Category: English

“Dr. Lewis, I want these dolphins,” Lydia Graham said with poised confidence, tapping the glass of the observation tank. “Graham Corporation is constructing a marine park, and these dolphins will be our star attractions.” Lydia is the childhood friend of my fiancé, Declan Reed. She had just returned from abroad and was determined to claim the dolphins my grandfather had left me. “Let her have them,” Declan said gently from behind her. His gentle tone was once enough to make me agree to marry him without a second thought, but now it felt like a sharp betrayal. “No way.” As a researcher at the biological institute, I firmly rejected the proposal, though I felt a powerful force behind me. As I fell into the shark tank, I saw Lydia retract the hand that had pushed me. And Declan, who had once promised to protect me forever, stood silently by her side. In the blood-red water, the sharks began to close in on me. Before I lost consciousness, my grandfather’s last words echoed in my mind: “These dolphins are my final gift to you…”

The harsh smell of disinfectant made me frown. When I opened my eyes, the only sound in the room was the steady beeping of the monitor. I touched the bruise on my neck, and the door opened, revealing Declan’s tall figure silhouetted by the light behind him. His face showed no emotion, and his deep-set eyes held a cold detachment. “You’re awake?” He walked steadily to the bed, his voice low. I frowned at him, my throat burning painfully. He helped me sit up. “It’s fortunate the sharks had just been fed and you weren’t injured or bleeding, or the consequences would have been unimaginable.” I took the water he handed me and drained the glass. “Graham Corporation’s marine park is a major project. Why oppose Lydia?” His long fingers tapped the bed rail, each tap echoing like a judgement in my heart. I argued, “Are you here to lecture me? You know the bond I’ve had with the dolphins over the years—they’re my grandfather’s legacy—” “Grandfather has passed away,” he interrupted, shaking his head. “Nora, when will you grow up? Not all persistence is worthwhile.” I looked at the cold man before me, memories of our meeting, romance, and his proposal flashing before my eyes. At our engagement party, my grandfather had clasped his hand, moved, entrusting him to protect me for life. But now it felt like I was meeting him for the first time. “Declan, you’re here,” Lydia entered in high heels, the scent of Chanel quickly filling the room. She linked arms with Declan affectionately, glanced at me, and smiled elegantly. “I was going to bring Dr. Lewis some supplements, but you beat me to it.” I stared at her. “Miss Graham, you probably came to confirm whether the sharks had finished me off, right?” She chuckled lightly, “Dr. Lewis, you’re joking. Yesterday, I think you just accidentally slipped, right? After all… the institute’s surveillance didn’t capture anything.” “Lydia,” Declan called her softly, ostensibly to stop her, but I detected a hint of indulgence in his voice. “Declan, I’m just worried about her.” She playfully swayed his arm, then turned to me. “I’ve already negotiated with the board about the dolphins. You know, my father dotes on me; I get whatever I want.” I clenched the sheet, my knuckles turning white. As Lydia said this, Declan not only failed to stop her but gently tidied her hair that had become tousled from leaning on his arm. I recalled how yesterday afternoon, when I accidentally spilled coffee, he had stepped back with a frown, looking cold and distant. “My father wants to see you; it’s been years since he last did,” Lydia said naturally, as if she were the one engaged to Declan. Before they left, Lydia added, “Dr. Lewis, some things are just not meant for you. Rest well.” She left in high heels, and Declan opened the door for her, his hand naturally protecting her back, afraid she might bump into something. Once, such gestures used to be for me. “Nora,” he glanced back at me, eyes flickering, “stop being so stubborn.” Stubborn? I smiled bitterly. So in his eyes, my guarding of my grandfather’s legacy was mere stubbornness. A year ago, when he proposed, he said he loved my resilience and effort the most. What did that mean now? Why did he change after Lydia returned? After they left, I wiped away my tears and took out a mask and hat from my bag.

As night deepened, I avoided the watchful eyes of his assistant at the hospital, dragging my still-recovering body to the research institute. I used my ID badge to open the door. Moonlight spilled through the glass dome of the observation pool, the water shimmering with a gentle glow. I sat by the pool, lightly tapping the surface. A mother and calf dolphin emerged from the water, their familiar chirping sounds echoing under the moonlight. I softly called, “Luna, Cosmo.” These were the names my grandfather gave them—Luna, elegant and gentle as the moon, Cosmo, lively and bright like the stars. Hearing my call, Luna gently nudged my hand with her snout, while little Cosmo playfully surfaced, flicking water with his tail, splashing me. “Mischievous,” I laughed softly, wiping away the droplets. Six years ago, when I first arrived at the institute, my grandfather had just rescued this dolphin pair. At that time, the mother dolphin was barely alive, and the calf, just born, was so weak it nearly didn’t survive. Grandfather and I took turns caring for them day and night, checking their condition every two hours. During those days, I often fell asleep by the observation pool. Every time, Luna would swim over, gently waking me with her sounds, as if reminding me to rest. Slowly, Cosmo grew up, clinging to me like a child. Every time I visited, he would show off a new trick. Flipping, blowing bubbles, swimming with me on his back—whatever I taught, he learned. Grandfather always said he and I were kindred spirits. On his deathbed, he made me promise to protect them. “You guys…” I caressed the smooth dorsal fin of the calf dolphin, choking up. Sensing my sorrow, the little one rested his head in my palm, emitting a low chirp. The mother dolphin swam closer, her dark eyes gleaming with intelligence in the moonlight. I remembered my grandfather saying dolphins were the most empathetic creatures in the world, capable of sensing human emotions and choosing trustworthy people. “But now…” My tears fell into the water, creating ripples. “How can I protect you?” Luna suddenly made a series of clear sounds, diving underwater. When she surfaced, she held something in her mouth. It was a small pearl, glowing softly under the moonlight. I was stunned. In six years, I had never seen this pearl. At that moment, my grandfather’s dying words echoed again. With trembling hands, I took the pearl, my heart racing. Just as I was about to examine it closely, a blinding flashlight beam hit me from behind.

“Nora Lewis! You’ve been suspended, and you still trespass into the institute. Are you trying to steal something?” A guard’s voice behind me was jarringly loud. I was momentarily stunned, the pearl slipping from my fingers, caught deftly by Luna, who quickly submerged. “What? Suspended?” “Playing innocent? The foundation issued a suspension notice this afternoon!” I was dragged out by two guards, looking back to see Cosmo leaping anxiously from the water, chirping frantically. Luna floated silently, tears seemingly glistening in her obsidian eyes. “I never received any suspension notice!” I struggled to stay. No one responded as I was forcibly pushed out of the institute’s door, the cold wind biting through my thin lab coat, still clutching my work ID. This badge, which had accompanied me for six years, now felt like the most ironic thing. The next morning, I went straight to the Graham Foundation. Opening the office door, I was hit by the scent of perfume. Lydia Graham was elegantly stirring her coffee, with Declan sitting beside her, naturally affectionate. “Dr. Lewis, you found out so quickly?” Lydia chuckled, “I was going to let you rest a bit before telling you.” “Why?” I glared at her, “There’s never been a problem with my research work!” “Is that so?” She raised an eyebrow, “Unfortunately, the foundation’s expert group doesn’t think so. They say your dolphin behavior research report has serious falsification issues.” “That’s impossible!” “Declan,” Lydia leaned playfully toward him, “tell us, how flawed is Dr. Lewis’s report?” Declan spoke in a businesslike tone, “According to the expert group’s opinion, the recent report you submitted, regarding the emotional interaction between the dolphin mother and calf, clearly violates scientific principles. As the project leader, I agreed with the expert group’s suspension suggestion.” I stared at him in disbelief, “Declan Reed, you know those data are real! You’ve seen Luna and Cosmo…” “Enough!” He suddenly raised his voice, “Please address me as Mr. Reed in a professional setting. And stop using such emotionally charged names for the test subjects. It’s unprofessional.” Lydia covered her mouth, giggling, “Dr. Lewis, do you think you’re part of that dolphin family? How…ridiculous.” I looked at him in disbelief. “Declan Reed, you know the data is real! You’ve seen Luna and Cosmo…” “Enough!” he suddenly raised his voice. “Please call me Mr. Reed at work. Also, stop using those sentimental names for the research subjects. It’s unprofessional.” Lydia Graham chuckled, covering her mouth. “Miss Lewis, do you really consider those dolphins your family? That’s… just absurd.” “They are my family,” I said, my eyes welling up with emotion. “At least they won’t betray me.” “See, that’s your problem,” she said, shaking her head. “Researchers can’t be objective if they’re so emotionally involved. Declan’s right, it’s unprofessional.” Declan stood up and adjusted his suit. “Nora, I hope you can stay rational. There’s still a chance for you to return.” “You can’t do this!” I tried to keep my voice steady, fighting back tears. Lydia elegantly placed her coffee cup on the table. “Why not? My dad is the foundation’s chairman.” Just as I was about to respond, my phone buzzed. It was a colleague from the dolphin research team. “Nora! Where are you?” Her voice was frantic. “The dolphins are missing this morning, and no one informed us…” My hand shook violently, and I nearly dropped the phone. I could still hear Cosmo’s cheerful chirps from last night and remember Luna’s gentle gaze. “This is retaliation…” I looked up to see a glint of satisfaction in Lydia’s eyes. A thought struck me. I immediately reached into my bag for a fruit knife. Pressing the cold blade against my neck, a bead of blood surfaced. “Take me to them.”

Declan Reed rose sharply, his voice wavering for the first time, “Nora, are you out of your mind? Put the knife down!” Lydia’s smile faltered. “Whether I’m crazy or not doesn’t matter,” I said with a bitter smile, applying slight pressure with the knife, a red line appearing on my neck. “What matters is, I want to see them now.” “You…” Lydia stood, ready to call security. I interrupted her, “I wonder if Miss Graham’s father would enjoy seeing his precious daughter in the headlines, forcing a young researcher to the brink of death?” Declan’s gaze darkened as he looked at the blood on my neck. “Nora, stop. I’ll take you.” “Declan!” Lydia looked at him in disbelief. Lydia wanted to say more, but a stern look from him silenced her. We got into his car. I sat in the backseat, never lowering the knife. In the rearview mirror, I saw Declan’s tense jawline. Once, I had secretly admired his profile countless times. But now, those tender memories felt like a dream, crushed under Lydia’s high heels. The car drove towards a private villa in the suburbs, with Declan at the wheel. My hand grew colder as my heart pounded wildly. Grandpa once said these dolphins were his last gift to me. Whether for the bond over the years or for Grandpa, I had to do this. The Graham’s private aquarium was in the villa’s basement. As the elevator descended, I clenched my hands, trying to muster more courage. When the doors opened, a pungent medicinal smell hit me. It was overpowering, far beyond normal disinfection needs. My heart sank. The dimly lit observation pool cast an eerie atmosphere over the space. At a glance, I saw Luna floating on the water. Her once graceful body was rigidly bent, her dorsal fin and tail had large abrasions, as if she’d been violently dragged. She was dead. Tortured to death, even. Little Cosmo weakly clung to his mother, emitting intermittent chirps filled with fear and sorrow. My blood boiled, and I nearly broke into tears. “Sorry, there was a bit of an accident during the transfer,” Lydia said dismissively. “This big dolphin was too uncooperative, kept struggling.”

“What have you done to them?!” I shouted at her. “Nothing much,” she said, adjusting her hair indifferently. “Just injected some sedatives. Who knew it was so fragile…” “Sedatives?” I rushed to the poolside, noticing several needle marks on Luna. “How much did you use?!” “Does it matter?” Lydia said impatiently. “They’re just two…” I turned abruptly, “They are living beings! This is murder!” I wanted to grab Lydia for questioning, but Declan stepped in front of her first. “Nora,” Declan’s voice was chillingly calm, “you’re too emotional. Lydia meant well; she hired the most professional team to handle it. No one wanted this accident.” Looking at him in his suit made me feel sick. “Meant well? By overdosing Luna with sedatives? Declan Reed, for the first time, I see you have no humanity.” Before I could finish, I saw Cosmo suddenly thrashing violently. It desperately rammed into the pool wall, its eyes filled with pain, as if trying to tell me something. “What’s wrong with it?” Lydia frowned, “Is it going to die too?” I trembled, rushing forward to hold it. In that instant, I saw it had a pearl in its mouth. Forcing myself to remain calm, I said, “I’m taking it with me.” “No way!” Lydia shrieked. I pulled the fruit knife from my pocket, pressing it to my heart. “Are you sure you want to stop me?” Declan’s face changed, “You’re insane!” “Yeah, I’m insane.” I took off the diamond ring on my ring finger and threw it forcefully to the ground, looking Declan in the eye, “From today, you and I have nothing to do with each other!”

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I had just opened my eyes when I saw a little girl timidly leaning on my knee, saying: “Mom, I’m hungry.” Looking at this face that resembled Lucas Gray’s, I was instantly overjoyed. After all, my lifelong dream was to form a small family of three with him. Before I could rejoice for two seconds, I turned my head and saw our wedding photo shattered on the ground! I called Lucas: “Honey! There’s been a break-in!” The next second, I heard a woman’s coquettish laughter from the other end of the line. And then, Lucas’s voice, cold as ice: “Lily Johnson, what new trick are you trying to pull? Even if you died, I wouldn’t come back!!” Before he could finish speaking, the phone was abruptly hung up. My heart was instantly filled with a whirlwind of emotions. It wasn’t long ago that Lucas was holding me, crying non-stop because he had finally married me. In the blink of an eye, he was now holding another woman and wishing me dead?! I didn’t understand what had happened in these ten years, so I turned to look at the little girl standing beside me, looking confused. The little girl was smart. In just two or three minutes, she had figured out that I wasn’t the mother who had been by her side all along. She calmly walked up to me, her big round eyes looking straight at me as she asked: “When did you come from?” “Ten years ago.” “Are you my mom?” I didn’t know how to answer, so I gently smoothed her hair: “Ten years ago, I had just married your dad. You weren’t born yet. You can think of me as your new mom.” “My name is Emily, I’m seven years old. Can you make me some noodles?” She pulled me to the kitchen. Faced with a fridge full of vegetables, I felt a bit lost. After all, I had never cooked before. After getting together with Lucas, he had created a special menu just for me. He had hand-drawn every dish I loved. “As long as I’m by your side, I’ll never let you eat takeout. I guarantee it won’t be long before I’ve kept you healthy and happy!” But Emily clutched her stomach and mumbled: “Mom’s a great chef. She always makes everything I love to eat.” Looking at the shattered wedding photo on the ground and remembering the woman’s laughter on the phone, I suddenly realized that the love I had once been so proud of had finally crumbled. I fiddled with my phone for a while, and an hour later, I finally managed to order takeout for the girl. Seeing me sitting aside, lost in thought, Emily took the initiative to hand me her phone. On the screen was the surveillance video from last night. In the footage, I was sitting on the sofa from 6 PM, waiting until midnight. Lucas finally came home, drunk. Ridiculously, he had a pair of black stockings tied around his waist. “You went to see her again, didn’t you? What’s so good about her? Don’t forget who gave you everything you have today! If it weren’t for my uncle, do you think you’d be where you are now?!” He pushed me to the ground before I could finish speaking. A slap landed on my face. “A useless woman who can’t even give birth to a son, you have the nerve to bring this up? Don’t think I don’t know about you and that uncle of yours who’s not even related by blood. If you didn’t have two cents to your name, I would have kicked you out long ago!!” “Lily, I’ve put up with you this long already, that’s more than enough face for you! If you have any brains left, wait until I bring Zoe here, do your job as a housekeeper, and to the outside world, you’ll still be the glorious Mrs. Gray!” “Lucas, if you don’t love me, why did you risk your life to save me when I was cornered in that alley back then?” I asked him, my voice hoarse.

