Category: English

In my previous life, my mother-in-law secretly had a daughter with another man, unbeknownst to my father-in-law. She knelt down and pleaded with me to treat this child as if she were a twin sister to my own. I hesitated but eventually agreed. Later on, the child developed kidney failure. My husband was a compatible donor, but my mother-in-law refused to let him donate a kidney. The child passed away, and only after her death did I discover she was actually my child. When I confronted my mother-in-law upon learning the truth, she pushed me down the stairs, leading to my tragic demise. I opened my eyes to find myself back at the moment when my mother-in-law was begging me. I blinked, a bit disoriented. Sitting on my living room couch, I could almost feel the pain of the fall down the stairs. I couldn’t believe that I had been given another chance. Overwhelmed, tears streamed down my face. A familiar voice echoed in my ears. “Phoebe, please, can we say they’re twins?” My mother-in-law looked at me, imploring. I clenched my fists tightly, resisting the urge to lash out. Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself. Feigning ignorance, I replied, “Mom, what are you talking about? Whether it’s twins or a single birth, we know from the start.” “Why would you want me to claim I had twins? Where would I find an extra child for your son at birth?” My mother-in-law looked flustered and stammered. “Well, I’m pregnant.” I feigned shock, raising my voice. “Mom, what are you saying? You’re pregnant? Father-in-law has been working abroad for over a year.” “You’ve got a love child?” She quickly moved to cover my mouth, visibly tense. I sidestepped her attempt. My mother-in-law spoke, displeased. “What love child? This is my child. Your father-in-law and I lost feelings for each other long ago.” “We only stayed together for Declan.” I looked at her with disdain. “No feelings, yet you cheated and got pregnant with a love child.” I emphasized “love child” intentionally. She was furious and wanted to scold me. But recalling her need for my help, she held back. “Phoebe, I’m begging you, your child and this one are about the same age. By then, we can hide it.” I raised my voice, “Mom, what are you saying? You want me to help raise it too?” She hurriedly explained, “No, just under your name. I’ll raise it myself, don’t worry.” I replied, “Mom, why are you being so soft-hearted? It’s early, just terminate it.” But my mother-in-law became agitated, “No, this is the child between me and Uncle Gary. I can’t terminate it.” I felt a wave of nausea. A love child, really? Ugly and audacious.

I pretended to be in a difficult position. “Mom, I can’t decide this. I’ll discuss it with Declan.” She looked embarrassed. I said, “Your belly will only grow. This can’t be hidden from him.” My mother-in-law could only nod. In my previous life, it was the same. I told my husband about her pregnancy. He didn’t agree with her having the child. He insisted on taking her to the hospital for an abortion. She refused and hid away. She only returned when she was about to give birth, making it too late for an abortion. She knelt on the ground, begging me and my husband. My husband had no choice but to agree to treat the child as a twin. When my husband came home, I told him about my mother-in-law’s pregnancy. He was so angry he shook all over. He immediately stormed into her room. “Mom, are you out of your mind? Cheating on Dad and getting pregnant?” Embarrassed by her son’s words, my mother-in-law felt ashamed. My husband was furious, “Go and abort it tomorrow.” “You might not care, but I do.” Hearing about the abortion, my mother-in-law panicked. She held her belly, “No, this child can’t be aborted.” My husband was livid, his eyes almost spewing fire. “Why not? You want to keep this abomination?” My mother-in-law was furious, “What abomination? This is your brother.” My husband retorted, “What kind of brother? It’s not Dad’s kid.” “Have you thought about how to explain to Dad after giving birth?” My mother-in-law looked at him with bright eyes. “Don’t worry, I’ve thought it through. This child and Phoebe’s are about the same age. We’ll pretend they’re twins.” “Your dad won’t know.” My husband pointed a trembling finger at her. “You’re insane. I’m telling you, I don’t agree. This child must be aborted.” My mother-in-law pointed at him, face twisted. “You don’t agree? I’m your mom. What right do you have to control me?” “I’m telling you, I’m keeping this child.” My husband was too angry to speak. It took him a while to say anything. “If you insist on having this child, handle it yourself.”

