Category: English

My husband Philip had late-stage liver cancer. Afraid of being a burden to me, he jumped into the river. I couldn’t swim, but I jumped in without hesitation to save him. To ignite his will to live, I told him about winning the lottery. He pretended to struggle, but pushed me underwater and drowned me! My body wasn’t even cold before he turned around and used my money to emigrate abroad with his first love, Kelly. Turns out he was faking his death to get rid of me! When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day my husband jumped into the river. You want to die? Then let me give you a hand! “Oh my God, someone jumped into the river!” “Quick, save him! Call the police!!” The clamor of voices made me feel as if I were in another lifetime. Looking down, the river water had already risen past my knees. Wasn’t I already drowned? How did I end up back here?? Rebirth—such a stroke of luck, and it actually happened to me?! I watched the figure drifting toward the center of the river, my gaze heavy. Philip, this time I won’t sacrifice myself to save you. And you won’t get a single penny of my money! I loosened my grip, and the bamboo pole in my hand drifted away with the current. I pretended to panic and screamed. “Help! Someone help! I can’t swim! Someone please save my husband!” Philip was struggling in the water, but he managed to keep his chest above the surface the whole time. Where was the appearance of a drowning person?! On the shore, my in-laws were also shouting for help while urging me to come back to shore. But their expressions were very calm. This scene made me realize how stupid I’d been in my past life! So the whole family knew! Stopping me from saving him wasn’t out of concern for my safety—they just didn’t want me to ruin Philip’s fake death plan. Right up until the moment of my death, I’d been comforted by the thought that I’d risked my life to save Philip. But that bastard turned around and moved abroad with his first love. Philip was quickly rescued by several brave passersby. At the hospital during emergency treatment, the doctor called it a miracle. A suicide jumper who hadn’t swallowed a single mouthful of water. My in-laws put on a show of thanking their ancestors for protection, saying Philip’s time hadn’t come yet. I sneered inwardly and asked the doctor with feigned concern. “My husband has late-stage liver cancer. Could falling in the water affect his condition? Wouldn’t a more detailed examination be safer?” My in-laws panicked immediately and rushed to stop me. I saw right through them. Late-stage liver cancer—that was just an excuse for the fake death, wasn’t it? And to think in my past life I’d been naive enough to tell Philip about winning the hundred-million-dollar jackpot. Wasn’t that just driving myself to a dead end?! As soon as Philip was wheeled into the hospital room, a doctor came—but not the one from emergency. This female doctor wore a mask and went straight to the bed. Her concerned look and anxious way of flipping through the medical chart made me suspicious. She even bent down and grabbed Philip’s hand! Those vaguely familiar eyes—I’d seen them when I was a ghost. “Kelly, the ER doctor said Philip is fine.” Porter’s slip of the tongue confirmed my suspicion. Kelly was Philip’s first love. They’d dated for six years before breaking up. “Mom, are you guys that close?” I asked suddenly, and Porter didn’t dare meet my eyes. Only then did Kelly notice I was there too. She slid her hand up, pretending to check Philip’s pulse. I almost laughed out loud. Wasn’t she a Western medicine doctor? Why was she checking his pulse? My father-in-law Anthony forced himself to stay calm. “Kelly is Philip’s attending physician. We are quite familiar with each other.” Familiar enough not to call her “Dr. Kelly” and just use her first name? Porter took the opportunity to scold me, saying I didn’t care enough about Philip. It was because I hadn’t taken good care of Philip that he got cancer. I put on an expression of humbly accepting criticism and actively made a statement. “You’re right. That’s why I’ve decided to transfer Philip to a major hospital in New York. Worst case, we’ll do a liver transplant.” The other people in the room all changed color at this. Faking cancer, were you? Then I’ll just have your liver removed first and let you suffer slowly!

Porter took my hand and said earnestly. “Lester, I’m gratified that you can recognize your mistake. But since the doctor has already said Philip is in late stage, let’s just let him go with dignity!” Anthony snorted coldly and said sarcastically. “Do you know better or does the doctor? Stop making a fuss!” I forced out two tears. “Philip is still so young. I’m just afraid he’ll die before his time. I’ve already contacted specialists in New York.” “There happens to be a suitable liver donor available. As soon as we transfer there, we can arrange the liver transplant surgery immediately.” This was all made up to scare them. Sure enough, Kelly was shocked and blurted out. “No!” My in-laws also strongly objected. I looked coldly at Kelly. “I’ve never seen a doctor prevent a patient from getting treatment. Or is there a problem with your diagnosis?” Kelly’s eyes flickered, but she stubbornly insisted she couldn’t have misdiagnosed. Porter flew into a rage and scolded me, saying I was deliberately trying to kill her son. Getting to New York required flying. What if something happened to Philip during such an arduous journey? Anthony even stood in the doorway, absolutely refusing to let me take Philip to New York. I took out my phone and threatened coldly. “Fine, we don’t have to go to New York. Then I’ll just ask the specialists to come here for a consultation. I refuse to believe Philip can’t be saved!” When Kelly heard the word “consultation,” she panicked even more. Porter coughed lightly and gave her a look. Pretending to compromise: “Since Lester has already contacted the specialists, let’s do that!” “Lester, you go home and rest. Your dad and I will leave after the caregiver arrives.” They clearly wanted to send me away. I nodded and pretended to leave the hospital room with a worried expression. Once out of the hospital, I immediately disguised myself and went to claim the prize. I wouldn’t let anyone know about this hundred-million-dollar jackpot this time. I hid the money well, didn’t immediately buy anything, and even sold my car. When I got home, I discovered that the joint account Philip and I had agreed not to touch had a zero balance! After we got married, we’d each transfer part of our salary into it every month. It served as the family’s emergency fund and our future child’s education fund. This bastard had secretly withdrawn the money behind my back?! I had a bad feeling. I immediately made several phone calls, asking friends to help me investigate some things. I lay in bed, tossing and turning. Since Philip had originally planned to fake his death and run away with Kelly, he must have made thorough preparations long ago. Fortunately, the house and car were in my name. It would be difficult for him to sell them for cash without me. But that uneasy feeling in my heart wouldn’t go away. Just as I dozed off, my phone kept vibrating. At 3 a.m., Kelly’s sorrowful voice came through the phone. “Ms. Lester, your husband Mr. Philip’s condition suddenly deteriorated. After doing everything we could to save him, he still passed away. Please accept my condolences!” I put on a shocked expression and said with a sob in my voice. “What? How could this happen? I’ll be right there!” After hanging up, I couldn’t suppress the corners of my mouth. “Died” pretty quickly, didn’t you? I won’t let you go so comfortably. I took something from the drawer and hurried to the hospital. In the hospital room, Philip was already covered with a white sheet. I lifted the sheet and glanced at him. His face was peaceful. This was probably the best complexion I’d ever seen on a liver cancer patient, right? Weren’t others usually sallow and terribly thin? Let me see you keep pretending! “Slap! Slap!” Without warning, I delivered two slaps. Philip didn’t move a muscle. Looks like they gave him quite a dose! Porter was about to come pull me away, but I threw myself onto Philip first. “Philip, you heartless man, how could you just leave me like this??” I wailed while taking the opportunity to assess the situation. His body was warm, he still had a heartbeat—this confirmed my suspicion.

Porter pulled me up with fake sympathy. “Lester, the dead can’t come back to life. We still have to look forward.” Anthony also handed me a document. “This is Philip’s will. You’re his sole heir.” I wiped my eyes and straightened up. They were playing dead, fine, but they’d even prepared a will? Something fishy was going on! I took the will and skimmed through it. [The debts incurred during my lifetime shall also be repaid by Ms. Lester.] I sneered and pointed at this line. “What does this mean?” Anthony snorted coldly and muttered disdainfully. He said since I was enjoying everything Philip left behind, naturally I should also bear Philip’s debts. So this is what they were waiting for! The family emergency fund had been emptied. That bastard Philip must have been hiding other things from me. I suppressed my anger for the moment and took out the card I’d brought. “Philip applied for organ donation. I’ve already notified the donation center staff to come.” My in-laws and Kelly turned pale with fright. Porter was so angry she wanted to hit me, but I cleverly dodged. Anthony cursed me out, saying I wouldn’t even leave his son’s body intact and was vicious. Kelly stammered for a long time, using the excuse that Philip’s cancer cells had spread and metastasized, so his other organs probably weren’t in good condition either. I sighed. “I already asked, and they said there’s no problem, they can be used. Let’s just respect Philip’s wishes!” “Aren’t I Philip’s sole heir? What’s wrong with me making decisions on such small matters?” These people’s expressions were truly priceless. Kelly suddenly turned to pour water for us. I noticed that two cups were placed very close together. She handed those to my in-laws. A single cup placed separately was given to me. Just as I was about to take a sip, I noticed fine powder on the rim of the cup. At that moment, people from the donation center arrived. My in-laws made a scene and threatened suicide, while Kelly also urged against it. Because direct family members strongly objected, even though the deceased had applied during his lifetime, the donation center wouldn’t force it. After driving them away, Anthony glared at me. “Porter, hurry and call Paul. Why isn’t the car here yet? We need to take Philip back to our hometown!” Nice plan—trying to run away? I feigned surprise. “You’re going to bury Philip?” “Driving back to the hometown takes 7-8 hours. We’d need to order a refrigerated coffin and use the funeral home’s professional cold chain vehicle, right?” My in-laws exchanged guilty glances and didn’t dare respond. I pretended to be compliant. “We also need to notify all the relatives back home, have everyone come pay their respects to Philip and see him off one last time. Don’t the hometown customs require a three-day wake?” Under everyone’s watchful eyes, I’d like to see how you maintain Philip’s anesthesia. If I could personally witness him being buried alive, that would be truly satisfying! Anthony was sweating profusely with anxiety, speaking incoherently. “We feel we don’t need to follow the old ways… we just want Philip to return to his roots and rest in peace.” I almost laughed out loud. You’re talking to me about burial? Kelly pulled Porter’s hand and hinted with her eyes. “Auntie, these days everyone advocates for simple funerals. How about cremation instead! Taking the ashes back for burial is the same. I’ll contact the funeral home right away.” Hearing her say this, Porter knew there were other remedial measures and calmed down. What scheme was this mistress plotting now? When they weren’t paying attention, I tampered with the water in several cups. “Dad, Mom, have some water first!” My in-laws didn’t suspect anything and drank the cup of water Kelly had specially prepared for me. I didn’t know what was in it, but they both soon became dizzy, their eyes glazed.

Kelly came back to see this scene and was dumbstruck. I didn’t give her any time to hesitate. “Dr. Kelly, I don’t know what’s wrong with my parents. Please take them for an examination. I’ll take Philip to the funeral home.” I had just taken Philip’s death certificate from Porter. With this, how could I not have him cremated?? Kelly’s face turned deathly pale, and she stammered. “I’m more familiar with the funeral home procedures, so maybe I should…” Before she could finish, I said sternly. “Dr. Kelly, funeral home procedures must be handled by immediate family members. What relation are you to Philip? Did you issue the death certificate?” Kelly was left speechless by my questioning. Under my stare, her expression was extremely guilty. A mistress—what standing did she have to sign papers and handle procedures? Disgusting!! I didn’t delay for a moment and got in the vehicle with the funeral home staff. When the car went over a speed bump, I noticed Philip’s brow furrowed slightly. Oh no, was this guy about to wake up?? At that moment, my in-laws began calling me in turns. I didn’t answer. Porter’s text messages followed immediately. [Lester! If you dare cremate my son, I’ll never forgive you!!] [Lester! We’re on our way to the funeral home. Wait until we get there to discuss everything!] The screen full of exclamation marks—they must be going crazy with anxiety, right? After waiting so long for this opportunity, how could I let them ruin it?! I quickly tapped on the window and pleaded with the staff member sitting in front. “Our elderly family members couldn’t handle the shock and were sent for emergency treatment. I need to get back to the hospital right after finishing the paperwork at your facility.” The staff member was understanding and immediately told me to sit tight, flooring the gas pedal. I looked at Philip’s face, my heart filled with mixed emotions. In my past life, I gave you my whole heart, and in return, you betrayed me. Not only did you wrong my feelings, you also murdered me for money! This time I won’t be merciful to you anymore. I’ll personally see you off. What should have been a half-hour journey, the driver managed to complete in just 20 minutes. As luck would have it, there weren’t many people at the funeral home. I quickly completed the procedures and sent Philip to the cremation chamber. My phone was vibrating like crazy. After Anthony called, Porter called, and there was also an unknown number calling continuously. I expressionlessly turned off my phone so they could no longer reach me. I don’t know if it was my imagination, but I seemed to see Philip’s fingertip move. I was so anxious sweat appeared on the tip of my nose. Just when revenge was about to succeed, nothing could go wrong at this critical moment! “Our elderly family member consulted an auspicious time. They’re anxious to take the ashes back home for burial. Could you please make an exception?” At my sincere request, the staff member readily agreed. Faced with this human consideration, the other families also expressed understanding and let Philip cut in line. I silently prayed in my heart. Faster, a little faster! The staff member pushed Philip to the cremation furnace and suddenly said puzzled. “Huh, still pretty soft. Never seen this before.” Oh no, did they discover something? I glimpsed several people running frantically in the distance—weren’t those my in-laws and Kelly? They got here so fast! Afraid of failure at the last moment, I quickly said. “Everyone’s different! The hospital issued a death certificate, and the cremation paperwork is all in order. There’s no mistake. You can rest assured!” The staff member nodded and pushed Philip in. A flurry of footsteps grew closer and closer. The moment I pressed the cremation button, Porter’s heart-wrenching shout came— “Wait!!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “390574”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

After losing my leg in a car accident, my wife and my best friend took care of me devotedly. I was deeply moved and threw myself into rehabilitation. Until a message popped up on my newly opened online store. “Can you ship the cross necklace faster? I did something wrong and want to give it as an apology.” I asked curiously, “Apologize for what?” The reply came quickly: “I stole my best friend’s two wives…” “But I really didn’t mean to… His first wife was a doctor, smart and beautiful. I couldn’t resist. While he was on a business trip, I slept with her. Later he found out his wife cheated and divorced her, but never suspected me. I swore I’d never betray him again.” “But his second wife was even more beautiful, and a wealthy CEO. I fell for her too. I planned to sleep with her just once, but got addicted.” “Last month, for a thrill, we drugged him with sleeping pills and let him sleep in the back seat while we did it in the front. Then we had a sudden car accident. We escaped, but he lost his right leg and suffered permanent damage that left him unable to have children. I feel so guilty I can’t tell him the truth. All I can do is try to make amends.” Hearing this familiar story, my heart trembled. The next second, a shipping notification popped up, and I felt like I’d been thrown into an ice pit. The recipient information showed my best friend, Diallo.

I stared at the information on the screen, my fingertips shaking so badly I could barely hold the mouse. The severed bone at my amputation site throbbed with pain, but that was nothing compared to one ten-thousandth of the pain in my heart. How could this be? For the past month, Diallo had been by my side day and night, bringing me water and feeding me. My wife Victoria had also canceled all her work to stay by my side, wiping my body daily with meticulous care. Their companionship had been the only light in my dark days. How could they do this to me? An absurd sense of being torn apart instantly swept through my body. I was suffocating. With trembling hands, I took out my phone and called my ex-wife Lamoris. The call connected quickly, and I heard her somewhat joyful voice: “Hello, Theodore…” I cut straight to the point: “Lamoris, was Diallo the one you cheated with?” Lamoris fell silent. Silence was the best answer. My heart felt like it had been torn in half, the pain making my soul tremble. After a long while, Lamoris slowly spoke: “It was him, Theodore. I was possessed back then. I truly regret it. I wanted to tell you the truth long ago, but Diallo said if you knew it was him who betrayed you, you’d completely fall apart and couldn’t handle the blow. That’s why I kept it hidden…” I couldn’t listen anymore and abruptly hung up. Tears fell uncontrollably onto the desk, spreading into cold puddles. In a daze, I seemed to return to four years ago. I had been working on a project non-stop, neglecting Lamoris. After finishing, I planned to make it up to her, but found men’s underwear in her pocket that didn’t belong to me. Back then, I had been just like this, tears streaming down my face, clutching my chest as I asked Lamoris: “Who was it?” But she just pulled at her hair remorsefully, refusing to say the name. Later, I divorced. Victoria, who had been abroad, rushed back upon hearing the news. She was the heir to the Williams family and my childhood friend who had secretly loved me since we were young. Afraid I’d spiral into depression, she begged me with red eyes: “Don’t shut yourself away. I’ll be with you. From now on, I’ll take care of you.” I fell seriously ill and underwent major surgery with Diallo’s company. After the surgery, I was physically and mentally exhausted, weak all the time. As my good friend, Diallo looked at me with heartache and tried every way to cheer me up. Victoria didn’t mind the dirt or fatigue. She washed clothes, cooked, served tea and water, taking care of every detail. She even personally blew on each sip of water to cool it before bringing it to my lips. Back then, I thought they were my most trusted support. But now, I’d been betrayed twice in a row by the people I trusted most, working together. I felt the world had completely collapsed, leaving only bone-chilling cold in my heart. I suddenly remembered two years ago when I finally relented and agreed to Victoria’s proposal. She was as happy as a child, throwing herself into my arms and swearing: “Theodore, I’ll spend my life protecting and loving you.” Diallo had also looked sincere: “Me too, Theodore. As your friend, I’ll protect you for life and never let anyone bully you.” Turns out their “lifetime” was surprisingly short. Just two years, and it shattered completely. I covered my tearful eyes and let out a shrill, desperate laugh. With trembling hands, I pulled open the drawer and took out the bottle of pills used to suppress phantom limb pain. I shoved the pills into my mouth. One handful, then another. Until the bottle was empty, not a single pill left. But the excruciating pain in my severed limb and heart didn’t lessen at all, as if it would devour me. My throat turned sweet, and I suddenly spat out several mouthfuls of blood. Hurried footsteps came from outside the door, followed by heart-wrenching shouts: “Theodore!”

When I opened my eyes again, I was already in the hospital. Beside me was Victoria’s exhausted, haggard face. Seeing me awake, she didn’t care for me warmly as she used to. Instead, she frowned impatiently, her voice hoarse: “Theodore, can you stop making a scene? Do you know Diallo was so scared when he saw you try to kill yourself that he fainted on the spot? He’s still getting IV fluids in the next room.” “Is your life the only one that matters? It’s been a month already. How much longer are you going to be suicidal like this?” I opened my mouth, but before I could speak. The door burst open. Diallo pointed at her angrily and snapped: “Victoria, who gave you permission to talk to Theodore like that! Are you looking to die?” Victoria, who had been full of cold severity just moments ago, instantly suppressed all her hostility. She obediently lowered her eyes, her expression impossibly soft, her tone cautious: “Are you feeling better? Do you need more rest? I can take care of Theodore.” Diallo shot back mercilessly: “You? What good are you?” With that, Diallo walked to my side. Seeing my pale face, his eyes instantly reddened. “You fool, why are you so pessimistic? Didn’t I tell you that you still have me? I’m your best friend. If something’s bothering you, talk to me.” I pulled a mocking smile. Diallo didn’t notice my unusual reaction and continued: “Theodore, you’ve suffered so much. Maybe you have too much bad luck. I bought you a cross necklace to ward off the bad energy…” “Get out.” Before he could finish, I cut him off. At the mention of the cross necklace, all those disgusting things he’d done flooded my mind, torturing my nerves. Reason drowned in rage. I shoved him away viciously. I grabbed whatever I could reach and hurled it at them. “Get out! Both of you get out!” “I don’t want to see you anymore!” Diallo stumbled back several steps from my push. He tried to come forward to comfort me, but was hit by something I threw. He clutched his face, his whole body trembling in pain. Victoria finally lost her temper. She pushed me hard. I lost my balance and my lower back slammed hard into the corner of the table. The pain made my vision go black. Before I could steady myself, Victoria had already pulled Diallo behind her, her voice wrapped in bone-chilling coldness: “Theodore, that’s enough! Diallo doesn’t owe you anything. He’s not your dog that you can hit and scold whenever you want. What gives you the right to hurt him!” Perhaps it was the urgency of the moment, or perhaps she was too lazy to keep pretending. This extremely intimate way of addressing Diallo slipped right out, smashing my heart until it bled. This scene was so familiar. When we first got together, I worried Diallo was lonely and couldn’t take care of himself, so I brought him food every day. Once I accidentally burned my hand, and Victoria rarely got angry. “Diallo, always Diallo. You’re not his dog. Why do you have to revolve around him every day?” Seeing my face darken, she threw herself into my arms and acted cute: “Theodore, I just don’t want you to get hurt because of him. It hurts me. Plus, you care about him every day—I’m getting jealous.” But now, the person she loved had changed from me to him. Seeing my face pale and unsteady on my feet. Diallo anxiously tried to rush over, saying with concern: “Theodore, don’t listen to her. I’m fine. You’re just in a bad mood. I understand.” But Victoria kept him firmly protected in her arms, not letting him get close to me at all. She was silent for a moment, her voice carrying a hint of pleading: “Theodore, I’m begging you. Diallo still had a fever yesterday, and today you scared him into fainting. Let him rest properly, okay?” With that, she forcefully pulled Diallo’s hand and turned to leave the hospital room. I bent over sharply and began retching violently. The pain in my heart and body intertwined, making me wish for death. After they left, I took out my phone and opened the home surveillance system. I’d installed this when Victoria used to travel for work and I was afraid to be home alone. Soon, she and Diallo appeared in the video, the image and sound crystal clear. Victoria couldn’t wait to pull Diallo into her arms, her hand sliding downward. Diallo seemed to resist but didn’t, twisting his body and dodging continuously. Victoria’s eyes reddened: “Diallo, don’t dodge. I’ve held back for a month. I miss you so much.” Diallo buried his face in her shoulder: “But Theodore is still in the hospital. How can we do this?” Victoria didn’t answer, just straddled his lean waist and kept moving. Soon, Diallo was gritting his teeth, flipping over to take control, thrusting forcefully. The ambiguous sounds penetrated through flesh straight to my heart. My tears flowed uncontrollably.

