Category: English

I knelt on the floor, my fingertips touching the cold tiles as I scrubbed at invisible stains. “A blind man, good for nothing but eating,” my mother-in-law’s acidic voice pierced my ears. “Hurry up, you can’t even clean the floor properly. What use are you?” I gripped the rag tightly, enduring it all. “Mom, I’m sorry,” Claire’s voice chimed in, full of impatience. “Why are you bothering with this? We could just hire a maid.” “I don’t like strangers in the house,” my mother-in-law replied coldly. “Besides, James isn’t doing anything else. A little exercise is good for him.” “Whatever you say,” Claire sighed. I heard the sound of her bedroom door closing. The last glimmer of light in my heart extinguished. She hadn’t said a single word in my defense. I felt my way to standing, picking up the bucket of dirty water to empty it. Suddenly, a foot shot out, tripping me hard. There was a loud splash as the icy, foul-smelling water drenched me. I lay sprawled on the floor, utterly humiliated. My mother-in-law stood nearby, her tone mocking: “Useless as always. Can’t even do a simple task.” Claire came out after hearing the commotion but showed no concern for me. I silently crawled to my feet, feeling my way around to clean up the mess. Afterwards, I retreated to the kitchen. As I closed the door, I could clearly hear an argument breaking out. “The company has to be mine. Don’t even think about interfering!” Claire shouted heatedly. “I gave birth to you, raised you. How can the company not include me?” my mother-in-law fired back. “I have my own plans. You’ll get your share,” Claire conceded reluctantly. I numbly picked up a knife, feeling my way around the cutting board. The cold blade sliced my fingertip, drawing blood, but I felt no pain. Claire pushed open the door and took the knife from my hand. “Honey, why are you cooking when you’re sick?” Her voice was suddenly sweet. “Let Mom handle it next time. I want fish for dinner tonight.” Claire gently stroked my hair. I froze, bitterness spreading through me. She hadn’t even noticed my injured hand. “I made your favorite, stir-fried peppers and pork,” I said, my voice shaking. Her hand that had been caressing my face suddenly withdrew. Her tone turned icy. “Who likes that? James, do you not love me anymore? You won’t even make what I want to eat.” Alarm bells went off in my head. I was afraid Claire would stop caring about me because of this. I frantically tried to grab her hand, my arms flailing in the air. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” I couldn’t catch her, so I fell to my knees, begging her not to leave. “You’re acting like a lunatic now.” Claire’s voice was filled with undisguised disgust. I knelt on the floor, listening to her departing footsteps. Suddenly I remembered how she used to snuggle in my arms, saying happily: “James, you have to make me stir-fried peppers and pork for the rest of our lives.” I wished so badly that I could regain my sight right now. Then Claire wouldn’t despise me anymore. At dinnertime, Claire’s family was gathered happily in the living room. They seemed to be expecting dinner guests tonight. But none of this had anything to do with me. I huddled alone in my room, silently eating leftovers. They said a blind man like me would be an embarrassment at the table. A familiar voice that sent chills down my spine suddenly rang out by the door. “Have you started eating? I guess I came at a bad time.” My body instantly stiffened. That fear spread from my core to every inch of me. It was my half-brother, Ethan – my father’s illegitimate son. The cheerful chatter in the living room came to an abrupt halt. Claire jumped to her feet, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. “Ethan! You’re here!” The undisguised joy in her voice was a stark contrast to how she spoke to me. Even my usually critical in-laws’ tones became warm and welcoming. “Ethan’s here, come in and sit down!” It was as if Ethan was the true master of this house. Ethan laughed, “I saw the flowers in the yard and picked one for you.” Those were the jasmine flowers I had planted. Claire said she loved the scent of jasmine. I used to pick them one by one, drying them into tea cakes to brew her favorite floral tea. “Oh, you,” Claire’s voice was coy and flirtatious. “You didn’t have to bring anything.” I stood in the doorway of my room, completely out of place in this home. Claire noticed me and her tone instantly dropped to freezing. “James, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and welcome your brother!” My feet felt nailed to the floor, anger and resentment churning in my chest. I couldn’t accept Claire telling me to welcome the man who had ruined my once-happy life. It was because of Ethan and his mother’s interference that my own mother couldn’t accept the reality. Her heart condition relapsed, and her health deteriorated from then on. Ethan spoke up in false concern, “Claire, don’t be like that. He’s my brother after all, and he’s still unwell. How can I let him wait on me?” “Ethan, you’re too kind,” my mother-in-law immediately chimed in. “A blind man, clumsy as he is, what can he do anyway?” “James, if you don’t go now, I’m really going to be angry,” Claire threatened. My throat tightened as I desperately held back tears. I reminded myself this blindness was only temporary. Afraid of upsetting Claire, I felt my way to the kitchen and grabbed a clean set of dishes. I walked over to Ethan and gently set them down beside him. Ethan looked at me and sneered, “My brother is still so capable.” I was in no mood to respond to him. A familiar scent had caught my attention. It was Claire’s favorite perfume, with its cool, woody notes. But it was coming from Ethan. I whirled towards Claire, grabbing her wrist. “Why does he smell like your perfume?” The room fell deathly silent. “James!” Claire yelled at me. “You’re being paranoid again! Can’t you act normal for once? It’s exhausting being with you!” Ethan sighed, adding fuel to the fire. “Claire, don’t be angry. James has always been like this, prone to overthinking. Now that he’s sick, it’s normal for him to be sensitive and suspicious.” But my instincts told me this wasn’t just my imagination. At the same time, I prayed that I really was overthinking things. Claire, I only wish you wouldn’t choose Ethan. Claire’s voice was full of disgust. “I don’t want to argue with you. There’s an urgent project at work. I need to go on a business trip.” I reached out, trying to grab her, but only grasped air. “Claire…” I was at a loss. It was my blindness that made her despise me so much. I had to win back Claire’s heart, which meant I needed to regain my sight. When she returned from her trip, I wanted to surprise her with a husband who could see again, who was healthy. Claire left on her business trip the next day. I immediately contacted my childhood friend to arrange a corneal transplant. Luckily, my surgery was successful. When the bandages came off, the light stung my eyes and brought tears. My mind was filled with thoughts of how to win Claire back, of the happy life we would have together. But fate had other plans. Before I could fully take in the world around me, my phone buzzed with a message. It was from Ethan: “Too bad you’re blind, little brother. Otherwise you’d be able to see your woman in my bed right now.” A photo was attached to the message. Claire lay on her side in bed, hair disheveled, covered by a sheet that revealed only her shoulder, marked with kiss marks. The implications of the photo were crystal clear. The background was the master bedroom of Ethan’s apartment. That bed – I had gone with Claire to pick it out. She said it was a gift for a friend. My heart ached so badly I could hardly breathe. Just then, my assistant called. “Mr. Song, Mrs. Song has ordered the preparation of CEO appointment documents.” Hearing those words, the world was no longer dark, but my heart felt colder than when I was blind. “I’m coming back now.” I locked myself in my office for five days and nights. The desk was piled high with documents, the floor littered with coffee cups and cigarette butts. On the fifth day, my mother-in-law called. “James! I see you’ve grown too big for your britches. Where the hell have you been?” I hung up without a word. Immediately after, Claire’s number lit up my screen. “James, have you lost your mind? What are you playing at now?” Her voice was shrill and grating. “Oh right, you’re not capable of running the company now. Just transfer all the stocks to me.” “Otherwise don’t even think about coming back to this family!” I replied calmly, “Alright.” My calm demeanor caught her off guard. “What do you mean?” “I’m staying at my friend’s place to clear my head. I won’t be coming back for a while.” On the other end of the line, I could almost hear her sigh of relief. “You… you understand then.” Her tone shifted to one of command. “Since you’re free anyway, Ethan’s been so busy he hasn’t eaten dinner yet. Go bring him something to eat.” I arrived outside the CEO’s office. The door was ajar, and Ethan’s voice drifted out. “Claire, don’t blame James. He’s become sensitive and paranoid since losing his sight.” “Once I take over the company, you won’t have to work so hard anymore.” As I listened to Ethan’s voice, my blood suddenly ran cold. After hitting me, the driver had rolled down his window to make a phone call. It was this very voice. I pushed open the door. Seeing me enter, Ethan didn’t realize I had regained my sight. He smirked provocatively, wrapping his arm around Claire’s waist and kissing her shamelessly. Claire showed no shame in doing this in front of me. Perhaps they had done this countless times before in my presence. They were so engrossed in their kiss that Ethan only noticed my empty hands when he finally looked up. He released Claire, frowning in displeasure. “Where’s the food?” “James, I’m warning you, stop playing games. Otherwise Claire really will leave you.” I grabbed the glass from the desk and smashed it against his head. Blood trickled down from Ethan’s temple. Claire screamed. Ethan was stunned too, clutching his head and staring at me in disbelief. “You can see?!” “Security! Get this madman out of here!” he shouted towards the door, while shielding Claire behind him. “Claire, you go out first!” Two security guards rushed in. Having not exercised in a long time, I was quickly overpowered. In the chaos, I lunged at Ethan, grabbing a shard of glass and pressing it against his carotid artery. “Nobody move!” The guards froze. Ethan’s face turned ashen. “James, let go of me!” I ignored him, my gaze fixed on Claire who was making a call outside. After a moment, Claire walked up to me and played a video. “James, look at this.” On the screen, my mother with her heart condition was strapped to a bungee jumping platform. “If you let go of Ethan now, I’ll have them stop the machine.” With each rise of the platform, my mother’s face grew paler as she clutched her chest in pain. “Let go. Kneel down.” Claire’s voice was ice cold, devoid of any emotion. A searing pain shot through my chest. I coughed up blood. I released Ethan and fell to my knees. Claire put away her phone with satisfaction and took Ethan’s arm. “Take him away.” I was brought to an auction hall. Claire stood on the stage. “The position of CEO of Song Corporation, starting bid one million dollars.” She smiled, looking down at my disheveled form like I was a dog.

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The night of my engagement, I found my CEO fiancée and her eighteen-year-old assistant on the company rooftop. Seraphina calmly tightened her open, revealing nightgown, kicking a few used condoms into the corner. But before I could even react, Jace clutched his chest, crying that my footsteps had been too loud and scared him, causing his heart condition to flare up. My fiancée ordered her guards to tie me up and hang me upside down from the edge of the roof for two days and two nights. “That’ll teach you for scaring my Jace on purpose! Since we just got engaged, I’ll go easy on you this time, just a small punishment!” Jace then broke into a smile. He pushed Seraphina against the rooftop wall, kissing her wildly right in front of me, until they were breathless and flushed. He only left when he was satisfied. Before he left, he subtly tucked a sharp piece of glass beneath the rope. With each swing, the rope quickly frayed and snapped. I didn’t die from the fall, but my legs were shattered. I was confined to a wheelchair for life. Yet, on the very night I was hospitalized, I saw Jace post a photo on SnapChat. The picture showed ten condoms blown up like balloons. “Sister promised to go unprotected! She says that useless waste is done for, and tonight she wants me to give her a baby!” I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my flesh. Eight years of a relationship, and I never imagined we’d end up like this. I immediately contacted the cutting-edge neuroscience medical team I’d anonymously invested in three years ago. “Add another hundred million to the investment. Fix my legs.”

When Seraphina heard I was going to call the police, she immediately FaceTimed me, demanding answers. “Jace is just a playful kid, a little bit immature. He didn’t mean to cut the rope.” “Look, I’ll apologize for him. Let’s just drop this small matter, okay?” “I promise you, our engagement will continue. Even though you’re a cripple now, with you as my husband, nobody will dare to laugh at you!” I hung up the phone and pounded my numb legs, consumed by grief. We were childhood sweethearts; we’d been together since we were eighteen. I still remember a younger, innocent Seraphina swearing under the sun that she would love me forever, her heart never changing. But it had only been eight years, and her heart had already changed. In her eyes, Jace getting a fright was a major event, but my shattered legs she casually dismissed as “a small matter.” It turned out, love and indifference were starkly obvious. I hired the most professional legal team to gather evidence of Jace’s deliberate harm, then called the police. The lawyers quickly got back to me. Seraphina had ordered all company surveillance footage deleted the moment the incident happened. She had chosen Jace’s side once again. Her protectiveness toward him chilled me to the bone. Seraphina furiously rushed to the hospital, raising her hand and slapping me across the face. She snapped, annoyed: “Dean, you’re calling the police over such a small thing? Didn’t I already apologize for Jace?” “He’s just an eighteen-year-old kid! You’re a whole decade older than him, why are you being so petty with a child?” “Besides, you were the one who scared him first! He has a weak heart and gets easily frightened. I haven’t even tried to blame you, and you’re already turning the tables on me!” She finished speaking and sat by my hospital bed, threatening: “Our engagement just got put on the schedule. You don’t want me to unilaterally cancel it now, do you?” “Your legs are broken, and if you get dumped too, what will happen to your parents? They’re already not in the best health; if they hear this double blow of bad news, it could literally break their hearts, and something terrible might happen!” I stared hard into her eyes, unable to believe she would use my parents to threaten me, all for Jace. Five years ago, Seraphina was in a car accident. Both her kidneys were damaged, and she urgently needed a transplant. My entire family got tested for a match, and only my mother was a match. Despite her age, she immediately decided to donate a kidney to Seraphina, which is why her health has been declining ever since. At the end of the year my mother donated her kidney, Seraphina was being chased by a rival she’d angered. Both our families had just left a restaurant when a masked man with a knife rushed toward Seraphina. Her biological parents instinctively hid, but in that critical moment, my father stepped forward and took a knife for her, puncturing his lung. My parents’ health suffered because they successively saved Seraphina. They genuinely loved her and had long considered her part of our family. But Seraphina was not only ungrateful, she was using them to threaten me into withdrawing the police report. I pulled at the corner of my mouth, a bitter taste filling my heart. “Why? Seraphina, haven’t my family and I been good enough to you?”