The conversation between my mother-in-law and my husband ended on a bad note. I lay in bed, memories of my past life flooding my mind. In my past life, after I went into labor, my mother-in-law insisted on a C-section. She claimed it was to save my husband from the hassle of taking care of two babies at different times. The newborns looked similar. My mother-in-law switched the babies while we slept at night. Due to her age, her child was not healthy and often sick. Whenever the child was ill, she was more anxious than I was. At the time, I was glad she cherished her granddaughter. In contrast, she neglected her own child after giving birth. The child often cried from hunger, but she refused to breastfeed. She insisted on formula, often leaving the child hungry or overfed. Sometimes, I couldn’t stand it and helped feed the child. As the child grew, my mother-in-law either hit or scolded her. The child always looked timid. In contrast, my daughter was spoiled by her. She became bratty and demanding. Whenever my husband and I tried to discipline her, my mother-in-law intervened. She even scolded us for being too harsh. The two children grew up as opposites. One was a little princess, the other a little servant. Thinking of the child’s last moments, I was heartbroken. A tiny person, lying quietly on the bed, almost skin and bones. At four years old, my mother-in-law’s child was diagnosed with uremia. My husband and I actively sought treatment. My mother-in-law was indifferent and blamed us for wasting money. Finally, a kidney transplant was necessary. My husband, feeling sorry for his sister’s plight, went for matching. He was a match. Upon learning this, my mother-in-law threw a fit and blocked the donation. In the end, seeing no other choice, she disappeared with the child. When my husband and I found them back in our hometown, the child was already lifeless on the bed. 5 My husband and mother-in-law had a huge fight over this. After the child’s passing, I came home early one day. I overheard my mother-in-law on the phone. That’s when I discovered the truth. I broke down on the spot. I lunged at her, hitting her with all my might. Then I ran out to report it to the police. Hearing my intention to call the police, she chased after me. The elevator was taking too long, so I wanted to use the stairs. Unexpectedly, she pushed me hard from behind. And with that, my life ended. Lying on the ground, close to death, I seemed to see something familiar flash by. And my daughter stood beside her. Later, under her influence, my daughter claimed I accidentally fell. My husband was devastated but didn’t suspect our four-year-old. The faint sounds outside my room interrupted my thoughts. I knew my mother-in-law must have sneaked out again, just like in the past life. If she insists on having this child, I’ll let her. After all, I have a big surprise waiting for her. When my husband realized she was gone, he was frantic and wanted to search. He called all our friends and family but found no leads. He even went back to our hometown but she wasn’t there. He wanted to report it to the police. I stopped him. “Honey, she’s deliberately avoiding you. You won’t find her.” He was anxious. “She’s so old and pregnant. What if something happens?” I thought, what could happen? She’s probably with her old lover. “She’s hiding because she’s afraid you’ll make her abort. Don’t worry, she’ll return when she’s further along.” “If you report it and everyone finds out, how will she face them?” He nodded weakly. 6 Soon, I reached late pregnancy. One day, I came home and found my mother-in-law had returned. My husband angrily confronted her. She suddenly knelt before me. Startled, I quickly stepped aside. He rushed to help her up. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at both of us. I said, “She was probably hiding because she feared you’d pressure her to end the pregnancy. Don’t worry, she’ll likely return when she’s further along.” “If you call the police and everyone finds out, how will mother-in-law maintain her reputation?” My husband nodded, looking helpless. 6 Soon, I was in the later stages of my pregnancy. One day, I came home to find my mother-in-law had returned. My husband angrily confronted her. Suddenly, she knelt down in front of me. Startled, I quickly stepped aside. My husband rushed to help her up. With tears in her eyes, she looked at both of us. “I’m begging you, please. Otherwise, I don’t know what else I can do but end my life.” My husband glared at her, breathing heavily. “Where were you when I told you to deal with it? You wouldn’t listen.” “Now you come to us? Figure it out yourself.” “I’m not handling this.” Hearing this, she began to cry softly. “Declan, I know I was wrong. If your father finds out, what will happen to us? This family will fall apart.” “Please, just help me this once.” My husband turned his head away, silent. She then turned to me. “Phoebe, if you don’t help me, I really can’t go on.” “If people find out, what will I do?” My husband said, “Now you’re worried about disgrace? Why didn’t you think of that before?” She became upset, “Fine, I’m ashamed. I’ll just go and end it. If you won’t help me, I can’t live anyway.” With that, she rushed towards the balcony. My husband wanted to stop her, but I held him back. She reached the balcony and realized no one was stopping her. She didn’t have the courage to climb onto the windowsill. So she just stood there awkwardly. My husband understood her intention. He just looked at her coldly, saying nothing. I almost wanted to laugh. If you’re going to pretend to do something drastic, at least make it convincing. You can’t even climb up. I feigned concern and went to stop her. “Mom, please don’t do anything reckless. What will you do with such a big belly?” “Your secret will come out anyway.” “Father-in-law will be furious.” She shot me an angry glare. My husband snorted. In the end, my husband agreed to her request. I also agreed, which made him feel very sorry for me. He was very considerate towards me. Without keeping the child, the pretense couldn’t continue. Soon, I went into labor. Just like before, my mother-in-law insisted on being with me. My husband hurriedly took us to the hospital. Once there, she was taken aback. 7 Aunt Lydia was waiting at the hospital. My husband was also shocked. I looked at her with a cold smile. I had secretly set up a small account long ago. As soon as I went into labor, I sent a photo of her large belly to Aunt Lydia. I even thoughtfully noted the hospital. Aunt Lydia stared intently at her belly. Suddenly, she rushed over and slapped her hard. She didn’t react in time and fell to the ground. Soon, cold sweat was beading on her forehead. She clutched her belly, curled up on the floor, and kept groaning in pain. Many onlookers gathered around Aunt Lydia, whispering among themselves. “How can you hit a pregnant woman?” “Is the baby her husband’s?” “She’s so old, yet still having kids—absolutely shameless.”

