Category: English

My husband Lucas was wearing a diamond ring on his ring finger that matched mine. I was about to bring up divorce. “The supercar you bought will be delivered next month,” he said. I swallowed the word ‘divorce’. I’ll bring it up next month! For the sake of my sports car, I’ll endure! “I bought a bunny outfit. Come home early tonight, honey,” I said. Lucas kissed me on the lips and replied, “Sure, I’m looking forward to my little bunny.” Main Text: I saw Bella White’s Instagram post: “Finally back in the States. Everything feels so familiar.” The photo showed her in a coffee shop. But my attention was drawn to a hand visible in the bottom right corner. A slender hand with long, elegant fingers, wearing a ring on the fourth finger that matched mine exactly. The owner of that hand was none other than my husband. I couldn’t believe his first love had just returned, and he was already rushing to meet her. I got out of the jacuzzi and started my elaborate skincare routine. Thank goodness my husband had worked hard to earn money all these years, allowing me to live the pampered life of a trophy wife. Now that his first love was back, it looked like I’d have to step aside soon. Might as well enjoy the luxuries while I still could. I thought I’d be sleeping alone tonight, but to my surprise, a warm body slid into bed next to me later that night. … The next morning, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, feeling utterly drained. Divorce! We must get divorced! Otherwise, I’d die young from exhaustion. I reached for my phone to check the time. 11 AM. As expected of Lucas. “You’re awake? Don’t just lie there, get up and eat!” Lucas called, opening the bedroom door to urge me out of bed. He was still wearing the black apron I’d bought him, looking every bit the domestic husband. Tsk, where was his usual CEO demeanor now? 2 “You have time today?” I asked, eyeing the elaborate spread of three dishes and soup on the table. A thought flashed through my mind – guilty conscience. Oh, had he actually done something with his first love and was trying to make it up to me with a nice meal? “I just finished a big project and thought I’d take a break,” he replied. Bullshit! It’s obviously because your first love is back. How could a workaholic like him suddenly want to take a break? Lucas placed a piece of fish on my plate. “Eat up, you need the nutrients. Thanks for your hard work.” You dog! I glared at him and buried my face in my bowl, not saying another word. After the meal, I lounged on the couch watching my guilty pleasure soap opera while he washed some fruit and placed it on the coffee table before sitting down next to me to check the stock market. The TV drama was unbearably cliché, so I took out my phone and started scrolling through Twitter. That’s when I saw the trending topic. #BellaWhiteReturns# I suddenly remembered that Bella White used to be a famous “bare-faced beauty” actress in the entertainment industry before she quietly went abroad to study. Her fans had been devastated at the time. Sure enough, the comments under the hashtag were full of fans gushing: “Welcome home, sister!” “Is sis making a comeback? Can’t wait!” “Finally we’ll get to see sis more often!” I suddenly became curious about my husband’s reaction, so I turned to look at him. “Did you know Bella White is back in the country?” “Oh, so what?” Lucas replied nonchalantly. I snorted. This dog was putting on quite an act. If I hadn’t seen that Instagram post, I might have actually been fooled! That evening, the phone suddenly rang. I picked up and was surprised to hear Lucas’s friend, nicknamed “Big Head”. “Hey sis-in-law, why don’t you and Lucas come out and play? My bar is having its grand opening, I’m begging you guys to come support me.” I looked over at my husband, who was reading a book, and asked, “Why don’t you call him directly?” “You’ve trained Lucas well, sis! He says he’s a married man now, so he has to report to you for evening outings. And for places like bars, if you don’t agree, he won’t come.” I was speechless. The way he put it, I sounded like some kind of controlling tiger wife! In reality, I’d never restricted Lucas at all. Before we got to the bar, I thought we were just going to make an appearance. But when we arrived, I froze. Bella White was there too. “Sis-in-law, Lucas, over here,” Big Head led us to our seats. Noticing me staring at Bella, he quickly introduced her. “That’s Max Shaw’s guest. I heard she used to be a minor celebrity.” Big Head and Lucas had been friends for many years. How could he not know about Lucas and Bella’s history? Or was he just avoiding mentioning it in front of me? “Long time no see, Ava,” Max Shaw called out to me from where he was lounging on the sofa. I smiled and nodded in response. His family and mine had some business dealings, so we were acquainted. Lucas put his arm around me and led me straight to the opposite corner, as far from them as possible. I could tell he was clearly annoyed. Hmm? Had he and Bella gotten into a fight? Indeed, I caught him glancing over at Bella several times. He had a stern expression and barely responded when others greeted him. What, was he that upset seeing his first love sitting with someone else? Tsk, what a dog. To be honest, I wasn’t feeling great either. Lucas and I came from family friends and had grown up together as childhood sweethearts. Later, I went abroad for college. When I came back, I heard Lucas had found his ideal lover. I guess childhood sweethearts still couldn’t compare to fated lovers who fell from the sky? After that, Bella inexplicably went abroad, and Lucas turned around and proposed to me. At the time, my family was facing a business crisis and urgently needed financing, so I agreed to marry him. After marriage, Lucas was quite indulgent towards me, always letting me buy whatever I wanted. Even my mom said I was lucky to have married well, that no one else could afford to keep me. But looking at the man beside me now, I started to doubt if I had really married the right person. I picked up a glass of wine from the table and downed it in one go. The burning sensation stimulated my brain, making me even more clearheaded. This marriage had to end! “Why are you drinking so much? Are you in a bad mood?” Lucas snatched the wine glass away from me. “None of your business!” I snapped. Unexpectedly, the alcohol hit me hard and fast. Soon I was feeling woozy, leaning against Lucas with my hands wandering under his shirt. He grabbed my hands firmly. I could hear the huskiness in his voice as he asked, “What are you trying to do?” “I just want to touch you!” I whined. You think you can act all proper in front of your first love? Dream on! “Then let’s go home,” Lucas said without hesitation. He stood up, pulling me along and bundling me into the car. “Behave yourself. We’ll settle this when we get home,” he warned. “No, I won’t!” I kicked off my heels and slouched in the passenger seat, acting like a brat. “Listen here, don’t you dare touch me, or else today I’ll…” Before I could finish, his scorching lips were on mine, pressing me firmly against the seat. Just then, I saw Bella and Max walk past our car and get into the same vehicle. Alright, I get it now. Lucas was jealous and using me to get Bella’s attention. On the way home, I got increasingly angry as I thought about it. Finally, I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Lucas Quinn, let’s get divorced.” “You’re drunk,” he replied bluntly. “I’m not.” The cool night air had sobered me up. I was completely rational now, and could even feel the car accelerating. We finally got home. As soon as I stepped into the bathroom, Lucas was on me, kissing me feverishly. I found myself getting lost in his kisses too. Our breathing grew heavier. Lucas nipped at my lips, his words muffled. “Stay away from Max Shaw from now on.” Max Shaw? What does he have to do with anything? 4 The next morning when I woke up, Lucas had already left for work. I lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Another day of failing to get up early. My best friend happened to call just then. “LV just got a new shipment in. Let’s go check it out!” “No thanks, I haven’t even gotten up yet,” I groaned. My friend’s tone turned suggestive. “Ava’s living the good life, huh?” “Shut up! I have important business today. Let’s meet up another time.” I was determined to talk to Lucas about divorce today, no matter what! After eating, I drove to his company. Lucas’s business had grown tremendously over the years. I hadn’t set foot in the company for a long time, but thankfully the receptionist still recognized me. However, she didn’t know Bella White. “I’m sorry miss, but you need an appointment to see Mr. Quinn. If you can’t make an appointment, I’m afraid you won’t be able to see him,” the receptionist explained to a frustrated-looking Bella. Seeing Bella at a loss, I was secretly delighted. I sauntered over, putting on an act. “Is Mr. Quinn in the office, Sarah?” I asked casually. The receptionist immediately bowed deeply. “Yes, ma’am. The CEO said you can go up anytime you want to see him. Let me call the elevator for you.” I shot Bella a smug look, about to leave when she suddenly called out, “Can we talk?” I gestured to the sofas by the window in the lobby. “Let’s chat there for a bit. I’m in a hurry.” Bella clenched her fists. As soon as I sat down, she blurted out, “Divorce Lucas. He loves me.” “So what? I’m Mrs. Quinn now,” I said, leaning back on the sofa and casually showing off my S-curve figure. “I’m the one who can go straight up to the top floor without an appointment. You should keep trying to make that appointment.” “Why are you clinging to Lucas?!” Bella exclaimed, veins popping on her forehead like she wanted to hit me. “There are security guards everywhere, so you’d better not try anything physical. But if you want me to divorce Lucas, that can be arranged.” Bella’s eyes flickered. “What do you want?” “Flat rate – $2 million and I’ll divorce him immediately.” Bella looked at me in disbelief. I continued, “I know it’s not easy making it in showbiz. How about this – $5 million and I’ll tell everyone Lucas and I separated amicably. For $7 million, I’ll announce that we’ve been unhappily married and divorced a while ago.” “Take your pick,” I said with a smile. “You’re shameless!” Bella cursed. “Is money all you care about? You don’t appreciate how great Lucas is.” What kind of logic was that? “You’d better decide quickly, or the price will go up. As soon as the money hits my account, I’ll talk to Lucas about dividing our assets.” “You want to take Lucas’s money even in divorce?!” What else did she expect? 5 Now it was my turn to be shocked. “Did you get stupider studying abroad? Why wouldn’t I get half? Your $7 million is buying the end of our marriage and my promise not to badmouth you publicly. But the money Lucas earned during our marriage – you think I wouldn’t get half of that?” “Why should you?!” Bella was fuming. I laughed out loud. “It’s called marital property, honey.” “But you…” Bella thought for a long time before continuing, “But what have you done for Lucas? He’s the one making all the money while you just spend it.” “I have every right to spend my husband’s money!” I stood up and lowered my voice. “Who says I haven’t helped him? I’ve been taking care of his physical needs. What, you think I’ve been sleeping with him for free these past two years?” My waist was about to break from all the action. It would be a huge loss not to get my fair share! Bella was still in shock, unable to respond. I couldn’t be bothered to argue further and headed straight for the elevator to the top floor. When I walked into the office, Lucas was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, seemingly on a call with someone. His back was turned to me, cutting an imposing figure with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. To be honest, he was the perfect man – handsome, wealthy, good cook, and amazing in bed. Though he could be a bit too energetic at night, it was still bearable. Too bad a man like this didn’t have his heart set on me. “Why are you here?” Lucas hung up the phone and sat back down. I cleared my throat. “Um, I think we should get div-” “Oh right, I have something to tell you,” Lucas interrupted. “Remember that supercar you wanted? It’s arriving next month.” The supercar? “You mean the pink one I saw at Venus? The one with only 3 in the world?” Lucas nodded with a smile. My eyes suddenly lit up. That was a car money couldn’t even buy. Lucas’s smile deepened. “What were you about to say just now?” An internal struggle began in my mind. If I left Lucas, I definitely wouldn’t get the car. It might even end up going to Bella instead. I couldn’t take that loss. Maybe… I could wait a bit longer to bring up divorce? At least until after I got the car! I smiled and walked around the desk to hug him coyly. “Nothing, I just missed you and wanted to see you. About the car…” Lucas’s smile grew wider as he pulled me onto his lap. One hand gently massaged my waist. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure my wife gets it. But don’t I deserve a reward?” After two years of marriage, how could I not understand the implication? For the sake of my supercar, I’ll do whatever it takes! “I bought a bunny outfit. Come home early tonight, honey,” I purred. Lucas nodded and kissed me on the lips. “Sure, I’m looking forward to my little bunny.” 6 How utterly ridiculous! Two days later, I finally recovered my spirits. After repeated pestering from my best friend, I agreed to go shopping.