My vision gradually blurred. Sweet memories from the past surged up uncontrollably, stabbing me painfully. I’ll never forget how hard Victoria fought to marry me back then. Once, someone maliciously drugged her drink with a powerful aphrodisiac. When the drug took effect, she forcibly endured it, using a knife to cut herself to stay conscious. She’d rather soak in cold water all night than touch anyone who approached her. Afterward, she held me, deadly serious: “Theodore, I won’t touch anyone but you. For this lifetime, I’ll only be faithful to you.” I believed her. And Diallo was my other salvation. During a rafting activity in freshman year, I accidentally fell into the water. He jumped in without hesitation to save me. In junior year, my parents died in a plane crash. Overnight, I went from wealthy heir to orphan. It was Diallo who took me into his home without a word, staying with me day and night. I gave him everything I had in return. I don’t understand what I did wrong. That he had to take both my women. I understand even less. Why Victoria, who had loved me to the bone, would change just like Lamoris did. The next day, Victoria came to pick me up from the hospital. Before I could expose her, she grabbed my hand and apologized: “Theodore, I didn’t mean to yell at you yesterday. I was afraid that if you treated Diallo like that, he’d be disappointed and hurt and leave you. You don’t want to lose this friend, do you?” I coldly withdrew my hand. My gaze swept over the center console where a cake sat—my favorite flavor from before. My heart stirred slightly. I reached out to open it, but Victoria pressed down on my hand. Her tone left no room for argument: “Don’t touch it. I bought this for Diallo.” After a pause, she added consolingly: “If you want some, I’ll buy you another one tomorrow.” I calmly withdrew my hand. So even a piece of cake no longer had my share. When we got home, I excused myself to go to the bathroom. As soon as I pushed open the door, I saw a conspicuous pregnancy test. In an instant, my heart felt like it was being cut by knives. There was only one woman in the house. The pregnant one could only be Victoria. And I had lost my ability to have children, so the baby was Diallo’s? I opened the surveillance feed. Diallo’s trembling voice came through the video. “Victoria, how could I get you pregnant? Theodore just lost his ability to have children. How can I do this? I’m such a terrible friend to him.” Victoria reached out and hugged Diallo tightly: “Diallo, this isn’t your fault. This is our child—it’s fate. Theodore can’t have children. This is my only child.” Diallo was silent for a while, then took Victoria’s hand: “Victoria, will you marry me? You can’t keep me nameless and titleless like this. I know this is unfair to Theodore. We can compensate him in other ways.” After a long silence, Victoria said heavily: “Diallo, I don’t know…” My chest felt nothing but numbness. All the pain reached its peak in this moment, then strangely returned to deathly silence. At dinner, I looked at them and asked: “I saw a pregnancy test in the bathroom. Whose is it?” Identical panic appeared on both their faces. Diallo’s face went white. He stammered for a long time before squeezing out: “It’s my new girlfriend’s. There was an accident…” I suddenly laughed, my laughter full of mockery: “You have a girlfriend but won’t introduce her to me? And you secretly got her pregnant? Is your girlfriend that shameful?” I paused, my gaze sweeping over Victoria’s grim expression, my tone growing sharper: “You got her pregnant and won’t take responsibility? Diallo, since when did you become so spineless? Or are you the other man, clinging to some rich woman? If you ask me, this kind of relationship that can’t see the light of day should be ended as soon as possible, before it becomes an embarrassment.” Diallo’s face turned deathly pale, his body trembling continuously. Victoria slammed the table and stood up, shouting at me: “Theodore, shut up!” She violently smashed the plate in front of her on the ground. Ceramic shards bounced up, cutting several bloody lines across my face. “He’s your best friend! If you won’t help him, fine, but how can you be so aggressive and viciously slander him like this? Do you have no conscience!” Diallo reached out and tightly grabbed Victoria’s sleeve, shaking his head with tears in his eyes to persuade her: “Victoria, don’t be angry. I’m fine. Don’t blame Theodore…” One protecting him with fury, one appearing weak and wronged—they were like a pair of mandarin ducks being persecuted. And I had become the villain trying to tear them apart. In that moment, I suddenly felt incredibly exhausted, without even the energy to argue or expose them. I stood up, didn’t look at them again, and turned back to my room.

The next few days, the house was terrifyingly quiet. Until this day, when Diallo offered to accompany me to check on my amputated limb. After thinking for a moment, I agreed. I had already had someone draft divorce papers. Between Diallo and me, there should also be a reckoning. But I didn’t expect that just as the examination finished, two criminals suddenly abducted Diallo and me from the basement. When Victoria arrived after getting the news, the out-of-control criminals were pressing Diallo and me against the stairwell. Knife blades rested against both our necks. The slightest movement would mean torn flesh. Horror appeared on Victoria’s face. Her gaze locked on Diallo, her voice hoarse with panic: “If you dare hurt him, I’ll kill you!” Diallo trembled all over with fear, tears falling uncontrollably. The criminal was pushed to emotional madness by her threat. He shoved us both further toward the edge of the stairs, roaring threats. In the chaos, the criminal’s grip became unbalanced and he pushed us violently down the stairs. “No!” Victoria’s eyes bloodshot with fury, she lunged toward Diallo without hesitation. As she rushed over, I was just falling. Her sharp stiletto heel stomped viciously on my amputated limb as she ran frantically toward Diallo. Sharp, bone-piercing pain instantly swept through my body. The already fragile stump oozed blood from being stepped on. I tumbled down the stairs, convulsing in pain, curled up on the ground unable to move. She paid no attention at all, didn’t even glance down at me. She caught Diallo firmly in her arms, her heart and soul trembling: “Diallo! Don’t scare me!” She supported Diallo, her fingertips trembling, stroking his face over and over, her eyes full of fear. I reached out with difficulty. Every movement pulled at the excruciating pain in my stump. I called out to her weakly: “Victoria…” This time, could she please not abandon me again… But Victoria didn’t even spare me a glance. Supporting the semi-conscious Diallo, she stumbled toward the bottom of the stairs. Her shrill shouts echoed through the stairwell: “Diallo, I promise you, as long as you’re okay, I’ll marry you. From now on, I only want you, I’ll only love you.” I lay on the ground, watching her resolute departing figure, then slowly looked back at my mangled stump. Then my vision went black and I completely lost consciousness. When I woke up again, I was in the hospital. Diallo and Victoria were sitting by my hospital bed. Seeing me awake, Diallo excitedly leaned forward, “Theodore, you’re finally awake. You scared me to death.” Victoria also looked distressed, hastily apologizing: “I’m sorry Theodore. It’s not that I didn’t want to save you, it’s just that Diallo is physically fragile and can’t withstand injury, so I saved him first. You understand, right?” I pulled my lips into a slight smile: “Victoria, let’s get divorced.” She stumbled back two steps in disbelief: “Divorce? Theodore, what are you talking about? Just because of this small thing…” I raised my hand to interrupt her: “I know everything about you and Diallo. If we don’t divorce, are you planning to keep sneaking around with Diallo?” Both of them froze in place, the color draining from their faces.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “390575”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

After seven blind dates, all seven men ran away. They all ran off to chase my cousin, Vivian. My eighth blind date sent me a message at midnight: “Does Vivian have contact info for all your blind dates? She added me first.” A screenshot followed. In the screenshot, Vivian’s message to him read: “Just so you know, Peyton has a history of mental illness. Her family’s keeping it under wraps. Be careful.” I asked the previous seven men that same night. Vivian had told them all the same thing. I saved the screenshots and kept quiet. When the monthly family gathering came around, she walked in arm-in-arm with my sixth blind date. The entire table of relatives stood and applauded. Linda, my aunt, patted my hand with a sigh. “Peyton, you should learn from Vivian. Look how good she is at picking men.” I smiled and nodded. “You’re right. I should learn from her.” Then I picked up my wine glass and stood. “Vivian, in front of the whole family today, there’s something I’d like to ask you.” “You sent messages to all eight men. How come only one of them wanted you?”

“Peyton, what are you trying to say?” Vivian laughed first. A light laugh. She released Ethan’s arm, her fingertip pressed against the rim of her glass, her voice soft. “Today’s a family dinner. Don’t lose control of your emotions again.” Linda immediately chimed in. “That’s right, Peyton. Vivian just brought her boyfriend home. What are you freaking out about?” My dad, Harold, put down his fork. “Peyton, sit down.” I didn’t sit. I placed my phone on the turntable, screen lit, stopped on a screenshot. “I’m not freaking out. I’m asking a question.” Ethan’s expression changed. He was my sixth blind date. Three months ago he’d been asking if I wanted to catch a movie that weekend. The next day he said we weren’t compatible. Now he stood among my relatives wearing a light gray shirt Vivian had picked out for him. Vivian glanced at the phone but didn’t touch it. “Peyton, did someone turn you against me again?” “Are the screenshots fake?” “These days they can deepfake videos. What’s a chat screenshot?” “What about seven of them?” I opened my photo album and pulled up each of the seven screenshots one by one. “Seven people. Seven accounts. Seven times the exact same sentence. Even the punctuation’s identical.” My aunt, Catherine, muttered quietly, “Kids these days really know how to stir up drama.” Linda glared at me. “Even if Vivian said those things, she was just worried about them. That time you were hospitalized—who in this family doesn’t know about it?” My fingers froze. Around the table, some people looked down into their soup, some picked at their food, some pretended not to hear. My mom, Sandra, went pale. She reached for me. “Peyton, stop talking.” Vivian’s eyes welled up instantly. “Peyton, I really didn’t mean any harm.” After she spoke, tears fell. “I was just afraid they’d blame you later if they found out, and afraid you’d get hurt. Every time you came back from a date you said the guy was nice, but are you really suitable for marriage?” Ethan immediately supported her. “Vivian, don’t cry.” I looked at him. I remembered on our first date, he’d complimented my sincerity. Now he was frowning at me. “Peyton, Vivian’s just looking out for you.” “Looking out for me?” I smiled slightly. “She added you on Snapchat, told you I have a history of mental illness, then chatted with you until three in the morning—that was looking out for me too?” His face stiffened. “Don’t make things up.” Vivian wiped her tears. “Ethan was just asking about your situation. I told him the truth.” “And you just happened to turn him into your boyfriend while you were at it?” Linda slammed the table. “Peyton, how can you be so vicious? Your cousin has always given in to you, and you still try to steal her spotlight?” Harold’s face darkened. “Apologize.” I looked at him. “Dad, didn’t you see her telling people I’m mentally ill?” “You did go to the hospital when you were little.” “That was because I had insomnia after being bullied by classmates. The doctor prescribed two weeks of sleep medication.” “To outsiders it all looks the same.” I stood frozen in place. Vivian said through her sobs, “Harold, don’t blame Peyton. She probably just can’t accept that Ethan and I are together.” Ethan squeezed her hand. “Peyton, feelings aren’t first-come-first-served. Just because things didn’t work out between us doesn’t mean I can’t like Vivian.” I said, “Of course you can.” The table collectively exhaled. I continued. “But before you two date, let’s settle the accounts for her slandering me.” Vivian suddenly looked up. In those eyes there was no trace of tearful softness, only a flash of coldness. Quickly, she lowered her gaze again. “Peyton, if you insist on forcing me, then I can only tell the truth.” Sandra panicked. “Vivian!” Linda immediately pressed. “What truth?” Vivian bit her lip. “She cut her wrists in college.” The sound of a fork hitting the floor rang out loudly. I heard myself say, “I didn’t.” Vivian shook her head, crying. “Stop denying it. That year I came to see you at your dorm, I saw the gauze wrapped around your wrist with my own eyes.” I pulled up my sleeve. The very faint scar on my wrist was exposed. Linda gasped. “Oh my, it’s real.” Sandra’s eyes reddened. “That was from a fruit knife.” “A fruit knife could do that?” Vivian’s voice grew softer. “Peyton, I’ve been covering for you this whole time, but since you insisted on making a scene today, I have no choice.” Ethan’s eyes as he looked at me completely changed. “Peyton, what you need isn’t blind dates. It’s treatment.” In that moment, all the screenshots lost their weight. They couldn’t see the evidence. They only saw the scar on my wrist. Harold stood up, his voice very low. “Apologize to your cousin, then go to your room.” I asked, “What if I don’t?” He looked at me, saying something this serious in front of relatives for the first time. “Then from now on, you don’t need to come to the family table anymore.” Vivian called out softly, “Harold, don’t do this. Peyton didn’t mean it.” Harold didn’t look at her, only at me. “Apologize.” I picked up my phone. When I pressed the screen dark, it reflected my face. Turns out when someone’s trampled all the way down, they don’t immediately break down. They just suddenly become very clearheaded. I put my wine glass back on the table. “Vivian, I’m sorry.” Tears still hung at the corners of Vivian’s eyes, but her lips curved up slightly. I stared at her, my voice not loud. “I’m sorry. I underestimated you.” Her expression paused. Harold shouted angrily, “Peyton!” I turned and walked out. Behind me came Linda’s voice. “This child is truly beyond saving.” At the door, Ethan came after me. “Peyton, Vivian asked me to see you out.” I stopped. He frowned. “Stop targeting her. She’s kinder than you, and more normal than you.” I looked at him. “Ethan, do you feel especially righteous right now?” He said, “At least I won’t hurt someone who genuinely cares about you.” I nodded. “Fine. Then pass along a message for me.” “What message?” I tucked my phone back in my bag and pushed open the door. “Tell her she’d better not lose the eighth one too.”

“Peyton, Vivian added me again.” The next morning, my eighth blind date, Marcus, sent me a voice message. His tone was flat, no surprise in it. “This time she didn’t say you’re mentally ill. She said you have violent tendencies.” I stared at that voice message and didn’t reply. He sent another screenshot. Vivian: “She had an episode at the family dinner yesterday and almost smashed someone with a wine bottle. She’s done this before. Everyone in the family is afraid of her.” Marcus: “How do you have my contact info?” Vivian: “I’m her cousin. I can’t just watch you get deceived.” Marcus: “Are you close with her?” Vivian: “Of course. I care about her the most.” I turned my phone face-down on the table. Sandra came out of the kitchen and placed a bowl of oatmeal in front of me. “Peyton, Harold was harsh last night. Don’t take it to heart.” I asked, “Mom, do you believe her?” She paused. “Of course I believe you.” “Then why didn’t you say anything last night?” “There were so many people there, and Vivian was crying like that. You insisted on making it a big deal—what good would that do you?” I looked at that bowl of oatmeal. “She said I cut my wrists.” “But you do have a scar on your hand.” “That year I was cutting a mango and the knife slipped.” “I know.” “Then why didn’t you say so?” Sandra sat down, her eyes avoiding mine. “Vivian lost her father when she was little. Linda raised her alone—it wasn’t easy. She’s been competitive since childhood. She hates losing face most of all.” I laughed. “So it doesn’t matter if I lose face?” “Peyton, don’t fixate on this.” The doorbell rang. Linda came in with Vivian, carrying a bag of fruit. Vivian’s eyes were red and swollen. She’d obviously cried all night. Linda said as soon as she entered, “Peyton, your cousin insisted on coming first thing to apologize to you. Look how thoughtful she is.” Sandra quickly stood. “Vivian, sit down.” Vivian stood at the door, refusing to come in. “Peyton, I said some harsh things yesterday.” I didn’t move. “Which part?” She bit her lip. “The… the thing about your wrist.” “When you said I cut my wrists—was that being harsh, or was it slander?” Linda’s face darkened. “How can you talk like that? Your cousin already humbled herself.” Tears were about to fall from Vivian’s eyes again. “Peyton, if you really hate me, I can break up with Ethan.” Linda immediately exploded. “Break up for what? Ethan’s got such good prospects—why should she break up because of you?” Sandra panicked too. “Peyton, say something.” I asked Vivian, “Can you bear to?” She looked up at me, tears hanging there, but she herself was perfectly steady. “As long as you’re happy, I can bear anything.” After that line, Sandra couldn’t take it anymore. “Peyton, your cousin’s already doing this—what more do you want?” I said, “I want her to tell everyone who was at last night’s dinner the truth about those messages she sent, and the truth about how I got this scar.” The room went quiet for two seconds. Linda sneered. “You’re trying to destroy your cousin?” “Clarifying facts is destroying her?” “A girl’s reputation is so important. She still has to get married.” I looked up. “My reputation isn’t important?” Linda rolled her eyes. “You don’t even have a boyfriend.” The words came out so smoothly that even Sandra couldn’t follow up. Vivian said softly, “Peyton, if you really insist on this, I won’t stop you. But Ethan’s mother already heard about you last night. She added Linda and asked if you hurt people.” I picked up my phone. Sure enough, the family group chat had several new messages. Linda had posted a photo of my wrist. The angle was very close—must have been secretly taken at last night’s dinner table. The caption read: “It’s not that our Vivian talks nonsense. Peyton really does need the family to look after her more.” The relatives below all agreed. “No wonder seven blind dates didn’t work out.” “This kind of thing can’t be hidden from the man’s side.” “Vivian was just being kind.” My fingertips went stiff. Sandra said quietly, “Linda, how could you post that photo in the group?” Linda was unconcerned. “I was just reminding the family so nothing happens later.” I looked at Vivian. She kept her eyes down, her voice as light as a sigh. “I didn’t know my mom posted the photo.” I said, “You didn’t know?” Linda immediately defended her. “It has nothing to do with Vivian. I posted it.” Vivian looked up, a flash of triumph in her eyes. Her tactics had always been distinctive. When other people play the victim, they lower themselves. When she plays the victim, she elevates everyone else into her weapons. I opened the group chat, about to post the screenshots. Harold called. “Peyton, don’t make a scene in the group.” “Dad, did you see the photo?” “I saw it.” “Don’t you think it’s excessive?” “Linda was just anxious.” “Anxious to destroy me?” “Delete whatever you’re about to post in the group right now. My colleagues are in that group too. Don’t make me lose face with you.” I closed my eyes. “Dad, I’m already losing face.” He said, “You’re a girl. If your reputation gets damaged, it can slowly be repaired. If you ruin your cousin’s marriage prospects, Linda will hate you for life.” I asked, “What about you?” Silence on the other end. I finished for him. “You will too.” I hung up. Vivian looked at me and spoke gently. “Peyton, Harold’s just afraid you’ll be impulsive.” I put down my phone. “You’re not here to apologize. You’re here to confirm whether I’ll fight back.” She finally stopped crying. “Peyton, you always think the worst of everyone. No wonder no one dares get close to you.” Linda picked up the bag of fruit and set it heavily on the table. “We’re leaving this here. If you have any conscience left, stop making things hard for Vivian.” Before the door closed, Vivian looked back at me. Her voice was very soft, but just loud enough for me to hear. “The eighth one seems pretty nice too. If you really can hold onto him, don’t give me a chance to get to know him.”

