three times, and we’ll let you go!”
Jasper added fuel to the fire, “It’s okay Grandma, I can bear it.”
Sister couldn’t stand Jasper being wronged, so she ordered the Bodyguards to press down on my shoulders, forcing me to kneel before Jasper.
At this moment, Fiancée Sabrina walked to Jasper, intimately holding his arm, “You’re just too kind. What’s a few kowtows for such an ungrateful person?”
“If you ask me, they should break his hands and feet!”
Chapter Three
I coldly watched this heartless woman and couldn’t help but scoff.
I wondered who chased after me, clinging to me, caring for me, even declaring publicly they’d marry no one but me.
If Grandpa hadn’t seen her genuine affection, he wouldn’t have chosen such a small-time fiancée for me.
Now she’s helping them frame me.
The way she looks at Jasper, so tenderly, it makes me nauseous.
“You can’t even tell who your fiancée is. You’re truly hopeless!”
Seeing my imposing manner and confident words, the crowd began to doubt.
“Looking at his appearance and demeanor, he doesn’t seem like a beggar.”
“And to cause such a scene at a birthday party, maybe he really has evidence, could he be the Mason Family’s true Young Master?”
“He does look like the Young Master, whereas Jasper… it’s hard to say.”
Hearing the crowd’s murmur, Jasper’s face turned green.
Sister immediately took Jasper’s hand and went on stage.
“The Mason Family has only this one Young Master, any others are imposters!”
“Today, not only are we handing the Mason Family to Jasper, but we’ll also arrange his marriage, to stop such nonsense from happening again!”
Grandma angrily hit my back with her Cane, “Such an ungrateful wretch! The Mason Family was blind to raise you!”
The crowd began to criticize me.
“Look how you’ve pushed them, they’re rushing into marriage, what a disgrace.”
“The Mason Family at least fed you, didn’t let you pick trash, and you repay them like this, what a useless thing.”
“Thick-skinned, heartless, eyeing someone else’s inheritance.”
Someone nearby spat at me.
Others followed suit, throwing whatever they had at me.
A glass hit my head, causing blood to flow.
Bodyguards pinned me down, forcing me to kneel.
Jasper, emboldened, stepped in front of me and whispered, “You still think you’re the Mason Family’s Young Master?”
“Now everyone stands by me, I’m the rightful heir. So what if Grandpa returns?”
I trembled with anger, wanting to tear him apart.
Jasper stepped back and said loudly, “The Mason Family won’t tolerate such nonsense. Did you think I was easy to bully?”
A glass cup smashed on my head, and blood immediately started to flow.
The bodyguards pinned my shoulders down, forcing me to kneel and making it impossible to move.
Jasper approached me, whispering with a smirk, “You still think you’re the Mason Family’s heir, don’t you?”
“Everyone’s on my side now. I’m the rightful heir of the Mason Family. Even if Grandpa comes back, what can he do?”
I was trembling with anger, desperate to tear him apart right then and there.
Jasper stepped back and deliberately shouted, “The Mason Family won’t tolerate troublemakers like you. You really think you can push me around?”
In the next moment, he triumphantly poured a bottle of red wine over my head.
The alcohol stung the wound on my forehead, causing excruciating pain.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I broke free from the bodyguards’ grip, grabbed the wine bottle, and smashed it on the ground, pointing the jagged end at Jasper. “You really think you can steal what’s mine?”
A bodyguard tried to grab me, but I swung the bottle and cut his arm.
I had completely lost it.
I walked up to my Sister, who was shaking with fear.
“Tell me who I am! Who’s your real brother?”
Then, I pointed the bottle at my Fiancée, who screamed continuously.
“Say it! Tell me who I am!”
The scene descended into chaos. Grandma glanced at the Cane in her hand, furious.
“Get on with it, are you all idiots?”
The bodyguards finally rushed at me, pinning me to the ground.
Sister stepped forward and slapped me hard, saying with disdain, “Break his arms and legs! Dump him at a trash site!”
Grandma declared loudly, “Our Mason Family has no room for a madman like him! From now on, he has nothing to do with the Mason Family!”
“Cut his ties with the Mason Family!”
The Lawyer approached with disownment papers for me to sign, but I struggled desperately.
Seeing this, Jasper stomped on my hand, grinding it viciously.
“If you won’t sign, then leave your handprint!”
“Stop it, all of you!”
Suddenly, dozens of black-clad bodyguards burst through the door, followed by a furious old man with white hair.
I’m sorry, it looks like there isn’t any Chinese text provided for translation. Could you please share the text you would like me to translate?
Chapter 4
Grandpa may be getting on in years, but he still moves with surprising speed, reaching me in just a few strides. Since my return, I feared being at a disadvantage, so I had already asked Grandpa to fly back early to support me.
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For the sake of Harry’s face, which looked so much like Frederick’s, I went crazy and livestreamed myself cutting my wrists in the family group chat, just begging for a chance to marry Harry.
Everyone praised my devotion, but they didn’t know that every time Harry had an affair with his childhood sweetheart, I saw it all clearly.
I didn’t make a scene or expose him. But he actually faked his own death to escape our marriage, then released a video online accusing me.
“Miss Zoe, are you satisfied now that you’ve broken up a loving couple? Do you want me dead before you’ll leave me alone?”
Overnight, I was bombarded with insults, labeled a “homewrecker” and a “shameless bitch.”
Five years later, my family was on the brink of bankruptcy.
Harry suddenly came back from the dead, standing before me with a smug look on his face.
“Zoe, how does it feel to be a widow for five years? I heard you sleep with my photo every night?”
“How about this – kneel down and lick Rachel’s shoes, then bark like a dog three times. If I’m in a good mood, I might invest a few million in your family’s company.”
He was waiting for me to kneel down like a stray dog and beg for mercy.
But I just smiled.
Harry didn’t know that the day his fake death was exposed, the Yan family’s IPO failed and their funding dried up. The Yan family had gone bankrupt even before mine.
And my wedding ring was already on someone else’s finger…
0
“As expected of Mr. Yan, lying low for five years – so Deep Create was actually founded by you!”
“We could tell long ago that Zoe wasn’t good enough for you. Now that her family is bankrupt, she’s only fit to be a servant for you and your wife!”
The crowd laughed and gathered around Harry.
Harry looked quite pleased with himself.
“Women are all the same. Back then she chased after me shamelessly, acting like she’d die if I didn’t marry her. She was more pathetic than a dog wagging its tail.”
“You don’t even know the half of it,” Harry narrowed his eyes, his expression especially mocking.
“Zoe actually got hymen reconstruction surgery so I could take her virginity.”
“She said she wanted me to experience her first time. Man, it felt amazing!”
“If you ask me, you should all make your women get this surgery. They could charge a few hundred extra when they sell themselves!”
His suggestive tone drew the gazes of the surrounding men to fall on me.
Someone had already blocked my path.
“Miss Zoe, I may not be as rich as Mr. Yan, but I can certainly afford you for one night.”
“Why don’t you come with me instead?”
Harry raised his glass and looked at me.
“Isn’t this why you came here? To sell yourself? This is Mr. Fu’s party after all. Give up your foolish fantasies. Go rent a room with Mr. Wang – it might even help solve your family’s urgent financial problems.”
“Or I could pay for you to get hymen reconstruction a few more times, so you can sell your ‘first time’ over and over!”
The crowd burst into laughter.
Ever since Harry had abandoned me at our wedding five years ago, I, the young lady of the Xu family, had become the laughingstock of the entire city. They looked at me with contempt.
“The bankrupt Miss Xu is dressed so provocatively. Looks like she’s ready to sell herself by the pound to Mr. Yan.”
“Mr. Yan already has Miss Rachel. How could this worn-out piece of meat ever compete?”
I looked at them with disgust.
If it weren’t for Harry’s face looking so much like Frederick’s, how could I have ever stooped to his level?
But Harry thought I was just upset at having my intentions exposed.
“Stop acting all high and mighty. This isn’t the time to be desperate to marry me anymore.”
“If you want to sell your body, go do it somewhere else. If you disturb Mr. Fu, he’ll make you wish you were dead.”
Make me? Frederick doesn’t have the guts.
I let out a scornful laugh.
“Since you say this is Mr. Fu’s party, do you have the right to kick people out? Or are you overstepping your bounds?”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.
I should have just waited and come with Frederick instead of trying to surprise him by arriving early.
Just as I turned to leave, Rachel entered through the main doors. To my shock, her dress was identical to mine.
“Miss Xu, are you trying to copy me?” Rachel glanced at me, then put on a hurt expression.
Harry immediately exploded.
“Zoe, you disgust me! How dare you copy Rachel to try to please me!”
“A used-up slut like you could never compare to Rachel! I’m telling you, no matter how much you imitate her, I’ll never look at you!”
I was so angry I could barely breathe.
Where the hell did this guy get the nerve to accuse me of copying?
The others also looked at me with disdain.
“How shameless, first forcing her way in, now imitating the real love interest! The Xu family has really fallen low!”
“Hah, I bet even her underwear is copied.”
0
As soon as those words were spoken, Rachel burst into tears.
“Miss Xu, how could you be so cruel! Harry doesn’t love you at all, yet you still try to seduce him!”
Harry was heartbroken. He turned and looked at me with contempt.
“A cheap whore has no right to wear the same clothes as Rachel.”
“Strip her! I want to see if you’re being cheap from head to toe.”
As soon as he said that, the leering young men swarmed towards me.
“Don’t you dare!”
I struggled as my wrists were grabbed, glaring furiously at Harry.
“I didn’t copy anything!”
“How can you prove it if you don’t take it off?”
“That’s right! Let’s see Miss Xu’s figure!”
Someone started tugging at my dress zipper, while another simply dove under the long skirt.
“Get away from me!”
My legs were being pulled at, but my arms were firmly restrained by Harry’s men.
Rachel smirked in Harry’s arms.
“Bang bang—”
The host’s mic tapping interrupted the commotion.
“Welcome everyone to the party. Mr. Fu is in a meeting and will arrive shortly. Please remain patient.”
Harry naturally didn’t dare offend Frederick, so he had to let me go.
“You got lucky! If this wasn’t Mr. Fu’s party, I wouldn’t let you off so easily!”
I finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But the next second, the big screen at the party suddenly lit up.
All the scars I had inflicted on myself to pursue Harry, the humiliating images of me kneeling before him, the tattoo of his name on my chest.
Everything was displayed shamelessly in front of everyone.
The final image froze on that video.
Me wearing lingerie, begging Harry to take pity on me. The crowd gasped in shock.
My lips trembled, unable to utter a word. My whole body felt like it had been plunged into an ice bath.
“That’s so slutty!”
“How shameless, releasing this kind of video just to seduce someone!”
Rachel approached me.
“Miss Xu, I know you love Harry very much. But you can’t show these things at Mr. Fu’s party. What if Mr. Fu sees them and it ruins Harry’s reputation?”
Harry looked at me with disgust.
“Give up on trying to seduce me! Even if you stripped naked in front of me right now, I wouldn’t look at you!”
Rachel took my hand and spoke earnestly.
“I know unrequited love is painful, but please let him go, okay?”
Hearing her words, the others started praising her.
“Miss Rachel is so understanding. Zoe deserves this! She’s just cheap!”
But where others couldn’t see, Rachel flashed me a mocking smile.
“You bitch, I can make you even more humiliated!”
So it was her doing!
I yanked my hand away, when suddenly—
Rachel fell straight to the ground, and her dress tore open with a huge rip from the chest.
She shrieked as she was exposed.
“Miss Xu, how could you be so vicious and tear my dress!”
I clenched my jaw, looking at the furious Harry.
“Stop going crazy! This has nothing to do with me!”
I tried to back away, but Harry strode forward and grabbed my hair, slapping me with all his strength.
“Zoe, you bitch, get on your knees and apologize to Rachel!”
He kicked the back of my knee, and I fell to the ground with a thud.
My knee immediately swelled up.
“I said it wasn’t me!”
He slapped me again.
Suddenly someone in the crowd spoke up, “Stop hitting her, Shawn is here!”