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When an arranged marriage was about to happen in a wealthy family, the real daughter showed up. She claimed the billionaire parents were hers. She claimed the rising star fiancé in the business world was hers. I just nodded and smiled. If it weren’t for my lucky koi fish constitution… Are you sure her family is really that wealthy? Could this fiancé really have become such a success on his own? My wedding to my childhood sweetheart was just around the corner when an unexpected visitor showed up at our house. She claimed to be my mother’s long-lost biological daughter and accused me of being an imposter who had stolen her life. She and my mom even did a DNA test, which confirmed their biological relationship. That night at dinner, Luna slammed her fork down and pointed at me, yelling, “You need to leave this house right now! You’re not welcome here anymore!” My mom frowned and said softly, “Luna, don’t be so rude to your sister. Even if Rachel isn’t my biological daughter, I still raised her.” Luna immediately threw her bowl on the ground and burst into tears, burying her face in my mom’s chest. She sobbed about how difficult her life had been, growing up all alone. By the end, my mom’s eyes were red as she comforted Luna, saying she had suffered so much. “But Rachel isn’t really part of our family,” Luna insisted. “She shouldn’t have our last name or live in our house!” My mom frowned but didn’t say anything. I finished my last bite of shrimp and stood up. “If that’s how it is, I’ll move out for now so you can spend time with Mom.” Luna glared at me. My mom looked heartbroken as she slipped a credit card into my hand. “The PIN is your birthday,” she whispered. Luna saw this and started crying even harder. I called Luna’s brother – or I guess my brother now. Apparently when we were born, the nurse had mixed us up. When he answered, a cultured male voice said, “Who is this?” “I’m your sister – the one you’ve never met but who shares your blood. Any chance you could come pick me up?” Half an hour later, a car pulled up outside. Luna shoved me out the door. “Hurry up and leave. Don’t come back!” My mom kept telling me to take care of myself. I looked at this stranger who was supposedly my brother as he helpfully put my luggage in the car. Turning back, I gave a cold smile to the smug-looking Luna. “I hope you’re prepared. Don’t regret this.” Then I got in the car with my newfound brother. As he drove, he kept glancing over at me. “My place is pretty small. I hope you won’t mind.” “Of course not. We’re siblings after all – we have to support each other!” I said with a bright smile. We pulled up to an apartment building with no elevator, so we had to walk up. My brother was carrying my suitcase when he got a phone call just as we reached the door. After listening for a moment, a huge grin spread across his face and he started thanking the caller profusely. “What happened?” I asked when he hung up. “A small program I wrote just won an international gold award. The prize is about $100,000!” I smiled and congratulated him. “I can’t believe it,” he said excitedly. “I knew the winner for this competition was usually predetermined, so I just entered to get my name out there. But the expected winner dropped out, and I actually won!” He ushered me inside, still beaming. I wasn’t surprised by this turn of events. Ever since I was little, I’ve had incredible luck that seemed to rub off on those around me too. My luck has always been unbelievable. As a kid, I could ace multiple choice tests with my eyes closed. Finding money on the ground when I was thirsty and wanted ice cream was a regular occurrence. Once when I was young, I bought a lottery ticket on a whim and won $30 million. My parents invested that money, and I decided to buy some stocks too just for fun. Those stocks skyrocketed, making us a fortune. From then on, my parents’ business flourished. Even my childhood sweetheart rode the wave of success, becoming a rising star in the business world. I patted my brother’s shoulder. “You’re going to be even richer in the future.” He nodded with a grin, promising to treat me to a fancy dinner once the prize money came through. True to his word, he took me out to celebrate as soon as the money hit his account. He told me about work that day – how everyone else had been slacking off, but the boss caught him working hard and was planning to give him a promotion and raise. “Rachel, why has my luck been so amazing lately?” he wondered aloud. We went to an upscale restaurant, and just after ordering, I ran into some familiar faces – my ex-fiancé Zachary and Luna. Luna looked startled to see me, then angrily pointed at my brother. “Matthew, what’s the meaning of this? You never took me to places like this before!” I grabbed her finger and bent it back until she gasped in pain. “Because we’re real siblings,” I said sweetly. I only let go when Luna’s face had gone pale from the pain. “Long time no see, Rachel,” Zachary greeted me. Luna immediately latched onto his arm. “You’re MY fiancé now. Why are you talking to her?” Zachary glanced at me awkwardly as he gently pushed Luna away. “I was engaged to Rachel. Even if you’re Mr. Lee’s real daughter, that doesn’t change our engagement.” Luna’s expression froze, her eyes filling with tears. “Why? She stole everything from me! My parents should be mine, and you should be mine too!” I chuckled softly at her dramatics and sat back down. Luna threw herself into a chair, sobbing. Zachary looked between us uncertainly, clearly torn. “Rachel, did your aunt and uncle really kick you out?” he asked. I nodded. “Why else would I be out to dinner with my brother?” Zachary’s expression tightened, and he slowly moved towards Luna. Of course – he still needed the Lee family’s support for his business. And I was no longer the daughter of the wealthy Lee family. Seeing Zachary come over, Luna finally stopped crying and shot me a smug look. After dinner, I took my brother to buy a lottery ticket. I was looking for the one with the biggest jackpot. He laughed and teased me. “Rachel, don’t try to get rich quick. You have to work hard to earn money.” “I know, but sometimes luck beats hard work,” I replied. And luck was definitely one of my talents. I spent $20 on a ticket. A week later when the numbers were drawn, I had won! After taxes and donating some to charity, I walked away with $15 million. Matthew’s jaw dropped. “Are you some kind of lucky charm reincarnated?” To be honest, I’ve wondered about that myself. It’s entirely possible. Without hesitation, I bought a mansion across the street from the Lee family and happily moved in. The dog that had been in Luna’s arms immediately ran over to me, tail wagging furiously. “What are you doing back at my house? Get out!” Luna shouted angrily. I pointed at the mansion across the street. “Actually, that’s my new house!” Luna couldn’t believe it until I waved the deed in her face. My parents weren’t surprised at all. After all, their initial success had come from a scratch-off lottery ticket I bought on a whim as a child.

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I was about to get married. I’d booked a makeup artist to come to my place for bridal makeup. She claimed she’d be using a unique foundation that would make me the center of attention. But a few days later, my face was swollen and breaking out. The doctor told me I’d contracted a parasite from bullfrogs. When I went back to confront her, I got beaten so badly that I had to live with a colostomy bag. In despair, I ended my life by jumping off a building. But when I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day she arrived at my home. “Nina, trust me, just use this foundation,” Darla’s soft voice whispered in my ear. “On your wedding day, you’ll be the one everyone’s admiring.” I grabbed my head, letting out a painful groan. She quickly ran out to call Evan. By the time they returned, I had calmed down. Darla, still shaken, handed me a glass of water, theatrically patting her chest in relief. “Nina, you really scared me there! I’m glad you’re okay.” Her usual, playful charm used to win me over. But now, I gripped the glass tight. Taking a few deep breaths, I pushed down the hatred that filled me. Then, I made small talk as if everything were normal. In no time, she redirected the conversation to the foundation on the table, genuinely recommending that I try it. “Nina, the moment I met you, I felt like you were my sister,” she said warmly. “That’s why I want you to have this foundation—it’s one of my most exclusive products. I’ll even give you the lowest price possible; what do you say?” I lowered my head in fake contemplation, hiding the sarcasm pulling at my lips. Lowest price? In reality, she’d blended cheap bullfrog extract into the foundation and was shamelessly charging me $5,000 for it. She must have thought I was a fool. Feigning difficulty, I sighed, explaining that money was tight for me right now. Her eyes flickered with a bit of surprise. But when she noticed the expensive watch on my wrist, her determination renewed. She began massaging my shoulders, her tone soft and coaxing. “Oh, Nina, you can believe me. Every client who’s used this foundation has loved it. If it doesn’t work, I’ll give you a refund.” A refund? I knew better than to believe that. If things went wrong, she’d not only refuse to pay me back but likely come after me instead.

Because that’s exactly what she did last time. Back then, I had fallen for her words and paid the painful price for her foundation. After the makeup, my fiancé couldn’t stop complimenting my glow. But just before the wedding, my face began to itch and burn. At first, I thought it was just an allergy and didn’t take it too seriously. That night, I couldn’t resist scratching my face and felt wetness beneath my fingertips. When I turned on the light, I saw my skin was breaking down, with blood trickling out. I looked like a horror show come to life. Terrified, I rushed to St. Andrews Medical Center. After a series of tests, Dr. Margaret Collins explained that I’d contracted a parasite from bullfrogs, which had led to the infection eating away at my skin. She asked if I’d used any unusual products on my face lately. That makeup—the foundation Darla had sold me—flashed into my mind. Once I was discharged, I stormed over to Glam House Studio to confront her. I grabbed Darla by the hair and shouted, “You disgusting cheat! What was in that foundation you gave me? My face is ruined!” “You’re responsible!” She wasn’t intimidated; she fought back, yelling with not a hint of guilt, “Watch your mouth! What does your ruined face have to do with me?” The employees in the store pulled us apart. I took out the medical report and held it up, screaming at her, “Stop playing innocent! The doctor found bullfrog extract in your so-called foundation!” “Your junk is filled with parasites, and you had me put it on my face. What were you thinking?” She lunged forward, tore the report to pieces, and sneered. “You think a fake report is gonna extort money from me? Keep dreaming!” Finally, the store manager, Kelly Perkins, offered to compensate me with Darla’s wages and bonuses. She even insisted Darla apologize. I reluctantly let it go. But I had no idea what was coming. That night, Darla messaged me, claiming she knew a way to restore my skin. I hesitated but ultimately went to meet her. The moment I arrived, someone knocked me out. When I woke up, I was tied to a chair. A man kept punching me and hurling insults. “Ha! Who do you think you are, messing with my woman?” I screamed in agony. When I regained consciousness at the hospital, I learned I’d been beaten so severely that I’d lost control of my bowels. I’d be stuck with a colostomy bag for life. That moment was my breaking point. My fiancé left me, too, and that was the last straw. In despair, I leaped from a building. But somehow, fate gave me another chance. And this time, I’d make sure to get even.

Darla kept trying to convince me for a while, but I wouldn’t budge. She wasn’t about to give up. Her gaze darted around the room before finally settling on Evan. As she grabbed her makeup tools, she “accidentally” stumbled into Evan’s arms, her eyes welling up with fake tears. “I’m so sorry, Evan, I didn’t mean to,” she said with a trembling voice. “I was distracted… if I can’t sell this, I might lose my job.” There isn’t a man alive who can resist a teary-eyed damsel, especially when she’s beautiful. Sure enough, Evan looked at her with a touch of pity, giving her a comforting pat on the shoulder. He then turned to me, saying, “Nina, why not just buy it? Five grand isn’t too much for you, and it’s helping her out. It’s a win-win.” I glared at him, like I was seeing him for the first time. The nerve of him to even suggest that. Aside from the engagement ring, I was the one covering all the wedding expenses. I didn’t even ask him to buy a house. Spending my money on charity? He really had some gall. Noticing the chill in my expression, Darla tried to be understanding. “Nina, it’s okay if you don’t buy it. I’d hate to cause issues between you two.” Evan took the bait, eager to feel in control. He tore open the foundation’s packaging and handed it over. “Fine, I’ll buy it. You go ahead and get started.” My expression darkened. I had to admit, Darla was a pro. In just a few words, she had a man willingly spending his money on her. Evan’s decision put me in an impossible position. Refuse, and I’d look like I was angry with him. We’d end up in a huge argument. But if I used it, I’d be the one suffering. I didn’t come back to make the same mistakes. Darla, practically giddy, opened the bottle, pumping a few dabs onto a sponge. As she moved toward me, my gaze shifted to the glass in my hand. And then, a brilliant idea hit me.

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My husband’s childhood crush was manipulated by a scoundrel who deceived her for money and love, leading her to attempt suicide multiple times. For her safety, my husband repeatedly left me to find her. On my birthday, he bought a cake. But it was Cressida “Cress” Hart snuggled up beside him, smiling sweetly: “Silas, this cake is so sweet! Thank you for being here with me.” When I fell ill with a high fever, my husband rushed to take care of the sprained Cress: “Getting sick is normal, but Cress spraining her ankle is serious!” Even on our third wedding anniversary, he had to rush back home to save Cress from jumping into the sea. And on the day I was giving birth, I had made him promise to wait for me outside the delivery room. Yet when I was in labor and needed a family member to sign off, I couldn’t find him anywhere. Oh. He was off attending to his little crush, who was threatening to take her life again. After three and a half hours of labor, exhausted, I vaguely heard the doctor say we might need to switch to a C-section. The nurse took the consent form out to find a family member to sign it. But she quickly returned, saying, “There’s no family member for the patient outside the delivery room.” A chill ran through me. Before entering the delivery room, I had clearly instructed my husband, Silas Kingsley. I told him, no matter what happened, he must not leave. Silas had promised. Yet here he was, nowhere to be found. I felt utterly weak and called for the doctor, trying to get help while dialing Silas’s number. The call rang and rang without an answer. I forced a bitter smile, ready to ask the nurse to hang up and sign myself. Just then, my phone buzzed, and the call connected. Before I could speak, Silas’s apologetic voice came through: “Zara, Cress just tried to commit suicide by cutting her wrist. I’m staying with her to keep her from doing anything else stupid.” “You’re in labor! I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!” Even though I had suspected the reason for Silas’s departure, hearing his words now left me gasping for breath. Suppressing the bitterness, I said, “Silas, do you remember what you promised me? I’m giving birth to your child right now!” Silas fell silent. Suddenly, I heard Cress’s desperate and pained voice on the other end. “Why does she get to have her baby?!” “I once had a child too! But I lost him!” “Silas, I’m in so much pain. Don’t stop me; just let me die!” Cress’s cries went on and on. Silas’s voice deepened with resolve as he said, “Zara, Cress is emotionally unstable right now. Don’t provoke her with the fact that you’re having a baby!” “Anyway, there’s nothing I can do to help you. Right now, Cress needs me more.” “Silas, the baby hasn’t been born yet. The doctor suggested switching to a C-section and needs your signature.” “Zara, don’t throw a tantrum. If you can call me, you can sign it yourself.” “Just wait. As soon as Cress is stable, I’ll be back.” Seemingly anxious to calm Cress, Silas abruptly hung up without waiting for my response. The doctors and nurses around me exchanged sympathetic glances. I could only weakly sign the consent form myself. Finally, as I lay in the delivery room, my vision blurred and everything felt chaotic. When I opened my eyes again, the doctor, frowning, delivered the news. —The baby didn’t make it. After being delivered, she was already purple and breathless. In that moment, I felt dizzy, as if the world was crumbling around me.