“Peyton, come to the community clinic this afternoon.” Harold’s call came while I was meeting with Marcus. He sat across from me, phone screen facing up, showing Vivian’s fifth message. “She’s asking me if you brought any sharp objects to our meeting.” Marcus said this without smiling. I replied, “Are you scared?” “I’m just curious why she’s in such a hurry.” Before I could answer, Harold called again. “Did you hear me? Three o’clock this afternoon. Your mom will go with you.” “Go for what?” “A psychological evaluation.” My grip on my cup tightened. “Whose idea?” Linda’s voice came through the phone. “My idea—what’s wrong with that? You scared Vivian like that. Don’t you need an evaluation?” Harold lowered his voice. “Peyton, cooperate. Get a certificate proving you’re fine, and this whole thing will blow over.” I said, “The person who started the slander should apologize. That would make it blow over too.” “You’re still being stubborn?” I said nothing. Marcus looked up at me. “Need help?” I shook my head. Harold’s voice became very weary. “Peyton, don’t make this hard on your mom.” That sentence worked better than any command. I went that afternoon. The community center wasn’t large. Several elderly people sat in the hallway. Linda and Vivian were there too. Vivian wore a face mask, only her red eyes showing. Linda saw me and said, “Don’t glare at your cousin. She had nightmares last night and didn’t sleep all night.” Sandra pulled me aside. “Peyton, just answer a few questions and it’ll be over.” I asked, “Why are they here?” Linda said, “Family members have the right to provide information.” I said, “Since when is she my family?” Vivian said softly, “Peyton, I’m just afraid you won’t tell the truth.” The doctor called my name. I went in and sat down. Just as I was about to speak, the door was pushed open again. Linda handed a stack of papers to the doctor. “Doctor, this is her history. We family members compiled it.” I saw the title read: Record of Peyton’s Abnormal Behavior. Item one: Suspected self-harm during college. Item two: Prolonged low mood after failed blind dates. Item three: Attacked Vivian at family dinner, persecution delusions. Item four: Repeatedly harassed males, suspected paranoid personality. I reached for it. Linda pressed down on the papers. “This is for the doctor. Why are you grabbing?” The doctor frowned. “Family members, please step outside.” Linda refused. “Doctor, you don’t know how good she is at acting.” Vivian stood at the door, her voice trembling. “Doctor, can I stay? If she gets agitated, I can calm her down.” I looked at her. “You’ll calm me down?” Her eyes reddened again. “Peyton, don’t be like this.” In the end, the doctor asked them all to leave. After the door closed, he asked me, “Is this information accurate?” I said, “It’s not accurate.” “Do you have evidence?” “I have screenshots that prove she’s been messaging my blind dates with false information for a long time.” The doctor nodded. “You can file a police report or pursue civil litigation for defamation.” I’d just started to relax. Outside the door, shouting suddenly erupted. Linda’s voice was piercingly shrill. “She pushed someone! Doctor, she pushed Vivian!” I rushed out. Vivian sat on the floor, her wrist scraped red in one spot, her mask fallen off, tears streaming down. Sandra stood to the side, her face deathly pale. When she saw me, her first words were, “Peyton, why did you come out just now?” I froze. “I was inside the whole time.” Linda pointed at me. “You came out! You snuck out when the doctor wasn’t looking, yelled at Vivian, and pushed her!” I said, “There are cameras in the hallway.” Linda sneered. “The nurse just said this section of cameras is broken.” Vivian looked up, her voice breaking. “Peyton, I don’t blame you. You’re just too scared.” People around us all turned to look. Someone whispered, “That girl looks pretty normal. How could she do this?” The doctor came out, his expression changed too. “Peyton, calm down first.” I said, “I am calm.” Linda immediately jumped in. “She says she’s calm every time she has an episode.” Sandra covered her mouth, tears falling. “Peyton, I’m begging you, please stop this.” I looked at her. “Mom, you think I pushed her too?” She didn’t answer. Silence was the answer. I suddenly remembered many years ago, when my wrist was cut by the fruit knife. I was trembling in pain, and Vivian stood at the kitchen door crying. Linda rushed in and hugged her. “Don’t be scared, don’t be scared. Peyton didn’t mean to frighten you.” Back then my hand was covered in blood. No one asked if I was hurt first. Now it was the same. Vivian steadied herself against the wall and stood up. Ethan had somehow arrived and draped his coat over her shoulders. When he saw me, his eyes were full of disgust. “Peyton, you really make me sick.” I said quietly, “I didn’t push her.” “The cameras are broken. Of course you can say whatever you want.” Marcus’s call came through at that moment. I answered. Before I could speak, he said, “I’m at the entrance. Vivian sent me a message saying you’re at the hospital threatening suicide and told me not to come.” I looked up at Vivian. Her expression finally changed slightly. I asked into the phone, “Why did you come?” Marcus said, “To see how far one person can take their lies.” Before I could respond, Ethan suddenly snatched my phone and hung up directly. “Enough. Stop dragging innocent people into this.” I reached for it. He held the phone up high. “Apologize to Vivian first.” I said, “Give it back.” Linda blocked Vivian. “Apologize, or you’re not leaving today.” I looked at Sandra. She shook her head, crying. “Peyton, just lower your head.” In that moment, I really was backed into a corner. No cameras, no witnesses, not even my own family on my side. I slowly spoke. “I’m sorry.” Vivian lowered her eyes. “It’s okay. I forgive you.” I stared at her scraped wrist. “But you’d better remember—scrapes heal. Lies don’t.” Ethan tossed my phone back into my arms. “If you’re really sick, don’t drag other people down to rot with you.”

“Peyton, the company suspended you.” When my supervisor called, her tone was much more polite than usual. So polite that I immediately knew the news had spread. “What’s the reason?” “Someone reported to HR that you pose a serious psychological risk and might endanger client safety.” I sat at my desk. The voices of several nearby colleagues suddenly dropped. “Who reported it?” My supervisor sighed. “Go home and rest for now. Wait for the evaluation results.” “The evaluation results aren’t out yet.” “But they submitted documentation.” “What documentation?” “Records from the community center, and a joint statement from your family members.” I hung up and opened my email. The attachment HR sent included a scanned document. The title was neatly written: Statement Regarding Peyton’s Recent Abnormal Behavior. The signature section had Linda, Vivian, and Harold. Sandra’s name was there too. Those two characters were familiar. So familiar I could tell at a glance she didn’t write them. But the stamp was real. I clutched my phone and went to find HR. The HR manager closed the door, lowering her voice. “Peyton, personally I believe your work performance has been fine, but the company can’t take the risk.” I asked, “Who sent this?” She hesitated. “Someone named Vivian. She said she’s your cousin.” “She’s not my legal guardian.” “She provided your father’s signature.” “I can request a review.” “You can, but the process takes time. Also, you have a client coming this afternoon. She already contacted the client in advance saying you’ve been unstable recently.” I laughed. Vivian wasn’t just stealing my blind dates. She wanted to pluck me out of every place that could prove I was normal. My Snapchat buzzed. Vivian sent a voice message. “Peyton, don’t blame Harold and Sandra. I was the one who alerted your company. What if you have an emotional episode someday and hurt a client? You couldn’t handle that responsibility either.” I replied: “What do you want?” She quickly sent back text. “Come to my place tonight. In front of Linda and Ethan, delete the screenshots.” The next message was more direct. “Also, send Ethan a message saying you slandered me before out of jealousy.” I stared at the screen. Half a minute later, another message came. “If you don’t come, I’ll post about your evaluation in your company group chat.” I didn’t reply. At three o’clock in the afternoon, the client did come. He was the project lead I’d been working with for six months. His last name was Wilson. He usually spoke bluntly. His first words after sitting down: “Peyton, are you suitable to continue managing our account?” I said, “I am.” He looked at me. “Someone said you hurt people at a family gathering.” “I didn’t.” “Someone said you have a history of self-harm.” “I don’t.” “Someone said you harassed your blind dates and retaliated against female relatives.” I looked up. “Mr. Wilson, are you here to discuss the project or interrogate me?” He was silent for a few seconds. “I’m here to assess risk.” Colleagues stood outside the glass door watching. Those gazes weren’t sharp, but they were dense. My supervisor pushed the door open. “Peyton, step outside.” I didn’t move. Mr. Wilson suddenly pushed a piece of paper toward me. “Vivian said if we change account managers, she can introduce resources from her fiancé’s family to me.” I looked at that paper. On it was a client list written in Vivian’s handwriting. She was even poaching my clients. My supervisor’s face darkened. “Peyton, excuse yourself.” “Why should I be the one to excuse myself?” “Because you’re the one being complained about right now.” I stood up. When I reached the door, my phone rang. Marcus sent a video. In the video, at the side entrance of the community center hallway, Vivian crouched down by herself, scraped her wrist against the rough corner of a wall, then sat down on the floor as if on cue. The angle was very oblique, filmed from inside a car. He sent a message: “My car was parked at the back entrance. The dashcam caught it.” My finger hovered over the screen. This should be the first real piece of ammunition I’d gotten in days to hit back with. But before I could save it, Ethan called. I answered. “Peyton, come to Vivian’s place right now.” “What for?” “She took sleeping pills.” My mind went blank. “What did you say?” “She left a suicide note saying you pushed her to this, saying if she dies, she hopes you won’t hate her anymore.” My supervisor heard. Her expression changed instantly. The HR manager poked her head in from the doorway. “What’s going on?” I didn’t answer. I ran out. In the taxi, Ethan never hung up. “Peyton, are you satisfied now?” “Did you call an ambulance?” “We did.” “How many did she take?” “Now you’re scared?” “Ethan, answer me.” He sneered. “People like you only care about whether you’ll be held responsible.” When I got to Vivian’s place, the door was open. Linda sat on the floor crying. Ethan held Vivian. Her face was pale, but there were faint lipstick marks on her lips. Paramedics were checking her. I heard the nurse say, “Vital signs are stable. Probably didn’t ingest much.” Linda lunged at me and grabbed my hair. “You dare show up here! If anything happens to my daughter, I’ll fight you to the death!” She yanked me off balance. My phone fell to the ground. The screen was lit, stopped on the video page Marcus had sent. Vivian lay in Ethan’s arms, eyes half-open. She saw it. The next second, she suddenly reached out and stepped on my phone. The sound of the screen shattering was very soft. But I heard it crystal clear. She said weakly, “Peyton, stop trying to frame me with fake evidence.” Ethan shoved me away. “Get out.” I fell against the coffee table. My elbow started bleeding. Linda cried out, “Call the police! She drove my daughter to suicide!” I looked at the shattered phone, chaos ringing in my ears. The most crucial evidence had just gone black right before my eyes. Ethan looked down at me from above. “Peyton, from now on, who’s going to believe you?” Someone at the door responded, “I do.”

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After three years together, I stood by Ethan through his rise from nothing to a fortune worth millions. I thought our struggles were finally over, until I caught him shielding the company’s new intern in his arms, calling me a vicious shrew. For his so-called true love, he not only killed our child with his own hands, but threatened me with my parents’ lives to force me to leave with nothing. Just as my heart turned to ash, Ethan’s brother—Alexander, chairman of the Sterling Group—pulled me into his embrace. His eyes blazed with ruthless intensity. “Natalie, Ethan was never worthy of you! Marry me, and everything the Sterling family has will be yours!” Late into the stormy night, lightning flashed and thunder roared outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. I sat in the pitch-black living room, staring at the cold, untouched anniversary dinner on the table, my stomach cramping with waves of pain. The door lock clicked softly. The motion-sensor lights flickered on as Ethan walked in, dripping with rain. But he wasn’t alone—he was holding a soaking wet girl tightly in his arms. She wore an oversized men’s dress shirt that hung loosely on her frame—Ethan’s favorite custom-made piece. Like a frightened rabbit, she clutched his sleeve, pressing half her body against him. The moment the lights blazed on, Ethan saw me sitting on the sofa. A flash of panic crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by cold indifference. He didn’t let go of the girl. Instead, he pulled her behind him in a protective stance. “Natalie, why are you still awake?” His voice carried a hint of impatience. I didn’t answer. My gaze locked onto the girl. Her name was Bella. I recognized her. The new intern at Ethan’s company—a girl who posted on social media about being “poor but noble in soul.” “Mr. Sterling… did I upset Miss Carter?” Bella peeked out timidly, her eyes red-rimmed, her voice trembling like leaves shattered by the winter wind. “Miss Carter, please don’t misunderstand. The basement I’m renting flooded, and Ethan only brought me here to escape the storm because he felt sorry for me. I’ll leave right now…” She turned as if to rush back out into the torrential rain. Ethan grabbed her wrist and yanked her back into his arms. The momentum sent Bella crashing into his solid chest with a delicate gasp. Ethan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he turned to glare at me, his eyes instantly cold. “That’s enough, Natalie. Can you stop acting like some high-and-mighty princess? Bella is just a young woman fresh out of college. You’re scaring her.” Fury boiled over into bitter laughter. I slowly stood and walked toward them, step by step. The air carried his familiar cedar scent, now mixed with a cheap, cloying sweet perfume. The combination made me nauseous. “Ethan, today is our wedding anniversary.” I stared into his eyes, my voice eerily calm. “You brought another woman into our home, wearing your clothes, leaning against you, and then you say I’m scaring her?” Ethan’s brows furrowed deeply, irritation flashing in his eyes. “I told you, she had nowhere to go! You’ve lived in luxury your whole life. You have no idea how hard it is for people at the bottom. She has a high fever. Did you expect me to leave her on the street to die?” “Miss Carter, I’m so sorry, this is all my fault…” Bella suddenly burst into tears, reaching out to grab my sleeve. “Don’t touch me!” I jerked away from her hand. *Slap!* The sharp sound of the blow echoed through the silent living room. I didn’t hit her. Ethan did. He shoved me hard, pulling Bella protectively behind him. I stumbled backward, my lower back slamming into the hard marble bar counter. Searing pain instantly consumed my entire body. I looked up in disbelief at the man I’d loved for three years. There wasn’t a trace of guilt in Ethan’s eyes—only cold warning. “Natalie, I warned you. Don’t touch her.” In that moment, I heard my heart shatter. Three years. I’d stood by him as he climbed from a bankrupt rich kid to where he was today. For him, I’d threatened to end my life and severed ties with my parents. For him, I’d swallowed my pride and begged people who once looked down on him. I thought I was his safe harbor. But now, he was giving all his tenderness and protection to another woman. “Ethan,” I bit my trembling lip hard, swallowing the metallic taste of blood in my throat. “Do you think I can’t survive without you?” Ethan laughed coldly, looking down at me. “Isn’t that true? You were willing to die just to marry me back then. What’s with this act now?” He bent down and scooped up the shivering Bella, walking toward the guest room without looking back. “Clean up that disgusting mess on the table. Bella has a sensitive stomach. Make some oatmeal for her in the morning.” *Bang.* The guest room door slammed shut. I slid down onto the cold floor, clutching my aching abdomen as tears finally broke free. Originally, I’d planned to tell him tonight that I was pregnant. Now it seemed pointless.

The next morning, I didn’t make any oatmeal. I applied flawless makeup, changed into a designer suit, and sat on the sofa waiting for him. When Ethan emerged from the guest room, his clothes were disheveled, but his eyes held a satisfied, tender glow. When he saw me, the softness instantly vanished, replaced by cold formality. He sat across from me, pulled a document from his briefcase, and pushed it toward me. Divorce Agreement. “Sign it.” He lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and through the curling smoke, his features looked especially blurred. “Name your terms. As long as they’re reasonable, I’ll agree.” I stared at the black text on white paper, feeling utterly absurd. “Why?” My voice came out hoarse. Ethan was silent for a moment. He tapped ash from his cigarette, his tone as calm as if discussing the weather. “Natalie, the first half of my life was too hard, and the second half too smooth. You paved the way for me, and I’m grateful. But I’ve never experienced what real love feels like.” He looked up, his eyes carrying a cruel sincerity. “Until I met Bella. She’ll argue with security guards on the street over a homeless person. She’ll run across half the city to bring me a sandwich when I’m working late. She showed me what it means to find beauty in suffering.” “But you, Natalie—you’re too perfect. Perfect like a doll. Your love is full of calculation and charity. I’m sick of always being beneath you.” I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms, drawing blood. Calculation? Charity? To clear his parents’ names, I’d knelt at the victims’ families’ doors for three days and nights. To secure investment for him, I’d drunk until I had a stomach hemorrhage and was rushed to the ER. In the end, my devotion became “condescension” in his eyes, while Bella’s cheap sandwich was “true love born from hardship.” I grabbed the glass of water from the table and hurled it at his face. *Crash!* The glass shattered against the wall, grazing his brow and cutting it open. Blood immediately seeped out. “Ethan, you disgust me!” My whole body shook as I pointed at his nose. “You want love? Fine! Then give back everything you have now! Without me, you’d still be picking through garbage in the slums!” Ethan didn’t dodge. He let the blood flow, his eyes growing colder. “Natalie, you’re finally showing your true colors.” He pulled out a tissue and casually wiped the blood. “You always act like you’re doing me favors. Sign the papers. It’s better for both of us. Don’t make me go nuclear.” He stood up, glancing down at me dismissively. “Bella is still sleeping. Don’t disturb her. I’ll send my lawyer this afternoon.” With that, he strode out of the villa. I collapsed on the sofa, staring at the words “no-fault party” on the agreement, suddenly laughing hysterically until tears streamed down my face. I hated my own stupidity, and even more, his heartlessness. My hand moved to my flat abdomen as I took a deep breath. Baby, Mommy will take you away from this.

I didn’t sign the papers. Instead, I went straight to the hospital for a prenatal checkup. I was still torn about the pregnancy. This child couldn’t be born into a world filled with betrayal and disgust. But a part of me couldn’t let go. The day I went to the hospital, the sky was overcast and gloomy. Holding my registration slip, I sat alone in the long corridor of the OB-GYN department. Around me were expectant mothers accompanied by their husbands, all looking happy. Only I sat alone. “Oh my, isn’t this Miss Carter?” A saccharine voice shattered the quiet. I looked up to see Bella wearing a pure white maternity dress, holding an ultrasound report and standing before me with a smug expression. Her belly was still flat, but she deliberately supported her lower back with one hand, acting as though her child had secured her status. “Are you here for a checkup too, Miss Carter? All by yourself?” Bella covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes full of malicious challenge. “Ethan wanted to come with me, but he had an important meeting at the company. He insisted on hiring ten bodyguards for me. I told him it was such a waste of money.” I looked at her coldly, as if watching a clown. “Get lost.” I spat out the single word. Bella’s expression froze momentarily, then her eyes quickly reddened, tears falling like broken pearls. “Miss Carter, I know you hate me. But love doesn’t follow a first-come-first-served rule. Ethan doesn’t love you at all. He says being with you feels like completing a chore. Why do you keep clinging to him shamelessly?” She leaned closer, lowering her voice to a volume only we could hear, whispering viciously: “You know what? Ethan says you’re like a cold, dead fish. But me—I’m his real woman. I’m carrying his child now. What do you have to compete with me, you barren woman?” Rage instantly shattered through my rational defenses. I jumped to my feet, raising my hand to slap her. But before my hand could land, Bella suddenly screamed and threw herself backward like a kite with its string cut, crashing hard onto the cold floor. “Ah—my baby! It hurts so much!” She clutched her stomach, rolling on the ground in apparent agony. “Bella!” A furious roar came from the end of the corridor. Ethan charged over like a madman, shoving me aside. His strength was tremendous. Caught off guard, I flew backward, my lower back slamming brutally into the metal armrest of a corridor bench. *Bang!* A dull thud. Excruciating pain instantly tore through my nerves. My vision went black and I nearly passed out. “Bella, are you okay? Don’t be scared, I’m here!” Ethan knelt on the floor, carefully cradling Bella in his arms, his voice trembling uncontrollably. “Ethan… Miss Carter… she pushed me… our baby…” Bella weakly leaned against him, pointing at me, crying pitifully. Ethan whipped his head around, his eyes bloodshot, glaring at me like an enraged beast. “Natalie! You vicious woman! If anything happens to Bella, I’ll make you pay with your life!” I lay crumpled on the floor, drenched in cold sweat. A heavy, dragging pain seized my lower abdomen, followed by warm liquid slowly trickling down my inner thighs. I looked down with difficulty. Bright red blood—shockingly red—spread across the floor tiles. “Ethan…” I reached out with a trembling hand, trying to grab his pant leg. “My… child…” Ethan glanced at the blood on the floor, his eyes flashing with utter disgust. “Enough, Natalie! How long are you going to keep up this act? Faking a pregnancy for sympathy—you make me absolutely sick!” He scooped up Bella and rushed toward the emergency room without looking back. “Doctor! Please save my wife!” He called her his wife. People passed through the corridor, countless pairs of eyes looking at me with accusation and contempt. I lay in a pool of blood, feeling life drain away, my vision gradually blurring. In the last second before darkness consumed me, I saw a pair of polished designer shoes at the end of the corridor, running frantically toward me through the coldness.