Perhaps it was the depth of my disappointment, but my voice was trembling. Seraphina looked as if she’d heard the funniest joke, a disdainful smirk playing on her lips. “I didn’t beg you to be good to me. Wasn’t it all your voluntary effort?” “Besides, it’s not like you didn’t have ulterior motives, right? Wasn’t it because you wanted me to marry into your family and give you an heir?” I lowered my head and chuckled bitterly, unable to utter a single word of rebuttal. A moment later, I slowly spoke. “So, the vows we made when we were eighteen… have you forgotten them all?” A flicker of guilt crossed Seraphina’s eyes, but it vanished in less than a second. She arrogantly lifted her chin, irritated. “Those were childhood vows. Why are you bringing them up now?” “I know you’re resentful, but you don’t need to get lawyers involved, do you?” “Dean, you weren’t this petty before, were you? Why have you become so unreasonable now?” I closed my eyes, not wanting to continue the conversation. Seraphina scoffed. “Don’t forget to withdraw the police report. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee I won’t say things to your parents!” Only after she left did I open my eyes. But the tears, rebellious, streamed out. I buried my face in my hands, letting out cries of anguish. That night, I sent Seraphina a message. “I can withdraw the police report, but our engagement is off. We’re even from now on.” “Cancel the engagement?” Seraphina frowned, demanding, “Dean, what game are you playing now? You love me so much, how could you bear to cancel this engagement?” “Alright, you don’t have to act in front of me! I’ve already promised you that I’ll let you be my husband, and I’m not going back on my word!” Just then, her phone rang. It was the special ringtone she’d set just for Jace. She’d also arranged a special passenger seat for him, a special workstation. Her favoritism for him was everywhere. Jace’s whining voice came through the phone. “Sister, I saw a limited-edition designer couple’s diamond ring. One for each of us! Come pay for it, quick!” “Wait for me, I’m coming right away.” Her reply was swift and decisive. It was clear she truly cared for that eighteen-year-old assistant. I lowered my gaze. The silver ring on my ring finger was still the couple’s ring we had handmade together when we first got together. So many years had passed, the ring was worn and faded, but I still couldn’t bear to take it off. Seraphina’s silver ring, though, had long since disappeared. Chuckling mockingly, I took off the ring on my ring finger and threw it into the trash. It was half a month later when I was discharged from the hospital. As soon as I was wheeled out, I saw Seraphina, waiting impatiently. “I’m pregnant.” My heart seized. Even though I felt I no longer loved her, hearing this news still brought a pang of pain. After she spoke, she ordered someone to take my wheelchair, then had me moved into a black sedan. “Jace hasn’t reached the legal age for marriage, so we can’t get our license yet.” “I’ve already announced to everyone that I’m pregnant with my fiancé’s child. Today, you’re going to marry me. Once the baby is born, we’ll get a divorce.” The car door shut, and we sped towards the marriage registry. I sat in the car, clenching my fists, my knuckles white. “Seraphina, what makes you think I’d be willing to accept this child?” She replied indifferently, “Because it’s your parents’ wish. I’ve already called them, and they agree we should get married immediately.” “Oh, and of course, I told them I was pregnant with *your* child. Don’t spill the beans when you talk to them later.” “Otherwise, if they find out the golden grandchild they’ve waited so many years for isn’t happening, they might be devastated again!” I trembled with rage. She watched me, amused. “You’re getting a child handed to you for free, you should be happy!” “Besides, marrying me has been your wish for years, hasn’t it? You proposed to me so many times before, and I never agreed to get married.” If Seraphina had agreed to marry me before, I would have been ecstatic. But now, I just felt a wave of nausea. I couldn’t hold back and dry-heaved a few times in the car. Seraphina immediately covered her nose and mouth in disgust, scornfully saying, “If you’re going to throw up, get out and do it! Don’t you dare stain my car!” “This car is Jace’s favorite! I promised to give it to him once he gets his driver’s license!” Those words were like a dagger stabbing into my heart. Eight years together, and the gifts Seraphina had given me were always random souvenirs. But for Jace, she was so thoughtful and generous. In that moment, I decided I would stop deceiving myself. I let go of that eight-year relationship. Three years ago, I had secretly invested in an international medical team. Now, I took out my phone and sent a message to the team leader: “Add another hundred million to the investment. Fix my legs.” The reply came quickly: “Understood.”

The car soon arrived at the marriage registry. Seraphina ordered someone to push me to the marriage registration counter inside. She had even pre-booked the VIP channel. As soon as I was at the counter, she forced me to sign. I picked up the documents to be signed and tore them into pieces, just like our relationship, which had reached its end. “Seraphina, if you try to force me to sign, I’ll have no choice but to call the police.” Seraphina’s expression immediately turned cold. She yelled at me, “If you don’t sign, what about the baby in my belly? Do you want him to be born a bastard?” “I don’t care. You’ll sign today, whether you want to or not! Otherwise, I’ll jump from this rooftop, and it’ll be two lives lost!” This wasn’t the first time Seraphina had threatened me with suicide. In the past, whenever she pulled that stunt, I’d immediately give in to all her demands. But this time, I wouldn’t bow down to her. I looked at her coldly, calmly saying, “Your life or death has nothing to do with me. Either way, I won’t sign this.” The staff at the counter, hearing this, realized I was unwilling to register the marriage. They loudly declared, “According to Article 9, Section 2 of the Marriage Law, if both parties are not fully willing, the marriage registration authority shall not register the marriage.” “Marriage is not a game. You two should go back, discuss it thoroughly, and then come again!” I grabbed my ID back and pushed my wheelchair out. But just as I reached the lobby entrance, my wheelchair was knocked over by someone rushing in. I toppled over with the wheelchair, crashing into the glass door. A sharp pain shot through my head, and a warm liquid trickled down. I lay on the ground, unable to get up, the pain in my head making me dizzy. The person who had bumped into me rushed into Seraphina’s arms, their voice tearful. “Sister, are you going to abandon me? I don’t want you to marry anyone else. Can’t you wait for me for two more years?” Seraphina’s eyes also reddened. She hugged him tenderly, comforting him, “Okay, okay, don’t cry. I’ll wait for you.” Jace turned his head, looking at me lying on the ground, showing no intention of helping me up, nor a word of apology. “Why are you trying to steal my sister from me? You know she’s already pregnant with my child! Why are you trying to break up our family of three?” “I know you’re forcing Sister to marry you! Even if your legs are broken, you shouldn’t use Sister’s entire life to compensate for yours!” “I’d rather go to jail than let Sister marry someone like you. Go tell the police that I’m the one who hurt your legs. I’m willing to take full responsibility!” His tearful accusations immediately drew the attention of the surrounding crowd. These people stared at me with contempt, unable to resist cursing out loud. “I can’t believe a cripple like him has such a wicked mind, deliberately breaking up someone else’s family!” “Using his disability to emotionally blackmail a pregnant woman and forcing her to marry him, how shameless!” Everyone around pointed fingers at me. Jace looked at me triumphantly, a victorious smile on his lips. The two of them walked past, arm in arm, intimately, like a newlywed couple who had just registered their marriage. I endured the intense pain, lying on the ground, lowering my head, not wanting anyone to see my pathetic state. It wasn’t until a staff member noticed me that they helped me up and put me in a taxi. This incident still reached my parents’ ears. Jace had come prepared. The people who mocked me at the marriage registry were all hired by him. He’d also had someone secretly film a video and post it online, causing me to be cyberbullied. My parents brought me home, caressing my numb legs, tears streaming down their faces. “I can’t believe Seraphina could be so heartless! Dean, don’t worry, your dad and I will go abroad with you to treat your legs. You’ll definitely get better!” “As for that ungrateful snake Seraphina, ever since she started her company, your dad and I have been quietly cleaning up her messes behind the scenes.” “Since she’s the one who acted so heartlessly, it’s about time we settle accounts with her properly!” Three days later, my parents and I boarded a flight to another country. As soon as we landed, Seraphina frantically called. I answered the phone, my voice impatient. “Is there something you need?” Seraphina’s voice was anxious. She kept asking,

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I was in the midst of fighting for our company’s overseas expansion when my husband volunteered to take my autistic brother out for some fresh air. Worried, I decided to check on them at the secluded forest resort Lucas had mentioned. Upon arrival, I discovered that all the familiar staff assigned to care for my brother had been replaced by strangers. In a panic, I learned that my brother was being held captive deep in the primeval forest. When I finally reached him, Henry was barely clothed and covered in wounds, surrounded by poisonous insects and wild animals. The brother we had so carefully protected was left to die in the dense jungle by these people. Remembering my husband’s sinister expression when he heard that the company shares would be transferred to my brother’s name, a chill ran through my heart. How dare he lay hands on my family? He must have a death wish. … While I was away on a business trip for the company’s overseas operations, my husband Lucas called to say he wanted to take my brother out for some fresh air. My brother Henry suffers from severe autism. Lucas suggested that exposure to nature might help, so he wanted to take him to a secluded forest resort to try it out. I was pleased that Lucas was considering my brother’s condition and readily agreed. But Henry has always been extremely dependent on familiar environments and people. I couldn’t help but worry, constantly concerned that others wouldn’t be able to care for him properly. So a few days later, when my work reached a stopping point, I immediately boarded a private jet to the secluded forest resort. After all, I hadn’t inspected this resort invested in by our family yet. It would be good to take a break there as well. When the resort manager saw me arrive, he immediately came over with a smile: “Miss Yates? What brings you here so suddenly?” “I’m here to see my husband and brother,” I replied casually, though an uneasy feeling was growing in my heart. The smile on the manager’s face suddenly froze: “Well, you see, Miss Yates, Mr. Martin has arranged a very cutting-edge immersive nature therapy for Mr. Henry. The treatment process can’t be disturbed by any outside interference, so… why don’t I arrange a meeting for tomorrow?” What nature therapy? Lucas hadn’t mentioned anything like that to me. I frowned and looked around. The resort was very quiet and the scenery was beautiful, but something felt off. In this huge resort, there was only this slick manager in front of me and a few unfriendly-looking unfamiliar security guards in the distance. The trusted staff and medical team originally responsible for taking care of my brother were nowhere to be seen. “Where are my people?” My voice turned cold. The manager wiped his sweat, his eyes shifty. “Mr. Martin said they weren’t professional enough and their ideas were outdated, so… he sent them back.” The team members responsible for my brother’s care were all top experts headhunted from around the world at great expense. How could they be unprofessional? My unease grew stronger. My instincts told me that something was definitely being hidden from me. Asking this man in front of me was clearly useless, so I pretended to nod: “Alright, I’m tired too. Why don’t you arrange a room for me first, and I’ll see them tomorrow.” Hearing me say this, the manager visibly relaxed and showed me to a room. After dismissing everyone, I made an excuse about taking a walk and quietly went outside the resort. A few tanned locals were squatting in the shade, chatting idly. “Those new city folks are so cruel. How can anyone survive in that forest?” “It’s such a sin a sin, tying up that poor young man in the Devil’s Grove.” “Devil’s Grove… that place is full of dangerous beasts at night. Someone could easily die there!” My blood seemed to freeze instantly. The unease in my heart was almost overwhelming. I walked over quickly, pulling out a wad of cash and slapping it down in front of one of the locals. “Take me to Devil’s Grove.” The guide was startled by the money in my hand and the expression on my face. He hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded. We plunged into the depths of the primeval forest that the locals considered forbidden territory. After walking for who knows how long, he stopped and pointed to a huge, vine-covered ancient banyan tree in the distance. “That’s… the place.” I pushed aside the last giant fern blocking our path. The sight before me made me feel like I’d fallen into an icy pit. My brother was tightly bound to the giant banyan tree known as “Devil’s Grove” with a coarse hemp rope. His shirt was torn to shreds, barely covering his body. His once fair and delicate skin was covered in scratches and swollen bumps from insect bites. Some areas had even started to fester and rot, a horrific sight. His eyes were unfocused and dull. When I rushed over, he didn’t even recognize me at first.