I stayed in the hospital alone for two days. I didn’t see Silas. Instead, his parents returned from their vacation. When they learned that the baby was gone, they were momentarily stunned. Then, suddenly, my mother-in-law began to blame me: “I told you not to get upset over every little thing! The baby is gone; it’s all your fault!” “Cress grew up with Silas. She was terribly hurt by that scoundrel, and you’re always making a fuss about it, not showing any grace!” “Silas was just checking in on her; it’s not like anything happened.” “Besides, even if something did happen, could you stop it? Women, just take it easy, and life will be better!” Exhausted, I stared blankly out the window. It seemed she was oblivious to my pain. “Silas called and told us Cress still needs some time.” I turned to her, my heart aching. I hadn’t tried to call Silas in the last couple of days. But every time I dialed, the call would get cut off almost immediately. Meanwhile, Silas would take calls from his mother but ignore mine. “He originally wanted us to help take care of you, but since the baby is gone, we won’t stay long,” she said, pulling my father-in-law to leave. Suddenly, I shouted after her— “Mom, I know you’ve never liked me.” They both halted in their tracks. My mother-in-law highly valued family. I was orphaned and married into a prestigious family like the Kingsleys, and she never regarded me as her equal. I forced a smile and said softly, “As you wish, I’ll divorce Silas.” However, she didn’t believe me. She turned back, her eyes filled with disdain, scoffing, “You cling to my son so much; who would believe you’d actually divorce him!”

Two weeks later, I was discharged from the hospital. The doctor recommended I rest for two months. But first, I went to the most beautiful beach in Maplewood Grove. After the loss of my baby, I had agreed to let the hospital handle the arrangements. I only requested to keep a portion of her ashes after cremation. Now, standing on the shore, I gently scattered her ashes into the wind and sea. My baby never had the chance to open her eyes and see this world. So now, may she ride the winds and cross the seas, exploring all corners of the Earth. … When I returned home, Silas was surprisingly there. He was slouched on the sofa, looking exhausted. Hearing the door, he turned and said lightly, “You’re back.” Then he asked, “Where’s the baby? Didn’t you bring her back with you?” Before I could respond, he continued, “Forget it, my parents love kids too; they can take care of her for a while.” I silently scoffed. A child? It seemed Silas’s parents hadn’t told him that our baby was gone. “She died,” I stated flatly. Silas stood up, furrowing his brow as he approached me. “Zara, don’t say such things! It’s bad luck!” “I know you’re still upset about me leaving the hospital that day.” “But you know Cress has been through so much with that scoundrel; she’s emotionally unstable!” “If I hadn’t gone to her in time that day, she might be dead by now.” Silas spoke with a heavy tone, still haunted by the thought. Inside, I couldn’t help but feel bitter and resentful. “Oh…” “So what’s going on with her now?” Hearing my concern for Cress, Silas’s tone softened. “Don’t worry; Cress is okay now.” “I’ve been comforting her, and she’s not planning on taking her life anymore.” “Ha…” I let out a cold laugh. Just as I suspected. A year ago, Cress had been deceived by a foreign man and lost a child. After returning from abroad, she had been extremely unstable and had attempted suicide multiple times. Silas worried she would harm herself; every time she reached out, he dropped everything for her. On my birthday, he had prepared a feast at home. But on his way to get the cake, he received a “I can’t go on” message from Cress. Silas immediately took the cake he bought for me and went to Cress’s house. That night, he called me on video. In the video, Cress was smiling, snuggled up beside him, holding a plate of sliced cake. Silas wished me a happy birthday. But how could I feel happy? I hung up the call immediately. Perhaps Silas felt guilty about it. The next day, he promptly ordered me a bigger cake to celebrate my birthday again. He held me affectionately, explaining, “Cress just got scammed; she hasn’t gotten over it yet.” “As her brother-in-law, we can’t just ignore her.” “What if something really happens? We’d regret it for the rest of our lives.” After hearing this, I felt a little soft-hearted. But I never expected. My kindness had only encouraged Cress to take advantage of me time and time again. When I fell ill with a high fever, she used the excuse of having a sprained ankle to cry about feeling worthless and wanting to end it all. Silas rushed off to care for her. Even on our wedding anniversary, we traveled abroad. Cress sent a video of herself walking toward the sea, and at the end, she said, “Silas, I can’t hold on any longer.” At that time, I was already six months pregnant. Silas instinctively booked a return flight, telling me to enjoy my time, and he would come back as soon as he saved Cress. I felt a surge of anger and absurdity. At that distance, if Cress truly wanted to take her life, Silas would likely just be coming back to collect her remains. In a fit of rage, I let slip a cruel remark. Silas looked at me in shock, his expression incredulous. “Zara, how could you say something so cruel?” I forced a smile. I had tolerated this behavior once, twice. But Cress’s frequent mentions of “suicide” were like a daily meal. And everyone always sided with her; any time I showed the slightest dissatisfaction, I was labeled petty and small-minded. Why was that fair? “Feeling sorry for her?” Silas frowned, pressing his lips together as if he wanted to say something more. But I interrupted him. “If you go back today, we’re getting a divorce.” At that moment, Silas heard me utter the word “divorce” again. Rather than panic, he smiled. “Zara, threatening me with divorce is getting really old.”

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My boyfriend of ten years, Aaron Grant, was the picture of a perfect partner. Handsome, smart, and successful—the only problem was that he constantly put me down. When I ranked second instead of first in a competition, he’d say I just wasn’t “smart enough.” When I earned my first commission check for writing, he brushed it off as “pointless work.” But the final straw came at a bridal shop. While I tried on a wedding dress, Aaron criticized my body, saying I didn’t look “bride-like” enough in it. That’s when I snapped, yelling at him for the first time, “If I’m not good enough, then don’t marry me!” In the bridal shop, I stepped out of the fitting room in the dress. Even some strangers nearby gasped in admiration. The sales assistant beamed at me, “Miss Monroe, you’re so tall and slender; this dress looks perfect on you.” “Better show your fiancé; he’ll love it.” I smiled politely, “I wouldn’t be so sure. He’s got high standards.” After all, for over a decade, Aaron had been a perfectionist when it came to me. Never a single compliment. But today, seeing my reflection—my waist looked narrow, my skin glowed, and the dress seemed made for me. I hoped this might be the time he’d say something nice. Maybe he’d find me beautiful, like the other husbands in the store who couldn’t stop smiling at their fiancées. Holding onto that hope, I tugged at his sleeve with a small, nervous smile. But that hope was about to shatter.

Aaron turned, looked me over, and his first words were, “Jess, you’re still too chubby.” The smile froze on my face, and even the sales assistant looked taken aback. “Your face is puffy, arms are thick, big frame, thick waist—this doesn’t look good at all,” he sighed, “Jess, you don’t look like a bride at all.” His voice wasn’t loud, but it was just enough for everyone in the shop to hear. Eyes turned my way—some sympathetic, some judgmental, some just entertained. In that moment, I felt like nothing more than an object for Aaron to scrutinize, not a person. Tears threatened to spill, my chest tight with a feeling I couldn’t breathe through. For months, I’d followed Aaron’s orders, working out every day to fit into this dress. I’d barely eaten anything, losing twenty pounds just to look my best on our wedding day. Why did he have to say that? Maybe it was the exhaustion or maybe the disappointment, but suddenly, ten years of endurance snapped. I tore off my veil and shouted, “Aaron, if I’m not good enough for you, then let’s not get married!” “Yes, I don’t look like a bride, so I’m calling off the wedding!” And in his shocked silence, I took a deep breath, finally saying what I’d rehearsed in my head a thousand times: “Aaron, we’re breaking up.”

By the time my best friend, Lily Quinn, came to get me, the tears hadn’t stopped. After I’d posted the news about calling off the wedding, everyone was messaging, asking what had happened. Most people said, “Jess, isn’t there some misunderstanding?” or, “He’s such a great guy; you won’t find anyone better.” Even my mom was on Aaron’s side. “I heard from Aaron; it’s just a small matter. No need to overthink it,” she’d said. Aaron’s message? A flat, “Quit overreacting.” Holding my phone, a wave of helplessness washed over me. No one understood. To everyone else, Aaron was the perfect boyfriend. Good-looking, successful, made good money, and hadn’t cheated on me in ten years. His only fault? He put me down. We’d been childhood friends, growing up side by side. He was one of those “perfect kids” who excelled at everything, way ahead of me in every way. But life had dealt him a tough hand. His mom passed away when he was young, and his father was a workaholic who barely acknowledged him unless he won an award. So, Aaron had matured fast. When the other kids played outside, he was already competing in math tournaments—and winning. That harsh upbringing had shaped him, making him cold. He only showed any real personality with me, often in the form of harsh criticism. If I placed second instead of first, he’d knock on my head and say I wasn’t “smart enough,” pointing out every mistake I made. When I won bronze in a competition and he won gold, he’d look at me with disappointment and call me “dense.” In my teenage years, my mom constantly reminded me, “Look at Aaron; so talented. Always top of the class, winning all these awards.” It’s safe to say I grew up in Aaron’s shadow. I hated how he tore me down and how my mom kept comparing us. But when we were teenagers, everyone called us a “perfect pair.” They insisted Aaron’s teasing was his way of showing he cared. Even when Aaron confessed his feelings, he said, “Jess, if I didn’t like you, I wouldn’t push you so hard.” It was the first time he’d spoken to me so gently, his face soft, eyes full of laughter. Everyone cheered us on so loudly, I barely noticed the discomfort in my heart. And just like that, I ended up dating Aaron. It’s been ten years since then.

Lily had been my best friend since college, and the only one to support my decision to break up with Aaron. In college, Aaron had asked me to join him for an early-morning study session at the library one weekend. It wasn’t easy to wake up at 7 a.m. on a weekend, and despite rushing, I was two minutes late. Aaron was waiting, arms crossed, annoyed. “Jess, why can’t you keep time?” “Will you be late for client meetings once you’re working? What if it’s a million-dollar deal on the line?” I automatically apologized, but Lily—fresh from her morning run—pulled me aside. “Getting up early to study on a weekend is already a big deal; Jess is doing great.” “And it was just two minutes. Don’t blow it out of proportion.” From then on, Aaron and Lily didn’t get along. Lily always praised me. She cheered when I ranked second, celebrated when I passed my exams, even admired me for getting up early for class. She’d say, “Don’t listen to Aaron; you’re amazing, Jess!” Those simple affirmations were something I hadn’t heard in over twenty years. That’s why I loved spending time with Lily. Aaron, though, scoffed, “She only praises you to make you arrogant. She’s keeping you from seeing your flaws.” “Humility builds growth. Pointing out your weaknesses like I do? That’s what’s really helpful!” Anytime Lily came up, Aaron’s eyebrows would furrow, his lips would press into a line. That expression always signaled a lecture coming my way. I wanted to defend Lily, but fear paralyzed me, pinning me to the spot. I was so afraid. Afraid of Aaron’s anger, afraid of his criticism. When Lily heard, she sighed softly, “Jess, it’s hard to break free once you’re used to being put down.” “Take it slow.” So, today, when I finally ended things with Aaron, Lily was thrilled. She hugged me, whispering, “Congratulations, Jess. You’re free.”

Lily took me to her place, offering me the spare bedroom to stay for a while. As she led me to the room, her eyes sparkled, “Jess, do you like it? I decorated it just the way you like!” I looked around at the pastel pink wallpaper, the Mickey Mouse desk, and a pigtail-wearing doll on the bed. It was surreal. How long had it been since I’d seen anything like this? Aaron’s minimalist style only allowed black, white, and gray. He’d always rolled his eyes at my love for pink and toys, saying, “Jess, your taste is painfully tacky.” Thinking of it brought tears to my eyes as I hugged Lily, sobbing. If Aaron had been a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from, then Lily was the remedy life had sent to me.

I planned to head to the apartment Aaron and I had shared to pack my things. But when I arrived, Aaron was already there. He was lounging on the sofa, looking up at me lazily, “Done throwing a tantrum?” I steadied my voice, fighting to keep it from shaking. “I’m not throwing a tantrum, Aaron. I meant what I said. I’m here to pack.” Surprisingly, he didn’t argue. He just sat there, legs crossed, hands folded, giving me that strange half-smile. Ignoring the discomfort in my gut, I went to gather my things. In truth, I didn’t own much; just a few personal items. Most things were Aaron’s purchases after we’d moved in. When I’d first brought over my colorful toothbrushes and towels, Aaron had wrinkled his nose. “Jess, your things are gaudy. They look awful.” By the next day, he’d replaced all of them. When I confronted him, he’d shrugged it off, saying, “Your things were too cheap-looking.” That was the first time I’d thought of breaking up. Why should someone else decide what I could or couldn’t like? But my mom advised me, “He’s doing it because he loves you. You’ve been together for so long; it’s not worth breaking up over.” So I gave in. Looking back now, I realize it was a bigger deal than I thought. Anything that makes you feel uncomfortable should never be brushed off.