In the video, I had puffy eyes and was wearing a plain T-shirt. I couldn’t believe it. I used to be someone who loved beauty so much that I would dress up even at home. How could I have become like this after just ten years? I carefully picked up the photos from the ground. I remembered that the wedding dress I was wearing was bought by Lucas with cash he had saved up for a long time, just because I fell in love with it at first sight. But the wedding dress was a custom-made piece from a luxury brand. When we heard the price, I immediately grabbed Lucas’s hand and started to walk out. He understood that I was trying to save money for him. As soon as we left the bridal shop, he apologized to me with tears in his eyes: “Lily, I’m sorry. We’re about to get married, and I can’t even afford a wedding dress you like.” To comfort him, I quickly said: “Actually, I didn’t like it that much.” To my surprise, Lucas pulled me into his arms, “Don’t worry, Lily. I’ll definitely buy you that wedding dress! I won’t let you down!” The next morning, I saw that dazzling wedding dress in the living room. Later, I found out that he had sold his family heirloom bracelet to buy me that wedding dress. “Now I don’t even have the startup capital for the company. I’m afraid you’ll have to bear with me through some hard times.” Seeing my beloved crying in front of me, I went to my uncle without hesitation. Despite his objections, I insisted on giving all the inheritance from my parents to Lucas. But after I settled Emily and finally managed to find Lucas’s company after great effort, I went there with a heart full of anger and questions. I couldn’t believe that he, who had seemed to love me so much ten years ago, would cheat on me! But when I saw Lucas embracing a woman in his office, my already shaky heart finally shattered completely. I was about to push the door open and beat up this cheating couple. But when I saw the bracelet on the woman’s wrist, my hand froze in midair. Wasn’t that the family heirloom bracelet that Lucas had sold?! The next second, I saw the woman laughing as she put her arms around Lucas’s neck: “You won’t give me a fake wedding dress like you did to your wife when we get married, will you?” Lucas fondly tapped her nose: “How could I bear to let you wear a fake? If I hadn’t tricked her back then, how could I have gotten that $500,000 startup capital? Besides, how could she be worthy of such an expensive wedding dress?!” The woman burst into laughter at his words. Remembering how I had been showing off the wedding dress to my best friend before the time travel, my head full of fantasies about a beautiful married life. In that moment, I felt utterly ridiculous. I don’t remember when I left, but when I came to my senses, I found myself at a familiar villa. Before I could escape, the door behind me suddenly opened. “It’s cold outside. Come in and talk.” The familiar voice came, making my heart tremble. “Uncle…” Before I could finish speaking, my body suddenly lifted off the ground. Smelling that familiar scent, the grievances and insecurities that had been building up in my heart for the past two days finally burst forth as tears. “Why are you crying? If you want money, just say so. There’s no need to use this trick to force me to give money to that husband of yours.” “You know I can’t stand to see you cry.”

Before the time travel, I had just had a complete falling out with my uncle. To prevent me from marrying Lucas, he had tied me up and taken me to the mountains in the middle of the night. “Open your eyes and look carefully! This is where he grew up! A gambling father, a selfish mother. You’ve been pampered and spoiled by me. Do you really think you can endure it?” “I can! No matter how bad he is, he’s still better than a coward like you!” I shook off his hand and walked down the mountain on foot. The next day, my wedding with Lucas went ahead as planned. The socialite marrying a lowlife. I became the laughingstock of the entire city. But looking at the wedding dress I was wearing and Lucas’s hand tightly holding mine, I still smiled sweetly. It wasn’t until I saw that scene earlier that I realized how naive I had been. Uncle’s gaze moved to my feet, his brow furrowing deeply. It was then that I noticed my shoes had come off at some point. I realized that the soles of my feet were raw and bloody. I watched as he reached out to touch me, then pulled back. Finally, he sighed: “I’ll have the housekeeper send the money over later. You should go now. There’s no need to see someone you don’t want to see just for money.” Seeing him about to leave, I quickly grabbed him: “I don’t want money. I want you to help me divorce Lucas!” Although Uncle didn’t understand what had happened, he nodded at me. When I returned home, I saw a seductive-looking woman wearing my pajamas. She was holding my husband, looking at me provocatively. Before I could speak, Lucas questioned me first: “Lily, why are you running around outside instead of cooking at home? Don’t you know Zoe and I are starving?” “Mom, my hand hurts.” Emily ran to me, dropping the spatula. I saw that her little hand was covered in blisters. “Lucas, if you were hungry, couldn’t you order takeout? Emily is only seven years old, how could you let her cook? She’s not even as tall as the stove! You’re her father! Are you even human?!” Lucas strode over and slapped me hard. With a loud “smack” — I fell to the ground, completely defenseless. “Who do you think you are to yell at me?” Lucas’s cold rebuke made me wonder if he was still the same boy who had blushed and asked me to marry him before the time travel. Zoe stepped forward disdainfully, stepping on my hand. “She’s just a little girl. It’s her honor to cook for me. After all, I’m carrying the Gray family’s son!” I looked behind her and saw a flash of reluctance on Lucas’s face. A moment later, he resumed his cold demeanor. “As long as you obediently take care of Zoe and her child, and do your job as a housekeeper, I promise no one can threaten your position as Mrs. Gray!” Beads of sweat formed on my forehead. I forced a smile: “Of course, I’ll take good care of Miss Parker!” After saying this, I struggled to my feet and made a table full of dishes for them. Lucas looked at the blackened mess on the plates. His face darkened, and he directly stood up and flipped the table. “Lily Johnson, what do you mean by this! Who do you expect to eat this stuff! Don’t think you can pretend you can’t cook to stop me from moving Zoe in! Let me tell you, even if you leave this house, Zoe is staying!” My luggage was thrown out of the bedroom by Zoe. At that moment, Uncle sent a message. “Everything’s taken care of.” I took Emily’s hand, listening to Lucas and the woman flirting in the bedroom. I smiled: “Since you love each other so much, I’ll give you my blessing!”

I took Emily back to the villa my parents had left behind. Strangely, I hadn’t returned here since my parents passed away. But all the furniture in the house was brand new, without a speck of dust. Looking at the family photo of me, my parents, and Uncle hanging on the wall, I was extremely surprised. Because this photo had been torn to pieces the night I confessed to Uncle. But now it was hanging intact on the wall. Before I could figure out what had happened, I saw Uncle coming out of the kitchen with prepared meals. It was then that I realized that since I got married, Uncle had moved here. He had never left, always carefully looking after every blade of grass and every tree in the villa. Even the hydrangeas in the backyard were blooming more vigorously than before. At the dinner table, Uncle pushed a card in front of me. It was then that I learned that the assets my parents left me were far more than $500,000. Even the building where Lucas’s company was located was my parents’ property. “They said that this money should be given to you when you could stand on your own feet. I think now is the best time.” Uncle paused after speaking. He stared at me hesitantly for a long time, and finally said: “Are you sure you want to divorce Lucas?” Before the time travel, I saw Lucas as my salvation. With just one word from him, I gave him all my savings for his business. Even with just one promise from him, I gave my mother’s gold ring to his cousin to marry his wife. But I gave him all my heart, and what did I get in return? His betrayal. He made our seven-year-old daughter cook for him and his mistress. He kicked me out of the house in the middle of the night, almost leaving me homeless. “I’m definitely getting this divorce!” I firmly told Uncle. But when I looked down at my clothes still stained with oil, I realized that I didn’t even have a job now. If the other party sued, I definitely wouldn’t have a chance to win custody of Emily. Uncle seemed to see through my concerns. He patted the girl who was eating with her head down. “Don’t worry about the divorce. I’ll help you hire the best lawyer in the city.” Before returning to my room, I anxiously called out to him. Uncle smiled and tapped my forehead: “Don’t be afraid. No matter what happens, I’ll be with you. I won’t leave you alone again.” The blush on my cheeks spread to my ears. But I didn’t notice Ethan’s heavy breathing. When I returned to the Gray mansion the next day to pack my things, I opened the door to find Lucas sitting on the sofa in the living room. His gaze fell on me with intense pressure. “Lily, don’t you have anything to say to me?” I ignored him and walked straight towards the bedroom. But he grabbed my wrist tightly: “Who allowed you to see Ethan Johnson without telling me? Don’t forget we’re married, you’re Mrs. Gray now!” I shook off his hand and retorted without mercy: “You’re allowed to fool around and hook up with other women, but I’m not allowed to see my own family? Lucas Gray, when you can control your lower half, then you can try to control me!” Lucas stumbled as I pushed him away, and he was about to charge at me again. Just as his hand was about to fall, his phone suddenly rang. A few seconds later, he asked with furrowed brows: “Lily, that building where the company is located belongs to you?!” “Why didn’t you tell me in the ten years we’ve been married!” I looked at his shocked expression and said slowly: “For the rent of these ten years, considering we’re still husband and wife, I’ll give you a 90% discount. You only need to pay another $50 million, and I’ll throw in an extra gift.” I took out the divorce papers and threw them in his face: “Lucas Gray, let’s get divorced! From now on, you can have children with whoever you want, it’s none of my business!”

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In my previous life, my teacher, a grown adult, led the charge in bullying me simply because I scored higher than her favorite male student. She spread rumors about me throughout the class, accusing me of cheating and even dating. She’d say things like: “Some people’s grades suddenly improve out of nowhere. We all know how that happens.” Or: “Some girls don’t focus on studying—they’re too busy figuring out how to seduce people!” She egged the entire class on to isolate me, and in the end, she pushed me into depression, forcing me to drop out. But this time? This time, I returned to the moment she first accused me of cheating. I raised my hand and asked: “Miss Garcia, the other day I saw you sitting on Mason Taylor’s lap. Is that how grades get improved?” The results for the midterms had just come out. I’d jumped up thirty spots in the rankings, climbing from the bottom of the class to somewhere in the middle. Lila Green, my best friend, stared at my test paper in awe. “You’re amazing, Amanda! Seriously, this is incredible.” Lila had always been my closest friend, the one who encouraged me when no one else would. Even in my past life, after I spiraled into depression and dropped out, she was the one who kept visiting, begging me to hold on. When I eventually took my own life, she cried so hard she almost passed out. Now, as I stared at the test paper on my desk, I didn’t feel much joy. I knew what was coming. Just then, the sharp clack of heels echoed through the classroom as Miss Garcia strode in, her hips swaying as if she were on a catwalk. “I’ve posted the class rankings on the board,” she announced, her tone brisk. “Feel free to take a look after class.” She paused, her gaze deliberately sweeping the room before landing on me. “But I’d like to talk about two students in particular—Amandaand Mason Taylor.” She walked over to Mason’s desk, which was right by the podium, isolated from the rest of the class. She patted him on the shoulder in a mock show of sympathy. “Mason, you’ve slipped in the rankings this time. Amanda even surpassed you.” Mason nodded, but from where I was sitting, I could see him nudge Miss Garcia’s lower back with his elbow. Disgusting. Lila, sitting beside me, bristled at Miss Garcia’s words. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she muttered under her breath. Miss Garcia’s expression hardened, her voice turning sharp. “It’s natural for students to struggle sometimes. As a teacher, it’s my job to support those who are falling behind and help them catch up. But…” She paused, her eyes narrowing as they flicked to me. “What concerns me is when certain students improve their grades too quickly. It makes you wonder what methods they might be using. I won’t investigate—out of respect. But let’s just say, everyone knows the truth.” I stared at her, her words dragging me back to my past life. It had started just like this. The first time I outperformed Mason, she began making insinuations during class meetings: “Some people’s grades suddenly improve out of nowhere. We all know how that happens.” Then she saw Mason helping me pick out a book in the library and started spreading new rumors: “Some girls spend more time flirting than studying!” She led the class in ostracizing me. In lessons, she refused to call on me, ignored my assignments, or pretended not to receive them. When she did collect my work, she never graded it. It got worse. She stopped giving me study materials, excluded me from group projects, and even left me off the class roster during school-wide attendance counts. High schoolers are simple—and cruel. If the teacher hated me, the other students followed suit. Only Lila stayed by my side, until Miss Garcia transferred her to another class. With no one left to lean on, I was buried under the weight of rumors, isolation, and cruelty. It all led to my eventual withdrawal from school and, finally, my death. And all because I’d dared to score higher than Mason Taylor, her golden boy. This time, though, I wasn’t going to sit back and take it. When Miss Garcia finished her little speech, I raised my hand. “Miss Garcia,” I said innocently, “the other day when I dropped off my homework, I saw you sitting on Mason’s lap. Is that how grades get improved?” Her face drained of color. “You—what are you talking about?! That’s absurd!” She pointed a trembling finger at me, her voice rising. “First you cheat, and now you’re spreading lies?” I tilted my head, feigning confusion. “Lies? Oh, no, I just meant… didn’t you lose your balance, and Mason was helping you steady yourself? Isn’t that what happened?” Her face turned an alarming shade of red, then pale again. “Yes! I… I lost my balance. That’s all it was.” Of course, that wasn’t what had happened. But I wasn’t trying to expose her—not yet. I just wanted to give her a taste of the humiliation she’d given me. The class, however, was already buzzing with whispers. Teenagers and their imaginations—this kind of gossip was like gasoline on a fire. Miss Garcia quickly yelled, “Enough! Quiet down—class is starting!” But her composure was gone. She didn’t even spare Mason a glance after class, rushing out of the room as soon as the bell rang. As soon as she left, my classmates swarmed me. “Amanda, was that true?” “Did Miss Garcia and Mason really… you know?” “I always thought she walked like that for a reason. Guess I was right!” I calmly gathered my books, ignoring most of the questions. Lila shot me a worried look. I grabbed her arm. “Come on, let’s go to the restroom.” Before leaving, I turned to the group. “Didn’t you hear her? She said she just lost her balance. Anything else, I wouldn’t know. If you’re curious, go find out for yourselves—but don’t drag me into it. She already doesn’t like me.” I led Lila out of the classroom. When someone spreads rumors about you, the best weapon is an even bigger, juicier rumor. And this wasn’t even a rumor—it was the truth. Miss Garcia accused me of cheating, so I planted the seed of her inappropriate behavior. Teenagers thrive on gossip, especially when it involves scandal. And a teacher-student relationship? That was dynamite. Let’s see if Miss Garcia can keep her skeletons buried now. On the way to the restroom, Lila hesitated, clearly wanting to say something. Finally, as we washed our hands, she blurted, “Amanda, I’m scared she’s going to come after you for this.” I smiled. “She won’t—unless she really has something to hide.” “But… did she really sit on Mason’s lap?” I held a finger to my lips. “Shh. Walls have ears.” Lila nodded nervously, grabbing my wrist as we hurried back to class. High school is supposed to be the most beautiful, unforgettable time of our lives. As Lila tugged me along, glancing back to urge me to keep up, I felt a pang of guilt. I was using her. It wasn’t just a warning about walls having ears—I knew someone was listening in the restroom. I wanted Miss Garcia to feel what I’d felt. To endure the same shame, isolation, and whispers. What she did to me… she deserved every bit of it.