“Henry!” I scrambled over on all fours to untie those damned ropes from his body. The hemp ropes had cut deep into his flesh, leaving dark red, almost black, bloody marks. I couldn’t bear to imagine how long he had been tied up in this terrifying place. As soon as the ropes were undone, he collapsed into my arms. He looked at me helplessly, his eyes full of uncontrollable anxiety and fear, but unable to speak. He whimpered weakly, tears falling in large drops. I held him tightly, my heart aching unbearably. After comforting him for a while, I lifted my brother onto my back, desperate to leave this green hell immediately. When we finally made it back to the resort, I found it completely deserted. Thinking of that lying manager, I wanted nothing more than to tear him to pieces. But the most important thing now was to treat Henry’s wounds. I would settle this score later, without fail. Under the remote guidance of a doctor, I treated my brother’s wounds and then soothed him to sleep. Watching his haggard little face finally calm down, my heart settled back a bit. But soon, an overwhelming tidal wave of fury swept through my entire body. My brother had been tortured like this, and Lucas couldn’t be innocent. He had promised to take good care of Henry, so why had he allowed this to happen? If it was his responsibility, I wouldn’t let him off easy either. I walked out of the room, determined to find him and demand an explanation no matter what. Not paying attention, I almost collided head-on with an impeccably made-up woman. It was Charlotte Chen, Lucas’s personal secretary. I had long heard rumors about her and Lucas. But Lucas always explained things away perfectly, and I chose to believe him every time. Charlotte looked shocked to see me, but quickly changed to undisguised provocation. “Samantha? You really are like a ghost that won’t stay away. I can’t believe you found your way here.” She looked me up and down. “Well, that saves me the trouble of having to send someone to notify you.” As she spoke, she gently stroked her still-flat belly, a victorious smile on her face. “I’m pregnant with Lucas’s child.” “You barren hen, don’t think you can hold onto the title of Mrs. Martin any longer.” Looking at her arrogant face, I felt nothing but disgust. To spare Lucas’s ego, I had never revealed my true identity in any public setting. I helped him register the company, using all of the Yates family’s connections and resources to pave a smooth road for him. But in the eyes of his employees, I was just an ordinary housewife who had married into a wealthy family. “Was it you who did this to my brother?” My voice was ice cold. Charlotte snorted with laughter, crossing her arms over her chest. “We just let the idiot get close to nature. What’s the big deal?” “Aren’t you just upset that you can’t have children yourself, so you want to trick the Martin family’s fortune away for that fool brother of yours?” “Too bad, now that I’m pregnant, your little scheme is going to fall apart!” I glared at her, struggling to contain my anger. “Say one more word, and I swear I’ll tear that lying mouth of yours to shreds!” She seemed startled by my expression for a moment. “Lucas was right, you really are a complete sister-obsessed lunatic!” I almost laughed from anger. So that husband who was so caring and gentle to my face had shamelessly fabricated this image of himself as the real CEO. And my beloved brother had become a so-called tool for coveting Lucas Martin’s pathetic fortune. Which of Lucas’s possessions wasn’t obtained through me? “Take me to Lucas right now! I’m tired of wasting words with you.” A flash of undisguised viciousness passed through her eyes. “You think seeing him will change anything? Get it through your head, you’re the cast-off shoe about to be abandoned now.” “If I were you, I’d go enjoy nature with your precious brother.” Her shameless and vicious words made me laugh out loud from anger. “You may have been mistaken about one thing from the very beginning. Everything Lucas has, I gave him.” “The one who’s going to be abandoned is him.” “I am the sole legal heir to Yates Corporation in the city.” Charlotte’s expression became complicated as she looked at me suspiciously. “You’re talking nonsense. You must be upset about me being pregnant and lashing out!” I looked contemptuously at her slightly bulging belly. “What you’re carrying is nothing but a worthless dog’s spawn.”

Charlotte was stunned for a good ten seconds. Then she dramatically clutched her stomach and burst out laughing. “Hahaha! Samantha, have you gone mad from the shock?” The security guards behind her joined in the raucous laughter. “The boss warned us that his ex-wife had some mental problems, severe delusions.” “Yeah, she played the CEO’s wife for a few years and now really thinks she’s the daughter of a billionaire? Talk about getting too into character!” “I think she’s watched too many TV dramas and her brain’s fried!” The mockery and ridicule of the crowd washed over me like a tidal wave. The smug look on Charlotte’s face grew even stronger, as if my “crazy talk” further proved her victory and my pitiful state. She seemed to have gained tremendous confidence and gave a signal with her eyes. Those burly security guards immediately understood and barged into the room behind me. Henry, who had just fallen asleep under the effects of a sedative, was roughly dragged out of bed. “Don’t hit me, don’t hit me, I don’t want to go to the forest!” My brother struggled and cried out in terror at this sudden turn of events. I stumbled, trying to stand up, but was forcefully held down by someone nearby. Charlotte walked over leisurely and gently patted Henry’s pale little face. “Poor little fool, don’t be afraid.” Her voice made my brother’s fear instantly reach its peak. “Ahhh!” He screamed and broke free from the security guard’s grip, then began frantically banging his head against the wall and violently punching himself. This was the self-harming behavior he only exhibited when extremely frightened and in pain. “Henry! No!” My heart felt like it was about to shatter. I rushed over without hesitation and held him in my arms. “Don’t be scared, Henry. Don’t be scared. Your sister is here!” I looked at the group of beasts around us with sneering faces, my lips almost bitten through. “I swear, you’ll all regret ever being born into this world!” Charlotte curled her lip in disdain, her eyes full of contempt. “The crazy woman still dares to talk tough.” “Looks like we need to use some special methods on you two lunatic siblings.” She waved her hand elegantly, and several henchmen immediately surrounded us. “I think you just need to be taught a lesson! The boss was too soft-hearted because of your marriage, but I’m not so kind.” “Take them both back to Devil’s Grove.” I angrily tried to resist but was firmly pinned down by two tall security guards, unable to move. Charlotte personally searched out my phone, playing with it smugly in her hand. “Let’s see who can save you this time.” My brother and I were dragged out of the resort. Just as I was at my wit’s end, a piercing screech of brakes rang out. A black SUV stopped in front of us. A figure I knew all too well stepped out. It was Robert Zhang. One of the board members of my father’s company, an elder with close ties to our family. “Uncle Robert?” The moment I saw him, it was like seeing a lifeline. Robert Zhang’s face was also filled with shock when he saw me restrained. “Samantha? What’s going on? Why are you here?” Before I could respond, Charlotte immediately went over and linked arms with Robert, whispering in his ear. I stared intently at Robert’s face, watching his expression change from shock to hesitation, and finally to viciousness. The whole process took no more than ten or fifteen seconds. The look in his eyes when he turned back to me no longer held any of the kindness from before, only ice-cold murderous intent. “Do as she says,” he ordered coldly to the security guards who were still hesitating. The guards hesitated a bit. After all, my identity was what it was. They couldn’t help but be somewhat wary. Robert saw through their thoughts and immediately added a strong incentive. “Five million dollars each when it’s done.” “If anything goes wrong, I, Robert Zhang, will take full responsibility.” Where there are great rewards, there will be brave people – and no conscience or scruples left. The last trace of hesitation in their eyes was completely replaced by naked greed. My brother and I were roughly grabbed by the neck and pushed step by step towards the entrance of the primeval forest. My heart sank like a stone, completely numb. Looking up, I saw Lucas impatiently swatting away mosquitoes at the entrance. He glanced at me, clearly already knowing everything, or rather, orchestrating it all. He stared at me with a half-smile, still pretending to be the perfect husband. “Darling, why are you being so disobedient?” His voice was gentle, but it sent chills down my spine. “We only needed your idiot brother to return to nature.” He walked towards me step by step, the smile on his face gradually twisting as he shed all pretense. That handsome face I had kissed countless times was now exceptionally hideous. “Since you’re seeking death, I’m afraid you’ll have to accompany him on his journey.” I stared at him coldly. “Lucas, do you know what you’re doing? Stop this immediately!” He shook his head contemptuously. “Samantha, no one will know what happened here.” “The lives of you and your brother will end with a casually explained accident.” I looked at this beast in human skin before me, my heart turning to ash. I knew he would never let me go. I suppose this outcome was inevitable from the moment he learned that most of the family shares would go to my brother. I looked at my poor brother, my heart filled with sorrow. It was all my fault for not seeing through this scumbag’s true nature sooner. I never imagined my brother would be implicated as well. “Lucas, I’m begging you, let Henry go. He’s just a child! He doesn’t know anything!” “Take my portion, it’s enough for you to live lavishly for the rest of your life.” Lucas burst into hysterical laughter. “Let him go?” “What would I get if I let him go?!” His eyes flashed with extreme malice. “Samantha Yates, why should you get billions handed to you with the snap of a finger?” “I’ve been wagging my tail and begging like a dog, watching how everyone in your Yates family looks at me!” He grabbed my hair roughly. “Now it’s finally my turn. I’m not stupid enough to give up such a good opportunity!” “Once you’re dead, Robert will work with the board to put me in charge. I want it all, dammit!” He pushed me away in disgust. We were taken back into the depths of the primeval forest by the group of security guards. This time, my brother and I were tied together to that eerie Devil’s Grove tree. The hard bark dug painfully into my back. The coarse rope cut into our flesh, bringing searing pain. Looking at the group conspiring nearby, I couldn’t help but shout angrily. “Lucas! How has my family wronged you? Henry trusted you so much, how can you bear to do this?” “I turned you from a penniless nobody into a CEO worth hundreds of millions. Wasn’t that enough?” He viciously cut off my words. “Enough? It will never be enough!” “I’ve been slaving away for your Yates family all these years. I thought I’d at least get a chance to enter Yates Corporation!” “But just because you can’t have children, that old geezer in your family wants to transfer over 50% of the shares to this idiot behind you who doesn’t even know what money is!” He roared, pointing at my trembling brother. “Why?! I refuse to accept this!” Robert Zhang behind him also chimed in ominously. “Mr. Martin is right, Samantha. You can’t blame us.” “The old man’s decision has left the board very disheartened…” “As long as we sacrifice you two siblings, we’ll all have good days ahead!”

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My husband, Jake, was a big-shot stylist in the industry. His clients? All high-spending wealthy women. He’d come home late, shed his clothes, and just crash. But one night, I found a receipt in his jacket pocket. Just one item listed: condoms. The purchase time was 8:16 PM, that very evening. My blood ran cold. Jake and I hadn’t been intimate in ages. So, who exactly was that box for? My name is Natalie. I’m 26 and I work at a bank, primarily in investment and wealth management. My parents were strict educators, so it was a shock when I insisted on marrying Jake, someone whose background and upbringing were so completely different from mine. Jake was effortlessly charming and undeniably handsome—the kind of guy who’d make any woman’s heart flutter with just one glance. At the time, he worked as a stylist at an upscale salon. My office was nearby, and I’d often pop in for a haircut. That’s how we got to know each other. He was witty, humorous, and incredibly composed—nothing like the loud and obnoxious guys I’d known in college. I was utterly captivated, and soon enough, we started dating. When my father found out, he hit the roof. He tore into me, screaming. I cried my eyes out, but my mom, bless her heart, intervened, mediating between us for what felt like forever. In the end, my father reluctantly gave in. I thought being with the man I loved would be like living in a dream, every day sweeter than the last. Instead, after we got married, I was under immense emotional stress. Insomnia, nightmares, hair loss, I looked utterly dreadful. Every time I caught my reflection, it was like staring at a ghost. I’d turn my head to look at Jake, sprawled on the couch, glued to his phone. His shirt would ride up, revealing his defined abs. Compared to him, I felt even more self-conscious. My parents, seeing how much I’d wasted away, were heartbroken. Soon after we married, they dipped into most of their life savings to buy us a house in a prime school district and even gave Jake a chunk of money to further his hairdressing skills. After his advanced training, he really took off. He became the salon’s star stylist and was promoted to creative director. But ever since Jake became a director, he got busier and busier. He was out early and back late; I barely saw him. When he did come home, it was usually late, smelling of liquor and unfamiliar perfume. He wouldn’t even bother to take off his clothes, just crash onto the bed and pass out. That night, Jake didn’t get home until after midnight, just like always. He stumbled onto the bed, still in his jacket, and within moments, his snores filled the room. My heart ached for him. I reached out, gently took his arm, and carefully pulled his jacket off. With a soft shake, a few strands of wine-red, curly hair drifted from his jacket and landed on the floor. I didn’t think much of it; Jake was a hairdresser, after all. He always had different women’s hair on him, I was used to it. I picked up the hair, tossed it into the nearby trash can, and draped his jacket over the back of a chair. Suddenly, a small crumpled piece of paper fell out of his jacket pocket. Curious, I smoothed it open. It was a supermarket receipt. Just one item: condoms. Purchased at 8:16 PM, tonight. I froze. Jake and I hadn’t been intimate in ages. So, who exactly was that box of condoms for? The thought sparked, and doubt took root deep in my heart . I picked up Jake’s jacket again, carefully checking every inch. Finally, on the collar, I spotted a deep, unmistakable lipstick stain. Jake had often told me his job involved a lot of women: the sexy receptionist, young new clients, and chatty female stylists. But of course, his most frequent clients were the high-spending wealthy ones.

From the very first day of our marriage, I chose to trust him. I never questioned his work. But seeing that lipstick stain on his jacket and that box of condoms, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling. My mind started racing, consumed by wild suspicions. The overthinking clearly impacted my work efficiency. I asked my supervisor for a day off and went straight to ‘The Muse’ salon. After marrying Jake, I’d never once been to his workplace. He never invited me to work events, either, so over time, I didn’t know any of his friends or colleagues. After asking around, I finally found The Muse salon. It was on the fifth floor of a mall, taking up a huge space, entirely enclosed by transparent glass. As soon as I stepped off the elevator, I saw The Muse’s prominent sign. Through the glass doors, I spotted a short-haired girl with bright green hair, lounging at the reception desk, practically *melting* into a smile for Jake. Jake flashed a wicked grin. He reached out and lightly brushed her hair with his fingers, and her smile widened even more. Jake’s gaze swept over the short-haired girl’s body, and he reached out again, giving her waist a playful squeeze. She didn’t pull away, instead, she pressed his hand into her waist, rubbing against it. The electricity between them was palpable. I stood there, stunned. *This* was my husband’s normal work environment? My legs felt like concrete; I couldn’t move an inch. Jake leaned in, whispered something into the green-haired girl’s ear, then turned and walked deeper into the salon. I quickly pushed through the doors and followed his direction. I saw him disappear into a VIP room. The green-haired girl looked at me, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes. “Haircut or perm? Do you have a regular stylist?” I shook my head. “No. Just find me anyone.” The green-haired girl yelled inside, “Kevin! Client for you! Come wash her hair.” A slender, somewhat effeminate guy responded, his hair dyed yellow. He smiled at me. “Right this way, beautiful.” I followed him, passing by a mirror. Seeing my own dreadful reflection and hearing him call me “beautiful,” I felt like their profession required a serious lack of conscience. Kevin quickly washed my hair, then led me to a chair near the corner. A white towel was draped over my face. I heard him ask, “So, beautiful, how do you want your hair cut?” “Just… whatever,” I mumbled. Kevin took the towel off, let my hair down, and started cutting. He was quite talkative, chatting idly with me, which was perfect. It gave me a chance to pump him for information. “How did you hear about our salon, beautiful?” he asked. “A friend recommended it. She’s a client of… Tony. I don’t see Tony around, though?” I asked, feigning casualness. Kevin scoffed, a hint of bitterness in his voice. “Oh, *our* Tony? He’s far too busy. Not just anyone can see him. You need to have *this*.” He rubbed his thumb and forefinger together in front of me, clearly indicating money. “Oh?” I couldn’t help but ask, intrigued. “How much are we talking?” Kevin looked at my face, confused, then seeing my serious expression, he dropped his smile. He glanced around, then leaned in close, whispering, “Look, sis, you seem like an honest person. Just don’t get yourself mixed up in this mess.”