0
My brother!
I turned to look at Shawn. “Brother, help me…”
My brother took a big step forward, grabbed the back of my head without a word, and slammed it down hard.
“You useless piece of trash! How dare you offend Mr. Yan!”
“Hurry up and apologize to Mr. Yan and Miss Rachel!”
My forehead split open on the marble floor, blood blurring my vision as I collapsed in a heap.
“How did our Xu family produce such a shameless thing!”
Shawn kicked me again without hesitation.
Then he immediately turned to Harry, bowing and scraping as he fawned over him.
“I’m so sorry Mr. Yan, it’s all my fault for not teaching my sister properly. I’ve caused you trouble. How about I make her apologize to you and Miss Rachel?”
“Or I could give her to you! You can do whatever you want with her!”
“As long as you’re willing to invest a bit in the Xu family, we can work together for mutual benefit. What do you think?”
Harry was very pleased with his behavior.
“As expected, Young Master Xu has much better manners. Much more sensible than your sister.”
With Harry’s approval, Shawn immediately stomped on my palm.
I curled up in pain, glaring at him viciously.
“Shawn! I’m your sister. How can you do this? Do Mom and Dad know?”
He grabbed my chin contemptuously.
“You dare mention Mom and Dad? The Xu family doesn’t have a treacherous daughter like you!”
I stared at him in shock.
I was too naive. Parents who were ready to marry me off to an old man, how could I have any expectations of them?
A family that had only ever used me as a tool for promotion since childhood, how could I hope for love?
Tears streamed down my face.
A warm flow trickled down my lower body. Rachel covered her mouth and screamed, pointing at the hem of my dress.
“She’s bleeding!”
I quickly covered my abdomen.
I was two months pregnant, and hadn’t had a chance to tell Frederick yet.
Blood stained my white dress red. I broke out in a cold sweat from the pain.
Rachel continued in shock.
“Miss Xu, you didn’t get knocked up by some random guy, did you? Is that why you came to find Harry today? Were you hoping he’d take responsibility?”
Harry glared at me in a rage.
“You actually dared to get pregnant with another man’s child! Tell me, who is he!”
“Damn it, Zoe, are you that desperate? I’ve only been gone five years and you’ve become such a shameless slut!”
He slapped me again.
I covered my stinging cheek and yanked off the necklace around my neck, revealing the hidden wedding ring.
“I’m already married! This child has nothing to do with you!”
“What?”
Harry let out a cold laugh.
“You? Married? Who would want damaged goods like you? I bet you don’t even know who the father is, do you?”
He grabbed my wrist forcefully.
“Don’t forget! You’re still my wife in name!”
“This child absolutely cannot be kept!”
I frantically shielded my belly, my nails digging deep into my palms.
“This child is Frederick’s. If you dare touch him, Frederick will never let you off!”
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I deliberately left the window open, letting the crime boss hear me with someone else all night long.
The next morning, he asked me with a gloomy face, “Can I join in?”
But I just embraced others, coldly refusing.
“Don’t you like your little sister the most?”
The man’s eyes turned bloodshot, but he didn’t dare to take a step closer.
Only because as his woman, I had helped him expand his business for ten years. In the end, he’d rather marry a college girl than fulfill his promise to marry me.
His subordinates couldn’t understand and started protesting on my behalf.
“Boss, Aria has helped you build your empire. She’s a valuable asset. Didn’t you used to dote on her? Why are you marrying someone else now?”
Ethan stubbed out his cigarette, fiddling with the couple’s ring he shared with Lily.
“Aria? A woman with blood on her hands. Every time I think about sleeping with her, it gives me the creeps. How can she compare to my darling?”
“But Aria is so clever. What if she finds out and turns against you?”
Ethan frowned and sneered, “The whole city is already mine. Without her, I’m not afraid of losing anything.”
Little did he know, I had heard everything from outside the door.
I threw the medicine I was going to give him in the trash and sent a SnapChat to his arch-enemy Xavier.
“Want Ethan’s territory and life? I’ll give them to you!”
As I was preparing to get a speedboat to leave the island, Ethan came to find me.
“There’s a big shipment coming to the island the day after tomorrow. Send some men to receive it personally, and clear out your house. I need it!”
He commanded sternly, but I just found it laughable.
To marry Lily, he really didn’t care about my life. Even if Xavier attacked his base, he still wanted me to risk my life to bring back his little flower. He was truly lovesick.
Need the house? Wasn’t it just for Lily to live in?
I coldly replied with an “Oh.”
Seeing my flat reaction, Ethan frowned in displeasure.
“What are you sulking about now? I’m not making our relationship public because the situation is unstable. Xavier is watching closely. I can’t let the men lower their guard just because of you.”
“Your most important task now is to help me fend off Xavier’s attacks.”
Ethan always tried to manipulate me like this.
Before, I thought this was his way of protecting me, so I worked even harder for him, fighting and scheming. But now I just found it absurd.
I put the boat rental form in front of him and said flatly, “I’m not sulking. I’m used to it.”
Ethan sensed something unusual. Impatience flashed in his eyes, and his signature even tore through the paper.
“Aria! What’s with the attitude? I’m just asking for your house. Everything on this island is mine, including your life. Can’t I even use you anymore?”
He threw the paper in my face. “From now on, don’t come to me for trivial things like going off the island for supplies. I don’t have time for you…”
Knowing he misunderstood, I didn’t explain.
I nodded perfunctorily and left, feeling relieved as I looked at the speedboat I was about to get.
I had helped Ethan expand his business for ten years.
We were childhood sweethearts, brothers who could trust each other with our lives, and even the most intimate lovers.
I had always hoped to marry him, and he had hinted that once he had the whole city in his hands, he would give me what I wanted.
But now I realized.
That was just my own wishful thinking and his lies woven to use my feelings.
Now he was going to marry someone else.
That night, a team of heavily armed mercenaries escorted Lily onto the island.
She was in a white dress, her naive eyes full of smug pride.
“Sister has worked hard for Ethan for over ten years, with great merit.”
“I’ll definitely get him to promote you, and send you some male models. We can’t let sister’s personal life suffer.”
“Unlike Ethan, who can’t wait another moment. He’s marrying me tomorrow, oh my…”
I tightened my grip on the gun handle, barely restraining the urge to shoot her.
“Let’s go.” I coldly glanced at her and was about to leave.
But Lily stopped me, taking out a diary from her bag and saying slyly:
“These are the love notes Ethan wrote when he missed me all these years. It’s too heavy to carry, so I’ll trouble sister to throw it away for me.”
With that, she swayed her skirt and left. Facing the cold wind blowing against the rocks, I trembled as I opened the diary.
April 12, 2024, when I protected him as we broke through an encirclement, he said “Lily, if I can survive this, I’ll marry you.”
August 5, 2023, when I heard he was ambushed by Xavier during a business trip. I took two machetes and single-handedly broke into the enemy camp to rescue him.
He said: “Baby, you smell so good today.”
January 24, 2021, when he was arrested, I decided to take the blame for him, and he said:
“If it were you, I would never let you suffer like this.”
Every word in the diary stabbed into my heart, as painful as if my heart was being carved out.
How many times had I begged Ethan to marry me, and he always kissed my forehead and said: “Aria, wait for me.”
“I have too many enemies. I’m always afraid I haven’t cleared the obstacles for you. When I have the whole city under control, I’ll marry you, okay?”
But my countless urgings were only met with perfunctory responses.
On SnapChat, a reply finally came. The short two words were forceful, leaving me no way to turn back.
“Deal!”
I still couldn’t help wanting to confirm something, so I asked:
“On August 5, 2024, you ambushed Ethan, right?”
The reply came instantly, each word dripping with blood:
“I’m completely innocent!”
“No way? So that’s why you chased me for nine blocks with two machetes? It really wasn’t me!”
I laughed bitterly.
So in Ethan’s eyes, I was just a clown to be toyed with at will.
If so, why should I stay for them to mock?
After arranging the details with Xavier, I walked back, but overheard Ethan talking to his subordinates by the yacht.
“Boss, the bride’s wedding dress has arrived. It’s the billion-dollar dress you requested from the royal auction.”
“But we’re worried about Aria. If she makes a scene and exposes our location, we might all be caught…”
Ethan was unconcerned: “I love Lily and will only marry her as my wife. Tomorrow’s wedding must go smoothly. I won’t allow any accidents.”
“Not even Aria. I’ll make sure she stays quiet.”
“And keep your men’s mouths shut. If anyone leaks even half a word, I’ll feed them to the sharks!”
Although I had decided to leave, hearing the man who once loved me so deeply deceive and belittle me like this still made my heart ache.
Back in my room, I packed the luggage I wanted to take.
Besides ID documents, looking at the weapons all over the room, I realized Ethan had never really given me anything.
He would only throw various weapons at me, telling me to protect him well.
I had once asked him for dresses and jewelry, but he said:
“Aria, even in a dress and necklace, you don’t look like a woman. Don’t waste them.”
But Lily’s luggage had a whole truckload of jewelry and pretty clothes.
Why could she wear them but not me?
I searched the wardrobe and found a red dress at the bottom. I put it on with high heels and even did my makeup.
Just then, Lily barged into my room.
“Aria, you’ve read the diary, right? Ethan’s most beloved…”
Her words stopped halfway as she saw how alluring and beautiful I looked after dressing up. She was dumbfounded.
When she recovered, she frowned and sneered:
“I thought you’d at least have some self-respect and leave quietly knowing Ethan doesn’t love you.”
“But you’re still trying to seduce him, you shameless vixen! I’ll tear you apart!”
She lunged at me to scratch my face, but her skills were so poor that I ended up slapping her instead.
“Aria! How dare you hit me, Ethan will make you pay!” Lily screeched angrily.
I crossed my arms and watched her jump around. “Thanks for the compliment. I’m definitely prettier than you.”
A second after I spoke, she suddenly knelt down and started slapping herself:
“Sister, I’m the despicable one, marrying Ethan so thoughtlessly. You can beat me to death as long as you don’t ruin the wedding!”
I was confused, when suddenly a kick came flying at me.
“Aria! Are you treating my words as wind in your ears? You dare bully Lily!”
Ethan’s furious kick would have taken half my life if it had landed.
So, what was I to him after all?
A hunting dog he raised? A punching bag he could beat and scold at will after using me up?
I barely dodged, but twisted my ankle in the high heels. I winced in pain, forcing myself to look at him.
Ethan helped Lily up, his cold eyes looking at me.
Until he saw my face clearly, his eyes lit up for a moment, but his words were still icy.
“Aria, no matter how pretty you dress up, in my eyes you’re not half as good as Lily.”
Lily sobbed and grabbed Ethan’s hand:
“Ethan, sister forced me to tell her. I couldn’t keep the secret, I’m sorry…”
Ethan held her in his arms, full of tenderness: “It’s just a small matter, no one blames you.”
I smiled bitterly.
He had just threatened his men with their lives to keep the wedding a secret, but when Lily blabbed to me it became a small matter.
She really had no restrictions with him, so pampered.
So what was I? Just a fool?
“So you’re really going to marry her?” I stared hard at Ethan.
I cared too much about how he would explain to me.
I thought he would at least feel guilty, panic, beg me to let go of the past and give them his blessing.
But Ethan just frowned slightly, unconcerned:
“Yes, the wedding is tomorrow. I’ll allow you to attend, but don’t cause trouble. Aria, don’t force me to deal with you.”
In an instant, my last hope for Ethan was shattered.
It wasn’t the right time to marry me, just because it was me.
When it came to Lily, all the dangers and threats suddenly weren’t obstacles anymore.
He could even brazenly offer to let me attend their wedding.
How could someone be so heartless?
I held back tears, gritting my teeth: “Get out…”
But Lily pushed further:
“Ethan, I don’t know many people here. I want sister to be our bridesmaid, but I’m afraid of offending her…”
Seeing his beloved girl plead so carefully, Ethan softened and ordered me:
“Aria, since you know we’re getting married, being a bridesmaid shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
“I don’t want to see you two, get out!”
My anger finally exploded. I picked up a stick from the corner and chased them out.