The only thing I’d miss in that apartment was my small writing corner. Just a desk, a lamp, and a computer, but they’d helped me create so many stories. I’d always loved writing, though Aaron called it “a waste of time,” and I’d set it aside. But in college, with more free time, I began again. I’d even shown Aaron my first piece, hoping he’d be proud. But after reading it quickly, he’d only scoffed, “This is garbage. Just quit.” But I kept writing. And eventually, I even got paid for it. When I earned my first $300, I couldn’t wait to tell him, hoping he’d be proud. What was his reaction? After a glance, he simply said, “Worthless drivel.” He gave me that pitying look, as if humoring a child. “Someone probably just felt sorry for you.” Every word slashed through my excitement, leaving nothing but a raw, festering wound. After that, no matter how much I made, I never mentioned it to Aaron. As I packed up my computer, I noticed it was still on. When I opened it, I realized every file I’d saved was gone. Ten thousand words, painstakingly crafted, my heart poured into each sentence—gone. Only one person would do this… From behind me, Aaron’s voice drifted over. He was leaning against the door, his gaze dark. “Deleted your files for you. That worthless hobby was getting in the way.” “You don’t think you can live off that ‘writing’ and leave me, do you?”

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On Valentine’s Day, my boyfriend Adam gave me a box of cheap artificial grass and tried to coax me into a hotel room. I turned around and got into a Mercedes G-Wagon instead. He called me a gold digger. The rich guy in the G-Wagon said, “Is your family’s massive ranch not big enough for you? Why are you settling for this loser?” 1 “Baby, happy Valentine’s Day!” Adam said, his voice muffled by the cigarette smoke seeping through the crack in the door of the cheap motel room near campus. Despite the unpleasant smell, I felt touched when I saw Adam proudly presenting a gift box to me. I knew he had been working part-time jobs for the past two months, and all his efforts were contained in this small box. I was about to open it eagerly when he gently stopped my hand. “Be patient, sweetheart. Let’s wait a bit before opening it.” “Okay,” I replied with a sweet smile. While Adam was in the shower, I nervously scrolled through my phone, secretly searching for tips about a girl’s first time. After reading through some heart-racing content, I became even more anxious and wanted to find something to distract myself. I glanced at the unopened gift box. Surely it wouldn’t hurt to take a quick peek while Adam was showering? I could always wrap it back up. Carefully, I untied the ribbon and opened the layers of wrapping. But when I saw what was inside, I froze. After two months of hard work, Adam had given me a box of cheap artificial grass? Disbelieving, I felt around in the grass and finally found a small hard object. I pulled it out to find a tacky plastic keychain. In that moment, all my joy and anticipation vanished. I felt like a fool staring at the $19.99 price tag on the back of the keychain. It seemed to mockingly tell me: “See, Lily? This is all you’re worth to Adam – twenty bucks.” “Ding!” The sound of Adam’s phone receiving a text message snapped me out of my thoughts. I absent-mindedly picked up his phone from the bed. Messages from Adam’s mother started popping up one after another: “Son, how are you doing at school? I transferred $500 to you. Let me know if you need more.” “Make sure to eat well and don’t spend all your money on dating!” “The Wang family’s son just got married yesterday. They didn’t even have a wedding banquet or buy a house before moving in together.” “You need to hurry up too! Get her pregnant!” “If necessary, poke some holes in the condoms. She’ll never notice.” Reading these messages that kept appearing, my heart sank like a stone. Even though it was summer, I couldn’t help but shiver. Disappointment, anger, panic, shame – these emotions churned inside me. The cigarette smoke from outside continued to drift in. I could no longer control my physical nausea and emotional disgust. I flung open the door and ran out. 2 I practically sprinted back to my dorm room. My roommates Emma and Chloe were startled by my disheveled appearance. “Lily, did you see a ghost? Weren’t you out celebrating Valentine’s Day with your boyfriend? Why are you back so soon?” Just as I was about to answer, my phone started buzzing in my pocket. It was Adam calling. I took a deep breath to calm myself before answering. His angry voice came through the speaker: “Lily, where are you? You promised to spend the night out with me. I already paid over $100 for the room and the front desk won’t give refunds!” I listened to Adam’s furious shouting. He even resorted to threats: “Either you come back right now, or we’re breaking up.” Break up? In the past, whenever Adam said those words, I would immediately become as docile as a rabbit and apologize. This time, I swallowed my hurt and anger. Without thinking, I transferred $1000 to him. “Adam, take this $1000 as compensation. Don’t contact me again. We’re over.” My two roommates were shocked to hear me say those words myself. Emma gave me a thumbs up, as if to say “you finally came to your senses”. “What? Lily, have you gone crazy? What nonsense are you talking about?” Adam panicked. He didn’t expect that this time I wouldn’t meekly surrender, and that I would turn his ultimatum back on him. I hung up without another word. Adam called back several times, but I didn’t answer. Finally, he lost patience and accepted the $1000 I sent him. “Fine, let’s break up then. Don’t come crying back to me later.” “With your face now, who else would marry you besides me?” “You’ll regret this sooner or later!” Looking at the three messages Adam sent, I glanced at the mirror by my bed. My reflection showed my fair and delicate face, but when I turned slightly…the other side revealed a large patch of bluish-black marks, like an ugly birthmark that instantly ruined my looks. My insecurity was palpable. However, this time, I steeled my heart. No matter what, I wouldn’t beg Adam to take me back. Even though he once loved me so much. 3 Adam and I met in our freshman year of college, when my face was still smooth and fair. With his backstory of losing his father at a young age, Adam quickly became known as the poor but noble prince of our department. He had a steady personality and excellent grades, and was gentle and polite to everyone. As someone born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I was quickly attracted to his unique charm. Although he was poor, he had pride. When I pursued him, I bought him many expensive gifts, but he refused to accept them. Even after we got together, he often warned me not to waste money. To please him, I stopped buying thousand-dollar clothes and accessories, and even changed my usual restaurants to the fast food places near campus. My roommates saw how I changed after dating Adam and were very worried about me. Especially Emma. She often said Adam was manipulating me, but I always scoffed at her concerns. I believed Adam truly loved me. He would get jealous if other guys looked at me for too long, bring me hot milk during my period, and remembered all my favorite foods and dietary restrictions. There was no boyfriend more caring than him. More importantly, even after my face was disfigured, he remained by my side just like before. I still remember those darkest days. In the second semester of sophomore year, some grayish-blue spots suddenly appeared on the left side of my face. At first, I didn’t pay much attention and just bought a lot of expensive spot-removing products. But not only did they have no effect, the blue spots grew more numerous and darker, eventually merging into a large patch. I started to become unwilling to go out or see people, and even developed some depressive tendencies. It was Adam who accompanied me to the hospital. The next day, he came back with the test results and told me that my blue spots were likely caused by a hidden genetic disease in my family, and there was no treatment. Just when I was about to give up all hope, Adam became the light that illuminated my darkness. “Lily, don’t be afraid. No matter what you look like, I’ll always be by your side. No one will love you more than I do.” He comforted me tirelessly until he helped me overcome this psychological shadow. Adam really did as he said. He didn’t abandon me because of my face, but became even more caring towards me. He even promised that as soon as he graduated and found a job, we would get married. He took me to various gatherings with his friends. In front of all his buddies’ beautiful girlfriends, I felt out of place. “Adam, why don’t I try cosmetic surgery?” I nervously suggested to him. But Adam immediately refused. He frowned and looked me in the eye. “Lily, do you think I got together with you just because you were pretty?” “What kind of person do you take me for? I already said I’ll love you no matter what you look like.” “Those fake faces from cosmetic surgery are disgusting. I hate those Instagram model faces the most!” I gave up on the idea of cosmetic surgery. Later, I comforted myself that I already had Adam. If even he didn’t mind, why should I care so much about this flaw on my face? 4 And now, Adam would no longer be part of my life. I looked in the mirror and re-examined myself, thinking about cosmetic surgery again. Even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance of getting rid of this blue patch on my face, I wanted to try. Adam kept sending me messages, changing from threats to apologies, his tone softening from harsh to gentle. Before I could reply, a voice message suddenly played from Chloe’s phone. The voice was all too familiar – it was Adam. “Chloe, don’t you think Lily is being ungrateful? If only she was as understanding of my difficulties as you are.” I suddenly looked up and met Chloe’s panicked, innocent gaze. “Lily, don’t overthink it! Adam was just venting to me because he had a fight with you. I was trying to help persuade him for you.” Looking at the affectionate messages popping up on Adam’s phone, I felt an inexplicable wave of nausea. Ungrateful? Understanding of his difficulties? What difficulties should I be understanding about? His scheme to get me pregnant before marriage? Or the fact that he went to my roommate for comfort right after breaking up with me? “Chloe, you don’t need to pretend. I’ve known about your little games behind my back for a long time. I just couldn’t be bothered to confront you. That doesn’t mean I’m stupid.” I had known Chloe disliked me since the first day of school. She was a small-town girl, a nobody when she first arrived. Many classmates even mocked her for being poor. Because we were roommates, I got along well with her and often lent her clothes and bags. She was quite pretty, and once she wore decent clothes and shoes and lost her country bumpkin air, she could actually be considered a beauty. More and more people said she looked a bit like me, but more often, they mocked her for being my personal maid and follower. Chloe changed. She started secretly diluting my cosmetics, staining my new clothes, and even stealing my money. I turned a blind eye to those things, not bothering to confront her. And now she wanted to steal Adam from me. Who knows how long the two of them had been hooking up behind my back. 5 “Lily, how can you say that about me? I only had good intentions!” Chloe panicked, putting on a pitiful act with teary eyes. Even Emma thought I was being too harsh. Emma tried to mediate: “Lily, just forget about that jerk Adam. Don’t let him affect our dorm relationships.” I pulled out several photos from my phone and placed them on the table, swiping through them one by one in front of them. The first showed Chloe “adding ingredients” to my makeup oil. The second showed Chloe reaching into my drawer and taking out my wallet. The third was a love letter Chloe had written to Adam. With each photo I swiped through, Emma and Chloe’s expressions changed. Chloe turned and glared at me viciously. “You knew all along! You were just laughing at me, weren’t you?!” I remained silent. Emma was completely stunned by Chloe’s sudden change in demeanor. Chloe spread her phone out in front of me with a twisted expression, speaking through gritted teeth: “Lily, so what if you’re rich? Now you’ve lost that perfect face and Adam, your loyal dog. You’re nothing now. You can’t step on me anymore to show off how noble you are!” I looked at the WeChat messages on Chloe’s screen, which apparently started last August. So she had her sights set on Adam long ago. “Adam, did you buy that 700 n e w d r e s s f o r L i l y ?