It seemed Kevin knew a lot. I looked at his reflection in the mirror and said, “Tell me about him, and I’ll buy a Gold Card here.” Kevin’s eyes instantly lit up. He grinned at me. “Sis, are you also interested in Tony? We have tons of clients who are!” Kevin started talking. “Tony is handsome, charming, and he has the most clients. Not just a lot, but they’re all wealthy women, driving fancy cars!” Kevin continued to chat as he cut my hair. Apparently, Jake only served clients in the VIP section. To get into that room, you had to have spent at least ten thousand dollars at the salon. “That much?” I exclaimed, surprised. Kevin seemed unfazed. He took a strand of my hair, snipped it, and continued, “Our Tony is worth it! Who can blame him for being so skilled?” His tone was dripping with envy. I looked at Kevin. He wasn’t bad-looking himself, and he was younger than Jake. Logically, why wouldn’t those rich women choose him? I asked curiously, “You’re pretty handsome too. Rich women should like your type.” Kevin paused for a moment, then burst into a happy laugh. “Sis, you’re too kind!” He put down his scissors and leaned in close, whispering, “Tony has his own methods. He knows how to make those rich women willingly open their wallets for him.” I looked at him, shaking my head, curious. Kevin sighed, speaking as if he were disappointed in Jake. “It’s pickup artistry, you know? I heard he’s a master at it. No feelings involved. If they’re pretty, he uses them for sex. If they’re rich, he bleeds them dry.” Just then, I heard someone shouting at the entrance, “I *have* to see Tony! I know he’s here! No one else will do!” The girl stood at the reception, hands on her hips, yelling loudly. No one around moved; everyone just kept busy with their work. I was shocked. I pointed at the girl. “Hey, aren’t you going to do something?” Kevin shushed me. “We see this all the time. Someone always comes looking for Tony after a while.” I looked back at the girl. Her face was flushed with anger. No matter how much she yelled, no one paid her any mind. Finally, Chloe, the green-haired receptionist, couldn’t take it anymore and shouted back, “Ma’am, if you really want Tony to style your hair, I can make an appointment for you.” The girl immediately started spewing insults. “Book my ass! You have no idea what my relationship with him is!” She tossed her head and waved her finger. “I’m telling you, we slept together yesterday! What, he just uses women and tosses them aside now?” Kevin snickered when he heard that. But I couldn’t find anything to laugh about. All I could think was: *Jake cheated. My husband cheated.* I sat there, watching the girl scream, unable to process anything. As I sat there in a daze, Jake emerged from the VIP room. The girl, seeing him, instantly changed her demeanor. She scurried over to Jake, calling out sweetly, “Darling, I’ve been looking for you all day! Why did you take so long?” Jake’s face was cold as he stared at her. “This is my workplace. What are you doing, making such a scene?” The girl, who had just been so belligerent, instantly fell silent. She hung her head, standing before Jake, docile as a kitten.

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Before I died, I was just a regular college student. A notorious gang leader, Victor Shaw, set his sights on me. He had a classmate lure me out, and during his attempted assault, I accidentally fell and died. My death also took my mother’s life. My rage exploded, tearing through the heavens, consumed by a single desire: revenge. Kaelen Stone, a special agent from the Paranormal Investigations Agency, found me. He guided me to become an investigator, and in the end, he even sacrificed his own life force to bring me back… Predatory student loan schemes had been running rampant on campus, and Victor Shaw, the one controlling our area, had taken an interest in me. I ignored his advances, never imagining he’d use my classmates to set a trap. Seven nights ago, he had a classmate invite me to meet at the library, pretending it was about something important. Naively, I went, only to discover his sinister intentions. He tried to assault me. He even threatened to take explicit photos to force me into his debt. I fought back with all my might, but in his struggle, he pushed me down the stairs. My neck snapped. After I died, my soul detached from my body. I watched Victor Shaw flee the scene in a panic, and I witnessed my own gruesome death. I tried to touch my body, but as a ghost, I couldn’t. I could only hover by my own corpse, with nowhere to go. My parents had been divorced for years, both having started new families. I’d come to this unfamiliar city for college alone, with barely any friends besides a few not-so-close roommates. No one discovered my death right away. I watched Victor Shaw and his thugs sneak into the library three times, meticulously erasing every possible piece of evidence. Seven days later, my decaying body was finally found by a student who came to that quiet corner to study. Instantly, the entire campus erupted in panic. The police quickly launched an investigation, and the media widely reported on the campus murder. My soul followed my remains to the morgue. I saw my father’s remorse and self-blame, and my mother’s heart-wrenching sobs. Their genuine grief brought me a flicker of comfort. They still cared about me, after all. Because Victor Shaw had cleaned up so thoroughly, and there were no surveillance cameras in that corner, the case remained unsolved for a long time. My body was kept in cold storage. I felt the biting chill, yet no one knew my suffering. And so, an entire year passed. Even though the case hadn’t been cracked, my parents eventually went through the procedures, having my body cremated and buried. After being laid to rest, I did feel a little more at ease. My resentment never truly faded, but the intense hatred for Victor Shaw’s deception and attempted assault, for him never being caught, slowly diminished with time. Each year around the anniversary of my death, I would watch my parents mourn and weep by my grave, which slightly rekindled my lingering resentment. I wished for news of the murderer being brought to justice, but it never came. My obsession persisted; I wasn’t willing to move on. Seven years flew by. This year, it wasn’t my mother who came to visit my grave, but my stepfather. He stood before my headstone and said, “Maya, after you left, your mother had restless nights. She blamed herself for not being a good enough mother and kept pursuing the investigation into your killer. She swore she would find your enemy herself to avenge you, but she overworked herself and, in a moment of exhaustion, fell down the stairs and passed away. Maya, so many years have passed, and now your mother is gone too. I wonder if you’ve already let go of your obsession and been reborn.” My stepfather left after saying those words. Learning that my mother had died due to overworking herself because of my case, my slowly settling resentment erupted like a volcano, soaring into the sky. I hadn’t let go of my obsession. All I wanted was revenge! I felt the air around me twist, dust swirling everywhere. When everything settled, I had transformed into a more tangible entity, breaking free from the confines of my grave, able to move far beyond the burial site. “A vengeful spirit reborn, tonight, blood will be repaid with blood!” I growled, flying towards the headquarters of Victor Shaw’s criminal organization.

I arrived in front of a luxurious office building—this was the gang’s main base. I effortlessly phased through the walls and took the elevator to the top floor. Inside the office, Victor Shaw was entangled with a seductive woman. “Honey, I saw this limited-edition handbag…” the woman purred. “Serve me well, and I’ll buy you anything,” Victor Shaw replied with a lecherous grin. I felt a wave of nausea. Victor Shaw using material things to force women to sell themselves was disgusting. This murderer, who had taken my life and indirectly caused my mother’s death, was living so freely and happily. This world was truly unfair! I hesitated no longer. I reached out, channeling all my resentment. A blade, made of pure vengeful energy, materialized in my palm. Just as I was about to hurl it at Victor Shaw, a strange male voice called out from behind me, “Stop!” A searing orb of energy whizzed past, shattering my blade of resentment. I spun around, seeing a man in a black trench coat standing at the office doorway. A colorful knitted pouch hung from his waist. Black with vibrant colors—a truly quirky contrast. In his hand, he held what looked like a talisman, and his entire being exuded an aura that filled me with dread. “You, a vengeful spirit, are you truly planning to commit an irreversible crime?” the man asked in a deep voice. I sensed danger and began to retreat, wanting to escape. But the man simply said, “Thinking of leaving? I’m afraid it won’t be that easy.” With that, he pulled a small jade vial from his knitted pouch. A suction force surged towards me. Before I could react, I was pulled into the vial. Lightning crackled within the vial, and intense pain shot through my entire body. I couldn’t help but scream. “One last chance,” the man said. “Give up your revenge, and I can help you move on. Otherwise, your soul will be completely annihilated.” I wanted to defiantly refuse, but the pain was unbearable. If I remained stubborn, I truly feared my soul would be scattered into oblivion. “I… I give up…” I managed to say. The man seemed somewhat surprised. He then released me from the jade vial. “Since you promised to give up revenge, you must keep your word.” I nodded obediently. He was surprisingly honest, easy to fool, I thought. I felt like I could escape him after all. “Come with me,” the man said, pulling out what looked like a small, plain jug from his bag. “Enter this vessel.” Turns out he wasn’t so dumb. He just swapped me to a less delicate container. Still couldn’t escape easily. While I was still hesitating, the office door suddenly burst open. Victor Shaw stepped out, a look of disdain on his face, clearly disturbed by our confrontation. “Who are you? Dressed so weirdly, showing up in the middle of the night—are you trying to steal something?” Victor Shaw couldn’t see me, but he could see Kaelen Stone. Kaelen Stone’s expression was cold and stern. Dressed in his black trench coat, with the colorful knitted pouch slung across his body, he held the plain yellowish-white jug he was preparing to put me in. “I am a Special Agent from the Paranormal Investigations Agency. I’m here tonight to thoroughly investigate your crimes!” “Paranormal investigation? Don’t try to fool me. Get out!” Victor Shaw, of course, didn’t believe him. Kaelen Stone sneered. He pulled an ancient-looking talisman from his trench coat’s inner pocket, murmured a few incantations, and flicked his finger. The talisman flew and stuck to my soul form. I braced for pain, instinctively closing my eyes, but the anticipated pain never came. Instead, I felt my body suddenly become solid. In my ghostly state, Victor Shaw couldn’t see me. But after Kaelen Stone’s talisman hit me, I fully materialized, appearing right in front of Victor Shaw.

The moment Victor Shaw saw me, his smug face instantly turned ashen, cold sweat beading on his forehead. “Ah, a ghost!” His legs gave out, and he stumbled backward in a panic. I said chillingly, “Victor Shaw, you attempted to assault me and then murdered me. My blood is on your hands! You indirectly caused my mother’s death, and now you still show no remorse…” As I spoke of my grief, my eyes became bloodshot, and resentment surged through me. How could I, a vibrant young woman, have suffered such a cruel death at the hands of this monster? How could I ever swallow this hatred? The air around us seemed to turn blood-red. My enemy was right before me, and I could no longer suppress my desire for revenge. Victor Shaw’s legs trembled uncontrollably. He turned to Kaelen Stone for help. “Aren’t you a Special Agent investigating urban paranormal events? There’s a ghost here, this is paranormal! Catch her quickly! I’ll pay you!” A sliver of fear crept into my heart. Kaelen Stone’s power was profound. If he helped Victor Shaw against me, I wouldn’t stand a chance. Unexpectedly, Kaelen Stone simply stood quietly to the side, making no move. Combined with his earlier declaration to “thoroughly investigate your crimes,” I immediately understood that Kaelen Stone was tacitly allowing me to act. “Hmph, I only said I wouldn’t harm the innocent. I never said I’d let a scumbag like you go!” My eyes blazed. My fingernails instantly grew several inches long, and I lunged at Victor Shaw. “Help me!” Victor Shaw was terrified out of his mind. In his panicked flight, he grabbed the pregnant woman beside him and shoved her towards me. My killing intent was surging. Seeing the woman flying towards me, I truly wanted to tear her to shreds. However, in that split second, through my translucent vision, I clearly saw a tiny fetus in the woman’s womb! Her belly wasn’t noticeably large yet. She was innocent, and she was carrying an innocent life inside her. Even as a vengeful spirit, I couldn’t bring myself to harm the innocent. I flashed past the pregnant woman, and in the nick of time, used my telekinesis to gently guide her onto a nearby sofa cushion, narrowly avoiding a sharp table corner. It was in that moment of distraction that Victor Shaw snatched the jade Buddha pendant from his neck and slammed it hard into my back! “Ah!” I let out a piercing shriek. The immense force knocked me to the ground. My vision blurred, and my body struggled to hold together… Was this what it felt like for a soul to be shattered? “Collect!” In that critical moment, Kaelen Stone pulled the jade vial from his knitted pouch, chanted an incantation, and pointed it at me. The next instant, I was sucked into the jade vial. Before my consciousness plunged into darkness, I couldn’t help but think: *Sure enough, men with such strange quirks are never good news. I knew he had ill intentions… attacking a young woman like me when I was off guard.* I didn’t hear Kaelen Stone’s words after I passed out: “My apologies, I couldn’t save you in time.” When I woke again, I found myself in an unfamiliar room. The lights were dim, but I could see many suspicious figures subtly radiating an ominous aura. I quickly retreated to a corner, fearfully surveying everyone present. No one paid me any mind. They whispered amongst themselves, yet it felt like they were all secretly observing me. The eerie atmosphere only heightened my fear. Just as I stood there, lost, Kaelen Stone reappeared before me. Seeing his familiar figure now, it was like seeing a savior. I quickly rushed forward and grabbed his arm. “Why did you bring me here?” The people around me were just too terrifying. Kaelen Stone cast a helpless glance around, his gaze sweeping over everyone. Their expressions varied, but with a strange synchronicity, they transformed into wisps of green smoke and vanished. This bizarre scene almost made my jaw drop. They weren’t human! No wonder I felt so scared. But I was a ghost too, so why was I still so afraid of ghosts? Kaelen Stone slowly walked to an altar, reverently lit three sticks of incense, and then turned to me. “What’s your name?” “Maya…” I stared blankly at Kaelen Stone, utterly bewildered as to what this mysterious man with peculiar hobbies was really up to… Kaelen Stone gazed at me. “My name is Kaelen Stone. I’m a Special Agent from the Paranormal Investigations Agency. Our agency specializes in handling all sorts of supernatural events. Can you smell the incense? I offered it for you.”