“Get out!”
With a bang, I slammed the door shut and collapsed on the floor, gasping for air.
A tear of despair leaked from the corner of my eye.
As I was grieving, my phone suddenly lit up with a message from Xavier.
I opened it irritably, but suddenly blushed when I saw it.
“The red dress suits you. You look beautiful.”
“Take off those heels and apply some medicine.”
I was surprised he knew my ankle was swollen.
But medicine?
As I was thinking, a drone flew to the window with a box attached.
I opened it to find a red dress and some ointment inside.
So he had discovered Ethan’s hideout long ago, but just hadn’t made a move. I really found the right ally.
I had just applied the medicine according to the instructions and was about to wash up for bed when Ethan came back.
He picked me up and gently placed me on the bed, holding some bruise ointment.
“Be good, don’t be afraid. I’ll apply the medicine for you.”
It seemed to be raining outside. Ethan was soaked, but he still dried his hands carefully before gently applying the medicine.
I was very afraid of pain.
When I first started fighting alongside Ethan, I would cry uncontrollably even from just a scratch.
Every time I was injured, no matter how battered he was, Ethan would always stay by my side, letting me bite his arm to endure the pain.
Those years were tough, but I felt secure.
But it seemed that one day, he disappeared from my bedside.
Later, countless times I was on the verge of death, with scars big and small, and he never spared me a glance.
But now I’m not afraid of pain anymore, yet he’s rushing to take care of me.
Has his conscience awakened?
Ethan’s apologetic voice came:
“Aria, you’ve lost weight. I’ve been neglecting you lately, I’m sorry.”
“About the marriage, I was afraid you’d overthink it so I didn’t tell you. Lily saved my life and was targeted for assassination because of me. I have to protect her.”
“But don’t worry, I won’t touch her. I only love you. Once I deal with Xavier, I’ll definitely divorce her and marry you properly, okay?”
He massaged my ankle, while my gaze fixed on the wedding ring on his finger.
I looked at Ethan, my eyes full of sorrow, and asked:
“Ethan, all these years, have you ever loved me?”
He was stunned for a moment, then knelt on one knee and held me in his arms, full of deep affection: “I love you, I only love you, Aria.”
Then, he hand-fed me the milk he brought, his eyes full of tenderness:
“Here, drink some milk and go to sleep early. You can come to the wedding tomorrow if you want, I won’t stop you.”
But I tasted that the milk was laced with sleeping pills.
Enough to make me sleep through the whole day tomorrow.
My throat felt constricted, almost suffocating me.
He was still deceiving me, just so Lily could marry him smoothly tomorrow.
So this was how he planned to keep me quiet.
I drank all the milk, a tear falling. My heart felt dead.
But Ethan smiled, smiled so brightly, gazing at me tenderly as I closed my eyes.
But he didn’t know that after years of fighting for him, I had trouble sleeping every night and had built up a tolerance to sleeping pills.
After a while, Lily’s coquettish moans sounded in my ear:
“Ethan, you were gone so long, I thought you were staying here!”
Ethan embraced her passionately:
“How could I? She’s just a human shield to take bullets for me. I’m still being watched by Xavier, so I need to keep her close to use her.”
“Xavier is wary of her, so he won’t go all out against me.”
Lily pouted: “Where are you touching? Naughty~”
“Mm, I’m the naughtiest…” Ethan’s voice was low and husky.
The sound of clothes rustling grew more intense as they kissed fervently.
My heart felt like it had been stabbed, the pain tearing me apart.
To Ethan, I had always submitted unconditionally. He had never been so doting and passionate with me.
“Aria, can you take the blame for me?”
“Aria, I’m in a firefight with Xavier, come help me.”
And I would always agree to his requests, even at the cost of my life.
Finally, they left, and I couldn’t sleep all night.
Early in the morning, I left with my backpack. Half the island was empty, everyone preparing for the wedding.
I handed the rental form to the dock guard: “I need a speedboat.”
The man looked surprised:
“Aria, things are tense out there. What if you get caught?”
“Boss told us not to let you leave the island alone. And with you gone, who will manage things here? We’re worried something might happen.”
Ethan had once promised me that as soon as he took over the city, he would marry me as Mrs. Qin.
To marry him sooner, I led raids at night and handled island affairs during the day, splitting myself in two.
But if Ethan truly loved me, how could he let me work so hard and ignore my efforts?
He didn’t love me, so everything I did was in vain.
“Does the boss know you’re leaving the island?”
He was one of the few who knew our true relationship and how much Ethan valued me.
Although Ethan never showed any special treatment towards me in front of his men, nor did he ever cross any lines with me.
He even beat me half to death in public to establish his authority.
But the man still asked repeatedly, because I was leaving on Ethan’s wedding day. He felt uneasy.
“He knows. He signed the form himself.”
The man hesitated, but under my urging, he still gave me the speedboat.
Driving the boat, the salty cold wind blew all the way before I finally felt the reality of leaving.
This counts as completely betraying Ethan, right? After all, I’m taking secrets to his archenemy Xavier.
I wonder what expression he’ll have when he finds out?
I can only think so maliciously.
As I passed an area of sea, a huge yacht was stopped, holding a wedding ceremony on deck.
A helicopter scattered rose petals from above, covering the nearby sea.
The sound system was so loud I could hear it from far away. It was Ethan pouring his heart out to Lily.
“Lily, you once said people in our line of work shouldn’t have loved ones. So I hid all my love for you in my heart, afraid you’d become my weakness, afraid you’d get hurt.”
“But now, I want to tell you, you are my weakness, and also my armor!”
“To be able to marry you, I waited 7 years, planning for so long. Now my wish has finally come true…”
Yes, he loves her, so he hid it from everyone, including me.
All his love for Lily now makes his promises to me in the past into a joke.
I turned my head to look in the distance, glimpsing the silhouettes of a man and woman standing together on the deck, pure and romantic.
Ethan’s gaze seemed to meet mine from afar. He froze: “Aria?”
My heart clenched painfully. He seemed to be overwhelmed by a strong sense of unease, as if about to lose something most important.
Lily held his hand, giggling and comforting him:
“Ethan, you must be seeing things. Sister drank the drugged milk you gave her. She’s still sleeping now.”
The doubt on Ethan’s face gradually faded, but he silently decided to comfort me well when he got back.
Even if it took the rest of his life to make up for it.
Little did he know, I was already driving the speedboat further and further away from him.
“Mr. Ethan, do you take Miss Lily to be your lawfully wedded wife, for better or…” The priest’s solemn vows were suddenly interrupted.
“Boss, something’s wrong!” A subordinate came running in panic, shouting:
“Boss, Aria… Aria is gone!”
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I know my birth was a mistake.
My mother stood in for a wealthy heiress. After not finding love, she orchestrated my conception and was sent to a mental hospital.
Before she passed away, she held my hand and said, “Don’t be like me, Adeline. You need to live a life more brilliant than mine.”
Later, as I huddled in the corner clutching expired bread, four men stormed in with eyes burning red.
My financier father handed me a platinum card. “Five million a month as an allowance, but don’t expect me to call you daughter.”
Three brothers blocked the door, sneering, “With your tainted blood, you think you’re fit to be part of the Thompson family?”
I turned my life around, entered a talent show, and shot to fame, starring in films that grossed ten billion.
During a live stream, my childhood friend declared, “Adeline deserves the best love in the world.”
On a stormy day, the four men knelt outside the villa, pleading, “Adeline, come home, please look at us.”
I huddled in the corner with expired bread.
The room in the orphanage was very dark, and I was afraid to sleep alone.
I don’t know how long it was before the door opened.
A man I didn’t recognize was looking at me, followed by three older boys.
One of the boys glanced at me coldly and said, “Dad, she looks just like you.”
I shrank further into the corner.
I recognized the man. My mom said Dad looked just like me.
But I didn’t dare call him that because Mom said Dad hated me. If he saw me, he would definitely kill me.
Thinking of this, I quickly lowered my head.
The man in front was very tall, his leather shoes creaking on the floor.
He called out to me, “Adeline?”
I shook my head desperately.
Mom had said never to admit to that name.
The boy in the blue shirt suddenly sneered, “Dad, is she an idiot who doesn’t even know her own name?”
The other two boys laughed along. They were handsome, just like Dad.
One of them kicked an empty can by my feet. “Dad, it’s disgusting to see her eating garbage.”
The tip of a leather shoe hit my toe, causing pain.
Dad reached out and pinched my chin.
His nails scratched me painfully, but I didn’t dare move.
I always knew my birth was a mistake.
My mother stood in for a wealthy heiress. After not finding love, she orchestrated my conception and was sent to a mental hospital.
Everyone said I was illegitimate.
“Her mouth and nose are just like mine,” Dad said, suddenly letting go. He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his fingers vigorously. “Filthy.”
“Dad, can we go now?” one brother urged. “I have a tennis game with friends.”
The boy in blue grabbed the back of my collar and lifted me up. I couldn’t make a sound as it choked me.
They didn’t even let me take that leftover bread.
When the car stopped in front of a white villa, I nervously pinched my palm.
Just now in the car, Dad introduced these three brothers.
The oldest is named Jasper, the second Declan, and the third Finn.
They are my half-brothers.
“Get out!” Someone pushed me, and I stumbled onto the cobblestone path.
The air was filled with the scent of grass, and the fountain’s water splashed coolly on my face.
“Country bumpkin,” Declan looked at me with disdain. “I heard you don’t even know how to use a toilet?”
“Declan,” Jasper, the one with glasses, coughed softly, “watch what you say. After all, she was picked up from the slums.”
I clutched the wrinkled corner of my clothes, feeling a bit embarrassed, and lowered my head.
“Get inside,” Dad tossed the platinum card on the entryway cabinet. “Nanny Johnson, take her for a bath.”
The hot water from the shower startled me.
So, bathwater can be warm, and towels can be as soft as clouds.
I stared at myself in the mirror, unable to resist touching the nightgown on my body.
Such soft clothes…
“Hey, what are you dawdling for?”
Finn’s impatient voice came from outside the door.
I hurried out, “Sorry, brother, it’s Adeline’s first time using a bathtub, it took too long.”
The chandelier in the dining room was beautiful.
I looked at the fork and knife in front of me, unsure of what to do.
Do I have to use a fork and knife to eat?
“Going to eat with your hands?” Finn sneered from his chair. “Well, in the orphanage, you only had expired bread, right?”
Father slammed the knife and fork down heavily. “Finn, don’t talk while eating.”
I mimicked their grip on the knife, but the steak slid off the plate with a “whoosh.”
Sauce splattered on Declan’s white sleeve, and he jumped up as if electrocuted. “Do you know how expensive this shirt is? Figures, a country bumpkin who can’t even use utensils.”
“Declan,” Jasper suddenly raised his voice, “stop it, isn’t the house noisy enough already?”
I stared at the beef on my plate.
It smelled so good…
Suddenly, someone took my knife and fork.
Jasper had somehow circled behind me. He took the knife and fork, and the steak obediently cut into small pieces. “Got it?”
I was just about to say thank you when Jasper spoke again.
His voice was cold, “Not knowing how to use a knife and fork is embarrassing for the Thompson family…”
I felt like crying, Dad, and my brothers didn’t like me.
But I held back my tears.
Mom said no one likes a crying child.
I chewed the meat in my mouth, unable to taste it.
But the long-lost warmth in my stomach made my nose tingle; it was the first hot meal I’d had in six months.
Dad arranged for me to live in the attic.
Although it only had a small window, I could see the beautiful flowers in the yard.
Except for mealtime, I could only stay in the small attic.
If I behaved and polished my brothers’ shoes, they occasionally took me out.
Though tiring, it was much better than the orphanage.
Today, they were in a good mood and willing to take me to the mall.
Declan’s voice was harsh, “Adeline, if you dare touch anything, don’t expect dinner tonight.”
Seeing me silent, he grabbed my ear again, “Deaf? Answer me!”
I shivered, lowered my head, and whispered, “Got it, Declan.”
He snorted coldly, “Don’t call me Declan, you’re just an outsider.”