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To make it to my childhood friend’s birthday party, fire captain Ethan Shaw locked me inside our house. And that day, a fire really did break out. I covered my nose and mouth and dialed my husband’s office, crying for help: “Help… I’m locked inside the house, the fire’s already spreading—” But the voice on the other end was ice cold: “Mrs. Shaw, Captain Shaw warned us in advance that you’d definitely report a false alarm today. Stop making a scene.” The call was disconnected. I dialed again. After verification, the dispatcher said hesitantly: “Ma’am, your number has been flagged for malicious emergency calls. We need to confirm with your family first.” When they called Ethan, he only said one thing: “She’s losing it. Ignore her.” Thick smoke filled the bedroom. I shattered the window and jumped from the second floor. I survived. But the doctor told me: “You were pregnant, but the baby didn’t make it.” “Help! My house is on fire! I’m locked inside!” I crouched in the corner covering my nose and mouth, dialing 911 over and over on my phone. The fire in the kitchen had already reached the upper cabinets. The range hood was making a piercing electrical noise, and thick smoke was rolling into the living room in waves. The call connected. I immediately said: “My house is on fire! The door’s been locked from the outside, I can’t get out! The address is—” I’d just finished giving the address when there was a pause on the other end, then a familiar male voice came on. “Mrs. Shaw, Captain Shaw said if you called tonight, you’d just be throwing a tantrum.” I froze. “It’s not a false alarm! There’s really a fire! The kitchen exploded, the door won’t open, please come quickly—” The person on the other end impatiently cut me off: “Mrs. Shaw, fire emergencies aren’t something to play around with. We’re very busy here.” The call was disconnected. I stared at the darkened screen, my fingers stiff. The next second, there was a “bang” from the kitchen, like something had exploded. The living room curtains instantly caught fire. A wave of heat hit my face. I was forced back two steps, then immediately dialed again. “I’m not joking! Please send a truck! I’m really going to die—” “Mrs. Shaw, Mr. Shaw already told us you’d act up today.” Beep— The call was cut off again. My phone immediately vibrated. It was a message from Ethan. [Emma, are you done yet?] [It’s just going to Violet’s birthday party. Do you really have to make a scene all the way to the fire department?] [If you keep this up, I’m not coming home tonight.] I stared at those lines, my throat tightening. The fire was real. And I really was about to die. But the fire department didn’t believe me. No—Ethan wouldn’t let them believe me. Gritting my teeth, I dialed 911 instead. “Emergency services, go ahead.” “Help… my house is on fire, I’m injured, I’m locked inside, please hurry…” The dispatcher quickly logged the information. “Please give the specific address.” As soon as I finished, the person paused for a few seconds, their tone changing. “Ma’am, the system shows you just had a suspected false report on record. We need to verify with your family.” My voice was hoarse: “I didn’t make a false report! I really am locked in my house!” “Please hold.” The line didn’t disconnect. A few seconds later, the dispatcher dialed another number. The background was noisy, with music playing and people singing happy birthday. Then I heard Ethan’s voice come through. “Is it her?” The dispatcher asked: “Sir, can you confirm if the patient’s current situation is accurate? She says there’s a house fire and she’s trapped—” “She’s throwing a fit.” Ethan coldly interrupted. “Don’t send a truck.” “Understood, sir.” The call ended. I clutched my phone, hearing my own labored breathing. Thick smoke poured in, choking me until I bent over, tears streaming down uncontrollably. The living room was already impassable, the door wouldn’t budge, and the kitchen fire was growing fiercer. If I stayed any longer, I’d be burned alive. I rushed into the guest bedroom and grabbed a chair, smashing it into the window. With a crash, glass shattered everywhere. This was the second floor. Below was a small street. Jump, and I might end up crippled. Don’t jump, and I could only wait to die. I gripped the window frame and shouted down: “Help! Fire! Help—” Someone looked up, someone stopped walking, and someone was shouting. The fire had rolled into the bedroom. The curtain edges were turning black, and the bedsheets were starting to smoke. I was out of time. I gritted my teeth, climbed onto the windowsill, closed my eyes, and jumped. The instant my back hit the ground, my whole body felt like it was splitting apart. Sharp pain shot through my leg bones and abdomen simultaneously, and everything went black. Chaos erupted around me. “Quick, call an ambulance!” “The upstairs really is on fire!” “She’s bleeding!” I lay on the ground, barely able to move, blood running down my legs. Before I lost consciousness, I was still clutching my phone tightly. The screen was frozen on the chat with Ethan.

“Mrs. Shaw, you’re awake?” I opened my eyes to a blinding white overhead. The doctor stood by the bed, medical chart in hand. “You have a fractured right arm, soft tissue damage in your left leg, inhalation injury, abdominal trauma, multiple abrasions and lacerations. You’re out of danger now.” My lips were dry, my throat so hoarse I could barely make a sound. “During emergency treatment, we discovered you were six weeks pregnant.” “But I’m very sorry—the baby couldn’t be saved.” I stared at the ceiling, a ringing in my ears. Pregnant. I’d actually been pregnant. Three years of trying to conceive, every treatment I’d tried. Each disappointment, I’d comfort myself that next time would work. But now, I’d finally conceived. And the child was gone. And the one who killed him was his own father. I turned my head, picked up my phone from the bedside table, and dialed Ethan’s number. It rang for a long time before he answered. The private room music was loud, glasses clinking and people laughing all mixed together. Violet’s voice was piercingly close. “Ethan, come help me cut the cake.” I gripped the phone, my voice hoarse: “Ethan, I’m in the hospital.” “So what?” His tone was perfunctory. “Are you done making a scene?” “I was pregnant.” The other end went quiet for a second. I continued: “The baby’s gone.” The next second, he actually laughed coldly. “Emma, you’re really something.” “First harassing my colleagues, then making false reports, now you’re even making up pregnancy and miscarriage?” “Why don’t you exaggerate a bit more and say you almost died?” I closed my eyes: “I jumped from the second floor.” “Keep performing.” He scoffed. “It’s Violet’s birthday today. You won’t be happy until you’ve ruined it, right?” My voice was soft: “Just come to the hospital and see for yourself.” “I don’t have time for your drama.” After saying that, he hung up directly. I put down the phone and opened social media. Violet had just posted a new update. In the photo, she sat in front of a birthday cake smiling radiantly, Ethan standing behind her, his hand on her birthday hat, his eyes as tender as if he were looking at a treasure. The caption read: [Someone said they’d spend every birthday with me from now on.] I looked at it for two seconds, then exited and messaged Lisa. [Help me draft divorce papers.] She replied instantly. [You’re finally ready to let go?] I replied: [The sooner the better.]

The next morning, the hospital room door was pushed open. Ethan had come. He was holding a bouquet of flowers, with Violet following behind him. When I saw the bouquet clearly, my fingers paused. Lilies. I’m allergic to pollen. As soon as Violet entered, she said with a smile: “Emma, Ethan brought me first thing in the morning to check on you.” Ethan walked to the bedside and carelessly tossed the flowers onto me. “Feeling better now?” The flower stems hit my chest, several petals falling onto my hospital gown. The pungent fragrance rushed over, immediately tightening my throat. I raised my hand and swept the flowers to the floor. “Take them away.” Ethan’s expression darkened. “What are you throwing a fit about now?” I looked at him: “I’m allergic to pollen.” He didn’t even furrow his brow. “Who remembers all that.” Violet immediately crouched down, picked up the flowers, and said in a soft voice: “Emma, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were allergic to lilies. It’s all my fault. I just wanted to buy the most fragrant ones.” After saying that, she leaned closer to me and spoke in a low voice: “But Ethan took me shopping at the baby store today. He said he loves children the most.” “Too bad some people just can’t get pregnant.” I raised my eyes to look at her. She was smiling, her eyes full of provocation. I grabbed the water cup from the bedside table and threw it directly at her. “Get out.” “Ah—” The cup smashed near her feet, water splashing everywhere. Violet screamed and immediately shrank behind Ethan. “Ethan, I just wanted to check on Emma…” “Shut up.” I stared at her. “This is a hospital room, not your stage.” Ethan grabbed my wrist, his face ashen. “Emma, can you act like a normal person?” I pulled my hand back and took out the divorce agreement from under the pillow, throwing it at him. “Sign it.” The room went quiet for a moment. Ethan looked down at it, his face darkening terribly. “Say that again?” “Divorce.” My voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear. “I don’t want the assets, I don’t want the house. I just want to be done with you.” A flash of joy crossed Violet’s eyes, but she hastily tried to persuade him: “Ethan, Emma just had a miscarriage, her emotions aren’t stable. Don’t hold it against her…” I suddenly looked at her. “How did you know I had a miscarriage?” Violet’s face stiffened. Ethan also turned to look at her. She quickly explained: “I… I guessed.” I let out a cold laugh and looked at Ethan: “Do you believe her, or the medical records?” He grabbed the agreement and tore it up bit by bit in front of me, paper scraps falling on my face. “Emma, threatening me with divorce won’t work.” “You want to make a scene, I’ll humor you. But don’t think I’ll indulge you forever.” I raised my hand to brush the paper scraps off my face, my voice turning cold. “Fine.” “Then I’ll see you in court.”

On the third day of hospitalization, the doctor finally relented and agreed to let me be discharged for home recovery. He said I had a leg bone fracture, abdominal soft tissue contusion, had inhaled quite a bit of smoke, and needed at least another week of observation. But I didn’t agree. I just asked quietly: “Can I leave now?” The doctor looked at me for a long while, then finally closed the medical chart, his tone cooling: “You can sign the papers, but if anything happens after discharge, you bear the consequences.” I said: “Okay.” When Lisa came to pick me up, she was still carrying a stack of freshly printed materials. Divorce agreement, asset division list, draft complaint. She placed the items in my lap, her gaze falling on my leg in its plaster cast. She held back once, twice, but finally couldn’t help herself: “Emma, have you really thought this through? In your condition—” “I can’t wait.” I interrupted her. My throat, damaged by the smoke, still carried a tearing hoarseness when I spoke. “The property management just called. They said the fire scene has been logged. Residents can go back to inventory their belongings. If I wait any longer, once they start cleaning up and repairing, my things will be even harder to find.” Lisa frowned: “Are you sure there’s anything left?” I lowered my eyes to the documents on my lap, my fingers slowly tightening. The fire had started in the kitchen. That night when the fire was at its worst, the kitchen, living room, and guest bedroom were almost completely destroyed. The walls were scorched black, curtains and furniture burned and curled, even the floorboards were warped from water damage. But the fire department had extinguished it relatively quickly. The master bedroom hadn’t been completely burned through—it had only taken in smoke, and most of what was in the cabinets should still be there. My ID, household registration, property deed. And the wooden box my mother had left me. Inside were her belongings, the only things I couldn’t bear to damage all these years. More importantly, all the original documents I needed to file for divorce were in there. One step later, who knows if I’d still be able to get them back. “Let’s go there first.” I raised my head and looked at Lisa. “I’ll leave right after I get them.” Lisa was silent for a few seconds, but finally sighed and helped me into the car. After the car pulled out, she kept her eyes on the road ahead while saying in a low voice: “The spare key is with the property manager. Don’t worry, I’ll go in with you. I won’t let you stay there alone for too long.” I hummed in acknowledgment and turned to look out the window. The afternoon sky was heavily overcast, the roadside plane trees rustling in the wind. The sunlight clearly wasn’t harsh, yet my eyes still felt gritty, as if the smoke from the fire had left a residue that wouldn’t dissipate. That house—I had once spent a long time decorating it. The color of the sofa, the style of the dining table, the pattern of the curtains, that warm lamp in the living room, even every single dish in the kitchen—I had picked them all out one by one. I thought it was home. Later I learned it was just a house I’d funded, worked on, invested my feelings in, only to have someone else move into it in the end. And now, going back wasn’t about “going home.” I just needed to take out what belonged to me before everything completely rotted away. When the car stopped downstairs, the wound on my leg was already throbbing with dull pain. Lisa got out first and came around to help me. The stairwell still carried the faint burnt smell left after the fire. A new safety inspection notice from the property management was posted on the wall, abandoned debris bags were piled by the elevator entrance, and the air was damp and oppressive. I slowly climbed the stairs. Each step felt like my abdomen and back were being torn open again. Lisa was afraid I couldn’t handle it and cursed under her breath: “That bastard better never fall into my hands.” I said nothing. When we reached the door, she inserted the spare key from the property manager into the lock and turned it gently. The door opened. What hit us wasn’t just the lingering burnt smell. There was also a thick, stifling smell of alcohol. My brow twitched. Lisa froze too, instinctively reaching out to block me. The living room was even more devastated than I’d imagined. Large patches of gray-black smoke stains still marked the walls. But in this place that had nearly burned me to death, the table was littered with empty bottles, takeout containers, and ashtrays. A woman’s shawl and stockings were thrown on the sofa, along with a pair of glaringly bright red-soled high heels. It was as if someone had turned this post-fire disaster zone into a pleasure den. I gripped my crutch tighter and tighter, my knuckles turning white. Lisa’s expression also darkened as she muttered: “She really moved in?” I didn’t respond, just propped myself against the wall and walked step by step toward the master bedroom. The door was ajar. Inside came the sound of light breathing. The moment I pushed the door open, I froze completely. On the master bedroom’s large bed, Violet was sleeping wrapped in my comforter. She was wearing my nightgown, her hair spread across my pillow, and on the nightstand sat half-drunk milk and unopened imported fruit. She looked exactly like the mistress of this house. And I stood at the door with my leg in a brace, pale-faced, still carrying the faint smell of disinfectant and smoke, as disheveled as an intruder who’d stumbled in by mistake. Probably hearing the noise, Violet slowly opened her eyes. When she saw me, she first looked startled, then raised her hand to touch her flat abdomen and gave me a lazy smile. “Emma, you’re out of the hospital.” Her tone was as light as if she were greeting an uninvited guest. “Why didn’t you say something ahead of time? Ethan’s not here today, no one made you soup.” Lisa angrily stepped forward: “Do you have no shame—” I raised my hand to stop her, but my gaze was locked on Violet. She sat up from the bed, deliberately pulling the comforter up around her shoulders, exposing the ambiguous red marks on her collarbone. Men’s clothing was scattered at the foot of the bed. I didn’t need to look to know whose it was. She followed my gaze and her smile deepened. “Don’t look at me like that.” She said softly. “Last night Ethan was afraid I’d sleep poorly alone, so he specially came back to keep me company.” My chest felt like something had stabbed it hard, the pain numbing. Last night. When I jumped from the second floor and lay in my blood waiting for the ambulance, he was celebrating Violet’s birthday. And now, having barely salvaged half my life from the fire, he’d let her sleep in my bed. I stared at her, my voice terribly hoarse: “Get up.” Violet tilted her head as if she hadn’t understood. I immediately spotted the pale yellow blanket beneath her. That was the baby blanket I’d bought for our future child. Now it was covered in red wine stains and a large patch of vomit. My expression went cold. “Get up.” Violet looked down at the blanket and laughed. “It’s just a blanket. Why are you so worked up?” I walked over and yanked the blanket out from under her, holding it to my chest. The blanket was filthy beyond recognition, its edges burned through by cigarettes. Violet nearly fell off the bed, her expression changing too. “Emma, are you sick?” I held the blanket and turned to leave. But she stood up and blocked my way, her voice dropping: “Do you really think you’re still anything?” “Ethan doesn’t love you anymore. He just doesn’t.” “While you were in the hospital, he took me to dinner, shopping, stayed overnight with me. When you were lying in that hospital bed miscarrying, he was buying me breakfast.” “Tell me, what are you?” Lisa had already raised her phone to record. “Keep talking.” She said coldly. “Say more, save you from denying it later.” Seeing the camera, Violet’s eyes flashed. She suddenly raised her hand and slapped herself twice hard, then sat down on the floor. Tears instantly started flowing. “Emma, I already apologized. Why did you still hit me?” “I didn’t mean to sleep in your bed, I really didn’t mean to—” At that moment, the door was violently pushed open. Ethan had returned. He’d just finished a call-out, hadn’t even changed out of his firefighter uniform, sweat still on his forehead. As soon as he entered, he saw Violet sitting on the floor covering her face and crying. “Violet!” He rushed over in a few strides and helped her up. Violet grabbed his sleeve, crying so hard she could barely breathe: “Ethan, don’t blame Emma… it’s all my fault, I shouldn’t have touched her things…” Lisa immediately spoke up: “I recorded the whole thing, she just—” “Shut up!” Ethan didn’t listen at all. He turned and slapped me across the face. “Smack—” I was knocked into the cabinet, my fractured arm immediately shooting with pain. The blanket in my arms fell to the floor. Lisa was furious: “Ethan! Have you lost your mind? She just got out of the hospital!” But Ethan stared at me, grinding his teeth: “Apologize to Violet.” I steadied myself against the cabinet and slowly stood up, blood at the corner of my mouth. “You want me to apologize to her?” “Yes.” He stared at me. “I’m counting to three.” “Three—” I bent down to pick up the divorce agreement from the floor, shook it out, and held it in front of him. “Ethan, let’s divorce.” He snatched it away and tore it up again. “I told you, I won’t sign.” “Then I’ll file in court.” After saying that, I picked up my suitcase and walked out. Just as I reached the door, a sudden sharp pain shot through my abdomen and everything went black. Cold sweat instantly broke out on my back. Lisa’s face changed: “Emma!” I gripped the door frame. My legs gave out and I collapsed straight down. Before losing consciousness, I heard her shouting: “Call an ambulance! She’s hemorrhaging!”

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At the wedding, when the couple was exchanging vows, Sebastian suddenly spoke up: “Mila, the truth is, the person I really want to marry is Vivian.” “Last night, she cried her heart out, saying she couldn’t live without me, begging me to stay with her. I was soft-hearted, so in our wedding bed, I slept with her.” “We grew up together. If my parents hadn’t objected, I would have married her long ago.” “We can continue with the wedding, but I want to transfer all our joint assets to Vivian’s name. You’re lucky—you have wealth and a family that loves you. But Vivian has nothing. She only has me. Even if I marry you, I can’t abandon her.” I froze, unable to believe my ears. Years ago when the Foster family went bankrupt, it was my family, the Rivers, who emptied our coffers to help them rise again. How sincere our feelings had been back then, how sweet his promises had sounded—all of it was now overturned by these few sentences. At that moment, Vivian walked onto the stage and gripped my hand tightly. “Mila, I shouldn’t be saying this at a time like this, but love can’t be forced. Sebastian and I share true love.” Sebastian’s face turned cold as he pulled her into his arms. “Don’t be afraid. If she doesn’t agree, we won’t go through with this wedding.” I laughed bitterly in my rage. “What a coincidence. Last night, someone also told me they couldn’t live without me and begged me not to get married.

Sebastian glanced at me and laughed mockingly. “Mila, don’t make such pathetic jokes. You’re not the type to cheat.” He was right—I didn’t cheat in the end. But my loyalty to my partner now made me look like a complete fool. I stared daggers at Vivian Foster. She was Sebastian’s adopted sister. At this moment, leaning against Sebastian, she looked fragile and pitiful. Once upon a time, I’d also thought she was pitiful. Bang! I hurled my bouquet into Vivian’s face. Petals scattered everywhere, and her face was scratched, leaving visible blood marks. Sebastian’s expression instantly turned dark and terrifying. “Mila Rivers, what the hell is wrong with you?” I laughed—a laugh that sounded like crying. “Vivian, haven’t I been good enough to you?” “You wanted a limited-edition bag, so I canceled my work and flew to Paris to buy it for you. You said you wanted to study acting, so I spent money networking for you, drinking until I had a bleeding stomach…” “Whatever you wanted, I gave you. Sebastian said he only saw you as a sister, so I loved you like my own sister. I was even planning to hand my bouquet directly to you, just hoping you’d find happiness!” “I’ve been so good to you—why would you destroy my happiness?” Vivian’s eyes reddened, and she began to explain tremulously: “Mila, I’m sorry… I don’t have your privileged background. I’m just the Foster family’s adopted daughter. I have low self-esteem, I’m oversensitive, I didn’t know Sebastian felt this way about me…” She dropped to her knees with a thud and began slapping herself. “Not until you two were about to get married did I have the courage to live for myself once. If you want to blame someone, blame me. Don’t blame Sebastian—he’s innocent…” Sebastian scooped her up in his arms and glared at me furiously. “Apologize to her, Mila. I want you to post an apology to her on social media by tomorrow.” “She did something wrong—why should I apologize?” A sour feeling surged up my throat in waves. Only then did I realize I could barely stand. Sebastian’s cold gaze swept over me, brooking no argument. “I’m the one who wronged her. She’s too fragile. Just let it go.” Then, just like that, he carried Vivian away without looking back.