Rumors about Miss Garcia started spreading like wildfire around the school. She swapped out her usual flashy outfits for plain, casual clothes. Even her signature high heels were replaced with flats. It was obvious she was trying to clean up her image. But, as these things go, the gossip only got worse. “Miss Garcia isn’t wearing heels anymore—do you think she’s pregnant?” “Totally. My mom was the same way when she was having my little brother. Loose clothes, flat shoes, the whole deal.” “So… who do you think the dad is?” “Do you really need to ask?” The students burst into laughter, their voices echoing through the halls. Miss Garcia must have overheard because she suddenly yelled, “Quiet!” before dragging the group of whispering students into the hallway. Her scolding was loud enough for the entire corridor to hear. The next day, she returned to her old wardrobe—heels, tight skirts, the works—like she was trying to prove she wasn’t pregnant. But what good did it do? The rumors persisted. Miss Garcia no longer called Mason Taylor to her office as often. Instead, she started targeting me. “Clean the office.” “Take these books to the principal’s office.” “Fetch me a cup of water.” She treated me like her personal assistant. But the real kicker? She constantly called me out in class. In our second year of high school, we had weekly quizzes for every subject. The homeroom teacher—Miss Garcia—was always the proctor. One day, she held up my quiz results in front of the entire class, waving the paper like a trophy. “Some students spend all their time running to the teacher’s office, yet their grades keep dropping.” Then she held up Mason’s quiz alongside another classmate’s. “Now, look at these students. They don’t waste time hanging around teachers, and yet their scores keep improving. See? When you focus on learning, progress happens naturally.” She stared at me, her voice dripping with condescension. “And then there are students who play little tricks to grab a teacher’s attention. But when the teacher tries to help, they repay it with betrayal. It’s disappointing—no, heartbreaking—for a teacher.” Her strategy was clever. By keeping me out of the classroom and constantly sending me on errands, I couldn’t keep up with the lessons. Naturally, my grades started to slip. But the rest of the class didn’t know that. To them, it just looked like I was failing because I wasn’t trying. During one of her rants, the head of academics, Mrs. Watson, happened to walk past our classroom. She paused when she noticed me standing at the back. “What’s going on here, Miss Garcia?” Mrs. Watson asked. Miss Garcia let out a dramatic sigh, pretending to look concerned. “Oh, it’s nothing. Amanda’s grades improved for a while, but now they’ve dropped again. I’m just trying to figure out how to help her.” Mrs. Watson frowned and picked up my quiz paper from Miss Garcia’s desk. “Hmm, Amanda, this isn’t great,” she said, scanning my answers. Then, her expression softened. “Come see me in my office after class. I have some practice tests—you can copy them and share them with your classmates. They’re actual exam questions. I think they’ll help.” I nodded quickly. “Thank you, Mrs. Watson!” Mrs. Watson was a senior teacher in her 50s, highly respected by both students and staff. Even the principal deferred to her judgment. She gave me a kind smile before leaving, completely unaware of how Miss Garcia’s face had darkened. When Mrs. Watson left, Miss Garcia turned back to the class, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Well, everyone, let’s all thank Amanda for being so helpful. Without her, you wouldn’t have access to these practice tests.” But the class didn’t pick up on her tone. Instead, they cheered sincerely. “Thanks, Amanda!” I stood up, bowed slightly, and said with a small smile, “Sorry for dragging the class down. I’ll try my best to catch up.”

I thought the whole thing was over, but I didn’t expect Mason Taylor to block my path after school. Keeping my hand in my pocket, I discreetly turned on the recording device hidden there. “What do you want?” Behind Mason were a few delinquent-looking guys, casually smoking and smirking. Mason stepped closer, his tone mocking. “What do I want?” He flashed a cruel smile. “Don’t you know what you’ve done?” I raised my voice. “I have no idea what you’re talking about!” One of the guys behind him let out a sharp whistle. “You’ve got guts, girl. Didn’t anyone tell you not to mess with Mason Taylor?” Another chimed in, laughing, “Yeah, do you even know who you’re messing with? Mason freakin’ Taylor!” I crossed my arms, feigning indifference. “Oh, so you’re the Mason Taylor?” Mason lit a cigarette, smirking smugly. “Who else would it be?” Before I could respond, the headlights of a car cut through the dim alleyway. Miss Garcia stepped out in her usual dramatic fashion, swaying her hips as she approached. Mason immediately slung an arm around her waist, pulling her close. The group of boys let out a chorus of catcalls and whistles. Some shouted “Miss Garcia!” while others called her “sis-in-law,” their laughter echoing in the alley. Miss Garcia rolled her eyes. “Stop calling me that. You’re not my students, so why bother with the formalities?” She gave Mason a knowing look. “Only Mason gets to call me Miss Garcia.” Her gaze shifted coldly to me, a smirk curling at the corner of her lips. Then she turned back to Mason and said casually, “Just don’t kill her, okay?” I froze. I understood exactly what her words meant. As long as they didn’t kill me, anything else was fair game. Miss Garcia got back in her car and drove off without another glance, leaving me surrounded. One of the boys dumped an entire cup of milkshake over my head before I could even react. Then someone grabbed my hair, yanking me to the ground. They dragged me across the pavement while my books spilled out of my backpack, trampled and smeared with footprints and spit. Mason’s voice cut through the chaos. “Strip her. Take pictures.” The boys laughed and got to work, ripping off my clothes piece by piece until I was left in only my undergarments. I struggled, kicking and thrashing, but it only made them more aggressive. Someone kicked me in the ribs, knocking the wind out of me. Just as things were about to get worse, the piercing sound of police sirens echoed through the alley. The boys panicked, snapping a few hurried pictures before scattering. As soon as they were gone, I scrambled to put my clothes back on, my hands shaking. My first instinct was to check the recording device in my pocket. It was intact. When I looked up, I saw someone standing at the entrance to the alley. It was Jeffrey, our school’s student council president. In my last life, Jeffrey had once helped me pick out a book at the library. That simple act had been enough for Miss Garcia and her cronies to spread rumors—that I was trying to seduce him, that my grades were fake, and that I was nothing but a shameless flirt. Seeing him again now, I felt a pang of guilt. In my past life, my ruined reputation had probably affected him too. But at the moment, I didn’t have the luxury of worrying about that. I was filthy, covered in dirt, and still shaking from what had just happened. “Did they leave?” Jeffrey asked calmly. I nodded, realizing it must’ve been him who called the police. He glanced at the recording device in my hand. “Is it broken?” “No,” I replied cautiously. “Then give it to me.” I blinked, confused. “What? No, this is mine.” Jeffrey sighed, removing his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose. For the first time, I noticed something—he looked a lot like Mason. Especially those sharp, piercing eyes. “I helped you,” he said, his tone cool. “Shouldn’t you repay me somehow?” My heart sank, but I kept my expression neutral. I had a suspicion about what he wanted, but I wasn’t sure. Taking a deep breath, I decided to take a gamble. “You want to take Mason down,” I said slowly. “We can work together, but I’m not handing over my leverage. I’m keeping control of this.” Jeffrey froze for a moment, surprised. Then he laughed—a deep, genuine laugh that echoed in the quiet alley. “Whoever said you weren’t smart clearly didn’t know you,” he said, still grinning. “Alright, Amanda. How do you want to do this?” I met his gaze, my voice steady. “I want Miss Garcia ruined. Completely. As for Mason, I’ll document everything he’s done. When the time comes, I’ll decide how to use it.” Jeffrey extended his hand, his grin turning sharp. “Deal. Let’s work together.”

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While I was being tortured by those monsters, my brother was busy shopping for clothes with my stand-in. I called him, hoping to hear his voice one last time. Instead, he told me, “If you want to die, just hurry up and do it. Stop bothering me.” A few days later, he sat in his office as the department’s genius forensic sketch artist, tasked with reconstructing the face of a headless corpse. He tore through dozens of sheets of paper, but in the end, the face he drew was mine. And for the first time in his life, my brother panicked. The police arrived quickly after the report came in, cordoning off the scene while curious onlookers gathered. From the distance, I saw my brother, Jason Locke, finally show up, casually late as always. I’d always been proud of him. He was the youngest and most talented forensic sketch artist in the department. With just a few vague details from a witness or a blurry surveillance image, he could bring a suspect’s face to life. Thanks to his sketches, countless cases had been solved, and suspects apprehended. Even victims who had been mutilated beyond recognition—Jason could draw them, too. But today, could he draw me? I doubted it. After all, they’d torn me apart. When they hacked off my arms and legs, I was still breathing. Even now, thinking back to that excruciating pain makes my body tremble. The forensic team carefully photographed my dismembered remains, placing each piece into evidence bags. Most of my body had been recovered—except for my head. The coroner’s preliminary report read, “The victim appears to be a male, approximately 17 years old, based on bone structure. Severe bruising, countless stab wounds, and multiple compound fractures indicate prolonged torture before death. The motive seems to be revenge.” Jason took one look at the remains, turned pale, and ran to the side to vomit. It turns out, even in death, he still found me disgusting. The investigation hit a dead end until a foam box suddenly fell from a nearby rooftop. Inside were the severed eyes, nose, mouth, and ears of a human. The police launched a manhunt, but the perpetrator wasn’t caught. The conclusion was clear: the killer was taunting them, brazenly watching from nearby. Back at the station, Jason got to work. With no leads on the suspect, he started with “me.” As always, he bowed slightly to the remains before beginning—a ritual of respect he performed before sketching any victim. “Such a young age… what a tragedy.” “Your family must be heartbroken.” My heart ached at his words. Really? Would you be heartbroken, Jason? Or would you finally feel free, knowing I’m gone? He put on his gloves with practiced precision, carefully arranging the severed eyes, nose, mouth, and ears in front of him. His movements were professional, even gentle. Once, I had longed for him to show me even a fraction of that tenderness—maybe a hug, a pat on the head. But that had always been a hopeless dream. He had never even smiled at me. Suddenly, his hands froze mid-motion. His fingers trembled as he flipped over the left ear. There was a large scar behind it, a burn mark I’d had since childhood. His knuckles turned white as he pressed his thumb against the ear, brushing away some dust. But the scar wasn’t there. He exhaled slowly, almost in relief, muttering to himself, “It couldn’t be him. He’s too stubborn to die.” But Jason, you’re wrong. I was stubborn, but even I couldn’t survive this. The scar wasn’t there because they had carved it off my skin. Every scar, every birthmark—they had stripped them all away. Jason’s skill was unmatched. It didn’t take long for him to sketch my face perfectly. But instead of relief, he looked disturbed. He stared at the drawing for a long moment before tearing it to shreds. Then, he picked up his pencil and started again. His eyelashes quivered as sweat beaded on his forehead. His grip on the pencil was so tight, his fingertips turned pale. By the time our uncle walked into the room, Jason had already crumpled a dozen failed sketches. Curious, our uncle picked one up and frowned. “Why are you drawing Alex?” Jason didn’t look up, his voice strained. “I don’t know. Every time I try to draw, his face just keeps coming to mind.” “Creepy,” our uncle muttered before tossing the sketch aside. Jason’s face darkened. Once again, I had made him unhappy. But don’t worry, Jason. From now on, I’ll never upset you again.

My uncle, the police chief, worked in the same department as my brother. I always liked Uncle Matt. He wasn’t like Jason—he was kind to me, always gentle. But Jason never let me get close to him. “You don’t deserve it,” he’d say. “You killed his little sister, Alex. How dare you stick to him like that?” “Don’t you think every time he looks at you, he remembers the sister you took from him?” “Murderer. That’s what you are.” So, even though I liked Uncle Matt, I tried my best not to bother him. But Uncle Matt always treated me well, no matter what. Like now, when Jason insulted me, Uncle Matt just sighed and shook his head. “Jason, don’t talk about your brother like that.” “Alex remembered it’s your birthday today. He even asked me to give you this gift.” Uncle Matt handed Jason a card and a neatly wrapped box. Jason didn’t even glance at it before tossing it straight into the trash. Uncle Matt quickly bent down to retrieve it. “You’re so stubborn,” he muttered. “Alex knows you hate him. That’s why he didn’t give it to you himself—he was afraid you wouldn’t accept it.” That’s right. Every year, I gave Jason a gift for his birthday, and every year, he would throw it away. Because Jason’s birthday was also the anniversary of our parents’ death. It happened on Jason’s 11th birthday. Mom and Dad had taken us out for dinner, and they’d bought a chocolate cake for the celebration. But I had thrown a tantrum, insisting I wanted a strawberry cake instead. So, they went across the street to exchange it. That’s when the car accident happened. I still remember Jason’s heart-wrenching cries, the way he screamed for them. I, on the other hand, didn’t shed a single tear. Jason called me a monster. He wouldn’t let me near our parents’ bodies. He screamed at me until his voice broke. “This is all your fault! You killed them!” “Why couldn’t you just let it go? Why couldn’t you have died instead?” His eyes burned with hatred. “Go ahead, Alex. Eat all the strawberry cake you want. Eat the whole damn world’s supply.” Back then, I finally cried. Big, heavy tears. Because he was right. It was my selfishness that killed them. I should’ve been the one to die. I wasn’t even allowed to attend their funeral—Jason wouldn’t let me. “You don’t deserve to be there,” he’d said. For the next ten years, my brother—who once loved me more than anyone else—never cared for me again. When he became an adult, Jason even adopted a boy my age, Chris, to take my place. All the love that used to be mine, he gave to Chris. When Chris grew his hair long, Jason called it stylish. When I did the same, I was “rebellious” and “unruly.” Chris moved into my old bedroom while I was sent to live in the basement. Uncle Matt placed a hand on Jason’s shoulder and said softly, “Jason, ten years is enough. You’ve hated Alex long enough.” “He’s your brother. You can’t treat him like this.” “I’m sure he feels guilty. He’s probably been carrying that guilt for years. I know it hasn’t been easy for him either.” Jason scoffed. “Guilty? Him?” “Uncle Matt, don’t you hate him? He killed your little sister. He’s a monster. If he hadn’t thrown that tantrum, they’d still be alive.” “Mom and Dad died right in front of him, and he didn’t shed a single tear.” Jason glanced at my corpse then, just for a second. Had he recognized me? But in the next moment, his face darkened, and he spat out, “I only wish that body was his.” “I hate him more than anything in the world.” Every time he talked about me, his voice was filled with venom. But now, he could finally be happy. His wish had come true. That body was mine. Just then, a fax came through on Jason’s computer. It read: “Do you like my gift, genius sketch artist? Guess who’ll be next.” Jason and Uncle Matt exchanged a glance, their faces pale. Jason immediately pulled out his phone and called Chris. “Chris, are you okay? You’re safe, right?” “Good. Don’t go anywhere for now, okay?” Chris was always his first priority. Jason, I wish you could’ve cared about me like that. But I know you hated me too much for that. Uncle Matt told Jason to call me as well, and reluctantly, he did. But my phone was off. I didn’t even know where it was. It had disappeared the day I died. Uncle Matt turned to look at my body, his face pale. “No… it can’t be…” I felt a surge of excitement. Were they about to figure it out? But Jason shook his head, his voice firm. “Impossible. There’s no way it’s him. He’s too stubborn to die.” “That reckless idiot. He called me the other day, whining about how mean I was to him.” “I don’t get it. Why can’t he just grow up and stop being so selfish? Why can’t he be more like Chris?” Jason hesitated for a moment before muttering, “Still, I can’t shake this bad feeling. Alex said he ordered a cake for me today and wanted me to come pick it up. But now I can’t reach him.” Uncle Matt sent me a text, his face filled with worry. “Alex, be good. Don’t run off anywhere for the next few days, okay?” “By the way, Jason loved your gift.” Uncle Matt, thank you. But it’s too late. The body lying behind you is mine. A few minutes later, Chris arrived. Jason’s face lit up instantly. He reached out and ruffled Chris’s hair, his touch so gentle it made me turn away. Even as a ghost, jealousy burned in my chest. Jason told Uncle Matt he wasn’t feeling well and left to take Chris out for cake. Uncle Matt reminded him, “Make sure Alex comes with you. He loves cake, too.” Uncle Matt was always so kind to me. But I won’t be able to join them. Before leaving, Jason left me a voicemail. “Alex, what’s your problem? Do you think disappearing like this is going to make me worry? You’re dreaming.” “Even if you died in a ditch somewhere, I wouldn’t blink.” “Call Uncle Matt back before tomorrow. He’s worried about you. You’re so selfish.” “Anyway, I’m off to eat cake with Chris.” I stood right in front of him, watching as his anger burned. A deep ache spread through my chest. Jason, you really know how to hurt me. You’ve told me to die so many times, and now I finally have. Ten years ago, my selfishness turned you into an orphan. I hope my death brings you peace.