I sat quietly in the corner, nodding obediently, but I was starving.
The smell of roasted chestnuts and meat pies made my mouth water. My stomach growled.
Suddenly, I heard a “ding.”
It was a piano.
Before Mom passed, she taught me how to play the piano.
A cleaning lady was wiping the piano bench, and I was drawn over as if by magic.
I wanted to touch it, just once.
I couldn’t help but play the tune Mom often played for me.
I forgot what it was called.
I felt like crying, unsure if the melody was too moving or if I just missed Mom.
“Stupid girl!”
Someone suddenly grabbed my ear, and Declan dragged me off the piano bench. “Didn’t I tell you not to wander? You dare touch things!”
Many people around were discussing something.
I couldn’t hear clearly.
Declan yanked my hair and shoved me into the car.
It hurt, but I didn’t dare cry. If I cried, there’d be no food.
I was locked in the attic.
The smell of food wafted from the kitchen, making me so hungry I wanted to cry.
A servant secretly tossed me a bun, and I gobbled it up.
I suddenly missed Mom a lot. Why did she have to leave me so soon?
The temperature dropped at night, and I had no thick clothes, so I curled up under a thin blanket.
The next morning, my throat ached.
Cold wind blew in through the window, and I wrapped myself tighter.
I felt dizzy and didn’t leave my room all day.
Half-awake, I heard someone angrily calling me.
Declan kicked open my door with a “bang.”
He stormed to my bed with a broken guitar. “Adeline, are you trying to get yourself killed?”
I hurriedly propped myself up, not knowing why he was so angry.
“Declan, what’s wrong?”
“Still playing dumb?” He grabbed my collar and dragged me off the bed. My knee hit the floor hard. “The guitar has bread crumbs on it. Everyone knows you love bread.”
“Yesterday when I played the guitar, I saw you hovering around. Don’t think I didn’t notice!”
“How could it be such a coincidence?” He grabbed my trembling hand. “The evidence is clear, what are you pretending for?”
I shook my head desperately, my voice hoarse. “It wasn’t me, I didn’t leave my room all day, I really didn’t touch the guitar…”
“Yesterday, I watched you play the guitar, just admiring, not lurking.”
Finn leaned against the doorframe, sneering, “Hands and feet raised in the slums are dirty. Not enough to steal, now you learn to destroy?”
“Declan, isn’t your guitar limited edition? Make her pay, after all, Dad gave her the platinum card.”
I argued loudly, “I didn’t steal anything, and I didn’t break the guitar. You’re framing Adeline!”
Jasper’s footsteps echoed down the hallway.
“Yesterday, I watched Finn play the guitar. I felt admiration, not sneaking around.”
Declan leaned against the doorframe with a sneer, “People raised in poverty have sticky fingers. Stealing isn’t enough, now you’re learning to destroy things too?”
“Finn, isn’t your guitar a limited edition? Make her pay for it. Anyway, Dad’s platinum card is with her.”
I defended myself loudly, “I didn’t steal anything, and I didn’t break the guitar. You’re falsely accusing Adeline!”
Jasper’s footsteps echoed from the hallway.
I looked up, hoping for salvation, but his eyes were cold. “If something’s broken, there must be consequences. Declan, how do you suggest we handle this?”
“Jasper, I really didn’t…” I reached out to tug his sleeve, but he stepped aside.
Finn smirked maliciously, “Go kneel outside. You’re not allowed to get up until dinner.”
I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer.
I still hadn’t fulfilled what Mom asked of me.
I wanted to be strong, but I couldn’t.
Finn dragged me out by the arm, his nails nearly cutting into my skin, “Stop whining! You think crying will get you out of this?”
I stumbled as he threw me onto the cobblestone path in front of the villa, sharp stones digging into my palms.
Declan stood on the steps with his arms crossed, nudging my leg with his shoe, “Kneel properly. A child like you should follow the rules meant for you.”
I bit my lip hard.
The sky was gloomy, like it was about to rain.
Finn cursed irritably, “Damn it, you should just kneel until you drop!”
“Pretending to faint won’t work either,” Declan’s voice suddenly came from above me.
He crouched down, his tone mocking, “It hurts, doesn’t it? Say ‘I’m just a worthless child,’ and I’ll plead for you.”
My throat burned, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my heart, “I didn’t break the guitar…”
“Ingrate!” He grabbed the back of my neck and pressed me into the ground, “Then kneel until you understand your place!”
When the raindrops hit my back, the pain seemed to disappear.
The stones beneath my knees had worn through my skin, blood mixed with rainwater seeping into the soil.
I stared at the spreading ripples on the ground, a buzzing in my ears.
Before leaving, Finn kicked me, my forehead hit the edge of the fountain, and warm blood mixed with rainwater flowed into my eyes.
As my consciousness began to fade, I heard footsteps approaching.
“Adeline?”
Someone was calling me.
This voice…
Impossible!
I shook my head. It couldn’t be him. He found his family and left the orphanage before Auntie Lin adopted me.
I must be delirious.
I struggled to lift my head, seeing a dark figure rushing through the rain curtain.
A scorching palm pressed against the back of my neck.
I shivered violently; this heat was more searing than my fevered forehead.
“Don’t touch me…” I shrank back instinctively, my soaked nightgown sticking to the wounds, it hurt, “My brothers said… moving will increase the punishment…”
He knelt down and pulled me into his arms, his voice trembling, “How long have they made you kneel? Speak!”
I blinked, rainwater trickling from my lashes into his collar.
This face hadn’t changed much from my memory, the scar on his brow still there.
That winter in the orphanage, when he shielded me from the falling shovel, blood also trickled down his brow like this.
I wanted to say five hours, or six?
But my head hurt too much to think clearly.
“Ezra?” I reached out to touch his face, but my fingers flinched away as soon as they touched him, “Am I dreaming?”
He clasped my wrist to his chest, his palm scorching, “I’m real, Adeline, I finally found you.”
Dad walked over, frowning, “What’s going on here?”
I couldn’t stop trembling.
Dad had said he didn’t want outsiders to know I was his daughter.
Now that Ezra found out, he must be very angry.
The arms holding me tightened abruptly.
I heard Ezra coldly laugh, “Mr. Thompson, what exactly did Adeline do wrong to deserve this treatment?”
Finn rushed over, “Dad, this child broke my guitar. I told her to reflect here, she deserved it… Ah!”
A dull thud of bone on bone.
Ezra punched him in the stomach, his voice icy, “Say one more thing about her, and I’ll make sure you never play guitar again.”
I cried, throwing myself at him, “Ezra, don’t fight because of me.”
Declan supported the staggering Finn, “Ezra Bennett, you’re fighting over an unworthy child?”
“Unworthy?” Ezra lifted me, “Finn Thompson, is this how you treat your sister?”
“And she dares call herself my sister?” Finn sneered, “A child like her, letting her live with the Thompson family was already more than enough!”
Ezra held me tighter, “Fine, if the Thompson family doesn’t want her, I will!”
The Bennett family villa was even bigger than the Thompson’s.
I shrank behind Ezra, palms sweating.
Uncle Bennett sat on the sofa, sizing me up. I instinctively hid more behind Ezra.
“Dad,” Ezra stepped forward, “you promised me that as long as I was a good heir, Adeline could live here.”
Uncle Bennett kept a stern face, he looked like someone who rarely smiled.
No wonder Ezra doesn’t like to smile either, he’s just like his dad.
My heart pounded, but Uncle Bennett didn’t say much, just arranged for someone to take me to a room.
How does that saying go?
You can’t judge a book by its cover.
Uncle Bennett and Ezra were both very kind to me.
Unlike in the Thompson family, my room in the Bennett villa was beautiful, with a large floor-to-ceiling window. The sunlight streaming in was warm, like a princess’s room in a storybook.
Auntie Taylor, the housekeeper, said that as soon as Ezra returned to the Bennett family, he started setting it up for me. It’s the best-lit room in the villa, even better than Ezra’s.
Uncle Bennett found out I liked playing the piano and hired a piano teacher for me.
After my first piano lesson, I cried for a long time under the covers that night.
It was the first time I felt loved since Mom passed away.
Time flew by, and before I knew it, I was seven.
I started attending the same private school as Ezra.
On the first day of school, I clung tightly to Ezra’s backpack strap at the school gate.
I was terrified everyone would hate me for being a lowly child.
“Ezra, I don’t want to go to school. Can’t I just stay at home?”
He held my shoulders, patiently explaining, “Adeline, you’re grown up now. When it’s time for school, you have to go. If anyone bullies you, just stand up for yourself. If you can’t handle it, tell me, and I’ll get back at them for you.”
“You’re a princess, and being friends with a princess is their privilege.”
To my surprise, my classmates were very friendly.
I even made a great friend named Nora Williams.
During lunch, my desk would be piled with snacks from classmates.
At the orphanage, I only ate expired bread, and at the Thompson house, I often went hungry.
Now I constantly received delicious foods, like I was meant to have them all along.
Dad and my brothers never came to bother me again.
Maybe disappearing from their lives was a good thing.
Ezra said I’ve become more confident now.
At my elementary school graduation, I even performed a piano solo.
“Adeline!”
I had just stepped off the stage when an auntie in a suit stopped me.
She crouched down to meet my eyes, speaking softly, “I’m a manager from Starlight Entertainment. You can call me Auntie Green. Your performance was amazing. Are you interested in shooting commercials? Or acting in TV dramas?”
I clutched the hem of my dress, stepping back.
“Adeline?” Ezra quickly approached, protectively hovering by my side.
Auntie Green immediately stood up, handing over a business card, “Ezra, our company is preparing a family drama. The role of the young female lead is perfect for Adeline. We can discuss the pay, and it won’t interfere with school…”
In the car on the way back, I stared out the window.
Ezra handed me a warm milk, “If you don’t want to go, I’ll turn her down right now.”
I shook my head, asking him, “Ezra, can acting make a lot of money?”
He frowned, “Why do you ask? The Bennett family isn’t short on money.”
“But I want to earn my own. Auntie Taylor said my piano lessons are expensive, and the dresses you bought me cost a lot.”
The car went silent for a few seconds.
“Adeline,” he wiped my mouth gently, “these things are what you should have.”
“I want to try. Auntie Green said acting is simple. Two days on the weekend can earn five thousand.”
Ezra rubbed his temples, looking resigned, “Adeline, the entertainment industry is complicated.”
“But I want to be useful.”
He was silent for a long time, eventually giving in.
The day the TV show aired, I sat nervously in front of the TV, palms sweating.
I didn’t have many scenes, only a few.
Nora messaged me non-stop, “Adeline! Check Twitter! You’re trending!”
Could you please share the specific text you would like me to address?
#Nation’s Sweetheart Adeline# followed by a flame icon.
Opening the real-time discussion, the screen was almost completely covered with live comments.
[I need all the info on my baby girl in three minutes!]
[Those crying scenes were phenomenal! Our darling daughter’s acting outshines the popular starlets!]
[I found out! She’s the adopted daughter of the Bennett Corporation, and she’s won international awards for piano!]
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I was meant to enter a marriage alliance with the Taylor Family alongside my best friend.
But on the eve of the celebration, I woke up in the bed of my best friend’s fiancé.
Trying to flee, Liam Taylor revealed that it was all a plot by my boyfriend and best friend.
To prove it, he handed me a video of them entangled together.
“A doomed heir is only fit to be with a fool. Yet he dares to think he can marry the one I love.”
“By tomorrow morning, Nora Bennett’s affair scandal will be all over the headlines. They’ll be tied together, and the entire Taylor Family will be ours.”
It struck me that they had been together all along, and I was just a pawn in their scheme when I learned of the marriage alliance.
Their cruel intentions made all my sincere efforts seem like a joke.
In my rage, I sat on Liam Taylor and boldly declared, “You’re mine now. You must marry me.”
“I won’t live past thirty-five. Are you sure you want to marry me?”
“Yes.”
I nodded firmly, meeting his gaze, and kissed him to make him believe.
There were five years left until he turned thirty-five—maybe I could find a way to save him.
