Category: English

I didn’t refuse when my husband proposed an unusual arrangement for our marriage. He wanted to split everything 50/50, from living expenses to having children. He even insisted I give birth to quadruplets – two boys and two girls. I agreed to his unreasonable demands for one simple reason: I’m a seahorse humanoid. Not only can I get pregnant, but I can also make men pregnant. The day before we got our marriage license, my boyfriend Ryan suddenly handed me a contract. “Let’s split everything 50/50 after we get married,” he said. “We’ll each pay half for the house, car, and daily expenses. We’ll even alternate days for housework.” “We’ll split all living costs, including raising kids. I won’t buy an engagement ring, and you don’t need to bring any dowry. We’ll just get the license, no ceremony.” I took the paper and skimmed it. It detailed the 50/50 arrangement, from major purchases like a house down to toothpaste. Even for having children, it clearly stated we should have four – preferably two boys and two girls, each of us raising two. This way, it would be fair for both of us. I frowned slightly at the paper, but before I could speak, Ryan continued: “Samantha, this is for your own good. Your family is well-off, but I’m an orphan. I don’t want people to think I’m with you for your family’s money.” “When couples keep finances clear, life goes more smoothly.” Ryan looked sincere, as if this decision was unavoidable. “I’m not disagreeing, but isn’t having four children at once a bit difficult?” I asked. Hearing my partial agreement, Ryan smiled. “I’ve already looked into it. With fertility drugs, multiple pregnancies are possible. If we don’t get four, we can try again. If we get more than four, we can reduce the number.” He talked about terminating pregnancies as casually as buying groceries. I was still concerned. “But carrying so many babies is really hard on the body. This 50/50 split doesn’t seem fair at all.” “Samantha, that’s not right. Don’t all women have children? Even without me, you’d be having kids for someone else,” Ryan argued. “I’m already being generous by proposing to split things. Many men expect the woman to have all the children and pay all the expenses, even for raising kids.” His face was flushed, as if I was getting some great deal. I made a troubled face. Seeing that being forceful wasn’t working, Ryan switched to an emotional appeal. He took my hand tenderly. “Samantha, don’t worry, I absolutely won’t let you suffer. Once you’re pregnant, I’ll take great care of you.” “You know how much I love you. If I could carry the babies myself, I definitely wouldn’t let you go through this.” Hearing this, I suddenly looked up. “What if you could get pregnant? Would you be willing to carry half the babies?” Ryan was stunned for a few seconds, then laughed. “If I could get pregnant, of course you’d carry two and I’d carry two.” I nodded. “Okay, then add that to the contract. For however many children I carry, you have to carry the same number.” Ryan thought I was just being childish, but he actually added it to the end of the contract. We signed two copies. After signing, I suddenly became cheerful. “Ryan, we agreed, okay? When the time comes, we’ll each carry our own babies. No one can terminate the pregnancies.” Ryan clapped and laughed loudly. “Samantha, you’re so cute. I’m a man, how could men possibly get pregnant?” How could they not? We male seahorse humanoids get pregnant. As times have changed, we’ve evolved. Now we can not only make men pregnant, but also get pregnant ourselves. So I thought Ryan was a genius for coming up with the idea to each carry half the babies. My parents originally didn’t like me marrying a human, thinking we wouldn’t have enough children with a human. But this was great – now we could have even more kids.

As agreed, we only got the marriage license without a ceremony. So the next day after getting licensed, Ryan helped me move all my things into our new house. The first thing Ryan did after we moved in was give me two small pills. “What are these?” I asked. “They’re fertility drugs. Baby, didn’t you forget we’re aiming for quadruplets?” I hadn’t forgotten, I just didn’t think Ryan would be in such a rush. I hesitated, “Isn’t it too much pressure to have kids right away?” After all, Ryan and I had just gotten married. We’d bought the car and house in cash, using up all my savings. Moreover, he wanted multiple babies, which would be extra taxing on the body. We seahorse humanoids get pregnant easily. Four babies in one pregnancy is no problem – we could even handle ten. But for humans, carrying so many would likely cause issues. Ryan patted his chest reassuringly. “It’s no problem, Samantha. It’s better to have kids early. If you wait until you’re older, it’ll be harder to recover after giving birth.” “But we can’t take care of them now – we both have to work. Who would watch the babies?” I pointed out. Ryan was an orphan; his parents had passed away when he was 18. According to him, we’d each take care of two children. He had no parents to help, so it would be hard to even rest after giving birth. I was about to try persuading him to reconsider. Ryan’s face darkened. “You’re not having second thoughts, are you? We’ll have to face these issues sooner or later. If you can’t solve them now, how will you solve them in the future?” Faced with his aggressive tone, I narrowed my eyes and agreed decisively: “Fine! Let’s do it then.” Hearing my words, Ryan became all smiles. He held out the pills. “Then take these, wife.” I didn’t take them. “I won’t take those. I’ve heard these drugs have side effects. I’ll ask my mom to prescribe something healthier.” My parents are both doctors, which Ryan knew. He thought for a moment. “That’s fine if you don’t take them, but you’ll have to pay me back for these pills I bought you.” His attitude made me uncomfortable. Even in our seahorse clan, there were no male seahorses who nitpicked like this. But thinking about how he was willing to carry four babies for me, I held back and asked the price, then transferred the money to him. I thought that would be the end of it, but Ryan started calculating other expenses with me. “Honey, you haven’t paid me for moving today.” I was surprised. “You want money for moving too?” Ryan acted like it was obvious: “You have so much stuff, hiring movers would cost at least $1000. I put in all that effort, so $500 should be enough.” He acted like I was getting a great deal, which both angered and amused me. I crossed my arms. “Is there anything else? Just tell me all at once instead of asking bit by bit.” Seeing how understanding I was, Ryan looked pleased. He opened his laptop and typed up an itemized list of expenses for me. As expected of an accountant, the list was shockingly detailed. He even calculated the cost of the A4 paper I was holding to two decimal places. I looked through it item by item, finally stopping at one charge in disbelief: “Ryan, are you that desperate for money? You’re charging me for making babies?” Ryan chuckled. “I’m putting in more effort for that, you know. Hiring someone outside would cost hundreds. I’m only charging you $5 – that’s a bargain.” “Of course, if you put in the effort, I’d pay you too.” Ryan was very handsome – I’d fallen for him at first sight. But even the most attractive face becomes disgusting when filled with calculation. I took out my phone and transferred the total amount. Ryan grinned so widely his eyes nearly disappeared. He kissed my cheek. “You’re the best, honey.” Then he started getting handsy with me. “Now I can provide my services.” I stopped him. “We’ve settled your accounts. Shouldn’t we settle mine now?”

Ryan froze. “What do you need to settle?” I grinned. “You broke one of my glass bottles while moving today. That bottle cost $2000, but $1000 is fine.” “What kind of glass bottle costs that much?” “It was handmade in Italy. If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you the receipt.” I found the receipt – it actually cost $2300. Ryan pouted, clearly unwilling to pay. “Honey, we’re family now. Do we really need to be so exact? I didn’t know the bottle was so expensive.” How ridiculous. He didn’t think we were family when he was charging me for paper, but now we’re suddenly family. I quoted his words back to him: “Honey, this is for your own good. When accounts are clear, life goes more smoothly.” Faced with my firm attitude, Ryan reluctantly transferred the money. Not only had he not made money, he’d lost quite a bit. I took the money, then climbed onto Ryan’s lap with a flirtatious smile. “Now you can service me, honey.” Ryan had just lost money and clearly wasn’t in the mood. But he couldn’t resist my persistent advances for long. Just as he was about to go further, I stopped him again. “Wait.” Ryan was confused. “Wait for what? You’re not going to charge me too, are you?” Look at this man. He was the one who first suggested charging for this, yet he got all sensitive when it was turned back on him. I’m not as petty as he is. I took out a small capsule. “Take this.” “What is it?” “Didn’t you agree to split the baby-carrying with me? This will let you get pregnant.” Ryan was impatient and started kissing me again. “Don’t joke around, honey. There’s no such thing as a pill to make men pregnant. Let’s get to business.” The more eager he was, the more I refused to let him touch me. Ryan had no choice but to swallow the capsule. “There, happy now?” His kisses landed on my body. “I know you’re upset about me suggesting we split everything. I’ll go along with you today, but don’t joke around with cold medicine in the future.” So Ryan thought I was just messing with him. He didn’t know that tiny capsule was our seahorse pregnancy sac. Once he swallowed it, the sac would implant in his belly and grow like a woman’s uterus. Two months later, I still hadn’t gotten my period. When I told Ryan I might be pregnant, he was so excited he started jumping around. He grabbed my hand, insisting we go to the hospital for a check-up. “Honey, my parents said if I’m pregnant, we should go to their hospital for discounted check-ups,” I said. According to our agreement, we’d split prenatal care costs. Hearing there was a discount, Ryan was even happier. When we got to my parents’ hospital and Ryan learned my parents were the directors, his jaw dropped in shock. “Samantha, didn’t you say your parents were doctors and you had a bunch of siblings, with you being the only girl?” I nodded. My parents were doctors, but they’d become so successful they’d opened their own hospital. And it was true we had a lot of kids in the family. Seahorses can have many offspring. I’m called Samantha because I’m my parents’ 39th child. The 38 before me are all brothers who don’t work. Ryan had always assumed my family must be poor after having so many boys. He thought I was the type to support my brothers, and would use his money to help my family. That’s why he insisted on splitting everything – he wanted to distance himself from my birth family. Seeing such a big enterprise, he looked regretful. “Why didn’t you tell me your family was so rich?” “You never asked.” I took Ryan straight to the OB/GYN department. My dad was an obstetrics specialist. We did an ultrasound. It didn’t take long for my dad to confirm. “You’re pregnant.” “How many?” Ryan asked eagerly. “Four.” Ryan asked again: “Boys or girls?” My dad shook his head. “It’s too early to tell.” Even though we didn’t know the genders, Ryan was overjoyed. He hugged me tightly. “You’re amazing, honey! It would be great if it’s two boys and two girls.” I nodded, then reminded him: “Honey, let my dad check you too. Didn’t you say your stomach hasn’t been feeling well lately?” Ryan had been feeling nauseous and having acid reflux the past few days. Learning my dad could check stomach issues too, Ryan lay down on the exam table. My dad pressed on his belly for a while, then gave his diagnosis. “Hmm, also four.”

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After three years as Alpha Darian’s wish-slave, Lyra’s nightmare peaks when he snarls, “Abort the pup—Seraphina’s the only Luna my legacy needs.” Betrayed as a “filthy surrogate,” she’s forced to endure a brutal abortion ritual while he offers her to Kael, her childhood protector: “Take her. She’s just defective Omega trash.” But Lyra claws for freedom: the Blood Moon Pact demands 100 wishes to break free—she’s granted 97. When Seraphina smirks, “Retrieve Darian’s ring from Moon Lake,” Lyra’s resolve hardens: “Three wishes left. Then I’m gone.” Darian sneers, “Prove you’re useful,” blind to her countdown. Kael pleads, “Moonveil awaits—you don’t have to go back,” but Lyra’s trapped in a deadly game: 98 wishes down, two to go. One wrong move, and Darian’s obsession will destroy her. Chapter 1 “For three twilight cycles, I walked beside Alpha Darian Voss, devoting myself to him each twilight as the Blood Moon Pact bound us.” Not until the scent of new life clung to my fur did he concede to the Bonding Rite, oath of eternal devotion echoing in the hollow of my ear. Before the moon could rise again, the pact shattered. Dawn found him dragging me to the Pack Healer’s den, hackles raised as he snarled for the pup extraction ritual. “Erase it,” he commanded, silver pupils cold as the northern tundra. “No Omega-tainted blood will bear my legacy—only Beta Seraphina Moore deserves that honor.” I swallowed the growl rising in my throat, pleading for the life stirring within. The truth emerged like a broken bone: his first love had returned, her scent overriding all else. That was when the insults began—“filthy surrogate,” “a burden he couldn’t shake,” each word a claw to my heart. But he forgot one truth: I was never here for love. The Blood Moon Pact demanded 100 wishes to break free, and I’d already granted 97. Three more, and I could return to Moonveil Pack, where my real life awaited. – “Even if you whelp that half-breed, it’ll be an outcast, unwanted by pack or moon,” the same Alpha who’d vowed starlight and devotion just nights before now bared his fangs in the Healer’s den. “You’ll do as I say, won’t you, Beta?” I studied him, marveling at the madness in his gaze—the same gaze that had once softened at my scent. My mind flickered to the moment I’d told him of the pup, his tail wagging, promises of a shared den spilling from his lips. Shoving the ache aside, I met his stare. “Does this count as Wish 97?” Many of his wishes had been the same—orders to nuzzle his neck, to whisper I belonged to him. I’d once hinted that after 100 wishes, I’d leave, but stayed for the warmth of his fur. Now, my words were a curse. “Spare me the pact nonsense,” he snapped. “You were always Seraphina’s shadow, nothing more.” “Then Wish 97 it is,” I said, voice steady as the moon’s orbit. “I’ll do as you command.” Darian froze, unaccustomed to such easy compliance from the Beta who’d once challenged his every order. On the cold stone slab of the Healer’s altar, I felt the silver-tipped needle pierce my paw, the toxin burning through my veins. The agony of losing the pup was nothing to the betrayal—he stood outside, scent mingling with Kael’s, the Beta who’d always watched over me. “Ensure Seraphina never catches wind of this,” Darian murmured. “She’s the only Luna this pack will ever know.” At six moons pregnant, I could still sense the tiny heartbeat fading. *Why bind yourself to me if your heart belongs to another?* Kael’s voice cut through the den’s silence, sharp as a blade. “And Lyra? You’d destroy a life she’s carried half a year for a she-wolf who left you?” “Seraphina was stolen from me,” Darian hissed. “Lyra’s presence is repayment for those lost years. Now do as I say—erase the evidence.” All knew Kael carried a torch for me, his loyalty to Shadowriver Pack a thin veil for his true allegiance: Moonveil, my birth pack. Darian’s laugh was a low, dangerous rumble. “Keep her if you want. She’s nothing but a defective Beta, reeking of Omega weakness.” Chapter 2 Learning I was a mere substitute tore at my soul deeper than any claw. Every tender moment, every shared howl at the moon—lies, all of it. I was a placeholder, a vessel for his unfulfilled love. As I lay in the Healer’s den, blood staining the straw bedding, he stood outside, offering me as a prize to Kael. “She’s yours, if you’ll have her. Bet she’d follow you anywhere, desperate for a real Alpha.” Once, a single growl from Darian would’ve sent Kael retreating. Now, I was chattel, to be bartered and discarded. Gazing at the tiny, still form beside me, I clenched my jaw. *Three wishes left. Focus on the pact.* The Blood Moon Pact was clear: 100 wishes to break free. Darian had saved me as a cub, and I’d repaid him faithfully, even as my Omega bloodline—hidden, but never forgotten—threatened to surface. After the ritual, Kael placed a warm herb pouch on my brow, his touch gentle, scent calming. “Drink this,” he said, but my eyes were on Darian, already striding toward the den’s entrance. “Done playing your little game, Lyra?” Darian called over his shoulder. “No need to pretend devotion now. Seraphina’s return makes your charade obsolete.” I ignored the herbal brew, rising on shaky legs. “Wish 96 was your demand I attend the den’s gathering. Fulfilled. Now I go.” Darian sneered, but Seraphina’s scent preceded her, sweet and cloying, as she stepped into the den. There she was—the reason for every scar, every broken vow. Her fur was sleek, ears tipped with silver, a perfect mirror of the Beta he’d always wanted. His posture softened at the sight of her, a betrayal more painful than the ritual. “Seraphina, my love—” “Save it,” I said, voice low. “I’ve come to fulfill the wish, nothing more.” Seraphina smirked, eyeing my bloodied paws. “Rough night, Beta? I heard you had an… accident.” Her gaze dropped to my midriff, mock sympathy dripping from her words. “Such a shame. Darian did say you were clumsy with pups.” I turned to leave, but her next words froze me. “Oh, and Lyra—Darian’s family heirloom went missing in the Moon Lake. A little trinket, but dear to him. I’m sure you’d want to retrieve it, being the dutiful pact-bound Beta you are.” Her tone made it clear: this was a test, a display of her newfound power. Darian stepped forward, blocking my path, scent a chaotic mix of guilt and urgency. “Seraphina’s right. The Moonstone Ring—” “Is this Wish 98, then?” I interrupted, too weary for games. He hesitated, then nodded, the Alpha in him refusing to admit weakness even now. “Yes. Retrieve the ring, Lyra. Prove you’re still useful.” I met his gaze one last time, memorizing the silver of his eyes—the same eyes that had once made me believe in forever. Now, they were just another reminder of the lie I’d lived. “Very well, Alpha,” I said, bowing my head in mock deference. “As you wish.” The cold of Moon Lake bit through my fur as I waded in, stones cutting my paws. Below the surface, the ring glimmered, but something else lingered—a faint, familiar scent, like ozone and moonlight, the scent of home. *Almost free.* When I surfaced, ring in hand, Darian’s expression was not one of gratitude, but revulsion. “Stop playing the martyr,” he snapped. “You’re no hero—just a Beta fulfilling her duty.” Seraphina took the ring, smirking as she slipped it onto her paw. “Such dedication, Lyra. Almost makes me jealous.” I said nothing, turning to leave. The pain in my paws was nothing to the clarity blooming in my chest: three wishes left, and then—no more Darian, no more Shadowriver Pack, no more pretending to be something I wasn’t. Kael met me at the den’s edge, offering a steadying paw. “You don’t have to go back in there,” he said, voice low, earnest. “Moonveil Pack awaits you, Lyra. Your real family.” I smiled faintly, though my heart ached. “Not yet, Kael. Three wishes remain. Then… then I can finally breathe.” He nodded, understanding in his gaze—the gaze of a fellow Moonveil wolf, my childhood protector, now offering a lifeline I wasn’t yet ready to grasp. Behind us, Darian and Seraphina’s laughter rang out, a harsh melody of betrayal and delusion. But their voices faded as I focused on the pact’s countdown: 98 wishes fulfilled, two more to go. The moon rose overhead, casting long shadows on the path ahead. For the first time in three years, hope stirred—faint, but unbroken. Soon, the past would be nothing but a scar, and I’d return to the pack where I belonged, where I was more than a substitute: I was Lyra Blackwood, Beta of Moonveil, and no Alpha’s wish would chain me forever. Chapter 3 Darian’s snarl followed me as I emerged from the lake, water dripping from my sodden fur, the Moonstone Ring clutched in my trembling paw. The cold had seeped into my bones, but the burn of his disdain was hotter—*disgust*, not concern, flaring in his silver eyes. “Stop wallowing, Beta,” he snapped, tail lashing. “You’re not a tragic heroine—just a tool fulfilling its purpose.” Seraphina purred as she took the ring, her wolfbone earrings clinking like shattered ice. “Such dedication, Lyra. I almost feel sorry for you.” Her words dripped with false sympathy, but her scent—sharp, triumphant—betrayed her. I dropped the ring into her paw, ignoring the sting of gravel in my wounded pads. “Wish 98 is fulfilled, Alpha.” My voice was steady, but inside, something cracked. *Two wishes left.* Darian’s lip curled, as if my compliance offended him. Once, he’d praised my resilience; now, it was a flaw, a reminder that I wasn’t the fragile Beta he wanted Seraphina to be. The next three sunrises blurred into a haze of pain and silence. I holed up in the Healer’s den, Kael bringing me herbal poultices for my paws, his presence a quiet reassurance. But even his soothing scent couldn’t mask the rumors swirling through Shadowriver Pack: *Seraphina’s past, a forbidden Blood Moon Ritual video, her scent lingering on a Northern Alpha’s fur.* Then came the notification—a grainy clip circulating on PackNet, a she-wolf with Seraphina’s sleek silver fur and telltale earring performing a ritual meant for mated pairs. The comments burned: *“Is that Shadowriver’s future Luna?” “Beta Lyra looks just like her—coincidence?”* Darian burst into the den, scent a storm of panic and fury. “You’ll take the blame,” he ordered, paw slamming into the stone wall. “Claim it’s you in the video. Now.” I stared at him, the man who’d once vowed to protect me from harm. “Is this Wish 99, Alpha?” His jaw clenched. “Yes. Do it, and I’ll make the scandal disappear. Seraphina’s joining the Northern Council—she can’t have this stain.” Kael stepped forward, hackles raised. “You can’t ask this of her, Darian. The scent match is too precise—” “Silence, Beta,” Darian snarled, though Kael was no ordinary Beta. His Moonveil star-marked paw pads glowed faintly, a silent warning, but Darian was blind to anything but his obsession. I stood, steadying myself on Kael’s shoulder. “Very well. But after this, only one wish remains.” The Scent Forgery Ceremony was a violation worse than the pup extraction. In the Pack Hall, under the watch of elders, I let Darian inject Seraphina’s gland secretions into my neck, the toxin burning as my scent shifted to mimic hers. My silver crescent mark throbbed—it rejected the falsehood. Before the assembled pack, I lied: “I am the wolf in the video. I… I betrayed the pack’s trust.” The words tasted like ash, but Seraphina’s smirk across the hall was a blade to my gut. The crowd erupted in growls—*“Traitor!” “Unclean Beta!”*—but Darian’s nod was all that mattered. He’d saved Seraphina, as always.

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My half-sister was reborn, prophesying a zombie outbreak and the end of the world in two months. My husband and entire family believed her. They frantically hoarded supplies, even spending a fortune to transform our suburban villa into an impenetrable fortress. Julian squandered all our savings and even took out high-interest loans. I begged him, clinging to his leg, but a divorce agreement stripped me of everything. Two months later, Julian called, scoffing, “The first infected person is about to appear. If you don’t want to die, come kneel at the villa gates. Blair is kind-hearted, she might let you in.” But on the prophesied day, the apocalypse never came. They finally panicked. **Chapter 1** Waking from a nightmare, I answered a call. “Ms. Cassandra, today is the deadline for your mother’s grave renewal. If you don’t renew, her ashes will have to be moved.” I was on a business trip out of town. My hands trembled as I called my husband, Julian, urging him to renew the lease quickly, to keep those people from disturbing my mother’s eternal rest. Still shaken, I leaned back in my chair, the dream’s images still swirling in my mind. Two months later, a zombie crisis, erupting from City A, was set to sweep the globe, turning the whole world into a living hell. When the crisis hit, our entire family was trapped in the suburban villa. After two months, just as our supplies were running out, the army finally arrived. Overjoyed, I urged my family to get in the car and evacuate with the troops. But my sister, Blair, insisted on finishing her makeup before leaving. As the army’s departure time drew closer, I wanted to drag her out myself. Julian, though, blocked my way. “Blair’s a young woman. What’s wrong with wanting to look pretty before leaving? It’s the army’s job to serve the public; what’s wrong with them waiting a bit?” My dad, Mr. Davies, and my stepmother, Eleanor, also nodded in agreement, sitting back as if they had all the time in the world. I couldn’t believe it, but I had no time to waste with their nonsense. I turned to leave, but Julian grabbed me, saying, “We’re a family, we stick together.” He snatched my car keys. Finally, while Blair was meticulously drawing her eyeliner, the zombie horde suddenly attacked. We couldn’t retreat in time and all died, torn apart by the zombies. The searing pain of zombie bites still seemed to linger on my skin. Now that I had a chance to do it all over again, I absolutely wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes! When my plane landed, a subtle unease gnawed at me. Halfway to my destination, I changed course and headed for the cemetery. To my shock, a brand-new tombstone stood on what should have been my mother’s grave, engraved with an unfamiliar name. The staff member looked bewildered. “After we called you last time, no one renewed the lease. To avoid mistakes, we even notified your father. He explicitly said not to renew and that we could dispose of the ashes however we pleased.” A chill ran through me, my heart aching violently. I frantically searched through every jar and container in the unclaimed storage room until past midnight. Finally, clutching a small urn, I returned home. I hadn’t been home for half a month, and the sight that greeted me in the entryway left me stunned, unable to collect myself. My cozy little home, which I had painstakingly decorated, now looked like a frozen cave. All the appliances and furniture had vanished. My carefully chosen beige curtains were half-torn down, drooping on the dirty floor. My husband, Julian, was directing the maids to take down our wedding photo, which had hung on the wall for three years, and casually tossed it into a corner. “What are you doing?” The scene before me made me wonder if I was dreaming. After a long moment, I finally managed to squeeze out the words. A flicker of panic crossed Julian’s eyes. “Cassie, why are you suddenly back…?” I stared at him, my fingers trembling as I clutched the urn. “If I hadn’t come back early, how would I have known my mom’s grave had been desecrated?” Julian’s usually gentle face showed a hint of exasperation, as if he were looking at a childishly unreasonable person. “You don’t understand, Blair came back reborn from the future! The world is ending in two months, every cent we have needs to be spent wisely. Wouldn’t it be better to use the money for the grave renewal to buy more food? Why are you being so unreasonable at a time like this?” **Chapter 2** It dawned on me then. Blair had also been reborn. But I didn’t let any emotion show on my face. I clenched my fists, my voice filled with anger and disbelief. “You actually believe Blair’s nonsense about the end of the world? You’ve all gone mad!” “Dad’s company landed several big projects thanks to my foresight!” Blair sauntered down the stairs, head held high. “All the money we earned, Dad used to buy an entire warehouse of common medicines. These will be more valuable than gold in the apocalypse.” Her eyes were scornful. She glided into Julian’s arms, her fingers tracing his flat stomach. “I might as well tell you the truth: I’m carrying Julian’s child. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll serve me well. In the apocalypse, I might even spare you a bowl of rice.” My cold gaze flickered between their faces. It seemed they had been illicitly involved long before the supposed apocalypse. Julian suddenly felt a prickle on his skin. “Cassie, we’ve been married for three years, and you haven’t given me a child. I’m an only son; you have to consider carrying on my family name.” Only son? Please. This backwoods bumpkin acts like he’s heir to a kingdom. I scoffed, pulling off the simple band from my finger and dropping it at Julian’s feet. “Since you put it that way, I certainly need to consider your royal lineage. And since Blair says it’s only two months, we should hurry and finalize our divorce before the world ends.” Julian stared intently at the wedding ring I had discarded so carelessly, his brows deeply furrowed. Our family backgrounds were vastly different. After he graduated from college, I willingly gave up everything to help him start his business. We huddled together in a cramped, damp basement for warmth. To earn money, I worked five jobs a day, my hands in icy water washing dishes during the bitter winter, my fingers aching and itching. He used the first money he ever earned to buy me that ring—a simple silver band with only a tiny chip of a diamond embedded in it. Later, he succeeded in his venture, and I, with my top-tier qualifications, secured a position at a leading medical research institute. Yet, I still cherished that ring as if it were priceless. My reaction clearly caught him off guard. Julian could no longer maintain his gentle facade, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. “Cassandra, don’t throw a tantrum! At a time like this, we need to stick together as a family to get through this hardship. In fact, tomorrow, hurry up and ask all your friends and colleagues to lend you some money. You’re well-connected; borrowing a few million shouldn’t be an issue!” I sneered, too disgusted to entertain his absurd words, and walked straight upstairs to rest. To my shock, when I woke up the next day, my room door was wide open, and the entire wardrobe, which held all my gold and silver jewelry and designer bags, was gone. I bit down hard on my lower lip, my voice sharp as I demanded to know where my things had gone. He acted completely unconcerned. “You were sleeping soundly, I didn’t want to wake you. Those jewels and bags were useless anyway. Selling them meant we could buy a few more sacks of rice.” I could barely contain my rage. “What about the gold ring under my pillow? That was my mother’s only keepsake!” Julian’s voice faltered, then he sighed. “Cassandra, your mother passed away so many years ago. But you still have your father, Blair is your blood, and I’m your family too. Can’t you make a sacrifice for your loved ones?” His entitled tone tore through what little sanity I had left. I suddenly burst out laughing, but large tears streamed down my face. His breath hitched. He wanted to say something more, but I pushed him out of the room. I collapsed amidst the chaos, tears flowing uncontrollably, a helpless smile playing on my lips. **Chapter 3** Fortunately, just to be safe, I had secretly sold my most valuable jewelry under the cover of night, leaving behind only the cheap trinkets Julian had bought me and a few flashy designer bags. By the time Julian, wanting not to wake me, personally moved the wardrobe, a full ten million had already been transferred into my bank account. But I never imagined he would be shameless enough to steal my mother’s keepsake and sell it for cash. The hatred from the previous life, when he had personally dragged me into that death trap, surged through me. I silently wiped away my tears, a plan slowly brewing in my mind. Since your whole family is so united in preparing for the apocalypse, how could I not lend a hand? I don’t know how much time passed before my phone rang again. The caller ID showed it was a shareholder from Dad’s company. “Cassie, get to the company immediately! Your father has gone mad! He’s selling all his shares!” My heart tightened. I rushed over, only to find Dad and Blair confronting a group of shareholders. This company was founded by my parents, and its current status as an industry giant was partly due to my mother’s tireless dedication. I wouldn’t let him ruin it like this. Dad’s eyes lit up when he saw me. “You’re here at a good time. Hurry up and transfer your shares too, give me the money so I can reinforce the villa.” Blair arrogantly held her head high, looking at me as if I were already dead. In her eyes, I had neither the good fortune of being reborn nor the willingness to be subservient, destined for a dead end. Their family would stay safe in their impenetrable fortress, laughing at my miserable fate. The shareholders, all long-time company veterans, were caught off guard by Dad’s sudden actions. Fearing he was being scammed, they clamored to dissuade him from doing something foolish. “If you don’t want the company to have problems, there’s another solution,” Julian quickly approached, a refined smile playing on his lips. “You just need to acquire Dad’s shares.” My fingers clenched tight, nails almost piercing my palm, my knuckles white. Julian’s expression was as calm as if he were discussing tomorrow’s weather, but his words were like dull knives, carving into my heart, slice by slice. Blair scoffed, “Her? Want to buy Dad’s shares? Does she even have that kind of money?” Cold sweat trickled down my back. I couldn’t believe my former husband would scheme to such an extent. Dad, desperate for a quick sale, had lowered the price significantly. All my liquid and illiquid assets combined barely scraped by. “Well, Cassandra, even if it means spending every last cent you have, you want to keep this company, don’t you?” Julian whispered gently in my ear, his voice as soft as ever, yet it felt like steel knives piercing right through me. He watched me with keen interest, like a predator sizing up its destined prey. In two months, companies and shares would be nothing but garbage. But now, he wanted to use that garbage to squeeze every last bit of value out of me. Once the apocalypse came, I would have to swallow all humiliation, humbly bowing at his feet just to survive. My gaze was fixed on Julian’s utterly hypocritical face, my own pale and bloodless. “It’s a deal!” The paperwork was processed quickly. My dad, thinking he’d rid himself of a hot potato, had no idea he was abandoning their last lifeline. Ever since my dad remarried, the company shares had been firmly clutched in my stepmother’s hands. She never imagined there’d be a day she’d hand them over to me. Blair triumphantly announced that they had sold all their properties and the entire family had moved into the suburban villa. The cash obtained from selling all their assets was transformed into sacks of rice and instant ramen in the warehouse, and long-lasting potatoes, winter melons, and cabbages in the cold storage. The construction crew was working feverishly at the villa, erecting various illegal structures. Blair smiled proudly. “When the zombies attack, these watchtowers will be the best observation points.” I snorted, about to leave, but Julian wouldn’t let me go. He forcibly dragged me away. A hulking man with a menacing face eyed me up and down, his lewd gaze making me intensely uncomfortable. “This is Mrs. Julian, isn’t she? Quite an alluring woman.” The man rubbed his hands together, placing a contract in front of me. “Mr. Julian is in a hurry to borrow fifty million. We don’t exactly distrust him. But we’d appreciate it if Mrs. Julian could sign too. If anything goes wrong, a wife should naturally help repay the debt, right?” **Chapter 4** Before I could even speak, Julian pulled me aside. “Who’s going to care about these debts in two months?! Just sign it quickly! The stuff we’re hoarding could save lives! When the time comes, even the government will be begging us to sell supplies. What’s this little bit of money compared to that?” He had gone completely insane, even resorting to loan sharks. He was truly courting disaster. I sneered inwardly, but on my face, I put on a pitiful expression, clutching his leg and pleading desperately. “You’ve gambled away all our family’s money! Please, snap out of it! You won’t be able to pay back these high-interest loans!” The loan shark, Vinnie, immediately grew wary. Fifty million wasn’t a small sum. If Julian truly gambled it all away, even tearing him to pieces wouldn’t help. Seeing the money about to slip through his fingers, Julian was enraged. He kicked me away. “Bitch! What nonsense are you spouting?!” Blair nonchalantly stood beside Julian, smiling with pursed lips. “Julian, isn’t Cassandra going to divorce you? How can she still be ‘Mrs. Julian’? I can sign it instead.” Julian glared at me, then immediately scribbled a divorce agreement and tossed it at my face. I could almost laugh from sheer anger. All the clauses stated that all marital assets were unrelated to me – clearly meaning he wanted to strip me of everything. Though, given the current situation, our marital assets were already almost nonexistent. I added a line at the end of the agreement. Julian scoffed, agreeing without a second thought. A month later, clutching my freshly issued divorce certificate, I felt a sense of immense relief, completely disregarding Julian’s furious, dripping-wet face. As time ticked by, the date Blair had been constantly babbling about drew nearer and nearer. Julian and the Davies family, confident they were fully prepared, grew increasingly reckless in their actions. As I browsed the supermarket, several colleagues messaged me, reassuring me to stay calm and that divorce wasn’t such a big deal. It wasn’t until I saw the top story on Ins that I realized what was happening: Julian and Blair had announced their relationship.

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Just before my final exams for college, my roommate suddenly gifted me a ridiculously expensive necklace. She said it was an early celebration, wishing me luck getting into a top-tier Ivy League university. But then, I got a message from Willow, our dorm’s resident mystic. [Chloe, don’t wear that necklace. If you do, you’ll turn into a total blank slate before the exams.] The moment the dorm lights flickered on, my roommate Tiffany held out a shimmering silver necklace. “Chloe, this is a special gift I had made for you when I traveled to Japan. Consider it an early celebration for getting into your dream university.” Tiffany was a true heiress; she spent every break traveling. I was genuinely surprised she remembered my birthday. I quickly took the necklace, thanking her profusely. Right after, my roommate Willow handed me her gift – a bracelet inscribed with ancient, mystical symbols. You could tell she’d made it herself. Willow was always obsessed with spiritual and occult studies. But whether it was expensive or cheap, the thought counts, and that’s priceless. I accepted both. Still, being a girl, I couldn’t help but feel Tiffany’s gift was clearly superior. “Come on, let me put it on for you myself.” Oddly enough, the necklace felt icy cold against my skin, making me shiver. Seeing this, Willow wasn’t to be outdone. She urged me to put on her bracelet too. But Tiffany quickly stopped her. “Maybe not. Our first major mock exam is tomorrow, and that bracelet is covered in symbols. What if the proctor gets suspicious?” Tiffany had a point. I could only apologize to Willow, promising to wear her bracelet as soon as the exam was over. Normally, Willow would insist on having her way. But this time, she just frowned, saying nothing more. Just as I thought my birthday celebration had ended perfectly, right after my shower, Willow grabbed my arm. Her eyes burned into my neck as she said, her voice serious: “Chloe, you can’t wear that necklace. If you do, you’ll turn into a total blank slate before the exams.” Hearing her, I thought she was still upset about the earlier incident. I quickly tried to reassure her. “Willow, don’t be mad. I’ll wear your bracelet right after the exam tomorrow.” “No, I’m not mad. The necklace Tiffany gave you… its previous owner was a complete academic failure. She made a pact with it, and it feeds on *your* essence to give *her* power!” What was she talking about? This was getting ridiculous. “Just listen to me, okay? Take it off, now.” Without a word, Willow spun me around, trying to unfasten the necklace. But Tiffany walked right in on us, having just returned to the dorm. She thought Willow was forcing me to wear her bracelet and instantly lost her temper. “Are you serious? You’re allowed to give gifts, but mine’s no good? Or are you just targeting me?” Seeing the tension fill the air in our dorm, I quickly intervened to smooth things over. “I just have some pimples on my neck, and Willow was helping me put on some cream. Tiffany, don’t misunderstand.” Willow saw my signal and didn’t argue. Instead, she discreetly sprinkled some fine powder near my bed. Before I fell asleep, she kept signaling me with her eyes, urging me to take off the necklace. Lying in bed that night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Willow’s words kept replaying in my mind. It wasn’t until the latter half of the night that I finally started to feel drowsy. Then, a rustling sound woke me up. It sounded like someone was dragging ill-fitting jeans across the floor. But that didn’t make sense, did it? Willow preferred simple, natural fabrics like cotton and linen. Tiffany came from money and favored designer clothes; she’d never wear anything ill-fitting. My heart pounded in my chest. I secretly pulled back the curtain a crack. Through the faint moonlight from the window, I saw a distorted, shadowy figure of a “person” dragging its limp limbs, twisting eerily across the dorm floor, inching closer to my bed… I woke up, scared senseless. It was just a nightmare, I realized. Still shaken, I lay back down, pulling the covers over my head, and vaguely managed to stay like that until morning.

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At the dining table, I dropped my chopsticks. When I bent down to pick them up, I saw my sister’s foot stretched between my boyfriend’s legs. She remarked, “Your current boyfriend is quite impressive. I’m satisfied.” Later, she got involved with my boyfriend and said to me, “What can I do, Celeste Parker? It seems no man around you can resist me.” I laughed and turned to embrace the man she had loved for five years. My sister broke up with my ex-boyfriend. “We’ve been dating for a month; isn’t breaking up normal?” Genevieve Parker said casually, as if she were merely deciding what to have for lunch. “But when you sent me those intimate photos, you said it was true love and hoped I’d step aside for you.” I sipped my coffee and glanced at Asher Bennett, who was still waiting outside in the heat, and sighed. Asher was the heartthrob of our department. Not only was he handsome, but he also excelled academically, and his family seemed quite affluent. His cool demeanor made him the ultimate campus idol. Many girls at our school were captivated by him, myself included. Though Asher was called my ex-boyfriend, technically he wasn’t. I was just a placeholder to fend off other girls, and our relationship was publicly acknowledged only a day before Genevieve took him away. That night, Genevieve sent me several explicit photos. “I was interested in him because you were, but your choice in men is really poor. Your first boyfriend, and you picked this loser.” Genevieve’s tone was full of regret. I knew Genevieve wasn’t truly interested in Asher; she just wanted to take everything I liked. Even if she eventually discarded it, she wouldn’t let me have it. Since childhood, she was jealous that my presence took away our parents’ love. So, anything I liked, she would find a way to take it. Toys I liked as a child, pretty dresses, and later, my boyfriends. “My taste wasn’t great before, but this time, I’ve found someone truly exceptional.” My eyes sparkled with admiration. Genevieve looked intrigued. “Really? I don’t quite believe this ‘high quality’ you’re talking about. When are you going to introduce him?” “He’ll come to pick me up soon.” As I spoke, I saw Milo Everett’s figure at the entrance of the café. I smiled, “There, that’s my boyfriend.” He wore a black T-shirt, tall and handsome, with a silver necklace around his neck. One hand was in his pocket, exuding a relaxed, carefree attitude. Compared to Asher, this kind of man seemed hard to control. I was enamored with such men, and Genevieve was too. She loved making all kinds of men fall for her, especially taking my men. I saw Genevieve’s eyes light up as she sized Milo up with a knowing smirk. I knew that expression too well. She had found her target. The more nonchalant a man is, the more it ignites a woman’s desire to conquer. Seeing Milo’s eyes fixed solely on me since he entered, Genevieve became even more excited. I frowned in displeasure. The reason I dared to bring Milo to Genevieve was that I trusted him. I’ve known him for two years, and he’s never been the type to be swayed by beauty. In terms of emotions, he’s a very devoted man. But looking at Genevieve’s alluring eyes, I felt unsure. Genevieve knew how to handle men, like Asher, who was so cool at school but lost himself with her. I held Milo’s hand, and he smiled at me warmly. I was confident I wouldn’t misjudge him.

Before leaving, Genevieve’s eyes were fixed on Milo. I watched Milo’s expression; he acted as if Genevieve wasn’t even there, fully focused on me. After leaving the café, I accompanied Milo to the playground. He had plans to play basketball with friends, and I held his jacket, sitting on the sidelines. Milo had a unique masculine charm, distinct from Asher’s. He was spirited and carefree like the sun in June, delightful to be around. Being with Milo was something I had deliberately planned. On the first day of school, I noticed him. He had seen a guy take advantage of a girl in the crowd and pinned him to the ground, beating him up. I still remember him in a black tank top, a silver necklace around his neck, a jacket draped over one shoulder, walking past me indifferently. My first impression of him was that he was carefree, with a roguish charm that deeply attracted me. Genevieve taught me that such men are harder to pursue. Persistence doesn’t work; it’s all about the method. Throughout freshman year, I didn’t make aggressive moves but tried to make myself familiar to him. In sophomore year, I began messaging him more, occasionally asking him out. To understand his likes, I did a lot of research. Gradually, our chats increased, almost becoming a daily good morning and good night, full of flirtation, just a step away from a relationship. Agreeing to be Asher’s fake girlfriend as a shield broke through that barrier. That night, Milo, eyes red, pinned me against a wall, asking why I was with another man. I knew my strategy of playing hard to get worked. After Genevieve swiped Asher away, I naturally got together with Milo. He was an excellent boyfriend. Over the past month, he perfected the boyfriend role. Even my roommates said they never expected someone like Milo to love so deeply. I trusted Milo’s feelings for me, but I didn’t know if he could resist Genevieve’s seductive and mature allure. Cheers erupted around us as Milo scored another basket. After the final shot, he walked toward me, the sun casting a golden glow around his smile. Milo ruffled my hair and asked, “Bored from waiting? I’ll take you out for something tasty.” I looked up and smiled brightly at him. “Sure.” He held my hand as we walked along the track’s edge, warm light enveloping us. I could feel the gentle pressure of his hand holding mine. I wished this moment could last forever.

As I anticipated, Genevieve eventually made her move. Recently, Genevieve’s visits to our school increased noticeably. Milo always picked me up at the dorm, and we had breakfast, attended classes, and went on dates together. But several times, I found Genevieve waiting with Milo downstairs. From a distance, Genevieve smiled brightly, and though Milo seemed indifferent, he’d occasionally respond to her. Genevieve acted like she belonged, inserting herself into our world. One day, Genevieve invited me to dinner, specifically asking me to bring Milo. I knew her intentions, but I still brought Milo along. When we arrived, Genevieve was already waiting in a private room. She seemed dressed to impress, with exquisite makeup. Her wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she wore a tight red mini-skirt. Her long, white legs were eye-catching, and the low neckline revealed her ample cleavage. Such obvious intentions? I brought Milo with a hidden agenda. I wanted to see if he could withstand Genevieve’s allure. “Milo, I heard you’re great at basketball. Can you teach me sometime?” Genevieve’s voice was soft and sweet. Milo replied indifferently, “If you really want to learn, you can hire a coach.” Genevieve wasn’t pleased with Milo’s attitude but seemed even more intrigued. “Why bother with a coach? You’re my sister’s boyfriend; I can just ask you.” I stirred my soup and heard Milo’s cold voice beside me. “You know I’m your sister’s boyfriend, so let’s avoid any misunderstandings.” Watching Genevieve’s face pale slightly, I almost burst out laughing. Genevieve rarely fails with men. This was probably her second time, the first being five years ago. Perhaps I was too obvious in my amusement, as Genevieve rolled her eyes at me. I let go of my spoon and said, “Oops, I dropped my chopsticks.” As I bent down to pick them up, they didn’t have time to react, and I saw Genevieve’s foot hadn’t been retracted. Yes, just now, without my knowledge, Genevieve had extended her foot towards Milo, even between his legs… Milo didn’t refuse. Was it because he didn’t have time, or did he not want to? I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. We finished dinner with mixed emotions. Milo Everett stepped out to take a call, and I waited for her at the door. Genevieve Parker came out after paying the bill and looked at me.

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I’m a foster daughter of the Johnson family. During the time when Gideon was temporarily blind due to a car accident, we had an unplanned night together. I ended up having a child with him, but following his family’s arrangements, I left the baby with the Johnsons and moved abroad. Gideon became a single father without even knowing who his child’s mother was. Five years later, I returned to the country and married him. People say I must be open-minded to take on the role of a stepmother at such a young age. But what they don’t know, not even Gideon, is that I am the biological mother of his son, Finn. At noon in the Johnson Corporation’s Legal Department break room, I stand to the side, making coffee. I overhear some colleagues discussing our top boss, the young CEO of the Johnson Corporation. “Mr. Johnson put on a wedding ring two months ago.” “Did our CEO suddenly get married and settle down?” “Why should a wealthy family’s marriage and children be announced to you?” “Just curious. It wasn’t publicly announced. What kind of woman could win over the cold Mr. Johnson?” “Maybe it’s a marriage alliance.” “But on the other hand, Mr. Johnson’s new wife became a stepmother right away.” Their current CEO, Gideon, is a decisive leader, only twenty-seven, very young and promising. Yet everyone knows he already has a son about five years old. The little boy was once brought to the company by Mrs. Johnson herself to see his dad. His delicate features are almost identical to Mr. Johnson’s, clearly showing their blood relation. Looking at Gideon’s timeline, he graduated from the country’s top university. His son, Finn, was born the same year he finished school. At a very young age, just after graduation, Gideon became a father. The little boy has always been raised solely by Gideon. The existence and identity of the child’s mother have always been a mystery. I heard someone among those people say: “More than being curious about Mr. Johnson’s new wife, I’m more curious about what kind of person the mother of the young master was. To make Mr. Johnson a father at just twenty-something.” Just as I left the break room, the department manager called me: “Nora, come with me to the meeting.”

I returned to the country about three months ago. Just a month after returning, I got registered and married to Gideon. It wasn’t a marriage alliance. Not only was I adopted by the Johnson family, but Gideon’s mother also liked me a lot. She insisted Gideon marry me. Almost no one in the company knows that Gideon and I are married because we keep work and personal life separate. I went upstairs for the meeting. In the spacious and bright conference room, I stood in high heels at the front to present the risk assessment report. Sitting at the head of the table was that man, impeccably dressed in a suit, looking exceedingly handsome and dignified. His raised eyes exuded an aloof aura, making people hesitant to approach or offend him. His gaze did not linger on me, as if we were unfamiliar and unacquainted. However, after work, in the Maybach driving out of the company’s underground garage, Gideon and I sat together in the back seat. Returning home, I didn’t see Finn. I asked the butler, “Where’s the kid?” Gideon, handing his suit jacket to the butler, replied softly, “Mom took him to the family estate. He won’t be back tonight.” Not coming back, huh. In the bedroom late at night, I came out of the bathroom after a shower. Gideon’s tall figure was leaning against the headboard. Unlike his impeccable image at the company, his hair was half-wet, one long leg slightly bent, in a lazy posture. He wore a dark, finely made set of loungewear, with the top button undone. The thin fabric outlined a mature and solid physique. During the day, Gideon in a suit was so proper and abstinent that people dared not look at him for fear of desecration. It seemed that such a cold face could never be associated with desire. I used to think so too, but after two months of marriage, I realized Gideon had desires. He even usually took the lead. Since we’re married, we’ve done all we should. He glanced at me, placing the tablet he held between his slender fingers on the bedside table. On the bed, Gideon leaned over me. He didn’t move at first but asked, “Has Mom been urging you to have a child recently?” My silence was my default. Gideon directly said, “Your body, your choice. If you want to have one, I’m completely on board. If not, I’ll refuse Mom and Dad.” We had never discussed such things so clearly before. A few years ago, I was young, and on weekends, when I returned to the Johnson family, he would ask if I was keeping up with my university courses. Suddenly, Gideon was asking if I wanted to have children with him. The leap was so big it made me uncomfortable. My cheeks heated up, thinking of Finn, so I refused: “I don’t want to yet.” “Okay.” Gideon got up to get a condom. When he was particularly forceful, I tilted my head, biting my lip, but couldn’t help softly calling out that familiar title: “Brother! Please, not anymore.” Gideon paused briefly. He was leaning down, his forehead pressing tightly against my sweat-dampened neck and shoulders, nibbling with his lips. He raised his head, came over to kiss my lips, his breath low as he murmured my name, “Nora,” like it was being rolled and bitten in his mouth. “Don’t call me that. It makes me feel like I’m committing a crime.” Maybe because we talked about kids tonight, afterwards, as Gideon got up to tidy up, he said to me: “You don’t have to put yourself in the role of a stepmother. If you don’t like Finn or don’t get along with him, don’t force it.” I almost instinctively retorted, “I like Finn.” “Oh?” Even Gideon was surprised. I opened my sleepy eyes, tentatively asking Gideon, “He’s very cute. Maybe one day his mother will regret…” “Her existence, to me, is just for giving Finn life.” Before I could finish, Gideon interrupted me. Even in the deep darkness, I could feel the oppressive and restless aura emanating from the man beside me. This was a rare emotion for the always calm and composed Gideon in my memory. Finn’s biological mother was his taboo. “Plotting to have a child with me,” Gideon slowly said, “No matter who she is, she should never appear before me again, never be found by me. Otherwise, even if she’s alive, I’ll make her wish she were dead.”

In middle school, my family went bankrupt. My parents fled abroad, leaving me behind. I was taken in by my mom’s former friend, Mrs. Johnson, and raised by the Johnson family. Gideon is a year older than me. Until the year of his car accident, I’d been calling him brother for seven years. The accident wasn’t serious, but it was an extremely rare case. The doctor said it was nerve compression, causing temporary blindness. Yet, after six months of treatment, his eyes still hadn’t recovered. Gideon grew colder and more volatile. All of Harbor City said the future heir of the Johnson Corporation had become blind. Unwilling to accept reality, he still attended a party, and unlike before, his sharpness was dulled. Gideon was drugged and set up. He didn’t know that the Johnson parents and I, worried, also attended the party. I felt something was off and followed him into the room to check on his condition, only to be pinned down by him. After Gideon’s first ravaging, I was sick with fever for two days. The morning-after pill I took in confusion was thrown up. Upon discovering the pregnancy, the Johnson parents who raised me almost begged me. If Gideon never recovered, this child would be the Johnsons’ current hope for the future. Mrs. Johnson asked Gideon, “Nora is gentle, caring. How about letting her stay with you in the future?” Even though Gideon couldn’t see, he remained exceptionally handsome and outstanding. During that difficult time, his response was firm and powerful: “Mom, our intention in adopting her was never to cultivate her into your obedient daughter-in-law. It was to raise her as a daughter.” “Nora is like a sister to me, nothing more. As for that girl that night…” Gideon’s expression turned unsightly, “Is she still alive?” Gideon didn’t know it was me that night. He only saw me as a sister. Even the Johnson parents didn’t dare tell him that the girl he saw as a sister was having his child. Later, while I was preparing for childbirth, I heard about a young and accomplished female ophthalmologist who had been carefully treating Gideon for months. Gideon even trusted her to perform a highly complex and risky surgery. Thankfully, the outcome was very satisfying. Six months after Gideon regained his sight, I had already flown abroad to continue my studies. Later, although the female doctor was young, she was still seven years older than then 22-year-old Gideon. The Johnson parents were not pleased, so they directly brought the six-month-old Finn to his father, Gideon. Upon learning Gideon had a child, the doctor quickly married someone else. No wonder Gideon hated the existence of his child’s biological mother so much. She directly disrupted his past relationship. As for why he later agreed to marry me, it was probably because Mrs. Johnson pushed us hard. Sure, here is the adapted translation: Fortunately, the results turned out to be quite satisfactory. Six months after Gideon regained his sight, I had already flown abroad to continue my studies. Later, although the female doctor was young, she was still seven years older than the 22-year-old Gideon at the time. The Johnson family parents were not pleased at all and directly brought little Finn, who was only six months old, to Gideon, now a father. After learning that Gideon had a child, the female doctor quickly married someone else. No wonder Gideon was so resentful of the child’s biological mother; she had directly ruined a relationship he once had. As for why he was willing to marry me years later, it was probably because Mrs. Johnson pressured us. On the first night after our marriage, I referred to Gideon as “brother.” He said that since we were married, he would embrace the role change. He wasn’t the kind of man to abstain and definitely wouldn’t stay away from his wife. Finn was sent back early. At the dining table, when I got close to him, the little boy interrupted me and asked, “Are you here to take my dad from me?” “I’ll never like you.” “Apologize.” Gideon stopped eating leisurely, with a father’s authority in his eyes. “What about the manners and upbringing you’ve been taught?” Finn stubbornly refused to speak, so Gideon asked the butler to take him to school. I hurried outside and told the butler, “I’ll take him.” It wasn’t until we reached the preschool entrance that the little boy spoke to me, “If you think I’m bothering you, Vivi and her mom invited me to stay at their house.” I teased him, “Is Vivi the girl you like?” He spoke softly, “I just like her mom.” “Her mom is a doctor, sometimes busier than my dad, but she still picks her up from preschool every day after school…” In the morning at the company, I ran into the deputy director of the Tech Department, who came over to greet me. Gossip spread instantly among colleagues. “Nora, what’s going on with you and Declan?!”

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After the Black-Widowed Wife Faked Her Death, My Husband Sent Away 108 Mistresses Even I, six months pregnant, and my five-year-old daughter were forced into the storage room. “Pregnant women have a strong body odor. She’s not allowed near Aaliyah.” “Lily’s five years old; she should learn to do chores. From now on, she’ll take care of Aaliyah’s daily needs.” I cried, saying my daughter had to go to school, and hiring a nanny to do these things would be the same. Chadwick said coldly: “Aaliyah prefers quiet. A mute makes the perfect servant.” On the Dragon Boat Festival, Aaliyah tasted a zongzi that my daughter had secretly brought back from school. Discovering it was filled with pork, which she disliked, she poured the boiling hot curry from the stove all over my daughter. Sitting in my wheelchair, I helplessly beat my numb legs, my heart-wrenching cries echoing throughout the villa. When Chadwick returned, she had already disposed of my daughter’s body. “That little girl was so stubborn; I only said a few words to her, and she ran away from home.” “With a mother like that spoiling her, what good could she become?” I approached the rooftop. Chadwick, I really don’t have the strength to love you anymore.

Inside the villa, I knelt on the floor, wiping Aaliyah’s shoes as she entered. She lifted her toe and tapped my chin. “Long time no see, sister-in-law. You’re becoming more capable.” Chadwick’s eyes were filled with mockery. “As the eldest sister-in-law, it’s what she should do.” From the day I married Chadwick, I was forced to take care of his numerous mistresses. Washing clothes, polishing shoes, cooking, cleaning – all the household chores were mine, even pushing myself around in a wheelchair. I had refused once, but Chadwick said with indifference, “These women are either celebrities, models, or noble daughters, accustomed to being pampered. I don’t trust anyone else to take care of them.” What could I do? A person paralyzed from the waist down, what could I possibly resist? And whenever I angered Chadwick, those 108 mistresses would take turns tormenting me. I lowered my head and said nothing, carefully cleaning Aaliyah’s feet as I had done countless times before. Chadwick, unusually, didn’t continue mocking me, nodding in satisfaction. “Behave, and you can keep your position as the eldest mistress of the Shen household.” I was about to pull myself up onto the wheelchair when Aaliyah’s foot suddenly slammed forward, hitting the footrest of the wheelchair hard. “Ah—!” she cried out, Chadwick forcefully pushing me aside and sweeping her up into his arms. Because my hands instinctively protected my six-month pregnant belly, my entire body fell backward. “Evelyn! What are you plotting!” I remembered last year when I was wiping the shoes of one of Chadwick’s celebrity mistresses and accidentally left some watermarks. He had me tied up in the living room, pouring dirty, icy water over me again and again for three days in the dead of winter. “You can’t clean them properly? Then you won’t be clean for three days.” I was sick for a whole month because of that. Thinking of that, I instinctively curled up, unable to feel my lower limbs, and could only lie on the ground in a strange position. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful next time.” “Don’t try to play tricks on me. I’m not some old woman; you can’t gain my sympathy with pitiful acts.” I continued to desperately protect my stomach, preventing him from kicking it like two months ago, when he suspected I was simply gaining weight from eating too many tonics and faking my pregnancy. Chadwick didn’t care how I crawled back into the wheelchair but immediately carried Aaliyah into the bedroom and summoned the top medical team. After a while, my daughter came home from school, thoughtfully helping me tidy up the messy entrance hall. Chadwick also pushed open the bedroom door. Walking up to me, he covered his nose and mouth with a handkerchief. Seeing him, my daughter hid behind the wheelchair, her little hand holding mine turning instantly cold. I squeezed her fingers to comfort her. Chadwick frowned as he looked at my daughter and me. “Pregnant women have a strong body odor. From now on, you’re not allowed within three meters of Aaliyah.” “Lily’s five years old; she should learn to do chores. From now on, she’ll take care of Aaliyah’s daily needs.” Hearing this, my face turned deathly pale. Lily was his own daughter! But I couldn’t anger him. I asked tremulously: “My daughter still has to go to school; maybe we could hire a nanny instead?” Chadwick’s eyes glinted coldly. “Aaliyah prefers quiet. A mute makes the perfect servant.” Because Chadwick had terrible habits, and my health wasn’t good after giving my kidney to his older brother, Chad, Lily was diagnosed with being a congenital mute when she was born and could only barely make a few sounds. My daughter could understand, and her little face was covered in tears. There was no use arguing with Chadwick, I could only think of another way. My daughter and I were thrown into the storage room. The entire villa was re-disinfected. The servants laughed and said Chadwick had ordered it to remove the filthy smell of the pregnant woman. Hearing this, I felt extremely ironic. At the dinner table, my daughter was called to serve Aaliyah soup. I couldn’t bear it. “Let me do it; children are clumsy.” Chadwick slammed the table with a “smack.” “Aaliyah is feeling sorry for you being heavily pregnant, so she is enduring the discomfort and letting you eat at the table. Are you trying to make her feel disgusted by going to serve her soup?”

My daughter and I had become accustomed to Chadwick’s rage. Lily clumsily ladled a bowl of soup and respectfully handed it to Aaliyah, but she didn’t take it. Aaliyah scooped a spoonful of curry for me. “Pregnant women should have more supplements. It’s also because I have rhinitis and can’t stand the smell on your body, that’s why Chad gets so angry.” Looking at the curry in front of me, my stomach churned. My morning sickness was already bad, and this month I couldn’t bear any heavy flavors. When I hesitated, Aaliyah stomped hard on my foot under the table, and glanced smugly at my daughter. Lily’s hand holding the soup was scalded red. I could only endure the discomfort and drink that spoonful of curry. Only then did Aaliyah take the bowl of soup with satisfaction. “As the eldest sister-in-law, you make Aaliyah serve you food, you really are a good daughter-in-law of our Shen household!” Chadwick snorted coldly at me. “Evelyn is pregnant, she should be taken care of.” “Aaliyah, you’re just too kind.” He stroked Aaliyah’s head dotingly. Then he pointed to several dishes of African cuisine on the table and instructed: “This is African royal cuisine made for you by Aaliyah herself. If you don’t know what’s good for you and deliberately don’t finish it, then don’t eat at all in the future!” … In the middle of the night, my daughter vomited and had diarrhea. “Ah… Mom… Mom, it hurts…” She mumbled a few words. Her uncomfortable appearance made my heart feel like it was being twisted into a ball. I wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. “Baby, be good, Mommy’s here.” To cater to Aaliyah’s eating habits, all the water in the house was replaced with a cooling system. I had no choice but to boil hot water myself. At this time, she was already burning hot. And because she was so uncomfortable, her mouth was bitten through. The sound of boiling water woke Aaliyah. She quickly stepped forward, grabbed her daughter’s ear and pulled her off the wheelchair. “No wonder she is a little bitch born from a slut, so many things, I can not even get my beauty sleep well.” “Don’t!” I leaned forward to stop her, but accidentally fell to the ground. My daughter was still curled up, hugging her abdomen. “I beg you Aaliyah, even if you just let Lily drink a mouthful of hot water, okay?” “I was wrong, I shouldn’t have offended you, I’m willing to do anything you want me to do.” Aaliyah showed a dangerous smile, “Really? Then kneel here and massage me until dawn.” She dragged our mother and daughter into the master bedroom, with red lace panties stained with traces hanging on the doorknob. I bit my lip and looked away. After drinking hot water, my daughter finally felt better, but Aaliyah still made her lie on the cold floor. Aaliyah suddenly became interested in looking at the daughter on the ground. “In our African country, children only need to drink the blood of nobles when they are sick, and they will be safe all their lives.” She cut open her wrist with a knife, and said condescendingly: “I will bestow it on her today.” But I clearly saw some red rashes on her legs and wrists just now, and some of them were broken. There was also a wound on the corner of her daughter’s mouth, and a terrible thought appeared in my mind. Without thinking, I hugged her leg, “Let me drink, let me drink, Lily is still young, I beg you…” “Hahaha!” Aaliyah laughed, “Rural uncivilized woman, ignorant and uncultured, fighting to drink human blood.” She pressed her bleeding wrist against my mouth. Suddenly, with a “bang,” Chadwick broke into the door.

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In my past life, I was the one he chose, becoming the most humiliated bride at the wedding. Everyone thought I’d struck gold, that my luck was beyond belief. Only I knew it was a complete and utter nightmare. The night before the wedding, his ‘white moonlight’ had drunk herself to death, overwhelmed by grief. The next day, his eyes blazing red, he accused me of “killing her” and personally dragged me to hell. In the bridal suite, he whipped my back, lash after lash, screaming another woman’s name. “You stole her place, now you’ll feel her pain.” He publicly tore my dress, then locked me in a dog cage for three days and three nights, all because I wore the wedding gown she loved before she died. He even turned her ashes into perfume, forcing me to wear it daily, claiming it was so she could watch me atone. Finally, I died on the jagged rocks by the ocean, still wearing that blood-stained wedding dress. He said I owed her a funeral. This time, I swapped the selection number in advance. But then, he came at me, eyes red, gripping me like a madman: “Chloe, this time, I only want you.”

Late at night, in the Sterling family’s Heirloom Selection Chamber. I walked in, mop in hand, pretending to clean. In reality, my fingers were already clutching a tiny, folded number card. Number 47, Chloe Sterling. I squeezed it tight, tucking it under the mop head. With a swift, practiced movement, I pulled out another card and slipped it into the numbered slot. That card read – Vivian Thorne. The day of the selection ceremony, the Sterling family’s main mansion glittered with gold. Nine hundred and ninety-nine women arrived, dressed to the nines. Each one was like a peacock in full display, desperate to show off every ounce of their refined elegance to Alexander Sterling. “I heard the hot pick this year is Chloe Sterling?” “That cold face of hers? Does she even *deserve* to be a Sterling wife?” “Are you blind? Doesn’t she look *exactly* like… *her*?” I stood in the furthest corner, lowering my head, slowly tearing the number card from my collar into tiny pieces. When the host called out the number, the entire hall fell silent. “Number 47, Vivian Thorne.” The next second, applause erupted. Alexander Sterling stormed down the stage, his eyes bloodshot, looking utterly insane. He yanked Vivian into his arms, holding her so tightly it looked like he wanted to embed her into his very bones. “Vivian.” His voice trembled. “This time… it’s finally you.” The entire hall gasped. Alexander lowered his head to look at Vivian, his gaze tender to the point of madness, a smile uncontrollably spreading across his lips. “You’re back. You finally came back.” Vivian leaned against him gently, her cheek pressed to his chest, as if confirming his heartbeat. But her eyes, subtly, swept across the crowd and settled squarely on me. I gave a small, knowing smile, as if seeing through her, and through this entire charade. Alexander Sterling finally looked up at me. He had surely anticipated my breakdown, my tears, my angry questions. He’d probably even prepared a speech, ready to comfort me, to offer a sliver of false pity. Too bad. I didn’t give him the chance. In my previous life, when “Number 47, Chloe Sterling” was called, my eyes had welled up with tears of激动. I stood beneath the crystal chandeliers, my face flushed, my voice trembling as I called his name. But Alexander Sterling, seated below the stage, looked terrifyingly cold. He stared at the shadow at his feet, as if my selection was a personal insult to him. I raised my hand, calmly applauding them. *Clap. Clap. Clap.* The sharp sound echoed, and the entire hall fell silent again. His expression froze. His throat moved, but no words came out. I smiled and nodded, my eyes devoid of emotion. “Lord Sterling, you’re truly fortunate.” “I wish you both a happy ever after.” His brow furrowed fiercely, his eyes so dark they seemed to bleed. “Chloe Sterling, what do you mean?” “I mean nothing.” I smiled, turning to walk away. “You two are perfectly matched.”

The moment I left the ballroom, my step-mom dragged me into a side room and slapped me across the face. “Chloe Sterling, who are you trying to fool, playing all high and mighty?!” “This opportunity, I spent months begging Uncle Arthur for!” “And what do you do? You just hand it over to someone else?! Do you want me dead?!” I sneered. “The Sterling family gives me ten million a year, and I give you seven million for your retirement. And you spent it all on plastic surgery!” “What did Uncle Arthur even see in that worn-out face of yours?!” Her face darkened. She gnashed her teeth and hissed, “If you don’t marry Alexander, the Sterling family will cut you off! What about your sister?!” I straightened my collar. “Didn’t you insist on shoving me into the Sterling family? Fine. Let’s try a different direction.” “Have Uncle Arthur arrange the next selection for me. Throw my name into the hat for Julian Sterling.” Her face changed. “Are you insane?! You’d dare mess with *that* man?” “A Sterling is a Sterling. He throws around just as much cash as Alexander does.” I didn’t bother to explain further. She looked stunned. Julian Sterling, a distant cousin of the Sterling family, nicknamed “The Wild Card.” Rumors said he was quite the player, dabbling in both circles, with whispers of past affairs with rising stars and influential figures across the city’s elite. But I knew better. The year my sister was sick, he’d visited her in the hospital once, bringing her a soft bunny toy – a small, quiet act of kindness that stood out. He wasn’t inherently bad. I stopped at my room door, pausing for a few seconds. The lock had been changed, and a new plaque was affixed to the door— [Ms. Vivian Thorne’s Private Quarters] This room was designed by Alexander Sterling himself, just for me. He’d said, “With you sleeping here, I feel at peace.” Now, he was peaceful enough to give it to someone else. Just as I turned to leave, a maid hurried after me, whispering, “Miss Chloe, Lord Sterling wishes you to move to the West Wing. He says it’s quieter there.” The West Wing was an old guesthouse, damp and isolated, without even hot water. I murmured “Mm-hm,” saying nothing else. I picked up my bag and quietly went to pack my things. At dinner, the moment I entered the dining hall, I saw Vivian. Vivian was seated to Alexander’s left, her entire being nestled against his side. She said, “My appetite hasn’t been good lately. I can only eat porridge.” He immediately rose, personally serving her a bowl, his voice gentle: “The kitchen changed the rice. It’s the texture you used to like.” I stared down at the plate in front of me, my stomach clenching. I hesitated, then quietly signaled to a maid nearby. “Could I have a bowl of porridge too?” My stomach had always been sensitive. It started when he was in a car accident years ago, and I stayed up for half a month, nursing him sleeplessly. He knew that. Before the maid could move, a cold voice spoke from nearby: “Miss Chloe, that porridge is exclusively for Miss Thorne.” My spoon paused in mid-air. A second later, I heard his icy voice: “If you want to drink it, drink it. Then get out of here. Don’t be an eyesore.” I looked up at him. His eyes lingered on me for half a second. Something flickered in their depths. But it quickly turned cold again. I smiled, put down my spoon, and wiped my fingers. “On second thought, I’ll pass.” I stood up and walked towards the drinks bar, casually picking up a glass of red wine. Just as I raised it to my lips, Vivian walked over, smiling. Her voice was soft. “Oh, sister, drinking alone? How pathetic.” I couldn’t be bothered with her. I replied coolly, “Whether I drink or not, how is that any of your business?” She suddenly swayed, directly bumping into me. The red wine instantly splashed all over me, and the glass shattered into pieces on the floor. I took a step back, my dress soaked. But she dramatically stumbled to the ground, her arms and wrists reddening in splotches, a dense rash breaking out. “Ah, it’s so itchy… Did I have an alcohol allergy again…?” Before I could even react, Alexander Sterling had rushed over, immediately scooping her into his arms. Then, he glared at me, his voice a low, furious growl: “Are you insane? You know she has an alcohol allergy, and you still threw wine on her?” I opened my mouth, but before I could explain, he already issued an order: “Someone, hold her down!” “Make her kneel on these glass shards for half an hour, then have her clean the floor!”

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On Valentine’s Day, my husband took his ex-girlfriend and her daughter out to dinner. And I, like an idiot, waited all night in a rundown shack with no electricity in the middle of nowhere. What I got instead was the joyous news of him inheriting billions! I took my daughter, Stella, to his celebration, hoping to get some answers, but the security guards treated me like a lunatic and nearly beat me to death. His ex-girlfriend, Celeste, had been upgraded to the ‘official’ Mrs. Sterling. A doctored drink claimed my life and Stella’s. Before my last breath, I swore: Blake Sterling, you’ll pay for this! Heaven must have opened its eyes, because I was reborn with all my memories! This time, I sold off the dilapidated house and headed straight for my family’s sprawling 20,000 square foot villa estate. Just you wait, Blake Sterling! The debt from my past life, I’ll make you repay a hundredfold! “Dad, I was wrong! I want to divorce Blake!” I knelt at the entrance of Sterling Industries, dragging Stella with me, drawing countless onlookers. Thinking back to my past life, I must have been out of my mind! For a total social climber, I cut ties with my billionaire father, clinging stubbornly to him, marrying into a village, living on scraps and barely scraping by. And what did I get? He soared to success, then treated me like dirt, used me up, and then tossed me aside! Not far off, several uniformed security guards pointed at us, their faces etched with disdain. “Who are these hicks, daring to cause a scene at Sterling Industries? Security! Get them out of here!” “Exactly, look at their clothes. They look like beggars. How dare they call themselves the boss’s daughter?” I took a deep breath, ignoring their harsh comments, my eyes fixed on the revolving door in front of me. Oh, Dad, your daughter has finally seen the light! Because what’s better than love? Money, that’s what! “Stella, don’t be scared, Mom’s here!” I squeezed my daughter’s tiny hand, giving her a reassuring look. Stella nodded obediently. Though only four, she already showed signs of inheriting my and Dad’s excellent genes. She’d grow into a stunning beauty, destined to be a heartbreaker. In my previous life, this little beauty suffered far too much with me. This time, I’d make sure she became the happiest little princess! “Well, well, which heiress has fallen so low?” A snide, syrupy voice drifted over. I looked up to see Marcus, Dad’s Executive Assistant. That man, relying on being Dad’s confidant, always made sure to give me a hard time. “Marcus, long time no see.” I forced a smile, cursing inwardly: Just you wait, the moment I’m back on top, you’ll be the first I fire! “Heiress? Oh, I wouldn’t dare.” Marcus pursed his lips, looking me up and down with a disdainful gaze. “Miss Sterling, the CEO said he doesn’t have a daughter like you. Please stop disturbing him!” “Shut up!” I cut Marcus off. “I’m here to admit my mistake! I promise, I’ll listen to him from now on, no more being reckless!” Marcus paused, seemingly surprised that I would be so meek and humble. “Hmph, if only you’d thought of that sooner.” He scoffed, his tone softening slightly. “Alright, I’ll reluctantly go inform him for you, but I can’t guarantee the CEO will see you.” With that, Marcus turned and walked into the revolving door. A biting wind howled, making Stella and me shiver. But this was my crucial step to changing my destiny! Blake Sterling, Celeste, just you wait! What’s mine, I’ll take back, one piece at a time! What you owe me, I’ll make you repay twofold!

Good thing I wasn’t stupid enough to sign a prenuptial agreement back then. This time, I had to fight for Stella’s and my own survival. Stella and I stood outside the imposing gate of Blake’s mansion. The security guards eyed us like thieves, scanning us several times, confirming we were wearing cheap clothes, and growing even more impatient. “What do you want? This is private property, get out of here!” I took a deep breath, telling myself to stay calm, not to stoop to their level. “Please tell Blake Sterling that his ex-wife is here with his daughter to see him.” The guard sneered, “You say you’re Mr. Sterling’s ex-wife? There are plenty of women claiming to be his wife these days! Mr. Sterling is very busy now, he doesn’t have time for your kind. Beat it!” I had expected this. After all, the current Blake Sterling was a high and mighty heir to a fortune. How could he remember the ‘rags-to-riches’ wife he conveniently forgot? I stepped back a few paces, pulling Stella with me, and yelled at the top of my lungs: “Everyone, come see! Blake Sterling swore undying love to me back then! He promised to be good to me forever, but now that he’s rich, he throws me and his daughter aside! Is there any justice left in this world?” Blake’s mansion was in a wealthy neighborhood, surrounded by affluent residents. Hearing my shouts, people immediately gathered, curious. “Oh dear, these days, there are too many women who tried to hook a rich guy and failed, aren’t there?” “Look how shabbily dressed the mother and daughter are. They must be trying to extort money.” “Mr. Sterling is known as a good man; he dotes on his wife and children. How could he abandon them?” Listening to the whispers around me, I smirked inwardly. Blake Sterling, you acted all high and mighty, but today, I’m going to rip off your mask! I pulled out a copy from my canvas bag and held it over my head. ***截断点***

“Everyone, look closely! This is a guarantee letter Blake Sterling personally wrote years ago, all here, in black and white! If he denies it, I’ll go to the media and publicly disgrace him!” Inside the surveillance room, the butler’s face changed drastically when he saw the contents of the guarantee letter. He quickly ordered the guards, “Stay here. I’ll go inform Mr. Sterling.” Sure enough, not long after. Blake Sterling walked out of the villa, his face dark. Behind him trailed Celeste, dressed in a Chanel suit. The butler pointed at me and said to Blake: “Mr. Sterling, it’s this woman. She claims to be your ex-wife. I think she’s crazy. Should I kick her out?” Blake’s eyes were dark and menacing as he stared at me. “Look up.” I curled my lips into a smile and slowly raised my head. The moment he saw me, Blake’s face went pale. “Scarlett? Is that really you? How did you get here?” He quickly walked up to me, lowering his voice. “Didn’t I make it clear on the phone? I’ve already called the police. This won’t end well for you if you keep this up!” Five years had passed, and Blake was even more mature, more charismatic. He wore a tailored designer suit, exuding the aura of a successful man. Stella and I, on the other hand, wore cheap clothes, looking utterly miserable. “Blake Sterling, what did you promise me back then? You said you’d be good to me forever, that you’d give me and Stella a happy life! And now? You live in a mansion, drive fancy cars, yet you discard me and Stella like trash. Where’s your conscience?” Blake’s face turned ashen, but a flicker of panic flashed in his eyes. “Scarlett, it’s not what you think. Please take Stella and leave. We can settle this privately.” As he spoke, he secretly slipped a check into my hand. He gestured for me to take the money and leave, to stop making a scene. I sneered, and in front of everyone, I tore the check into tiny pieces. “Blake Sterling, do you think a few measly dollars can buy me off? I’m telling you, no way! I came here today to reclaim everything that belongs to Stella and me!” My voice was loud enough for everyone around to hear clearly, and Blake’s face grew even uglier. He gritted his teeth and threatened me: “Scarlett, what exactly do you want? I said I’d compensate you. Can’t you just calm down?” I gave a cold smile, pulling Stella towards the villa entrance. “My daughter hasn’t had a decent meal in a long time. I’m afraid she can’t wait.” “Mr. Sterling, why are you so reluctant to let your ex-wife in? Is there something you’re trying to hide?”

Of course, I knew why Blake didn’t want me inside. The mansion wasn’t just home to him now. It also housed Celeste, his late brother’s widow, whom he now publicly claimed as his wife, along with her two children. Everyone comfortably seated on the living room sofa knew Celeste was the ‘official’ Mrs. Sterling, the one Blake presented to the world as his wife. As for me, his suddenly reappearing ‘ex-wife,’ Blake naturally had no idea how to explain me. After all, he was the one who cried and begged to marry me, and now he wished he could erase me from his life. But I was here today to make him lose face. Blake stared at me with a twisted expression, probably cursing me eight hundred times in his head. Celeste’s eyes darted around, and then she suddenly walked over, taking my hand with a forced warmth. “Oh, dear sister, what are you saying? Since you’re Blake’s… friend, you’re certainly a guest here. It’s normal for him to be caught off guard when you bring your child. Don’t misunderstand, please come in and sit down.” With that, she tried to pull me towards the nearby lounge area. I coldly pulled my hand away. “You must be Celeste, right?” Celeste’s face stiffened, but she forced a smile and nodded. In my past life, I was foolish. I always thought she was so pitiful, having lost her husband at such a young age. I had no guard against her, believing everything she said. And what happened? My daughter died instantly, spitting blood, after eating a cake Celeste had given her! “No need for the lounge area. Didn’t Mr. Sterling just say guests were visiting? My daughter and I are hungry, we’ll just eat something here. And perhaps Mr. Sterling can introduce us to everyone?” “Scarlett!” Blake growled, “Are you deliberately trying to embarrass the Sterling family, dressed like that to see guests? At least change your clothes. Celeste, take her to change…” Blake froze mid-sentence, realizing what he’d said. Seeing my silence, he quickly explained. “Scarlett, don’t misunderstand. Celeste is my only relative in this family. I treat her like a sister, that’s why I call her that.” “There’s absolutely nothing improper between us!” Blake’s desperate explanation only made me sick to my stomach. The scene before my death in the last life, I could never forget it. Celeste sobbing, lying. She claimed my daughter was greedy, accidentally ate the expired cake she’d left on the dining table because she was going to throw it away. She swore that wretched child stole it, which was why she died from the poison. Blake didn’t shed a single tear for us. Instead, he tenderly embraced Celeste, his face full of affection. He gently wiped away her tears, holding her close to comfort her. He said, “If she’s dead, she’s dead. Even if she hadn’t died, I was going to marry you anyway.” “All these years, my eyes have only been on you and the two kids. There’s no room for anyone else, and I won’t allow anyone to disturb our life.” From that moment, I completely gave up. Celeste led me into a room and tossed me an old dress she’d worn, telling me to change. Blake was squatting in front of Stella. “Don’t you remember Daddy?”

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The year my mom was critically ill and we desperately needed money, I resorted to a desperate measure to get close to Liam, finding myself in his bed. After that wild night, I got what I wanted: I became Mrs. Hemsworth. “I know you were in a difficult situation.” After we married, he didn’t criticize me. Instead, he treated me with distant politeness. Until I discovered his assistant, Chloe, secretly embezzling company funds. I called the police on the spot, and for the first time, the usually composed Liam blew up at me. “Chloe just temporarily borrowed the money for her father’s treatment. I gave her my silent consent.” “Did you expect her to stoop so low as to use her body for money, like you did?” I froze, stunned by his words. “Can you believe Mrs. Hemsworth, who seems so proper, actually used tricks to get where she is?” “Using her body for money? Who is *she* to give Chloe a hard time?” Gossip filled my ears, and I pressed my lips together. After my mother passed, I proposed divorce and repaid the money I’d borrowed from the Hemsworth family. But Liam fought tooth and nail to save the marriage. Now, it seemed, it should have ended long ago.

It was pouring rain outside. Liam, usually so poised and calm, arrived at the office with his suit completely soaked, water dripping from his hair. He rarely lost his composure like this. He looked at me, and his first words were: “I didn’t realize you could be so aggressive, bullying the new girl.” Chloe, her eyes red, looked like a fragile, innocent lamb. She tugged on Liam’s sleeve. “Mr. Hemsworth, Skylar didn’t mean to. It’s just… after all this, I don’t feel like I can stay at the company anymore.” At her words, Liam’s concern deepened, and his tone grew colder. “Chloe only borrowed company funds to pay for her father’s medical treatment. Did you really have to make such a huge scene? I’ve already sent the police away. This matter is over.” “Skylar Rhodes, you abused your power to make things difficult for a new employee. There’s no need for you to be the General Manager anymore.” I hadn’t even said a word, and Liam decisively delivered the news, as if he couldn’t wait another second to protect the woman behind him. When he made up his mind, no one could change it. After a long moment, I simply said in a low voice: “If it’s a loan, then draw up a promissory note for a million dollars.” Company rules were company rules. As long as I was still here, we had to follow procedure. Unexpectedly, Chloe’s eyes became even wetter at my words, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Are you implying I won’t pay it back, Mrs. Hemsworth? Why call the police and demand an IOU to humiliate me? Maybe I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth like you, but I will definitely repay the loan.” Before I could reply, Liam sharply snapped: “Haven’t you made enough of a fuss!?” “Chloe is just paying for her father’s treatment. Are you going to be so overbearing and force her to, like you, stoop so low as to use her body for money and get into my bed?” I froze. Ten years of marriage. Even if the initial spark had faded, I always thought there was still some marital affection between us. But it turned out he had always thought I was lowly. Whispers gradually rose around us. “I heard Mrs. Hemsworth used tricks to get where she is back then… So it was true. How shameless…” Liam quickly realized he’d said too much. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face. But in the end, he didn’t stop the gossip. Instead, he took Chloe’s hand. “Too much has happened today. I’ll take Chloe home.” His voice softened, perhaps out of concern for appearances. “You don’t need to handle company matters anymore. Just go home and rest.” With that, he turned and left without hesitation, leaving me standing there, my face pale.

When my team from the tech department found out Liam had fired me, they were furious. They submitted their resignations that very day and left with me. They said they’d go wherever I went. By the time we finished packing up and left the company, it was already dark. I walked alone, holding my umbrella, when I quickly noticed a man following me. My heart pounded as I realized the danger. I opened my phone to my contacts and instinctively called Liam, who was at the top of my favorites. Once, twice… After he hung up three times, his impatient voice finally came through the receiver. “I’m busy tonight. I won’t be home.” My voice was shaky with panic. “Liam, I’m being followed.” A moment of silence on the other end, then I heard a faint scoff. “Skylar Rhodes, is this your new trick?” “Didn’t I tell you I prefer a well-behaved, proper wife?” He said he liked “proper and dignified,” so even on a stormy night, I was still wearing a formal dress and heels. My ten-centimeter heels rubbed my feet raw and bleeding, allowing the man behind me to get closer and closer. I didn’t even have a chance to run. “Liam, help—” Before I could finish, a cheerful female voice came from the other end of the phone. “Big Boss Liam, you said you’d treat me to dinner as an apology today! Why are you zoning out? You’re not going to back out, are you?” Liam’s voice quickened, as if he were giving me charity. “Alright, I don’t have time for your drama. I’ll be home later.” Then, the call was abruptly cut off. Hearing the dial tone, despair spread through me. The next second, the man behind me lunged forward and snatched my bag. The momentum sent me crashing against a wall, my arm scraping against the rough surface, leaving a bloody gash. At least he was just after money. When I stumbled out of the alley, bruised, bleeding, and covered in mud, I suddenly saw a familiar figure at a street food stall not far away. Liam’s bespoke suit looked ridiculously out of place at the greasy street food stall. His gaze was doting as he watched Chloe, her mouth full, eat. “Big Boss, seriously, thank you. If it wasn’t for you today, I really wouldn’t know what to do about Mrs. Hemsworth.” At the mention of me, Liam subtly frowned. “She’s been Mrs. Hemsworth for too long, so long that she’s forgotten her own lowly status and started throwing her weight around.” My eyes welled up at his words. As the daughter of the Hemsworth family’s housekeeper, when my mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness, I was in a moment of sheer desperation. I used a trick to get close to Liam, who I’d grown up with. When he woke up, I didn’t ask for a title or formal recognition. I only asked him to help my mother, considering our history. But he insisted on marrying me, saying he understood my difficulties and would take responsibility for me. Yet despite his words, our relationship remained distant after marriage. His eyes held a look I couldn’t quite decipher. It was only in his arms, in the quiet of the night, that I felt a flicker of warmth. I always thought he was naturally aloof, but I never imagined he would act impulsively and lose his temper for Chloe, or that he would join her at a street food stall he’d never even consider eating at. “Mr. Hemsworth, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time…” Chloe suddenly looked up, her gaze firm. “You don’t look happy. So, I don’t want to hide my feelings anymore.” As soon as she finished speaking, Liam’s eyes flickered. Before she could say another word, he lowered his head and kissed her, leaving no room for argument. “Mmm… but if Mrs. Hemsworth finds out about us…” Chloe’s cheeks flushed, her words laden with implication. “Don’t worry about her.” Liam cut off her words with another kiss. The man’s usual composure was completely gone. From not far away, I saw Chloe cast a provocative glance my way. It turned out she was saying it all deliberately for me to hear. I clenched my fists, but after a long while, slowly loosened my grip. Watching the two of them being so affectionate, I picked up my phone and called my lawyer. “Hello, please draft a divorce agreement for me.”

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