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The day I took our daughter, Lily, for her check-up, Damon, my husband, who had been away on a business trip for days, drove to pick us up. The moment he saw us, he pulled both me and Lily into a tight hug. My nose twitched. A faint, unfamiliar scent hit me. Lily snuggled into him, giggling. I stood by, smiling, watching them play-fight. It wasn’t until we settled into the car that I noticed another woman in the back seat… The woman had a small, round face and wore a crisp business suit. She smiled sweetly. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Thorne. I’m Chloe, the new assistant from Damon’s office.” I glanced at Damon. He said calmly, “She was on my way, so I offered her a ride home.” But since when did Damon, the CEO of Thorne Enterprises, personally pick up an employee? Especially when he was on his way to get *us*. Chloe explained earnestly, “Please don’t misunderstand, Mrs. Thorne. I just wanted a chance to apologize to you.” She handed me a gift bag containing a tube of my favorite hand cream. “When I was on the business trip with Mr. Thorne, I forgot my hand cream. You happened to have some in the car, and I… accidentally used it all up.” “This is a new one I bought. I hope you’ll accept it.” I didn’t reach out for it immediately. A hint of nervousness flickered across her face, and she couldn’t help but glance at Damon beside her. “Take it,” Damon said, his voice soft but firm. I took the bag and tossed it onto the seat beside me. Lily, strapped into her car seat, stared curiously at this new lady. Her eyes lit up when she spotted candy in Chloe’s hand. Just as Chloe prepared to unwrap a piece of candy for Lily, I couldn’t hold back anymore. “She just saw the dentist. No candy.” “But this is imported! Not just any cheap brand. You can rest assured—” “So imported candy isn’t candy?” Damon, who had been focused on driving, frowned. “Elara, she’s just trying to be nice.” I fell silent. But Lily, ever the sensible one, nodded. “Lily will listen to Mommy. No candy.” Chloe had no choice but to withdraw her hand, her expression stiff. The car soon pulled up smoothly outside an older apartment complex. She got out, apologizing profusely once more. I just nodded slightly in acknowledgment. On the way home, Damon’s tone softened. “Don’t be mad at her. She’s a young woman, fresh out of college, too much of a perfectionist. Sometimes when she’s stubborn, even I can’t talk her out of it.” A faint smile played on his lips. “Quite strong-willed, actually.” As the car pulled up to our house, he suddenly leaned over and kissed my cheek. I didn’t pull away. From the back seat, Lily suddenly piped up, “Mommy, the lady’s scent smells like Daddy’s.” Damon’s smile froze for a moment. I pretended not to notice, laughing lightly. “That’s because Daddy’s car should naturally smell like Daddy. It has nothing to do with anyone else.” “Oh,” Lily said, sounding half-convinced, half-confused. I got out and lifted her from the car. Looking up at Damon beside me, he spoke calmly. “If taking care of Lily makes you feel tired, I can hire a professional.” His voice was even. “She’s a Thorne, our little princess. She shouldn’t be neglected or anything less than perfectly cared for because *you’re* tired.”

From the moment I married into the Thorne family, I knew I’d have to put up with Damon’s wandering eye. He’d had casual flings, even scandals. The year Lily was born, I had a huge fight with him. It was the first time I’d ever seen him truly angry. His eyes turned icy, making the air around us freeze. He said, “You need to remember, Elara, the status I gave you, I can take away just as easily.” For Lily’s future, I didn’t argue anymore. That storm ended quietly, without even a ripple. Later, I learned my lesson. Because no matter how many women he brought into his life, he always knew this home existed. Sometimes I even felt a genuine attachment in his gaze when he looked at me. After all, I was his wife, and I held a different place in his heart. He drew an invisible line between his family and his girlfriends. I pretended to be oblivious inside that line. They, outside the line, played out one romantic escapade after another with him. Until Chloe appeared, that balance was shattered— She brazenly climbed over that wall and stood right in front of me. After putting Lily to sleep, I returned to our bedroom. Damon stood by the balcony, flipping through documents, a slight smile on his lips. “You’ve had a long week. Get some rest.” He rarely spoke so gently to anyone. A flash of Chloe’s delicate face from earlier that day flickered in my mind. I didn’t respond, walking straight into the bathroom. The water was barely running when a warm, strong body pressed against me from behind. His husky voice whispered from above, “Did you miss me these past few days?” I gently turned, grabbing a towel and wrapping myself tightly. “I’m a bit tired. Not tonight.” As I turned to leave, my wrist was suddenly yanked back. He raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of playful mischief. “I’ve been saving myself for you. If you won’t take it, should I give it to someone else?” He loved to make lewd jokes like that in bed. No matter how I reacted, he always seemed so sure I wouldn’t truly push back. When I pushed him away again, the smile in his eyes only deepened. “Jealous?” “There’s nothing going on between me and her. It’s just that she looks a lot like you…” “If you don’t like it, I won’t do it again. Alright, just for you.” As he spoke, he kissed my neck. What should have been a burning touch sent a chill through me. “Damon, please, don’t touch me.” The bathroom filled with steam, and his expression instantly darkened. “Don’t be difficult, Elara. Not while my patience is wearing thin.” I froze, my fingers slowly turning white. Seeing that I wouldn’t soften, he simply scooped me up, tossing me onto the bed. In the dark, he gritted his teeth and said, his voice quiet but chilling, “If you want things to go smoothly, just behave.” My entire body stiffened. I couldn’t utter a word. Much later, tears silently streamed down my face. The next morning, Lily burrowed into my bed, kissing my face. “Mommy, Daddy’s taking me to the park today!” I was surprised. Damon never liked taking her to places like that, let alone personally. Damon leaned against the doorframe, a gentle smile on his face. “Come on, my little princess. Time to get up.” The moment they left, I went to the hospital. Last night’s events still felt off. When I received the test results, I was stunned myself. The doctor said calmly, “You’re four weeks pregnant. The first few months are unstable, so try to avoid intercourse. If you don’t plan on keeping the baby, decide soon. Waiting too long can have a significant impact on your body.” I clutched the diagnostic report tightly, sobbing uncontrollably in the car.

In the two years I was most infatuated with Damon, I once thought of using a child to keep him. So I got pregnant with Lily. He did start coming home more often, and his care and thoughtfulness slowly returned. It felt like we were back in college, during that period when he was actively pursuing me. But everything changed completely the day Lily was born. I was alone in the delivery room, in pain and terrified, while he suddenly went unreachable. I later found out that on that very night, he had finally succeeded in winning her over. He was with that woman, enjoying a night of passion in the penthouse suite of the city’s tallest skyscraper. In that moment, I truly hated him. Five years were enough to completely erode any expectations I had of Damon. During this time, there were many who urged me to have another child. “The more powerful a man is, the more women he’ll have around him. Especially in that kind of circle. Damon’s actually not bad.” “You should just have a few more kids. No matter what he does outside, as long as you’re firmly in place as the primary wife, that’s what matters.” The Thorne family had only ever had one male heir for generations. If I could have another child, boy or girl—even if Damon intended to make things difficult for me, his parents wouldn’t allow it. Right. No one would act against their own interests. Besides, I had Lily. She was almost the entire meaning of my life. I carefully put away my pregnancy report, drove home, and started a pot of slow-simmered soup, waiting for Lily to return. As dusk settled. After failing to reach Damon for the tenth time, I felt increasingly anxious. I couldn’t wait any longer. Grabbing my car keys, I decided to go look for them myself. I went to his office first, but he wasn’t there. The amusement park was closed. Just as I was about to turn toward the Thorne family estate, our housekeeper, Maria, called. “Mrs. Thorne, Lily just got back. Mr. Evans dropped her off. She’s fast asleep now.” I leaned back in the driver’s seat, closed my eyes, and felt my entire body relax. Maria added, “Mr. Evans also asked me to tell you that Mr. Thorne won’t be home tonight.” I responded with a quiet “Okay.” Hanging up, I started the car and drove back. Just as I turned onto another street, I saw Damon’s car.

Damon’s figure cast a long shadow under the dim streetlights. A tiny red glow flickered between his fingers, and several cigarette butts lay scattered on the ground. This place—I’d been here just yesterday. It was Chloe’s apartment building. He looked up at a lit window, his gaze fixed, unblinking. Following his line of sight, a slender silhouette appeared vaguely through the curtains, like soft gauze fluttering in the wind. He looked like a man from a movie, utterly consumed by love, just standing there, watching her silently from a distance. Something inside me was slowly crumbling. I sat in my car all night. It wasn’t until the sky began to lighten that Chloe emerged from the building. She looked well-rested, and a startled expression crossed her face when she saw Damon. The man, who had been looking so dejected, seemed to get a jolt of excitement. He smiled, said a few words, and then stepped closer—she retreated slightly, but her cheeks flushed. Then, they got into the car together. I remained seated, feeling a thin thread wrapped around my heart, tightening until I could barely breathe. When Damon pursued me years ago, he was just like this—a smile on his lips, approaching step by step, giving no chance to escape. That aloof, arrogant rich boy act, when he was chasing someone… it was impossible to resist. Only this time, the leading lady in his eyes wasn’t me. I followed them to the company building. From a distance, I watched them walk to the entrance, instinctively putting a little space between them. Damon walked ahead, acknowledging greetings from colleagues, then nonchalantly waved to Chloe a short distance away. Drawing envious stares from everyone around, she stepped into his exclusive elevator. In that moment, it was as if she was telling everyone: *she* was special, treated differently. The scene stung my eyes. I sat in my car, trying to calm my emotions, until Maria called. Lily had woken up and was looking for me everywhere. I rushed home. The moment I walked in, Lily lunged at me, wrapping her arms around my neck, and my nose burned with unshed tears. She sat on my lap, swinging her legs, chattering away about the fun she’d had last night. “I even saw Aunt Chloe yesterday! She dressed up as a little bunny and played with me for a long time.” My breath hitched. So that’s why he suddenly decided to take Lily to that place that day—it was to be with Chloe. It was surprisingly easy to find out about Chloe. Her university, her humble family background, her job application process, her past part-time job at an amusement park… even her Ins account. When I clicked on her Ins, I saw a familiar sight—a photo of Lily and Chloe, faces pressed together. The string that had been tightly wound in my heart finally snapped. The reflection in the photo faintly showed Damon’s tall, strong silhouette; he was crouching nearby, diligently taking their picture. It was as if *they* were the truly happy family of three. Scrolling through her Ins posts, it was clear Chloe was genuinely infatuated. The warm brown sugar water Damon sent her when she was on her period; the image of him spending the night in her hospital room when she was sick on a business trip; even small trinkets she’d accidentally lost, he carefully kept them all… For some reason, a strong wave of nausea suddenly washed over me. Tears blurred my makeup, and the mirror showed a disheveled, haggard face. I looked pathetic. All this time, I’d believed that as long as I pretended not to care about other women, this superficial happiness could last forever. But in reality, someone who puts themselves in such a humble position in a relationship can never truly be happy.

In the evening, Maria brought me a bowl of soup, and it reminded me of my weekly habit of sending soup to Damon. Thinking of Lily, I decided I should talk to him directly. So I drove to his company. Night slowly fell. The lights in his office were on, the entire top floor glaringly bright. The door was ajar. The moment I reached out to push it open, the voices from inside made me stop. “…What do I have to do to make you stay with me?” Damon’s voice was low, filled with earnest pleading. “Stay and then what? Be your mistress?” Chloe’s eyes were red as she spoke softly. “Don’t I have any self-respect? Yes, I fell head over heels in love with you. I couldn’t stop myself from getting close to you, from depending on you.” “But every time I see another woman sitting next to you, I know you can’t give me the kind of relationship I want.” “I want a love that’s seen.” “So, we’re over.” Her voice choked with what sounded like deep grievance. Damon, however, sighed and pulled her into his embrace. My hand tightened on the doorknob. Just as I was about to leave, I heard his voice again: “What if I divorce her?” My heart plummeted into a bottomless pit. Falling, falling endlessly. When I came to, I was already in my car. My hands trembled uncontrollably on the steering wheel, and tears streamed down my face. I cried and laughed at the same time, like a pathetic fool. He said he wanted a divorce, and my first thought was to run. That night, Damon didn’t come home. Watching the sky slowly lighten, I suddenly wanted to go find him and make things clear. Was he really going to divorce me? At the very least, I had to protect Lily from being hurt. Having not slept for two days, my head was heavy as I did my makeup. Then I drove to Damon’s company building. His exclusive elevator went straight to the top floor. I heard he was in a meeting. I sat in his office, and unexpectedly, I saw Chloe. She politely brought me a cup of tea. The moment she bent over, I caught a familiar scent: cedarwood mixed with smoke. Just as Lily had said, it was Damon’s scent. “Don’t you have anything to say to me?” I suddenly asked. Her hand visibly twitched, and hot water splashed onto her hand, immediately turning it red. Her eyes darted around, looking terrified. She frantically squatted down to wipe up the spilled water. But she avoided my question. I watched the top of her head coldly. Suddenly, a man’s hand grabbed her, gently pulling her up. He spoke, his tone unkind. “Elara, did you come here this early just to show off?” “She’s my employee, not your servant.” “Mr. Thorne, Mrs. Thorne didn’t mean to…” I suddenly laughed. Perhaps he had forgotten that during my time as his wife, I was never someone to be easily manipulated. “Mrs. Thorne? I don’t recall when you became his sister.” “I just…” Chloe’s eyes were terribly red. “I just wanted to get closer to you. Perhaps you don’t know, but as a secretary, you have to be thoughtful about everything—” “And how exactly were you trying to get closer to me? By having the boss’s family drive you home? Did you feed your ‘thoughtfulness’ to the pigs?” He stood in front of her, his eyes chilling. “Apologize to her.” The people who had just emerged from the meeting room, whispering, all fell silent. I steadied myself and said calmly, “Damon, I have no reason to apologize.” His voice hardened further. “What did you say? Apologize.” It felt like a cold snake slithered down my spine, sending shivers through me. Yes, this was Damon. Once he made up his mind, no one could change it. Just like when he insisted on marrying me. Now, he was stubbornly infatuated with this new secretary. I had been slow to realize that leaving him was an inevitable outcome. I smiled faintly. “Damon, let’s get a divorce.” A flicker of surprise crossed his face. But it quickly morphed into a sarcastic smile. “Are you trying to use divorce to force me to compromise?”