Even if not, with his looks and wealth, spending five years together wouldn’t be a loss. Who knows, maybe I’d even have a little dumpling.
By then, all his assets would be mine. How could I pass up such a beneficial deal?
Liam Taylor said nothing, just held my gaze intensely. If not for his hand gripping my waist, I might have thought he was indifferent. His gaze grew deeper, and my heart beat wildly.
Everyone knows that the elite Taylor Family isn’t intimidating. The only intimidating one is Liam Taylor. He took over the company at eighteen and, within two years, surpassed the leading company in New York City.
By twenty-five, he expanded the company internationally.
If not for the accident at twenty-seven, he would be a man many women could only dream of.
Even with his short life expectancy, my family’s status isn’t the Taylor Family’s first choice.
Just as I was about to compromise and leave, he softly said, “Marry me. Alive or dead, you can only be my wife.”
Hearing his terms, I quickly nodded in agreement.
Sworn with three fingers to the sky, I promised to marry only him in this life. Seeing his satisfied smile, I realized he agreed to the marriage exchange.
Meanwhile, in the video, the two were still plotting how to humiliate Liam Taylor and me the next day and gain benefits from Mrs.
Taylor. Watching the two-faced duo filled me with hatred.
If they wanted to ruin me, I’d return the favor. After whispering in Liam Taylor’s ear, I dressed and headed to Fiona White’s room. Before reaching the door, I already heard Fiona White’s pleading voice inside.
“Stop it. If their drug effect wears off and they sneak out, tonight’s plan will fall apart.”
“Don’t worry, I used a strong dose. Once we’re done, we’ll call the reporters.
Even if the old lady wants to protect him, Liam Taylor will have to leave the Taylor Family.”
Their mocking voices sent a chill down my spine. Tonight, Fiona White used our best friend status as an excuse to hold a bachelorette party.
After just one drink, I felt dizzy, with waves of heat coursing through me.
When I came to, I was already in bed with Liam Taylor. Thinking of this, I ground my molars in anger.
For Fiona White, I gave my all. What I had, she had. What she liked, I’d buy for her. For her family’s company, I asked my father for help more than once.
I even introduced my boyfriend, Finn Taylor, to her. Even a hair from the Taylor Family could keep her small company thriving for a month. But I never expected the two of them to sneak around together.
Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the key card Liam Taylor had prepared and kicked the door open. The two on the bed split apart in shock at the sudden noise.
They scrambled to cover themselves with the fallen blanket, looking like ants on a hot pan. Barely managing to cover their exposed skin, they looked up to see me pointing my phone at their faces.
Fiona White’s face darkened instantly, and she yelled in anger, “Nora Bennett, are you crazy? What are you doing here instead of sleeping?”
“Nora Bennett?”
Before she finished her scolding, her face turned pale with fright. She reached out, trying to shove Finn Taylor under the covers.
Her panicked look made me laugh derisively, a slight sting at the tip of my nose.
“I treated you like a good sister, and you slept with my boyfriend. Do you have no shame?”
My question silenced Fiona White and made Finn Taylor feel sorry for her. Right in front of me, he pulled Fiona White into his arms, looking soft and tender.
“Nora, where’s your upbringing? You barge in like a shrew, biting everyone. How can you compare to Fiona?”
Though he was the one caught cheating, and I hadn’t even started questioning him, he turned the tables, acting like the victim.
Unable to contain my fury, I threw a nearby ashtray at them.
“She’s my best friend and your uncle’s fiancée. How can you justify this affair?”
Finn Taylor brushed it off with a wince, his face twisted in pain. He glared at me with vicious eyes. “Don’t mention that good-for-nothing.
A doomed heir who thought he could marry Fiona and compete with me for the Taylor Family.”
“If you’re smart, you’ll listen. The Taylor Family can still be yours. If not, forget about the marriage.”
“Fine, let’s call off the engagement. I have nothing to do with you anymore.”
With those words, I slapped Finn Taylor across the face.
He hadn’t expected me to suggest breaking off the engagement, and his face turned dark instantly.
Ignoring his state of undress, he got up and approached me.
“We can’t break it off. You and my uncle…”
Before he could finish, his voice stopped abruptly. My vision went black, and I heard the sound of flesh hitting the floor. As I wondered, Liam Taylor’s deep, magnetic voice sounded in my ear.
“You’ve agreed to marry me. Don’t look at others, naughty.”
Tsk, so domineering.
A moment later, Liam Taylor removed his hand from my face. Finn Taylor was now wrapped in a towel, like a turtle hiding its head, not daring to look our way.
But Liam Taylor had no intention of letting him go. With a face full of coldness, he spoke, “What’s wrong with me and Nora Bennett? Hmm…”
As Liam Taylor stared at Finn Taylor in silence, he motioned for the reporters outside to enter. They rushed in, snapping photos of the two. Finn Taylor, realizing what was happening, glared at the media and yelled angrily.
“You’ve got the wrong place. Get out.”
His panic and Fiona White’s pathetic attempt to hide under the covers slightly eased my resentment. The media didn’t leave despite his shouting. Instead, they focused their cameras on Finn Taylor and Fiona White, zooming in on their faces.
[We heard Fiona White is your uncle’s fiancée. Are you disregarding ethics?]
[Even if you don’t care, you’re getting married tomorrow. How can you do this to your wife?]
[As a lady of the White family, Fiona White, are you playing with Mr. Taylor’s emotions because you’re fearless, or do you plan to seize Mr. Taylor’s assets?]
…
Each word pierced like a jewel, turning their faces ghostly pale. Fiona White threw off the blanket, revealing her head, and pitifully spoke to the media.
“No, I was supposed to marry Finn Taylor. It’s her…”
“Nora Bennett despises Liam Taylor for his short life and doesn’t want to be a widow, so she announced she would marry Finn Taylor.”
Fiona White pointed at me, signaling me to agree with her. Seeing I wasn’t playing along, she awkwardly wrapped the blanket around herself and approached me.
“We’ve been best friends for so many years. You don’t want to see me ruined over this, right?”
Then she whispered in my ear, “Nora, I didn’t mean to. I was just drunk. Please help me this once, okay?”
“Besides, you also slept with my fiancé. We’re even, right?”
I was stunned by her shamelessness. Failing to harm me, she wanted me to bear the consequences. I’ve been too lenient with her over the years.
Fiona White and I have been friends for fifteen years. During these years, I’ve constantly taken the blame for her. She’s the second child in her family, with an older sister and a younger brother.
She wears her sister’s hand-me-downs and eats her brother’s leftovers, with only a hundred bucks a month for allowance. We met because she couldn’t afford sanitary products.
I lent her money, and upon learning of her situation, I felt sorry for her and made her my best friend. Since then, whenever she was wronged, I’d stand up for her without hesitation.
I never thought it would make her feel entitled.
“Fiona White, this is about reputation. If I admit it, the Bennett Corporation will be scorned because of me.”
“Besides, you’re the one who cheated. How can you slander me and Mr. Taylor like this?”
I glared at her, tears rolling down my face. My pitiful look made the reporters view Fiona White with more disdain.
Seeing the reporters continue to question her, she panicked. She looked to Finn Taylor for help, but he was too scared to lift his head under Liam Taylor’s pressure.
“Nora, now that Finn Taylor and I have no way out, he can only marry me. You’re destined to marry Liam Taylor.”
“I’m begging you. Help me this once, and I’ll compensate you.”
Fiona White pleaded desperately but didn’t get a nod from me. She pushed me back in anger, pointing at my nose, questioning me.
“Nora Bennett, what’s wrong with you? You promised to protect me.
Now you want to break your word? Aren’t you afraid I’ll cut off your financial support once I marry Liam Taylor?”
My heart was stabbed sharply. Over a decade of effort was wasted on someone ungrateful.
We had achieved our goal, so there was no need to listen to her anymore. I gestured for Liam Taylor to leave with me.
Fiona White panicked as I turned to go, desperately clutching my arm and pleading with urgency.
“Mabel, I messed up this time. Please help me. You wouldn’t want to see my child and me getting hurt by my dad.”
She touched her belly as she spoke.
Liam and I exchanged a glance, surprised at her audacity to be pregnant.
The Taylor Family had consulted a fortune-teller to find a girl whose fate matched Liam Taylor’s, believing she could change his destiny.
Mrs. Taylor had spent a fortune searching among the elite families and finally found Fiona White.
To persuade her to marry into the family, the Taylors had agreed to her family’s unreasonable demands.
Now, whether it was her with Finn Taylor or me with Liam, either situation would anger the Taylor Family.
This was why Liam wanted Finn to involve the media, to shift the blame onto them.
However, seeing Fiona White’s desperate gamble, I didn’t dare take the risk. If she revealed her pregnancy, it would not just be about getting the Taylor elders to agree to a marriage swap; it would plunge the entire family into a media frenzy, making Liam and me targets of public scrutiny.
There was no longer an escape. Liam and I were already entangled in this mess, inseparable. As I hesitated, Liam pulled me into his embrace.
“Miss White, you must be joking. Even if you and Mabel are best friends, this kind of joke is unacceptable.”
“My intended wife is Miss Nora Bennett, and Miss White is my niece-in-law. We hadn’t made it public earlier to avoid any schemes before they joined the Taylor Family.”
He explained earnestly, though the crowd remained skeptical. Even though Liam was influential, they didn’t want to miss a headline opportunity. Clearly, Liam was aware of this, so he kissed me.
The media got their story and didn’t linger, rushing back to write it up.
Before we could confront them, the Taylor Family called us back to explain ourselves. With no other choice, we returned home to face the music.
Back home, Liam ignored Mrs. Taylor’s pressure and sat with me on the sofa, holding my hand. Only after I ate the grape he offered did he finally look at Mrs. Taylor.
“Mom, Finn is grown now and has his own ideas. He even drugged his uncle and fiancée.”
“Grandma, I didn’t.”
Finn quickly defended himself. I pinched my thigh, letting tears fall as I sobbed.
“Mrs. Taylor, I never thought Finn and Fiona would drug me. They even have a child. If it weren’t for their child, I would have accepted it and never bothered the Taylor Family again.”
“But Fiona used her pregnancy to threaten Mr. Taylor, leaving him no choice but to mention the marriage alliance with me.”
“If you don’t want it, Mrs. Taylor, I can leave.”
My tears fell, making Mrs. Taylor frown. My heart skipped a beat, and I glared at Liam. On the way back, he had told me that Mrs. Taylor was firm but soft-hearted towards him.
As long as I cried and exposed Fiona’s schemes, Mrs.
Taylor would go easy on me and not implicate the Bennett Corporation. But now, seeing Mrs. Taylor’s expression, I suddenly felt a bit of regret.
Mrs. Taylor’s face turned from blue to red, and she handed me a tissue.
“You poor child, you’ve been through a lot. The dowry will be sent to your home again tomorrow morning.”
She then slammed the table in anger, glaring sharply at Fiona White.
“I thought you were sensible, but you’re restless. Take a million and leave the Taylor Family.”
She gestured for the maid to get the check from the room. Finn saw the old lady was serious and immediately knelt to stop her.
“Grandma, I’ve always loved Fiona. Now she has the Taylor Family’s child. How can she leave?”
Mrs. Taylor ignored his defense and bluntly told Fiona to deal with the child, offering another million.
This infuriated Finn, and he pointed at me, yelling angrily.
“Nora Bennett tricked her into marrying my uncle. How can a doomed heir match Fiona?”
The living room fell silent. Seeing the loneliness in Liam’s eyes, my heart ached. He was once a bright star, repeatedly hurt because his nephew wanted to fight for the family inheritance.
Not wanting to see him hide his emotions, I got up and slapped his face.
Ignoring everyone’s gaze, I slapped him again on the other cheek.
“The only one unworthy is Fiona White. If I had known Liam earlier, you wouldn’t have had the title of my boyfriend.”
Finn held his face, staring at me in shock. His face turned from green to white to black, and his finger trembled with anger as he pointed at me.
“Nora Bennett, don’t forget, our engagement isn’t dissolved. You’re still my fiancée.”