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The instant a five-million-dollar transfer hit my bank account, my mind went blank. The note on the transfer read: “Leave my husband.” I thought it was some kind of mistake, a wrong transfer, and my first instinct was to tell Landon. Just as I turned, a text message popped up on my phone: “Mia, this is Landon’s wife. Do the smart thing and take the money. Get away from my husband.” My world shattered, plummeting from heaven to hell. He had a wife? What did that make me? After everything blew up, our mess became public, known across the entire internet. Heartbroken and disillusioned, I left the city. But then, Landon, against all odds, chased me to this quiet, secluded town. He cornered me, tears dripping onto my collarbone, begging me to come back to him. After a passionate night, an endless emptiness gnawed at my stomach. I snuggled closer to Landon, teasing, “Can we grab some late-night takeout?” Landon lowered his head, licking my lips again, his voice husky, “Of course, sweetheart. Whatever you want, I’ll pay.” Gasping after a breathless kiss, I picked up my phone, ready to open the food delivery app, only to see a transfer notification pop up. I stared at the unexplained five million dollars in my account, utterly bewildered. Then, a text message followed. “Mia, hello. I’m Landon’s wife. I hope you’ll be sensible and take the money to leave Landon.” My fingers instantly went numb, a cold dread creeping down my spine. Landon and I started a business together. For six years, we worked side-by-side, day in and day out, pouring our blood, sweat, and tears into building it, turning him into a top-tier online personality. But he was married? And I had no idea when? What did that make me? Noticing my silence, Landon reached out and pulled me into his arms again. He turned his head to kiss me. “Mia, what’s wrong?” I twisted away from his embrace, pushing my phone into his view. “Your wife sent me five million dollars, telling me to leave you.” Landon frowned, took my phone, glanced at the text, and without a moment’s hesitation, he pushed me away, swinging himself out of bed. Then, in the dead of night, he just turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness. I lay awake all night, tears streaming down my face, but I never got a single explanation from him. It used to be that no matter where he went, he’d text me, send me his location, even FaceTime me every half hour, checking in constantly. When Landon and I first met, he was a small-time streamer nobody had heard of. He had big dreams, and I stayed by his side, helping him. Eventually, he made it big, becoming a recognizable name in the influencer world. He hugged me, crying hysterically, sobbing that he finally had the courage to confess his feelings and ask if I would be with him. I was so touched, tears streaming down my face, and I responded with a kiss right then and there. As his fame and fortune grew, I became more and more anxious. Sometimes, I’d suddenly start crying, feeling insecure, like I didn’t deserve him. But he brought me into his streams, into the eyes of all his followers, right there beside him in the spotlight, showing me through his actions that I was his greatest love. I believed him completely. We were inseparable for six years, never once fighting. I even started making plans for us to get married. The love he gave me was so openly displayed, for the whole world to witness. That’s why, when he left without hesitation, it left me gasping for air, my heart aching. For six years, our lives and work were so intertwined. When did he get married? I never even noticed. A sleepless night later, I dragged myself to the office, feeling like a soulless shell. Landon placed a cup of coffee on my desk and casually reached to hug me. “Mia, look at those dark circles! Didn’t get any sleep last night?” I looked up, tears spilling from my eyes, and forcefully shoved him away, screaming, “Get lost! Go find your wife!” Landon smiled gently, completely ignoring my outburst, and pulled me into his arms. “Come on, Mia, she’s my wife, you’re *you*.” “Please, stop saying things that try to separate us, pushing me towards another woman.” With that, he leaned in to kiss me. I opened my mouth and bit him hard. The metallic taste of blood instantly filled my mouth. He finally dropped his carefree facade, his face darkening as he asked, “Mia! How long are you going to keep this up?” “Landon, are you serious?! You’re disgusting! If you’re done being a pathetic creep, then get lost!” Landon didn’t say anything. Instead, he grabbed my arm and dragged me outside. He pointed down at the street. “Mia, look. This whole building, all this height, we built it all from the ground up! This is *our* shared business. I can’t leave you, and you can’t leave me. Isn’t it great for us to just stay like this?” From up here, the people