The noise around me was deafening, but I couldn’t hear anything. His words echoed endlessly in my ears until I caught sight of a streak of bright red blood. Looking down, I discovered my wedding dress was already drenched in blood. Pain—so much pain. Blood gushed from my abdomen in waves. I clutched my lower abdomen and crouched down with difficulty. Inside me was a three-month-old baby. I had fertility issues. For this child, I’d endured countless injections and suffering. Back then, Sebastian had gently caressed my belly. “Mila, this baby is hard-won. We should treasure it.” But before I could even process my grief, people hurriedly helped me into an ambulance. There was another person lying in the ambulance. My hearing returned at that moment. I heard them say: “Mila, your grandfather couldn’t handle the shock from earlier. He had a stroke.” Blood trickled from Grandfather’s mouth. Gasping for breath, he gripped my hand, trembling uncontrollably. Even in this state, he still tried to comfort me. “Mila, call Sebastian back. There must be some misunderstanding between you two. Once it’s cleared up, everything will be fine. Once it’s cleared up, I can die without regrets…” I was Grandfather’s most beloved granddaughter, and Sebastian was Grandfather’s favorite young man. Our meeting was even arranged by Grandfather. He’d always praised Sebastian endlessly. When Foster Corporation went bankrupt, he’d emptied his coffers to help, forcibly pulling the company back from the brink. Looking at his weakened state, I knew he didn’t have much time left. Without hesitation, I called Sebastian. After three calls, he finally picked up. “Grandfather… Grandfather doesn’t have much time left. Can you please come see him one last time!” My choked voice formed a stark contrast to his angry tone. “Mila Rivers, since when did you start lying too?” “I already said at the wedding—if you want the wedding to continue, transfer all joint assets to Vivian’s name…” “I agree! Just please say in front of Grandfather that you’re still willing to marry me!” “Too late, Mila. I want to cancel our engagement.” “I did have some feelings for you, but I just figured it out. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Rather than keeping you around to disgust Vivian, I’d rather just marry her.” I don’t remember how I ended that phone call. I only remember that until Grandfather closed his eyes, I didn’t dare look him in the face. The doctor told me to watch my diet, but I got blackout drunk instead. In the past, if I came home even a little late, Sebastian’s concerned calls would flood in. “Mila, almost home?” “Mila, let me come pick you up.” But today my phone was so quiet it felt unsettling. What arrived before any call was a divorce agreement Sebastian sent, along with a string of cold text. “Sign it. There’s five million in the account. If it’s not enough, I can add more. Mr. Rivers helped me considerably, so consider this repaying his kindness.” “But Vivian doesn’t owe you anything, so you still need to apologize to her.” My vision went black for a moment. Money was the one thing I never lacked. In a single day, I’d lost both family and my child, and the person responsible was trying to use money to force me to back down. “I should congratulate you both. Hope you two lovebirds stay locked together forever!” After cursing a few times, I blocked Sebastian on Snapchat. But my heart felt suddenly lost, not even knowing where I belonged next. I’d been raised by Grandfather since childhood. Sebastian was the partner Grandfather had chosen for me. Grandfather was dead. Sebastian didn’t want me anymore. What came next? Where was my home? Under the influence of alcohol, after wandering around, I somehow ended up back at the Fosters’ new house.

I wanted to take all my belongings away, but when I actually arrived, I discovered this house was connected to me everywhere. The furniture was selected by Sebastian and me together. Even the wall colors were my favorites. Back then, we’d nestled together, envisioning our future, adding to this space bit by bit according to our preferences. Before I knew it, I’d walked to the bedroom door. The man’s panting, the woman’s moaning—everything told me I shouldn’t linger here. Yet somehow I pushed the door open. The answer was exactly as expected. The air was thick with chaotic scents. Men’s suits and women’s lace were tangled together. Vivian screamed in panic. Sebastian quickly grabbed the blanket and covered her. His shoulders heaved violently. He was like a powder keg about to explode. “What the hell are you doing?” Only a door separated us. Outside was my world, but inside I felt like an intruder who shouldn’t be there. I realized I really had gone mad. I didn’t question them. I just smiled faintly. “Sebastian, if this is how you feel about your adopted sister, why did you deceive me in the first place?” Veins bulged on Sebastian’s forehead. His voice kept rising: “Who gave you permission to come here? Get out!” As he commanded, I left the villa in a daze, taking nothing with me in the end. Under the influence of alcohol, a person’s senses become abnormally slow. In my daze, I heard Vivian’s soft voice behind me. “Sebastian, I’ll follow Mila. Can’t have anything happen to her this late at night.” Then, in a blur, she slapped me hard across the face. She’d completely abandoned her sweet demeanor, now looking hideous. “This is for the slap you gave me during the day. Now I’m returning it.” My face swelled quickly, burning with pain. She grabbed my hair and sneered in my ear. “Mila Rivers, do you know how much I’ve envied you? You have so much money, and I have nothing.” Her lips curved slightly upward. “What a shame. Sebastian loves me most. This time, I won.” Something dripped down from the corner of my eye. I touched it—tears. “So you stole him from me just because you were jealous?” “That’s right. Why do you always act so high and mighty? Seeing you this pathetic makes me happy.” I turned my head away, unwilling to argue with her. But she forced me to face her. “Let me tell you a secret. I’ve already begged Sebastian to buy the cemetery plot where your grandfather is buried. I’m going to turn it into an amusement park so it’ll be noisy all the time and your grandfather will never rest in peace.” My brain exploded with a “boom.” My parents died when I was young. Grandfather raised me. Grandfather built his fortune from nothing. His dying wish was to return to his roots, so after a simple funeral, I buried him in the vegetable garden on the hillside. My entire body trembled violently. I lunged at her without thinking and grabbed her by the throat. “I won’t allow it! I won’t allow you to desecrate my grandfather like this!” I didn’t come to my senses until someone punched me to the ground. Several bodyguards who’d rushed over looked at me with malicious intent. “This doesn’t seem right. She’s still the Rivers family heiress.” “A fallen phoenix is worse than a chicken! With Mr. Rivers dead, Rivers Corporation is leaderless now. In a few days, Mr. Foster will probably acquire it anyway.” “Didn’t Miss Foster say this woman is ours to do with as we please?”

I struggled to run, but they forcibly pinned me to the ground. Vivian grabbed my hair and stepped on my face. My consciousness dissolved in blood and tears. My vision blurred into a sheet of red. They tore at my clothes, toying with me like a completely broken plaything. In my stupor, Sebastian’s face became strangely clear. One moment, sunlight fell on his handsome face as he smiled and greeted me. The next moment, he gripped Grandfather’s hand, telling him to rest assured he’d never let us down. Fireworks exploded above our heads. Usually so reserved, he kissed me frantically: “Mila, I love you. I love you most. I’ll always love you.” Blood pooled in one place. I don’t know where I found the strength, but just before they succeeded, I pushed them away violently. I’d never been this disheveled before. My clothes were in shreds. My bare feet were covered in blisters from being scraped by stones. It hurt so much, but I couldn’t worry about the pain. I ran forward desperately. I fled, and a crowd chased behind me. Vivian’s mocking voice kept coming from behind. “Mila Rivers, I did it on purpose. I just wanted to see you fall into the mud.” “Sebastian loved you so much, but I got him with just a crook of my finger. There’s no place for you in the Foster family. The Rivers family is barely hanging on. Where else can you go?” She was right—I had nowhere to run. I’d been forced to a dead end. Ahead was rushing river water. Behind were people closing in step by step. Vivian panted from exhaustion. “Mila Rivers, stop struggling. You have nowhere left to retreat.” I lowered my eyes and laughed mockingly at myself. Life was truly full of ups and downs. Yesterday I was still looking forward to a happy married life, and today all that remained was fear, humiliation, and tears. Sebastian, if there’s another life, I never want to meet you again. With a splash, water rushed in from all directions, flooding my ears, mouth, and body. I didn’t struggle. I let my body sink continuously. Suddenly, a pair of warm hands pulled me upward. Before losing consciousness, I heard a clear voice: “Mila, stop loving my brother. Love me instead from now on, okay?”

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At my birthday party, my fiancé’s widowed sister-in-law Lira announced to everyone: “I’m pregnant, and the child is Kael’s.” Kael, my fiancé, the current Alpha of Blackrock Pack. I looked at Kael, waiting for him to deny it, but he lowered his eyes and nodded coolly: “The child is mine. My brother died under Rogue claws trying to save me. I owe him my life, so now I’m giving him a child in return. Consider it repayment.” Then he finally raised his head to look at me, without a trace of apology in his eyes: “But Lira and I are innocent. This child is from IVF. Our wedding will be postponed. We’ll decide what to do after she gives birth.” Later, I heard Kael and Lira having sex in the study. So the so-called innocence was all a lie. My heart shattered in an instant. Numbly, I dialed my father’s phone. “Dad, about the arranged marriage you mentioned before—I agree.” The moment I hung up, I turned around to see Lira standing in the shadows of the corridor. She leaned against the stone wall, toying with a delicate porcelain cup in her hands. “Elara,” she held the cup out to me, “help me take this herbal tea to the kitchen and warm it up. It’s gone cold.” That arrogant manner, as if she were already the Luna of Blackrock Pack. I glanced at her deliberately loosened collar and sneered: “Are your hands broken?” She’d ordered me around like this plenty of times before, using various trivial matters to test my boundaries. Back then, for Kael’s sake, I’d endured it all. But now that I’d agreed to my father’s arranged marriage, I didn’t need to tolerate her for another second. Lira didn’t get angry. Instead, she moved closer and lowered her voice: “I heard everything you said to your father on the phone.” My eyes sharpened. She smiled even more sweetly, her hand slowly covering her abdomen: “Since you want to leave, I’ll help you out.” The next second, she suddenly grabbed my wrist and threw herself toward the ground. A dull thud—she fell onto the stone floor. And I was violently pushed to the ground by a sudden force. A piercing pain shot through my ankle where my old injury was. Six months ago during the winter hunt, Kael had led a squad deep into the border and been ambushed by dozens of rogues, suffering severe injuries. I’d dragged him—twice my weight—out of the ambush circle, killing our way through. But at the last moment, a rogue hiding in the shadows shot a silver arrow into my ankle. The doctor said the silver weapon was soaked in wolf’s bane, enough to kill a full-grown adult wolf. I’d endured the excruciating pain and dragged Kael back from death’s door. When Kael woke up then, he held my trembling body with tears in his eyes: “Elara, you gave me this life. I’ll never let you get hurt again for as long as I live.” But now? The moment anything involved Lira, he completely lost control. He rushed over and without asking whose fault it was, shoved me to the ground. Then he turned to help Lira up, gently asking if she was hurt. He didn’t spare me a single glance as I trembled in pain. Lira nestled pitifully in his arms, pulling his hand to cover her abdomen as she complained tearfully: “I just asked Elara to warm up some herbal tea for me, and she pushed me down.” Kael glared at me viciously and roared: “Do you know how much suffering Lira has endured to preserve a bloodline for my brother? How can you be so vicious as the future Luna of the Pack? If anything happens to this child, our engagement is over!” I forced myself to smile through the searing pain in my ankle: “If she wants to get pregnant, why bother with artificial insemination? You could just sleep with her directly. You’d both enjoy it and get a baby. Wouldn’t that be more convenient?” Kael’s face turned livid with anger. “Elara, when did you become so vulgar? This is my sister-in-law. I won’t allow you to insult her like this!” Lira buried herself in Kael’s arms, crying even harder, her shoulders trembling slightly. I pulled out a bitter smile and said to Kael, “Let’s break off our engagement.” Lira made a show of trying to get out of Kael’s arms, but he held her even tighter. “Kael, don’t blame Elara. I just felt dizzy and lost my balance. I’m fine—go comfort Elara.” Kael patted her back soothingly, then turned to me coldly: “Elara, when will you be as sensible as Lira?” Lira suddenly gasped softly, clutching his sleeve weakly: “Kael, my stomach hurts so much. Can you carry me back to the bedchamber to rest?” As soon as she finished speaking, Kael immediately scooped her up and rushed toward the bedchamber without the slightest pause. I couldn’t hold it in anymore and shouted at his retreating back: “Kael, are you blind? My wolf’s bane injury has relapsed—can’t you see?” He only paused for a second, then carried Lira away even more determinedly without looking back. My throat tightened, and tears fell uncontrollably. I could only support myself against the stone wall and limp back to my guest room to treat my wound. All night long, Kael never showed up. Well, in the past whenever we fought, I was always the one who gave in first, the one who went to comfort him. But not this time. Never again.

Late that night, the pain kept me from sleeping, so I decided to go for a walk in the garden. As I passed Kael’s study, I saw the light was still on inside. I hadn’t planned to stop, but the voices inside made me freeze. Lira’s voice was soft and tearful. “Kael, I keep having nightmares tonight, dreaming of the day Rurik left, covered in blood…” She choked up. “Can you let me stay here for a while? I feel so cold alone in the bedchamber.” After a brief silence, Kael’s voice sounded, low and restrained: “Have a maid keep you company. It’s not appropriate for me to stay with you.” “I don’t want a maid.” “Kael, you smell like Rurik. It soothes my heart.” Hearing Lira’s words, my heart clenched violently. Lira didn’t wait for Kael’s response and continued: “I don’t have any other intentions. I just want this child to be close to his father.” “Feel this—he’s already moving. Kael, you promised Rurik you’d protect us, didn’t you?” Standing at the door listening to their conversation, I hazily recalled the five years I’d been with Kael. Kael and I had been through countless things together, but he’d never had sex with me. He said he wanted to save the most sacred act of making love for our wedding night. I believed in his restraint, believed he would keep his boundaries. But even if Kael hadn’t crossed the line, he still had a child with Lira. That fact alone was like a knife stabbing into my heart. I still remembered five years ago, the first time I saw Kael at the academy training grounds—I fell for him at first sight. Kael was the most dazzling presence at the academy then, never lacking admirers. But I knew he had a thorn in his heart. After his brother died, everyone said he only became Alpha because of his brother’s death. He desperately wanted to prove himself, but always lived in the shadow of not being as good as Rurik. So I hid my identity as the only daughter of Whitepeak Pack’s Alpha and pretended to be a lone wolf. I pursued him for half a year before he finally agreed to be with me. He hated being deceived, so when he found out I was the heir to the most powerful pack in North America, he was angry with me for half a month. I coaxed him for a long time before he finally forgave me. Back then, my whole heart and eyes were filled with him. Whatever he said, I agreed to. He said he didn’t like me using Whitepeak Pack’s resources, afraid people would say he was living off me, so I put away all the premium herbs my father sent. He said he wanted to establish himself on his own merit, so I only helped him quietly behind the scenes, not daring to let him know. The only time he actively asked for help was during the winter when Blackrock Pack had internal rebellion. At that time, Blackrock Pack faced both internal and external troubles. I pestered my father until Whitepeak Pack provided Blackrock Pack with supplies to get through winter, helped him suppress the rebellious forces within the pack, and even helped him fend off three ambushes from rogues. Kael proved himself capable, stabilizing Blackrock Pack’s situation completely in just one year. He held me then and said I would be his only woman in this life. But at this moment, through the crack in the door, I could clearly see Lira kneeling on the carpet in front of Kael, her soft chest pressed tightly against his legs, rubbing gently. Her tears slid down her cheeks as she looked up at Kael, fragile and devout. “Kael,” she said softly, “I don’t expect anything from you. I just want this child to feel his father’s warmth before birth. Just once—pretend it’s Rurik holding us.” Kael’s hand, which had been about to push her away, slowly lowered. I didn’t want to watch anymore and fled toward the bathroom. With Lira seducing him like this every day, how could two adults living together day and night truly not do anything? It didn’t matter anymore. Since I’d already decided to leave, whatever happened between him and Lira had nothing to do with me. It’s just that five years of feelings had ultimately been fed to the dogs.

Cold water splashed on my face before I could barely suppress my churning emotions. I’d just reached the staircase when I ran into Lira. “Elara,” she looked at me smugly, “you saw everything just now, didn’t you?” I tried to turn and leave, but she grabbed my arm. “I got a good thing last night. I want to show you.” She held up a wolf fang pendant in front of me. That wolf fang pendant was Blackrock Pack’s heirloom, traditionally passed only to the Luna. Kael had said this pendant would be placed around my neck by his own hands on our wedding day. It was his promise to me. I stared at the pendant, my heart aching in waves. “Look familiar?” Lira spun the pendant between her fingers. “Kael put it on me himself. He said this wolf fang should have belonged to his future Luna, but this child and I need protection more than any Luna.” She leaned close to my ear and whispered: “I’ll tell you another secret—this child isn’t from any artificial insemination.” “Kael has slept with me many times. The first time, he was so nervous his whole body was shaking.” “Elara, don’t you mind that you’re with a man who’s slept with me?” In the past, with my temper, I would have slapped her across the face. But these five years with Kael had smoothed too many of my rough edges, dimmed too much of the sharpness that belonged to the heir of Whitepeak Pack. Instead of getting angry, I smiled and looked into her eyes: “You two sleeping around behind Rurik’s back—if he knew, he’d probably strangle you both, you filthy pair!” “That child in your belly is even more unfortunate. Should it call Kael ‘daddy’ or ‘uncle’ in the future?” “Elara, you—!” Lira trembled with rage. “You two are perfect for each other, both disgusting!” Unable to out-argue me, she grabbed a nearby vase and smashed it toward my head. The vase flew past my scalp and shattered against the stone wall with a crash. Hearing the commotion, Kael rushed in immediately. Thinking I’d made the first move, he lunged forward and grabbed my throat. His eyes churned with towering fury, as if he wanted to kill me on the spot. “I’m the one who postponed the wedding. I’m the one who decided to keep this child. Why do you keep targeting Lira?” “She’s pregnant—can’t you give her a break? I’ve told you so many times that nothing happened between us!” Just then, Lira called out tearfully: “Kael, glass shards cut my leg—it’s bleeding…” Kael immediately released his grip on my throat and rushed to her side. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll take you to the doctor right now.” With that, he carried Lira away without looking back, leaving me standing there. Blood was flowing from the wound on my arm, but from beginning to end, he never saw it. Enduring the pain, I called a car and went to Whitepeak Pack’s hospital alone. I’d just finished treating my wound when I ran into Kael carrying Lira as they rushed to the emergency room. Seeing me, his face instantly filled with annoyance: “Are you following us?” “Elara, how many times have I told you—Lira is my sister-in-law. There’s nothing between us. If you keep being unreasonable like this, our engagement is completely over!” I said coldly: “I’m not so idle as to follow you two, much less bother her.” Only then did Kael finally notice the thick bandage on my arm, still seeping blood. A flash of guilt crossed his face. He stepped forward, wanting to touch my arm, and opened his mouth to explain: “Elara, Lira is pregnant. I was just anxious to take care of her. I was too impulsive earlier. Let me register you for an appointment.” I looked at Kael’s anxious face and scoffed. This world was truly ironic. If Rurik knew that the brother he’d died to save not only slept with his woman but also got her pregnant, he probably couldn’t rest in peace even in death. The next second, Lira’s tearful voice came from the examination room: “Kael, I’m scared. Can you come in and stay with me?” Kael immediately withdrew his outstretched hand and turned to me: “Elara, handle it yourself first. Lira is timid—I need to go in with her.” With that, he turned and rushed into the examination room without another glance at me. I had to completely cut ties with a man like this, the sooner the better.