Some invisible tether pulled my soul along as I followed them home. It was Jason’s birthday, but he spent his time carefully cutting a slice of cake for Chris. Chris was a snake. He treated me horribly when no one else was looking, but now he put on this fake, sweet act. “Jason, shouldn’t we try to find Alex? He loves cake too,” Chris said with a concerned expression that I knew was completely phony. The warmth in Jason’s gaze instantly disappeared, replaced by irritation. “Why are you bringing him up? Didn’t you hear him ignoring my calls earlier?” he snapped. “For all I care, he can stay gone for the rest of his life.” Jason’s voice softened as he turned back to Chris. “Chris, let’s just pretend he’s dead. From now on, you’re my only brother.” Chris gave him an obedient nod, but I could see the smug, calculating glint in his eyes. It was the same look he always had after framing me for something and watching Jason tear into me over it. The cake they ate was strawberry, but Jason wouldn’t even let me say the word “strawberry” around him. Chris took a bite and complained, “It’s not even good. Jason, you don’t even know what I like.” His tone was sharp, but Jason just chuckled, his expression soft. I envied Chris, the way he could throw tantrums and still be doted on. When you’re the favorite, you can get away with anything. I, on the other hand, could stay quiet and obedient and still never earn a shred of affection from Jason. Jason suddenly pulled a small necklace from his pocket, almost like a magician producing a trick. It was too small for Chris’s neck, so he fastened it around his wrist instead. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn’t hold them back any longer. That necklace… It was the one Mom had put around my neck at my first birthday party. After she died, I used to take it out and look at it whenever I missed her. But Jason had ripped it from me, saying I wasn’t worthy of wearing it. I’d begged him to give it back so many times, and he’d always said, “I’ll give it to you when you’re dead.” And now, here it was, given so effortlessly to Chris. Well, Jason, I’m dead now. Does that mean you can give it back to me? The first autopsy report came out the next day, confirming what the coroner had already suspected. Jason slammed the paper down on his desk, cursing under his breath. “Whoever did this is a goddamn monster.” “By the way, has anyone come forward to claim the body yet?” he asked his assistant. When the assistant shook his head, Jason’s anger only grew. “Unbelievable. What kind of people abandon their own kid like this? When they show up, make sure I give them a piece of my mind.” The assistant nodded awkwardly. “We’ll probably have to do a DNA match,” Jason continued. “Go tell the lab to collect the samples.” Then, he picked up his pencil to resume the sketch he hadn’t finished the day before—my face. But before he could begin, his phone rang. Jason’s expression darkened as he listened to the person on the other end. A few moments later, Uncle Matt walked into the room, his face filled with concern. “Did you take Alex for cake yesterday?” he asked. Jason scowled. “Why do you even care about that useless brat?” he shot back. “Do you know what his teacher just told me? He’s been skipping school. Three days now!” “I bust my ass working to pay for his tuition, and this is how he repays me?” “He better not come back, because if he does, I’m going to teach him a lesson he’ll never forget.” Jason, I didn’t mean to skip school. But I didn’t have a choice. Uncle Matt wasn’t angry with me, though. He turned his frustration on Jason instead. “Jason, that’s enough!” he snapped. “Alex hasn’t been to school in three days, and you can’t reach him. Don’t you think you should be worried about where he is?” “What if something’s happened to him? Your parents left him in your care. Is this how you’re honoring their memory? What are you going to tell them when you meet them in heaven?” Uncle Matt’s voice cracked as his eyes grew red. Jason opened his mouth to argue but seemed to think better of it and stayed quiet. After Uncle Matt left, a second autopsy report arrived. Jason took it from the officer delivering it, but as he read, his face turned ghostly pale. I drifted closer to see what it said. There, printed in black and white, were the words: “A note was found in the victim’s stomach. It contained a single letter: K.”

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I Stole the Heiress’s Identity for Fifteen Years For fifteen years, I lived a lie. I was Charlotte Coleman, the beloved daughter of the wealthy Coleman family. But it was all a facade. I wasn’t their real daughter; I was a fraud, an imposter who had taken the place of their true heiress. When the truth finally came out, the Colemans cast me aside like yesterday’s trash. They shipped me off to my biological father without a second thought. No one cared about me anymore. The abuse started immediately. Insults, beatings, wounds both big and small. My body became a canvas of pain and suffering. Then one night, while working at a bar, I saw him. Tall, cold, and imposing. James Zhang. He pressed his cigarette into the back of my hand. The pain was excruciating, but I didn’t make a sound. The hole in my skin felt like it was burning straight through to my heart. Desperate, I fell to my knees and clutched at his sleeve. “James, please,” I begged. “Save me.” He laughed coldly, his eyes devoid of any warmth. “Charlotte Coleman,” he sneered. “Did you ever think this day would come when you caused Rose’s death?”

The pain from the cigarette burn on my hand was more intense than all the other injuries on my body combined. I knelt on the floor, my hair and clothes soaked with spilled drinks. My eyes were lifeless, filled with a deathly emptiness. I clung desperately to the sleeve of the handsome man before me, my face dry of tears but full of hollow determination. “James, please,” I pleaded, staring up at the man I once loved with every fiber of my being. “Save me.” “Boss, don’t fall for it,” someone nearby warned. “This woman’s an expert at playing the victim. Don’t let her fool you.” James frowned, looking down at me – once the proud, arrogant princess of the Coleman family, now groveling at his feet like a stray dog. Suddenly, he smiled. He removed the cigarette from my hand and roughly tilted my chin up, showing no hint of compassion. “Charlotte Coleman,” he said coldly. “Did you ever imagine you’d end up like this when you caused Rose’s death?” My eyes remained empty, the result of countless instances of abuse and humiliation. “I didn’t kill Rose,” I whispered. He kicked me to the ground without mercy, then brushed off his sleeve where I had grabbed it, as if disgusted. “Pathetic,” he spat.

As he turned to leave, I crawled forward and wrapped my arms around his legs. “I promise I won’t love you anymore,” I begged. “Please, just save me.” He frowned, clearly not expecting this. His face twisted with contempt, exuding the air of someone far above me. “Charlotte Coleman, I never thought I’d see you lose your dignity like this,” he sneered. “You should be grateful I haven’t killed you already.” “Ha! Save you? Do you realize you’re lower than a dog right now?” “James, Mr. Zhang, I swear I’ll never love you again,” I pleaded robotically. “Just take me with you.” I clung to his legs as if possessed, my heart numb with pain. But I was used to it by now. Compared to staying alive, what did dignity or pride matter anymore? But he forcefully shook me off, flicking his cigarette butt next to my shoe. “Charlotte Coleman, you need to understand,” he said coldly. “You mean less to me than this discarded cigarette.” Behind me, the people who once fawned over me as the Coleman heiress now looked on with mockery. Another drink was poured over my head, soaking my clothes with red wine. “Look how far the mighty have fallen,” someone sneered. “Wasn’t she so high and mighty before?” another chimed in. “Didn’t she threaten to destroy us if we ever crossed her?” A shoe pressed against my face, but I barely reacted as I slowly stood up. “I’ll clean this up, ladies and gentlemen,” I said tonelessly. “Oh, have you turned over a new leaf?” someone mocked. A female voice cut through the crowd – Megan. Back when I was still Charlotte Coleman, she had a crush on James. I had treated James like my personal property back then, warning off any girl who got too close. Karma really does come back around, I thought bitterly.

Megan smashed a bottle that had been sitting on the table, her lips curling into a cruel smile. “Bitch, come pick up these shards,” she ordered. “And use your hands only.” I walked forward without protest or resistance. Obediently, without a hint of the anger a normal person would feel, I bent down to pick up the broken glass. Her high heel came down on my hand, driving the glass shards into my palm. Blood dripped onto the floor. I didn’t cry out in pain. I just endured it silently. My hand was a mess – a cigarette burn on the back, cuts and blood on the palm, fingers permanently bent and ugly. Megan laughed derisively. “Oh Charlotte, Charlotte,” she taunted. “You couldn’t escape, and now your hand is ruined too.” Seeing that I remained silent, Megan slapped me hard across the face. I fell to the ground from the force of it, my right cheek stinging. But it was nothing compared to what I’d endured over the past few years. “You’ve got the face of a whore,” Megan snarled. “I’ll do you a favor and destroy it!” She suddenly flew into a rage, grabbing a piece of broken bottle and aiming for my face. For a moment, I felt a sense of relief. If my face was ruined, maybe my life would actually improve. But the glass never touched my skin. A voice spoke up from behind me. “Miss Coleman, the CEO sent me to fetch you.” I froze, my heart skipping a beat. It was James’s assistant. I turned around, but even this potential salvation couldn’t bring any life back to my empty eyes. I looked like a person on the brink of death. Because I knew James hated me. But still, a tiny spark of hope flickered in my chest. Nothing could be worse than the daily abuse and torture that made me wish for death. Even if James was leading me into the depths of hell, I would go willingly.

I laughed bitterly to myself. Even though James didn’t love me, he was still the only one in this world of wealth and status willing to save me. Mr. Lee escorted me to another presidential suite – the one Rose used to like. James was sitting on the couch, a smile playing on his lips as he patted the spot beside him. “Sit,” he commanded. I approached timidly but didn’t sit down. My hand was still bleeding, the cigarette burn on the back giving off a faint smell of charred flesh. My back was hunched, my body skeletal, with only my face retaining its outstanding beauty. This was why my biological father had left my face untouched. James suddenly grabbed my hand, and I instinctively tried to pull away. My back hit the couch, and I winced slightly – the wounds there hadn’t healed yet. “Is the princess still too delicate?” he asked maliciously. Then he threw some tissues across the room, as if playing with a dog. “Go fetch those and clean my shoes.” I started to get up, but he added, “On your hands and knees.” Like a puppet on strings, I dropped to my knees and crawled over to retrieve the tissues. Then I crawled back and began polishing his shoes, my face expressionless, as if I’d done this countless times before. Seeing me like this seemed to displease James for some reason. He kicked me over and stepped on my injured hand.

It hurt, but compared to the suffering I’d endured over the years, it was nothing. I looked up at him blankly, my eyes devoid of their former pride, arrogance, and passionate love. There was only emptiness now. Seeing that I didn’t resist, James seemed to lose interest. But for some reason, he suddenly became angry. “Charlotte Coleman, don’t think I’ll forgive you just because you’re playing the victim,” he growled. He grabbed me by the throat and lifted me up. My face turned red as I struggled to breathe. Only then did a hint of life seem to return to me. Seeing this, he abruptly let go, throwing me to the ground. “Let me tell you something,” he said. “You killed Rose. You should be grateful I haven’t killed you in return.” I sat on the floor, gasping for air, but I no longer wanted to defend myself. They would rather believe I killed Rose out of jealousy than listen to my explanation. It was true then, and it’s true now. At this point, I just wanted to survive. Only by living could I see any hope. Any thoughts of love had long since been ground away by daily abuse. A moment later, Mr. Lee knocked and entered. “Sir, Charles Coleman is here,” he announced. James gave me a meaningful look. “Let him in,” he said. A familiar face appeared, and my heart filled with fear. My brother, who had doted on me for over a decade before forcefully sending me back to my birth family. “Scared?” James asked with interest, noticing my reaction. I pressed my lips together tightly, saying nothing. Yes, I was afraid. In fact, Charles terrified me even more than James did – this brother who had once spoiled me rotten.

I knew James’s nature well. Even if he hated me, he wouldn’t do anything too extreme. He would never seriously harm a woman. But Charles was different. After Rose’s death, he had become a complete monster. Before I left the Coleman family, he had already broken my fingers. It was James who saw me and sent me to the hospital. The door opened, and I looked up from my kneeling position. A familiar face came into view, eyes filled with hatred as they fell on me. “James, since when did you start meddling in other people’s business?” Charles asked coldly. James sat on the couch, not turning to look at him. He flicked his cigarette ash onto me as I knelt on the floor. A smile played on his lips. “Since when do I need to report my actions to you, Mr. Coleman?” he replied smoothly. I felt a small sense of relief. I was grateful it had been James I encountered earlier. Suddenly, a large hand grabbed my hair, yanking my head back. A hard slap landed on my face. “Who told you to come back, you bitch?” Charles snarled. I remained silent, kneeling on the floor, looking at James as if waiting for his orders. If I was a dog now, I was a dog James had picked up. I belonged to him. James lit another cigarette, watching the scene unfold before him with a slight smirk. He made no move to intervene. My heart sank. I had foolishly thought he might have brought me back out of some lingering sympathy from when I used to like him. Now I realized he just wanted to ensure I suffered even more before I died. I looked up, touching my swollen cheek. “Brother, please stop,” I pleaded. “I didn’t kill Rose. It had nothing to do with me.” I used one hand to prop myself up, trying not to fall over. “Charlotte Coleman, how long are you going to keep up this act?” Charles growled. “Tell me! Is this how you tricked James?” He grabbed my throat. “I didn’t… I didn’t…” I choked out, shaking my head vigorously as tears welled up in my eyes. Seeing the person who was once closest to me now wanting to kill me, I felt a crushing sense of suffocation. My heart, numb for so long, was now filled with sharp, stinging pain.

[Just die. It would be better if I died.] The thought suddenly flashed through my mind, but I quickly pushed it away. I had to live. I still had a future ahead of me. If I died now, what would all my past suffering have been for? My strong will to survive made me struggle fiercely, even as Charles’s hand tightened around my throat. As I closed my eyes, a sense of release washed over me, but it was tinged with regret. No family, no love – in the end, I had nothing left. Even on this scorching summer day, my body felt cold. “Let her go.” That cool voice. I knew it all too well. It was James. “Rose is already dead. Do you want another death on your conscience?” he continued. I fell to the ground, my head spinning, voices echoing around me. Charles shouted like a madman. “She killed my sister! What does it matter if I kill her?” In the end, all my explanations were futile. The accusation of murder seemed to have become a permanent mark on me. I didn’t know who, if anyone, would ever believe me. “Calm down,” James said. “Hah! James, have you gone soft? Didn’t you tell me yourself that you wished she was dead?” Charles sneered. “I said what I wanted to do was my business,” James replied coldly. “If she’s going to die, it should be by my hand.” The sound of a fist slamming on the table accompanied Charles’s angry voice. “She killed Rose, James. You’d better not forget what you said before.”