on the ground looked like tiny, indistinguishable specks. This was *our* business. But no one knew better than Landon how desperately I wanted a home of my own. Yet he ignored it, insisting I stay in this hidden, secret relationship with him. Tears streamed down my face. I violently shook off Landon’s hand, unable to stop myself from yelling, “What about me, then?! You have a warm home now, but what about *me*?!” Landon fell silent, then walked over and gently wiped away my tears. “Mia, you love me so much. I have a family now, and that’s like you having one too. And…” He leaned in close, whispering in my ear, “If you want to leave, don’t forget the one hundred million dollar penalty clause in our influencer contract.” In that moment, our eyes met. I saw pure manipulation in his gaze. In that moment, I felt a suffocating helplessness. My expression must have satisfied him. Landon shrugged, chuckling softly, and pulled me up. “Alright, just kidding. I love you too much to let you go, you know?” “Just be good, and we’ll be exactly like before. Whatever you want, I’ll give you.” Looking at Landon’s smile, countless sharp thorns pierced my heart, making me double over just to breathe. I finally couldn’t take it anymore and fled, running as fast as I could. Landon, he always knew how to control me, and he always knew exactly what to say to hurt me the most. Six years of ‘love,’ and finally, his true colors showed. The next few days were relatively calm. Landon didn’t appear. But then, one day as I walked into the company building, an unwelcome visitor stood in the lobby downstairs. Camilla stood in front of me, clutching her bag. “Mia, I told you to take the five million and leave.” Camilla showed up, asserting her status as the rightful wife. Her condescending smirk stung my eyes. “I’ve already broken up with him,” I said. But Camilla still wore that superior expression. “When I said ‘leave,’ I meant you need to leave this company, this city, and never come back.” I was speechless, my lips pressed into a tight line. “Ms. Camilla, I wouldn’t stay involved with Landon, knowing he was married. But I also have my own career.” Camilla looked at me, then suddenly laughed. “Ms. Mia, you’re smart, you know money’s great, but I’m not stupid. What I mean is, both the money *and* the man are mine.” She made no effort to hide her ambition. I pursed my lips, coldly refusing. “I told you, what’s mine, I won’t let go of.” “As for Landon, I’ll reduce our work interactions. I’m quite well-off, you know. I’m not so desperate as to cling to a two-timing jerk.” Camilla’s eyes widened, clearly shocked I’d talk about Landon like that. She bit her lip, a flash of malice flickering in her eyes. “Since you won’t leave, then just wait.” With that, she turned and walked away. At the time, I just thought she was making empty threats. I never imagined she’d be so utterly insane. In the early hours of the morning, my assistant, Chloe, blew up my phone. “Mia, check the trending topics!” I opened Ins, clicked on the trending list. Camilla had posted photos of Landon and me, along with our chat logs. Every single word accused me of seducing Landon. She was clever, alright. The photos she released included one of Landon and me when he was angry, his face cold, and me standing on tiptoes to kiss him. I didn’t even know who took that picture. I rushed to the company that night, where the senior management was already gathered. Their gazes all landed on me. “Mia, Landon isn’t just our company’s biggest shareholder, he’s also an incredibly influential top influencer. He can’t afford to have anything happen to him, do you understand?” I understood. Which meant I was the one who deserved to be sacrificed. A tidal wave of nasty accusations came crashing down on me from across the internet. Third Chapter Completely devastated, I returned home, only to find the front door blocked by countless media reporters. I covered my face, scared senseless, and fled. I ran to a twenty-four-hour drugstore, bought a mask, and then checked out of the hotel, feeling the judgment from the front desk. I’d barely laid down and sighed in relief when my phone rang, relentlessly ringing like a death knell. Unknown numbers—I ignored them all. Until I was added to a SnapChat group chat, and a video call started ringing. I hesitated, then answered. My parents, divorced for over ten years, appeared on the screen together for the first time in ages. It was a scene I’d always dreamed of, but they both glowered at me, then started tearing into each other. “Look at the daughter *you* raised! A homewrecker, seducing married men!” My mom immediately shot back, “She’s just like *you*, isn’t she? Cheating and keeping a mistress!” I just sat there, stunned, as they ripped each other apart, wave after wave of bitter ache swelling in my chest. Their insults grew nastier and nastier until I finally couldn’t take it anymore and roared, “What do you two even want?!” They finally looked at me. “Mia, it’s all because of you! My house is swarming with reporters!” “Mine too!” Then my mom decreed, imperiously, “You go clarify right now! Tell them you left with your dad years ago, that we cut ties, and nothing you do has anything to do with me!” My dad chimed in with the same demands. Just like the year they divorced, they both just wanted to shake off the ‘problem’ that was me. I hung up, feeling their eyes burn into me like I was their worst enemy. Instantly, tears streamed down my face like rain. I don’t know how long I cried. Trembling, I logged onto Ins and recorded a video, stating that I had long since cut ties with my parents, then posted it. It only brought on another wave of public condemnation. I thought if I just hid in the hotel for a few days, the whole thing would blow over. But to my surprise, a few days later, my parents, who had just claimed to cut ties with me, sought me out again. This time, their eyes weren’t filled with disgust anymore, but pure, unadulterated greed. “Mia, honey, we heard you got a huge sum of money after being kicked out of the company.” “It wasn’t easy raising you, your dad and I. You owe us something, right?” My dad nodded vigorously, giving me a look that said, ‘Your mom’s right, just listen to her.’ A wave of bitter sadness washed over me. They hadn’t gotten along in twenty years, yet here they were, peacefully discussing how to squeeze money out of their daughter. I forced a stiff smile. “Where did you hear I had money?” Their eyes darted nervously, and they mumbled evasively, “Oh, well… someone sent us a text, you know.” I pulled out Camilla’s phone number and read it aloud. “Was it her? Tell me the truth, and then I’ll give you the money.” As soon as they heard that, they both nodded emphatically. “Yes! It was her!” A bitter taste filled my mouth. I buried my head in my knees, quietly sobbing. My mom named a number, and then they hung up. It was the exact amount the company paid me for my shares, no more, no less. I wiped away my tears, transferred the money, and severed the already fragile ties between us. I pulled the covers completely over my head. The stale air under the covers suffocated me; each time I threw them off, it felt like being reborn. After a few times, I finally managed to calm myself. Just then, my phone started ringing relentlessly again. All unknown numbers. As soon as I blocked one, another would call right back. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and picked up. “I am NOT a homewrecker! Stop harassing me!” Landon chuckled on the other end, his voice soft and coaxing. “I know you’re not, honey. In a few days, no one will even care. Did you miss me?” All this mess was his wife’s doing. How did he even have the nerve to call me? I screamed into the phone, “You pathetic loser, get lost!” I hung up decisively. I organized all the major and minor details of my six years with Landon, complete with a timeline and photos, into a document. I made it into a presentation and gave it a catchy, attention-grabbing title. Without hesitation, I posted it online.

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The SAT Showdown: They Called Me Wretched The SATs were just around the corner when they finally brought me home – the real daughter. On SAT day, I was the first one to hand in my paper and walk out of the exam hall. A reporter asked how I felt I did, and I frankly told him the questions were super easy. The reporter gasped, “Are you, by any chance, Ashley Montgomery, the genius academic star?” Just then, the fake daughter, Ashley, also finished her exam and came out. My parents, Richard and Eleanor, and my brother, Blake, immediately surrounded her, showering her with affection and declaring that *she* was the real genius. Ashley pretended to speak up for me, but her words were laced with mockery. “Sister, it’s okay if you didn’t do well. But you shouldn’t lie, you know? I heard your scores are barely enough to get into a community college. You can always retake them!” My parents and Blake glared at me, their faces dark, as if I had brought shame upon them. I just crossed my arms and smiled confidently. I was the first person to walk out of every single SAT subject test. When I confidently declared that Harvard was a sure thing after the last exam, the live stream chat absolutely exploded. My mother, Eleanor, was so furious she practically shrieked, “We don’t have such a delusional daughter!” My father, Richard, proclaimed, “If she can get into Harvard, I’ll give her my entire fortune!” People in the live stream had already dug up my previous scores, frantically spamming the chat: “If she gets into Harvard – no, even just undergrad – I’ll eat my own socks on live stream!” I looked at my father and shook my head. “Dad, your fortune? I wouldn’t even touch it!”

The words had barely left my lips when my parents’ faces grew even darker. Blake looked utterly livid. ““*Jian-nü*,” I think you’ve lost your mind. We should send you to a mental hospital right now.” Eleanor looked disgusted. “I don’t know what on earth you told your grandmother to make her bring you back, but now you’ve completely disgraced the Montgomery family.” “If it weren’t for the DNA test, I’d never believe you were my daughter.” The next second, her gaze softened, falling on Ashley. “Our Ashley is so sensible, so graceful and poised. She doesn’t pull these attention-seeking stunts.” Ashley let out a soft “Oh dear.” “Sister, are you short on cash or something? Is that why you’re trying to go for a controversial route, then just go into live streaming sales? If you need money, just ask Mom and Dad! They wouldn’t deny you. Making such a spectacle of yourself outside, people might think Mom and Dad are abusing you.” She finished, leaning sweetly against Eleanor’s shoulder, her eyes fixed on me with disdain and mockery. Richard, who always prioritized appearances, snapped, “Nonsense!” “When we get home, confiscate all her electronics. Lock her up! She’s not coming out until she apologizes!” I watched them – a picture of a united, harmonious family of four, all against me. My heart didn’t stir an inch. I even smiled. Blake’s face was grim. ““*Jian-nü*,” what are you smiling at?” I shrugged. “SAT scores will be out soon. Why are you all in such a hurry?” “Anyway, you’ve never cared about me, have you?” Blake had zero patience. “Who doesn’t know you used to score two, three hundred? Don’t blame others for not caring if your grades are trash!” I was the real Montgomery heiress, swapped by the Roberts family. From childhood, my grades were absolutely terrible. They only brought me back two months before the SATs. My last mock exam before the SATs was just as bad as before. They completely gave up on me. They simply ignored that I was also taking the SATs, showering Ashley with attention and care every single day. On SAT day, my father, Richard, who was always swamped with work, canceled everything. My mother, Eleanor, who had daily appointments with socialites, canceled all her engagements. My brother, Blake, who was busy with various university activities, also cleared his schedule. All for Ashley’s SATs. Not only that, they thought I was bad luck, fearing I would jinx Ashley’s performance. They only dropped her off at the exam hall. Every time they saw me walking out of the exam, they’d look at me as if I were some unlucky charm, and when we got home, they’d even try to ward off bad luck around me, as if I were contaminated. Ashley stepped forward, playing the good person. “Mom, Dad, *Jian-nü* probably just hasn’t experienced this much attention before. It’s probably just vanity acting up.” “Besides, the SAT scores will be out soon. Just let her have her little moment for a couple of days.” ““*Jian-nü*,” just apologize to Mom and Dad. We can let this go.”

The live stream chat was scrolling furiously: “Now THIS is a true genius, so graceful!” “But what’s with *Jian-nü*? What kind of parents give their daughter such a name in this day and age?” “To the commenter above, word on the street is *Jian-nü* is the Montgomery family’s real daughter who was swapped at birth. They just found her, but she looks like a lost cause.” “She looks so provocative, just begging for a punch! Whoever named her that is a genius!” I ignored the immense malice directed at me in the live stream and spoke directly: “Please, everyone, be my witness. I hope my parents keep their word when the scores come out.” “Oh, and everyone in the live stream too.” The live stream chat collectively spammed: “I think she’s truly lost it.” The day the SAT scores were released. The reporter who interviewed me before showed up again. He had become an overnight sensation because of me. Unwilling to let go of this massive buzz, he had privately contacted me, worried I wouldn’t make outrageous claims like I did on SAT days. He insisted I maintain that persona. He even offered me a cut of the profits. Not just him, many big PR firms also sought me out, ready to tailor a public image for me. The moment the SAT scores were out, they wanted me to go live and simply announce I was the SAT top scorer. No one believed a word I said. While waiting for the scores, the reporter interviewed my parents, asking why I was so extreme. Eleanor forced out two tears. “Today, after she faces reality, we’ll send her to a mental hospital. After all, she’s still my daughter.” Richard, meanwhile, put his arm around her, said a couple of comforting words, then immediately diverted the conversation to his company’s new product. I watched them coolly from the side. If they truly considered me their daughter, they wouldn’t have only brought me back right before the SATs. Ten minutes before the scores were released, they put on a show of caring. Richard said, ““*Jian-nü*,” apologize in the live stream now, it’s not too late. Afterwards, we can just say you had a mental breakdown.” Eleanor added, ““*Jian-nü*,” must you bring shame to the Montgomery family? I swear, you’re nothing but trouble since you came back. I wish I had never given birth to you.” Blake was as impatient as ever. “Are you really going to be a complete clown today? Have we been too good to you?” I spoke up, genuinely surprised. “Good to me? With your words? I haven’t felt it. Being good to me means making me live in the storage room, not giving me pocket money or even a ride, making me walk ten miles to school? And ignoring me when I was bullied?” A flicker of awkwardness and discomfort crossed their faces. Because after they brought me back, they literally never cared for me. The staff were quick to follow their lead; if the Montgomerys didn’t say anything, the staff wouldn’t do anything. Ashley, however, had red eyes. ““*Jian-nü*,” don’t blame Mom and Dad. After the SAT scores come out, I’ll give Mom and Dad back to you. I’ll leave the Montgomery family.” The live stream chat exploded again: “Is *Jian-nü* really having such a hard time? The Montgomery family didn’t handle that well.” “Heh, serves her right! If I had a daughter like that, I wouldn’t even bring her home!” Richard, Eleanor, and Blake immediately rushed to comfort Ashley. “Ashley, don’t apologize to her. She’s not worthy!” “If you leave the Montgomery family, you’d be killing us!” “Ashley, I’m not someone who values blood ties. I only recognize you as my sister.” I spoke lazily. “You keep calling me ‘“*Jian-nü*”’ – ‘Wretched Girl.’ But that name was truly meant for Ashley. It’s what *her* birth parents, the Roberts, named her.” My parents and Blake immediately glared at me. Ashley’s tears fell even faster. ““*Jian*”… Sister, I know you’re upset with me…” I had no patience for it. I cut her off directly. “Ashley, let’s make a bet. If you score worse than me, how about you take the name ‘“*Jian-nü*”’?” “If I score worse than you, I’ll get out of the Montgomery family.”