On Saturday, there was a joint gathering hosted by the three major packs. All the outstanding young members attended. I accepted the invitation, just wanting to clear my head. But I didn’t expect to see Kael there with Lira. Kael, Lira, and I had all attended the same academy. Back at the academy, Lira had pursued Kael just as crazily as I had. In the end, I won—I moved Kael’s heart and we got together. And Lira turned around and married Kael’s brother, the former Alpha of Blackrock Pack, Rurik. After the banquet began, Kael sat beside Lira, patiently cutting the venison on her plate. He carefully reminded her: “Don’t be picky. Eat more venison—it’s good for the baby’s development.” A packmate nearby teased: “Kael, you’re so good to your sister-in-law. You gave her the whole tenderloin. Aren’t you afraid Elara will be upset?” He smiled, his tone flat: “Elara doesn’t like this.” The people around could see my face had darkened and tactfully changed the subject. “Will we be attending Elara and Kael’s wedding soon?” “Back in school, I envied Kael for finding such a beautiful and capable mate.” I couldn’t take it anymore and raised my hand to interrupt them: “Stop, everyone stop! You’re all welcome to attend my wedding, but not mine and Kael’s. We’ve already broken off our engagement. The groom is someone else.” “Elara!” Kael ground out my name through clenched teeth, his hand balled into a tight fist. He quickly explained to everyone: “Sorry, everyone. Elara is just talking out of anger. Our wedding will happen—it’s just postponed a few months.” Hearing this, the people around thought I was just throwing a tantrum and turned to persuade me. “The wedding is just delayed a few months. You and Kael have been together for so many years—what’s a few more months?” “Exactly, it’s not a big deal.” With Kael’s explanation, it seemed like I was the one being unreasonable. Using the excuse of needing air, I left the banquet hall and walked to the deep forest pool behind the gathering grounds. I was staring at the water when Lira’s voice suddenly came from behind me: “If I were you, I would have told everyone the truth just now.” I turned to glance at her, about to speak, when the woman in front of me suddenly reached out and pushed me into the deep pool. The icy water instantly enveloped me. I’d been afraid of deep water since childhood—Kael knew this. He’d suggested many times that we hunt at the border lakes, but I’d refused. He said the best way to overcome fear was to face it head-on. But I was terrified of this endless cold, terrified of the suffocating feeling of sinking underwater. “Splash”—someone jumped into the pool. I thought it was Kael coming to save me. But he swam right past me without even touching me, heading straight for Lira standing by the pool’s edge and pulling her tightly into his arms. Love and indifference were clear at a glance. In that moment, my heart went completely cold. I didn’t even have the strength to struggle, letting my body slowly sink to the bottom. Just as my consciousness blurred and despair filled my heart, a pair of strong hands suddenly wrapped around my waist, lifting me up from the depths. He swam me to shore. Seeing I was unconscious, he immediately bent down and gave me CPR. Just as his lips were about to cover mine again, an angry roar rang out: “What are you doing to my fiancée?”

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On the day I divorced Damian, the Alpha of Thornmire pack, I wore exquisite makeup and a sexy deep-V dress. His face was filled with disgust: “Dressed so slutty! Are you that desperate to find a new man?” I touched the ruby necklace at my chest and smiled in response: “That’s right. And you actually know this man.” He sneered: “Stop fooling yourself! You’re already 40 years old. Who would want you? Beg me, and I might consider remarrying you.” I wasn’t angry. After all, last night at the Moonlight Ball, 20 men invited me to dance, and 7 men asked for my phone number. One young, handsome man even knelt down on one knee and proposed to me. The day before, Damian and I had already broken our mate bond. Today we just needed to go to the courthouse to finalize the divorce. But after getting in the car, Damian didn’t immediately head to the courthouse. Instead, he drove in the opposite direction. Meeting my puzzled eyes, the man’s attitude was cold: “Kalia is coming too. After we finish the divorce paperwork, I’m going to do the marriage paperwork with her. She’s waited twenty years. I don’t want to make her wait any longer.” So our marriage of convenience had actually lasted this long. Damian and I were fated mates. We fell in love at first sight when we first met, then entered a passionate romance. Back then, he was still the heir to the Thornmire pack Alpha position, and I was the sister of the Hailmark pack Alpha. Our packs’ alliance made our marriage the center of attention. Unfortunately, shortly after the wedding, Kalia appeared, and Damian changed his heart and fell in love with her. By the time I finished reminiscing, we’d arrived outside Kalia’s house. I was a bit thirsty, so I got out to buy a bottle of water. When I came back, Kalia was already sitting in the passenger seat. “Nyla, I’m used to sitting in the passenger seat in Damian’s car. You don’t mind, do you?” What was there to mind? We were getting divorced today anyway. I got directly into the back seat. At this moment, Kalia turned her head and stared at my wrist, saying: “What a beautiful bracelet!” “Nyla, give the bracelet to Kalia.” Damian gripped the steering wheel and issued the command without turning his head. This bracelet was a birthday gift Damian gave me three years ago. My fiancé wouldn’t let me wear jewelry from my ex-husband anyway, so I casually took it off and gave it to Kalia. “I have lots of jewelry at home. If you like it, I’ll give it all to you.” Seeing this, Damian nodded with satisfaction: “Nyla, as long as you don’t cause trouble, I guarantee no one in Thornmire pack will know about our divorce. To outsiders, you’ll still be the honorable Luna.” I didn’t respond. He didn’t know yet that I was about to remarry too. Suddenly, my phone started vibrating. It was my fiancé calling. “I’ve already boarded the plane. I’ll be there soon.” My fiancé’s voice was full of tenderness. “I miss you so much!” I answered happily too: “Okay, see you in a bit.” Through the rearview mirror, Damian caught the smile at the corner of my mouth. A surge of displeasure immediately ignited in his heart. Just as he was about to ask who it was, Kalia, sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly screamed. “What’s wrong?” Damian turned his head and asked gently. Kalia said: “How did this bracelet break? It was fine just now.” At that moment, I was still busy on the phone and didn’t notice the bracelet at all. The fire in Damian’s heart immediately flared up. He grabbed the bracelet and threw it at me. Before I could react, Damian snatched my phone and threw it out the car window. My phone was instantly crushed to pieces by a passing car. I yelled angrily: “Damian, what the hell is wrong with you!” Damian stopped the car by the roadside, then dragged me out. The moment I landed, a drunk stumbled over and knocked me to the ground, spraining my ankle. After hitting me, the drunk seemed to sober up a bit. Before I could complain, he’d already run away. Seeing my swollen ankle, Damian let go of my hand with contempt. “I just asked you to give Kalia a bracelet, and you deliberately broke it. Nyla, how can you be so vicious!”

Condemning me without even asking? I looked up at Kalia in the car. She nervously looked away. Ever since she appeared by Damian’s side and became his Beta, I became the most scheming woman in his heart. He thought I helped him handle pack affairs to pass Thornmire pack intelligence to my brother, the Hailmark pack Alpha. He thought I dressed beautifully to seduce other men and make him jealous. Now, when Kalia deliberately broke the bracelet, he also thought I did it. But today, I was too lazy to argue with him anymore. “Right, I just didn’t want to give it to her. I wanted to disgust her. Are you satisfied now?” Enduring the severe pain in my ankle, I straightened up, turned around, and walked toward the roadside without looking back. He stood by the car, arrogant: “Nyla, since you’ve admitted it, don’t blame me for punishing you! You can walk to the courthouse by yourself today!” Ha, leaving me behind? How many times had he abandoned me for Kalia? At the wedding, when he received a message from Kalia, he left without a word of explanation, right in front of all the guests. The night I had appendicitis, he directly abandoned me to see Kalia too. So many instances like this—my heart had long gone cold. By the time I reached the area near the courthouse, my foot was terribly swollen. I was leaning against a wall to rest when suddenly someone rushed up from behind and forcibly picked me up. “Damian, put me down!” Damian kept a straight face, acting as if he hadn’t heard me, and walked straight inside. As we passed Kalia, a flash of resentment crossed her eyes. As soon as we entered, a staff member said to us: “Sir, miss, are you here to register for marriage?” Damian’s face darkened, and he immediately loosened his grip and put me down: “No, we’re getting divorced.” After the paperwork was done and I got the divorce certificate, I sat to the side waiting for my fiancé to pick me up. “Nyla, aren’t you leaving? Your foot looks pretty bad. After Damian and I finish the marriage paperwork, we’ll take you to the hospital together!” Kalia intimately linked arms with Damian and smiled at me. I took out my mirror and touched up my lipstick: “No need, I’m waiting for my fiancé. He’ll take me to the hospital in a bit.” “Oh my~ What a coincidence! Damian, let’s wait with Nyla, okay?” Kalia pulled Damian to sit next to me: “By the time we finish our marriage paperwork, if Nyla’s fiancé still hasn’t come, we can still take her home.” Kalia probably thought I was deliberately making up a “fiancé” to save face. Damian considerately held her hand and put it in his pocket to warm it: “You always worry about others.” As it grew dark, my fiancé still hadn’t arrived. I reached into my pocket for my phone, only to realize it had just been crushed by a car. I regretfully stood up, about to leave. Kalia clutched her freshly obtained marriage certificate and walked over with a smile: “Nyla, why hasn’t your fiancé come yet? Actually, you don’t need to lie to us. How could you possibly have a fiancé? Let us take you to the hospital!” I patted my pockets again. I really didn’t have a penny on me. So I didn’t refuse her suggestion. As soon as we got outside, I carefully walked down the steps holding onto the railing. “Nyla, let me help you.” Kalia quickly caught up. I was about to wave her off. “Ah—” She screamed, her foot slipped, and she fell backward. Damian caught her steadily. She lay against Damian’s chest, tears in her eyes: “Nyla, I was trying to help you. Why did you push me?” Damian gently stroked her back with a heartbroken expression, then turned and grabbed my hand, pulling me down the steps. “Nyla, you really don’t know what’s good for you…” Seeing me clutch my ankle in pain, a trace of reluctance flashed in his eyes. He was about to tell me to get in the car. Kalia’s lips parted slightly, murmuring: “Damian…” He immediately embraced the person in his arms and got in the car. And drove away.

I limped to the Werewolf Council and asked the staff there to take me to the hospital. I had my assistant bring me a new phone. When I inserted my old SIM card into the new phone, a call immediately came through. “Nyla! You finally answered! What happened?” My fiancé Ethan was so anxious he was nearly crying. I looked at my freshly bandaged foot and said with downcast eyes: “Nothing serious, just sprained my ankle.” “What! Is it serious? Did you go to the hospital?” His words were urgent, as if he wished he could appear by my side immediately. “My plane was halfway through the flight when it had to turn back due to weather. As soon as the plane landed, I called you, but no one answered. I was scared to death.” I comforted Ethan for a while. After hanging up, I saw that Damian, who never posted on Ins, had actually made a post. It was a wedding photo of him and Kalia. I left a comment: [True lovers finally together, wishing you both happiness] Soon, Damian called me. I hung up and blocked the number. Just as I left the examination room, I ran into Damian and Kalia coming out from next door. “Alone?” Damian unconsciously furrowed his brow. Kalia’s face filled with hatred. She walked over and pressed against Damian, instantly changing her expression, linking his arm with a smile: “Nyla, hasn’t your fiancé arrived yet? If you really had a fiancé, how could he let you come to the hospital alone?” Just then, my phone rang again. I couldn’t bother explaining and quickly limped toward the hospital exit. They followed unhurriedly behind. “Nyla, you didn’t just make someone up because Damian and I are getting married, did you?” Hearing Kalia’s words, Damian’s face showed an expression of understanding. He touched Kalia’s head with a face full of tenderness: “Nyla, you don’t need to save face by saying you’re getting married too. After all, there aren’t many people in this world like Kalia who would wait over twenty years.” Kalia linked Damian’s arm and acted cute: “Damian~ Don’t bring up the past. For you, I’m willing to do anything.” My phone vibrated. I pointed at my phone to the people behind me: “Sorry, my ride is here. I’ll introduce him to you another day.” “Nyla, at this point, are you still going to lie to us?” Damian stood not far from me, apparently waiting to see if I’d actually called a car. A driver had just pulled over. Damian pulled out a wad of cash and threw it through the car window: “Cancel this ride. You don’t need to pick her up.” Then he turned back to look at me with a half-smile, seemingly convinced that the person I mentioned was fictitious: “Where are you going? I’ll take you.” Kalia enthusiastically opened the back door for me: “Nyla, why don’t you just admit it!” “Even if that person was just something you made up on the spot, it’s fine. Damian and I promise we won’t laugh at you.” I sighed, somewhat amused. Since these two were so eager to know who my fiancé was, a little earlier didn’t matter. Besides, they both knew him, and were very familiar with him. The car got on the road. Kalia kept feeding Damian fruit, then lay in his arms to sleep. Damian glanced at me from time to time, but only saw me holding my phone, replying to messages. A faint smile constantly hung at the corner of my mouth. His heart immediately filled with irritation. Messages kept popping up on my phone. It kept ringing nonstop. Seeing this, Damian felt even more stifled. “What, getting your friends to pretend to be that person looking for you?” I finished replying to the last message and locked my phone: “There’s no need for that.” He gritted his teeth, wanting to snatch my phone. I slightly shifted my hand, dodging: “Damian, you have no right to check my phone anymore.” Anger spread across his brow. Finally, he turned his head away and stopped looking at me: “Fine, I’ll see how long you can keep up this act.” When we arrived at the station, I naturally had to get out and wait. With the mentality of watching a good show, Kalia also pulled Damian out with her. The crowd gradually dispersed, and the smile on Kalia’s face grew deeper. “Nyla, it’s pretty cold today. Go home. This time I’ll definitely have Damian take you home…” But when Ethan walked up to me and hugged me tightly, kissing me. Damian and Kalia’s faces instantly turned deathly pale. Damian walked over with an ashen face and pulled me away: “Nyla, how can you be with him!” Kalia was even more angry, clutching her chest tightly. She grabbed Ethan’s hand and questioned loudly: “How can you be with her!”

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I’m the most notorious woman in New York, and Jace Monroe is the clean-cut heir to a prestigious family. During that kidnapping, he was drugged with a powerful aphrodisiac, but he’d rather die than touch me. That was the first time I truly fell for someone. I thought he was honorable. A man who wouldn’t take advantage of a woman in distress. For three years of marriage, he shielded me from explosions and kept me safe. I thought this was love. Then I heard him tell his mother. “I married her to get revenge on you.” That kidnapping? His design. The car accident? His arrangement. The rumors that ruined my reputation? Spread by his own hand. The man I gave everything to for three years used me as a pawn to win another woman. After I disappeared, he searched the world for me. He knelt in the rain, begging me to come back. But I was already lying in someone else’s arms. I didn’t even bother to look at him. Jace Monroe, you’re tainted now. I don’t want you anymore. Ruby’s POV I’m the heir to a New York fortune with the worst reputation, and while my beauty is well-known, so is my heartlessness. I’m the wildest one in our circle, the one who changes boyfriends faster than handbags, the one photographed making out with strangers at nightclubs. I’m arrogant and reckless. And Jace Monroe is New York’s most famous heir to the Monroe family. He has an impeccable reputation. In his twenty-five years, he’s never had a single scandal, never even set foot in a bar. We were from two completely different worlds with no connection, until that citywide kidnapping case bound us together. In a dark, damp basement, Jace and I were locked in an iron cage. The kidnappers wanted to film our most degrading moment to extort a fortune in ransom and ensure we wouldn’t dare pursue them afterward. So I was stripped and tied to a bed, while Jace was forcibly drugged with a powerful aphrodisiac. But even burning with fever, he struggled to resist the desire and said, “I know you’re not like the rumors say. You’re not that kind of woman. So don’t be afraid. As long as you don’t agree, I’d rather die than touch you.” And he kept his word. When the drug ravaged his body like wildfire, he bit down hard on his own forearm until blood flowed, using pain to gain brief moments of clarity. The kidnappers weren’t satisfied. They forced a second dose of the drug down his throat, but he slammed his head against the iron bars, preferring death to making love to me. Watching him bloody and wounded, blood streaming down his face, in that moment, the walls I’d built around my heart completely crumbled. Unable to bear watching him hurt himself anymore, I said with a trembling, choked voice, “Jace, stop fighting it… You’ll die like this.” “But I promised…” “I’m willing.” My tears fell. “If it’s you, I’m willing.” Finally, with my consent and under the drug’s control, he was driven by desire. The moment he entered me, Jace discovered in shock that despite my countless boyfriends, I was still a virgin. For five whole days, we were forced to make love, filmed in countless obscene scenes. Five days later, Jace’s assistant arrived with a rescue team and all the kidnappers were captured. And Jace used every means at his disposal to destroy all footage of us. But somehow news leaked that I’d been kidnapped and filmed in pornographic videos, and it quickly spread throughout our social circle. Everyone in the circle said I was completely ruined, after all, I’d been in those kinds of videos. However, Jace publicly declared his love with over ten thousand drones. He presented me with a ten-carat pink diamond ring under fireworks, kneeling on one knee to propose. “Ruby, those five days were both the worst memory of my life and what I’m most grateful for.” He looked at me, his eyes full of deep affection and guilt. “I failed to protect you. Marry me. Let me spend my lifetime making it up to you, protecting you. Will you?” After that heart-stopping kidnapping, my heart, hardened like iron walls, had already softened for him. And now, it completely fell. I put on that ring. Our wedding was unprecedentedly grand, and also met with much ridicule. Almost none of his family attended our wedding. Only Jace held my hand, firmly making vows before the priest, as if standing against the whole world. After marriage, Jace treated me very well. I had a sensitive stomach, so he cooked stomach-soothing meals for me. During my period, he personally took care of me. I was ostracized by the elite wives’ circle because of my past, so he brought me to the most important occasions again and again, announcing his regard for me to everyone. So I also began to rein in my wild and arrogant nature, working hard to be a good wife. I knew the Monroe family elders strongly opposed my notorious self marrying into their family. So to change the Monroe family’s attitude toward me, I started learning flower arrangement, etiquette, all those things I’d once scorned. And Jace always held me gently and said, “Ruby, just be yourself. I didn’t marry you to make you change for me. No matter how my family views you, you’re the wife I’ve chosen. As long as I know how wonderful you are, that’s enough.” Whenever he said this, I felt so moved, felt he was the most unique man I’d ever met. Until that day when my car’s brakes failed and I plunged down a hillside. The moment before the explosion, it was Jace who pried open the deformed car door with his bare hands, dragged me out, and used his back to shield me from the blast and flames. The second before losing consciousness, I vowed to spend the rest of my life loving this man who valued me as much as his own life. I finally woke up in the hospital. The first thing I did was ask the nurse, “Where’s my husband? Where is he? Is he okay?” “Mr. Monroe has severe burns across his back, but he’s not in life-threatening danger. He’s in the VIP room next door.” Hearing this, my heart leapt with joy, and I stumbled to the room next door. I took a deep breath, about to push the door open, when I heard a sharp female voice suddenly rise from inside. “Jace! Three years! How much longer are you going to keep this up?!” It was the voice of Jace’s mother, Catherine, full of anger and a kind of… exhaustion and sarcasm I couldn’t understand. My hand froze in midair. “You know perfectly well that Ruby has had countless boyfriends! The whole circle is saying she was filmed in porn by those kidnappers!” “A woman with such a ruined reputation. Everyone wants to stay as far away from her as possible! But you? Not only did you confess your love, you actually married her and brought her to all kinds of elite social events, acting like you’re madly in love! Are you trying to kill us with anger?!” “This time, you even risked your own life to protect Ruby!” “You just hate us and want revenge because three years ago we stopped you from marrying that Serena girl, don’t you!” What are they talking about… who’s Serena? My heart contracted sharply, as if gripped by an invisible hand.