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This Assassin Thinks I Can’t See Him, But He Always Undresses In Front of Me He hears me swallowing repeatedly. Assassin: “Are you hungry?” I nod: “Mm-hmm.” He came back reeking of blood. Although the scent was faint, I could still smell it. The assassin took off his dirty clothes and headed towards the bathroom. “I’ll make dinner after I shower.” I feigned shyness and asked coyly: “Want to shower together?” His body suddenly froze. He turned back to look at me. I quickly added, “I can’t see anything anyway.” “But I can!” he snapped, then turned and entered the bathroom.

My name is Olivia. I’m an orphan. Three years ago, I was adopted by a wealthy family, but none of their children liked me. Especially the youngest son. He pushed me down the stairs when I wasn’t paying attention. I hit my head on the steps, causing me to go blind. Actually, I’m not completely blind. My vision is just very blurry. To stay alive, I insisted I couldn’t see anything at all. After I was discharged from the hospital, the family sent me to a villa in the suburbs along with a huge sum of money, leaving me to fend for myself. I couldn’t be bothered to seek revenge. I lived comfortably every day, ordering takeout and opening packages. But two weeks ago, on a night I’ll never forget, an assassin suddenly broke in. He held a knife to my throat, ready to kill me, but when he realized I was blind, he hesitated. He only threatened me not to tell anyone. And so began our strange cohabitation. His whereabouts were unpredictable. Occasionally he would help cook meals. But a few meals were far from enough to satisfy me. As the landlord, I had to show him who’s boss. That night, I crouched outside the bathroom door, imagining his tantalizing body. The water stopped. The assassin walked out wrapped in a towel. Steam billowed around him. Even with my blurry vision, I could make out his broad shoulders and narrow waist. Tsk tsk, he smelled so good up close. The assassin saw me. “What are you doing here?” I faced his chest and cleared my throat. “Let me feel those abs, big boy.” He: “…”

The assassin stopped drying his hair and was silent for a long time before speaking. “Do you have a death wish?” “I’ll die happy after I feel them.” “…” He ignored me and turned to leave. I hurried to follow him, forgetting to grab my cane. My leg hit the corner of a table. With a thud, I fell to the ground. “Ow, it hurts…” I propped myself up, tears welling in my eyes from the pain. The assassin sighed and crouched down in front of me. Water droplets from his hair dripped onto my thigh. His face was very close to mine, but I still couldn’t see clearly. Judging by the outline, he was probably handsome. Come closer! Just a little closer and I’ll be able to see your face! I didn’t dare look too intently, afraid he would notice. The assassin looked down at my knee, his warm fingers brushing over the wound. “You’re bleeding. Do you have any iodine?” I answered irrelevantly, “I want to feel your abs.” “…” He was speechless again. I’m not joking, this little injury is nothing. I used to get hurt all the time. I had to act fast before he got dressed. The assassin sighed resignedly: “You just want to feel them?” “Actually, I want to kiss them too.” “…Don’t push your luck!”

Just when I thought he would angrily walk away, he grabbed my wrist and placed my hand on his waist. Me: “?” The assassin turned his face away and spoke with difficulty. “Go ahead.” I groped wildly, afraid he would change his mind. The skin under my hands was smooth yet firm, his muscles clearly defined. When I touched his side, the assassin’s body trembled slightly. His voice was hoarse: “Slower, it tickles.” I nearly got a nosebleed.

I was just feeling his abs… My movements slowed down. He also stopped trembling. I’m not sure if it was because I moved too vigorously or if the towel had a mind of its own. It fell to the floor. The assassin quickly tossed the towel from his shoulders onto my face, then hurriedly picked up the fallen towel. I pretended not to know what happened. “What’s wrong?” He replied somewhat awkwardly: “Nothing…” Hehehe. What an unexpected bonus.

When I woke up in the morning, the assassin had already left. I took out the phone I had hidden and held it close to my face, preparing to order some takeout. Suddenly, the front door of the villa was violently kicked open. Then someone shouted— “Olivia, get out here!” I’d recognize that grating voice anywhere, even if it was autotuned. Tyler. The bastard who pushed me down the stairs. I tapped my cane and slowly walked out. When he saw me, he started mocking me like he used to: “Well well, still alive I see.” “I thought you’d kicked the bucket by now. I even brought a hearse.” I couldn’t be bothered to respond. “What are you doing here?” Tyler rushed up to me, shoved me to the ground, and kicked away my cane. “This is my house, I’ll come whenever I want!” Tyler strutted around the living room with his hands in his pockets. “I’m taking back this house. You have until the end of the day to get out.” “Don’t bother cleaning, I’m going to throw out everything you’ve touched anyway.” I kept my eyes lowered to the floor and said: “Dad and Mom gave me this house. You have no right to take it back.” Tyler snorted coldly and spat on the floor, yelling: “They’re MY parents! You’re nothing but trash. Get the hell out of here!” With that, he stormed out without looking back.

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Because I was diagnosed with a terminal illness, my wife urged me to give up treatment and leave all my assets to our son. Even my eight-year-old, Kevin, had absorbed it all, asking me more than once, “Dad, when are you going to kick the bucket? Mom says I can’t get my inheritance until you’re gone!” Later, when I went back to the hospital for a follow-up, a zombie outbreak hit. To save themselves, Brenda and Kevin tried to trick me into a horde of zombies. But when Brenda learned I carried a precious zombie serum, she righteously demanded my blood. “We’re family! It’s your duty to save me!” I slammed the door, trapping her in a room swarming with zombies. “Sorry, I don’t know you.” 1 All the way from the hotel to the hospital, Brenda and Kevin were fuming. Once we got there, they plopped down on the waiting room bench. They wouldn’t stop muttering. “Typical, burning through our money. I told you it’s a lost cause, but no, you just *had* to come to this fancy hospital. It’s a money pit!” “Mom, you promised that house would be put in my name. Dad won’t go back on his word, right?” My heart felt utterly cold. I dragged my body, still battling a low fever, into the long registration line. My nose felt warm, and then a nosebleed started again. I quickly cupped my hand over it, my eyes searching for the restroom. It was the weekend, and the first-floor lobby was packed, stretching as far as the eye could see. The anxious questions of patients and their families, the shouts of doctors and nurses clearing paths, the constant calling of numbers over the loudspeaker – it all blended into a chaotic mess that made my head pound. People were pressed so close, even breathing felt difficult. It was like I was inhaling everyone else’s exhaled carbon dioxide. Amidst the noise, a piercing scream caught everyone’s attention. But it lasted only a few seconds. After all, in a hospital, screams and cries were nothing out of the ordinary. People murmured and speculated, sighing at fate’s cruel twists. I thought of the stark, sharp words “LEUKEMIA” on my test results and let out a bitter laugh. My body had always been so healthy, and I’d kept up a regular exercise routine for years. Anyone who knew me, colleagues or friends, always praised how fit I was. How could I suddenly get leukemia? I don’t know how long I’d been waiting; my nosebleed had already stopped. Finally, it was my turn. Just as I was about to hand my ID through the window, a nurse suddenly ran in from the side, anxiously whispering something to the nurse at the counter. That nurse gave me a “one moment” gesture, stood up, and left. I muttered about my bad luck. Soon, impatient grumbling started behind me. People in line couldn’t wait; many moved to other lines to re-queue. I hated to give up on the progress I’d made, so I stayed put, waiting. But quickly, I realized something was off. This was the biggest hospital in the city, with ample medical staff and resources. So, what kind of emergency would pull even a registration nurse away? I waited ten minutes. She still hadn’t come back. After thinking it over, I decided to head to the restroom first to wash the blood off my face. I didn’t notice. The moment I stepped into the restroom, the lobby erupted in a chorus of roars and screams. 2 Before I even left the restroom, I caught a strong whiff of blood. Even for a hospital, this intense smell was completely abnormal. I pressed my ear closer to the restroom door, listening carefully. The noise outside seemed even louder than before. But mixed in with the chaos were some unnatural sounds. They were a bit like drunken retching, yet far more terrifying, almost inhuman. For some reason, a chill ran down my spine. If Brenda and Kevin knew, they’d probably mock me for being a coward, call me neurotic. But I trusted my gut feeling. I carefully pulled the door open a crack and peeked out. Outside the door, almost everyone was scrambling to escape. Some rushed towards the main entrance, others towards the stairs. Every face was contorted in terror, like they were running for their lives. But the door blocked my view of the entire lobby. I moved as quietly as possible, pushing the crack wider, then squeezing out sideways. When I finally saw what was happening in the lobby, I immediately raised my hand and bit down hard on the web of my thumb to keep from screaming. People scattered like headless chickens. The main entrance was already a dense pile of bodies, pushing relentlessly forward. The people at the very front were pressed tightly against the glass, no longer moving. Yet, more kept surging towards the exit. The information desk had been overrun. Dozens of people were huddled inside, cowering, and others kept clambering over the counter. Looking towards the direction people were fleeing, I saw a few figures in hospital gowns, covered in blood, limping slowly. Their limbs twitched uncontrollably, bending at angles no human body should. Those chilling growls were coming from their mouths. An elderly man, unsteady on his feet, was knocked to the ground by the stampeding crowd. I watched, horrified, as a man staggered over to the old man and bit into his neck. Blood erupted instantly. The others—or whatever those creatures were, no longer human—instantly became frenzied, moving with shocking agility to swarm the old man. Within ten seconds, the old man was torn beyond recognition, a bloody mess. Then, that gruesome, mangled pile of flesh on the ground twitched, stood up, and joined the horde of wandering creatures. Clearly, everyone had witnessed the tragedy. The crowd fell silent for two seconds. Then, someone, I don’t know who, was the first to snap out of it and screamed. “Z-Zombies! Run! There are really zombies!” I never thought scenes I’d only seen in novels and movies would actually happen in real life. Snapping back to reality, I frantically searched for a suitable hiding spot. The restroom and the main entrance were diagonally opposite. Plus, the main entrance was completely blocked by bodies. Escaping the hospital was impossible. The stairs were right next to the restroom. Now, going upstairs seemed like the best option to find a way to survive. I tiptoed, trying to make no sound, and took two steps at a time up the stairs. Soon, I realized I was wrong. The second floor seemed even worse. Blood, like it had been splattered everywhere, already formed a thin, sticky layer on the corridor floor. Several doctors in white coats were already victims, roaring incessantly in the hallway, searching for their next target. Despite my caution, a few zombies spotted me. They lurched towards me, blood-filled mouths gaping beyond recognition, quickly attracting the attention of other zombies in the corridor. The hospital corridor was a long loop, and zombies were closing in on me from both directions. Down on the stairs, first-floor zombies were also starting to search for living people upstairs. I shuffled my trembling legs, backing up continuously. Until my back hit the hard wall. There was nowhere left to go. The zombie on my left was just two steps away, reaching out with a hand missing two fingers. I let out a bitter laugh, closing my eyes in resignation. Suddenly, something hard jabbed my lower back. It felt like a doorknob. By sheer reflex, I pressed the handle, twisted, ducked inside the room, and locked the door. A zombie rushed past, its putrid stench brushing against my clothes. After the close call, I gasped for air. I quickly patted myself down. No wounds. I finally relaxed, sinking to the floor. Thank god, I was still alive. 3 I leaned against the wall and rested for a bit, slowly regaining my composure. Shaking, I immediately pulled out my phone and dialed 91