′ s s o p r e t t y . I w i s h I w a s t h a t l u c k y . B u t I ′ m h a p p y w i t h m y 700newdressforLily?It ′ ssopretty.IwishIwasthatlucky.ButI ′ mhappywithmy10 T-shirt!” Adam replied: “Lily is just vain. I think it’s better to be frugal.” “Adam, which of these two photos do you think looks better?” The attached images were two selfies with her cleavage half-exposed. Adam replied: “Both look good. It would be even better if they were a bit more revealing (winking face)” “Adam, I heard you had another fight with Lily. She’s from a rich family so it’s normal for her to be spoiled. Unlike us poor kids. You should be more understanding of her.” Adam replied: “If only Lily was half as sensible as you.” I knew the wealth gap between Adam and me had always been a thorn in his heart. I tried my best to cater to him, carefully protecting his fragile self-esteem. In the end, I was still the bad guy who wasn’t sensible enough. Meanwhile Chloe, who was even more vain and materialistic than me, became his kindred spirit and confidante just because her background was similarly poor. “Lily, you and Adam aren’t from the same world. Only I truly understand him.” Yes, you two are a perfect match, I thought bitterly. You’re both so self-pitying and insecure about your backgrounds. I looked at Chloe’s smug face and laughed sarcastically. “Since you like my leftovers so much, you can have him. After all, unlike me, apart from Adam – this ‘potential stock’ that may or may not rise -” “You have nothing.” The color drained from Chloe’s face at my words. She grabbed her phone and stormed out. I didn’t need to guess where she was going – she was off to seek comfort from Adam. Looks like Adam’s $100 room fee wouldn’t go to waste after all. I wished them happiness. 6 The next day, I went to a famous cosmetic surgery clinic in the city based on an online search and made an appointment with the dermatology department. A nurse led me in. The young male doctor who examined me had apparently just returned from getting his master’s degree abroad. “Lily?” he called my name hesitantly, looking up at me with a shocked expression. “When did you get back? Why didn’t you tell me?” Jack was my childhood friend. His parents and mine were not only business partners but also close friends for many years, so I spent almost every day with Jack before we became adults. He was the stereotypical rich playboy, always surrounded by girls, while I was the well-behaved good girl who never caused trouble. Later he went abroad for school, while I chose to attend a prestigious local university. Due to the time difference, we gradually lost touch. Hearing my words, Jack suddenly looked a bit hurt. “Didn’t you delete me on SnapChat?” Surprised, I took out my phone in front of him and indeed couldn’t find him in my contacts. It must have been Adam’s doing again. Every so often, some male contacts would mysteriously disappear from my SnapChat. I used to think it was cute that he got jealous, but now I just found it pathetic. I didn’t know how to explain to Jack, so I just added him back. He looked at the blue patch covering half my face with concern and asked, “What happened?” “I went to the hospital to check. They said it might be a hidden genetic disease in the family with no treatment. I wanted to see if cosmetic surgery could remove these blue spots.” He looked shocked when he heard my explanation. “That’s impossible!” “Lily, which quack doctor did you see? This kind of blue patch is caused by pigment deposition. If it were genetic, you would have had symptoms since childhood!” “If it appeared later in life, there are only two possibilities – either you applied something to your face, or it was caused by hormonal drugs.” Jack’s words hit me like a bolt of lightning. I had never considered this possibility. The doctor who examined me wasn’t some quack – I had gone to the most famous hospital in the city. It was impossible for the hospital to misdiagnose. There was only one possibility left. Adam had lied to me and forged my test results! All this time, I had become fragile and insecure because of my imperfect face. Adam saw it all, yet he still deceived me. Why on earth would he do that?! Jack noticed my expression change and thought I was worried about the spots on my face. “Lily, don’t worry. I learned about relevant treatments abroad. Apart from the high cost, this type of blue patch is not difficult to treat at all.” His words comforted me. With my family background, any problem that could be solved with money was no longer a problem for me. While I was delighted that my face could be restored, I was also furious and confused about Adam’s long-standing deception. I had to get to the bottom of this! 7 Jack specially ordered a spot removal device from the UK for me, specifically to treat my condition. I didn’t understand how he, as a newly hired doctor, had so much influence. He gave me a playful look with his insufferable expression. “You dare disobey the young master’s orders?” Oh, so this cosmetic surgery clinic was also one of the Song family’s businesses. Their reach was truly extensive. I underwent treatment with Jack for nearly half a month. During this time, I took leave from school. Every day after treatment, Jack would drive me home and stay for dinner. He had always loved my mom’s cooking since we were kids. Even when his own mother called to ask him to come home for dinner, it was useless. Over time, both our families got used to it. Whenever they saw Jack, my family would just set an extra place at the table. “Look in the mirror. Don’t eat anything weird again, especially those diet pills online. They’re unreliable. That’s how you messed up your face in the first place.” I ignored Jack’s nagging and happily examined myself in the mirror. My fair, flawless face was finally back! “Let’s go, Miss Lily. I’ll drive you back to school.” “Don’t you have to work?” “Have you ever seen a young master who needs to clock in on time?” Jack opened the door of his Mercedes G-Wagon for me, putting on his flashy gold-rimmed sunglasses. He drove me ostentatiously through the university gates. Along the way, he chattered on about many interesting stories from his time in the UK, but I wasn’t really listening. I turned my head to look at the familiar campus, feeling like my lost confidence was slowly being restored. As we passed by the teaching building, I saw Adam and Chloe. Jack asked, “Isn’t that your boyfriend? I saw photos of you two on your Ins. Why is he holding hands with another girl?” I coldly replied: “We broke up long ago.” Jack sensed my displeasure, but his expression remained cheerful. He teasingly said: “Someone really had such bad taste? Does that mean I have a chance now? Goddess, may I have the honor of being your devoted admirer? I’ll even settle for being your backup.” I smacked the back of his head in annoyance. He had always been so frivolous since we were young. As we drove past Adam, Jack deliberately slowed down. Adam saw me in the passenger seat and his face instantly turned pale. Disregarding the danger, he rushed over and blocked the car. I rolled down the window and saw his disgusting face. “Lily?! Why are you in this playboy’s car? He clearly has bad intentions!” “This type of guy has slept with countless women. He probably has some STD. How can you be so careless?” “Your…your face?” Adam was about to say more but choked on his words when he saw my perfectly restored face. Chloe came over to pull him away and was also startled by my flawless complexion. Especially when she saw Jack sitting beside me, her eyes were practically shooting fire with jealousy. 8 “Chloe, control your gaze. The guy next to me is way out of your league,” I said deliberately to irritate her. “Besides, his family background doesn’t match yours. You’re better suited for a poor nobody like Adam.”

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My sister-in-law took over my house in the school district and even stole my daughter’s spot for enrollment. “My son is the pride of the Steele family. What’s wrong with using an extra spot? Your daughter is just a burden. Delaying her schooling won’t hurt her!” In response, I evicted her from my home and deleted her son’s enrollment spot. She didn’t know the principal of the school is my uncle! “I’m sorry, ma’am, but the enrollment spot for your house has already been locked in. Your child cannot be registered for school right now.” “What do you mean it’s been locked in?” I was in disbelief. My daughter, Maddie, had only just reached school age. How could her enrollment spot already be taken? “Our system shows that the spot for Summit Elementary was locked three years ago.” My head began to spin, a loud ringing in my ears. Three years ago? Summit Elementary? Wait! That was exactly when Chelsea Steele, my sister-in-law, moved into the house in the Crestview Hills neighborhood! And Summit Elementary is the school her son Jake was supposed to attend! She had just been bragging about this on Facebook a few days ago! Could it be… Chelsea stole Maddie’s enrollment spot? I was so furious that my temples throbbed. After hanging up, I went straight to the house to confront Chelsea. I didn’t even get the chance to unlock the door—Chelsea opened it from the inside before I could. “I heard a noise at the door. Thought it might be a burglar, but turns out it’s just you, Brianna! Don’t stand there, come on in!” Ha! Who’s the real burglar here? The way she stood there with an air of ownership, you’d think I was the one trespassing in my own home. My face hardened. “No need. I’m here to talk about Maddie’s school enrollment.” “Chelsea, when we let you borrow the house, we didn’t agree to give you Maddie’s enrollment spot too, did we?” Chelsea’s smile faltered, and she blinked innocently. “What enrollment spot? I wouldn’t know anything about that. Maybe it was just locked by accident when I was enrolling Jake. I’m so clumsy sometimes… sorry, Brianna.” Still lying at this point? My sister-in-law had some nerve! Before she could finish, I cut her off coldly. “Really? Because the staff told me you locked that spot for Jake three years ago. Are you sure it was an accident?” Chelsea’s face flushed bright red. “Brianna, we’re family. It’s just one spot. Why are you being so stingy?” “That spot was Maddie’s. What you did, Chelsea, was theft!” She couldn’t hold it in anymore. Chelsea shot me a vicious glare, raising her voice. “Brianna, I see right through you. You came here just to start a fight! What do you mean theft?” “My son Jake is the pride of the Steele family, the only male heir! What’s wrong with using the spot? Your daughter’s just a burden. Delaying her education won’t harm her!” “And let’s be real, Jake’s going to carry on the family name. Your Maddie? She’ll be married off eventually. Using that spot on her would be a waste! Why not let Jake have this great opportunity?” I was shaking with rage as I pointed at her, saying each word slowly and clearly. “Chelsea, you need to understand something. This is my house!” Three years ago, Shawn’s brother, Lucas Steele, lost everything gambling and had to move away for work, leaving Chelsea and Jake in Shawn’s care. At the time, we owned two homes—our main house under Shawn’s name, and the other was the school district house I had bought specifically for Maddie’s future schooling. Since Maddie was still in preschool, and the school district house was too far from her current daycare, it had been sitting empty. Shawn had the nerve to suggest renting it out to Chelsea. “Brianna, the school district house is just sitting there. Why not let my brother’s family live in it?” “They’ll move out once Maddie starts school, and I promise they won’t be any trouble!” Out of respect for Shawn, I agreed. But after three years, Chelsea hadn’t paid a single cent in rent! We even covered the utilities and property fees for her! And if that wasn’t enough, every time she visited our home, she’d “borrow” my cosmetics—brand new, unopened ones. When I confronted her, she pulled the family card. “I’m just borrowing a few skincare products. We’re family, Brianna, don’t be so stingy!” Once or twice, I could let it go. But after a while, I had enough. Whenever I brought it up, Shawn would try to calm me down with snacks. “Brianna, don’t get upset. Chelsea grew up with less, so she doesn’t always know better. Her heart’s in the right place, though. Don’t hold it against her.” I didn’t want to put Shawn in a tough spot, so I bit my tongue and kept my distance from Chelsea’s family. But now, not only had she freeloaded off our house for three years, she’d stolen Maddie’s enrollment spot! “Enough! Everyone calm down!” Just when things were about to get heated, Shawn arrived, panting from running over. “Shawn, you’re here.” I filled him in on everything. With him by my side, I felt more confident, stronger. In all the years we’d been together, Shawn had always been a reasonable man. Plus, when he had nothing, I was the one who stood by him. I even used my savings to help him get his business off the ground, and he’d always been grateful for that. I was certain Shawn would back me up this time too. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. The next words out of his mouth hit me like a punch to the gut.

“Brianna, Chelsea’s got a point. Maddie could start school a couple of years later. There’s no rush.” What??? I stared at Shawn in disbelief. He was siding with Chelsea? “Do you even hear what you’re saying? Maddie is old enough to start school now!” But Shawn ignored me, turning to Chelsea and apologizing softly. “I’m sorry about this, Chelsea. You know how Brianna is. Don’t take it personally.” Chelsea shot me a smug look, her eyes gleaming with triumph. And in front of Shawn, her tone softened, no trace of the earlier argument. “Oh, it’s fine, really. I wasn’t offended at all. You’re always so sensible, Shawn.” Wow. She sure knew how to play to her audience. She praised Shawn for being reasonable, while implying I was making a big deal out of nothing. Shawn’s face lit up at her words, a smile breaking across his face. I shot him a sharp look, then turned back to Chelsea, my voice icy. “So, you’re saying I’m the unreasonable one, Chelsea?” “How funny. This is my house. I bought it specifically for Maddie’s education. We let you stay here out of kindness because of Shawn, and now you’re acting like you own the place! You’ve been freeloading for three years, and now you’re stealing Maddie’s enrollment spot? Where’s the justice in that?” Chelsea’s face turned an ugly shade of green, like she’d just swallowed a fly. “Brianna, what do you mean freeloading and stealing? We’re family! How can you say such things?” Tears welled up in her eyes, making her look as though I was the one being cruel. Seeing this, Shawn immediately handed her a tissue. “Don’t cry, Chelsea. I promised Lucas I’d take care of you and Jake while he’s away, and I intend to keep that promise.” Then, turning to me, he sighed. “Brianna, you’re really upset right now. Why don’t you head home and rest? Let me handle this.” “Handle it? How exactly do you plan to handle it?” Under my glare, Shawn’s confidence faltered, and he began trying to smooth things over. “What’s done is done. There’s no use in getting angry now. Let Jake finish his schooling, and Maddie can go to another school or wait until Jake’s spot expires.” His words made my blood boil. What kind of solution was that? In every scenario, Maddie was the one being sacrificed! I scoffed at him. “You’re really something. Using my house to score points with your family.” “And I have to ask—Jake’s not even your son. Why are you treating him better than your own daughter?” It was just an offhand remark, but both Chelsea and Shawn stiffened noticeably, their expressions shifting. Before I could dwell on it, Chelsea gave me a sidelong glance and spoke in that syrupy, fake tone again. “Brianna, this is your house? You married Shawn, didn’t you? That makes it your shared house as a couple.” “Besides, Shawn’s already agreed that Jake can use the enrollment spot. I don’t know why you’re being so harsh. Are you really so heartless you can’t even make room for family? Fine, if you can’t, then we’ll leave…” My anger flared instantly. Did she really just say that? If I was so heartless, I would’ve kicked them out long ago! I let them live here for three years, rent-free! Shawn, looking uncomfortable, shot me a pleading glance, as if asking me to drop it. But after all this? I was done playing nice. Ignoring him, I pulled out my phone and opened up the digital copy of the deed. I tossed it in front of Chelsea. “Look closely. The deed says Brianna Wilkes! This is my house!” “You’ve overstayed your welcome. Now pack your things and get out of my home!”