The door slammed shut. Cold tea was poured on my face, making me open my eyes with a start. I met those icy eyes and shivered. My clothes were in disarray, and there wasn’t a single part of my body that didn’t hurt. My face was pale, and sweat beaded on my forehead. James smirked. I should be grateful to him, I thought, but I was too exhausted to speak. “Charlotte Coleman, don’t think you’re off the hook,” he said coldly. “As long as I’m around, you’ll never have an easy day.” Any ripple of emotion I had felt earlier settled back into stillness at his words. After a while, James stood up. “Mr. Lee, get her some clothes,” he ordered. Then he turned to me. “Go clean yourself up. Don’t dirty my room.” He frowned as he looked at my hollow eyes. In his memory, I was that arrogant, domineering heiress. In just a few years, I had become this weak creature who couldn’t even fight back. He used to despise me, but now, seeing me like this seemed to irritate him. He snorted, then, as if he couldn’t stand it anymore, he grabbed my messy hair and said angrily, “Look up.” I raised my head, but there was no trace of my former arrogance. Dissatisfied, he advanced, and I immediately retreated in fear. I had successfully provoked his anger, but he didn’t know that I was no longer the Charlotte Coleman of the past. Even if I tried, I couldn’t pretend to be that bold, willful person anymore. “Get out,” he suddenly said. I froze, and he immediately shouted, smashing a teacup on the table. “GET OUT!” Frightened, I was grabbed and thrown into the bathroom. Standing in the bathroom, I was still dazed. My brow furrowed, and my head throbbed with pain. But I still took off my clothes. In front of the bathroom mirror, I saw a woman with not a single unblemished spot on her body. Skeletal and ugly. But I still felt grateful for this chance to use the bathroom. For years, I hadn’t had the opportunity to take a proper shower. As the water touched my skin, I suddenly felt nauseous. It was sticky, foul-smelling – as if those people’s hands were still on me. Fighting the urge to vomit, I scrubbed my body viciously, as if trying to wash away all the filth from before. I ignored the wounds on my body – new ones, old ones, infected ones. I found it quite laughable. Those without fortune often cling stubbornly to life. Being surrounded by family love now seemed like something from a past century.

A knock on the bathroom door startled me, and I immediately hugged myself defensively. “Miss Coleman, I’ve left the clothes outside the door,” Mr. Lee’s voice came through. My heart, which had leapt into my throat, slowly settled back down. “Thank you,” I said timidly. Another set of footsteps approached outside, and suddenly a wave of fear washed over me. Living in constant fear had become a habit, and I couldn’t trust anyone anymore, not even James, whom I once liked and who had brought me back. My mind suddenly flashed back to a few years ago when this presidential suite was my favorite place to be. Because James was often here. Back then, everyone knew about my crush on James. Even though I knew James didn’t like me, I still arrogantly drove away all the girls who liked him. My feelings were written all over my face; no one could miss how much I liked him. Pain flared up all over my body. I looked at my fingers, permanently bent even after healing. Ugly and unbearable, a constant reminder etched into my bones and blood. The past days consumed me like a bloodthirsty beast, burying my body deep in an abyss. I could never go back to who I was before – not since I was sent back home, thrown into the bathroom by my birth father, my clothes violently torn off. What remained of Charlotte Coleman was just an empty shell, soulless but desperately clinging to life.

Looking at the reflection in the mirror – a delicate face on a skeletal body covered in scars – I suddenly laughed. In the past, I would have been upset by James’s coldness and disgust. But now, there was only a deathly silence in my heart. Was I sad? Yes, but more than that, I just wanted to live. I put on the clothes and frowned slightly. My figure wasn’t as full as it was years ago. James’s clothes hung loosely on me, the neckline plunging to my chest, adding an unintended touch of allure. After searching for a while and not finding any shoes, I walked out barefoot. As soon as I opened the door, my eyes widened. James’s gaze fell on my face, trailed down my neck, and finally settled on my neckline. My thin body couldn’t fill out the clothes properly, but my chest had developed well. His gaze suddenly became intense, making me uncomfortable. My whole body felt like it was burning under his stare. This feeling wasn’t unfamiliar to me. I had developed a conditioned response to men’s thick desire, able to sense it clearly even without words. My body started to tremble with deep-seated fear. I stumbled, trying to leave, but he stepped forward and gripped my arm tightly. His voice was filled with both desire and anger. “Charlotte Coleman, are you deliberately trying to seduce me?”

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My parents spent their entire lives blaming me for not answering my brother’s four emergency calls before he jumped off a building. Even my wife threw harsh words at me for a decade because of this. “Remember, you killed your brother. How can you live with yourself?” These accusations from those around me left me in a daze, and I ended up mixing reagents at work, causing an explosion. It was my wife who risked her own life to save me, but she suffered fatal injuries in the blast. Before she died, she tightly held my hand and said, “In my next life, I hope I never meet you again.” Only then did I realize that she had loved my brother for half her life. She had lied about being infertile to remain pure for him. Yet, those who didn’t know the truth accused me of being a “lonely star,” bringing misfortune to my wife and brother. In despair, I jumped to my death, only to wake up on the eve of my brother’s jump. This time, I just want to live for myself. “Please confirm your details, and if everything is correct, I’ll stamp it. Congratulations on becoming husband and wife.” The voice of the City Hall staff brought me back to reality. I turned and saw my wife, Nora Johnson, looking displeased beside me. I had been reborn on the day I registered my marriage with Nora, just one day before my brother’s death. Nora’s resentful words from my previous life still echoed in my mind. “If you hadn’t drugged me and ruined my purity, I would never have been forced to marry you. Someone like you should have died long ago!” The suffocating feeling of despair hit me again. I stood up abruptly and grabbed the household registration book from the staff. Ignoring his confused look, I turned to Nora. “There’s still time to change your mind. Isn’t Declan just outside waiting for you? Are you sure you want to marry me?” Nora was caught off guard by my actions, looking somewhat surprised at me. But she quickly regained her composure and laughed coldly, “What game are you playing now? Just get the paperwork done. I don’t have time for your childish games.” With that, Nora turned and headed towards the door. Watching her leave, I let out a faint bitter smile. In our past life, we had been childhood betrothed, and I always thought we were in love. It wasn’t until after our wedding, when she smashed our wedding photo and didn’t even glance at our marriage certificate, that I realized the ten years of sweetness I thought we had was a torturous ordeal for her. Seeing the tension between us, the staff hesitated and asked, “Sir, are you sure you want to proceed with this?” “No need.” I took the household registration book from him, intentionally lingering before walking out. Just as before, she didn’t even glance at the documents in my hand. When she reached out for her own household registration book, I grabbed her hand. The familiar warmth made my rebirth feel real. Pain and joy erupted in my mind. Nora looked at me strangely, “It’s just a marriage certificate. Is there a need to be so happy? You were just pretending to hesitate a moment ago.” I nodded, “I am very happy.” But not because we became husband and wife, but because I now had the right to choose again. Nora pulled her hand away coldly, preparing to get into the car when a staff member approached, holding a bundle of red strings, assuming we were newlyweds. “Congratulations on tying the knot. Here’s a red string for you. You can tie it on the Love Tree on the hill for good luck.” I suddenly recalled in my past life, I was eager to tie the red string with Nora, only to be met with her disdain. “Do you really believe in such nonsense? Don’t waste my time.” Back then, I thought she just didn’t want to climb, so I apologized sincerely. Now, I clutched the red string, intending to throw it away when Nora shut the car door and took a few steps towards the hill. Seeing I hadn’t followed, she frowned impatiently. “Aren’t you coming? What are you hesitating for?” I stood there, almost thinking I heard wrong. Nora returned to my side, directly taking the red string from my hand, “I’m telling you, this is the last time. I won’t play these childish games with you anymore.” I lowered my gaze, feeling a ripple in my long-stilled heart. Our ten-year marriage wasn’t entirely painful and dark. Before my brother’s incident, we were known as a harmonious couple by our colleagues. It was because of this that I continued to deceive myself, not noticing anything amiss. Nora would cook for me on my birthdays, even if her hands blistered from the heat, just to surprise me. And when I was sick, she would rush back from abroad, regardless of delaying million-dollar projects. Later, when the lab caught fire, trapping me inside, she risked her life to pull me out. In that explosion, I should have died. She shielded me, taking all the damage. Putting aside the harsh words, how could I let go of someone so good?

Seeing I hadn’t moved, Nora tugged on my arm. But before we could take two steps, Declan’s call came through. Seeing “Declan Darling” flashing on the screen, I squinted. Nora turned away, flustered, explaining casually, “It was a dare I lost, just a joke.” She then answered the call. Even though I couldn’t hear the other side, I could guess. Either his hand was hurt, or his car was hit. After all, that’s Declan’s usual trick. As expected, Nora ended the call, stuffing the red string back in my hand, “Declan was rear-ended on his way back. I’m going to check on him. You go home first.” I nodded, opening the car door for her, “Do you want me to take you there?” Seeing my unusual calm, she looked at me oddly. “Don’t you have anything else to say to me?” I shook my head, and she pursed her lips, letting out a cold laugh. “Right, Declan was going to help us celebrate, but because you delayed, he had to leave and got rear-ended. Nothing to complain about.” With that, she got in the car and drove off. Watching her car fade away, I tossed the red string, now soaked with sweat, into the trash. She always blamed me for blocking her path to happiness, not realizing Declan wasn’t her true love. Back then, Declan had amassed massive gambling debts, and I had emptied my savings to bail him out. To protect our parents from stress, we kept it a secret. Yet, Declan never cut ties with the casino dealer and even flirted with Nora during that time. Nora was a successful businesswoman with many assets. I knew Declan’s true intentions, so I often warned her against getting too close to him. But she misunderstood, thinking I was petty and didn’t even trust my own brother. So this time, I won’t meddle in their matters. Whether Nora pursues a passionate love or descends into darkness, it’s no longer my concern.

On my way home, I got a call from my parents. They sounded excited, saying they prepared a big meal and were waiting for me to bring Nora. My grip on the steering wheel tightened, and after a moment, I confessed that we didn’t register. My father’s voice turned somber, “What’s going on? You were so eager to get married, and now you don’t want to? Is it because Nora thinks the dowry isn’t enough?” My parents really liked Nora. When our family was struggling, the Johnson’s business was booming. Nora never forgot our childhood betrothal, which won my parents’ hearts. They swore they’d spare no expense for her as their daughter-in-law. I sighed, taking all the blame. “Dad, Mom, I just feel I’m not worthy of Nora right now. I want to wait a bit longer.” Hearing this, they didn’t press further, just sighed, “It’s our fault for mismanaging and going bankrupt. Son, we’re sorry.” After hanging up, I messaged my old college roommate. In my past life, I was focused on family, so when my roommate Ethan Johnson invited me to start a business, I refused. But what came of it? I lost my career, became a doormat, and lost Nora too. Ethan was thrilled with my affirmative response, eager to book me a flight to New York immediately. I had no objections, thinking that on my last day before leaving, I would settle everything with Nora. After the call, I noticed three missed calls from Declan on my phone. I ended the call and texted my old college roommate. In my past life, I was all about family, so when Ethan, my roommate, asked me to start a business with him, I flat out said no. And what was the outcome? I lost my career, got labeled as a freeloader, and completely lost Nora. After I gave Ethan the go-ahead, he was so thrilled he wanted to book my flight to New York right away. I had no objections, thinking I should resolve everything with Nora on my last day before leaving. After hanging up, I noticed three missed calls from Jasper on my phone. I frowned, my mind flashing back to the time before Jasper’s fall in my previous life. But I distinctly remember he called me four times then. A sense of dread crept over me, and just as I was about to return the call, Nora called. Her voice was angry on the line. “Jasper, what did you do? I knew you were up to no good. Now Jasper has been pushed to the edge because of you. Are you happy?” My mind went numb, and everything seemed to fade to black. It was the same in my previous life. Jasper fell from a building under mysterious circumstances, leaving only my name written in blood, with no other clues. I became the prime suspect. Even though the police questioned me for three days and nights, they found no evidence, yet everyone around insisted I was behind Jasper’s death. Cold sweat ran down my back, and I struggled to stay on my feet. Am I doomed to live under Jasper’s shadow again in this new life? I refuse! I immediately turned the car around and raced to the hospital. When I arrived outside the emergency room, the corridor was chaotic, with Nora surrounded by several intimidating men. The leader glared at her, “If you weren’t Jasper’s wife, why would you be so anxious the moment he got into trouble? Now that he’s in a bind, you must settle his debts with us, or I won’t let you go!” Nora frowned, clearly unaware of Jasper’s true nature and now utterly confused. “You’ve got the wrong person! If you don’t leave, I’ll call the police.” But these thugs never feared the police; her words only emboldened them, and they began to push her around. Seeing Nora about to fall, I hurried forward to support her, giving a cold stare to the rowdy men. “I’m Jasper’s brother. If there’s anything, talk to me.” “Perfect, your brother owes us a million in gambling debts, pay it all now!” Nora was shocked, eyes wide open, “Are you insane for money? Do you think you can extort just anyone? Jasper, ignore them. I’ll call the police right now.” “This is ridiculous. Jasper doesn’t even gamble. How could he owe a million in gambling debts?” I said nothing, just looked at my bank card balance. Seeing my silence and counting the balance, Nora tugged at my arm, “Jasper, have you lost your mind? Do you have so much money you don’t know how to spend it? Do you even know these people—” Her words stopped abruptly as she seemed to suddenly realize. So you were the one who owed the gambling debt, and you framed Jasper, right? No wonder you’re so willing to pay it back!”

Listening to her accusation, I could only manage a bitter smile. The leader lost all patience and raised his hand to hit Nora, “Shut up, you b*tch!” I immediately stepped in front of Nora. The full force of the blow landed on my face, and I collapsed to the ground, fighting the dizziness to transfer the money. Once they had the money, the thugs left satisfied. At the same time, the red light in the emergency room went out, and the doctor came out with a sigh of relief, “The patient is out of danger but needs to be transferred to intensive care for two days of observation.” Nora didn’t spare me a glance, following Jasper into the ward. I was left to be helped by a passing nurse to bandage my wounds. I sat in the hospital corridor until dawn, deciding not to tell my parents about any of this. I still couldn’t understand why Jasper fell again this time, but at least he didn’t die this time. When daylight broke, and my phone reminded me I had a flight in four hours, I forced my numb legs to stand. I looked up to see Nora approaching. She was carrying freshly made chicken soup, and when she saw me, she instinctively hid the lunch box behind her. I knew it wasn’t for me. She bit her lip before speaking, her tone softer than usual, probably out of guilt, “Why are you still here? Go home and rest, I’ll stay here.” “Also, thanks for chasing those people away yesterday, but this matter can’t just be left alone. Once Jasper wakes up, I’ll find out who really owes the million in gambling debts.” In essence, she still refused to believe her White Knight was anything but perfect. I nodded silently, but my legs were too weak to stand. Seeing this, she helped support me. “Let’s go, I’ll take you home.” Looking at her downcast eyes, a sour feeling rose in my heart, and I fought back the overwhelming emotions to speak, “Nora, if you could choose again, would you still marry me without hesitation?” She responded almost without thinking, “What’s gotten into you? What nonsense are you talking about? We’ve been engaged for twenty years; who else would I marry?” I forced a smile, discreetly wiping away a tear from my eye. Just as I was about to push her hand away, a nurse hurriedly ran over, “The patient who fell last night is awake, call a doctor quickly!” Her eyes lit up with joy, and she didn’t spare me another glance. “Jasper, you head back, I’ll talk to you later.” Watching her rush to the ward, my emotions gradually calmed. Once her figure disappeared down the hall, I whispered to the empty corridor. “Goodbye, Nora.” “This time, I’m the one letting you go.”