I rolled my eyes at him and turned to take the marriage alliance certificate from Liam’s arms, taunting Finn.
“See? Now I’m your aunt. Call me aunt, let’s hear it.”
Finn looked at me incredulously, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say. Fiona White saw him silent and quickly snatched the marriage certificate from my hand.
“Nora Bennett, even if you want to save face, you shouldn’t use this fake marriage certificate to deceive Finn.”
🌟 Continue the story here
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“Nathan, are you really going to divorce Olivia and study abroad?”
In the quiet living room, Nathan looked at Mrs. Sullivan’s shocked face across from him and nodded.
“Yes, Mrs. Sullivan. As you know, I wasn’t the one who was supposed to marry her in the first place. For Olivia, I was just an unexpected stand-in, a substitute when the real groom didn’t show up. Now that he’s back, she’s been so happy lately. It’s time for me to go.”
Outside, a light snow was falling, creating a beautiful winter scene.
He smiled lightly. “Studying abroad has always been my dream anyway.”
Mrs. Sullivan looked at the young man before her, remembering Olivia’s wedding three years ago. Ethan, who was supposed to be the groom, had fled abroad at the last minute.
Just as Olivia stood awkwardly on stage, red-eyed and unsure what to do, Nathan had put on an ill-fitting suit and slowly walked up.
He apologetically took the microphone and addressed all the guests: “I’m so sorry, there was traffic on the way. I’m late.”
With that act, he had saved Olivia’s dignity and the Sullivan family’s reputation.
Mrs. Sullivan let out a long sigh, then asked uncertainly, “Will Olivia agree to the divorce?”
Nathan shook his head with a smile. “I already got her to sign the divorce papers.”
Two weeks ago, he had given her the divorce agreement. At the time, Olivia was in a rush to finish work and meet Ethan. She had signed without even looking and left.
Now, in just seven more days, he would be able to get the official divorce certificate. He would be free.
After all, the Sullivan family had a three-generation military background and couldn’t go abroad.
So once he left the country, he and Olivia would never have to see each other again.
Just as Mrs. Sullivan was about to speak, a gentle female voice came from behind them.
“Nathan, what are you chatting about with Mom?”
Nathan turned around to see Olivia, whom he hadn’t seen in days, walking towards them in a black evening gown that occasionally revealed her long legs.
“…Olivia.”
Seeing her daughter approach, Mrs. Sullivan was about to step forward to scold her.
“Why are you here?”
With a mix of surprise and reassurance, Nathan stood up, giving Mrs. Sullivan a pleading look to interrupt her.
“I missed you, so I came by to pick you up,” Olivia said, her eyes looking a bit guilty. In truth, she had come on purpose after finding out Nathan’s whereabouts.
After saying goodbye to the worried Mrs. Sullivan, the couple took their bags and left the Sullivan family home.
On the way back, heavy rain pounded on the car windows, while inside was completely silent.
Olivia remained quiet for a long time before finally speaking.
“Nathan.”
“Ethan and I are really over. He just got back to the country and had heart surgery a few years ago, so his health isn’t good. As an old… friend, I just went to help him get settled. I hope you can understand.”
Nathan stared out the rain-blurred window and nodded.
If only he hadn’t seen how Olivia had dropped everything and excitedly rushed to meet Ethan the day he returned.
If only he hadn’t noticed Olivia selling the watch she had used for years and replacing it with a cheap bracelet Ethan had given her.
If only…
There were too many “if onlys.”
Nathan no longer had any expectations or trust left.
A soft sigh filled the car. Faced with this husband she had married by chance years ago, Olivia wanted to explain further. But thinking of her own actions over the past two weeks, she ultimately chose to change the subject.
“Nathan, what was that document you had me sign two weeks ago?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Nathan turned to look at Olivia, his eyes showing three parts surprise and seven parts bitter amusement.
She was only now remembering to ask about that?
Then again, ever since Ethan came back, everything else in her life had faded into the background. How could she be expected to care about anything else?
Nathan was about to speak when Olivia’s phone suddenly rang.
Seeing the name displayed on the car screen, Olivia’s face instantly tensed up.
“It’s fine, go ahead and answer. It might be something important,” Nathan said, looking out the window with an indifferent expression that made Olivia suddenly feel afraid.
But she still answered the call, with the car’s speakers automatically broadcasting the conversation.
“Olivia, I miss you so much. It hurts. Can we meet?”
Hearing the whiny tone on the other end, Olivia’s knuckles turned white as she gripped the steering wheel. Her expression also suddenly turned cold.
“Ethan, I’m married now. I’ve told you many times, don’t talk to me like that!”
There was a moment of silence on the other end before Ethan replied, “But Olivia, I was supposed to be the groom at that wedding.”
The car suddenly screeched to a halt in the middle of the road, the tires making a huge noise as they skidded on the pavement.
In their three years of marriage, this was the first time Nathan had seen Olivia lose control. She shouted at the screen:
“But you left! You abandoned me and left!”
The phone went completely silent.
A moment later, Ethan’s voice came back sounding choked up: “I’m sorry. I was sick at the time and didn’t want you to worry. I had no idea it would have such serious consequences.”
“Ah! Olivia! My heart hurts so much. It’s okay, just let me die like this. Then I won’t bother you anymore, and you can live happily with my substitute.”
Soon, there was no more sound from the other end. Olivia instantly panicked. She immediately looked at Nathan.
Nathan spoke up first: “It’s fine, I’ll take a taxi home. You go check on him. Don’t let anything really happen.”
Olivia still felt somewhat guilty and said softly, “I’m not going to see him. I just remembered there’s an urgent matter at the company, so I need to stop by there.”
“I’ll come back to be with you after I finish.”
Nathan nodded and opened the car door to get out.
Watching her car speed away, Nathan stood in the rain holding an umbrella, his eyes darkening.
A moment later, he gave a bitter smile and started walking towards home, over ten miles away.
Three years. It was time to end it.
Three years ago, he had put on that ill-fitting suit and married a woman who could barely remember his name.
Friends and relatives privately said Nathan was pitiful, just a stand-in for his wife’s true love.
But in the three years since, they had shared romantic moments together and dreamed of the future.
Nathan had thought he had melted the heart of this so-called ice queen.
But now, Nathan clearly knew he had been wrong.
If that was the case, he should return to where he truly belonged and give back this position as Mr. Sullivan.
It would fulfill Olivia’s wishes.
And free himself as well.
Lightning split the night sky, followed closely by torrential rain that swept through like a tidal wave.
It also washed away the last of Nathan’s feelings for Olivia.
Nathan slept alone that night. By noon the next day, Olivia still hadn’t returned.
When he woke up, it was still raining outside.
Nathan stayed at home, calmly deleting all the posts about their married life from his social media accounts.
Just as he finished cleaning everything up, he saw that Ethan, who had been threatening to die yesterday, had suddenly posted on social media:
“What’s it like to be doted on by your ex-girlfriend?”
He included a grid of nine photos.
In the first, the usually cold and indifferent Olivia was in his arms, feeding him porridge.
In the second, the normally aloof Olivia was sitting by his bedside, holding his hand.
In the third, the usually proud Olivia was kneeling in front of him, her eyes full of concern as she helped him take medicine.
The fourth showed a pile of luxury goods, each worth millions. Ethan had captioned it: “Thanks to Olivia’s connections, I’m not angry or upset anymore.”
In the photos, the handsome man smiled sweetly, looking like the happiest prince on a phone call.
The comment section was full of envious remarks:
“Left and experienced hardships, returned and it’s still true love. Ethan, did you save the galaxy in your past life?”
“No way! It must have been at least ten galaxies. Ethan, how did you manage to make your ex still so devoted to you?”
Besides the envy, there were naturally some who wanted to mock Nathan.
Nathan just glanced over them briefly, a few comments catching his eye:
“I wonder how Mr. Xu feels seeing all this?”
“What could a mere substitute feel? Did he really think that by stepping in to save face as the groom, he could win the heart of the Sullivan family’s princess? He’s probably dying of jealousy right now. Want to bet how many minutes before this lapdog shows up?”
“I bet 10 minutes!”
“I bet 5 minutes!”
“I bet 1 minute! He’s probably already downstairs. I’ll stake my new Lamborghini on it!”
Many people eagerly joined in the betting, with the stakes getting higher and higher.
But Nathan just smiled resignedly. He would soon no longer be “Mr. Sullivan” in others’ eyes, so why chase after a woman who didn’t belong to him?
So Nathan quickly typed out a response on his phone:
“I bet he won’t show up for a lifetime.”
His words stirred up a storm, with many people immediately messaging to ask if he was joking.
Nathan simply turned off his phone and stopped looking at any messages.
Instead, he turned to make himself a bowl of noodles.
Just then, the phone suddenly rang.
Nathan didn’t answer, but the calls kept coming non-stop for five or six minutes before finally stopping.
But soon after, the housekeeper Mrs. Zhang came in holding her own phone, looking troubled.
“Sir, the young miss wants you to answer the phone.”
Only then did Nathan pick up the phone and answer.
“Nathan, it’s all a misunderstanding. I already made Ethan delete those posts. Don’t overthink it. He was feeling very unwell yesterday, that’s why I didn’t come home. Nothing happened between us.”
Olivia’s anxious voice came through the phone. The moment she saw Nathan’s comment, she had panicked.
Nathan looked at the noodles he had made and calmly said, “I made noodles. Are you coming home to eat?”
Olivia was stunned for a moment before replying, “I’m glad you’re not angry. You can eat the noodles yourself. Ethan’s heart is hurting again, so I’m taking him to the hospital for a check-up. Don’t worry, we’re really just frie-”
Before she could finish, Ethan’s panicked voice came through on the other end.
“Olivia, where are you? I can’t see you. Did I lose you again? My heart feels so anxious.”
The call was abruptly hung up, leaving only Olivia’s urgent voice addressing the other end:
“Ethan, I’m right here. You didn’t lose me.”
Looking at the ended call, Nathan sent Olivia a message: “That document you asked about yesterday is in the glove compartment on your side.”
“Open it and you’ll see what it is.”
It wasn’t until two hours later that Olivia finally replied with one sentence:
“No need. Whatever you had me sign, I’m sure it’s not to harm me.”
This meant she wouldn’t look at it.
Of course. Right now she just wanted to be by Ethan’s side. Why would she bother looking at anything unrelated to Ethan?
Even though that divorce agreement was right within her reach.
In the afternoon, Nathan drove to follow a truck delivering supplies to the orphanage where he grew up.
Nathan had been an orphan since childhood, raised here.
Seeing Nathan arrive, the children were all very excited, running up to cling to him and share their experiences.
After spending time with the kids, he went to the director’s office to say goodbye.
“Mama Director, I’m going abroad for further studies.”
The director was very happy. Nathan had been a top student in physics at Tsinghua University, but had suddenly given up studying abroad for a flash marriage. She had been regretful about it for a long time.
“Nathan, that’s wonderful news.” The director held Nathan’s hand, smiling with satisfaction. But then she thought of something and her expression turned worried. “But… you going abroad to study means you and Olivia will be in a long-distance relationship. That can be very difficult.”
Nathan looked out the window at a few children playing and running around, shaking his head with a light smile.
“It’s not a long-distance relationship. We’re getting divorced.”
“Because… Ethan came back.”
The director was stunned at first, then let out a long sigh, feeling both regretful and relieved.
“I guess I wasn’t wrong in my initial assessment. This marriage of yours was never going to last long. You see, once a person still has someone else in their heart, no matter how loving things seem on the surface, it’s all fake. As soon as that person comes back, the marriage is over. So it’s good that you’re divorcing.”
She held Nathan’s hand sympathetically, comforting him softly.
Nathan smiled back and hugged the director. Yes, it was good that it was ending.
After returning from the orphanage, Nathan went to the civil affairs bureau and learned that in five more days he could finalize the divorce. Only then did he go home to pack his luggage.
It was then that he realized his clothes filled several entire closets.
Inside were also various expensive watches, sports car keys, and other priceless gifts from Olivia.
In truth, during their three years of marriage, Olivia had always been good to him, constantly giving him black credit cards, houses, cars, and more.