Before Chelsea could react, I stormed into her room, grabbed her clothes and belongings, and stuffed them into a suitcase, tossing it out the door. “Brianna, you—” Chelsea looked utterly shocked, clearly not expecting me, usually the more easy-going one, to act so cold and direct. “Didn’t you say you were leaving? Why haven’t you gone yet?” I shot back sarcastically. Her face instantly darkened, turning the color of a charred pan. She pursed her lips, tears welling up in her eyes as she turned to Shawn for support. “Shawn, I knew it. Brianna’s been wanting to kick us out all along… Even though you promised your brother you’d take care of me and Jake. And now, we’re about to end up on the streets. What a cruel fate!” “And, don’t forget, you’re married now! This house is technically shared property between you two! Looks like Brianna doesn’t even care about you, Shawn!” Chelsea’s little jab clearly hit its mark. Shawn’s face darkened, and the next thing I knew, he slapped me across the face. “Brianna, what’s your problem? You get a house in the school district and suddenly think you’re better than everyone? Don’t forget—I’m still the one in charge around here!” Then, without missing a beat, he softened his tone, turning to reassure Chelsea. “Don’t worry, Chelsea. I made a promise to my brother, and I’ll keep it. You and Jake are staying right here. Nobody’s kicking you out as long as I’m here.” My face burned, the sting from his slap still lingering. I stood frozen in place, staring at Shawn in disbelief. Did he just hit me? For Chelsea? In the past, even when Chelsea and I argued, he’d never go further than a scolding. Later, he’d apologize, saying his hands were tied—Chelsea was his brother’s wife, and since his brother had saved his life once, he felt obligated to look after her. So, he always claimed he had no choice but to side with her. But deep down, I thought he was still on my side. Now? He hit me? Something even my own parents never did. I held my burning cheek, my eyes welling with tears as I looked at Shawn, waiting for an explanation. But instead, he scowled and barked, “Why are you just standing there? Let’s go! Or do you want to embarrass yourself even more?” Embarrass myself? Was that how he saw this? My anger flared. “Embarrass myself? Shawn, your daughter’s school spot was stolen, and you don’t think that is embarrassing? I’m here to fight for her, to exercise my rights, and I’m the one embarrassing us?” “How did I not realize sooner that you’re nothing but a coward?” Shawn’s face turned beet red with anger as he raised his hand, ready to hit me again. But this time, I was faster—I slapped him back. “Brianna, you dared to hit me?” he stammered in shock. I shook out my hand, still tingling from the slap, and raised an eyebrow. “Just returning the favor.” Chelsea’s eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly rushed to Shawn’s side, as if playing the dutiful wife. “Brianna, it’s only right that Shawn disciplines you. How could you hit him? Shawn, are you okay?” “I’m fine,” Shawn muttered, rubbing his cheek. “You’re right, Chelsea. Brianna just looks down on me.” He gave Chelsea’s hand a gentle pat, and the two of them stood there, close and intimate, like a couple. This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. Every time Chelsea and I argued, Shawn would step in to defend her and push me to back down. He’d always explain it was because his brother had saved him from drowning when they were younger. Now, with Lucas away for work, Shawn felt it was his duty to take care of Chelsea in return. And because Chelsea had a severe dog allergy, Shawn had insisted I give away my beloved dog—one he’d originally bought for me. Even when we went out for dinner, he’d order everything mild just for her, since Chelsea couldn’t handle spicy food. I’d suggested a split pot so we could have both spicy and non-spicy options, but Shawn just said I was being unreasonable, worried the spicy oil would mix with the broth. Funny how he always seemed to forget how much I loved spicy food… I’d tried to convince myself before, telling myself that his extra concern for Chelsea was just repayment for his brother’s life-saving act. That he was only neglecting me temporarily, and we still had over a decade of marriage behind us. But now he’d hit me for her? And instead of apologizing to me, he went straight to comforting her? Watching the two of them, a wave of bitter realization washed over me. Maybe all along, I’d been fooling myself. Maybe Shawn didn’t care about me as much as I thought… Why else would he care more about Chelsea than me? … I took a deep breath, steeling myself, and slowly pulled off my wedding ring. I tossed it in front of Shawn. “Let’s get divorced, Shawn.”

“What? Divorce?” Shawn’s face went pale, panic flashing in his eyes. “Brianna, don’t be ridiculous! I only hit you once—are you really going to make such a big deal out of it?” “Besides, you were the one picking a fight with Chelsea. And let’s not forget—you hit me too! My face is still sore!” Chelsea, looking briefly startled, quickly stepped in to play the peacemaker. “Brianna, don’t make such a rash decision. You can’t just talk about divorce like it’s nothing!” “If you leave Shawn, you’ll be a single mom. Who’s going to want you after that? You’ve already had a child, and finding another man won’t be easy.” “Why not just let this go? After all, married couples argue, but they always make up.” Shawn nodded in agreement. “Brianna, look how understanding Chelsea is! She’s not even holding a grudge. Let’s stop this nonsense.” He actually had the audacity to say that I should apologize to Chelsea, and we could all forget about it. ??? I couldn’t help but laugh. What kind of backward thinking was this? Chelsea was living in some medieval fantasy, and Shawn clearly had a few screws loose too. The one who had done wrong was Chelsea, but they were telling me to apologize? What a joke! How did I not see how pathetic Shawn was before? “I’m not being ridiculous, and I’m definitely getting this divorce!” Shawn’s face darkened, and I saw the calculating glint in his eyes. “Fine, you want a divorce? Then this house comes with me. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you lose custody of Maddie.” He thought he could threaten me with Maddie? So, this whole time, his true intention had been to take the house! I’d completely misjudged him. But there was no way I’d let him get his hands on this house. I’d bought it myself, with my own money, and had even been smart enough to get a prenuptial agreement, thanks to my parents’ advice. Now he wanted ownership of my house? Not happening. Without a word, I walked over to the bookshelf, pulled out the prenuptial agreement, and threw it in their faces. “This house is my premarital asset. You’re not getting it!” “I’m keeping the house and custody of Maddie.” Shawn’s eyes bulged in disbelief, his hands trembling as he held the contract. “When… when did you…” Chelsea, also visibly upset, shot me a furious glare. “Brianna, you’re being so unfair! You never saw us as family!” I smirked. “Well, you finally got something right. Now get out.” “This is my house, and if you two don’t leave immediately, I’m calling the police.” I picked up my phone, ready to dial. Chelsea’s face twisted in anger. “Brianna, how can you be so heartless?” “Shawn, let’s go. I’m not leaving without a fight!” They stormed out, grumbling all the way. Divorce or not, it’s not up to him anymore. With that thought in mind, I immediately contacted my lawyer to begin divorce proceedings. After that, I calmed down and focused on what really mattered—getting Maddie’s school spot back. Maddie had been looking forward to starting at Summit Elementary for a long time. I wasn’t about to let her down. I picked up my phone and called my uncle, Principal Mark Mitchell. “Uncle Mark, I need your help. Maddie’s spot at Summit Elementary was stolen…” I explained everything in detail. When I finished, Uncle Mark was furious, calling out both Shawn and Chelsea for their behavior. “Don’t worry, Brianna. Maddie’s spot is as good as hers again.” “I’ll remove that little thief’s name right away and get Maddie enrolled.” He even sent me a screenshot to confirm it. Looking at the screenshot, I couldn’t help but smile. Chelsea had pulled out all the stops to get Jake into Summit Elementary. I could only imagine the look on her face when she found out the school’s principal was my uncle!

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My husband’s first love has the same diamond ring on her ring finger as I do. I opened my mouth, ready to demand a divorce. “But the supercar you ordered will be delivered next month,” Ethan said casually. I swallowed the word “divorce” back down.I clenched my fists, the word “divorce” sliding back down my throat like a bitter pill. I could endure this, just a little longer, for the car that would be mine, but only until next month. “I bought a cute little bunny outfit. Make sure you’re home early tonight, honey,” I said, flashing him a smile. Ethan leaned down and kissed me on the lips. “Of course, babe. I can’t wait to see your little bunny outfit.” I saw Lily White’s latest Instagram story: “Finally back in the States, everything feels so familiar.” The post was accompanied by a photo taken at a Starbucks in Manhattan. But what caught my eye was the hand peeking out from the bottom right corner of the photo—a pale, slender hand with long fingers, wearing the same ring as mine. Ethan was there with her. I couldn’t believe it. Lily had barely returned, and he couldn’t wait to rush over to see her. I got out of the Jacuzzi in our Malibu beach house and began my usual skincare routine. Thanks to Ethan’s hard work over the years, I’ve enjoyed the life of a pampered princess. But now that his first love is back, it looks like my reign is coming to an end. Might as well enjoy it while I can. I was sure I’d be alone tonight, but as I drifted off to sleep, a warm body slipped into bed beside me… The next morning, I woke up, lying flat on my back, staring at the ceiling. Divorce! I need to divorce him, or I’ll be dead before I hit thirty! I reached out for my phone to check the time—11 a.m. Typical Ethan. “You’re awake? Stop lying around and get up for breakfast!” Ethan called, opening the door. He was still wearing the black apron I had bought him, looking every bit like a doting househusband. Ugh, where’s the tough CEO I married?

“How come you have time today?” I asked, looking at the meticulously prepared meal on the table. A thought crossed my mind—guilt. Is he making this fancy breakfast because he feels guilty about something with Lily? “I just finished up a big project, thought I’d take a break.” Yeah, right! He just wants to relax because his precious Lily is back in town. Workaholics like him don’t just decide to “take a break.” Ethan placed a piece of fish on my plate. “Eat up, you need to keep your strength up.” Ugh, you scoundrel! I glared at him before burying my face in my food, deciding not to say anything more. After breakfast, I lounged on the couch, watching my favorite trashy romance drama, while Ethan sliced up some fruit and settled beside me, checking the stock market on his iPad. The drama on TV was so over-the-top that I couldn’t resist pulling out my phone to scroll through Instagram. That’s when I saw it trending:#Lily White Returns.# That’s right! Lily White, once a famous natural beauty in Hollywood, had left without a word to study abroad. Her fans were devastated. Sure enough, the comments under the trending topic were flooded with her fans’ cheers: “Welcome back, Lily!” “Is Lily making a comeback? So excited!” “Finally, we get to see Lily more often!” I suddenly grew curious about Ethan’s reaction and turned to him. “Did you know Lily White is back?” “Oh, really? So what?” Ethan responded without much emotion. I snorted quietly. He’s such a good actor. If I hadn’t seen that Instagram story, he might have fooled me! That evening, Ethan’s friend Big Mike called. “Hey, sis! You and Ethan should come out tonight. My bar’s having its grand opening. I’m begging you to show up!” I looked over at Ethan, who was reading. “Why didn’t you call him directly?” I asked. “Because you’ve trained him well, sis! Ethan told me he’s a married man now, and he can’t go out at night without checking in with you first. Plus, it’s a bar—if you don’t approve, he won’t come.” What?! I almost believed I was some sort of control freak! I’ve never stopped him from going out before. I thought we were just going to show up to support his friend, but when we arrived, I was taken aback. Lily White was there too. “Sis, Ethan,” Big Mike led us to our seats. Noticing my gaze fixed on Lily, he quickly added, “That’s someone Evan Moore brought along. Apparently, she used to be a small-time actress.” Big Mike had known Ethan for years, so he had to be aware of Ethan and Lily’s history. Was he just pretending not to know? “Ethan, long time no see,” Evan Moore called from across the room, lounging on a sofa. I smiled and nodded in response. Our families had business dealings, so we knew each other fairly well. Ethan wrapped his arm around me and led us to the opposite end of the room, sitting as far from Lily as possible. I could tell he was a little upset. Hmm? Did they have a fight?

Sure enough, I caught him glancing at Lily multiple times. His face was set in a frown, and he barely acknowledged people who greeted him. What’s wrong? Seeing Lily with someone else bothers you that much? Ugh, you jerk. Honestly, I wasn’t feeling great either. Ethan and I grew up together—our families have been friends for ages. Later, I went abroad for college, and when I came back, I heard Ethan had a “first love.” It seems childhood sweethearts really can’t compete with fate, huh? After that, Lily left for some unknown reason, and Ethan turned around and proposed to me. At the time, my family was in a bit of a business crisis and needed a quick influx of cash, so I agreed to marry him. After we got married, Ethan was pretty good to me—whatever I wanted, I got. Even my mom said I was lucky to have married him; no one else could afford to keep up with my lifestyle. But now, looking at the situation, I’m starting to wonder if I really married the right person. I grabbed the glass of wine on the table and downed it in one go. The burn of the alcohol jolted me awake. This marriage has to end! “Why are you drinking so much?” Ethan grabbed my glass. “Feeling down?” “None of your business!” That drink was stronger than I thought, and soon I was feeling a bit tipsy, leaning into Ethan, my hands wandering under his shirt. Ethan grabbed my hand, his voice rougher than usual. “What do you think you’re doing?” “I’m just having a feel!” I wasn’t about to let him keep up this charade in front of his first love. No way! “Let’s go home.” Ethan didn’t hesitate, standing up and pulling me along, practically shoving me into the car. “You behave, or we’ll deal with this at home.” “I won’t, I won’t!” I kicked off my heels and sat in the passenger seat, pouting. “I’m warning you, don’t touch me, or I’ll… mmph.” I didn’t even finish my sentence before his burning lips were on mine, pinning me against the seat. Just then, I saw Lily and Evan walk past, getting into the same car together. Ah, I see now. Ethan was jealous and trying to get Lily’s attention by using me. On the drive back, the more I thought about it, the angrier I got, until finally, I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Ethan, let’s get a divorce.” “You’re drunk,” he replied flatly. “I’m not.” The cold air had cleared my head, and I was more rational than ever, even sensing the car speed up. When we got home, I had barely stepped into the bathroom before Ethan was on me, kissing me like a madman. I might not have been entirely sober, but I found myself getting lost in his kiss. Our breaths grew heavier, and Ethan’s lips gently bit mine as he murmured, his words slurring together. “Stay away from Evan Moore from now on.” Evan? What does he have to do with this?