Before it could even connect, police sirens wailed from outside the window. My eyes lit up. I rushed to the window. Only one police car was parked downstairs. Three officers, fully geared up, quickly got out. But they weren’t here to rescue us. They swiftly pulled down the fire shutters over the main entrance and the perimeter fence. While cutting off the zombies’ escape route, they also cut off my chance to escape the hospital. The police car’s loudspeaker blared, repeating: “Survivors inside the hospital, please remain calm. Find enclosed spaces to protect yourselves and wait patiently for military rescue.” The loudspeaker’s sound agitated the first-floor zombies. They repeatedly slammed their bodies against the glass, creating terrifying thuds. After three repetitions, the police car sped away. My rekindled hope shattered again. I felt a wave of despair. I pulled out my phone, mechanically dialing 911 again and again. But it was always a busy signal. I don’t know how many times I dialed until my arm ached, and the phone slipped from my grasp. Without food or water, trapped in this small consultation room, no bigger than ten square meters, I wondered if I’d live to see rescue. My phone suddenly rang. I tensed up and quickly answered. But it wasn’t the police. It was Brenda’s voice. “Where are you? Are you okay? Kevin and I are so worried about you. He keeps asking for his dad.” She handed the phone to Kevin. “Dad, come find us! I’m scared!” For some reason, both their voices were muffled and low, like they were in a very small space. A flicker of suspicion sparked in my mind. When Brenda first learned I had leukemia, she’d repeatedly urged me to just give up treatment and not waste money. Even my eight-year-old, Kevin, had absorbed it all, asking me more than once, “Dad, when are you going to kick the bucket? Mom says I can’t get my inheritance until you’re gone!” After several such instances, my heart had grown cold. Before coming to the hospital, I had already made up my mind: no matter the follow-up results, I was divorcing her. I’d rather take my assets to the grave than let those ungrateful leeches get a single cent. How could two people who so eagerly wished for my death suddenly care about my safety? I kept my guard up, not answering directly, but instead asked: “Where are you guys? Are you okay? You haven’t been bitten, have you?” “No, no! Luckily, I hid fast. The moment I realized something was wrong, I ducked away. We’re in the first-floor restroom now. There’s a small window here. Come find us, we can climb out together!” I replied, feigning surprise: “Really? That’s great! I’m coming right now.” Two minutes later, I whispered impatiently: “I’m here. Where are you?” Brenda sounded excited: “You’re sure you’re here, right?” I snapped, annoyed: “Of course! What are you doing? Hurry up!” “Good, that’s great!” Before she could finish, a ridiculously loud, obnoxious tune blared from the bathroom. It was Kevin’s smartwatch. Brenda and I had even picked that ringtone together. The music echoed through the entire building, enraging the zombie horde. They roared and surged towards the first-floor corner. Amidst the roars, Brenda’s voice turned manic: “Alex, you’re going to die anyway. Just make yourself useful to us!” Maybe my heart was already numb. Hearing her words, I felt no ripple of emotion, only amusement at her stupidity. Thanks to her, the second-floor corridor was now empty. Stepping out, I looked down. Two figures, one large and one small, dashed from the janitor’s closet near the stairs towards the main entrance, only to be blocked by the heavy fire shutter. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. The call hadn’t hung up yet. Brenda’s furious curses and screams came through the line. “Oops, I forgot to tell you guys, the main entrance is completely blocked. No way out now.”

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To amuse his new mistress, Damon ordered me, pregnant and exhausted, to dance in the water for his entertainment. When I finally dragged myself out, gasping for air, his mistress took one look at me and started gagging. “Your Majesty, I’m with child. I can’t stand the smell of fish.” It was only because I was a Merfolk princess that my legs transformed into a shimmering tail in the water. Damon exploded with rage. He had me locked in a crystal cage and sunk deep underwater, forbidding anyone from opening it without his permission. “Even if you can become human, you can’t hide that disgusting fishy scent! It’s revolting!” No matter how I struggled or pleaded, he didn’t care. He and his mistress even found it amusing. And so, I drowned, my body eventually dissipating into the water. He didn’t know that while we Merfolk can breathe underwater, we must reside on land to bear our young. After a full day and night, he finally seemed satisfied with my punishment and ordered me released. But I could no longer surface.

I never thought I’d die by drowning, and certainly not at the hands of the man I loved most. “Ariel, what are you standing around for? Seraphina is waiting for your dance performance! Are you defying even your King now?!” Damon, with the giggling Seraphina wrapped in his arm, glared at me with an unfriendly gaze. Remembering his threats against me, I had no choice but to enter the water. I began to perform the dance unique to our Merfolk, just as he demanded. Before, moving in water felt as natural as walking on land. But now, I was pregnant. My movements were clumsy, and I needed far more oxygen to sustain myself underwater. It wasn’t long before I was gasping for air, completely out of breath. I had to stop and pull myself onto the shore to breathe. I hadn’t expected that seeing me surface would make Seraphina immediately turn away, gagging. “Your Majesty, I smell such a strong fishy scent! I just found out I’m pregnant, and I simply can’t tolerate this smell right now.” With that, Seraphina nestled herself into Damon’s embrace, looking so fragile and helpless that it stirred compassion in anyone who saw her. Hearing Seraphina’s words, I felt utterly humiliated. Though I was Merfolk, I wasn’t an actual fish. How could I possibly smell of fish? And Seraphina’s mention of her pregnancy also bothered me. Damon and I had been married for years, yet we had no children. Damon had once confessed to me that their royal line struggled to produce heirs due to their immense power in battle. Some spent their entire lives without offspring, so he didn’t care about it and accepted he wouldn’t have children. Therefore, when I told Damon I was pregnant, he didn’t believe me. Seraphina had just entered the palace then and was in his prime favor. Damon thought I was faking it to gain his affection and lashed out at me. “Ariel, you’re truly shameless! To fake a pregnancy just to win favor—how could you? Don’t you know it’s hard for me to have children?!” I expected Seraphina to receive the same reprimand, but instead, Damon was overjoyed. “Really? Seraphina, you truly are my lucky star! I thought I’d never have a child of my own, and yet you’re pregnant!” “Unlike some who fake pregnancies for attention, you can’t hide your fishy scent, even if you come ashore and become human.” After saying that, Damon ordered me locked in the crystal cage he’d specially made for me and sunk to the bottom of the water. “You’ve disgusted my beauty. When my beauty is no longer angry, I’ll let you out.” Hearing Damon’s words, I was horrified. Once the crystal cage sank, it wouldn’t float back up. Being pregnant, I couldn’t breathe underwater for long periods. If I stayed too long, I would suffocate from lack of oxygen. My own death was meaningless, but my child—he hadn’t even been born, hadn’t seen the world with his own eyes. “Damon! You can’t do this to me! If you keep me in the water, I’ll drown! Let me out, now!” Damon listened, his eyes cold. “You’ll drown? Ariel, listen to what you’re saying! You’re a Merfolk princess!” “I’ve never heard such a ridiculous joke.” He finished speaking and, ignoring my struggles, locked me in. Then, he picked up Seraphina tenderly and turned to leave. Watching his cold, heartless demeanor and Seraphina’s triumphant gaze, I was filled with bitter resentment. But there was nothing I could do. And so, filled with despair, I sank to the bottom.

Damon carried Seraphina back to his royal chambers, a place that once, apart from him and me, no one was ever allowed to enter. But ever since Seraphina arrived, everything had changed. I, too, had become one of those forbidden to enter. I’d even been reduced to a personal entertainer, summoned at her whim and dismissed at her pleasure, without any of the dignity befitting a Queen. As long as Seraphina pouted to Damon about being bored, I had to appear and sing or dance for her. If I showed any reluctance, Damon would threaten my people. But he had forgotten—he once promised to protect me and my tribe forever. Now, he was the one trying to harm us. When Damon was inheriting the crown, he was surrounded by enemies. Brothers coveted his throne, and rival kingdoms loomed threateningly. In such a desperate situation, he sought help from my father, the King. My father was initially unwilling. We Merfolk never meddled in the affairs of other races. But because Damon and I fell in love, my father had no choice but to lend his aid. Though we helped Damon ascend to the throne, our tribe was greatly weakened and slowly began to decline. Damon also crowned me Queen, promising to protect our people. But just a few years later, Seraphina arrived. Everything he had said meant nothing anymore. Damon protected Seraphina with such tenderness, as if she were a fragile treasure. It was a look I hadn’t seen directed at me in a long time. In the first few years we were together, Damon had treated me with exceptional affection and care, as if I were too precious to hold, too delicate to even breathe near. Seraphina leaned against Damon, her voice weak and soft. “Your Majesty, don’t blame my sister. This is just my pregnancy, it’s not her fault at all.” Damon’s face darkened when Seraphina mentioned me. “If she makes my Seraphina uncomfortable, then it’s her fault. She deserves to be punished.” “I was too good to her in previous years, spoiled by luxury, so now she gets breathless with just a few movements. Seraphina, don’t worry, she’s just locked in water. She won’t die.” Hearing Damon’s words, a wave of sorrow washed over me. How could I not die? I was already dead. I remembered how, when I felt unwell in the past, Damon would take meticulous care of me, unlike now, when he knowingly confined me to a cage despite my discomfort. Seraphina heard Damon’s words, and the smile on her lips was almost impossible to suppress, yet she still feigned innocence. “Your Majesty, when my sister comes out later, she won’t come looking for trouble with me, will she? After all, she’s the Queen, and I’m just your mistress.” Damon’s eyes widened. “She wouldn’t dare! Don’t be afraid. No one can release her without my permission.” “Once you bear my child, I’ll depose her and make you Queen.” “Ariel hasn’t given me a single child in all these years. She should have been deposed ages ago!” “Oh, Your Majesty, you’re so good to me.” Seraphina finally looked satisfied, having received Damon’s promise. My heart twisted in agony watching this. I should have had a child too, but now he would never have the chance to be born. Because of Damon, he and I had died together. I couldn’t understand how a person could change so quickly, forgetting vows of eternal love in just a few short years. He got a new love and forgot the old. We promised to be each other’s only love forever, but as soon as someone new appeared, everything changed.

After Seraphina arrived, Damon used my poor health as an excuse to banish me from his royal chambers. Ostensibly, it was for my well-being, but in reality, he and Seraphina spent every night in revelry. Damon’s frequent visits gradually became occasional, and eventually, he stopped coming altogether. Now, every time he said he wanted to see me, it was only to make me sing and dance for Seraphina, humiliating me to please her. He said, “You are Seraphina, and you are worth everything I have to make you happy.” Once upon a time, he had said those very words to me. Whenever I was homesick or upset, he would gently comfort me, gathering all sorts of interesting things to make me smile. But now, I had become nothing more than a tool to please someone else. “Your Majesty! Terrible news! The Queen has stopped struggling! She’s sunk to the bottom!” Just as Damon and Seraphina were enjoying a tender moment, a servant suddenly rushed in. Damon froze for a moment. “What did you say?” Then, as if the words registered, he frowned, looking annoyed, his face darkening. “She sank? So what? She’s Merfolk; what’s so strange about her sinking to the bottom of the water?!” The servant, frightened by Damon’s expression, quickly explained, “But… the Queen, she… her eyes are closed, her face is pale, and she seems to have stopped breathing.” Damon dressed quickly and stood up, appearing ready to follow the servant out. Seeing Damon’s movement, Seraphina quickly spoke. “Your Majesty, didn’t you say you’d stay with me? How can you leave me halfway?” “My sister is Merfolk; she lives in the water. Nothing bad will happen to her. This must be her throwing a tantrum. Your Majesty, you’ve been with my sister for so many years; you know she’s like this. When she’s angry, she ignores everyone.” Damon’s expression suddenly changed, clearly angered by something she had said. “Hmph! She’s definitely throwing a tantrum. Ignore her. I’ve never heard of Merfolk drowning in water.” Then he turned back and issued another command. “Go tell everyone that no one is to release her without my order. If I find out otherwise…” Damon’s words hung unfinished, but the servant was already nodding frantically, terrified. “Yes, yes, Your Majesty! I’ll go watch immediately. I’ll make sure not even a fly gets out!” Damon finally looked satisfied. Seraphina giggled, whispering sweet nothings that so utterly captivated Damon he lost all sense of time.

Damon didn’t think of me for the entire night. I imagined by now my body wouldn’t last much longer before it dissipated. We Merfolk grew up in water, and upon death, we dissipate back into the water, returning nutrients to nurture future generations. By the time Damon finally descended from his bed, satisfied, the sun was already high in the sky. “I wonder how my sister is doing now. Has her anger subsided? You know, the last time my sister was angry, she didn’t show her face for three whole days and nights.” Seraphina’s words stirred my memories. It was when Seraphina had just arrived. Though she was favored, she wasn’t as openly bold as she was now. Damon still cared about me somewhat and hadn’t gone too far. And at that time, I still believed Damon loved me, and Seraphina was just a passing novelty. I thought he would return to me once he grew tired of her. So, when Seraphina came looking for trouble, I slapped her without hesitation. Seraphina ran back crying to complain, and Damon, in a fit of anger, slapped me back. It was the first time I had ever been hit in my life, and to be treated this way by the man I loved, I couldn’t bear it. I immediately jumped into the water and hid. For three days and three nights, I didn’t show myself. It was after that incident that Damon never came to console me again, and he began to openly lavish Seraphina with his affection. Damon, prompted by Seraphina, clearly remembered that incident. He paused for a moment, as if recalling my very existence, then suddenly became enraged. “Hmph! I’ll go see if she knows her place now!” With that, Damon stormed towards the royal gardens. Servants were diligently guarding the area, and my pale body lay there. As soon as Damon arrived, he impatiently demanded, “Has Ariel acknowledged her mistake? Has she begged me to let her out?” Hearing Damon’s words, I scoffed internally. How was I supposed to acknowledge a mistake, or beg for mercy? Hadn’t I already done all that before I died? Was it any use? Moreover, what had I done wrong? Was I wrong for getting tired while dancing, or wrong for letting a fishy smell disgust Seraphina? None of it was true. These were just false accusations you, Damon, imposed on me to humiliate me and please Seraphina. My biggest mistake was loving you and believing your lies. The servant shook his head. “To answer Your Majesty, the Queen… she…” “Since she sank, she hasn’t surfaced. She hasn’t opened her eyes, nor moved an inch.” Damon’s expression froze. He took a few hurried steps to the water’s edge and looked down. My face was pale, and I lay quietly at the bottom. Because the water was moving, my clothes and hair also swayed. Coupled with the strong midday sun, it was hard to see clearly. It looked as though I was floating, occasionally making slight movements. Damon clearly misinterpreted this. “Hmph! What do you mean she hasn’t moved? She’s clearly faking her death!” “Since you like staying underwater, then stay there forever! Don’t ever come up again!” Hearing Damon’s words, I felt a burning hatred. Was it that I didn’t want to come up? I was killed by you, Damon! I could never surface again! Damon finished speaking and angrily turned to leave. It was then that I saw my body beginning to dissipate. The servant saw it too. He screamed in terror, “The Queen… The Queen… she’s gone!” Damon stopped dead in his tracks and ran back to the water’s edge, looking down. The bottom of the water was empty. My body was no longer there.