But he had never touched any of it.
Because every time Olivia gave him gifts, Nathan would see the shadow of someone else in her reddened eyes.
To be precise, Olivia’s kindness to him was all stolen from Ethan, who had temporarily exited the stage.
He used to think that with time, Olivia would see his true heart. But reality proved that what didn’t belong to him would eventually have to be returned.
Nathan sorted out some of his own belongings, then took all the gifts he had given Olivia over the years and sold them for scrap.
Over the years, to make her happy, he had carefully prepared many gifts for her. She had never even glanced at them.
The only watch she ever wore was quickly replaced by a cheap bracelet from Ethan after he returned.
Seeing all these gifts tossed aside with a thick layer of dust on them, Nathan smiled bitterly again. If Olivia truly loved him, where did all this dust come from?
Watching the junk truck drive away, he was about to return to the villa when he heard a horn honk behind him.
Nathan turned to see a flashy Ferrari stop in front of him.
A girl in a red dress stepped out of the car with a showy air. It was his sister-in-law Sophie.
Sophie frowned at the departing junk truck, then snorted disdainfully.
“As expected of an orphan with no parents. Even cardboard boxes have to be sold for money. Acting like our Sullivan family is going bankrupt or something.”
Nathan didn’t even look at her, turning to leave.
Sophie’s mocking smile turned to anger. She stepped forward to grab him.
“Nathan!”
Ever since Nathan had entered their Sullivan family, he had always been very humble and tried to please everyone. He had never given her the cold shoulder like this before.
Today he actually dared to turn his back on her. A fire of rage instantly rose in Sophie’s heart.
“Hey orphan! Are you deaf? I’m talking to you!”
Nathan turned back and pulled off her hand, his eyes flashing with annoyance.
Sophie had always disliked him, feeling that someone of his background was completely unworthy of entering their prestigious Sullivan family.
So for three years after the wedding, she had constantly targeted him, saying things like the breakfast he made wasn’t fully cooked, or stepping on the clothes he had washed to dirty them.
But now that he was leaving, he didn’t want to tolerate her anymore.
Sophie was about to continue making a scene, but seemed to think of something. The corners of her mouth curved up into a sneer.
“Someone like you should sell more junk. After all, now that my sister’s true love Ethan is back, you can get lost, you so-called stand-in.”
As she finished speaking, a man in a white suit, dressed quite elegantly, stepped out from behind her.
This was Nathan’s first time seeing Ethan in person.
A pair of almond-shaped eyes brimming with charm, messy black hair casually swept back, porcelain white skin paired with the fitted white suit – just standing there exuded an aura of nobility.
No wonder Olivia had been so obsessed with him for all these years.
But that suit, those accessories –
Nathan found them somewhat familiar. Wasn’t this style of dress exactly the same as what was in his own closet?
In that moment, Nathan fully understood. He really had just been a stand-in all along.
Ethan looked Nathan up and down, as if seeing a cheap version of himself, full of disdain and mockery.
But this expression was quickly hidden away when Olivia’s car pulled in behind them.
He immediately put on a pitiful face and said, “Sophie, don’t talk about Mr. Xu like that. He’s your brother-in-law now. What if he gets angry and kicks me out?”
Just as he finished speaking, Olivia’s panicked voice came from behind.
“What’s going on? Who’s kicking who out?!”
Olivia hurried over.
Her gaze fell on Ethan standing there unharmed, and she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief before turning to address Nathan.
“Nathan, Ethan’s house has been empty for years and needs to be renovated. So could he stay with us for a few days?”
Nathan looked at Olivia without speaking.
In the silence, Ethan’s expression became very uneasy and a bit pitiful. “Olivia, maybe I should just leave. After all, it was my fault for not showing up at the wedding. Now you have a new husband, and Mr. Xu doesn’t seem to welcome me.”
Olivia looked at Nathan, her face hesitating.
Ethan let out a long sigh, turning away dejectedly.
Sophie immediately reached out to stop him. “Ethan! Why are you leaving?! If anyone should go, it’s him. The real man of this house should be-”
“Shut up, Sophie!” Olivia snapped angrily. “Who said you could talk to Nathan like that? He’s my husband and your brother-in-law. Apologize to him right now or get out!”
Sophie’s eyes instantly reddened at this. Seeing the scene, Nathan finally spoke up, the corners of his mouth curving into a smile.
“It’s fine, you don’t need to scold Sophie. I didn’t refuse. Mr. Fu, please make yourself at home here.”
After all, in five more days, this home would belong to Ethan.
There was no need to ruin the sisters’ relationship over an outsider like himself.
With that, Nathan turned and walked into the villa.
“Hey orphan! Who said you could speak for me?! Am I wrong?! If my sister wasn’t the Sullivan family’s princess, would you have stepped up as the groom?!”
Sophie’s defiant voice came from behind, followed by Olivia’s scolding and Ethan’s placating words.
Hearing Sophie’s words, complex emotions surged in Nathan’s eyes.
This was his eighth year of loving Olivia.
He still remembered the scene when he first fell in love at first sight with her in the dance studio.
She was wearing a ballet dress, her graceful movements making her look just like a proud yet noble and beautiful white swan. In that moment, his heart was captivated.
But she was the Sullivan family’s princess, the darling of high society.
As an orphan, Nathan knew their backgrounds were worlds apart. But in the end, when he saw Olivia red-eyed and at a loss standing on that stage, Nathan instinctively went up.
That feeling had nothing to do with status or benefits. He simply didn’t want to see the girl he liked cry.
Seemingly afraid Ethan would still leave, Olivia immediately instructed the servants to move his luggage into the largest guest room.
Sophie instantly strutted over to Nathan, her nose in the air. “What are you standing around for? Go make dinner. Oh, and Ethan can’t eat spicy food, so make it bland.”
Hearing this, Ethan’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he looked Nathan up and down again.
“I’ve heard Mr. Xu’s cooking is quite good. Then today I’ll have to trouble-”
Before he could finish, Olivia came down from the guest room upstairs. “Sophie, that’s enough! How many times have I told you, we have servants. Why do you always make Nathan cook for you?”
Ethan’s expression soured, his glance towards Nathan filled with hatred.
But when Olivia walked over, Ethan immediately put on a different face, smiling.
“I’ll cook today. I learned a lot of skills abroad these past years and have been wanting to make something for you all to try.”
As he said this, Ethan was looking at Olivia.
Olivia’s eyes suddenly had a moment of haziness, but when she saw Nathan standing quietly to the side, she still shook her head and said, “No need. Your health isn’t good. Let the servants-”
Sophie latched onto her, grabbing Olivia’s hand and saying, “Sis, just let Ethan cook for us. He worked so hard to learn.”
Olivia seemed to think of something and finally nodded.
“Alright, but don’t tire yourself out.”
Nathan watched all of this without saying a word, just standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows looking out at the garden.
Seeing Nathan so quiet, Olivia suddenly felt an increasing sense of panic.
After a long silence, she walked to Nathan’s side and softly said,
“Nathan, if you don’t like Ethan staying here, I’ll send him back after this meal.”
“No need. Let him stay if he wants.”
Nathan turned to look at Olivia. “That document, have you looked at it?”
Mentioning the document again, Olivia’s brow furrowed slightly. “I haven’t looked yet. Didn’t I say I trust you? Do I really need to look at it?”
Did she need to or not? Nathan didn’t know.
The signature was already there anyway. But thinking of their three years together…
Nathan was about to speak when Ethan suddenly came over carrying a pot of hot soup. He glanced at Nathan standing like a stranger beside Olivia, his eyes flashing with intense jealousy.
Then, pretending to stumble, he rushed forward towards Nathan in a panic, spilling the entire pot of soup.
“Watch out!”
“Watch out!”
Seeing the hot soup flying towards him, Nathan instinctively pulled Olivia into his arms to protect her.
Then he watched helplessly as a huge pot of scalding chicken broth poured all over him.
“Ahh!”
In an instant, Nathan was drenched in soup, his skin immediately turning bright red from the burns. The searing pain nearly made him pass out.
“Nathan!”
Olivia pushed Nathan away, her eyes full of panic. “Don’t be afraid, I’ll take you to the hospital right away!”
He looked up at her, the pain spreading through his whole body. He used all his strength but couldn’t say a word.
Then he looked at Ethan.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Xu. Are you alright? Olivia, thank goodness Mr. Xu protected you.”
Seeing Ethan’s fake panic and the satisfaction hidden in his eyes, Nathan immediately realized what had happened and said shakily:
“You did that on purpose?”
Hearing this, Ethan was stunned for a moment, then tears started falling from the grown man’s eyes. “Mr. Xu, what are you saying? How could I do that on purpose? I know you feel insecure and prejudiced against me. It’s my fault for making you get burned!”
“But you can’t slander me like this.”
Seeing Ethan cry, Sophie resolutely stepped in front of him and angrily said:
“Nathan! That’s enough! So what if you got a little burn? Why are you making such a big deal out of it? Ethan worked hard to cook for us, he’s tired enough already! Besides…”
Sophie looked at Olivia, whose eyes were now filled with doubt and anger, and raised her chin to continue, “Besides, my sister was right there. Even if Ethan wanted to hurt someone, he’d never hurt my sister, right?”
As soon as she finished speaking, the doubt in Olivia’s eyes instantly disappeared. She looked at Nathan with furrowed brows and said disappointedly,
“That’s right, Nathan. Ethan wouldn’t hurt anyone, least of all me. Please don’t overthink things, okay?”
Hearing these words, Nathan felt countless emotions rushing to his head, tears welling up in his eyes.
Olivia sighed, her voice becoming calm. “Nathan, let’s go to the hospital, alright?”
Nathan knew that no matter what else he said, Olivia wouldn’t believe him now.
He was about to nod when-
“Oh no, Ethan, you’re hurt so badly!” Sophie cried out.
Olivia’s attention immediately shifted. She rushed over to Ethan in a panic. His snow-white arm had some small blisters, looking quite “severe” indeed.
Ethan put his arm behind his back, shaking his head with red-rimmed eyes.
“I’m fine. Mr. Xu looks much worse. You should take him to the hospital first.”
He had barely finished speaking when Olivia turned back towards Nathan. Ethan immediately put on an agonized expression.
“Ah! Olivia! My heart hurts so much. It must be the shock of Mr. Xu accusing me just now. Ah, Olivia…”
Ethan collapsed, grabbing Olivia’s hand as she tried to support him. He gasped weakly, “Olivia, am I dying? Will I never see you again?”
Sophie stomped her foot anxiously. “Sis! Ethan’s heart condition is bad. Let’s get him to the hospital quickly!”
“I-I’m fine…” Ethan continued gasping pitifully.
But this act undoubtedly made Olivia’s heart ache. She could no longer think about the disheveled Nathan. She helped Ethan up and headed for the door.
Just before leaving, she seemed to remember something and turned back to Nathan with a guilty look.
“Ethan’s heart is weak. I’m afraid something might happen to him. The hospital isn’t far from here.”
“…Nathan, you can take a taxi to the hospital yourself.”
It wasn’t until their three figures had disappeared from view that Nathan came back to his senses, inhaling sharply through clenched teeth as he fought against the pain.
Seeing how severely he was injured yet left behind, the servants quickly ran over with painkillers and alcohol.
But Nathan’s burns were too severe. Even after taking the painkillers, he still had to lean against the wall for support, enduring the pain as he slowly made his way towards the hospital.
With each step, he moved further and further away from the place he had called “home.”
At the hospital, the doctor used cotton swabs to carefully press down the blistered areas while asking Nathan with concern why he was so severely burned yet had no family accompanying him.
Nathan inhaled sharply from the pain. Two other doctors passed by the doorway, chatting.
“Miss Sullivan really dotes on her husband. Just a few small blisters and she booked the entire floor, getting all the dermatology specialists to consult.”
“I know, right? Those few blisters would have mostly healed on their own if he’d come in a bit later. If only I could find a caring woman like that who loved me.”
“Haha, dream on. Women like that only come along once in a blue moon.”