The next morning, Ethan was already at the office, and I was left lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling like I had failed yet again to start my day right. My best friend Jessica called at the perfect time. “LV just got a new shipment. Let’s go check it out!” “No way, I’m not even out of bed yet.” Jessica’s voice turned teasing. “Someone’s living the good life, huh?” “Shut up! I’ve got real business to take care of today, let’s go another time.” Today, I was determined to talk to Ethan about the divorce! After breakfast, I drove to his office. Over the years, Ethan’s business had grown exponentially, and I hadn’t stepped foot in his company for a long time. Fortunately, the receptionist still recognized me. But she didn’t seem to know Lily. “Sorry, ma’am, but you need an appointment to see Mr. Carter. Without one, I can’t let you in.” Seeing Lily being shut down made me inwardly cheer. I strutted over, playing it cool. “Miss Chen, is Ethan in?” The receptionist immediately bowed deeply. “Yes, Mrs. Carter. The CEO said you could go straight up whenever you like. I’ll get the elevator for you.” I shot Lily a smug look as I started to walk away, but she suddenly called out, “Can we talk?” I pointed to the sofa by the window. “We can chat over there for a bit. I’m in a hurry.” Lily clenched her fists and, as soon as I sat down, blurted out, “You should divorce Ethan. He loves me.” “So what? I’m the one who’s Mrs. Carter now.” I leaned back on the sofa, casually showing off my figure. “I’m the only one who can go straight to the top floor without an appointment. You, on the other hand, will have to wait your turn.” “Why are you clinging to Ethan?” Lily’s forehead veins were practically popping out; she looked like she was about to attack me. “There are security guards everywhere, so you’d better not try anything. But if you want me to divorce Ethan, that’s not impossible.” Lily’s eyes flickered. “What do you want?” “Two million, and I’ll divorce him immediately.” Lily looked utterly shocked. I continued, “I know it’s tough out there in showbiz, so let’s make it five million, and I’ll tell the press we split amicably. Seven million, and I’ll even claim we’ve been having issues for a long time.” “Your choice,” I said, grinning. “You’re shameless!” Lily spat. “Is money all you care about? How could you not appreciate someone as good as Ethan?” What kind of logic is that? “Do you need time to think it over? You’d better hurry, though, because if you don’t decide soon, I’ll raise the price. As soon as the money hits my account, I’ll start talking to Ethan about splitting our assets.” “You’re planning to take Ethan’s money when you divorce?” Of course!

Now it was my turn to be shocked. “Did studying abroad make you lose your mind? Why would I walk away with nothing? The seven million is to buy the end of our marriage, and I’ll make sure your reputation stays intact. But why wouldn’t I get half of what Ethan earned during our marriage?” “Why should you?” Lily practically jumped out of her seat in anger. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Ever heard of marital property?” “But you…” Lily hesitated before continuing. “But what have you ever done for Ethan? He’s been the one working hard all these years, while you just spend his money every day.” “Spending my husband’s money is my right!” I stood up and leaned in close, lowering my voice. “And who says I haven’t helped him? I’ve been taking care of his physical needs, haven’t I? Do you think I’ve been letting him sleep with me for free these past two years?” My back nearly breaks from all the time I spend in bed with him. Not getting some cash in return would be a total loss! Lily was still in shock, speechless, so I left her there and took the elevator up to the top floor. When I entered the office, Ethan was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, talking on the phone. His back was to me, tall and broad, with a narrow waist. To be honest, he was the perfect man—handsome, rich, a great cook, and amazing in bed. Sure, he might get a little too lively at night, but it was bearable. Too bad his heart wasn’t in it for me. “What brings you here?” Ethan hung up the phone and sat down. I cleared my throat, “Um, we need to talk about our…” “Oh, by the way, I have some news for you,” Ethan interrupted. “The supercar you’ve been eyeing will be delivered next month.” Supercar? “You mean the pink Lamborghini I saw at the dealership in Venice Beach? The one that’s one of only three in the world?” Ethan smiled and nodded. My eyes lit up. This is the kind of car that money can’t even buy! Ethan chuckled. “So, what were you about to tell me?” I was having an internal battle. If I leave Ethan, I definitely won’t get the car. He might even give it to Lily. I can’t take that kind of loss. Maybe I should hold off on the divorce until the car arrives? I smiled and walked around his desk, wrapping my arms around him. “Oh, nothing. I just missed you and wanted to see you. And about that car…” Ethan’s smile deepened as he pulled me onto his lap, one hand gently rubbing my waist. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure my wife gets it. But what about a little reward?” We’ve been married for two years; I know exactly what he meant by that. For my supercar, I’m willing to do anything! “I bought a cute little bunny outfit. Come home early tonight, okay?” Ethan nodded, placing a kiss on my lips. “I can’t wait to see my little bunny tonight.” It took me two full days to piece myself back together, my spirit battered and bruised. Finally, after my best friend Jessica relentlessly hounded me, refusing to let me wallow in my misery, I begrudgingly agreed to go out shopping.

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My son was in a car accident on his way to school, and I watched him die slowly despite my pleas. I held the urn with his ashes in my hands, while my cheating husband finally expressed regret. I was tidying up the house as usual when I received a message that shattered me. “Ma’am, your son was in a car accident. Please come immediately!” “What?” I gasped. This morning, Alex suddenly insisted on taking Lucas to school. Lucas was thrilled. After all, Alex and I had been fighting for a week over Lucas’s school transfer. Before heading out, Lucas beamed with his innocent smile. “I love both Mommy and Daddy so much! It’s great that you’ve made up!” Little did I know that less than two hours later, Lucas would be involved in a terrible car accident. I rushed to the hospital, my mind racing as I kept calling the doctors for updates. “Your son is in critical condition. He keeps saying, ‘Mom, Dad, help me.’” I broke down in the back of the taxi, crying uncontrollably. My poor Lucas. At the hospital, I tried to enter, but Nurse Davis stopped me. “I’m sorry, ma’am. The patient’s condition has worsened. We’re trying everything we can.” I anxiously waited for the doctor’s words. Dr. Stephen informed me that a metal rod had pierced Lucas’s heart. The only way to save him was to find a heart donor or use an artificial heart. I was beside myself with grief, begging the doctor to save my son. “Sierra, your husband’s company specializes in artificial heart technology. Could you reach out to him?” Dr. Stephen suggested. That snapped me out of my fog. Alex’s company had recently developed a successful heart donor prototype, and their clinical trials had been highly successful. I immediately dialed Alex’s number. Once, twice, three times. “Hello, what… do you need?” The voice that answered was female, a familiar one. It was Jenny, Alex’s step-sister. I didn’t think much of it; she was just his step-sister, after all. “Judy, where’s Alex? I—” I started, but was cut off by the sounds on the other end of the line: the unmistakable slap of skin and moans from Judy. “Slow down… Alex, not so rough… ahh…” I heard Alex’s breathless voice. “I’m busy.” The call disconnected. It hit me then. Dr. Stephen rushed out again, asking, “Have you found a heart donor yet?” In my panic, I couldn’t think straight. I cried, offering up my own heart, but I knew it wasn’t possible. I was 30, and Lucas was only eight. My heart wouldn’t be suitable. I asked if there were any spare artificial hearts, but Dr. Stephen shook his head. “Your husband’s company controls the use of those. They need his approval, and he hasn’t signed off yet.” I kept calling Alex again and again, only to hear the automated response: “The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable.” Desperately, I reached out to his company, but no one had the authority to activate the use of an artificial heart. Only Alex could make that call. Dr. Stephen informed me that we had only one hour left to save Lucas. If we couldn’t find a heart donor in time, my son would die. Then I remembered—Alex must still be with Jenny. I rushed over to her place. When I arrived, I was stunned to see them through the window. Alex and Jenny were in bed together, completely wrapped up in each other. Jenny, young, beautiful, and seductive, was everything I was not. Her soft skin glowed as Alex moved on top of her. I, on the other hand, had grown older, worn down by the endless chores and responsibilities of our household. Alex was cheating on me—with his own step-sister, Jenny. “Why don’t we go to your place? Isn’t it more thrilling to sneak around there?” Jenny moaned. “That old hag’s at home. It’s not convenient,” Alex replied, before they began again.

I was furious. I banged on the door with all my strength. It took them a moment to stop. When Alex finally opened the door, I didn’t care about their disgusting affair anymore. “Lucas is in critical condition, Alex. He needs the heart donor your company developed. Please, save our son!” I swallowed my disgust and begged him. Alex looked at me with disdain. “Sierra, stop joking around. I just dropped him off at school this morning. He couldn’t have left on his own. And even if he had, a heart like that is worth millions. You think it’s that easy to get?” Jenny wrapped her arms around Alex, looking so innocent. “Sierra, it’s true. Lucas wouldn’t have run off on his own. How could he have gotten into a car accident?” I couldn’t hold back any longer. “Didn’t the doctor call you?!” As Alex picked up his phone, Jenny gasped dramatically, clutching her ankle. “Ahh!” Alex immediately turned to her. “What’s wrong, Jenny?” Jenny put on a sad face. “Sierra pushed me for no reason, and now my ankle is bleeding.” Her tiny scratch wasn’t even bleeding. I hadn’t touched her. Alex turned to leave, but I grabbed his hand in desperation. “Please, Alex. I’m not lying! Lucas needs you. Dr. Stephen said he only has an hour left.” For a moment, he seemed moved, but Jenny cried out even louder. “Alex, it hurts so much. I don’t think I can walk!” “You’re too much, Sierra!” Alex snapped, scooping Jenny up in his arms and carrying her back into the bedroom. No matter how much I pleaded, he told me to leave. A moment later, I heard their voices again from behind the door. “Alex… do you believe her, or me?” “Oh, Jenny, I believe you. I don’t trust a word that old hag says.” They continued talking in the most vulgar way, completely indifferent to my feelings. Meanwhile, my son was lying on a cold hospital bed, waiting for his father to provide the artificial heart that could save his life! I was overwhelmed with disgust as I banged on the door and cried. For the first time, I hated Alex for his betrayal. Dr. Stephen called again. “I’m sorry…” he began, but I hung up before he could finish. I didn’t care about Alex and Jenny anymore. I raced back to the hospital. By the third hour, Lucas had died. There was no heart donor, and the artificial heart never came. I returned to Lucas’s bedside, but it was too late. He was gone. On TV, I watched news coverage celebrating Alex’s success in developing the artificial heart. Meanwhile, I had lost my son forever. I wept, then laughed through my tears. The final words Lucas said to me over the phone, his desperate cries for help, pounded in my head. How ironic. My husband, who had successfully developed an artificial heart, refused to use one to save his own son. Even more tragic, my son died while his father was busy cheating, enjoying his time in bed with his step-sister, Jenny. Suddenly, memories of our wedding day came back to me. Why had Alex always been so close to Jenny, even back then? I held my son’s lifeless body, rocking him to sleep as if he were just taking a nap. I told myself Lucas was only sleeping, refusing to believe he was truly gone. Until the nurses came and took his body away. “Ma’am, I understand your pain, but you can’t keep holding onto a body,” Nurse Davis gently said. I screamed in anguish, “He’s not dead! He’s just… he’s just asleep!” But I collapsed in exhaustion, my face soaked with tears. I cried until I had no more energy left, eventually passing out on the hospital floor. That day, I lost everything. I organized Lucas’s funeral by myself. No one else came; it was just me and my son. The only other people present were the cemetery workers. No friends, no family. I knelt at his grave, sobbing until my heart felt like it was shattered into a million pieces. Just the day before, Lucas had been laughing as he left home with Alex, and now, that was the last time I’d ever see him alive. The phone rang again. It was the police. “Mrs. Heiffman, after reviewing the incident, we’ve confirmed that your son ran out of the school on his own…” My voice cracked as I interrupted, “How could he have run out on his own?!” “Please, Mrs. Heiffman, try to remain calm. We have surveillance footage and witness testimony. You’ll want to see what they captured.” I stayed at Lucas’s grave, unwilling to move. The police finally arrived and handed me photos taken by witnesses on the day of the accident. My hands trembled as I took the pictures. One photo showed Lucas, my little boy, lying lifeless, pierced through the heart by multiple steel rods from the crash. The pain in my chest was unbearable. Then, one photo caught my eye. It showed Alex and Jenny in a car, kissing passionately. Alex’s hand was inside Jenny’s shirt, and they looked like they were making out. The officer explained, “Your son saw them in the car, and that’s why he ran out into the street. Witnesses confirmed that a couple was seen kissing and… engaging in other activities in the car.” I laughed bitterly, clutching the phone as I cried. They left, but my son was gone forever. How could Lucas have skipped school on his own? He was a well-behaved child, always obedient. But it all made sense now. Lucas saw Alex cheating with Jenny, and in his confusion and hurt, he ran after them, only to be struck by the car and impaled on the guardrails. I cried at his grave for three days straight. No food, no water, just endless tears. My son was dead. And with him, my heart had frozen over. Then, out of nowhere, Alex texted me. “Jenny’s birthday is coming up. Bring Lucas to the party.” I stared coldly at the message, my rage simmering. If Alex hadn’t cheated with Jenny, Lucas would still be alive today. Fueled by anger, I replied, “Alright.”

Alex and I met in college. I came from a modest background, while Alex was from a wealthy family. People said I was the ugly duckling that had turned into a swan by marrying him. Alex had always been charming, polite, and from a prestigious family. He excelled in his studies and was praised by professors. Everyone envied me, but they didn’t know the misery I lived through. His wealthy family constantly criticized me—my looks, my posture, my lack of class. They always compared me to their precious adopted daughter, Jenny. I endured all of it for my mother. She had cancer and needed expensive treatment, and only by marrying Alex could I afford to keep her alive. I put up with the humiliation and gradually became the perfect wife they wanted me to be. When Alex and I got married, Jenny had just turned eighteen. On the day of her birthday, I noticed that both Alex and Jenny were absent from the party. I overheard strange noises coming from the bathroom but brushed it off, assuming it was a couple caught up in the excitement of the night. But in retrospect, I realized it had been Alex and Jenny, sneaking off together. Soon after our wedding, I became pregnant with Simon. Simon was a bright, curious little boy. He was fascinated by Alex’s work at the medical research company and had a natural gift for learning. I was so happy that he had inherited Alex’s intelligence. Aside from Alex helping my mother recover, Simon’s birth was the one thing I was most grateful for. With Alex’s financial support, my mother was able to enjoy the last few years of her life. She smiled more, and her health improved until she passed away peacefully while I was pregnant. Alex had always been considerate of me during my pregnancy, staying up late to comfort me and even standing up to his parents when they criticized me. For a time, I thought I had fallen deeply in love with this man who treated me so tenderly. But once Simon was born, everything changed. Alex began staying out all night, and he rarely came home. I can’t even count how many times Alex missed Simon’s birthdays, how many excuses he made, or how many times we fought over his absences. Simon would celebrate his birthday with just me every year, while Alex was out sleeping with other women. I knew about the affairs, but for Simon’s sake, I chose to turn a blind eye. However, Alex didn’t even bother to hide his relationship with Jenny in front of Simon. That morning, when Alex insisted on taking Simon to school, I thought it was a sign of compromise, a gesture of reconciliation. But it turned out to be the key to uncovering Alex’s affair with Jenny. I had swallowed my pride and endured everything for my mother and for Simon. But now, I had nothing left. I arrived at Alex’s parents’ house, seething with anger.