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I was doing laundry for my girlfriend when I noticed a small hole in her panties. It was a burn mark from a cigarette. But I had quit smoking over a year ago. There was a tiny hole on the lace trim of the panties, barely noticeable unless you looked closely. With my five years of smoking experience, I immediately recognized the yellowish circular burn mark that only a cigarette could make. My heart sank. I had quit smoking long ago, and my girlfriend never smoked. Who could explain this situation to me? I stood in the bathroom, holding the panties, unable to stop my mind from racing. The more I thought about it, the more unsettling it became. The more I thought, the more my face turned green with jealousy. Just then, my girlfriend sent me a message on SnapChat. “Babe, I have to work overtime again tonight. Don’t wait up for me~”

I had helped Chloe get a job through my connections at a private company as an HR assistant, hoping it would be an easy position for her. But lately, she had been working overtime frequently, coming home close to 10 PM every night. I hadn’t thought much of it before, assuming she was genuinely busy, but now… Something was definitely wrong. Absolutely fucking wrong. Suppressing my anger, I replied: “What time will you be done? I’ll come pick you up.” “Oh, don’t bother, honey. You know how it is, it’s the end of the year and we’re super busy. I’m not sure when I’ll finish here.” I immediately got dressed and drove to Chloe’s company. The lights were on in her office, and I could faintly hear people talking inside. Was she really working overtime? I didn’t rush in. Instead, I took out my phone and called Chloe. “I’m worried about you coming home alone. I’ll wait for you downstairs at your office.” “Didn’t I tell you not to come?” “It’s no trouble, baby. I’m already here at your office building.” Chloe’s voice on the other end clearly changed, becoming more flustered: “What? You really came? Why did you come here?” Why did I come? Of course, I came to see what you’re up to. I didn’t say much more to her and hung up the phone, then hid in the stairwell. A few minutes later, Chloe came out, followed by a man in a business suit. The two of them embraced as soon as they reached the elevator!

They kissed goodbye, reluctant to part. The man kept groping Chloe’s body while kissing her. It’s one thing to suspect, but it’s another to witness it with your own eyes. Rage consumed me, blood rushing to my head. I wanted to rush out and strangle these two cheaters right then and there. At that moment, I heard the man laughing: “Your boyfriend really cares about you, huh?” “Don’t mention him. He’s like a clingy leech, such a mood killer!” Chloe’s words were like a bucket of cold water poured over my head, temporarily suppressing my urge to confront them immediately. The man continued with his sleazy talk. “Why don’t you let him wait downstairs while we continue?” “What are you thinking? He could come up at any moment.” “We’ve done it before when he called you, remember? What are you afraid of?” “Oh, you’re so bad! I hate you~” Fuck, so I’ve been part of their little game all along? The desire to kill them grew even stronger… At that moment, I saw the man’s face clearly. It was him!

Chloe had posted photos of a company team-building event on her social media before, so I recognized him. This man was the company’s vice president, Greg Phillips. He looked decent enough, but knowing that his subordinate had a boyfriend and still doing such a shameless thing, he was nothing but a scumbag. Moreover, from the way he talked, he clearly enjoyed the thrill of fooling me, treating me like an idiot. Suddenly, I didn’t want to confront them face to face anymore. If I exposed everything now, we’d just have a big fight or maybe even a physical altercation, then Chloe and I would break up. That would be letting them off too easy. Before Chloe entered the elevator, I secretly took a photo of the two of them holding hands. I took the stairs down. Chloe was already waiting by the car. Pretending I knew nothing, I said: “I thought you’d be much longer, so I went to use the restroom on the first floor.” Maybe because I had ruined her plans, Chloe subtly rolled her eyes and said in an annoyed tone: “We finished early! Hurry up and open the door, I’m freezing!” On the way home, she pretended to be exhausted and closed her eyes to rest. That was fine by me. I didn’t want to talk to her either, afraid that if I opened my mouth, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from asking her why she would do this to me. That night, while she was sleeping, I checked her phone. The more I saw, the angrier I became. Chloe had been fooling around with Greg Phillips for months. She joined the company in June, and by August, she was already flirting with Greg. Recently, they had finally taken the last step, using overtime as an excuse to openly have an affair in the office. While these two cheaters were having their fun, I was at home like an idiot, cooking and doing laundry for Chloe, worrying that she was working too hard, fearing for her safety on her way home, and dreaming about our future marriage. This is what she said about me to Greg in their messages: “I’m pretty, so of course he worships me. Isn’t that how it should be?” “He’s so easy to manipulate. He never suspects me and is always willing to spend money on me.” “Marriage? That’s not certain yet. Besides, my parents always want me to find someone richer.” She also said: “What’s so great about your boring wife? She’s old and dull.” “Why don’t you divorce her? If you divorce, I’ll break up with Lucas.”

I couldn’t believe these words came from the person sleeping next to me. But the thousands of chat messages, each like a whip lashing at me, were undeniable evidence. Chloe was right. Before today, I never doubted her, never questioned her schedule, never looked at her phone. That’s probably why she felt safe enough not to delete their chat history. Looking at the person sleeping beside me, I suddenly felt she was so dirty, disgustingly so. The next morning, while Chloe was doing her makeup, her phone rang. She answered naturally, speaking in a formal tone: “Hello, Mr. Phillips. What can I do for you?” “Yes, I understand. I’ll try to arrive early today to review that with you.” I asked her: “Something up at work?” “Yeah, the boss is urging me to get in early. Can’t be helped, it’s year-end and there’s so much to do. I’ll probably have to work overtime again today.” Looking at her brightly painted lips and tight-fitting skirt, I pretended to care and said: “Why don’t I help you find another job? I can’t bear to see you so exhausted.” “No!” Chloe exclaimed loudly. Then, realizing her reaction was a bit excessive, she laughed awkwardly and said: “I mean, I don’t think it’s necessary. I’m still young, it’s good to work hard. Besides, you already used your connections to get me this job, I have to consider your feelings too, right?” As she was leaving, she tried to kiss me. Just thinking about how she had been passionately kissing that scumbag last night with those same lips made my stomach churn. I quickly pretended to look for something to avoid her. Chloe and Greg had an agreement. When calling in my presence, she would address him as “Mr. Phillips.” When I wasn’t around, she’d call him darling, baby, hubby, and all sorts of pet names. Chloe even called him “daddy” in their messages. You can imagine how wild they must be in private. Greg was clearly deliberately calling in the morning when I was around. Maybe they got a thrill out of flirting behind my back. Damn it, if they love to play games so much, I’ll play along to the bitter end.

I investigated Greg’s background. It turned out this bastard not only had a wife but also two kids. His wife had quit her job after having children to focus on being a full-time mom and homemaker. His parents, both retired university professors, lived in the same community to help take care of the grandchildren. I paid someone to follow Greg for a while and discovered another of his secrets. This scumbag was still secretly involved with his married ex-girlfriend! Every time they met, they went straight to a hotel. Well, well, well. I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony. Keeping his family intact while fooling around outside, huh? To outsiders, Greg might seem like a life winner with a perfect family and successful career. But in reality? He was nothing but a shiny turd, a real piece of work. However, the more dirt Greg had on him, the better it was for me. I gathered all sorts of evidence and, with some effort, managed to get the contact information for him, his family members, his ex-girlfriend, and her husband. In this age of big data, no one truly has privacy. That day, Chloe lied to me again about working overtime. I coldly replied: “Alright, don’t forget to eat. I’d be heartbroken if you starved yourself.” “Mm-hmm, you too, babe. Be good and eat your dinner, okay?” In the evening, I drove to her company and used a new phone number I had prepared to send a text to Greg’s wife. “Does your husband always say he’s working overtime? You’d better be careful, don’t be fooled. Some people are all too happy to eat their own vomit.” She called back almost immediately. I didn’t answer. She had to resort to texting: “Who are you? What do you mean?” “He has an ex-girlfriend he dated for a long time, doesn’t he?” I said no more, ignoring all her subsequent messages. For a woman who has devoted all her energy to her family, planting even a small seed of doubt about her husband would be enough. I waited patiently in my car, and sure enough, Greg came rushing out of the building shortly after. He looked nervous, running towards the parking lot while frantically trying to explain something on the phone.

I laughed. The sight of this bastard fleeing in panic was truly amusing. Chloe followed behind with a constipated expression. When I saw her come out, I stepped on the gas and left. Although Greg’s wife was just a housewife, she was no pushover. Her parents owned a local business, and she had two older brothers. She had been pampered since childhood and was known for her fiery temper. Given that Greg was already in a murky situation with his ex-girlfriend, my anonymous tip-off would make it difficult for him if his wife decided to investigate. As a result, this scumbag had become notably more low-key recently. Not only did he return home on time every day after work, but he also stopped flirting with Chloe over SnapChat late at night. This infuriated Chloe. Like all mistresses aiming to replace the wife, Chloe looked down on Greg’s spouse. She sent Greg a message: “What’s so great about being controlled by that old tiger? She’s old and fierce. Am I not better than her?” Ha, how naive. For married men like Greg, especially those who are doing well in life, what they want is a stable family with a wife and kids at home, while having fun fooling around outside. Home is home, play is play, and they keep the two very separate. However, I needed to give Chloe a little push, or how else would the game continue? To provoke Chloe, I also did a complete 180 in my attitude towards her during this time. When we argued or had conflicts, I no longer gave in. I often made her so angry that her face turned red and her neck swelled. “Lucas, you’re yelling at me? You dare to yell at me?!” Yelling is the least of what I should do. Normally, I should slap you. “Was all your kindness in the past fake? Men are indeed bastards, once they get what they want, they stop cherishing it!” Me, not cherishing you? When you insult me, don’t you think about whether you deserve to be cherished? I let her rant, not even bothering to comfort her. I shrugged: “Think whatever you want.” Provoked by my attitude, Chloe’s desire for revenge grew stronger. She frantically messaged Greg late at night while I was asleep. She even threatened him, saying that if he dared to ignore her again, she would go directly to his wife. This scared Greg. Moreover, after being under his wife’s strict supervision for a while, Greg was indeed feeling frustrated. So the two of them came up with a plan: a business trip.

As soon as Chloe entered the door, she rushed straight to the bedroom to pack her clothes, unable to hide her excitement. “Honey, our company has arranged a sudden HR training. I have to go on a business trip tomorrow!” “Oh? For how many days?” “Just two days.” I pretended to ask her: “Baby, did you forget? Tomorrow is Saturday, and we had planned to have dinner with your parents.” Chloe was busy selecting clothes from a pile and didn’t even look up. “We can have dinner anytime, but I can’t miss this training opportunity!” I smirked inwardly, thinking this was the perfect chance I’d been waiting for. She and that adulterer were quite cunning, going to great lengths for their secret rendezvous. The adulterer, fearing his wife might inquire at the company, had actually arranged a real business trip for himself. But he would leave on Friday and return on Saturday. As for Chloe, she lied to me about a business trip, but actually planned to spend the entire weekend fooling around with her lover in a hotel. I found the hotel booking information in her phone’s text messages. With Greg’s every move now under his wife’s scrutiny, even booking a hotel room had to be done by Chloe herself. She had bought an extremely sexy lingerie set at some point and secretly stuffed it into her suitcase. She had never even worn this lingerie for me. The next day, Chloe refused to let me drive her to the train station, and I didn’t insist. While her words expressed reluctance to leave me, her heart had already run off, eager to meet her lover as soon as possible. After she left, I didn’t sit idle. I bought a few gifts and first went to visit Chloe’s parents.

Their home was less than a two hours’ drive from the city. Neither of her parents had proper jobs, and they had a son, Chloe’s brother, who was unemployed and spent all day playing video games. “Uncle, Auntie, Chloe doesn’t know I’m here today. Actually… I’m planning to propose to her.” Her mom and dad exchanged a glance, their smiles not particularly warm: “Lucas, you and Chloe have been dating for over a year, and it is indeed time to talk about marriage. But marriage is no small matter.” I quickly said: “I understand. Marriage needs to be discussed properly between both families. Don’t worry, Chloe is a wonderful girl, and my family will definitely show enough sincerity in marrying her.” Her father’s eyes scanned the gifts I had brought: “As parents, we don’t ask for much. We just hope our daughter can find an understanding family who values her and treats her well.” That sounds nice, but what do they mean by “understanding” and “valuing”? Isn’t it just about how much bride price the groom’s family can offer? Chloe’s parents had asked her more than once how much bride price my family could offer for the wedding. I had already inquired about this. In Chloe’s area, the usual bride price ranged from 66,000 to 88,000 yuan, which wasn’t considered excessive. But if it were just this amount, her parents wouldn’t be beating around the bush with me now. I smiled: “Uncle, you’re absolutely right. Please rest assured, the bride price from my family will definitely be more than others. I guarantee Chloe won’t lose out compared to anyone else.” Hearing my ambiguous response, her father cleared his throat. Her mother took the cue: “Lucas, my daughter has a bachelor’s degree and is beautiful. You probably don’t know, but even though I’ve told people Chloe has a boyfriend, matchmakers keep coming to our house one after another to introduce potential partners for her. Last month, our neighbor’s daughter got married, and her conditions were far inferior to Chloe’s, yet the groom’s family still gave a bride price of 200,000 yuan!” I slowly said: “Auntie, my family will offer a bride price of 500,000 yuan.” “H-how much?” “500,000 yuan.” “500,000 yuan!” Her mother was so shocked she almost jumped up. Her father, who was in the middle of drinking water, choked and started coughing repeatedly.

“Lucas, are you serious? Is this what your parents think too?” I suppressed the mockery in my eyes: “Yes, I’ve discussed it with my parents, and they agree.” I showed the elderly couple a fake chat log I had prepared. Her mother’s face instantly lit up with joy: “Oh my, look at me! Lucas has been here for so long, and I forgot to pour him some tea!” I stopped her. “Auntie, I’m not finished yet. The apartment I’m living in now was bought outright by my parents. I’ll add Chloe’s name to it later. Once Chloe marries me, I want to give her complete security.” Upon hearing this, both of them were so happy they didn’t know what to say. “What are you standing there for? Go get some fruit for Lucas!” I could hear the sound of video games coming from the bedroom, which I knew was Chloe’s good-for-nothing brother, Ryan. “Uncle, Auntie, I was thinking it’s not good for Ryan to stay at home all the time.” Her father shook his head: “This useless boy, he turns down every job we find for him. He says the easy ones don’t pay enough, and the well-paying ones are too tiring. He just stays at home all day, making us angry!” “A friend of mine has started a company and needs a driver. It’s just driving clients around, with a monthly salary of nearly 10,000 yuan. Should I ask about it for Ryan? The job is easy, pays well, and offers flexible hours. What do you think?” Hearing this, her parents excitedly gripped my hands and wouldn’t let go. “Really, Lucas? If you can make this happen, you’ll be solving a big problem for our family!” Her mother was even more excited, raising her voice by several octaves: “I’ve always told his father that Lucas wouldn’t let us down! Entrusting Chloe to him is absolutely the right choice! What a reliable, good boy!” Heh, that’s not what you said when you called Chloe to come back for arranged dates, is it? It doesn’t matter. Life is a stage, and it’s all about acting skills. Then Chloe’s parents strongly insisted that I stay for dinner, but I politely declined. Today’s schedule was very tight, and I still had important business to attend to.