Once in a blue moon?
Nathan smiled bitterly.
Abandoning her severely injured husband to go take care of someone with minor injuries – she truly was a one-in-a-million good woman.
Nathan’s injuries were too severe. He needed to stay in the hospital for a few days.
Three days later, Nathan was finally discharged, his body still wrapped in bandages.
As soon as he turned on his phone, countless missed calls and messages popped up, filling the screen.
They were all from Olivia.
This had never happened since Ethan’s return.
While Nathan was still in a daze, Sophie called. As soon as he answered, her shrill voice came through.
“Nathan, you’ve got some nerve! Where have you been for three days? Did you do it on purpose?! Can’t compete with Ethan so you’re pulling this kind of stunt? Do you know my sister’s been going crazy looking for you?! Don’t think this will get her attention. Dream on! The position of Sullivan son-in-law will always belong to Ethan!”
After finishing her tirade, Sophie hung up.
Nathan just furrowed his brow.
Had he heard wrong?
Olivia had been frantically searching for him? How was that possible? Wasn’t she busy taking care of Ethan? Why would she look for him?
But when Nathan looked at the 999 missed calls on his phone, it did seem to show Olivia’s urgency in trying to reach him.
Filled with confusion, Nathan returned home.
As soon as he entered the gate, the servants rushed over looking immensely relieved. Several of them were on the verge of tears as they spoke.
“Sir, you’re finally back. The young miss has been going crazy looking for you…”
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps approached.
“Nathan!”
Olivia anxiously ran over. In the three days apart, the usually glamorous woman looked rather haggard, especially the dark circles under her eyes.
“I was in the hospital. The same one where you were taking care of Ethan.”
Hearing this, Olivia sighed. “About last time, I didn’t mean to abandon you. It’s just that after Ethan’s surgery, the doctors said he needed to stay calm and not get agitated, or something could happen. I’ve been used to taking care of him since we were kids, so that’s why I took him to the hospital first.”
“And you didn’t object at the time either. Since you were at the hospital, why didn’t you tell me or answer my calls? You’re my husband. Don’t you know I’d be worried? Can you not do this again next time?”
By the end, there was a hint of accusation in her tone.
But Nathan just looked at her calmly, not responding.
Because in two more days, he would be gone.
So there wouldn’t be a next time.
For some reason, seeing Nathan’s calmness, Olivia suddenly felt panicked as she recalled Nathan’s behavior these past few days.
She stepped forward and took Nathan’s hand, sighing, “Actually, Ethan really didn’t mean to hurt you last time. Since you don’t want him staying here, I’ve already had him move out. Can you stop being upset over this little thing from now on?”
Olivia stared directly at Nathan, hoping to see a trace of being moved in his eyes.
But Nathan had no reaction. He removed Olivia’s hand and turned to go upstairs.
As soon as he entered the room, he saw an expensive watch placed on the bed.
He looked up questioningly at Olivia who had followed behind.
Olivia sighed. “Nathan, this is my way of making it up to you. You won’t be angry anymore now, right?”
Nathan looked at the watch in the box, worth millions, a complex look flashing in his eyes.
Three years. A full three years.
They had shared a bed, had happy times together.
In her eyes, was he really the type of person to fake being angry and hurt just for compensation?
Suddenly, he recalled the gifts Olivia had carefully prepared for Ethan in her social media posts. A mocking feeling welled up, but he quickly suppressed it.
Forget it. If she didn’t understand, there was no point in explaining.
Seeing no smile appear on Nathan’s face, Olivia didn’t think much of it, just assuming he didn’t like it.
“Nathan, if you don’t like these, once I’m done dealing with Ethan’s situation, I’ll take you to an auction to pick out the most expensive one for you…”
Olivia hadn’t finished speaking when Sophie and Ethan’s voices came from outside the door.
“Ethan, I told you my sister loves you so much, she’d never really make you move out. It’s all that Nathan’s fault. I’ll scold him for you later. You’ll move back in, right?”
As they spoke, the two brazenly walked into Nathan and Olivia’s bedroom.
Then upon seeing the watch set on the bed, Sophie exclaimed in delight: “Oh my god, sis! Ethan just mentioned to me that he really liked these watch models. I can’t believe you actually bought them!”
She looked at Ethan beside her, her eyes full of envy.
Hearing this, Ethan’s face instantly reddened, then he shot a smug look at Nathan.
Seeing that Olivia didn’t immediately deny it, but instead looked hesitant, Nathan didn’t even think before picking up the box and handing it to Ethan.
“If it’s meant for you, then take it.”
With one sentence, he made the choice for Olivia, resolving her dilemma.
At this moment, Olivia looked at Nathan in shock. Seeing how generous he was being, the unease in Olivia’s heart grew stronger. She wanted to object, but seeing how happy Ethan looked, she closed her mouth.
She thought to herself, it’s fine, next week is our wedding anniversary.
She could make it up to Nathan then.
Surely she was overthinking things. He was just jealous and sulking. Nathan loved Olivia so much.
How could he possibly leave?
Another day passed. There was just one day left before the divorce cooling-off period ended and Nathan would receive the divorce certificate.
Thinking that he could finally leave, he began mailing his luggage abroad.
Halfway through packing, Olivia called from the office, asking him to attend a high society party at the Sullivan family mansion.
Nathan wanted to refuse. With just one day left, their legal marriage was about to end. But thinking of how Mrs. Sullivan had taken care of him over the years, and that this was the last day after all, Nathan wanted to find a chance to speak with Olivia alone and explain things clearly.
Though the marriage had begun in confusion, Nathan wanted to end it with clarity.
In the bustling Sullivan family estate, everywhere was brightly lit, with elites gathered, clinking glasses.
But as soon as he entered, Nathan didn’t see Olivia. After asking around, he learned from an old Sullivan family servant that Olivia was in a house to the north.
Nathan immediately headed in that direction.
The door to the house was slightly ajar, with some suggestive sounds coming from inside.
Nathan suddenly felt a wave of nausea. His body trembled as he slowly peered through the door crack.
Instantly, a jarring scene entered his eyes.
On the sofa, Ethan was roughly and urgently pulling at Olivia’s evening gown while pinning her down.
His large hands gripped Olivia’s waist as he trailed kisses from her collarbone downwards.
Olivia tilted her head back with closed eyes, frowning. She seemed somewhat resistant, but didn’t push him away. Her expression was conflicted.
“Olivia! Promise me you won’t leave me.”
Ethan murmured. Olivia’s eyes suddenly snapped open as she forcefully shoved him away.
“Ethan! What the hell is wrong with you?! I’m married! Why did you come back now? What exactly do you take me for? Something you can toss aside and pick up again whenever you feel like it? Do you know how afraid I am of being alone again?!”
Olivia was furious, but Ethan wouldn’t listen. He stubbornly moved forward and embraced her waist again, pressing their bodies together.
“Olivia! I was wrong!”
“Ethan! Get lost!”
Over and over, relentlessly.
Finally, Olivia gave in and surrendered. This time she didn’t let Ethan come embrace her.
She forcefully pulled Ethan to her and bit down hard on his lip. Then their lips and tongues intertwined, inseparable.
Moments later, the two finally parted.
Ethan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and smirked triumphantly. Then he tilted up Olivia’s chin.
“So, do you still love me?”
Nathan watched from outside, feeling as if countless knives were stabbing his heart.
Olivia stood frozen for a long while. Eventually, she raised her head and looked at him with eyes full of restrained love. Her tone was one of surrender.
The next moment, her red lips moved: “Yes!”
With that, Ethan’s eyes filled with smug satisfaction. He pulled her in for another kiss, then asked,
“So, will you divorce that Nathan and marry me?”
Olivia’s entire body suddenly went rigid.
Abruptly, she recalled that wedding years ago that she couldn’t bear to remember. She thought of the figure who had resolutely stood up and walked steadily to her side amidst all the strange looks.
“…I.”
Olivia turned her head, about to answer.
But in that instant, she saw a pair of grief-stricken eyes gazing at her through the slowly opening door.
All at once, darkness descended in Olivia’s mind.
Nathan stood outside, calmly looking at her, tears streaming down his face.
“—Nathan!”
Nathan couldn’t bear to watch anymore. He also didn’t want to know the answer. He turned and walked away.
But the faster he walked, the more that scene replayed in his mind.
Three years ago, they went on a honeymoon to a tropical island.
Just because it was his first time at the beach and he glanced a second too long at some women in bikinis, Olivia’s face instantly darkened.
She dragged him back to the presidential suite and didn’t let him leave for seven whole days.
After seven days, when they ran out of strawberry-flavored supplies, they moved on. When the bed and sofa broke, they used the floor.
She held him in her arms again and again, eyes red with jealousy: “Nathan, I have everything they have. Don’t look at other women. Don’t leave me.”
He had to swear over and over before her jealousy finally subsided.
Afterwards, Nathan’s waist was sore for days, and she teased him about it for weeks.
From that day on, he never dared to look at another woman again. But in his heart, he was overjoyed at Olivia’s jealousy.
Now, Nathan finally understood. Her jealousy didn’t come from love. She was just afraid of being alone, afraid of standing helplessly on that stage again, not knowing what to do.
He had thought that after deciding to leave, his heart would no longer be moved.
Now… Nathan felt suffocated with pain. He just wanted to get away from this place as quickly as possible.
Never to see her again.
Passing through the bustling area of the Sullivan mansion, Nathan took a deep breath.
He was preparing to make his way through the crowd and leave.
“Nathan.”
A voice suddenly came from behind. The familiar tone made Nathan stop in his tracks.
Nathan looked at the speaker, wanting to call her “Mom” but suddenly remembering something. In the end, he respectfully addressed her as “Mrs. Sullivan.”
Hearing Nathan’s form of address, Mrs. Sullivan sighed but didn’t say anything. She just handed Nathan a new ID card.
“Nathan, I’ve taken care of all the procedures for you to emigrate and study abroad. From now on, the name Nathan Xu will no longer be associated with you. You’ll have a completely new identity. Is there anything else you need me to do?”
Nathan looked at the stack of documents in his hand, feeling a great sense of relief.
Perhaps thinking of the scene in that small house earlier.
Or perhaps thinking of the brand new life and identity awaiting him, Nathan’s hand began to tremble.
Mrs. Sullivan noticed Nathan’s emotional state and asked with concern, “Nathan, what’s wrong?”
Nathan took a deep breath to hold back his tears. He put the documents in his pocket and shook his head.
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Sullivan. I’m very grateful for your care all these years and for doing this for me now. I just have one request, please promise me.”
Nathan struggled to control his emotions and said softly, “My whereabouts and location – please, please don’t tell Olivia.”
Nathan and Olivia should never meet again in this lifetime.
Hearing this, Mrs. Sullivan looked at him in shock. “Did something happen between you two again?”
Because just a few days ago, when talking about Olivia, Nathan would still smile.
But now, Mrs. Sullivan could only see extreme disappointment and grief in his eyes.
What could have happened in just a few days?
Thinking of this, Mrs. Sullivan looked Nathan up and down carefully. Her sharp eyes finally noticed the burn marks on Nathan’s neck, partially concealed by makeup, and the bandages peeking out from his wrists.
Mrs. Sullivan was stunned. Worry evident in her voice, she exclaimed, “Nathan! What happened to cause those injuries?!”
Nathan pulled down his sleeves to cover the bandages on his wrists.
He looked at Mrs. Sullivan solemnly: “Mrs. Sullivan! Please don’t ask anything. Just promise me what I asked earlier. I just want to leave quickly without causing any more trouble.”
Nathan didn’t tell Mrs. Sullivan about what happened in the small house.
Since he was leaving, never to return, what was the point in saying anything?
Or even if he did say something, what good would it do?
Her true love had returned. Even if he left, she probably wouldn’t care.
Nathan smiled. “Mrs. Sullivan, thank you for taking care of the immigration paperwork. I’ll be going now.”
He had barely finished speaking when a female voice suddenly came from behind them. Nathan turned around and found himself looking into Sophie’s deep, panicked eyes.
“What immigration?!”
🌟 Continue the story here
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