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When I died, he was holding another woman in his arms. The plan succeeded. I will become the pain he can never forget. “Miss Lewis, here’s your medication. Please take it.” I accepted the white bottle and thanked the pharmacist. With sleeping pills, I could finally get some rest. The plan was ready to begin. I sat in the taxi, staring at the message Chris Jude had just sent me. “I’m attending a gala tonight. Won’t be home.” I knew exactly what kind of gala this was—Wendy Summers’ welcome-back party. Wendy Summers was quite something. She had been with Chris for just one year, yet had him completely wrapped around her finger. I’d stayed by Chris’s side from the age of twenty-one to twenty-seven—six whole years. And still, I couldn’t compete with a single tear from Wendy. I had lived this life once before. In the end, Chris married Wendy, and I died on their wedding day. Mentally broken, I jumped off a building. I got nothing. How could I just accept that? So, I came back—this time to when Chris was nineteen. In the original timeline, I would have met Chris when he was twenty-one. He had just started his business, and I became his right-hand assistant. My family preferred boys, while his was shattered. Two wounded souls, licking each other’s wounds. For six long years, we even discussed marriage. But then, Wendy came back. Not only did she return, but she openly declared her lingering feelings for Chris at the gala. They rekindled their old flame, and my six years of youth became the collateral. Nineteen-year-old Chris was still the rich kid of the Jude family, with the world at his feet, dating the prettiest girl—Wendy Summers. At twenty, his family lost everything. Wendy left the country, and his life took a nosedive. I knew everything, so I entered his world early. I didn’t interfere with his relationship with Wendy; this plan needed an executioner, and this year—the one Chris had cherished most—was it. I watched Chris date Wendy. Watched them hold each other. Watched them kiss. I saw, with painful clarity, all the sweet memories Wendy once told me about. For an entire year, my heart soaked in their syrupy romance until it was drenched and rotting. I waited quietly, biding my time. When Wendy left the country, I entered Chris’s world, armed with genuine love as he fell into despair. How foolish twenty-year-old Chris was—childish and stubborn. Over and over, he rejected me, waiting for Wendy. How does that saying go? “Love is long-lasting when it comes from companionship.” Eventually, Chris accepted me. I stayed by his side during his darkest year. After that, things unfolded as I remembered: He rose from a scrappy entrepreneur to a business tycoon. From rejecting me to almost proposing. And then—this gala. “Miss, we’ve arrived.” The sound of the horn broke my thoughts. I picked up my phone, the screen still displaying my chat with Chris. The last message was from 11:35 AM. “Do you want me to pick you up? Don’t drink too much, I’m worried about you.” Chris hadn’t replied. I stepped out of the car, doing something I had no memory of ever doing. The plan started here. Inside the bar, lights flickered. I spotted Chris immediately, seated with his back to me. He was dressed in a suit, standing out amidst the quirky outfits surrounding him. Wendy Summers was right next to him in a black dress. She didn’t fit in with the crowd either, but at least she matched Chris. The people sitting around them were all familiar—the same crowd Chris used to hang out with back in his rich-kid days. I waited a long time, thinking I wouldn’t see anything. Then, suddenly, laughter erupted from across the room. They were egging them on, loudly. Wendy stood up and kissed Chris on the lips. My hand shook as I raised my phone, zooming in and capturing the moment. I couldn’t see Chris’s expression, but Wendy’s smile was unmistakable. My hand trembled, my heart clenched painfully. So, even in the days I knew nothing about, they had shared an unspeakable connection. Chris seemed to sense something and turned his head. I quickly pulled my hat down and left. He didn’t see me. Back at our place, the emptiness was suffocating. An empty home never felt good. I showered and sat on the couch, counting the minutes on the clock. 1:28 AM. The sound of keys turning in the door. I opened my eyes, still groggy, and rushed into Chris’s arms. He caught me, patting my head. His deep voice sounded in my ear. “Why aren’t you wearing shoes? You’ll catch a cold.” I cupped his face, gently stroking the spot where Wendy’s lips had been, my voice muffled. “Where have you been? You were gone so long, and you didn’t reply to my messages.” He paused but didn’t answer. He simply carried me to the couch and put socks on my feet. I kicked him lightly in protest. “Why won’t you say anything?” He ruffled my hair, as if resigned. “A very important client. I didn’t drink. My phone was off, so I didn’t see your messages.” I looked into his eyes, and I was all I could see there. Chris, you’re lying. I didn’t press him further and, as always, started playfully teasing him again.

The next morning, Chris left for work early. Once he was gone, I crawled out of bed and headed to the study. Among piles of documents and classic novels sat my diary. I pulled it out, flipping through each page, where my thoughts lay bare—from the moment I met Chris until now. During the years Wendy Summers was gone, I received a level of affection I never had in my previous life. Maybe it was because I stood by him during his lowest moments that Chris treated me differently. Even though I knew Wendy still lived in his heart, I sometimes wavered, wondering: Maybe this time will be different? But then I would remember those six years. I remembered how, despite all that time together, Wendy had returned, taken the place meant for me, worn the wedding dress I had picked, and kissed Chris on the day of my death. The thought drove me mad with hatred. Chris had to suffer, just like me—day and night, tormented by despair. Tears fell onto my diary as I traced the photo I had taken that day. Each stroke of my hand carved deeper wounds into my heart. I had thought the pain would be gone by now. “I went to pick up Chris. I saw a girl kiss him. She was happy, but I was devastated.” On a fresh page, I jotted down these few lines. Excitement and restraint warred within me—strange, yet oddly enjoyable. I closed the diary and returned it to its spot. Then I put on light makeup and slipped into a white dress. The reflection in the mirror was serene, gentle—so different from Wendy’s boldness. I smiled at the girl in the mirror, who smiled back at me, her dimples as sweet as honey. Chris had complimented me long ago, saying I looked beautiful when I smiled. But I didn’t like smiling anymore, not after coming back to relive this life. Now, I preferred crying. Falling apart in tears reminded me I was still alive, with real emotions, made of flesh and blood. Crying reminded me of Chris’s coldness and Wendy’s provocation.

After leaving home, I went to Chris’s office. The employees all knew who I was, but they avoided eye contact, which gave me a clue. And I was right. Through the glass window of his office, I saw Chris and Wendy sitting at the same table, sharing a meal. Wendy picked up a piece of carrot, about to feed it to Chris. He frowned but still ate it. Chris hated carrots. My hands clenched and unclenched at my sides. I couldn’t control myself—I pushed open the door and slapped Wendy across the face. “He has a girlfriend! Didn’t you know? How can you be so shameless? Get out!” Wendy’s eyes widened in disbelief, and then tears started falling. Sobbing, she explained, “I… I didn’t know. I don’t understand why you’re hitting me. We’re just friends. You misunderstood, right, Chris?” I turned to look at Chris. He thought for a long time before finally speaking. “Anna, stop making a scene. Wendy’s just an old friend. You hit her without hearing the full story. Apologize to her.” My hand holding the lunchbox began to tremble. Chris, you’re lying again. The tension in the room hung thick as Wendy continued to sob, shattering Chris’s patience. “Anna Lewis, if you hit someone, you need to apologize! Say sorry to Wendy!” Chris frowned, tapping the table impatiently. I had rarely seen him this upset. Suddenly, I was reminded of Chris at twenty—how I had gone out of my way to please him, and how stubborn he’d been, telling me over and over, “Anna, I’ll never love you. You should give up.” It was exactly the same now—all because of Wendy. Memories rushed up, filling my eyes with tears that I tried to hold back. With my throat tight, I forced the words out. “I’m sorry.” Chris’s expression softened, and he smiled. “Anna, come sit and eat with us.” Wendy chimed in, her voice bright and proud. “Yeah, Anna, join us! I got this food especially for Chris from a famous restaurant!” She looked at me, unable to hide the challenge in her eyes. I stayed calm, not causing a scene again. Chris seemed delighted. I placed the lunchbox on the table, and Chris suddenly froze, as if remembering something. I knew what was on his mind. Every day, I brought him lunch—it was our routine. But today, he had eaten Wendy’s meal. Suppressing the tremor in my voice, I smiled and said, “I brought you lunch, but since you’ve already eaten, I’ll head home.” Chris opened his mouth but only managed a single word. “Okay.” I turned and left, determined. Out of Chris’s sight, the tears finally rolled down my cheeks. The office staff exchanged uneasy glances as I forced myself to smile and leave. Still, I could hear their whispers. “What’s going on? How can the CEO’s girlfriend lose to the other woman?” “Shh, don’t talk nonsense. I went to school with the CEO. That woman in his office is his ex. They used to be inseparable—a love story for the ages.” “Really? So, who will he end up with?” “No idea, but the girlfriend sure is pitiful.” Yeah, pitiful. I laughed bitterly to myself and left Chris’s office.

The sunlight was blinding, so I shielded my eyes with my hand. “Hey, would you like to check this out?” Lowering my hand, I saw a mascot—a large, clumsy teddy bear—approaching me. It looked a little ridiculous. I took the flyer from him. It was for a nearby café. “Sure, I’ll check it out. Thanks.” My mind drifted back to the days I spent handing out flyers with Chris. The streets back then were scorching—like a furnace. I had suffered through those days with him. I smiled at the mascot and was about to leave when his cheerful voice called out again. “Hey, you’ve got a beautiful smile.” I froze, that same sentence ringing in my ears. Anna, you look so beautiful when you smile. “Really?” I asked without thinking. The rough fabric of the mascot costume brushed my cheek as the teddy bear patted me gently. “If you don’t cry, it’s even better.” “Don’t cry, okay?” I touched my face, feeling the wetness on my fingers. Was I crying again? I shouldn’t be. After a moment, I let a smile break across my face. I hugged the mascot, and he didn’t pull away. “Thank you.” I must be going crazy. I sat there, watching as he handed out flyers, chatting up passersby. He told me I should head home. I shook my head and refused. He didn’t mind. Instead, he shuffled around in his clumsy mascot suit, blocking the sun for me. So this is what it feels like to have someone care for you. As the sun set, he removed the suit and sat next to me. A bottle of water sat beside him—something he had run out to buy for me. The weather had been too hot, and his hair stuck damply to his forehead. I handed him a tissue. He took it, wiping the sweat from his face before pushing his hair back. So bright, so good-looking. So different from Chris’s steady appearance. I stared at him absentmindedly until he waved his hand in front of my face, laughing. “Hey, did I stun you with how good I look?” His playful antics made me laugh. I pushed his hand away and stood up. “Stop being so full of yourself.” “I’m heading home. You should go home early too.” The ride-share honked impatiently. I waved goodbye and got in the car. Through the window, I watched as he stood there, holding the mascot suit in his arms, smiling and waving back at me, the sunset behind him. I never told him that his smile was just as beautiful. Years ago, I was the one wearing the mascot suit, shielding Chris from the heat. The inside had been suffocating, like an oven. Chris’s impatient tone and spoiled attitude still lingered vividly in my memory. What was I thinking back then? I was thinking that I wished someone would shield me from the sun. Why am I thinking about Chris again? I touched my eyes once more—dry this time. No more tears. Back home, the emptiness remained. Somehow, Wendy Summers had added me on WeChat. I accepted, but she didn’t message me. I knew what she was planning. Sure enough, she posted a playful caption and a photo on her feed. “Dinner with my favorite person! Even the lemonade tastes sweet!” The picture showed two glasses of lemonade and a lavish meal. And, of course, a man’s hand—it could only be Chris. Smart as ever, he had even taken off the watch I gave him. Once again, I opened my diary and wrote. “Today, Chris forgot I would bring him lunch. He ate with another girl. That girl even fed him the carrots he doesn’t like. I was furious and slapped her. Chris sided with her and made me apologize. I’m so sad.” After that day, Chris rarely came home. I couldn’t sleep, and even the sleeping pills stopped working. Sometimes, I would fall asleep, only to wake up soon after in the darkness of my dreams. My hair began to fall out in clumps, and my weight dropped steadily. Even though I had planned everything, including my final departure, I still couldn’t find peace. Sometimes, looking at my pale reflection in the mirror, I’d think back to the days before Chris, when I was just as radiant and lively as Wendy. I couldn’t stop myself from breaking down into sobs. I had to speed up the plan—I didn’t know how much longer I could endure.

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