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When I was eighteen, I plunged into a frozen river to save my childhood sweetheart, Declan Thorne, a talented swimmer. I got severe frostbite, damaging my uterus. The doctors told me I’d been in the ice too long, sustained severe damage that would make having children incredibly difficult. Declan knelt by my hospital bed, swearing to cherish me forever, even if we never had kids. And just like that, he pampered me, making me the city’s most privileged elite. This year, at thirty-two, marked our tenth wedding anniversary, a decade we’d built side by side. But on our anniversary, I received an anonymous envelope. Inside were growth photos of Declan’s eight children. I stared at my husband, who was meticulously massaging my leg. My heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vise, making it hard to breathe. Yet, he looked up and said, “Aria, perhaps we should adopt some children.” He then shamelessly, brazenly, brought his mistress and their eight children right into our home. That day, tears blurring my vision, I dialed his best friend’s number. “Liam, I’m giving you a chance. Come help me put on a show!”

“Aria, I think we should…” “We should adopt a few children to look after you when I’m not around.” He said this while leading a boy and a girl out from a nearby room in the lobby. Looking at their eerily similar faces, I felt a bitter, cynical twist in my gut. Declan walked over and pulled me into a deep hug. “They’re just adopted.” “I’ll still love you most, always!” “That whole thing was so many years ago…” “Aria, maybe we both need to move on.” The memory of almost dying to save him, only for him to betray me, hit hard. The suffocating terror of the river water, the feeling of drowning from all those years ago, flooded me again. “Get out! All of you, just get out!” I fiercely pushed away the two children standing in front of me. Declan’s voice turned sharp, a furious roar. “Aria Maxwell, don’t be so unreasonable!” “They’re just kids. Why are you throwing a tantrum at children?” We’d been childhood sweethearts, and this was the first time he’d ever yelled at me. My heart splintered, like shattered glass. I stormed out of our tenth wedding anniversary dinner. But he didn’t grab my hand like he usually would. The other guests had no idea what had just transpired. They only saw me, pushing the kids away like a madwoman, and their whispers and stares followed me. That evening, Declan came home with the children. I was packing my bags to leave. “Aria, if you don’t like them, I can arrange for them to stay on the second floor.” My packing paused for a beat, then resumed. “Whatever.” It wouldn’t concern me anyway, not anymore. Declan let out a sigh of relief. When I finished packing and reached the living room, I heard the children’s noisy shouts coming from the far right room on the second floor. He’d put the children in *my* old room! I raced upstairs. What greeted me was an utter disaster, the room torn apart. The letters Declan had written me, the tiny straw cricket he’d woven, the handcrafted ring he’d given me when he proposed… And all the toys my parents had given me! Everything was strewn across the floor and the bed, broken. My throat felt like an invisible hand was choking it, and a metallic taste, sharp and bitter, flooded my mouth. *Slap!* I slapped Declan hard across the face. “Declan, do you have any heart at all?!” Declan’s head was turned, and in his eyes, I saw no trace of the love he once held for me. “Aria Maxwell, do you always have to be so demanding?” Declan glared at me, his eyes blazing, while the boy behind him made a mocking face at me. Suddenly, all those years of shared history felt like a cruel joke. I turned to leave, but the boy picked up a jade pendant, clearly intending to throw it out the window. My pupils constricted. “Stop!” Declan spun around. “It’s just a pendant!” “Aria, what kind do you want? I’ll buy you a new one, okay?” “Why argue with a child?” With Declan’s permission, the little boy flung the jade pendant out the window. That was the last birthday gift my mother gave me before she passed away. “No!” The pendant shattered on impact. My eyes burned red with unshed tears. “Go pick it up for me!” My hand had just brushed the boy’s shirt when Declan rushed over and shoved me to the ground. My fingers hit the floor awkwardly and fractured, a searing pain shooting from my hand through my entire body. Declan pulled the boy into a protective, comforting hug. “Aria Maxwell, I never realized you were so vicious!” I remembered how, once, a nanny accidentally broke my hair clip, and he’d lost his temper, making her kneel and apologize to me. Now, he held the boy, led the girl, and walked away without a backward glance, leaving me alone, sobbing uncontrollably. I went to the hospital alone. Dr. Reed, while bandaging my hand, sighed. “What’s gotten into Mrs. Thorne this year?” “Mr. Thorne used to protect you like the apple of his eye. You rarely visited the hospital. Now, you’ve actually broken your finger.” The doctor’s words were like a dull knife, twisting slowly in my chest. I stayed silent, biting back tears. While I was being bandaged, I received a text from him. [Aria, I was too hasty earlier. I’ve prepared a surprise for you.] My heart ached until it felt numb. No surprise he could offer would compare to the “surprise” of these two children. I pushed down the pain and dialed Declan’s best friend, Liam Hayes. “Liam, interested in helping me put on a show?”

I deleted the text message from Declan. I just wanted to grab my luggage and leave, but as I opened the front door, Declan enthusiastically pulled my hand, leading me into the living room. “Aria, are you upset with the kids because you don’t want to take care of them?” “It’s okay, I found a nanny to look after them.” “Now you can relax!” “She just happens to have six children of her own, so she’ll need to live with us.” “Don’t worry, she’s a professional when it comes to kids…” He chattered on, completely ignoring my reaction, beaming as if he’d accomplished some great life feat. Looking at the eight children, big and small, in the living room, my stomach churned. I covered my mouth, feeling nauseous. Seraphina Vance glided over, her hand reaching out to steady me. “Hello, Mrs. Thorne, I’m the new nanny.” Her grip tightened imperceptibly on my broken finger, a searing pain that made me gasp. Blood instantly bloomed, soaking through the gauze. She leaned in close, her voice a poisonous whisper. “Sweetheart, the unloved one is the mistress.” She then shrieked loudly, staggering backward. “Mrs. Thorne, if you don’t like me, just tell me to leave! Why did you push me?!” Declan rushed forward in one stride, catching her. “Aria Maxwell, have I spoiled you rotten these past few years?” “Why is your temper so terrible?” His words from our wedding day echoed in my mind, the solemn vow he’d made before the priest: “Aria, I’ll pamper you into the most cherished princess!” I lifted my bleeding hand. “It wasn’t me!” “Enough!” Declan’s eyes instantly filled with resentment. Looking at the family of ten before me, I felt utterly superfluous in my own home. I turned and went back to my room to get my luggage. Seraphina gently patted Declan’s arm. “I’ll go comfort Mrs. Thorne.” She walked in and closed the bedroom door, dropping her fragile act completely. Seraphina grabbed my arm, yanking me close to her. “A barren hen like you, still clinging on?” “I come from a lineage renowned for its boundless fertility. As you can see, all eight of those children are mine, children I bore for Declan.” “A woman who can’t even have children, truly a disgrace to us women.” “If I were you, I’d have left gracefully long ago.” I stared at the beautiful woman before me. A chill ran down my spine. I didn’t want to engage in a pointless argument; I just wanted to leave. But she blocked my way again. “Do you really think you still hold a place in his heart?” She grabbed my hand and, with it, slapped herself hard across the face. My palm went numb from the impact. As expected, her scream drew Declan’s attention. Declan rushed in, caressing the red mark on her face with tenderness. Then he turned and shoved me, sending me tumbling. My lower back hit the corner of a cabinet, and pain shot through my entire body. He wasn’t done. He swung his hand, connecting with a sharp crack across my face. Blood welled up at the corner of my mouth, and my cheek burned with searing pain. “Aria Maxwell, you’ve gone too far!” “I’ve gone too far? What about your promise to protect me forever?!” His pupils constricted, his expression flustered. But when he heard Seraphina’s sobs again, he chose to turn away from me, helping Seraphina out of the room. After they left, I was in too much pain to move. “Mr. Thompson, call a doctor…” “Mrs. Thorne, all our family doctors are currently in the nanny’s room, tending to *her* face…” “Mr. Thorne won’t let them come.” Declan had once arranged for ten family doctors for me. And now, all of them were attending to Seraphina’s face! The butler’s words were like needles, piercing my entire body, leaving only a dull, aching throb. I bit back the tears, refusing to let them fall, and dialed 911 myself. “Mrs. Thorne, congratulations! You’re two months pregnant!” “Though you’ve had a slight scare, please be sure to take good care of yourself when you go home!” I instinctively touched my lower abdomen, disbelief washing over me. Tears streamed down my face. My hand trembled as I called Declan. “Declan, we… we’re having a baby.” There was no joy, no surprise as I’d hoped. Only a sneer. “Aria, are you really so desperate to fight with the kids that you’d make up a lie like that?” I froze, unable to speak. Before the call disconnected, I faintly heard a woman’s soft moans from his end. I tilted my head back, forcing the tears not to fall. When I got home, Declan walked out of the nanny’s room. The hickeys on his neck were a glaring, painful accusation. I forced myself to ignore them and handed him a document. He paused for a second, then laughed, signing his name with a flourish. “Aria, I’ll buy you whatever you want, but you need to be obedient, okay?” “Tomorrow, I’m planning a party to announce that all eight of these children are mine!” I laughed, a bitter, angry sound. He wasn’t even pretending anymore? “You said you only adopted two. Why are you claiming the other six now?”

Declan stammered, his eyes darting away. “Seraphina’s children were constantly getting bullied at school. If I acknowledged them, no one would dare mess with them anymore.” “She’s a single mom, it’s not easy for her, you can understand that, right?” He reached out, taking my hand and gently stroking it. A wave of nausea washed over me. I pulled my hand away and left. I just had to wait for Liam to finalize the property division, then I’d be free. The next day, when I arrived at the banquet hall, Seraphina and Declan were dressed in extravagant evening wear, greeting guests at the entrance. Anyone who didn’t know them would think they were the couple of honor. In the past, Declan always had custom gowns made for me for every event, big or small. I walked up to Declan, gesturing to my simple attire, then to Seraphina’s elaborate gown. “What is the meaning of this?” Declan waved his hand dismissively. “Seraphina hasn’t worn such beautiful clothes before. Anyway, the children are the stars tonight.” “It doesn’t matter what you wear, does it?” Even though I was determined to leave, seeing the husband I’d loved for so many years like this, my heart still twisted with a sharp, familiar pain. I wandered aimlessly through the banquet, eventually finding myself in the children’s resting room. Looking at the two sleeping infants in their cribs, I thought of my own baby, who would someday be just as adorable, and reached out to hold them. Suddenly, the older children who had been playing nearby rushed over, grabbing my arms and biting down hard. The others ran to the door, screaming that I was trying to kill the babies. They ganged up, pushing me to the floor, pulling my hair, and splashing water on me. Soon, the guests and Declan rushed into the room. The children, seeing them, immediately sat on the floor and started crying. Declan shoved through the crowd, hurrying to my side. Without a word, he slapped me, not once, but ten times. I was too stunned to speak, my cheeks swelling painfully. Seraphina clutched a child, sobbing hysterically. “Mrs. Thorne, just because you can’t have children, do you have to harm other people’s children?” It happened so fast. I hadn’t even processed it, only felt the screaming pain from every part of my body. “That’s right, Mrs. Thorne! Mr. Thorne’s kindness to you is well-known in the elite circles.” “He doesn’t mind you can’t have children. Can’t you even let him adopt a few?” Everyone started to accuse me. Declan, without asking a single question, had already decided I was trying to harm the children. The guests’ words only fueled the fire. “Someone, lock this vicious woman in a room! Let her out after the banquet!” I cried out in disbelief. “No! It wasn’t me!” He ignored me. I was locked in that hotel room for three days. No phone, no one brought me food. I was dizzy and lightheaded from hunger every day. I kept pounding on the door until my palms were raw and bleeding. Declan had completely forgotten about me. He only remembered when he came back to settle the hotel bill. When he saw me, my hair was disheveled, and I was pale and gaunt. I felt a warm liquid trickle down my legs. Gathering my last ounce of strength, I rasped out, “Declan, save… save our baby!” I collapsed before him. Not long after, I was jolted awake by a splash of icy water. “Aria, why do you keep lying about having a baby?” “I told you, I’ll still treat you well after adopting the children!” Seraphina stood nearby, her eyes gleaming with unconcealed triumph. “Mrs. Thorne, lying will teach the children bad habits.” “I heard you’re terrified of water. We should soak you in the bathtub to teach you a good lesson, to set an example for the kids.” After that drowning incident all those years ago, I never went swimming again. Even showering, I had to do it quickly. Declan knew about my fear of water, yet he stood by, watching me with cold indifference. My hands were tied and hoisted up. Seraphina operated a mechanical arm, dipping me into the water, then pulling me out, then plunging me in again. “No! Please, no!” “My baby!” “Mrs. Thorne, you’re clearly on your period. And you’re still lying about being pregnant.” “Hmph! Give her a lesson she won’t forget, so she won’t dare to lie again.” The air in my lungs grew thinner and thinner. My lower abdomen ached, as if hammered. But nothing, nothing compared to the agony in my heart. I felt my child slipping away from me, little by little. In the depths of despair, on the verge of death, I lost consciousness. 5 I woke up to the stinging smell of antiseptic. When I opened my swollen eyes, Liam Hayes was sitting by my side. He shot up the moment he saw I was awake.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296952”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic