Category: English

Mason broke up with me again. This time, I packed my bags and moved out in a flash. Day one: I canceled the wedding planner. Day two: I turned off the automatic payments for his mother’s treatment program. Day three: I accepted my boss’s transfer offer, ready to settle down in a new city down south. The moment the plane took off, a sudden curiosity hit me. Without me, his free, live-in housekeeper of ten years. Without me, his ever-available ATM. How would Mason Blackwood manage to care for his paralyzed mother, handle his materialistic sister, and deal with the female secretary he kept on a pedestal? Last month, I turned thirty-three. I hinted, full of hope, that I wanted a lipstick. Mason looked at me, utterly surprised, and scoffed. “At your age, no lipstick will look good on you.” But then he turned around and bought his secretary twelve different shades. Now, it was time for me to leave. As soon as I canceled the wedding planner, Mason’s message popped up. [Pick up my sister from the station tonight at 8:30 PM.] This was the first time Mason had contacted me since our cold war started. I sneered and deleted the message. That night, I arrived back at the Blackwood house. Shoes and suitcases were strewn across the floor, catching my eye immediately. Chloe Blackwood poked her head out of the bathroom and rolled her eyes at me. “Audrey, where the hell were you? Do you know how long I waited at the station? I had to take a cab back! If anything had happened to me on the way, my brother would kill you!” “I’m hungry! I want takeout! Hurry up!” I calmly looked at Chloe, my gaze falling on her feet. She was wearing a pair of two-thousand-dollar shoes—a gift I’d bought her for college. She dressed better than I usually did. I had spent so much money on her, yet I never received a shred of kindness in return. And yet, I’d endured this exact routine for ten years. I pulled out my phone in front of her and messaged Mason. “I’ve already told your brother you don’t have money for food. If you don’t mind waiting, then wait. He’s got jet lag, after all, being overseas.” Chloe stared, stunned by my words. I said nothing more and walked into the master bedroom. The next morning. I was woken by a chaotic racket outside the door. Chloe had trashed the kitchen and living room. Water had overflowed from the bathroom, making the tiled floor a slippery mess. When I emerged, Chloe not only showed no remorse but defiantly flicked soapy water onto the floor. I watched her actions in silence, neither stopping her nor, as I usually would, obediently grabbing a mop to clean up. Instead, I calmly returned to my room to finish packing my remaining items. It was pretty funny, really. This wasn’t my house anymore. Why should I rush? With my last few things packed, I wheeled my suitcase out. “Where are you going?!” Chloe blocked my path. I brushed her off casually, “Business trip for half a month. I’m taking my things to the office.” Chloe pursed her lips, crossing her arms with an arrogant expression. “Some people go abroad for academic exchanges, brilliant minds, while others are just corporate drones, slaving away on late-night business trips. You know what that means? Some people just have it rough.” “I’m meeting friends for dinner this afternoon. Transfer me some cash, or I’ll tell my brother you’re abusing me!” Her defiant, clawing gesture made her seem absolutely certain I couldn’t do anything to her. It was laughable, really. I had played the dutiful, fawning partner for Mason for ten years. For him, I had even sucked up to his family for a decade. Now that I stopped, they were furious. I suddenly burst out laughing, pointing at her and looking her up and down. “Your mom’s medical bills? I paid them. Your brother’s tuition? I covered it. Your college education? I funded it. Your entire family of three lived off me, and even the clothes you’re wearing right now? I bought them…” “Next time you want to be disrespectful, consider if you can afford to pay me back.” Chloe’s face turned scarlet. Speechless, she spun around, ran back to her room, and slammed the door shut. Back in my new apartment, a notification popped up on my phone. I opened it. It was the payment reminder for Mason’s mother’s treatment. The hospital informed me the payment was due in five days and urged me to ensure sufficient funds were in the account. After Mason and I started dating, I couldn’t bear to see him juggling work and studies while also caring for his paralyzed mother and young sister. So, I offered to help. I thought if I treated people sincerely, I’d get the same in return. Too bad I encountered an ungrateful leech. With that thought, I didn’t hesitate. I canceled the automatic payments and unlinked my card. Let someone else be the sucker. I’m out.

Late that night. Mason’s international call came as expected. The moment I picked up, his angry shout erupted, like a gunshot to my eardrums. “Chloe says you didn’t pick her up! She had to take a cab home alone, and then you didn’t even make her dinner? And you complained about her spending too much on takeout?” “Audrey, I’m not home, and this is how you treat my sister? If you don’t change your attitude, I’ll have to rethink our relationship!” At that, I simply hummed. “Then when you get back, let’s meet up and talk things out.” My unexpected reaction made Mason fall silent for a moment. “What ‘things’? Is it that wedding planner again? Why don’t you use your free time to enrich yourself instead of always thinking about getting married? Aren’t you ashamed? I’ll be back the day after tomorrow. We’ll see how well you convince me.” He softened his tone, but his words were visibly perfunctory. He’d probably forgotten. The first year we were together, he’d sworn he’d give me the grandest wedding the day he became a Ph.D. I waited seven years for him to finally achieve it. So, I had excitedly compared wedding planners. The first year, I presented him with carefully chosen plans, and he, slightly apologetic, said he was too swamped with his studies to think about marriage. The second year, he finally finished his busiest period and even agreed to try on wedding dresses with me. But that day, I waited 24 hours in a wedding dress, only to get a message that he’d overslept. The third year, I canceled the wedding planner. I took a deep breath and slowly began, “Mason, it’s not about the wedding…” Before I could finish, I heard a girl’s gasp from his end. Mason hung up without another word. I stared at my phone, not calling back. Time quickly passed to the day Mason was due back. He messaged me in advance to pick him up, but I ignored it. He called again, saying he only had time on the day he arrived. The next day, he had to go back to the lab and wouldn’t be available for days. To avoid a difficult conversation, I still went to pick him up. Traffic was heavy, and I didn’t arrive until eleven PM. The airport exterior was brightly lit at night. Through the glass, I saw Serena Hayes resting her forehead against Mason’s broad back, swaying her head from side to side, acting playful. I leaned on the horn. The two lovebirds scattered like startled pigeons. Mason saw my face, walked over, and slapped the car window, making loud thuds. “Didn’t I tell you to be here at seven? Look at the time now!” I lowered the window slightly, seeing his face pale from the cold. “Traffic.” Mason was seething, about to say more, but I cut him off. “If you don’t get in the car, your secretary is going to freeze solid.” Mason paused, no longer looking to pick a fight with me. He quickly opened the back door for Serena to get in first. Then he looked at me, silently urging me to get out and help with his luggage. I was on my phone, replying to a colleague’s message, ignoring his gaze. Inside the car, Serena peered at me through the rearview mirror. I calmly met her gaze. My eyes landed on the very familiar scarf around her neck. It was Mason’s scarf. He wore it constantly every winter. Last Christmas, Mason finally agreed to watch a movie with me. After the movie, I was shivering in the cold wind. A guy next to us wrapped his scarf around his girlfriend, telling her not to take it off. I felt a pang of envy and nudged Mason, hinting. He immediately frowned, stating bluntly that I shouldn’t even think about it. “I don’t like sharing my scarf with others.” But now, his scarf was securely wrapped around Serena’s neck. It turned out he didn’t dislike sharing with others; he just disliked sharing with me. Serena noticed my gaze and offered an embarrassed smile, her voice soft. “It was so cold waiting for the car earlier. Mason gave it to me. Audrey, please don’t get the wrong idea.” I smiled back. “It’s just a scarf, no big deal. But Mason really doesn’t know how to treat people. It’s so cold; he should have just called you a cab instead of making you wait for me. What’s the point of saving a few bucks on fare if you end up catching a cold and needing to see a doctor?” “Wouldn’t you agree, Serena?” Serena’s smile faded.

The streets were nearly empty in the dead of night, and I sped up. Following Mason’s instructions, I dropped Serena off first. In a blink, only two of us remained in the car. I glanced at the steering wheel. “Let’s talk.” Mason pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice impatient. “What’s so urgent that we have to talk now?” “I’ve been on a plane for over ten hours. Can’t you let me rest?” Unlike before, I didn’t show any sympathy. I simply refused. “No, some things are better cleared up now.” Mason scoffed. “What could you possibly want to talk about with me? It’s just that wedding stuff, isn’t it…?” Mason’s sarcastic remark was cut short by his phone ringing. He picked up, his expression changing. “Okay, wait for me!” Mason hung up and, without a word, moved to get out of the car. I called out to him. “We haven’t finished talking about us.” Mason looked at me incredulously, as if I were some cold-blooded monster. “Serena fell in the bathroom! This is a matter of life and death! I have to go see her!” I let out a breath. “If she fell, she should call a doctor. Wait for the doctor to arrive. If it’s serious, and she’s broken a bone, do you really think you’ll be more… professional than…” “Enough!” Mason roared impatiently, “You’re just jealous, aren’t you? You’re just afraid I’ll leave you! Fine, I’m saying it now: we’re breaking up! I, Mason, don’t want you anymore! Is that good enough?!” Mason finished speaking, then turned and ran towards the entrance of a nearby apartment complex. I silently watched his retreating back, forming words without a sound. “Yes, it is.” Perhaps it was losing out in love, but gaining in career. Two days later, I received news from my boss, Mr. Davies. I had been recommended to a new company to expand their market, with a significant increase in salary. It was a promotion. I didn’t think twice before accepting. I booked a flight for the next day. That evening, some close colleagues organized a farewell party for me. The venue was a well-known restaurant in the city. I walked in with the crowd. I saw Mason’s figure disappear into a private room nearby. I calmly looked away, treating him like a stranger. But later, passing by the room on my way to the restroom. I heard Mason’s arrogant voice from inside. “Marriage? When did I ever say I wanted to get married?” “I’m academically successful, with a promising future. Would I ever look twice at a woman who has no looks, no culture, and no family background?” Someone, egging him on, spoke up. “But Mason, weren’t you with Audrey for ten years? If you break up, won’t she make a scene?” Mason was silent for a moment, then laughed twice. “That’s easy, just string her along. She’s been with me so long, she’s practically used goods. She’s not getting any younger, so she’ll do whatever I say.” “Like for her birthday this year, she was practically begging me for a lipstick. I chewed her out for it, and she didn’t dare say a single peep. But later, on her birthday, I still got her a lipstick—a $7.99 knockoff of a high-end brand. She treasured it like it was something priceless, hahahaha.” Laughter and shouts of encouragement erupted from the room. The emotions I thought I’d smoothed over felt like freshly torn wounds. The pain spread, relentless. I clenched my fists tightly and turned back. After the dinner. I contacted Sarah, a colleague who had a lawyer in her family. I handed the ten years of expense records to the lawyer. She glanced at them, raised an eyebrow, and promised she’d help me get every penny back. The next morning. I boarded the plane to City B. When I landed and turned on my phone, I received a call from Mason. His accusatory voice was more urgent than ever before. “Audrey, what’s going on? You forgot to pay for my mom’s treatment! How could you forget something so important? You almost killed my mom!” “And you haven’t visited my mom this week, have you? Is that how a daughter-in-law acts? I’m giving you one more chance: renew the payment within three minutes, or we’re done!” Listening to the grating voice on the other end. At this moment, all I wanted to do was laugh out loud. It was his mother lying in that hospital bed. If he truly cared, why would he need anyone else to remind him? If he were a truly filial son, he would have paid the bill himself long ago. Why wait for me? I flagged down a taxi, taking one last look at the call screen. “Then, as you wish. We’re done.”

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Five years after my firefighter husband supposedly died saving me from a burning building, I accidentally walked in on him celebrating his child’s birthday party with his childhood sweetheart. Daniel froze when he saw me. His friends immediately crowded in front of him like a human shield. “Clara, don’t do anything crazy. Daniel had his reasons for faking his death.” His childhood friend Summer begged through tears: “I’m sorry, Clara. The baby needs his father. Please, just let us be together. I love him too much.” July 23rd, 2019. Seven days after the fire that supposedly killed Daniel. That day, everyone who knew us said I was the one who killed him. The fire department’s investigation report stated: Due to family member’s emotional breakdown and unauthorized entry into the fire scene, rescue team member Daniel sacrificed his life protecting her. His parents collapsed at the funeral, cursing me: “Why aren’t you dead? Why wasn’t it you instead?” I thought I truly deserved to die. So after Daniel’s funeral, I swallowed an entire bottle of sleeping pills. But my neighbor found me and called 911. As they pumped my stomach in the ER, I heard the nurses whispering: “That’s her… the one who got her husband killed…” No one knew why I suddenly ran into that fire. That day, I received a call from an unknown number saying Daniel was trapped on the second floor of the warehouse and running out of time. I rushed in like a madwoman, only to see a burning beam crash down. The fire was too intense. The fire department said nothing was left of his body. But what I didn’t know was that at that exact moment, Daniel was at the hospital with Summer for her prenatal checkup, taking this photo together. I took a glass of champagne from the server and walked straight toward the main table, meeting everyone’s shocked stares. Summer instinctively pulled the baby closer to her chest. Daniel practically jumped up to block her: “Clara, let me explain…” Those friends who once comforted me now stood up in unison, forming a wall between us. “Clara, calm down. Daniel had no choice back then. That fire was suspicious. Someone was after him… He faked his death to protect you, really!” I laughed. Did they actually think I was going to throw champagne in a baby’s face? How amusing. I casually picked an empty seat at the next table and raised my glass toward Summer and Daniel: “The baby’s adorable. I wish him a healthy life.” I downed the champagne in one gulp. The cheap alcohol burned my throat, making me cough until my eyes watered. “Enough! Clara, if you have a problem, take it up with me. Don’t make a scene here!” Daniel pushed through the people blocking him and strode over, his brows knitted tight. “Five years, and you’re still the same. Do you have to embarrass people at an event like this?” He thought I was here to cause trouble. The disgust in his eyes was practically overflowing. I didn’t know how to explain. I really had just walked into the wrong room. I was here for my company’s year-end dinner in the hall next door. I could only helplessly point at my business suit: “I was at a meeting next door. Wrong room.” But Daniel didn’t believe me. He grabbed my wrist, so hard my bones ached. “Stop being stubborn. About what happened back then… I wronged you. After the party ends, I’ll take you home.” Summer’s face went pale. She stood up holding the baby: “Daniel…” Daniel turned back, his tone softening: “Summer, I just don’t want her emotional state to affect the baby. Don’t worry.” But his grip on my hand didn’t loosen. I pulled free forcefully and stepped back, forcing an ugly smile: “That wouldn’t be appropriate, Mr. Hayes. Your wife and child are watching.” He acted like he didn’t hear me and reached for me again. I found it absurd. Five years apart, and he’d changed this much?

Memories flooded in like a broken dam, a dull pain spreading through my chest. This champagne was cheap but packed a punch. My vision started to blur. Daniel’s face split into double images. I didn’t want to stay any longer. I turned to leave but stumbled. The next second, I was airborne as he scooped me up in his arms. “Drunk like this and still acting tough!” He was actually carrying me out in front of everyone. The guests erupted in shocked murmurs. Summer’s parents shot to their feet, their faces dark. Summer’s father barked: “Daniel! Put her down! Do you realize what day this is? Have you lost your mind?” Summer’s mother started crying: “Summer just gave birth to your child, and this is how you treat her? Are you even human?” Summer held the baby, tears streaming down her face, but she bit her lip and said nothing. She just looked at Daniel with heartbroken eyes. Anyone watching would curse us as cheating scum. Daniel’s steps faltered. He looked down at Summer, something flickering in his eyes. I seized the chance to struggle: “Put me down!” He only held tighter and said to Summer’s parents: “Mom, Dad, Clara’s had too much to drink. I’ll take her home and come right back.” Summer finally broke down crying: “Daniel… you’re choosing her, aren’t you? Fine. I’ll leave. I’ll take the baby and leave…” She turned as if to rush out with the child. The scene descended into chaos. Daniel’s face went white. He called out urgently: “Summer! Don’t do this! I’m just taking her home. You’ll always be my wife!” Such familiar words. He used to say: “Summer’s just like a sister. You’ll always be the one I love most.” I closed my eyes, feeling exhausted. Home? I didn’t have a home anymore. When they shoved me into the car, my stomach churned and I started dry heaving. It was a physical revulsion, a conditioned reflex accumulated from five years of waking up screaming from nightmares. The cause of Daniel’s supposed death was that warehouse fire. That day was our third wedding anniversary. I’d made a reservation early and waited for him to get off work. But by 9 PM, he still hadn’t shown up. His phone went straight to voicemail. At 10 PM, I got a call from an unknown number. A man’s voice, breathing heavily: “Daniel’s trapped in the old warehouse on West Street. The fire’s too big. He told me to tell you… he loves you…” In the background, I could hear the crackling of flames and Daniel’s muffled shouts: “Clara, don’t come!” I rushed there like a madwoman. Fire trucks surrounded the building. Police tape blocked the perimeter. I heard someone yelling: “Daniel’s still inside!” I didn’t think. I just ran in. Through the thick smoke, I saw Daniel collapsed by some shelving. I lunged forward to pull him up when a burning beam came crashing down… He shoved me away with all his strength. The blast wave threw me backward. When I looked back, all I saw was a sea of flames. Later, the investigation report said my unauthorized entry interfered with the rescue, causing Daniel to sacrifice himself protecting me. His parents tore up our marriage certificate and threw me out of their house. My mom called, crying: “Clara, honey, I know you’re hurting. But your brother’s got a girlfriend now, and her family heard about what happened… They think it’s disturbing. Could you… maybe not come home for a while?” Even my own family didn’t want me anymore. So I started trying to kill myself. The first time, I slit my wrists in the bathtub. My landlord found me after a leak from upstairs alerted him. They rushed me to the hospital. The second time, I jumped into the river. The winter water was freezing. As I sank, an old man on his daily swim pulled me out. The third time was sleeping pills again. This time I was smarter. I went to a small motel in the suburbs. But the owner noticed something was wrong and called the cops. When they pumped my stomach, the doctor looked at me with complicated eyes: “Miss, the person who died for you would want you to live well.” But no one wanted me to live. Except Rachel.

Rachel was Summer’s cousin and my college classmate. When she found me, I was running a high fever in my rental, hadn’t eaten in three days. She didn’t lecture me. She just made me some soup, sat on the bed, and said calmly: “Clara, if I were you, I’d live well. I’d live better than everyone else and make those who wronged me watch. Show them I’m fine without them.” “Dying is easy. Living is hard. Do you dare to choose the hard way?” I looked at her and suddenly started crying. After that, Rachel visited often. She took me out to eat, forced me to leave the house, even helped me find a new job. She said: “You need to stand up, Clara. Not for anyone else. For yourself.” I thought I’d finally found a lifeline. But just as I was getting better and preparing to start a new life, something happened to Rachel. A car accident. The other driver was drunk. Hit her car head-on. She died instantly. I went to the morgue to identify the body. The police handed me a charred phone, said they found it in the car. The last message was to me, never sent. It read: “Clara, I found something wrong with Daniel’s fire. It might be connected to Sum…” The rest was never typed. I gripped the phone, my whole body turning cold. At Rachel’s funeral, Summer came too, crying so hard she nearly fainted: “Cousin… how could you just leave like this…” Daniel’s parents patted her back consolingly: “Summer, dear, stay strong. You’re still young. You have to look forward.” In that moment, I suddenly felt like there was an invisible net that had trapped me long ago. And every time I struggled, it only tightened. “You okay? Why are you throwing up so much?” Daniel handed me a bottle of water, then pulled at his expensive suit sleeve, trying to wipe the corner of my mouth. His movements were as gentle as a considerate husband. I found it bitterly ironic. He was indeed a husband. Just not mine. “Clara…” Summer had followed us out. She’d changed into comfortable postpartum clothes, her hair messy, tear stains still on her face, the baby in her arms. “What happened back then… we wronged you. You can hate me however you want. Hit me, yell at me, I’ll accept it all…” She choked up, her voice soft as cotton. “Even… if you still want to be with Daniel, I… I can step aside. I’ll raise the child myself.” I opened my mouth, wanting to say I never thought that way. Five years later, I couldn’t even muster the energy to hate anymore. But Daniel interrupted first, his tone stern: “Summer! What are you saying!” “That’s all in the past. Clara’s doing well now. Stop bringing it up. You’re only making it harder for her.” Summer looked relieved, wiped her tears, and reached for my hand with concern. “Actually, I’ve been worried about you these five years. Afraid you’d do something… I…” She stopped mid-sentence. Her gaze fixed on my wrist, where several pale white scars crisscrossed like ugly centipedes. Daniel’s breathing suddenly became heavy. He silently pulled out a cigarette pack, lit one, and took a deep drag. In the swirling smoke, no one spoke. I remembered he didn’t used to smoke. Summer said softly: “He smokes when he’s stressed. Just never let you know. It’s… a habit between us.” She looked at Daniel, her eyes tender and affectionate. Between them, there were always so many habits I could never be part of. When we got back in the car, Summer and the baby took the front, so I was squeezed into the back seat. “Sorry, Summer can’t be in a draft.” The window slowly closed. I had severe claustrophobia. Ever since that fire, enclosed spaces made me feel like I was suffocating. The car drove for a long time in deathly silence. Daniel finally spoke, trying to break the awkwardness: “How are your parents? Haven’t seen them in a while.” “Mom died of a heart attack last year. Dad moved back to his hometown. Said the city made him uncomfortable.” My voice was so calm I could’ve been talking about strangers. The car screeched to a halt. I nearly slammed into the front seat. Through the rearview mirror, I saw Daniel’s hands shaking. Cigarette ash fell onto his pants without him noticing. My parents had opposed our relationship at first, thinking firefighting was too dangerous. It was Daniel who visited repeatedly, changing light bulbs and fixing pipes for them, playing chess with my dad, massaging my mom’s shoulders. When my dad finally relented, he said: “This kid really cares about you. Fine. As long as you’re happy.” When my mom was dying, she held my hand and said: “Clara, Mom’s sorry. We shouldn’t have pressured you back then… You’re alone now. Take care of yourself.” Daniel didn’t dare ask more. Because he knew. My mom’s illness came from years of anguish, from her daughter becoming “the murderer who killed her husband,” from being unable to hold her head up among the neighbors. It killed her slowly. The air froze. Summer quickly jumped in, her voice trembling: “So… where are you living now? We’ll take you home.” “Riverside Psychiatric Hospital. Inpatient ward, third floor. Bed 307.”

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After the car accident, I saw words written by my long-deceased mother floating before my eyes. “Baby, Declan slept with another woman before he married you!” I was completely stunned. Mother’s words continued appearing before my eyes. “In your past life, he destroyed you. After you married him, you were kidnapped and nearly killed, but he was too busy celebrating Rain’s birthday with her!” “Sweetheart, this time don’t choose Declan. Choose the heir of the Pierce family – steady and loyal!” The next second, Father walked into the lounge and laid out photos of heirs from several major families in front of me, asking me to pick a husband. Without hesitation, I chose my sworn enemy, Adrian Pierce. I’d always listened to Mother. If Mother said Declan didn’t love me, then I didn’t want him anymore. My father, the Don of our mafia family, looked at me hesitantly. “Faye, you and the Harrington boy have always been at each other’s throats. Are you sure you want to marry him? Think carefully – this determines control of the entire organization. There’s no going back.” He’d established a rule: whichever family’s heir married me would gain complete control of the Giovani family’s power and resources. Mrs. Harrington was also shocked and quickly tried to dissuade me. “Faye, even though Declan lost his memory and forgot about you, didn’t you love him the most? Why won’t you wait for him? Maybe once you two are married, he’ll remember everything.” Words from Mother appeared before my eyes: “Nonsense! In your past life, that mistress Rain broke my baby’s heirloom necklace, and my child didn’t even complain much, but Declan threw her out of the family banquet. Poor thing almost got kidnapped outside!” “It was Adrian who came to put a coat over my child and took her somewhere safe to rest. Sure, his words are harsh, but his heart is good.” At those words, my heart clenched painfully. I didn’t understand why Mother kept talking about a past life, kept mentioning things that happened, but her words felt like I’d lived through them myself. They made my chest tighten, like a boulder was crushing it. Besides, Rain really was Declan’s first love. They had a deep history, and I was just the one who came later. “Father, I’ve made my choice. I want Adrian Pierce.” Father put away the photos and patted my shoulder. “Alright, I respect your decision. In two days, I’ll announce your engagement to Adrian to our world.” Words appeared before my eyes from Mother: “That’s right. This time my baby will definitely be happy.” Father went to discuss business with some senior members. I changed my clothes, wanting to go out for a walk. But I didn’t expect to find three tall young men with distinct temperaments standing outside the door. They’d all grown up with me and were candidates for my husband. Declan was there too. Only Adrian was absent. Jason walked over to me with a grin, curious. “Faye, I heard the Don wants to choose one of us to marry you. Who did you pick?” Marcus teased. “Do you even need to ask? It’s obviously Declan. Everyone in our world knows Faye is crazy about him, considers him her soulmate.” Declan glanced at me coolly. “I don’t remember what happened these past three years. I only remember that Rain is the love of my life.” “But I know that in those three years I’ve forgotten, we were together. Even though I don’t love you now, I won’t disobey orders. Once the marriage is arranged, I’ll fulfill my duty.” Words from Mother appeared before my eyes: “In your past life he used fake amnesia to openly mess around with Rain while stealing my baby’s family territory and business, until he left my child with nothing and she died! Bad man, get lost!” Looking at Declan’s indifferent expression, without Mother’s warning, I probably would have believed his lies. I really did like him. I’d even thought he liked me back. Like three years ago when he held that grand fireworks show for me. His gaze was so full of feeling, his words so touching. “Faye, I want to marry you. I want to make you the happiest woman alive.” I was so moved. I committed to him, and for three years our families grew close. But I never imagined that from the very beginning, he’d never cut ties with Rain. He just couldn’t afford to offend me, so he put on an act of loving me.

Now he probably couldn’t keep up the performance, so he simply faked amnesia and openly declared he only remembered Rain, reluctantly agreeing to marry me to get my family’s power and resources. There’s no such free lunch in this world. I wanted to argue with Declan, but seeing how confident he was that I’d chosen him, I swallowed my words. Let him be smug for two more days. When he hears Father publicly announce the truth at the banquet, I’m curious to see his reaction. Seeing my silence, Jason lightly bumped my shoulder. “Faye, so is Declan the one you chose?” I said calmly, “You’ll all find out at the family banquet in two days.” With that, I turned to leave. Behind me, Marcus clicked his tongue twice. “Declan, she definitely chose you. Let me tell you, back when your family’s business was in trouble, Faye searched everywhere for connections. When she heard there was an opportunity up north, she went alone to negotiate and almost got herself killed. She’s crazy about you.” “Is that so?” Declan laughed softly, his voice magnetic. “I had no idea she was so devoted to me.” My heart twisted painfully, but I held back my tears. My obsession with Declan was an open secret. Everyone laughed at how blind I was, but I didn’t care. I lost my birth parents young, and my adoptive parents were constantly traveling for family business. I became an easily overlooked legitimate heir in the organization. Only Declan would step up to defend me when other family heirs challenged me. I’d depended on him since childhood. When he proposed to me, I was overjoyed and swore to support him with all my family’s power. But all his protection had ulterior motives. He didn’t deserve my sincere feelings. “Faye, wait.” Someone called out behind me. I turned to see Declan. He walked up to me arrogantly. “I know you just chose me. I’ll fulfill the marriage contract, but my heart belongs only to Rain. I hope you understand and won’t interfere too much between us.” I stared at him steadily. “Aren’t you suffering from amnesia and forgot a lot of things? Why are you so sure I chose you?” Declan frowned. “Everyone says your heart beats only for me. Who else would you choose besides me?” I smiled bitterly. So Declan knew about my complete devotion to him. Did he have to trample on my sincerity like this? “Don’t worry. From now on I won’t maintain our relationship one-sidedly anymore. I’ll let you two be together.” And I figured if he knew I’d chosen Adrian, he’d probably be thrilled. Hearing my quick agreement, Declan froze for a moment. I continued walking toward the main hall. He instinctively reached out to grab me. Suddenly there was a commotion. A clumsy server rushed over with a tray, and scalding soup splashed onto my leg. I stumbled and fell, my palm scraping against the rough floor. Pain instantly swept over me. Rain’s face changed. She quickly put down what she was holding, trying to help me up. “Faye, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. Please don’t be mad at me.” Before I could speak, words from Mother appeared: “This bad girl is so awful! In your past life she did the same thing – either playing weak or making accusations, wrapping Declan around her finger. Neither of them is any good!”

Seeing Rain’s eyes turn red with distress, Declan was predictably heartbroken. “It’s okay, Rain. It’s just a small accident. With me here, no one will blame you.” He helped Rain up, then looked at me with a warning in his eyes. “You just got scalded a little. You’re strong – you won’t make a big deal out of this, right?” My leg was red and still hurting. I struggled to stand up. Rain looked at me pitifully. “Faye, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going. I’ll punish myself to apologize.” She was about to scratch her arm with her nails. Declan quickly grabbed her hand and looked at me with displeasure. “Faye, Rain didn’t do it on purpose. Can you stop using your status to bully people?” Words from Mother appeared: “Idiot! My child hasn’t said a single word, and that bad girl is putting on a show herself. Why is he saying my child is bullying her? So infuriating! Baby, stand up straight! Teach him a lesson!” At those words, I simply and decisively raised my hand and slapped her hard across the face. Then I looked at Declan. “See that? That’s what bullying looks like.” Rain froze. Declan also froze, his eyes turning cold. “Faye, you’ve gone too far…” I raised my hand and slapped him hard too. “That’s what going too far looks like.” All these years, I’d devoted myself to following him and never confronted him directly. My action shocked him completely. Declan stared at me in disbelief, his teeth clenched. “Fine. Very good. But you dared to hit me, so don’t regret it.” “Rain, let me take you to see a doctor.” Words from Mother appeared: “He won’t check on his future wife’s injury but feels sorry for another woman. Marrying someone like this is what you’d regret! My poor child, that must have hurt.” I looked down at my still-painful wound. The sourness and grievance in my heart could no longer be suppressed. In the past, whenever I got hurt and showed even a bit of pain, Declan would be frantic with worry. Maybe that concern was fake, but at least the company was real. Now he turned a blind eye to my injury and even blamed me, afraid I’d make things difficult for his precious one. What Mother said was becoming more and more real. Even if I married him, it would just be repeating the same mistakes and suffering the same consequences. I went to find a doctor to treat the scrapes on my hand. Many people around me were looking in a certain direction. I looked too. On the patio beyond a wall, I saw Rain and Declan nestled together intimately. I heard her say softly, “Declan, if Faye found out you’re only pretending to have amnesia so we can be together openly, she’d go crazy.” Declan stroked her hair. “So what if she knows? Everyone knows Faye’s heart beats only for me. Even with my ‘amnesia,’ she’ll still beg to marry me so I can get all the Giovani family’s power.” Words from Mother appeared: “In his dreams! My child didn’t choose you this time and won’t marry you. Hmph, wait until the engagement banquet when it’s announced publicly. Let’s see how smug you are then!” I laughed too, though my pale face held no trace of amusement. Not wanting to hear more, I held my treated hand and prepared to leave. Just then, terrified screams and gunshots came from outside: “Someone’s broken in! They have guns! Everyone run!” The shouts hit the crowd like a bomb. I instinctively ran with the panicked crowd, but an intruder grabbed me and raised a club, swinging it at me!

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I came back from my business trip and found my five-year-old daughter Lily home alone, eating expired bread. My heart broke. I rushed over and pulled her into my arms. “Where’s your dad?” Lily started crying. “Daddy’s downstairs getting married to Vanessa. He told me to stay home by myself… Mom, I’m so hungry…” After I settled Lily down, I ran downstairs to the hotel banquet hall. And it was true! Ryan stood there in a full tuxedo. When he saw me, panic flashed across his face. He quickly pulled me aside. “Miranda, this isn’t what it looks like. I’m just helping Vanessa put on a show. Her mom’s been pushing her to get married. I had no choice…” I laughed bitterly. “Congratulations to you both.” Later, at my wedding to his brother Dylan, Ryan got on his knees and begged me to take him back. And I made him listen to Dylan and me having sex all night long. “Congratulations! I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!” Everyone at the wedding thought I was just a late-arriving guest. They all smiled at me warmly. Only the groom, Ryan, stared at me in disbelief. He thought I was joking. When he saw my serious expression, he reluctantly let go of Vanessa’s hand and pulled me into a corner. His brows furrowed. “Miranda, what the hell are you doing?” He had some nerve asking me that. Last week, I went on a business trip overseas. I was worried about their safety at home, so I took a shortcut to get back early. I almost died in a foreign country. And what did I come home to? My five-year-old daughter eating expired bread by herself while Ryan was busy having a wedding ceremony with his first love, Vanessa. When I walked into the hotel, I saw them kissing sweetly and making sincere vows. “Whether in poverty or wealth, in sickness or in health, through good times or bad, I promise to spend my life with Vanessa…” He looked so devoted. I could see the focus in his eyes. But when we got married, he asked the officiant to skip the vows entirely. Said it was too much trouble. Turns out it wasn’t the vows he had a problem with. It was the person he was making them to. When he greeted Vanessa’s parents, he called them “Mom and Dad” so naturally, so smoothly. Like it was the most normal thing in the world. But in our six years of marriage, he’d never once called my parents that way. If this thing with Vanessa was just an act, then what were all these years with me? My heart turned to ash. I said flatly: “I made myself perfectly clear. You two should be together. I’m bowing out.” Ryan frowned and scoffed. “Miranda, can you stop being so damn dramatic? My patience has limits.” “I already explained everything. Vanessa and I are fake married. It’s just to put her parents’ minds at ease. And you’re making this into some huge thing!” I smiled coldly. “Don’t flatter yourself. I really am done. Don’t worry, I’ll file for divorce as soon as possible. I won’t hold you back.” Ryan looked shocked, like he couldn’t believe I’d actually say that. “You…” Before he could finish, I turned to leave the hotel. But Vanessa grabbed my arm. Her eyes were red. She kept apologizing. “I’m so sorry, Miranda. Please let me explain.” “My parents have been so worried about my marriage. I didn’t want them stressed anymore, so Ryan and I staged this. We should have talked to you first. I’m really sorry.” Ryan pulled the apologizing Vanessa close. His voice was ice cold. “Why are you apologizing to her? She’s just petty and loves to throw tantrums. Let her be mad. Ignore her!” I knew from the day I married Ryan that he still carried a torch for his first love, Vanessa. I thought after we got married, I could win him over with my love. But what did he do? He took everything I gave him for granted. I was done with this one-sided relationship. If someone else wanted to keep it going, they were welcome to it. Faced with his shameless behavior, I felt nothing anymore. No anger. No excitement. I just wanted to cut ties with this man completely.

When I didn’t respond, Vanessa put on a pitiful act. “Miranda, how about this? I’ll tell all the guests the truth and apologize to you in front of everyone.” “It’s no big deal for me. I’ll just never be able to show my face in front of my family and friends again. My elderly parents will worry themselves sick. But as long as it doesn’t hurt your marriage, I’m willing to make that sacrifice.” She sounded so tragic, but all I heard was fake nonsense. Ryan ate it up though. He glared at me, about to lay into me, when Vanessa’s dad walked over. “Ryan, what’s going on? Why are you arguing with some woman at your wedding?” Ryan immediately switched to obedient mode when he saw Vanessa’s parents. “Dad, this is just a friend of mine. She was passing by and wanted to congratulate me.” He could introduce me like that without missing a beat. All for Vanessa. I guess in his mind, I was just some stranger who happened to live under the same roof. I looked at him, and for a split second, I saw panic in his eyes. Whatever. I’d let them have their moment. Facing the confused looks from Vanessa’s family and friends, I decided to play along. “That’s right. I’m just his friend. I came to say congratulations. I’m leaving now. You all have fun.” Maybe my decisiveness got to Ryan. For a moment, it looked like he wanted to chase after me. But Vanessa held him back. “Ryan, don’t go. Everyone’s waiting for us to greet them.” “After the ceremony, I’ll come with you to talk to Miranda. Once she calms down, everything will be fine.” Ryan stopped in his tracks. I walked out of the hotel without looking back. When I got home, Lily threw herself into my arms. “Mommy, you’re finally home! I don’t have to sleep alone tonight.” “Mommy, the wind was so scary at night. I was so scared hiding under the blankets by myself.” Looking at Lily’s sweet little face, my heart ached. I regretted going on that business trip and leaving her alone with her useless father. I saw that all the food I’d prepared for her was gone. I praised her: “Wow, you ate everything I made for you. Good job!” Lily pouted. “Mommy, I’m so hungry. Daddy hasn’t made me food in three days. He said he was busy with that lady…” My nose stung. Guilt washed over me. I stroked Lily’s head and pressed my cheek against hers. “Then Mommy will cook for you right now. I’ll make you something really good for lunch.” Lily jumped up and down with joy. “Yay! Mommy’s home, I can eat now!” Hearing her words made my heart ache. I turned and went into the kitchen to make something good for Lily. But when I opened the fridge, it was empty except for two eggs. Clearly, no one had cooked here in days. I had no choice but to make Lily some simple egg noodles. Even so, it made her beam with happiness. “Mommy’s the best! The egg noodles are so yummy.” Looking at Lily’s innocent smile, I felt a mix of emotions. Just then, the door clicked open. Ryan walked in with a long face, carrying a takeout container. He tossed it on the table and glared at me. “What’s this? This is all you’re feeding Lily? What kind of mother are you?”

I didn’t want to fight in front of Lily. I just gave him a warning look to back off. Seeing my expression, Ryan seemed to remember our rule about not fighting in front of Lily. He didn’t say anything more, but his eyes still looked defiant. Vanessa followed him in. She quickly inserted herself between us with a big smile and opened the takeout container. “Miranda, we had the hotel save this for you. We knew you and Lily hadn’t eaten, so we brought it up.” I glanced at it. A fish with nothing left but bones and a few chili peppers. Clearly leftovers from the banquet. Lily was allergic to fish. I was worried she’d react even being near it, so I pushed the container away. Seeing this, Ryan assumed I was deliberately trying to humiliate Vanessa. He lost it. “Vanessa, ignore them. Eat it or don’t!” I didn’t want to say another word to him, but I couldn’t help myself. “Ryan, did you forget that Lily’s allergic to seafood and fish?” Ryan’s brows furrowed slightly. He seemed to remember something. Everyone in my family breaks out in hives from fish. Lily was the same. I’d repeatedly told Ryan not to let Lily near fish, but he never took it seriously. And of course, Vanessa loved fish. Whenever they went out to eat, they’d order it. Sometimes they’d even bring Lily along. Every time they came back from those meals, Lily’s face would be covered in red hives. I’d apply medicine to her, heartbroken, and criticize him for taking Lily to eat fish. He’d just shrug it off. “A few hives, a little itching. It’s no big deal.” Until one time, Lily’s allergic reaction got so severe her throat swelled up and she couldn’t breathe. We got her to the hospital just in time. After that, Ryan seemed to learn his lesson. He stopped bringing Lily along when he went out to eat with Vanessa. But that didn’t last long. To keep eating out with Vanessa, he started leaving Lily home alone with a pile of snacks and toys to keep her occupied. Once, Lily choked on a snack while home alone. Luckily, I came home from work just in time to save her. And now he was bringing fish home for Lily again. Clearly, Lily and I both mattered less to him than a single finger of Vanessa, the woman who’d abandoned him once before. Vanessa saw Ryan’s embarrassment and quickly came to his rescue. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I was the one who packed it. I forgot Lily was allergic to fish…” Ryan looked at Vanessa gratefully. His tone softened. “Vanessa meant well, Miranda. Don’t make a big deal out of it.” “Today was my fault for not thinking things through. Tomorrow I’ll cook a big meal at home to make it up to you and Lily. That should be fine, right?” Just then, a commotion came from outside the door, followed by the sound of keys in the lock. I was confused. Who else besides Ryan and me had keys to our place? The answer came in the form of Vanessa’s parents bragging to their friends and family. “This is my baby’s new home. Over 1,400 square feet!”

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The day my company went public, I got proof my fiancée was cheating. A picture of her making out with a security guard in the parking lot. Then I saw her latest Ins post:【Simple days are the best kind of happy.】 Attached was a photo: The security guard gently caressing her swollen belly in a hospital maternity ward. I glanced at the ring on my desk, the one I’d planned to propose with. I casually tossed it into my pocket. Chloe, if a simple, ordinary life is what you crave, then by all means, have it. My lavish love? You forfeited that privilege. I called the hotel and the wedding planner to cancel everything, then finally, the bank. “Freeze all bank accounts and credit cards under Chloe’s name.” Just as I hung up, Chloe pushed open my office door and walked in. “Honey, I just heard you say ‘freeze bank accounts.’ Whose accounts are you freezing?” I shrugged off her question with a vague excuse, my gaze shifting to Mike, the security guard standing behind her. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Chloe immediately forgot her earlier question, pulling Mike’s hand and beaming happily. “Honey, this is Mike. He’s a security guard downstairs in the parking lot.” “Mr. Anderson, it’s a pleasure!” Mike flashed a shy smile. My eyes burned, watching Chloe still clinging to Mike’s hand, refusing to let go. I’d loved Chloe for ten years, pampered her for ten years. To ensure her happiness, I built this empire from nothing, fought tooth and nail through cutthroat business deals, nearly lost everything, even my life, several times over. And all that? It meant less than some run-of-the-mill security guard. The irony was a bitter pill. “Honey, Mike’s talking to you,” Chloe reminded me, a hint of annoyance in her voice. I shot her a glance, then calmly stated, “If he’s a parking lot security guard, and it’s work hours, why isn’t he down there? What’s he doing here?” Chloe quickly interjected, “I brought him! Mike’s just been unlucky, held back by circumstances, forced into security. But I know his capabilities. Doesn’t the company still need a Business Development Manager? I think he’d be perfect for it.” I almost laughed, but it was a bitter, angry sound. She’s trying to get her lover a job here? Chloe, this isn’t your personal love nest; it’s a multi-million dollar corporation. I once told Chloe that if she ever betrayed me, I’d take everything back. I could elevate her to the highest heights, or plunge her into the lowest depths. Before I could speak, Mike eagerly said, “Please don’t worry, Mr. Anderson! I’ll absolutely fulfill the duties of a Business Development Manager, handle every task, and make this department the top one in the company!” Chloe smiled gently. “Mike, I know you can do it.” You believe him? I took a sip of my tea, then calmly spoke. “I don’t recall agreeing to make him Business Development Manager.” Chloe’s face stiffened. She turned to me, “Honey, Mike is the most suitable person. It’ll be the company’s loss if you don’t hire him. Have you heard some rumors? They’re all lies! I brought Mike here for the company’s growth. You need to think about the bigger picture.” I need to think about the bigger picture? So, I should just hand over the Business Development Manager position to your lover, turning my company into your little hideaway? My face went cold. “The company has strict hiring policies. It’s not just a matter of you saying someone is ‘suitable.’” Chloe was clearly displeased. “What policies? You’re the boss, Liam, your word is law here.” “Chloe, Mr. Anderson has a point,” Mike interjected, trying to play the good guy. He then turned to me, “Mr. Anderson, you’ve misunderstood Chloe. Honestly, I’m quite happy as a security guard. Chloe just couldn’t bear to see my potential wasted, and she insisted I come.” I nodded directly. “If you’re happy, keep doing it. You only get what you’re capable of. Taking shortcuts to the top might seem easy, but it’s also a quick way to crash and burn.” Mike’s face darkened for a split second, then he meekly replied, “Mr. Anderson, your words are a valuable lesson.” “Enough!” Chloe snapped, furious. “Liam Anderson, when did you become so passive-aggressive? If you’re not going to hire him, fine, but why humiliate him? This side of you… I hate it!” Mike chimed in again, feigning innocence. “Chloe, you shouldn’t argue with Mr. Anderson because of me. It’s all my fault.” He then looked at me, a look of utter grievance on his face. “Mr. Anderson, you truly misunderstand me. I never wanted to climb the ladder overnight; I just wanted to prove myself.”

I felt sick to my stomach. This grown man, tall and muscular, acting so innocent. And Chloe, of course, fell for it completely. She lovingly stroked Mike’s face, her voice soft. “No, it’s not your fault. This has nothing to do with you.” Then she turned to me, her face instantly cold. “Liam, I can’t believe it. The more money you make, the narrower-minded you become. Apologize to Mike, or there’s no need for us to get married.” I chuckled. “Funny you should mention that. I’ve already canceled the venue, the caterers, even the wedding planner. There won’t be a wedding.” “What did you say?” Chloe’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Chloe, Mr. Anderson is just joking,” Mike quickly said. “Mr. Anderson, you shouldn’t joke about something so important! What if Chloe takes you seriously? Apologize to her now.” I sneered, scoffing. “Who do you think you are, telling me how to run my life?” Mike’s face instantly turned a deep shade of crimson. “Liam!” Chloe was trembling with rage, staring daggers at me. “You better mean what you say. Mike, let’s go!” She was so sure I was head over heels, that I’d never actually call off the wedding. But she seemed to forget one thing: if her feelings could change, why couldn’t mine? I didn’t love her anymore. A moment later, Chloe sent me a SnapChat message. 【Mike saw a sports car he likes. Get it for him.】 I replied instantly: 【Are you out of your mind? What do Mike’s wants have to do with me?】 【It’s because you humiliated him, and he’s still sulking. Buy him that sports car as an apology. It’s making things awkward for me.】 【Your convenience? Not my problem.】 After sending it, I switched off my phone, lit a cigarette, and leaned back in my chair. Through the curling smoke, my thoughts drifted back ten years. I first met Chloe during Freshman Orientation Week in high school. She was striking in her fatigues, incredibly vibrant and confident. During the talent show, her stunning contemporary dance routine captivated the entire audience. Her tough exterior in those fatigues, melting into that graceful dance routine… it completely captivated me. After that, I pursued her. Three years of high school, four years of college, three years after graduation – my world revolved around her. I lost myself completely, my love for her a constant, humble devotion. I swore to give her the best in the world, fighting relentlessly just to see her smile. Three years of intense effort, countless hardships and struggles, yet I never showed her any of it. In front of her, I always smiled, always presented my best self. Sometimes I felt exhausted, but just thinking of her filled me with strength. I believed that loving someone meant giving your all, giving them the very best. Whatever she desired, whatever she wanted to do, I made sure it happened. But in the end, all I got was her betrayal. Her belief that a simple, ordinary life was better. It made my ten years of pampering, sacrifice, and struggle feel like a cruel joke. I should thank her. She opened my eyes to reality. When love dies, everything you do is wrong. “Mr. Anderson, the meeting is about to start.” My secretary, Sarah, pushed open the door. I extinguished my cigarette and rose from the chair. “Let’s go.” Chloe never realized that as the company grew, I no longer needed her. I had my own thriving career, and frankly, better options. The meeting didn’t end until late into the night. I declined my driver’s offer and drove home alone. The moment I walked in, I saw Chloe sitting on the sofa, only wearing a bathrobe, a face mask on. The sound of the shower was running from the bathroom. My face instantly darkened. “Is that Mike?”

Chloe nodded dismissively. “Mike gave me a ride home. I saw his clothes were dirty, and he was sweating a lot, so I told him to shower.” My face cold, I immediately called Sarah. “Send someone to gut the bathroom and re-do it entirely.” Chloe exploded. “Liam, what do you mean?” I stared straight at her. “I don’t keep things that have been dirtied.” Chloe’s eyes darted, guilt flashing for a second, then she yelled, “Liam, explain yourself! Mike just took one shower, how does that make it ‘dirty’? You shower every day, why don’t you say that’s dirty?” Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Mike walked out, wearing my pajamas. “Mr. Anderson, you’re back.” I looked at Chloe. She turned her head, refusing to meet my gaze. “Mike didn’t have pajamas, he couldn’t possibly put his dirty clothes back on after a shower, right? And you have so many, what’s the big deal with lending him one?” I nodded. “You’re right. So, I’m done with these pajamas. They’re contaminated. Feel free to toss them.” Mike’s face crumpled in a show of grievance. “Mr. Anderson, please don’t be upset. I’ll change right now and wash them clean for you.” “Don’t you dare!” Chloe grabbed him, glaring at me. “Liam, what exactly are you trying to do? What did Mike do to offend you that you’re constantly targeting him? He just used the bathroom and wore your pajamas! You keep calling things ‘dirty’! If you’re so disgusted, then leave! Don’t ever come back!” I looked at Chloe, my gaze calm. “You seem to forget, I bought this house. If anyone’s leaving, it’s him. Oh, and you.” “You’re kicking me out?” Chloe’s voice was laced with disbelief. I just watched her, silent. My meaning was clear. Chloe was shaking with anger. “Fine, fine, I’ll go!” “Liam, you better not regret begging me to come back.” Don’t worry, I never will! After they left, I called Sarah again. “Put this house on the market. It disgusts me to even be in it.” Then, I went out and checked into a random hotel. At 2 AM, Chloe called, her voice frantic. “Honey, my bank cards and credit cards are all frozen! Quickly call the bank and ask if there’s a system error!” My voice was cold. “No need to call. The bank’s system is working just fine.” “I had them frozen.”

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On New Year’s Day, my husband Liam Reed posted a family photo online. But in the picture, Liam stood in the center with his arm around his intern, Chloe. I was nowhere in it. “We should get a divorce,” I told him. He barely glanced up. “Over a photo? How long are you going to sulk this time?” Three years of marriage, and he still didn’t believe I’d actually leave. But this time, I was serious. Minutes earlier, I’d gotten a text from Leo Sterling, the biggest movie star in the world. “Wrapping up my show. Flying in to get you. ETA around midnight.” I immediately typed back, “Okay.” … On New Year’s Day, Liam insisted on bringing his intern, Chloe, to his parents’ house. All the family were gathered for lunch when someone suggested a family photo. Without a pause, Liam nudged me out of the frame and told me to take it instead. He arranged everyone, then pulled Chloe to stand right beside him. It was a family photo of over a dozen people, and I was the only one missing. Seeing how upset I was, Liam signed. “Fine, I’ll delete it. Happy now?” “Can you send it to me first?” Chloe cut in, settling into the seat next to Liam as if it were hers. She noticed my grim expression and immediately asked, “What’s wrong? Liam, did you make Daisy mad again?” Liam pursed his lips but didn’t say anything. Chloe quickly chimed in, “Daisy, don’t be mad at him. I should have been the one taking the picture.” I let out a cold laugh. “You’re so fond of my husband, you even have to show up at my family’s holiday gathering. You can have him.” Chloe bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. “How can you say that? You’ve misunderstood. There’s a blizzard back home, all transportation is cut off. I can’t go back.” Liam shot me a reproachful glance. “Take your anger out on me. Why are you picking on her? If you want a divorce, fine, but don’t drag others into it.” Liam patted Chloe’s shoulder and took her outside for some fresh air. Our conversations about divorce were always so casual. That afternoon, I had a card game scheduled with Liam’s old friends. I didn’t want our issues to affect everyone else, so I bit the bullet and went. As I reached the door, my friends were already complaining about me. “Is Daisy not coming? Did you two have another fight?” Someone laughed dismissively. “She’s mad about this? Well, someone has to take the holiday family photo, so they’re not in it. Daisy is just too petty.” “Exactly. If I were looking for a wife, I’d prefer someone gentle and even-tempered, like Chloe. She’s perfect.” Liam sighed dramatically. “What can I do? That’s just how she is. I’ve spoiled her since we were kids, so I just have to deal with it.” Someone else laughed. “You need to be firm sometimes, or you’ll end up completely henpecked, with no say in the family.” Chloe spoke up. “Daisy is truly so lucky. If someone pampered me like that, I’d never argue with them.” Liam’s friends immediately started egging them on. “Then let Liam pamper you today, Chloe!” “Really? Can you get me a New Year’s gift, honey?” she asked playfully. I heard Liam’s cheerful reply. “I already had a gift for you anyway.” Then Liam warned everyone, “Jokes are fine, but don’t say anything like that in front of Daisy, okay?” I let go of the doorknob. The laughter inside sounded so sharp, so piercing. Liam knew perfectly well that I disliked his ambiguous relationships with others. He’d say he was afraid of upsetting me, yet he let Chloe call him “honey” in front of everyone and even bought her a holiday gift. It was all because he was so certain that I’d get mad, then eventually forgive him. But this time, he miscalculated. A little while later, Chloe posted an Ins story. “Received a New Year’s gift from my boss! It feels so good to be spoiled!” The photo showed their fingers intertwined. I called my dad. “Dad, I want to spend the holidays in Chicago.” He paused, a little surprised. “Why the sudden change of heart? Aren’t you going back to Liam’s parents’ place?” I fought back my emotions, not wanting him to hear the sadness in my voice. “I miss you. I’m thinking of relocating to Chicago. I’ll stay there with you after the holidays.” My dad immediately heard the disappointment, but he didn’t call me out on it. “Your dad supports all your choices. Do you want me to pick you up?” Hearing my dad’s loving voice, my heart finally settled. “No, someone’s already coming for me.”

When Liam brought Chloe home, I was with his relatives, watching TV. “Daisy, you and Liam have been married for three years now, right? Why haven’t you had kids yet?” “Yeah, hurry up and have one!” Mrs. Reed chuckled. “Daisy used to run that vet clinic, and I was worried about her being around all those cats and dogs, you know, germs. But Daisy closed the clinic this year. So, she should have a baby soon.” At that moment, the popular actor, Leo, appeared on TV. I looked up sharply, his familiar face on the screen. A reporter interviewed Leo. “How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?” Leo smiled gently. “With the most important person, of course!” Mrs. Reed couldn’t help but exclaim, “That actor is so handsome!” Chloe interjected, “He’s every girl’s dream guy! I’ve binge-watched so many of his shows.” They had no idea that Leo’s “most important person” was me, and he was coming for me tonight. A long time ago, Liam had also told me I was the most important person to him. On my seventh birthday, my mother died in a car accident. My father was lost in grief, sometimes sitting at home all day, completely oblivious to me. I didn’t dare cry at home and often found myself spacing out alone in the park. Liam would always find ways to cheer me up. Later, my dad’s business relocated to Chicago, and after college, I chose to marry Liam. But last year, he missed my birthday. That day, Chloe had made a huge blunder, and he stayed late to clean up her mess, then took her to dinner to comfort her. It wasn’t until he saw the unopened cake on the table late that night that he realized he’d forgotten my birthday. That was our first real fight. After that, our conflicts grew more frequent. Liam always complained that I was petty and jealous, unable to tolerate even an intern next to him. Time and again, he left me behind to help Chloe move, celebrate holidays, or take her to the doctor. My phone vibrated, pulling me back from my thoughts. Someone in my group chat posted a photo, asking if the person in it was me. I clicked on the photo. It was a recent Ins post from Leo. “Family Photo,” the caption read. The accompanying picture was a large group shot of volunteers, and I was standing right next to Leo. In front of us was a group of abandoned cats we had rescued. Before I could respond, Liam replied to the group. “No way! It’s just someone who looks a bit like her. How could Daisy possibly be in a celebrity’s family photo? Impossible.” Seeing him so flustered and angry, I found it almost laughable. He finished his message and tossed his phone onto the table, accidentally knocking over a can of soda and soaking his pants. Chloe quickly grabbed some tissues and, without thinking, gently dabbed his leg. Liam cleared his throat awkwardly, and she finally stopped. I let out a soft laugh. “Why don’t you just wash them for him?” Chloe’s face instantly flushed. “Daisy, what are you saying? I treat Liam like a big brother. Don’t get the wrong idea.” I ignored her, simply explaining a few things in the chat. I’d been helping out at an animal rescue, and a celebrity doing charity work happened to be there. Unexpectedly, the group chat became even more frantic. “Oh my god, Daisy actually met Leo!” “What kind of cologne does he wear? I need to know!” I was so overwhelmed, I stopped typing. Just then, Leo messaged me: “Finished recording. Heading to the airport now.”

At dinner, Chloe flirted with Liam. “Liam, pass me the lemon juice.” Then I noticed the bracelet on Chloe’s wrist. I said sarcastically, “Nice bracelet! Did Liam give it to you?” Chloe said awkwardly, “It’s nothing expensive. If you like it, I can give it to you.” Liam stopped Chloe. “That’s my gift to you. How can you give it to her?” Then he turned to me. “Daisy, what do you want for a New Year’s gift? Anything you want, just name it.” Chloe suddenly tugged on Liam’s arm and exclaimed, “Oh no, what time is it? Are we going to be late? We promised the team we’d go pray at a church in the suburbs. Shouldn’t we be leaving?” Liam’s eyes darted nervously, and he stammered an explanation to me. “I promised my colleagues I’d go with them. If you’re not too tired, you can come with us too.” Chloe quickly cut in, “Daisy doesn’t know your colleagues well, it would be awkward for her.” I sneered, declining the invitation. Liam patted my head, like comforting a loyal dog. “You’re right. It’s pretty cold out. Just wait for me at home, I’ll buy you a New Year’s gift.” Chloe leaned in, deliberately showing me a condom box in her purse. Don’t worry, Daisy,” she said with a smile. “I’ll take good care of Liam.” Liam hurried her out and drove off with her. I sat by the TV, watched Leo’s show, then went to my room and printed the divorce papers. When Leo called, I kept my voice low. “I’ll see you at the airport.”

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The zombie outbreak began, and my new husband Julian died right before my eyes, killed while trying to protect me. I fled in panic, taking desperate refuge in a desolate, abandoned construction site. But the very next day, my parents called out of the blue. My mother Sarah had been hospitalized with a heart condition, and they insisted I come care for her. I immediately told them about the zombie outbreak, urging them to find a safe place to hide. Instead, my parents lashed out, yelling at me. “What kind of zombie nonsense are you talking about? Have you been watching too many horror movies? Come up with a better excuse!” I knew something was off. I wanted to go to the hospital where my parents were, just to check. But I hadn’t gone far before I was spotted by zombies on the street, and I was bitten to death! When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the moment my parents had just called. I carefully asked. “Mom, Dad, are you safe? Is everything okay where you are?” My parents swore it was. “What could possibly go wrong at a hospital? Just hurry up and get here!”

Covered in blood, huddled in that cold, abandoned building, I froze for a moment at their words. Their tone on the phone grew more anxious. “Your mom and I only have you, our one daughter. You can’t just abandon us when something happens to the family!” “Oh, and bring some cash. We’re still three thousand short for your mom’s hospital bills.” I looked out the window at the shuffling zombies, my fingers trembling as I gripped my phone. What was going on? My parents and I lived in the same city. How could there be a zombie outbreak here, and they were acting like nothing was happening? Besides, they said they were at the hospital, and hospitals should be ground zero for a zombie apocalypse, the first places to get completely overrun! I glanced at the zombies lurking below and forced myself to speak. “Mom, Dad, it’s not safe outside!” “There are zombies everywhere here, Julian was even bitten to death by them!” “Are you sure there’s absolutely nothing wrong on your end?!” There was a two-second silence on the other end, then my dad, David, roared. “Audrey, what nonsense are you spewing?!” “I think you just don’t want to deal with your mother, so you’re making up these ridiculous stories!” My mom’s weak sobs reached my ears too. “My dear, your mother is barely holding on. How can you be so heartless?!” Tears welled up in my eyes. “Mom, I’m really not lying to you!” “There are truly zombies outside, blood everywhere!” “Please, find a safe place to hide!” But my dad only grew angrier. “Still trying to argue? Your mom is in the hospital with a heart attack, and instead of rushing over, you’re making up such a crazy excuse!” “I’m telling you, if you don’t come now, we’ll disown you, you ungrateful wretch!” I stared blankly at my phone screen, my mind a chaotic mess. Was I going crazy? But the zombies downstairs were clearly right there! I opened a news app on my phone, only to find the headlines were all about celebrity gossip, everything seemed peaceful and normal. There wasn’t a single report about a zombie crisis. All the social media platforms were tranquil, no one mentioned zombies. It was as if I was the only one who saw this disaster. My dad delivered his final ultimatum on the phone, “Your mother and I slaved away, scrimping and saving to put you through college. Now your wings are strong, and you’re just going to abandon us, huh?!” “I’m laying it out for you now. If you don’t take care of us, your old parents, we’ll have nothing to live for. Your mom and I will just go home and end it all, so we don’t have to be a burden to you!”

I had no choice but to try and calm them down, begging them not to do anything foolish. “Mom, Dad, wait for me. I’ll figure out a way to get there right away.” “Please, don’t be impulsive, I’m really not lying to you…” Just as I finally managed to stabilize them, the family SnapChat group exploded. A swarm of relatives started taking jabs at me. My aunt, Martha, was the first to lash out. “I heard Audrey won’t even pay for her mother’s hospital bills?” “That child has always been selfish; she’s even worse now that she’s grown up!” My uncle, Robert, quickly chimed in. “And her parents treated her like gold! Now that she’s successful, she abandons them.” “That ungrateful wretch, she has no conscience!” My cousin, Tiffany, said sarcastically. “She’s married a rich husband now; why would she care about anyone else’s life?” Other family members took turns, absolutely ripping me apart with their criticism. I trembled with rage, looking at all these accusations. To prove my innocence, I suggested a video call, trying to point the camera at the zombies downstairs for them to see. Just then, a few zombies were tearing at a corpse below. The gory scene made my stomach churn. But the relatives on the other end of the screen burst out laughing. “Audrey, do you think we’re toddlers?” “Isn’t that just some horror movie from the internet?” “You think we’ll believe you if you play a movie clip?” “To save a few thousand bucks on medical bills, she’s pulling such a pathetic stunt to fool us.” “Do you take us for idiots?” Tears were streaming down my face. “This isn’t a movie! It’s real!” “There really are zombies outside!” But no one believed me. Robert sneered. “Alright, stop the act. Just get to the hospital and pay the bill.” “Your mother’s having a heart attack right now, and you’re wasting time making up lies?” Furious, I poked the camera out the window, aiming it at the street. “Look closely! These are real zombies!” The streets were littered with shambling monsters, cars were parked haphazardly, some still smoking. The ground was covered in blood and dismembered body parts. But my Robert angrily lectured me about being inconsiderate. “Enough! You’re going to make your mother die of anger!” “What are you messing around with now?” “Get to the hospital immediately, or you’ll be waiting to claim your mother’s body!” With that, he hung up the video call. I slumped to the ground in despair. Why did no one believe me? Was I truly going crazy? I posted these scenes online through every channel I could. Facebook, Ins, TikTok – everywhere I could post, I did. But soon, a colleague from work messaged me. “Audrey, your prank is pretty funny.” “But is it really appropriate to post stuff like this during work hours?” My boss also called me. “Audrey, you’ve been absent for two days. Were you watching horror movies?” “Someone even tried to vouch for you, saying you were overworked and suddenly fell ill, without time to request leave. But now, it seems we were wrong.” “The company has decided to terminate your employment. Pack your things and get out!”

I explained that a zombie apocalypse had broken out and I was trapped in an abandoned building, but my boss absolutely refused to believe me. He even called me insane. After my boss hung up, I still wasn’t ready to give up. I called my best friend, Chloe, asking if she’d seen any zombies on the streets. My friend, however, said it was a beautiful day and everything was perfectly normal outside. “Audrey, have you been under too much stress lately?” “Do you want me to go with you to see a therapist?” “What you’re saying is really scary…” I hung up the phone, feeling helpless. Chloe was my best friend; she wouldn’t lie to me. But I was truly being hunted and bitten by zombies! What’s more, I had personally witnessed Julian being bitten to death by zombies, and his splashed blood was still clinging to me. All of this told me that the zombie crisis was real! But everyone else insisted everything was normal, that the world was peaceful. Why was this happening? My phone rang again. It was my mom. “My dear, your mother is begging you, please come to the hospital.” My mom’s voice was terrifyingly weak. “My heart hurts so badly right now, and the doctor says I need surgery immediately.” “But we don’t have enough money, so the hospital won’t do it.” “Darling, your mom is counting on you, you can’t abandon me!” My mom started crying as she spoke. Hearing her sobs, my own tears couldn’t be stopped. “Mom, I really haven’t lied to you.” “It’s really dangerous here!” But my mom only cried harder. “My dear, do you hate your mother?” “Are you blaming me for being too strict with you before?” “Mom knows she was wrong; I won’t push you anymore.” “Just have pity on your mother, and come see her one last time at the hospital.” I bit my lip, trembling all over. My mother’s words pierced my heart like knives. I started to wonder if I was truly having a breakdown. Maybe I was sick? Maybe there were no zombies outside at all? Maybe Julian was still alive, and I was just hallucinating? I pinched myself hard. It hurt. I looked out the window again. The zombies were still there. They were real. But why was I the only one who could see them? To find out the truth, I decided to risk my life and go to the hospital. If I was sick, at least I could get treated. If not, I wanted to die knowing why. I took a deep breath and said into the phone. “Mom, wait for me. I’m coming right away.” Hearing this, my mom’s sobs gradually quieted. “Good. Your mom will wait for you.” Before I left, I gathered some tarps and wrapped them around myself for protection, making myself as safe as possible. I also found an iron pipe to use as a weapon. In normal people’s eyes, my attire at this point would definitely make me look like a lunatic who had escaped from a mental institution. But I firmly believed I wasn’t crazy!

I slowly emerged from the abandoned building. The air was thick with the smell of blood. With every step, I carefully scanned my surroundings. Zombies had acute hearing, and any sound could attract them. I cautiously navigated through the streets and alleys, using my memories from the previous life to avoid many dangers. But as I approached the city center, the number of zombies grew, making avoidance nearly impossible. Just as I was about to be cornered by zombies in a small alley, a manhole cover suddenly lifted. I encountered another survivor. At that moment, several zombies lunged at me, clawing and snarling. He quickly pulled me into the sewer, saving me from certain death. The manhole cover closed above my head. I heard the grating sound of zombies scratching above. I leaned against the damp wall, gasping for breath. The man looked at me, puzzled. “Are you crazy? Running towards the city center alone?” “That’s where most of the zombies are!” He looked to be in his thirties, wearing dirty work clothes. I looked at him, a wave of relief washing over me! My mind was fine; the world I was in truly was experiencing a zombie crisis! At least one other person saw the same thing I did. “You see the zombies too, don’t you?” I grabbed his arm, agitated. He was startled by my reaction. “What kind of question is that? Those monsters are everywhere outside, who wouldn’t see them?” I was almost in tears. “But I called my parents, my friends, and they all said everything was normal outside!” “They said there were no zombies, that I was lying!” The man frowned. “Where are your family members?” “At the city hospital.” “My mother is hospitalized with a heart condition; I have to get there.” I wanted to show him the messages from my parents, but my phone had run out of battery. The man was silent for a moment, then shook his head. “Hospitals were the first places the zombies broke out, there’s no one alive there anymore!” “I advise you not to go and die for nothing.” But I couldn’t give up. “I have to go.” “My mother is still waiting for me.” The man looked at me, his eyes full of confusion. “Didn’t you hear what I said? There are no living people in the hospital!” “Your mother is either dead or she’s turned into one of those monsters!” “You can’t save her if you go!” I only smiled bitterly, then bid him a firm farewell, resolved to reach the hospital and uncover the truth. Using the sewers, I made my way toward the hospital with surprising ease. But just as I climbed out and rushed for the main entrance, a horde of zombies in patient gowns erupted from the once quiet building. The stench flooded my senses as they surged toward me. I faltered, torn between retreating into the sewer or facing the same gruesome end as in my last life. But then, I suddenly noticed the dried bloodstains on their bodies. My mind seized the truth in a flash of cold clarity. I finally knew why my city had fallen!

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I rushed home at 3 AM. The moment water sprayed from the showerhead, I knew the temperature was wrong. My husband, Captain Lucas Thomas, was an instructor at the military academy. He was strong, fit, and always took cold showers. But today, the water was hot. “Finally decided to warm things up for me?” I asked him. He paused, then gave a playful salute. “Copy that, ma’am. Won’t forget again.” I smiled. As I stepped toward the shower, I saw two overlapping handprints on the glass door. On the floor lay a strand of dark, glossy hair. It was not mine. It was obvious. My husband was cheating. And he had brought her into our bathroom for…sex! I fought back nausea and sent a photo to my cousin Brooke at the academy. “Dark hair. Around five three. Find her. Fifty grand.” She replied instantly. “I’ll drag that bitch out myself!” Staring at those overlapping handprints, I could almost see them there. For five years of marriage, Lucas Thomas had been perfect. He came from a military family, was charming, and treated me like his only mission. No matter what, I never thought it would come to this. My phone chimed softly. checked it almost without thinking. It was a photo from my cousin, Brooke. Lucas stood surrounded by students, a girl crouched in front of him. She was petite, with long hair, a youthful face, and wide, round eyes. Even through the grainy photo, her radiant youth was unmistakable. She was smiling, head tilted, gazing up at Lucas with open adoration. I took a sharp breath, but the air was cold as needles, piercing my lungs and making my chest burn. Brooke’s messages kept coming. “That’s Summer Hayes. A senior in the Medical School’s surgery program. She’s in Lucas’s class this semester.” “Disgusting. Just goes to show you can’t judge a book by its cover.” I swiftly transferred the money to her. “Don’t do anything reckless. I’ll handle this myself.” By the time Lucas woke up, I had already composed my expression. He looked at the dark circles under my eyes, his face full of concern. “Didn’t sleep well last night?” How I wanted to just blurt out Summer’s name. But in the end, I just gave a slight smile. “No, jet lag’s hitting me hard.” Lucas gently pushed me back onto the bed and pressed a kiss on my forehead. “I shouldn’t have bothered you last night. Get some more sleep; I’ll call you when breakfast is ready.” Still the perfect Lucas Thomas. It wasn’t until we were sitting at the dining table that his hurried movements made me pause, and I couldn’t help but ask. “Don’t you have the day off today?” “There’s a drill at the medical department. I need to oversee it.” Lucas quickly finished his breakfast and stood up to leave. But I spoke softly. “Are you forgetting what day it is?” He froze, glanced at the date, and immediately looked remorseful. “I forgot, Ava. I’m so sorry, we said I’d go with you to visit your father’s grave.” “But the medical department drill was scheduled a long time ago…” A cold laugh echoed in my heart. “You go. I actually want to talk to my dad alone today anyway.” Lucas immediately rushed off to the academy. After quickly visiting the cemetery, I coincidentally arrived as the medical department was conducting a first-aid drill on the sports field. Lucas blew a whistle. “Alright, everyone, find a partner and practice your first-aid techniques.” Students quickly paired up, but one girl was left standing alone in the center. Teasing shouts rose from around them. “Instructor, who’s gonna give Summer CPR?” “Who else? If it were anyone else, wouldn’t the Instructor absolutely lose it?!” Amidst the laughter, Summer made a face at her classmates. “ou’re all perverts! My conscience is clear, I have nothing to hide!” “It was just a trauma assessment drill! Totally innocent, okay?!” Lucas cleared his throat. “Alright, alright, it’s just a demonstration, don’t fuss!” With that, he gestured for Summer to lie down in front of him. Then, he actually bent down and kissed her lips!

In an instant, my whole body went cold. My gaze was locked onto Lucas Thomas. He casually stood up, his hands clasped and pressed onto Summer Hayes’s chest. “After artificial respiration, you need to apply pressure rhythmically…” A mischief-maker laughed loudly. “Summer, didn’t you say CPR was pure?” “Why are you blushing so much?” Summer, lying on the ground, shot back. “You’d blush too if Lucas touched you, wouldn’t you be gutted if he hadn’t?” Amidst the uproarious laughter, Lucas didn’t defend himself. Instead, he flashed a doting smile. My fingers gripped the steering wheel, trembling uncontrollably. I waited until dinner time to finally spot Summer. She was giggling and playing around with her roommates, their laughter audible from afar. “He invited you to dinner and you didn’t go? Why are you playing innocent, Summer!” “What do you know? Summer’s just playing hard to get!” Summer coughed, transparently trying to deny it. “That’s not true! I’m not close with him, don’t spread rumors!” I couldn’t help but sneer. Not close? Not close enough to roll around in my bathroom, on my bed. If they were close, would they invite me to watch them get a room? I avoided the crowd and walked straight to a table opposite theirs. My makeup, hair, and clothing – Summer knew at a glance I wasn’t a student. A flicker of nervousness crossed her eyes, then she smiled. “Who are you? The cafeteria isn’t crowded; we don’t need to share a table, do we?” I ignored her feigned ignorance and stated directly. “Summer Hayes, you must know that Lucas Thomas is my husband, right?” Lucas was thirty. Most men his age were married, unless they were not interested in women or had a serious illness. Not to mention, our wedding photo hung above our bed. I refused to believe Summer was some innocent young girl. Her roommates instantly fell silent. Summer, however, maintained a clueless expression. “Is there something I can help you with?” Seeing that I didn’t speak, she then feigned sudden realization. “Did you perhaps see our CPR drill? You might not understand, but it was just a very legitimate exercise.” Who was she trying to mock with those words? Did she think I was a jobless, clueless housewife? I gave a soft laugh. “You’re in clinical medicine? As a senior, you must have taken ‘Surgery.’ Turn to the cardiovascular section. My name is on the editorial board..” “I’m Dr. Ava Reed. Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery.” “I look forward to the day you intern in my department.” Summer’s face paled. My gaze fell on her wrist, where a stunning bracelet, smooth and shimmering, made from a beautiful, polished stone, gleamed softly. “Nice bracelet,” I said casually. “But that’s my father’s heirloom. I’d appreciate it if you’d return it.” Summer looked up in disbelief. Her lips trembled, and her face flushed crimson. In the end, I retrieved this old item, which I had once believed lost. Four years ago, my father passed away after a serious illness. Before he left, he pressed the bracelet into my hand. “Ava, this bracelet is an ancient heirloom of our family.” “Lucas loves you enough. This bracelet is for you to pass down. Your dad will die without regret…” At the time, Lucas’s eyes were red, and he swore he would take good care of me. But I had lost this bracelet and regretted it for a whole year. I could barely eat or sleep. Lucas comforted me, promising to buy me more beautiful jewelry. I never imagined that he had already been messing around with Summer so early on. Summer liked my bracelet, and he just gave it to her! When I arrived home, I had just finished extracting the dash cam footage and was getting out of my car. Lucas stormed over, his face filled with impatience. “You went to the academy today?” “Ava Reed, why didn’t you talk to me directly? Why did you humiliate Summer in front of so many people?” “Do you think you’re acting like a normal adult?”

I didn’t back down an inch, looking up at him and saying coldly. “Oh? How interesting. So, Summer isn’t an adult?” “I recall she’s a senior, but she does look quite underage.” “Didn’t realize you liked that type. Must be thrilling to mess around, perfectly legal and all…” Lucas’s pupils contracted. He raised his hand and harshly slapped me, cutting off my unfinished words. My head snapped to the side, and the taste of blood immediately filled my mouth. “Ava!” Even though he was the one who hit me, his cry sounded incredibly heartbroken and pained. Lucas’s face was full of remorse. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, but you shouldn’t say such things to a student!” I laughed. Without another word, smack, I slapped him back. “Lucas Thomas,” I said coldly, “she’s your student, not mine.” “To me, she’s a homewrecker who interfered in my marriage, a thief who stole my father’s heirloom. Got a problem with that?” Lucas’s face instantly changed, his eyes sharp as razors. “I’m saying it again, Summer is not a mistress!” “Ava Reed, where’s your trust in me? Why have you become so disgusting!” A lump caught in my throat; I was about to tell him to get lost. But then the front door opened. Summer poked her head in, saying playfully. “Instructor, please don’t fight with Ava because of me anymore. I came to apologize.” She bowed gracefully towards me. “It was raining heavily before, and I came to Instructor’s house to change clothes. I thought that bracelet wasn’t worth anything, so I just took it casually.” “Ava, please don’t blame him. He didn’t give it to me; I apologize to you.” Lucas’s gaze softened, and he stroked her head. “It’s not your fault, Summer. I didn’t make things clear.” Watching this scene unfold before me. My face turned green, and I felt on the verge of throwing up. Taking something without permission is theft. How dare Lucas forgive her on my behalf? He roughly pushed me aside and spoke gently to Summer. “I’ll handle my own family matters, Summer. You’ve already apologized; don’t get involved.” “I’ll take you back.” Watching his car speed away, I trembled with rage. Just then, my phone chimed with a text from Brooke. “Sis, did you go see Summer yesterday?” “Everyone on the campus gossip site is trashing you right now!” I opened the two screenshots she sent, and in an instant, my blood ran cold. “BIG SCANDAL! Dr. Reed, Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at a prestigious hospital, bullying innocent female student! Word is, this woman is notorious for being harsh on interns; future junior doctors, good luck to you! Is that old hag just jealous of a young, pretty girl? Can’t keep her own man, so she takes it out on students?” The text was highly inflammatory. In just a few words, it painted me as a psychologically disturbed, menopausal old woman. Brooke’s call came immediately. “Did you see it? That little bitch Summer must be behind this!” “I know,” I interrupted her, my voice unnaturally calm. “Brooke, do me a favor. Trace the IP addresses of the posters and dig up all the dirt on Summer Hayes for me.” It was just a public opinion war. When I was pulling these kinds of tricks, Summer wasn’t even in elementary school yet!

As I expected, Summer Hayes’s internship was assigned to me. Regardless of personal feelings, I wouldn’t neglect any student when it came to teaching. During an emergency surgery I was leading, I routinely arranged for interns to observe. And I specifically assigned Summer to be the instrument assistant. “Why me?” she mumbled softly, her tone clearly resentful. “Dr. Reed, isn’t this an abuse of power?” I glanced at her through my sterile mask. “If your scholarship is based on merit, then you should prove it in practice.” The surgery reached a critical step. I gave the instruction for a 2.5mm balloon. But Summer, fumbling nervously, handed me a 3mm one! “Wrong size! Vasopressor, now!” I barked the order, immediately directing the team to compensate. After the surgery, we exited the operating room. Summer followed me, her face deathly pale. I stared at her, enunciating each word. “In cardiothoracic surgery, you are literally holding lives in your hands. Any minor mistake can lead to a major disaster.” “The carelessness and incompetence you displayed today can kill patients in a clinical setting!” Summer’s body swayed, tears instantly welling up in her eyes. “Ava Reed! Do you have to be like this?!” Lucas Thomas’s voice, laced with anger, came from the doorway. He strode in quickly, placing himself in front of Summer without a moment’s hesitation. “She’s still a student! It’s normal to be nervous and make mistakes the first time! Who hasn’t been there?” “Do you really need to use such harsh words to attack her? Are you teaching, or just using this as an excuse to make trouble?” I looked at this man, my husband, who once stood by my side. Now, he was twisting facts for another woman, challenging my professional ethics. My heart sank into an icy pond, completely numb. “Instructor Thomas,” I used his formal title. “There is no room for error in surgery. As her supervising doctor, it is my duty to point out her critical mistakes.” “Duty? I think you’re mixing business with your personal vendetta!” Lucas’s anger flared even more. He grabbed Summer’s wrist. “Summer, let’s go! We won’t stand for her abuse here!” He left furiously, with a tear-streaked Summer in tow. Several interns looked at me with a mixture of fear and dissatisfaction. Just then, my phone rang. I put it on speaker directly. Brooke’s clear voice was exceptionally audible. “Sis, the IP addresses for the posts slandering you have all been traced! The source is Summer’s dorm!” “I’ve also posted the evidence online, and it’s going viral fast. And I sent copies to the military academy’s oversight office and the faculty complaint box.” I acknowledged with a hum and hung up the phone. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Those who had just been looking at me with questioning eyes were now all staring down at their phones in shock. Soon, a commotion erupted outside. Several people stormed in angrily, led by the girl who had previously teased Summer and Lucas-Summer’s best friend. She pointed her phone camera at my face and shouted furiously. “Dr. Reed! What do you mean by this?!” “Even if Summer made a mistake, do you have to be so extreme, trying to completely ruin her? And you reported the Instructor too!” “Just because you and Instructor Thomas have issues, others aren’t allowed to silently care, to truly love? You’re just jealous!” After her passionate accusations. Several interns also became indignant. “Apologize! You falsely accused a female student of being a homewrecker, aren’t you shameless?!” “Go find Summer! Hundreds of thousands of viewers in the livestream are waiting for her to confront you face-to-face!” I gave a slight smile. “Summer? Fine, I know where she is.” I led these young people directly to a little-known fire escape staircase. The closer we got, the clearer the indecent sounds became. It was Summer’s breathless purr. “Instructor Thomas, how do I compare to that old hag Ava?” Immediately followed by Lucas Thomas’s lust-filled grunt. “She’s not even worth one of your fingers. I’ll divorce her soon!” “Summer, if you get pregnant this time, don’t get rid of it. I only want children from you…” Outside the staircase, there was dead silence. I took my time. Watching their faces turn pale, then green, completely stunned. The livestream instantly exploded!

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My step-brother, Brandon, and I got engaged at the same time. He was set to marry Aurora, the piano virtuoso, while my stepmom, Eleanor, decided I’d marry Brianna, a rebellious dropout. But in our first life together, after the weddings, Aurora was framed and ended up in a vegetative state. Brandon cheated, and when it was exposed, he faced a massive online backlash. Brianna, on the other hand, became an influencer, raking in millions annually. Brandon, consumed by jealousy, grabbed me and jumped from a skyscraper. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the eve of our engagements. This time, Brandon switched our fiancées. He smirked, “Enjoy marrying the vegetable.” How rich. Marrying someone in a coma was a way better deal than being stuck with a wife into drinking, gambling, and all kinds of drama. Watching Brandon beg Eleanor not to make him marry Aurora, I knew right then—he’d been reborn too, just like me. In our past life, he was forced into a business marriage with the Aurora family. Aurora was a true piano virtuoso, the ultimate dream girl for many in the industry. “Richard Caleb, I’m telling you, your mom’s gone, and nobody in this house gives a crap about you.” “You don’t deserve better than some trashy dropout!” Reborn, and he still had that same rotten attitude. “I’ve taken so much from you—must eat you up inside, huh?” “So I’ll be ‘generous’ and let you have the arranged marriage instead!” Eleanor grilled him about why he’d waste pity on someone as worthless as me. I stood back, quiet, watching the whole mess play out. “Brandon, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Brandon whispered something into Eleanor’s ear, and her expression softened slightly. “Are you sure about this?” “I heard the Brians girl has a sketchy past. What if she causes problems once she’s in the family?” Eleanor looked genuinely worried, hesitant to agree to Brandon’s demand so easily. “No way, Mom!” “No way,” my ass. Brianna had gotten into all kinds of fights at school before dropping out, then got mixed up with drugs and gambling. Even her nouveau riche dad was bad news. “You’ve always spoiled me best—you wouldn’t say no to this little thing, right?” Brandon whined and latched onto Eleanor. She finally gave in, but not without taking a shot at me. “That’s only because Brandon didn’t want her. Otherwise, you wouldn’t stand a chance!” I didn’t care what they thought. Because I really didn’t deserve someone as brilliant as that piano prodigy. As for that dropout girl… What a train wreck of a family—let’s see how Brandon handles that marriage! Same as last time around, Brandon and I were both set up in arranged marriages. The only difference? He got the genius, and I got what everyone thought was the disaster. They were the ones who tore our family apart, but somehow I was the one who felt like an outsider. Brandon started his marriage all happy, but right after the wedding, Aurora left for an overseas performance. But Aurora got into a car crash on the way to the airport. It was attempted murder, and she ended up vegetative. Brandon threw fits, demanding to divorce Aurora. Eleanor felt sorry for him, but my dad Richard saw things differently. Sons in this family are assets—meant to secure advantages. Even with Aurora out of commission, the Aurora family hadn’t fallen. Richard favored Brandon way more than me, but he wouldn’t let him back out and risk losing the Aurora family’s business connections and company shares. Brandon couldn’t handle being alone and ended up cheating. The Calebs and Auroras were big names in business—his scandal made headlines everywhere. The scandal buried Brandon in online hate, while at the same time, my wife Brianna blew up. Brianna went from being the school outcast to a viral social media star overnight, all because of her looks. Brandon couldn’t wrap his head around it. He was drowning in online attacks. When he heard about Brianna’s success, he suddenly said he wanted to see me. I didn’t get what more he could want. Living in a mansion, driving sports cars, no responsibilities—what wasn’t to like? Since we were still family, I went to see him. But I never saw the murder coming. He thought he deserved a better life than me, and he couldn’t stand it. He hugged me, slammed us against the floor-to-ceiling window, and we both fell to our deaths. That’s why, after he was reborn, he immediately picked Brianna. Well, good for him. This lucky break? All mine!

In early June, Brandon and I got married back-to-back. Last time around, Brandon and Eleanor had deliberately scheduled our weddings on the same day to overshadow me. But this time, things were different. The Aurora family’s reputation wasn’t something they could just trample on. They showed up to my wedding with sour faces, clearly reluctant but not daring to skip it. The reception was packed. It was the first big social event I’d been to since Mom died. Dad had always thought I shouldn’t be in the public eye much after Mom passed. But right after Mom’s funeral, Eleanor and Brandon moved into the Caleb house. “Nervous?” I turned to Aurora standing beside me. We were the only ones outside the ballroom, waiting quietly to walk into our marriage. Aurora was stunning—even more beautiful than the piano prodigy I’d seen in videos. Today she wore a custom white wedding dress, her long hair up in an elegant twist that showed off her slender neck. “I…” Before I could even find the words, Aurora linked her arm through mine. The ballroom doors swung open. I felt a jolt of panic, but the warmth of her hand steadied me. After a long, exhausting day, I collapsed onto the king-sized bed in our bridal suite, letting my body finally relax. “Tired?” “Want to come out for something to eat?” “Not hungry.” Immediately, my traitorous stomach growled loudly, giving me away. “Just a little bit?” Her voice was so soft. And after not eating all day, I was definitely craving something. I ended up sitting across from her at the dining table, eating the meal my new wife had cooked. Who knew those hands—made for playing piano—could cook too? I never would’ve guessed. “I’m sorry.” Halfway through the meal, she suddenly apologized. I wasn’t surprised. News of her upcoming France concert was all over social media. “I’m leaving tomorrow. It’s so last-minute, and I know it might make you look bad.” She explained quietly. “It’s fine—you do what you need to.” After saying it, I realized that sounded too cold, so I added, “This food is amazing, by the way.” Aurora’s apologetic expression broke into a smile. “Thank you!” That night, Aurora naturally stayed in the guest room. I tossed and turned in bed, replaying last life’s events in my head. Thinking about Aurora’s terrible accident and then her gentle, thoughtful ways, I found myself wanting to stop her from dying. I could’ve just ignored it, but Mom always said good deeds come back around. And Aurora was definitely one of the good ones. Someone this good didn’t deserve to die. I jumped out of bed and ran to the guest room door, knocking hard. “What is it?” “Aurora—” “Aurora—” I panted, out of breath from getting up so fast. “Do you want to come in?” Seeing me in my pajamas, her eyes filled with concern. “No!” I looked down at myself and quickly shook my head. “Be careful tomorrow!” “Check the car your assistant prepared—thoroughly.” Aurora looked confused, which made sense. No one would believe such a random warning. But if Aurora didn’t believe me, it could cost her life! I grabbed her shoulders, dead serious, practically begging. “Don’t get in that car. Whatever you do, don’t get in that car!” Seeing how worked up I was, Aurora reluctantly agreed. Back in my room, I checked the mirror and realized I looked like a mess. The next morning, I woke up to find breakfast on the table. It was cold, so Aurora must have left hours ago. I unlocked my phone to find a bunch of texts from her. “Breakfast’s on the table—eat it.” “Cold food’s bad for your stomach. Microwave’s on the cream cabinet in the kitchen.” After seven, she sent a few more updates. “Car had issues. Called the police—waiting for them to sort it out.” “Safely on the plane! No need to worry :)” I must have seemed crazy yesterday. She probably explained everything to keep me from panicking. Her earlier messages were polite, almost formal. I meant to reply with a simple “Okay,” but that felt too short. I thought about a thumbs-up emoji instead. Of course, my finger slipped and I sent an “I love you” emoji by mistake. Before I could unsend it, her reply popped up: “Okay, okay :)” I wanted to die right then and there.

Aurora was overseas, but I wasn’t idle. Back in college, my friend and I started a fashion studio that was finally taking off. I grabbed my design sketches from home and Ubered to the office. “Well, well, look who it is—Caleb!” “Told you I had an eye for talent back then!” Maya, the studio owner, was an upperclassman I met in college who discovered me at a design competition. She said I was born for this and took me under her wing. We became friends over time and started this fashion design studio together. “Maya, cut it out!” “If you hadn’t pulled me out of that slump back then, I’d still be stuck going nowhere!” It wasn’t that the Calebs couldn’t support me—they just didn’t want to. Like Brandon said, nobody in the Caleb family gave a damn about me. Luckily, I had a passion for design and some talent—more than enough to make it on my own. Last life, Maya and I ran this same studio. But Brianna and her dad thought I was slumming it, acting like marrying her meant I should wait on them hand and foot. Not “waste” family money on some tiny studio. To put me in my place, the Brianses shut our studio down. We ran out of funding and collapsed completely, leaving Maya drowning in debt. Thankfully, Grandma Evelyn never had those hang-ups. Aurora’s parents were always overseas, and even Grandma Evelyn hadn’t seen much of them lately—except at the wedding. When I visited the old estate, I brought a suit I’d designed and tailored myself. Grandma Evelyn loved it, gushing about my good taste. When she found out I’d made it by hand, she loved it even more. “Caleb, marrying our Aurora must feel like a sacrifice for you.” Grandma Evelyn patted my hand, sighing softly. “What are you talking about, Grandma? I’m the lucky one here.” Grandma Evelyn frowned, tapping my hand lightly. “Nonsense! I’m thrilled to have you as my grandson-in-law!” “Handsome and kind-hearted. Aurora’s the one always running around—she doesn’t pay you enough attention.” She was busy, sure, but she didn’t neglect me. Every day, she texted me—simple hellos and meal reminders. For work, I was doing market research at a designer clothing store. Running into Brandon was the last thing I expected. “Caleb, doesn’t Aurora find this embarrassing?” I stared, confused, still holding the suit I’d designed. “Instead of being a proper son-in-law, you’re slumming it as a sales clerk!” At home, Brandon always had custom clothes made for every season. Seeing him shopping for clothes was a shock. He must’ve mistaken me for staff—my studio uniform looked a lot like the store’s. I swapped my surprised look for a polite smile. “Does spending Daddy’s money make you feel like a big man?” “Why do you always stick your nose where it doesn’t belong?” I wasn’t his mom, and I sure as hell wasn’t gonna coddle him. “Caleb! Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?!” Brandon glared at me like he wanted to tear me apart. Then his expression shifted, and a smug grin spread across his face. “Caleb, don’t get too comfortable. Soon you’ll be a pathetic loser with a comatose wife!” I wasn’t scared. I just hauled off and slapped him. “Who the hell do you think you are, wishing that on Aurora?” The noise drew everyone in the store, and they all turned to stare. The people who shopped here were rich and well-connected. Brandon didn’t dare make a scene, so he scurried off like a whipped dog. Playing these games—did he really think I was some kind of saint? “Caleb, Brianna’s not just hot—she’s got abs! You regret it now, don’t you?” A Snapchat notification popped up from Brandon. I’ll admit it—Brianna was good-looking, and her body was definitely something. But some people are all flash and no substance. Her basic morals… I wasn’t about to warn him about Brianna’s future mess. I was betting he’d crash and burn all on his own. He couldn’t blame me—he chose this, didn’t he? I locked my phone without replying.

For the next while, I ignored Brandon’s bragging and threats. When I wasn’t at the studio, I visited Grandma Evelyn at the old estate or stayed home. Grandma Evelyn said she’d taught Aurora piano herself—back in the day, she’d been a famous pianist too. When Mom was alive, I’d been pretty good at cello. Piano? I only knew the basics. I asked Grandma Evelyn to teach me, partly because I was curious—wanted to understand something Aurora loved. And partly to keep Grandma company. Old folks tend to get nostalgic, right? Last life, I’d married Brianna. Her family had all these old-fashioned ideas, but they never taught me anything useful. Just manipulation, petty schemes, and backwards stuff like “men should wait on women hand and foot.” Grandma Evelyn was thrilled I asked. She held my hand and talked for ages. “It’s so nice to see such thoughtfulness in a young man!” Grandma Evelyn taught me carefully. After a few weeks, I could play some of Aurora’s songs. “That was lovely. Aurora would be so happy to hear you play.” Grandma Evelyn smiled warmly and handed me a sheet music book with Aurora’s name on it. “Caleb, how are things going with you and Aurora lately?” Aurora wasn’t even in the country. How were things supposed to “go”? “Grandma, we’re good. Getting along great.” I gave a neutral, polite answer, but Grandma Evelyn still looked hopeful. “Oh really?” She sighed deeply, disappointment written all over her face. Was Grandma Evelyn hoping for great-grandkids? That seemed impossible. “Also, I…” “I really like Aurora.” Grandma Evelyn’s face lit up with a big smile. “Of course! Aurora told me to take good care of you—make sure you’re happy being part of our family.” “I knew it! My granddaughter has a soft spot for her sweet son-in-law!” Really? She was amazing. Grandma too. “Thank you, Grandma. I’m happier here than I ever was at home.” Lying in bed later, I checked the studio group chat. Aurora had texted me too. “Everything’s sorted. Don’t worry, I’m okay!” She forwarded a news article with the headline: “Famous Pianist Attacked.” These tabloids love stirring up drama—making up crazy stories just for clicks. They twist details to get people to read their garbage. “Got it.” “Come home soon.” I hit send, then immediately cringed. Too forward? But there was no taking it back. I just closed the chat, figuring, *I already embarrassed myself with that emoji—what’s one more dumb message?* “Okay, I’ll be home.” I stared at those words, re-reading them for ages. The attack on Aurora made headlines. Even the cops she called got swarmed by paparazzi. Brandon saw the news and came by pretending to offer condolences. I didn’t want to deal with him, so I hid at the studio. He showed up a few times but kept getting turned away. He called, but I ignored it—used work as an excuse. But he was as persistent as ever, sending me this long message. Mostly snarky comments and backhanded insults, with some random praise for Brianna thrown in. I didn’t care. Dude was just a sad clown. Maya found out, flipped him off, and went, “Unbelievable!” “He’s such a creep!” “Your brother’s just here to stir up drama, right? Always with the shady comments!” She looked at my chat with Brandon, fuming. I just smiled and brushed it off. Brandon would learn soon enough how much it sucked to be wrong. Couldn’t wait.

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When Iris ran for student representative, even though I wasn’t running, my childhood friend Derek made everyone vote for me. But he wasn’t doing this because he liked me. He just wanted to get Iris’s attention. Once I even heard him joking with his friends, “You guys want to hook up with Luna? I can make the introduction. One night, five hundred bucks.” I froze, and quietly switched all my major classes to different sections. That rainy night when Mom’s condition worsened, I asked my childhood friend for money. He waited until the cigarette in his hand burned out before saying: “Luna, I don’t owe you anything.” After he left, a handsome guy held an umbrella over my head. “Would you be willing to come to England with me?” I nodded. On the first day of school, Iris stood on stage running for student representative. The moment the votes were announced, her flushed face turned deathly pale. Out of thirty students in the class, I got twenty-nine votes. Derek stared at Iris’s devastated expression with great interest, then suddenly started clapping, saying dotingly: “Luna, surprised?” Iris’s expression grew even worse, tears welling in her eyes as she looked at me with jealousy. I sighed silently. Derek and I grew up together. But I was just the daughter of his family’s housekeeper. The summer after middle school graduation, my dad was driving pregnant Mrs. Sterling and my mom when they got into an accident. Only my mom survived, and she became a vegetable. From that day on, I was thrown out of the Sterling house. My relationship with Derek changed dramatically too. Brake failure—he said he didn’t blame my dad. But he never spoke to me again. Everyone at school said my father was a murderer. That he killed Derek’s mom and his unborn baby brother. Derek was happy to watch me get blamed. After the exams, we coincidentally ended up at the same university, in the same class. He intimately took my bag, leaning close to my ear, “Haven’t seen you in so long, I missed you.” During self-introductions, he pointed his chin in my direction, “Luna.” Everyone looked over. The sunlight happened to fall on my profile, and they all thought it was the most beautiful confession from a teen drama. But then he suddenly smirked. “Her dad’s dead, her mom’s a vegetable.” The whole room erupted. They uncomfortably looked away. The professor sternly told Derek to get off the stage. When it was my turn, I just introduced myself simply. Derek found it incredibly boring. Until Iris appeared. She was beautiful, but poor. Like a rose with thorns, declaring she hated rich people the most. When she spoke, her gaze fell on Derek without any attempt to hide it. Derek scoffed, twirling my hair around his fingers, saying: “Don’t get too close to people whose brains haven’t fully developed.” I had a feeling he might be the one getting close to her. That was fine with me.

Sure enough, he sabotaged Iris’s campaign, then turned around and accompanied her to work part-time jobs, experiencing all of life’s hardships. People who bullied her got beaten into the hospital by him. I continued as usual—studying, working part-time, doing homework for others. Just when I thought our lives would become parallel lines. I walked into the classroom and heard a recording. “Luna, you need money badly, right? How much do you charge?” “Quick job’s fifty bucks, slow one’s five hundred.” It was my voice. Someone screamed, others laughed. Derek stood right in the middle. He said it in a frivolous tone. “I told you, she’s cheap.” The noise continued. Lewd stares fell on me. I was stunned for a moment. That recording had been edited. In high school, I did homework for others. The person in the recording was asking about homework prices. Even though I felt uncomfortable, I answered honestly. Now it was being played publicly. Iris threw herself into Derek’s arms in disbelief. “Why did you play that recording?” Derek rubbed her head, “Who told her to steal your competition spot.” I silently sat down and opened my phone. Found all the transaction records and posted them to the class group chat with full context. At the same time, I switched all my major courses to other sections. They could enjoy college life freely, or find entertainment at others’ expense. But I couldn’t. I had to repay the Williams family ten thousand dollars every month. I didn’t have time to participate in their attacks on anyone, including myself. Seeing I had no other reaction. Derek sat in the seat in front of me after class. He smiled carelessly, “Luna, I was just drumming up business for you.” “Shouldn’t you say thank you?” I looked at him. Nasty, arrogant, gloomy. The sunny, cheerful, sincere and polite young master of the Sterling family seemed to have died in that accident. Along with him died the optimistic, confident Luna. I lowered my eyes, my voice dry, “Thank you.” His expression darkened as he twisted his lips, “Don’t thank me.” Derek quickly discovered I’d switched classes. He brought Iris to the coffee shop where I worked part-time. Iris “accidentally” bumped into me, making hot coffee spill all over me. My arm turned bright red from the burn. She frowned and stepped back two steps, “Can’t you even carry coffee properly?” “You got it on me! This outfit costs more than you’d make selling coffee your whole life!” My motion to crouch down and clean up paused. I looked up at her. All designer brands, latest season. Definitely expensive. The coffee splashed on her clothes was so little you could barely see it. I stood up, “Call the police then. The surveillance caught everything clearly.” Especially her deliberately reaching out to push me. She choked, pulling on Derek’s hand, “The clothes you gave me are all dirty.” Derek glanced at her, soothingly patting her head, “I’ll buy you more.” Iris smiled, “Let’s go.” She hummed a song, linking arms with Derek as they left. Leaving behind a floor covered in coffee. I stood silently for a while, then crouched down to clean up. Delivery brought burn ointment with a note attached, “Switch your classes back.” I ignored it. But two weeks later when the big group project assignment came around, classmates would look away the moment they made eye contact with me. A girl I’d talked to a few times told me, “Someone told us not to team up with you.” The professor replied to me, “Luna, the midterm project must be done in groups of 2-3 people as a rule.” I stared at my computer blankly. Derek sent me two words. “Come back.” At the same time, someone sat down beside me. It was Adrian. Top of our year. He said. “Want to team up together?”

I breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed like every time I met Adrian, he could ease my predicament. Last time was during summer break after exams, when I waited anxiously in the Williams family living room for William. Adrian appeared first. I immediately stood up. He smiled warmly, “Don’t be nervous, I’m William’s grandson—Adrian.” I knew that. He was famous at school. I grabbed the corner of my shirt uncomfortably, “I’m Luna.” He poured me tea, “You’re here so early. Grandpa played video games all night, he probably won’t wake up that quickly.” I mumbled, “I can wait.” He said, “Want to play chess with me?” I froze. Adrian, national chess champion. He brought out the board, “Let’s play checkers. I heard you were really good at it in middle school.” That day we played checkers all morning. His presence let me relax when I was at a loss. Now too. I asked him, “Can we submit the form at the last minute?” Not filling it out yet, not telling others, not letting Derek know. I had a feeling that if he found out, he’d go crazy. Adrian agreed. After a while, he said: “If you need help, you can come to me.” On the last day to submit team forms, I got fired from the coffee shop. The manager subtly reminded me I’d offended someone. I stood hesitantly in front of the shop. Not knowing where to go for a moment. Heavy rain fell silently. My heart was in turmoil. I went to the hospital to see Mom. She lay quietly on the bed. Aging so fast, barely recognizable from before. The Sterling family said Mrs. Sterling was going out to play poker that day. Why did she have to bring Mom along? Derek sent me a message. “Come to Skyline. I’ll give you ten thousand.” I replied, “Transfer it first.” Skyline was a bar near school. The pungent smell of alcohol mixed with music. Derek waved his hand, “Come here.” I sat down next to him. The seat was still warm. I wanted to stand up, but he pressed down on my shoulder. “Why didn’t you come to me first?” He leaned close to my ear. “If you don’t come back, does someone else want to team up with you?” “Will Professor Wilson let you work alone?” I said nothing. He viciously bit my earlobe, “Luna, what gives you the right not to talk?” “What gives you the right to act so calm?” “What gives you the right to act like nothing happened?” “Michael is dead!” “Sarah is a vegetable now!” I pressed my lips tightly together, my teeth biting through my cheek to mask the pain. Iris came back from the bathroom to find someone in her seat. She ran over angrily and dumped a glass of alcohol all over me. “Get up! Don’t sit in my seat.” I was almost grateful to her. “Okay.” I only said one word, and the taste of blood spread through my mouth. Just as I stood up, someone tapped Derek’s shoulder. Looking at me strangely. “She already teamed up with Adrian.”

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