Ruby’s POV “Yes.” Then Jace’s voice rang out, cold as frost. “I am taking revenge.” That one sentence was like a sharp knife stabbing straight into my heart. All the blood in my body seemed to freeze instantly. My limbs went cold and numb, unable to move. I could only stand there rigidly. “What’s wrong with Serena? She’s kind and understanding, gentle and considerate. How is she inferior to those women you forced on me? But you looked down on her because her mother was our housekeeper and forcibly drove her away. You even said I could marry anyone among New York’s socialites except her.” He laughed lowly, the laugh devoid of any warmth. “Fine then. I’ll marry the most scandalous one, the one you hate most. I’ll use Ruby to slap you in the face. Every time I treat her well, you get angrier. It’s quite satisfying to watch.” “You’re insane!” His mother was so angry she smashed a cup on the spot. “Want me to end this charade?” Jace laughed lightly and cruelly. “Simple. Let Serena marry me. I’ll divorce Ruby immediately.” Catherine’s face turned livid, her tone resolute. “Let me tell you, as long as I’m alive, that bitch Serena will never enter our family! Using Ruby to pressure us won’t work!” Outside the door, I couldn’t hear anything anymore. A massive ringing drowned out everything. My vision went dark in waves. I leaned against the cold wall, barely managing not to collapse. I slowly backed away, returning silently to my own hospital room, frozen to the bone. After a few seconds, I took out my phone and sent a message to a private investigator. “Help me investigate someone named Serena. Focus on her relationship with Jace Monroe. The more detailed, the better.” The private investigator was efficient. In less than two hours, he replied. The first thing he sent was a photo. In the photo, a girl in a simple, clean cotton dress leaned on Jace’s shoulder, her smile gentle, her eyes as clear as spring water. This was followed by a paragraph. “Serena, 23 years old. Her mother was a housekeeper for the Monroe family. She grew up with Jace Monroe and they were very close. Three years ago, Jace wanted to marry her but was strongly opposed by the Monroe family and they were forcibly separated. Later her mother was fired by the Monroe family and Serena was forced to leave New York.” I see. I suddenly started laughing quietly, the sound echoing in the empty hospital room, more painful than crying. So that mutual rescue during the kidnapping, the affectionate proposal under countless drones, all those tender moments after marriage, and him shielding me from the explosion with his back… it was all an act. How ridiculous. How pathetic. Before today, I was thinking about spending the rest of my life loving this man with everything I had, but from beginning to end, he never loved me. He married me and treated me well for one purpose only. To use me, the most notorious socialite, to humiliate the Monroe family. He just used me as a pawn to take revenge on his family, wanting to force them to compromise with my scandalous reputation so he could achieve his goal of marrying Serena. My heart felt like it was being gripped by an icy hand, twisted and wrung, the pain making it almost impossible to breathe. Forcing back the moisture in my eyes, I picked up my phone again and dialed Catherine’s number. “I want to divorce Jace.” As soon as the call connected, I got straight to the point, my voice terrifyingly calm. “What did you say? Divorce?” Catherine hadn’t expected me to bring up divorce first. Her voice on the other end was furious. “Ruby, are you crazy? With your reputation that the whole circle mocks, hardly anyone would want you even if you were free! And you dare bring up divorce?!” “I will get this divorce.” I said, “Mutual consent divorce, or I’ll file for divorce. Your choice.” “Are you threatening me?” “It’s a notification.” I sneered. “I assume the Monroe family isn’t afraid of going to court with me?” I knew the Monroe family opposed Serena marrying in, and they didn’t like me either. They would love nothing more than for Jace and me to divorce. “Fine, divorce! I don’t want to see a woman like you contaminating our Monroe family for another day!” Finally, Catherine’s voice rang out. “But don’t expect to take a penny from the Monroe family! After the divorce, get as far away as possible and never appear in front of Jace again. Stop affecting him!” “Don’t worry. I won’t take anything from your Monroe family.”

Ruby’s POV After hanging up, thinking about Catherine’s disdain for me, as if I were something filthy, I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. No one knew that in the past, I deliberately ruined my own reputation to the point where no one dared marry me, just so my biased father couldn’t use me for a marriage alliance, preventing me from ending up depressed and dead like my mother. But even though I’d changed boyfriends one after another, Jace was my first and, so far, my only man. Jace clearly knew that when we had sex during that kidnapping, I was still a virgin. He also knew that the rumors circulating in our circle about me being filmed in porn videos. He was one of the people in those videos too. But in three years, he never once explained it to anyone. I’d never thought much about it before. After all, those weren’t exactly glorious matters. It was normal for him to keep quiet about them. Only now do I understand. He didn’t explain to others because the more people despised me, the better I served his purpose of provoking his family. I was just a pawn he’d chosen. I took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the tumultuous emotions in my heart, and went straight to check myself out of the hospital and went home. The first thing I did when I got home was throw things away. I took out everything Jace had given me over the years. Necklaces, bracelets, rings, handbags, and so on. I threw away what should be thrown, donated what should be donated. Just like throwing away my three years of foolishness and self-deluded love. Afterward, Catherine sent a butler to deliver the divorce agreement. I looked it over briefly, and after confirming there were no issues, signed without any hesitation. “Miss Ruby, the Monroe family instructed me to tell you to wait a bit longer. Within half a month at most, the divorce certificate will be processed.” “Got it.” A few days after signing the agreement, Jace came home. The burns on his back hadn’t fully healed yet and his movements were somewhat slow, but he still wore a crisp suit, his features handsome. “Why are you sitting here?” he asked, his tone habitually gentle. “The servants said you’ve barely eaten these past few days.” I looked up at him. In the past, every time I saw this face, my heart would race and my face would flush. But now, looking at him again, I only felt strangeness and coldness. Jace didn’t seem to notice the change in my gaze. Perhaps he’d never truly cared about what was different about me. He sat down beside me, naturally taking my hand. “Are you in a bad mood because I wasn’t here with you?” He spoke in a soft, low voice, still with that gentle demeanor. “Today’s your birthday. I had them prepare a banquet at the most luxurious hotel downtown. There’s still time. Let me take you to pick out a dress first, okay?” In the past, hearing him remember my birthday and specially prepare a banquet, I would probably be delighted, moved by his thoughtfulness and care. But now, my heart was just a wasteland. But I didn’t want any complications with the divorce, so I didn’t expose his hypocrisy. “Okay.” After getting ready briefly, I left with Jace. He drove me to a high-end dress boutique. As soon as we entered, Jace’s phone rang. “You pick first. I’ll take this call,” he said, walking to the side. I didn’t pay attention and went upstairs to choose a dress. I spotted a water-blue gown, simple and elegant, and said to the sales assistant, “This one. Wrap it up for me.” “I want this dress.” A soft female voice suddenly came from behind me. I turned around and saw the woman speaking. My blood instantly ran cold. Serena. That face leaning on Jace’s shoulder in the photo was now standing right in front of me, alive and in person. Her long hair fell loose, her makeup clean and delicate, smiling as she stared at the water-blue dress in my hands. But hadn’t she been driven away by the Monroe family? Had Jace brought her back?

Ruby’s POV “I’m sorry.” Serena had a faint smile on her lips. “Miss, although you saw this dress first, I really like it. Would you let me have it?” Her voice was soft and clean, but her tone carried a sense of entitlement. “No.” I handed the dress to the sales assistant. “Ring it up.” Serena stepped forward and grabbed my hand. “But I really do love this dress. It suits my temperament better.” “What’s going on?” Jace had just finished his call and came upstairs. Seeing us facing off, he frowned slightly. Serena turned at the sound, delight climbing into her eyes. “Jace? What are you doing here?” Her gaze flowed between Jace and me. She seemed to suddenly understand. Then she showed me an apologetic expression. “So you’re… Mrs. Monroe. I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was you. I was presumptuous just now.” She lowered her head slightly, her posture extremely humble, like a startled fawn. Jace’s gaze fell on the dress in my hand, then looked at Serena’s careful, tentative expression. He didn’t ask many questions. He simply stepped forward, took the dress from my hand, and held it out to Serena. “Since you like it, take it.” My hand suddenly empty, I looked up at him in disbelief. Serena took the dress, showing surprise and unease. “This… isn’t this inappropriate? After all, Mrs. Monroe saw it first…” “It’s fine. This dress really does suit you better.” A gentle smile bloomed on Serena’s face. “Then I’ll go try it on?” After getting Jace’s tacit permission, she hugged the dress and turned toward the fitting room, her steps light. I slowly lowered my hand that had been frozen in midair, clenching it into a fist. My nails dug into my palm, bringing a faint stinging pain, but it couldn’t suppress the dull ache of a blade cutting through my heart. Only then did Jace look at me. He was silent for a moment, as if choosing his words. “Her name is Serena. She’s my… a friend.” “A friend?” I couldn’t help the sarcasm. “Would anyone snatch a dress their wife chose first and give it to a so-called friend?” Perhaps because I’d never used such a sarcastic tone with him before, Jace frowned. “It’s just a dress. Why make such a fuss? Besides, that color really doesn’t suit your style. Pick another one, something that fits you better.” I looked at him quietly, a cold laugh forming in my heart. But I said nothing more and turned toward another rack. My fingers skimmed past dress after dress, finally stopping on a wine-red gown. Deep V neckline, open back. It was the style I’d favored most in the past. Bright as fire, bold and eye-catching. For him, I’d put away all the clothes I used to like, learning to be a gentle, virtuous Mrs. Monroe. But now, I didn’t need to anymore. I took down the red dress and said flatly to the sales assistant, “This one. Wrap it up.” Almost simultaneously, the fitting room curtain was pulled back. Serena walked out wearing that water-blue dress. The dress fit perfectly, making her skin look white as snow, her temperament refined and elegant. She smoothed the hem and looked up at Jace, her eyes seemingly filled with stars. “Jace, does it look good?” Jace’s gaze fell on her, his voice tender as water. “Yes, beautiful.” His eyes were deep, reflecting Serena’s figure, allowing me to clearly capture that trace of affection he’d never shown me. My heart felt like it was being tightly gripped by an invisible hand, the pain making it almost impossible to breathe. Serena’s smile grew even brighter. She walked to Jace’s side and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “By the way, I heard tonight is Mrs. Monroe’s birthday banquet?” Jace nodded. “Yes.” “I happen to be free tonight.” Serena looked at me with a gentle, proper smile. “Mrs. Monroe, you don’t mind if I come celebrate your birthday too, do you?” Before I could answer, Jace had already responded. “Of course not. Perfect, we’ll go together.”

Ruby’s POV In the banquet hall on the top floor of the Hilton Hotel, lights blazed brilliantly, the décor luxurious. The birthday banquet Jace threw for me invited most of New York’s notable figures. The scale was grand, showing his “importance” to me. When I appeared on Jace’s arm, the entire room fell silent for a moment. I wore that wine-red deep-V gown, my skin like snow, my lips red as fire. The radiance and boldness I’d deliberately restrained in the past bloomed on me once more in this moment, devastatingly beautiful with an aggressive edge, instantly stealing everyone’s breath. “That’s Mrs. Monroe? My God, she’s even more beautiful than in photos…” “What good is being pretty? She’s rotten through and through. She changes men faster than clothes. I heard in that kidnapping three years ago, she was even…” “Keep your voice down! In case it gets back to Jace. Though it is strange. Why would someone as outstanding as him take a liking to a woman with such a terrible reputation…” Those whispered, disdainful comments clearly drilled into my ears. I didn’t get angry on the spot, nor did I argue. Because I knew that in the eyes of these self-proclaimed nobles, any defense from me would be pale and powerless, only becoming new fodder for ridicule. But… My gaze still involuntarily turned to the man beside me. Jace was slightly turned, speaking in low tones with a wealthy businessman. His profile was smooth and gentle, as if he’d heard nothing. Of course. He wouldn’t explain my innocence. My last sliver of faint hope quietly extinguished. The banquet officially began. Jace held my wrist and walked to the center of the hall. He took a velvet gift box from a server. Opening it revealed a radiant ruby necklace, dazzling under the lights. “Ruby, happy birthday.” He said gently, taking out the necklace and personally fastening it around my neck. Gasps and applause rang out below. “Mrs. Monroe, happy birthday.” Serena had somehow approached. She still wore that water-blue dress, standing beside my dazzling self like an elegant narcissus. “I came in such a rush, I didn’t have time to prepare a proper gift.” Serena’s gaze was pure. “How about I play a piece for you as my birthday gift? Would that be okay?” Before I could answer, she’d already turned to Jace. “Jace, do you still remember that ‘Clair de Lune’ we used to play together? Today, let’s play it again for Mrs. Monroe as a birthday celebration, okay?” I noticed Jace looking at her, his eyes briefly distant, as if seeing past days through her. He nodded slightly. “Okay.” A white grand piano was wheeled to the center of the hall. Jace and Serena sat side by side. The man in his suit, devastatingly handsome; the woman in her blue dress, gentle and lovely. The image was harmoniously painful to watch. A piece by Debussy, “Clair de Lune,” their coordination perfect. Even an exchanged glance or subtle pause showed complete synchronicity. When the piece ended, everyone was immersed in the music. After a brief silence, applause erupted, mixed with genuine admiration. “That was incredible! Absolutely perfect!” “Who is that lady? Such refined temperament. Sitting with Jace, they look more like a married couple.” “Hey, I think I remember her… Isn’t she the one who almost became Jace’s fiancée a few years ago?” “Right, right, that’s her! I heard they were deeply in love but somehow separated… What a shame.” “Looking at it this way, this Miss Serena and Jace really are a matching pair. Much better than that woman who’s only pretty but has such a ruined reputation…” The commentary grew louder. Serena and Jace’s performance instantly stole all attention. And I, the supposed star of this banquet, had instead become a supporting character. I couldn’t listen anymore and quietly turned away. I stayed in the restroom for a full ten minutes. Only after my emotions settled did I finally open the door. However, looking up, I caught sight of Serena standing at the sink, touching up her makeup in the mirror. Hearing the sound, she looked at me through the mirror and slowly curved a flawless smile. I didn’t want any interaction with her and walked straight toward the door. “Mrs. Monroe.” Serena suddenly called out, her voice still soft but without the gentleness she showed in public, instead full of mockery and triumph. “Wearing the ruby he gave you, listening to our ‘Clair de Lune’… Are you enjoying this birthday gift?”

Ruby’s POV I finally turned back to meet her gaze. “Whether I’m satisfied doesn’t matter.” I pulled at the corner of my mouth, no warmth in my eyes. “What matters is, Miss Serena seems quite satisfied with herself tonight.” Serena’s smile didn’t change. “Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to steal everyone’s attention with Jace at your birthday banquet. It’s just been so long since we played together, I couldn’t help myself for a moment. You don’t mind, right?” Watching her disgusting performance, I only found it laughable. Too lazy to waste words on her, I turned to leave. “Wait.” Serena suddenly stepped forward and grabbed my wrist. “Don’t you want to know… who was behind that kidnapping you experienced three years ago?” I frowned. “What do you mean by that?” Serena shook her head, her eyes full of pity and schadenfreude. “To still not know anything even now. How pitiful.” My heart plummeted. Could there be something about that kidnapping three years ago that I didn’t know? Serena enjoyed watching my expression change dramatically and smiled triumphantly. “Seeing you still in the dark like this, I might as well tell you the truth.” She paused, then spoke clearly and cruelly. “Actually, that kidnapping three years ago, Jace deliberately orchestrated it. Including the leaked news that you were filmed in videos. Jace had people deliberately spread that too, just to make your reputation as bad as possible and make the Monroe family detest you even more.” “And that brake failure car accident you had recently? Jace arranged that too. He calculated the timing perfectly, wanting to add fuel to the fire to make the Monroe family lose all patience with you. He wanted to use you to achieve his goal of marrying me.” Boom. I was thunderstruck, my entire body’s blood instantly freezing, as if even my breath was stolen away. The kidnapping was his design? The car accident was his arrangement? Even those humiliating rumors were deliberately spread by him? How could this be possible? I didn’t want to easily believe Serena’s words, but recalling what I’d recently heard Jace personally admit about taking revenge… someone like Jace might really be capable of such things. My heart felt like it was being wrung by an icy hand, the pain making my vision go black. I struggled to steady myself, looking up at Serena’s face written with triumph. Suddenly, I pulled an extremely cold smile. “Miss Serena so kindly came to tell me all this… is it because even you aren’t sure whether Jace’s heart still only holds you, like it did three years ago?” The triumph on Serena’s face instantly froze, a flash of panic crossing her eyes at being exposed. My beauty was enough to make many men overlook my reputation and become infatuated. Jace and I had lived together for three years, facing my stunningly beautiful face every day, playing the devoted husband in front of me. Acting for so long. Who knew if he might start believing his own performance? “You’re talking nonsense!” But Serena didn’t want to admit this. Humiliated and angry, she said, “How could Jace possibly fall in love with a woman like you? Everything he did was for me! Today I’ll let you see clearly whose heart he holds!” With that, before I could react, Serena suddenly grabbed my hand and with all her strength, swung it toward her own face. Slap! A crisp, loud slap echoed in the quiet restroom. I was completely stunned, never expecting her to pull this move. Almost simultaneously, the triumphant smile on Serena’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of panic and distress, tears quickly pooling in her eyes. “Serena, you-” Shocked and angry, I immediately tried to pull my hand back. But Serena held my hand tightly, refusing to let go. Her body even staggered backward, as if I’d forcefully shoved her. “Ruby! What are you doing?!”A voice full of fury suddenly exploded at the restroom door. I turned at the sound. Jace strode in and swatted my wrist away with such force that I staggered back several steps, my waist slamming hard against the cold edge of the sink. I frowned, and Jace shielded Serena behind him, reproaching me. “Are you crazy? Why did you hit her?” “Jace, it’s not Miss Ruby’s fault.” Serena’s eyes were moist. She tugged at his sleeve, sobbing softly. “I was too rude today, stealing everyone’s attention by performing with you at her birthday party. Miss Ruby had every right to be angry and slap me.” Hearing this, Jace’s eyes turned cold as ice. “Serena performed with me to celebrate your birthday, and you were so displeased you hit her?”