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Everyone in Westbridge knew that the heir to the Pierce family, Steven Pierce, kept a girl by his side. Quiet, gentle, and obedient—but tragically, she was mute. On New Year’s Eve, one of Steven’s friends teased him: “I heard your dad’s been pressuring you to settle down. You’re not seriously thinking of bringing her home, are you?” Steven leaned back lazily, a smug, careless smile on his face. “Are you kidding? Would you marry a mute?” Hearing this, the wall I had desperately built around my heart finally collapsed. The bitter chill of winter had blanketed the streets with snow. Carrying a large bag of groceries, I hurried home. The housekeeper had left early to spend New Year’s with her family, and Steven hated restaurant food. So, naturally, I was the one left to prepare dinner. As I stepped into the house, the sound of raucous laughter hit me like a wave. There were people drinking, smoking, playing cards, and chatting loudly in the living room. Steven was in the middle of it all, surrounded by his friends. Someone said something that made him laugh as he playfully kicked one of the guys. I glanced down at the bag of groceries by my feet, then scribbled a note on a piece of paper and handed it to Steven. “Are they staying for dinner too?” That was when the group finally noticed my presence, though none of them acknowledged me. I couldn’t blame them. Steven Pierce was the golden boy of Westbridge—wealthy, connected, and practically untouchable. His friends were all the same: trust-fund kids with billions to their name. And me? I was just a poor, mute girl who had no business being in that world. Steven unfolded the note and frowned. “You don’t want to cook?” I shook my head quickly, pressing my lips together. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to cook—I just hadn’t expected so many people. I wasn’t sure if there’d be enough food. Steven crumpled the note and tossed it into the trash, his expression cold. “Then why ask?” The room, once filled with noise, suddenly fell silent, as if everyone was waiting to see how the mute girl would react. I bit my lip, unwilling to let strangers watch me squirm, and turned to retreat into the kitchen. As I tied my apron, the laughter resumed in the living room. Someone’s voice rang out, loud and mocking: “Man, she really is as obedient as they say.” Another voice chimed in, laughing: “Haha, look at Steven’s setup. If he kept me around, I’d behave better than a dog!” I recognized the voice—it belonged to Andrew Yates, Steven’s closest friend and one of the most notorious troublemakers in Westbridge. “What good would keeping you do? You can’t cook or clean, and God knows what other weird habits you have.” “Well, I can talk.” The room erupted in laughter. The mocking grew louder, each comment sharper than the last. I gripped the knife in my hand, my knuckles turning white as a dull ache spread through my chest. Steven’s voice eventually cut through the noise. “Alright, cut it out,” he said, laughing lightly. “Don’t get carried away.” But he didn’t defend me. He didn’t explain our relationship. His silence was an unspoken agreement. And yet, he knew. He knew I wasn’t with him for his money.

Two years ago, on this very day, the smell of roasted sweet potatoes filled the streets. I had been arguing with an old vendor who had overcharged me ten dollars. The man couldn’t read or understand sign language, and I was growing increasingly flustered. I had only brought twenty dollars with me, and it was already gone. That was when Steven happened to walk by. Perhaps I looked too pitiful, because he casually pulled a hundred-dollar bill from his pocket and handed it to the vendor. “I’ll pay for her. Keep the change.” I froze, turning to get a better look at the man beside me. He was tall, his features sharp and chiseled, with an air of quiet indifference. His long lashes cast faint shadows over his eyes, which were utterly devoid of emotion. Had he… forgotten me? As he turned to leave, I panicked and grabbed his wrist. When his watch slipped into view, my heart raced—I was certain it was him. Steven pulled his hand back with a look of annoyance, letting out a mocking laugh. “What? A hundred bucks isn’t enough?” I stood there, stunned, before finally managing to compose myself. I signed slowly: “No, it’s just… don’t you remember me? You saved me once.” A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but it was gone in an instant. After a pause, he said indifferently, “I’ve saved a lot of people. I don’t remember them all.” Relief washed over me. After five years, I had finally found him. To him, it might have been an insignificant moment, not even worth remembering. But to me, it had been a beacon of hope in the darkest time of my life. I still remembered the day he pulled me out of the river, the words he had said to me: “Sometimes, the most important things don’t come from your mouth, but from your eyes. Don’t lose hope. As long as you’re alive, things can change.” The sun had been shining so brightly that day, the water warm and gentle. It felt like the universe had aligned just for me. So when Steven asked me if I wanted to go with him, I didn’t hesitate. I said yes. Because I believed in him. I trusted him completely.

Three hours had passed before I realized it. I stretched my aching back and carried the prepared dishes to the dining table one by one. Steven Pierce glanced at me and said casually, “Annie, go buy a few cases of wine.” I looked out the window; it was already dark, and the snow was still falling heavily, blanketing the streets in thick, fluffy layers. Was he really asking me to go out in this weather to haul back several cases of wine by myself? I stood frozen in place, hesitant, while Steven sat down with his friends. He didn’t even bother saving me a seat. Noticing my hesitation, he shot me an impatient look. “What are you waiting for?” Around me, a few of the guys started laughing, their voices dripping with mockery. “She hasn’t said no, has she? Probably just trying to figure out how to sign it in that secret language of hers.” “Yeah, c’mon, Steven, translate for us. What’s she saying?” That familiar wave of humiliation began to creep up on me. I started signing, but before I could finish, Steven waved me off with a dismissive glance. “Annoying.” My hands froze mid-air. That word. That single word. It wasn’t the first time he’d said it to me. Steven Pierce. The man who had once pulled me out of the depths of despair when even I couldn’t stand myself. The same man who was now shoving me back down. I felt my eyes sting with tears, but I didn’t want to break down in front of his friends. Grabbing the keys, I turned and ran out the door. At the convenience store, I bought the last few cases of wine they had, hailed a cab, and rushed back. I carried the cases upstairs, one by one, terrified of doing anything to upset him. Inside, the party was still in full swing. No one noticed me as I lugged the last box into the hallway, gasping for air. Outside, fireworks exploded in the night sky, brilliant and dazzling. As the echoes faded, I overheard voices from upstairs. It was Steven and his closest friend, Andrew Yates. At first, I didn’t pay much attention and continued climbing the stairs. “Hey, I heard your dad’s been pushing you to settle down. You’re not actually thinking of bringing her home, are you?” Andrew didn’t name me, but I knew exactly who he was talking about. Everyone in Westbridge knew I was the mute girl Steven had been keeping around for two years. For some reason, on that last flight of stairs, I stopped. From the gap in the staircase, I could see Steven lean back, his expression calm and indifferent. “Are you kidding me?” he said, a lazy smile playing on his lips. “Would you marry a mute?” “When I find someone better, I’ll send her packing. Back to wherever the hell she came from.” Andrew laughed. “Makes sense. She’s basically just a hundred-dollar maid you’re keeping around for fun, right?” At that moment, the last wall I’d built around my heart crumbled. The bitterness, sadness, confusion, and self-doubt all came crashing down at once. I tried to hold back the tears, but they burned hot behind my eyes, threatening to spill over. And in that moment of silence, the laughter from the room above seemed to mock me. Look at you. No matter how good you are to him, what does it matter? You’re nothing but a mute girl for others to ridicule.

I dropped the wine where I stood and walked straight past the crowd into the bedroom. It wasn’t long before the door opened behind me. “You’re not eating dinner?” Steven’s voice was sharp, almost mocking. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. By the time I’d carried in the third case of wine, most of the dishes on the table had already been picked clean. What was I supposed to eat? The plates? I didn’t bother signing or writing anything down for him this time. I just continued packing my things, ignoring him completely. That was when he noticed the duffel bag I’d left on the floor. He kicked it hard, his tone turning harsh. “Annie, are you seriously throwing a tantrum right now?” A tantrum? Me? Maybe he’d gotten so used to me being quiet and obedient, always bending to his will, that even packing a bag felt like rebellion to him. I let out a bitter chuckle but didn’t respond. Let him think whatever he wanted. After all, what could a mute girl say to change his mind? When I didn’t answer, his expression darkened. He turned sharply and stormed back to the living room. I didn’t have much to pack. Most of the clothes and things in the apartment were things Steven had bought for me—expensive, designer items, many of them still with the tags on. If I was going to leave, I wanted to go back to being the person I was before I met him. I didn’t want to owe him anything. I shoved a few simple pieces of clothing and toiletries into a cheap woven bag and headed out. By the time I reached the living room, his friends had already left. Steven was sitting alone on the couch, leaning back lazily with a cigarette between his fingers. The sharp click of the lighter cut through the silence, and the smell of smoke mixed with the stale scent of beer. He exhaled a slow plume of smoke, his voice low. “Are you really leaving?” His words sent a sharp pang through my chest. He’d treated me like this—dismissed me, humiliated me—and yet he had the nerve to ask why I was leaving? My grip on the bag tightened as I mouthed the word silently, incapable of making a sound: “Yes.” “Is it because I asked you to cook and buy some wine?” How could he think that? I’d spent two years of my life caring for him, putting up with him. Did he really think this was about one bad night? I wanted so badly to ask him. What had happened to the Steven who had saved me? The one who had been kind and warm, like a ray of sunshine in my darkest moment? But people like him don’t change. They reveal who they really are when you let them. Steven waited for a moment, then gave a cold, careless laugh. “You know, Annie, once you walk out that door, I’m not coming after you.” Exactly. That’s why I had to leave. Because I knew he wouldn’t. If two hearts aren’t in the same place, dragging things out would only waste time—and make us a bigger joke in the end. I loosened my clenched fist and placed the keys gently on the entryway table. Then, I signed a single word: “Whatever.” As the clock neared midnight, I stepped outside, the icy wind cutting through the air like a blade. The streets were lined with red lanterns, glowing softly against the dark night. For a moment, I found myself lost in thought. I had spent the last few years imagining what it would be like to curl up on the couch with Steven Pierce, watching the New Year’s Eve special together. But fantasy has a way of being very different from reality. When I first moved in with Steven, he told me he liked his women quiet, obedient, and unassuming. So I tried my best to match his preferences, shaping my personality to fit his expectations. All I wanted was to stay by his side a little longer. That’s how I spent two years with him. Two years of being the perfect, compliant version of myself.

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Finn is a top-tier celebrity in the entertainment industry. He promised me that he would officially announce our relationship today at 5:20 PM. I checked Finn’s first trending topic right on time. It wasn’t the announcement I expected; instead, it was about him being caught on camera. The other person in the photo with him was a female artist named Daphne. Under the trending topics, she responded to netizens: “Thank you all for your blessings.” My hands trembled as I took a screenshot and sent it to Finn: “Is this what you meant by an official announcement?” I didn’t receive a reply until I had finished packing all my belongings. Finn finally responded: “Phoebe, please wait. I’ll explain everything.” 0 “Finn, let’s end things.” After sending the message, I tossed my phone aside and took one last look at the home Finn and I shared. We had been together for five years, but our relationship was always kept a secret. We were childhood friends, growing up together. After graduating from Media Arts College, we confirmed our relationship and embarked on our careers in the entertainment industry. At first, we were happy, taking on small roles. We didn’t earn much, but we were content. Then he participated in a variety show and skyrocketed to fame, becoming a top-tier celebrity. It’s easy to lose oneself in the allure of fame and fortune. He started having more and more women around him. Daphne wasn’t the first to be rumored with him. I gradually lost my sense of security. I begged him to make our relationship public on social media. I wanted to stand by his side openly. But his words made me feel unworthy of him, so I worked hard to prove myself. He said female artists need discipline to look good on camera. Even though I’m 170 cm, I maintained a weight of 90 pounds for years, afraid to eat more than one meal a day. Once he became famous, many paparazzi followed him. I lived cautiously with him. When visiting him on set, I had to wear a mask and cover myself completely. The snacks I made, he used to cheer Daphne up. It wasn’t until I saw the news of him and Daphne entering a residential building late at night that I realized how foolish I was. In his eyes, I was insignificant. I had questioned him about Daphne before. He said, “Daphne is on the rise in her career and has a bright future. Denying the rumors would greatly impact her.” “But you’re different. You’re just a non-notable performer who can’t make waves. Phoebe, don’t be so selfish.” I was wrong. I overestimated my place in his heart. I was preparing to leave when I heard the sound of the password being entered at the door. It opened. It was Finn. He looked at me with my luggage, frowning. Behind him were Daphne and their agents. 0

He actually brought Daphne back home. How ironic. When we bought this house, Finn said it would be our refuge, our little nest, with no outsiders allowed. On any other day, I would have been furious. But this time, I didn’t care. “Hello, I’m Daphne. And you must be Phoebe, right?” Daphne stepped forward, smiling at me. “Move,” I said, trying to maneuver my bags around them. “Don’t stand in the way.” “Where are you going?” Finn blocked my path, snatching my things and throwing them on the ground. “Phoebe, that night I was just reading the script with Daphne. Don’t overthink it.” He grabbed my hand. “I told you, I’ll explain everything.” I looked at him coldly. “Your explanation is bringing her home.” Daphne quickly approached, gently holding my hand. “Phoebe, don’t be mad. I’m not feeling well today, and Finn didn’t want me to catch a cold in the SUV, so he let me come up and rest.” “If it upsets you, I’ll leave right away.” She looked at Finn with teary eyes, appearing pitiful. I shook off her hand hard, and Daphne staggered backward, looking fragile. “Phoebe, what are you doing?” Finn glared at me, his tone harsh. He rushed over, catching Daphne from behind, helping her sit on the sofa, and poured her a cup of hot water. He used his own cup. “Don’t you have any sympathy? Being so rough? Daphne isn’t feeling well, I asked her to come.” Finn showed some impatience. Then he gently said to Daphne, “Daphne, just rest here. No one has the right to make you leave.” Watching them act like a couple made me agitated. I turned to leave. “Phoebe, stop right there!” 02 As Finn comforted Daphne, I was already at the door. “Finn, I told you, we’re done.” I said coldly. Finn seemed shocked by my indifference. “Don’t be like this. There are paparazzi outside. If you go out and get photographed, what will happen to Daphne?” Finn quickly caught up and pulled me back into the living room. Watching them, I suddenly felt exhausted. Daphne leaned on the sofa, holding Finn’s cup, smiling weakly at me. “Phoebe, I’m forced into this too.” Daphne’s soft voice chimed in again. “Replying to the netizens’ blessings was also Finn’s idea.” Her tone even had a hint of provocation. I took a deep breath, trying to hold back my emotions, but my eyes still reddened. “What about me? You clearly promised me we would go public today.” I said, my voice choking, looking at Finn. “It was an accident. It was the company’s decision. Can’t you let it go?” Finn’s impatience showed. “I came back to ask you to send some of the photos you took of me to Daphne as official announcement photos.” Hearing his words, my heart sank. I had a habit of documenting moments through photos. Finn would occasionally post my photos on social media. Fans called it a “girlfriend’s perspective.” Seeing my cold expression, he explained, “Our agents discussed it and found the online response pretty good. They want us to try being a promotional couple. It’s just promotional.” Hearing Finn say it’s just promotional, Daphne looked slightly displeased. “Phoebe, you should think about the bigger picture. Daphne and I are on the same level. You can’t ask Finn to give up his career for you, can you?” Her words were sincere, and to outsiders, it seemed like she was just promoting. “So, this is your decision too, right?” I stared at Finn, wanting to hear him say it himself. “Alright, it’s my fault this time.” He didn’t answer directly. “I’m about to join Director King’s film crew. I’ll make sure you get a small role.” Since Finn became famous, every time a tabloid rumor emerged, he would appease me by “getting” me an insignificant role in the crew, saying it was compensation. I was foolish before. I believed they were just acting. He would apologize, and I would easily forgive him. But not this time. “Finn, you’re heartless.” I broke free from Finn’s grip and left the house. 0

I wandered aimlessly on the street, eventually turning into a bar around the corner. I remember ordering almost every drink on the menu, sitting at the bar, drinking one glass after another. The next morning, I woke up in a hotel suite. I immediately checked myself. Thankfully, my clothes were intact. Then, a man walked in from outside the room. “Awake?” “Declan?” I looked at the attractive man in front of me, rubbing my eyes. “Miss Phoebe, we meet again.” Declan, who shot to fame just five years after debuting, is now a household name, an Oscar-winning actor, and Finn’s biggest rival. I met him by chance on a film set. He was the male lead, and I played a minor role. We were two people with no connection. Apparently, he graduated from the same college as me, but he majored in directing. Once, when some scandal about me broke online, I was stalked by an obsessive fan and had nowhere to go. He saved me, taking me on a high-speed drive to shake off the paparazzi. Afterward, I said I wanted to thank him. He joked, “Why not marry me?” I ignored him, and he slipped a note into my bag, asking me to consider being with him, promising a bright future. I didn’t respond, got out of the car, and told him I had a boyfriend who wasn’t much different from him. He didn’t contact me after that. After all, he’s Finn’s archenemy. As Finn’s girlfriend, how could I be friendly to Declan? Listening to Declan recount the previous night’s events, I blushed slightly. He said he found me on the street and brought me to the hotel to rest. And I jumped on the bed, ranting about how Finn was a jerk, even punching him a few times. “You had a breakup, Miss Phoebe.” Declan sat on the sofa, relaxing, looking at me with a slight smile. “So, how about it? Consider my offer? What I said before still stands.” My face turned red as a shrimp. I grabbed my things and fled the hotel. My phone was filled with missed calls from Finn, none of which I answered. I hurried home, planning to move my things to a new place. He told me he found me on the street and brought me to the hotel to rest. But I jumped onto the bed, cursing Finn as a jerk and even threw a few punches at him. “You’ve just gone through a breakup, Miss Phoebe,” Finn said, lounging back on the sofa with a lazy smile as he watched me. “So, what do you think? Are you considering my offer? What I mentioned last time still stands.” My face burned with embarrassment, and I grabbed my things and fled the hotel. My phone was filled with missed calls from Finn, none of which I answered. I rushed home, intending to pack my things and move to my new place. As soon as I opened the door, I saw Finn sitting on the sofa, his expression dark as he glared at me. “Phoebe, are you really breaking up with me over such a trivial matter?” Finn came over to block me. “I’ve explained it to you. What more do you want?” Seeing me not come home all night, a trace of panic finally appeared on his face. Trivial? Last night, after I left, I saw Finn escorting Daphne downstairs from my building, wrapped in my favorite plush blanket. He helped Daphne into the SUV, and Daphne even kissed him on the cheek. Then he got into the car as well, and the door closed, cutting off my view. Last night, I refused to give them the photos I took, but Daphne posted a picture of her and Finn on social media, captioned: “May we always be us.” Finn replied: “It’s great having you.” I stopped arguing, didn’t want to say another word, and with all my strength, moved out everything that was mine. When I left, Finn was still standing there, confused. He didn’t understand why this time, I meant it. Because my heart had died. 0

Maybe it was fate’s way of compensating me; while I was unlucky in love, I found success in my career. I actually landed the lead female role in Director King’s new drama. When my agent Vera brought me the good news, my first reaction was disbelief. Director King is known for being notoriously strict in the industry. It felt like my luck was turning… And since that day, Declan kept sticking around, claiming he saved me and wanted to take me on as his student. He said I was about to join Director King’s crew and needed to seriously hone my acting skills. I thought it made sense, plus Declan was handsome, wealthy, and fun to be around. The thing that troubled me the most was probably his frequent requests for me to be his girlfriend. But I knew deep down that to him, I was probably just a passing fancy. One day, while we were seriously rehearsing a scene, I said, let’s give it a try. I wanted to escape the shadow Finn cast over me. I once asked him why he liked me. He patted my head and wouldn’t tell me, saying he’d tell me the day I was willing to marry him. I didn’t believe he wanted to marry me. Soon, it was time to join the film crew. In two days, the filming ceremony was set to begin, and the actors had already checked into the hotel arranged by the crew. “Knock, knock, knock!” There was a knock at the door; it was Declan. As soon as I opened the door, Declan scooped me up and carried me straight into the room. He placed me on the bed, leaning in close, his lips inching toward mine. Just then, there was another untimely knock on the door. “Phoebe, open up!” I shivered at the sound; it was Finn. “You, hide quickly!” I shoved Declan off me, trying to get him to move. “Why should I?” Declan didn’t budge, “You two have broken up, and now I’m your boyfriend.” “No way, he can’t find out about us!” I was frantic. If Finn found out and spread the word about me and Declan as revenge, it would ruin me and affect Declan’s career. After all, he was a male star with zero tabloid rumors since his debut. “Then just make us public, okay?” Declan didn’t move a muscle, even leaning closer, leaving my mind blank. “No, no way.” With great effort, I pulled Declan off the bed and dragged him into the bathroom. I pretended not to see his angry and aggrieved look. “Be good. I’ll think about it.” Only then did he stop opposing me, closing the bathroom door. “Phoebe! Have you no shame? Hooking up with your lover in the film crew?” As soon as I opened the door, Finn stormed in angrily. “What are you doing here?” “Lover? Where?” I asked innocently, waving my hand. “I saw a guy walk into your room with my own eyes!” My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t expected Finn to see Declan come into my room. Finn looked around my room but found no one. Finally, he walked to the bathroom door. My heart leapt into my throat. “You think I’m that easy to fool?” Finn sneered when I didn’t admit it, “Your lover must be hiding in the bathroom!”

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The day before I was due to give birth, my home was invaded. By the time the police got me to the hospital’s operating room, I was too weak to open my eyes. Amidst the fog of pain and confusion, I heard the voice of my husband, Asher White. “Do you have confidence?” “Yes, but are you absolutely sure about your decision? We can still save the baby if we operate quickly.” “No, remove the uterus too. That way, Freya’s son will be the only heir to the White Corporation. As for Adeline… being Mrs. White is enough to guarantee her a smooth and worry-free life.” It was then I realized that everything had been a meticulously crafted deceit. The man I loved was the one wielding the knife. If that’s the case, I don’t need him anymore. As the anesthesia wore off, I slowly regained consciousness. I tried to open my eyes but heard Asher White’s voice again. “Dr. Wesley, how did Adeline’s surgery go?” “Mrs. White’s uterus has been completely removed. She just needs to rest now.” Dr. Wesley paused before cautiously asking, “Mr. White, are you sure you won’t regret this?” “I saw the little girl. Her thick eyebrows and big eyes looked just like yours.” “It’s a shame she couldn’t see the world before she left.” “There’s nothing to regret,” Asher said calmly. “She was an obstacle for Little Finn, and I had to remove her myself.” “As for Adeline…” Asher paused. “In a while, I’ll arrange for someone to bring Little Finn back from the orphanage. Then Adeline can be a mother.” “But Little Finn looks so much like you. Won’t Ms. Adeline…?” Dr. Wesley hesitated. “Don’t worry, all babies look alike. Adeline won’t notice. Besides, she trusts me. She’ll never suspect anything.” With that, Asher sat by my bed, tightly holding my hand. His touch was warm, but I felt cold down to my core. This was the man I had loved for ten years. He was willing to sacrifice my child’s life for his and Freya’s illegitimate son. He even stripped me of my chance to be a mother. Worse, he expected me to raise the child who was the reason for my daughter’s death. I was overwhelmed with grief, my heart aching painfully. If only I had been more careful and avoided that robber. Just then, Asher’s phone rang. “Is everything taken care of?” “Transfer him to the furthest prison, and as for his family…” “Pay them to leave City A.” “Do it cleanly, don’t let Adeline find out.” Hearing this, a chill ran through me, freezing my blood. I had wondered how a robber could get past the tight security of our neighborhood in City A. It turns out my husband orchestrated the whole robbery. He went to such lengths for Freya and his illegitimate child. I felt a sense of hopelessness. I couldn’t have avoided the robber, no matter what. If that’s the case, I’ll let Asher have his way. I slowly opened my eyes and looked at the man in front of me. “Adeline, when did you wake up?” Asher looked uneasy. “Just now,” I said, trying to control my grief, but tears still fell. “Adeline, what’s wrong? Is your wound hurting?” Asher looked worried and anxious. “I’ll get the doctor.” “Don’t…” I gently pulled Asher back. “I’m not in pain. I’m just surprised I’m still alive.” “Adeline, don’t say that!” Asher’s face hardened. “As long as I’m here, no one will hurt you again.” Hearing this, my heart ached with bitterness. All the harm was brought by Asher. There’s no future for us. Asher didn’t notice my change. He picked up a damp cotton swab and gently wiped my dry lips. “Adeline, you can’t drink water yet after the surgery. Please bear with it.” I nodded, feeling even more sorrowful. Why? If he never loved me, why pretend to be so caring? Afterward, Asher tucked me in and said, “Adeline, there’s something I need to tell you.” “Our child is gone, and your injuries are too severe. You won’t be able to…” Asher hesitated. Seeing his troubled expression, my heart stung. Asher was truly an actor. Fine. Let me end this myself. Just as I was about to speak, Asher continued, “Adeline, the White Family needs an heir.” “Let’s adopt a child.”

Hearing this, I was stunned. I thought Asher would continue to lie to me, but he straightforwardly suggested adopting a child, using the excuse of needing an heir. Asher was truly impatient. Suppressing my sorrow, I nodded. “Okay.” Asher was overjoyed. “I’ll have someone look for a suitable child right away!” Then, realizing his behavior was inappropriate, Asher looked at me awkwardly. “Honey, don’t be mad.” “I was just… worried you’d be heartbroken over losing our child, so I wanted to find a child to ease your pain.” “Don’t worry, I’ll never have another woman in my life. Once we find a child, we’ll treat him like our own son.” Hearing this, my heart ached with bitterness again. My child was killed by the robber Asher sent. And my future hopes of having a child were destroyed. Asher still wanted me to raise his and Freya’s child. He was truly cruel. Overwhelmed with grief and anger, I clenched the bedsheets tightly, my fingertips turning white. “Honey, what’s wrong? Is your wound still hurting?” Asher looked concerned. I shook my head. Just then, a video call came through. Asher looked uneasy. “Honey, there’s something at work I need to handle. Rest well.” With that, Asher hurried out of the room. Watching his back, I was filled with immense hatred. I picked up the tablet he left behind, unlocked the screen, and opened SnapChat logged in on both his phone and tablet. Freya’s chat window appeared before me. [The current video is being answered on another device.] Seeing this short line, I gave a bitter smile. Sure enough, it was Freya calling him. With my bandaged hand, I scrolled through their chat history. “Honey, the baby kicked me today.” “Honey, the doctor said our son is healthy.” “Honey, the baby learned to smile today.” “Honey, how do you plan to bring the baby to the White Family?” … Most of the time, it was Freya talking to herself and sending pictures of the child. Asher rarely replied, but every night there was a video call lasting four to five hours. No wonder he was furious when I entered the study to bring him tea. “Why are you in here?” “This room is full of computers and other electronic devices. The radiation could harm our child!” “You’re a mom now. Can’t you think things through?” Now I realize Asher wasn’t worried about me and my child. He didn’t want me to interrupt his nightly sweet video calls with Freya. I felt guilty for a long time, thinking I was stupid. I coldly looked at the chat history on the screen, feeling like I had swallowed a bitter pill. Just then, Asher’s mother sent a message. “Asher, today Freya and I took Little Finn for a check-up. He’s very healthy.” “Did you tell that fool Adeline? When will Little Finn officially get a place in the White Family?” I was stunned, feeling as if all the blood in my body had frozen. Even my mother-in-law knew about this! My heart ached to the extreme. After getting married, I quit my beloved job to take care of this family because my mother-in-law said she didn’t like housekeepers. I treated her like my own mother, yet she helped Asher deceive me. I was suddenly filled with disappointment. Maybe this family never truly welcomed me. I decided to leave. I took out my phone and booked a flight to Maple Country for a week later.

On the day I was discharged, Asher said he was busy with work and told me to go straight to my mother-in-law’s house. However, when I got home, the living room was empty. I went up the stairs to the second floor. Passing the first room, I heard the faint cries of a baby. After hesitating for a few seconds, I pushed open the door. A very cute baby was lying in the crib. Seeing me, he stopped crying, his big eyes full of curiosity. “Ahh…” The little one babbled something I couldn’t understand. If my child had been born smoothly, they might have been like this too! 3 The day I was discharged from the hospital, Asher White told me he had some business at the company and asked me to go directly to my mother-in-law’s house. However, when I arrived, the living room was empty. I made my way up the stairs to the second floor. As I passed the first room, I heard the faint cries of a baby. After a moment of hesitation, I pushed the door open. Inside the crib was an incredibly cute baby. Seeing me, he stopped crying and looked at me with wide, curious eyes. “Goo goo ga ga…” The little one was babbling something. If my child had been born without complications, he would be like this now! But… his own father denied him the chance to see this world. The thought of it brought tears streaming down my face, and my heart ached unbearably. Just then, I heard soft moans coming from the next room. “Asher, you… you’re amazing!” “Asher, am I better than Adeline?” “Oh… Asher, you’re so naughty!” … I froze in place! So, Asher’s so-called business at the company was actually fooling around here with Freya! My face turned pale, and I felt as if the blood in my veins had frozen. It was as if countless arrows had pierced through me, and the pain was excruciating. What an irony! Just a few days ago, they killed my child with their own hands, took away my ability to have children, and now they brazenly brought the mistress into the house? I crouched down, buried my head in my arms, and cried in agony! At that moment, a shadow rushed into the room and hit me hard on the head with a broom! “You bring bad luck!” “What are you doing here alone?” “Are you trying to harm my grandson?” The figure shouted while beating me mercilessly. It wasn’t until she was exhausted that she stopped. I looked up and saw it was my mother-in-law. “Mom…” I tried to hold back the grief in my heart and the burning pain in my body, attempting to explain, but my mother-in-law cut me off! “Don’t call me Mom!” “You lost my eldest grandson! And you still have the nerve to come back!” Hearing this, a sharp pain pierced my heart! She knew the whole truth but blamed everything on me. For the first time, I felt my mother-in-law was so hypocritical, hypocritical to the point of being a stranger. They conspired to stage a play to kill my child! I lost my ability to bear children, and yet they still humiliate me like this! I couldn’t help but clench my fists, my fingertips turning white from the pressure. At this moment, Freya and Asher from the next room also heard the commotion. They came over. “Mom, what’s going on?” Asher looked at me, then at his mother, frowning. There were still traces of their recent intimacy on his neck. It was extremely galling to me. “Son, look at this wretched woman you married. She just tried to harm Little Finn when no one was around!” “I didn’t!” I quickly said. “Adeline, how could you be so cruel? Little Finn is just a baby!” Freya said as she rushed to the crib, picking up the child and checking him carefully! “Adeline, you can’t just kill Little Finn because your own child didn’t survive!” “Little Finn’s neck is all red from your grip!” “You’re lying, I didn’t touch him!” I rushed forward to see the child in Freya’s arms. However, Asher grabbed me! “Adeline, you actually laid hands on a baby. I really regret marrying you!” “You deserve to be without children for the rest of your life!” “Today, I’ll strangle you, you wicked woman!” Asher said, stepping forward to choke me, his eyes filled with malice! A wave of suffocation instantly overwhelmed me. I wanted to plead for mercy but couldn’t get a single word out! As I was about to lose consciousness, I used the last of my strength to grab a vase nearby and smashed it hard on Asher’s head!

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