Ruby’s POV After Jace finished speaking, he didn’t spare me another glance and led Serena out of the restroom by the hand. Watching them leave, I leaned against the sink without offering a single explanation. Because I knew explanations were meaningless. Serena had won. A moment later, I pushed the door open and returned to the banquet hall. Guests were mingling at the party, but Jace and Serena were nowhere to be seen. Some people cast sympathetic, mocking, or curious glances my way. I ignored them all. When the party ended, I didn’t call Jace. Instead, I flagged down a taxi outside the hotel and gave the driver the address of the villa. The car merged smoothly into the night, driving onto the bridge spanning the river. Suddenly, blinding headlights shot from behind. A black car, like a beast out of control, suddenly accelerated and slammed hard into the back of the taxi. Bang! After three consecutive impacts, the massive collision force caused the taxi to lose control instantly, crashing through the bridge railing and tumbling into the river. After violent shaking, river water poured in from all directions, instantly flooding my nose and mouth. I couldn’t swim. My survival instinct made me struggle desperately, pounding on the car window. But water flooded into my lungs. Eventually, suffocating from lack of oxygen, my consciousness gradually blurred. I don’t know how much time passed. The smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils. I struggled to lift my eyelids and found myself lying in a hospital bed. …I was still alive. This realization left me dazed for a moment. Just then, I heard muffled voices coming from outside the hospital room door. “How’s that taxi driver?” It was Jace’s voice, very calm. Another male voice answered respectfully, “He’s fine, just some scrapes and shock. He’s already awake.” “Mm. He was innocently implicated. Give him compensation and make sure he keeps his mouth shut.” “Understood, Mr. Monroe.” The subordinate hesitated and asked, “But this attack on your wife. Was it also to make your parents agree to let you marry Miss Serena?” My heart contracted sharply, my nails digging deep into my palms. Outside the door, Jace’s voice was cold and emotionless. “Not this time.” “Then what was it?” “Serena has a gentle nature. Even if she’s hit, she’ll just endure it alone. I promised her I wouldn’t let her suffer any grievances. Ruby hit her. She had to pay some price.” The other person replied, “I see. Mr. Monroe is truly devoted to Miss Serena.” “She’s about to wake up. You leave first. Don’t let her see you.” “Yes.” Inside the hospital room, I lay on the bed, my whole body ice cold, as if even my blood had frozen into shards. Because Serena got slapped by me, he had someone run my car off the road into the river? What about that kidnapping? What about those rumors that ruined my reputation? What about that brake failure accident? Did he have people do all those too? Cold spread from the soles of my feet through my limbs, freezing me to the core. Click. The door was gently pushed open. I immediately closed my eyes, slowed my breathing, and pretended to still be unconscious. Footsteps approached and stopped beside the bed. I could feel a gaze fall on my face, scrutinizing. “Ruby?” Jace called tentatively. I showed no reaction. Seeing that I still hadn’t woken, he stayed in the room for about twenty minutes before leaving due to a phone call from the company. Only after hearing his footsteps fade at the end of the hallway did I slowly open my eyes. My eyes turned ice cold, as if wrapped in the harshest frost, no trace of warmth remaining. From this drowning, aside from lung infection from the water and some soft tissue contusions, I hadn’t suffered more serious injuries. I stayed in the hospital for three days. Jace came every day, bringing my favorite flowers and light porridge, sitting by the bed, gently asking about my condition, thoughtfully tucking in my blanket corners. He even personally came to pick me up when I was discharged. In front of me, he continued playing that devoted husband persona. He also explained that the person who deliberately drove into me had been found and sent to the police. And even though I knew it was all lies, I pretended not to know and played along. I didn’t want to tear off the mask before getting the divorce certificate in hand. Fortunately, Catherine was eager to get rid of the stain that was me. She was extremely efficient. A week after my discharge, she had someone deliver the divorce certificate to me. The butler relayed expressionlessly, “Now that the procedures are complete, Miss Ruby is requested not to claim to be the wife of the Monroe heir in front of others in the future.” “Go back and tell Catherine,” I said coldly, “Marrying into your Monroe family was the stupidest decision of my life. I want nothing to do with the Monroe family even more than she does.” After the butler left, I put away the divorce certificate and immediately took out my phone to book a flight out of New York. Just as I finished booking the ticket, Jace suddenly came home. His whole demeanor was sharp. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me out the door. “Come with me!” “Jace, what are you doing! Where are you taking me?” “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Ruby’s POV The car door was yanked open roughly. Jace dragged me out and pulled me into a spacious abandoned warehouse. “I brought her.” Jace shoved me forward, his voice cold and hard. “Let her go.” The five men inside exchanged glances. They grinned. “Jace Monroe keeps his word indeed.” He made a gesture. Immediately two men stepped forward, roughly grabbing my arms from both sides and holding me firmly. At the same time, another man untied Serena’s ropes and shoved her hard toward Jace. Jace rushed forward in panic, steadily catching Serena as she fell into his arms. Serena’s eyes filled with tears, her whole body trembling. “Jace, I was so scared… I knew you would come…” “It’s okay now.” Jace held her tightly, gently wiping the tears from her face. “I told you I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.” I was restrained by two men, my arms controlled. I looked at Jace in confusion. “…What is this?” Jace finally turned his gaze to me. His expression was complicated. There was struggle, but ultimately it was covered by cold indifference. He pressed his lips together and said, “They kidnapped Serena. They said they’d trade you for her.” “You’re trading me for her?” I found it absurd, even my voice trembling. “They don’t want money or anything else. They want you.” Jace’s tone was heavy, with a trace of barely perceptible irritation. “Think about it yourself. Were you too arrogant in the past? Did you offend someone?” Did I offend someone? Yes, I’d been arrogant and wild in the past, offending quite a few people. But these men in front of me. I had no recollection of them. “I don’t know them! Jace, I don’t know these people!” But Jace no longer looked at me. He just held Serena tighter in his arms. “Let’s go.” With that, he embraced Serena and turned toward the warehouse exit. “Jace! Jace!” My shouts echoed in the empty warehouse, hoarse with despair, but he didn’t turn back. The men sneered. “Stop shouting. Your dear husband has left with his precious one. He won’t come back to save you.” It seemed Jace had truly heartlessly abandoned me here. I forced myself to calm down. “I’m the heir to the Hayes family. Let me go now and I’ll give you whatever money you want. But if you dare harm me, the Hayes family absolutely won’t let you go!” Hearing this, the men were stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. “Hayes family heir? You think we don’t know that the Hayes family heir is your gentle sister, Aria Hayes. The Hayes family doesn’t care about you at all!” “That’s right. Without the Monroe family identity, you’re nothing, Ruby. In New York, who would stand up for you?” Another tall, thin man came closer, reaching out to touch my face. “This face is really beautiful. Truly New York’s number one beauty.” “Get away!” I turned my head to avoid him. Fury and humiliation burned my reason. I struggled with all my strength, kicking and hitting with my hands and feet. My resistance enraged these men. “You still dare resist!” Someone slapped me hard across the face. I was knocked to the side, my mouth instantly filled with the taste of iron, my ears ringing. “Hold her down!” Someone shouted. Several hands roughly tore at my clothes. I used the last of my strength to resist, biting down hard on the man trying to hurt me, before being knocked unconscious by someone’s slap. I don’t know how much time passed. I woke in severe pain. Opening my eyes, the first thing I saw were those five men, all sprawled on the ground groaning. Then I saw a man in a black T-shirt and camouflage pants, smoking while stepping on the bald man’s body. I couldn’t help sobbing from the pain. Hearing the sound, the man in camouflage pants turned his gaze to me. He curved his lips. “Ruby Hayes, New York’s worst reputation, rumored to have had countless men, actually refuses a man’s touch? I’m genuinely surprised.” My whole body tensed. I asked hoarsely, “Who are you? These men are…” “Who I am doesn’t matter. I just happened to be passing by.” He seemed to read my thoughts. “These men have nothing to do with me.” Then he put out his cigarette, walked over, and crouched down to my level. His fingers lifted my chin. He raised an eyebrow. “What do you want me to do with them? I can make it happen.” I looked straight into his deep, smiling eyes. No guilt there. Just curiosity. “If you really want to help,” my voice hoarse but steady, “then take me to the airport. I want to leave New York.” The man narrowed his eyes, studying my face for a moment. “Alright.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “390572”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

The fluorescent lights of the office hummed in the silence of 2 a.m. I was buried under a mountain of spreadsheets when my phone buzzed, the screen illuminating the word “POLICE” in stark, clinical white. My heart did a slow, sickening roll in my chest. I picked up. The news hit me like a physical blow—my best friend, Megan, was gone. The detective’s voice was detached. He called it a “freak accident.” According to the coroner, Megan had gotten up in the middle of the night, slipped on the bathroom floor, and fallen headfirst into the toilet. She had knocked herself unconscious and drowned in two inches of water. The conclusion made my skin crawl. I didn’t just doubt it; I knew it was impossible. Megan didn’t just have anxiety; she lived in a state of clinical hyper-vigilance. Her entire life was a fortress built against the “what-ifs” of the world. She slept in a reinforced carbon-fiber tactical helmet because she was terrified of a midnight earthquake. When she ordered UberEats, she didn’t just eat; she used a specialized chemical test kit to check for toxins before the first bite. But it was her bathroom that stuck in my mind. Fearing a fall, she had installed three layers of industrial-grade non-slip silicone mats, anchored to the tile with epoxy resin. Even the toilet seat had custom anti-slip threading. A woman who lived her life like she was perpetually waiting for an assassination attempt didn’t just “slip and fall” in her own sanctuary. Thirty minutes later, I was at her condo in downtown Seattle. The moment I stepped into the master bath, a cold shiver raced down my spine. The floor, which should have been a fortress of silicone and grip, was bare. The pristine white tiles were naked, gleaming under the harsh vanity lights. Those three layers of mats—the ones she treated like sacred relics—were gone. … 1 Adrian was slumped by the bathroom door, his face buried in his hands, shoulders heaving with performative grief. Melanie, Megan’s cousin, stood behind him, rubbing his back with a rhythmic, hollow comfort. Her eyes were rimmed with red. “You have to be strong, Adrian,” she whispered. “It was just a terrible, tragic accident.” I pushed past them into the bathroom. The air was thick with the sterile, stinging scent of industrial bleach. The tiles were still damp. I knelt, pressing my thumb against the spot where the mats used to be. My skin snagged on something rough and tacky. It was the grit of chemical adhesive remover that hadn’t been fully wiped away. Those mats hadn’t just peeled off. They had been aggressively, violently stripped. I stood and looked at Adrian. “Where are the mats?” Adrian looked up, his eyes bloodshot. “Megan… she said they were getting moldy yesterday. She insisted on tearing them up to replace them. I couldn’t stop her. She was in one of her moods.” He slammed his fist against the doorframe. “God, it’s my fault. If I’d just gone to the bathroom with her…” Melanie grabbed his wrist. “Don’t do this to yourself. You know how she was—the paranoia, the midnight episodes. No one could have predicted she’d fall like that.” I stared at Melanie’s hand. Along the edge of her index fingernail, there were tiny, jagged cracks. Trapped in those cracks was a yellowish, translucent residue. Dried epoxy. Megan used industrial waterproof glue. You couldn’t just “tear” those mats up with your bare hands. You needed a scraper, a heat gun, and a lot of solvent. I walked to the vanity. The surface was disturbingly clean. The chemical tester Megan used for her food was missing. The carbon-fiber helmet she never slept without was gone from its shelf. “Where’s her helmet?” I asked, turning back to Adrian. He blinked, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face. “What helmet? She wasn’t wearing one last night. She said the strap was giving her a headache.” A lie. Megan once told me that even if the sky fell, she’d make sure her skull stayed intact. That helmet was custom-fitted; it didn’t “give her a headache.” I didn’t call him out. Not yet. “What did the ME say?” “Accidental drowning,” Adrian said, wiping his face. “She hit the back of her head on the rim of the bowl, lost consciousness, and her face became submerged. It was instantaneous.” I looked at the porcelain rim of the toilet. There was a small, jagged chip in the ceramic. The chip was clean. No blood. If Megan’s skull had been hit hard enough to crack porcelain, there would be a crime scene’s worth of blood. Unless she was already dead before she hit it. Or unless she didn’t hit it at all. “When is the cremation?” I asked. Adrian answered too quickly. “Tomorrow morning. I want her to be at peace. She hated the cold, and the morgue… it’s too much for me to think of her in a drawer.” I stared into his eyes. He broke eye contact first. “No,” I said, stepping closer. “We need a full toxicology report and an independent autopsy.” Adrian snapped upright, his grief momentarily replaced by a sharp, jagged anger. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? The police signed off on it. You want to have her cut open? She was terrified of pain, and now you want to butcher her body?” His voice rose to a shout. Melanie stepped between us. “Cassidy, please. Show some respect for the dead. She’s suffered enough. Don’t turn this into a spectacle.” I looked Melanie dead in the eye. “You still have glue under your fingernails.” She yanked her hand behind her back, her face turning a sudden, sickly shade of ash. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was helping her with a… a craft project yesterday.” Adrian pulled her back. “Cassidy, I’m her husband. I make the decisions. I don’t need an ‘outsider’ telling me how to handle my wife’s passing.” He grabbed a folder from the counter and slammed it down. “The cremation is tomorrow. Period.” I picked up the folder. It was her vital documents. There was a faint water stain on the cover. I wiped it away with my thumb. “Fine,” I said. “I won’t stop the cremation. But I’m taking her personal effects. I want her journals, her clothes—things that actually meant something.” Adrian exhaled, the tension leaving his shoulders. “Melanie, go with her. Make sure she gets whatever she needs.” Melanie nodded, following me like a shadow. 2 I stepped into the master bedroom. The air was heavy with a faint, cloying sweetness. Megan never wore perfume; she claimed the phthalates were carcinogenic. This was Melanie’s scent. I opened the wardrobe. The bottom drawers were half-open, the silk blouses inside rummaged through and tangled. Someone had been looking for something. “Where are her antidepressants?” Melanie asked suddenly. “The police wanted a record of her meds. I can’t find them.” I stopped. Megan didn’t have depression. She had hyper-vigilance. She valued her clarity above all else; she would never take anything that suppressed her nervous system. “She wasn’t on meds,” I said, shutting the drawer. “You’re looking for things that don’t exist.” I walked to the nightstand and knelt. I tapped the bottom panel of the wood—three long taps, one short. Our secret code. A soft click echoed in the quiet room. A hidden compartment popped open an inch. Before I could reach in, the door slammed open. Adrian charged in and shoved me aside. “What the hell are you looking for?” He grabbed the nightstand and flipped it over with a violent crash. Items from the hidden drawer scattered across the floor. A small black USB drive tumbled out, its plastic casing shattering on impact. While Adrian was busy frantically checking the other debris, I stepped on the remains of the USB, grinding it into the carpet under my heel. I reached down and made a show of picking up a stray debit card. “Just looking for the money Megan owed me,” I said, standing up and opening my palm to show the card. Melanie stared at the card. “She owed you money? Did Adrian know?” I slipped the card into my pocket. “He didn’t need to.” I walked out of the wreckage. Adrian’s brow was furrowed with suspicion. “You done?” “I’m done.” I pointed to a trash bag by the door. “I’m taking these old coats. Megan said they had too much static electricity—fire hazard. I’ll toss them for her.” Adrian didn’t care about old coats. “Fine. Just get out.” I made it to my car and locked the doors. My hands were shaking. I pulled the crushed USB from the tread of my shoe. The flash chip was intact. I used a small multi-tool from my glovebox to straighten the connector and plugged it into my laptop. A password prompt appeared. Security Question: What do you fear most? I typed: MEN. Incorrect. I typed: DEATH. Incorrect. I stared at the screen. As her best friend, I knew Megan wasn’t afraid of dying. She was afraid of how she would die. She was afraid of the people she let into her circle. I typed three words: BEING BETRAYED. The screen flickered. The folder opened. There was only one file: a video timestamped 11:30 p.m. last night. One hour before she died. I clicked play. The footage was from a hidden camera disguised as an outlet near the baseboard. Megan was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding her carbon-fiber helmet. She was picking at the interior lining with her fingernails. She peeled back a piece of the padding to reveal the material underneath. It wasn’t carbon fiber. It was cheap, brittle styrofoam. Megan’s hands began to shake violently. She dropped the helmet and covered her mouth, a silent, sobbing scream racking her body. The door opened. Adrian walked in carrying a glass of water. “Honey, drink this. It’ll help you sleep.” Megan snapped her head up, staring at the glass as if it were a coiled snake. She backed away. “What’s in it?” “Just herbal tea,” Adrian said, his smile tight and practiced. “You’re wound too tight. You need to rest.” Megan lunged forward, slapping the glass out of his hand. It shattered on the hardwood, the liquid foaming slightly—a white, effervescent reaction. Adrian’s face went dark. “What the hell is wrong with you?” “You swapped my helmet,” Megan hissed, pointing at the floor. “And you put something in that water. You’re trying to kill me.” Adrian sighed, a heavy, performative sound. He knelt to pick up the helmet. “You’re having an episode, Megan. The helmet is fine. You’re just exhausted.” He began to walk toward her. Step by step. Megan backed into the corner, grabbing a can of pepper spray from her pocket. “Don’t come any closer. I’ll call the police.” Adrian stopped and raised his hands. “Fine. Fine. I’m going. Go take a shower and cool off. I’ll clean this up.” Megan watched him like a cornered animal, hugging the wall as she slid out of the room toward the bathroom. The video cut to black. My palms were slick with sweat. Adrian had drugged the water. Megan hadn’t drunk it, but she had gone into that bathroom. And she had died there. The mats removed. The helmet sabotaged. It wasn’t an accident. It was a choreographed execution designed to look like her own paranoia had finally killed her. I started the car. My phone buzzed. A text from Adrian. “Did you take Megan’s phone, Cassidy?” I stared at the screen. The police had her phone. Why was he asking me? Unless he knew she had a second phone—a burner for emergencies—and he hadn’t found it at the scene. I replied: “No. Didn’t the detectives take it?” Adrian replied instantly: “Right. Just checking. Didn’t want things getting lost.” He was testing me. I threw the phone onto the passenger seat and slammed the car into gear. 3 The next morning at the funeral home, the air was thick with the scent of lilies and staged mourning. Adrian was a vision of the grieving widower in a charcoal suit, a white rose pinned to his lapel. He shook hands with every guest, his eyes suitably puffy. People whispered about what a “devoted husband” he was. Melanie stood nearby, dabbing her eyes with a lace handkerchief. I walked up to Adrian. I didn’t offer my hand. “My condolences.” His tie was done in a perfect Windsor knot. Megan used to hate that knot; she said it was too tight, too much like a noose. Adrian had never worn one when she was alive. “Thank you for coming, Cassidy,” he said, his voice a practiced rasp. “Megan would have appreciated it.” I walked past him to the open casket. Megan was buried under layers of heavy “restorative” makeup, but it couldn’t hide the massive, deep purple hematoma on her forehead. The ME said it was from the toilet rim, but I knew better. Cheap styrofoam doesn’t cushion a blow; it collapses and lets the skull take the full force of the hit. After the service, we moved to the cemetery. I lingered at the back of the crowd. Melanie slowed her pace to match mine. “Cassidy, I know things were tense yesterday,” she said softly. “Adrian hasn’t slept in days. Don’t hold it against him.” I stopped walking. “Why would I be angry?” Melanie sighed. “The autopsy request. He felt like you didn’t trust him. It really hurt him.” I looked her in the eye. “If he’s got nothing to hide, why is he hurting?” Melanie’s expression stiffened. “What is that supposed to mean?” “Nothing,” I said, moving forward again. “I just think it’s a strange coincidence. Dying right after she took out that massive accidental death policy.” Melanie froze. The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them: “What insurance policy?” I turned back, catching the flicker of pure, unadulterated greed in her eyes. “You didn’t know? Megan took out a five-million-dollar policy last month. Adrian is the sole beneficiary.” Melanie’s pupils dilated. Five million dollars. Adrian clearly hadn’t shared that piece of information with his partner-in-crime. I turned and kept walking. The seed was planted. Greed would do the rest of the work for me. As the burial ended and the guests began to drift away, Adrian called out to me. “Cassidy.” He was standing by the headstone, lighting a cigarette. “I want you to be a witness for the estate settlement.” I walked over. “How are you splitting it?” “I’m selling the condo and the car,” he said, blowing a cloud of smoke into the grey afternoon. “Donating the proceeds to a mental health charity. For Megan’s sake.” He looked at her photo on the stone. “I don’t want any of it. It’s all too painful.” I let out a short, cold laugh. “And the five-million-dollar payout? You donating that too?” Adrian’s hand froze mid-air. An ash fell onto his expensive shoes. “What payout?” He turned to me, his gaze sharpening into something predatory. “What are you talking about?” He was playing dumb. “The policy from last month,” I said. “The digital confirmation is on her burner phone. Didn’t you find it?” Adrian’s jaw set so hard I heard the bone pop. He dropped the cigarette and crushed it under his heel. “I don’t know anything about a burner phone. Cassidy, did you take something from that house?” I stepped back. “I took some old coats, Adrian. You saw me.” He stared at me, his eyes cold and venomous. “For your sake, I hope that’s all.” He turned and marched toward the parking lot where Melanie was waiting by the car. Even from a distance, I could see them start to argue the moment they were inside. Melanie was waving her arms wildly. She was definitely asking about the five million. I pulled out my phone and dialed a contact. “Hey, it’s me. I need a full run on Adrian’s finances. Look for gambling debts, high-interest loans, anything that puts him in the red.” I hung up and hailed a cab. “1200 Harbor Drive.” 4 The luxury high-rise on Harbor Drive was quiet. I avoided the lobby, taking the service entrance through the garage and hiking up the fire stairs to the twelfth floor. Megan’s door was locked with a dual-factor biometric scanner—retina and fingerprint. I put on a pair of latex gloves and pulled a silicone fingerprint mold from my pocket. Megan had given it to me a year ago on her birthday after three glasses of wine. She’d gripped my hand, her eyes glassy with tears, and said, “Cass, if the bastards ever actually get me, you’re the only one I trust to go in and find the truth.” I pressed the mold to the scanner and held a high-res photo of Megan up to the lens. The lock chirped. Access granted. The apartment was pitch black. I stepped in, but a sound stopped me dead—the sound of drawers being ripped open and glass shattering. Adrian was already here. I moved like a ghost, slipping behind the heavy velvet curtain in the master bath. Adrian stormed into the bathroom, a hammer in his hand. He let out a primal scream of frustration and shattered the vanity mirror. “Where is it! Where is the goddamn phone!” Glass shards rained down. Suddenly, his phone rang in the living room. He cursed and ran back out to answer it. I had maybe ten seconds. I knew Megan. I knew her “Water Damage” phobia. She believed the pipes were the weakest point of any building. The last place anyone would look for electronics was near a potential leak. I reached behind the main shut-off valve for the shower. Hidden in the recess of the pipe was a small, waterproof capsule. It had been nicked by a shard of the mirror Adrian just broke. I pried it loose, feeling the jagged edge of a damaged micro-SD card inside. I tucked the card into my pocket and moved to the door. In the hallway, I heard Melanie’s voice. She had just arrived. I ducked into the master bedroom and locked the door behind me. “What are you doing here at 1 a.m.?” Adrian’s voice was a jagged edge of rage. “I know you’re lying about the insurance!” Melanie shrieked. “Five million, Adrian! You were going to let me take the fall for the ‘accidental’ death while you skipped town with the jackpot?” “There is no policy!” Adrian roared. “Cassidy is playing you!” “She knew the exact amount!” Melanie countered. “You think I’m an idiot?” Footsteps thudded toward the bedroom. I backed against the wall, heart hammering against my ribs. The handle rattled. “Why is this door locked?” Adrian’s voice was suddenly calm, which was worse. “Melanie, did you lock this?” “No,” she whispered. “Someone’s in here.” CRUNCH. He threw his shoulder against the wood. The frame groaned. I looked around. Twelfth floor. Jumping was suicide. The door shook again, wood splintering near the hinges. I ran to the nightstand and hit the hidden button one last time. A secondary compartment under the bed frame slid out—Megan’s “Last Resort” kit. I grabbed a canister of high-pressure bear mace and backed into the shadow of the walk-in closet. BOOM. The door flew off its hinges. Adrian stood there, chest heaving, a fire axe in his hand. Melanie hovered behind him, her face a mask of terror and greed. “Cassidy,” Adrian said, a slow, hideous grin spreading across his face. “I figured you’d come back to the scene of the crime…”

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