No sooner had I spoken than someone shouted: “Time’s up!” Ashley, however, glanced at me, barely concealing the triumph in her eyes. “Sister, so you don’t upset Mom and Dad any further, I accept your bet.” Everyone crowded behind Ashley, impatiently waiting for her to check her scores. The viewers on the live stream also stopped spamming, waiting in silent anticipation for the results. However, Ashley’s score kept loading, loading, loading. Suddenly, the entire house went dark. Only the glow from Ashley’s computer screen remained. “A power outage? No wonder the internet’s so bad!” Blake’s angry voice boomed, “What’s going on? Why is the power out? Send someone to check the lines now!” Ashley’s computer, without internet, continued to spin its loading circle. In the darkness, someone muttered, “The Montgomery villa has never had a power outage before. Could it be *her* doing?” “Now that you mention it, it makes sense! If you’re scared, don’t talk big!” I pursed my lips. I told them before that the circuit had issues, but they didn’t believe me. Now they were blaming me. Soon, someone reported, “Sir, Madam, there’s a slight issue with the wiring.” Blake became agitated again. “If there’s a problem, fix it! How many minutes will it take?” The person stammered, “Five minutes.” Blake barked, “You have three minutes!” Even in the dark, I could feel impatient stares on me. ““*Jian-nü*,” do you really have to pull so many stunts?” “Are you that desperate for attention that you’d resort to this?” It was Blake’s voice. I rolled my eyes. “We could just check on our phones! You’re the ones who insisted on using the computer!” “This is so you’ll admit defeat, and so the live stream viewers know not everyone in the Montgomery family is as shameless as you!” “You have no proof, so why are you barking like a dog?” I retorted, annoyed. Blake was about to speak again when the power suddenly came back on. Ashley’s page was still lagging. “Scores are out! English 121, Math 104, History 130, Physics 79, Chemistry 80, Biology 83, Total 597!” Those who hadn’t seen it yet gasped. Because, given Ashley’s usual genius persona, she couldn’t possibly score so low. “Not Miss Ashley, it’s just someone in the live stream whose scores came out. I just read it aloud.” The next second, the reporter quickly apologized. “My apologies, it’s an old habit, reading the comments!” Everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Ashley’s hand, clutching the mouse, began to tremble. The next second, the page refreshed! Everyone stared at Ashley’s computer. “The scores are out! This time, it’s really Miss Ashley’s scores!” someone shouted. *That’s it?* I thought to myself. I’d expected Ashley’s scores to be invisible or something. Someone read out her scores: “English 132, Math 140, History 141, Physics 80, Chemistry 85, Biology 86, Total 664!” Ashley’s face instantly turned ugly. She refreshed repeatedly, unwilling to believe those were her scores. The Montgomerys were initially in disbelief too, but quickly adjusted, comforting her: “Ashley, you did great! We heard this year’s exam was really tough.” Blake, meanwhile, blamed everything on me. ““*Jian-nü*,” if you hadn’t come back, Ashley wouldn’t have been distracted and scored poorly.” The live stream also began to doubt. “Didn’t they say she was a genius girl? While that score is high for me, it’s not exactly ‘genius’ material, is it?” “If even the genius girl scored this low, then *Jian-nü* must have done even worse, right?” The moment Ashley looked up, her eyes were red, brimming with tears. “Mom, Dad, Blake, I didn’t do well. I disappointed you. I’ll go pack my things and move out of this house.” No sooner had she spoken than a perfectly timed, sparkling tear rolled down her cheek, making her look utterly pitiful. Richard comforted her, “Ashley, what are you talking about? Even if you scored zero, you’d still be my daughter, a Montgomery!” “Your scores are already excellent. Getting into a good university won’t be a problem.” “It’s Dad’s fault. I shouldn’t have brought that wretched girl back. She affected your performance! How about this, Dad will buy you that island you’ve been eyeing, and you can go relax there with your friends.” Eleanor quickly added, “Ashley, Mom already bought you a twenty-million-dollar diamond necklace. It’ll be delivered soon.” Blake wasn’t to be outdone. “Ashley, I’ll buy you a villa and luxury cars. Don’t be sad!” Thankfully, I’d seen my adoptive parents, the Roberts, play favorites since I was little, so facing this moment, the slight pang of bitterness I felt quickly vanished. Richard’s gaze at me was like looking at a plague. He frowned. ““*Jian-nü*,” before you came back, Ashley always scored over seven hundred!” I pursed my lips. “She’s just not that good.” “You!” Richard exploded in fury. “Even now, you show no remorse! I will not allow you to destroy our family. I see nothing of the Montgomery family’s fine qualities in you. From today, I’m sending you out of this family!” I looked utterly composed. “Why the rush? My scores haven’t been checked yet.” Mocking laughter erupted from the crowd again. “The exam was so hard this time, even Miss Ashley didn’t do well. She must have done even worse!” Blake, as usual, was impatient. “Then check your scores quickly!” I pouted. “Isn’t Ashley checking them already?”

Ashley’s face changed, and she quickly explained, “I was just checking how you did, so I could help you figure out which university you could get into.” I retorted mercilessly, “Caring enough to memorize my exam ID number?” She was choked speechless. The next second, someone burst out laughing: “Zero? How can anyone get a zero? Even if you threw the answer sheet on the ground and stepped on it, you’d get a higher score!” A flash of triumphant smile quickly crossed Ashley’s face. She glanced at the computer, confirmed it, then looked up at me provocatively. “Sister, if you had scored two or three hundred, Mom and Dad might still have thrown money to get you into a university. But you scored zero. Mom and Dad can’t even pay for you to get in.” Too bad she didn’t look closely. My parents’ faces were incredibly grim. “Disgraceful.” Blake seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, watching me with cold eyes. “Send her to a mental hospital.” The live stream chat erupted in cheers. It was as if a farce had finally ended. I understood instantly. So, Blake Montgomery had never scored in the top fifty either. Richard fully agreed with Blake. “Yes, send her to a mental hospital. Don’t let her out until she’s cured.” As he spoke, people quickly moved to my side, ready to take me away. I frowned and spoke up. “Don’t you know that the top fifty scores are initially blocked?” Everyone seemed to freeze for a moment. Then, a chorus of laughter erupted. As if they had never heard anything so funny, they laughed until tears streamed down their faces. “Top fifty? Her? Someone who scored a big fat zero claiming top fifty! Young Master Blake is right, she’s truly lost her mind!” Only my parents and Blake had ashen faces. Ashley’s hostile gaze, which had been fixed on me since I arrived at the Montgomery home, softened into a hint of pity, but mostly the triumph of a victor. She also thought I was crazy. She even thoughtfully comforted my parents. “Mom, Dad, Blake, Sister might have a mental problem. While she’s recovering, I’ll take her place and be even more filial to you.” Richard seemed unable to bear it another second and roared, “Get that ‘“*Jian-nü*”’ to the mental hospital immediately!” “Who dares!” Everyone turned towards the source of the voice. And when I heard that voice, my eyes finally welled up. I, who had never felt wronged until now, suddenly began to feel a belated sense of grievance. And it grew stronger and stronger. “Mom, why are you here?” Richard’s voice even held a hint of fear. Eleanor and Blake, initially flustered, quickly calmed down, their approving gazes falling on Ashley. Eleanor said, “Mom, I was going to have someone inform you of Ashley’s scores. You shouldn’t have had to come yourself.” “But this child certainly didn’t disappoint us.” Ashley looked somewhat overwhelmed but flattered, sweetly calling out, “Grandma, I just checked my scores, 664 points.” There was even a hint of pride in her tone. Grandma Margaret Montgomery coolly swept her gaze over them. She sat down on the sofa and beckoned me to her side. I immediately ran over. “Who are you sending to a mental hospital?” Her voice, though not angry, held an undeniable authority. My parents chuckled awkwardly. “Mom, it’s one thing that *Jian-nü*’s scores are terrible, but she’s spouting nonsense, not a single truthful word. We suspect she’s gone mad, so we thought of sending her to a mental hospital for treatment.” ““*Jian-nü*?”” Grandma Margaret looked directly at Richard, repeating the name. Richard opened his mouth, then belatedly realized, unable to speak, fine beads of sweat already appearing on his forehead. Blake stepped forward, appearing to champion justice. “Grandma, it’s not Dad’s fault for not changing *Jian*… my sister’s name. It’s just that it was so close to the SATs, and we were busy worrying about Ashley, we didn’t have time to change it.” My parents quickly chimed in, “Yes.” Grandma Margaret looked at Ashley, then at my parents, a look of disappointment in her eyes. She caressed my hand, but I shook my head, indicating I was fine. Before, only my high school homeroom teacher cared for me. Now, with Grandma Margaret, it was my good fortune. “Excuse me, is this the Montgomery residence?” A few people walked in, asking. After confirming, those individuals immediately locked onto my parents, and after saying, “Congratulations on your daughter becoming the top scorer in the state,” they eagerly introduced themselves:

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“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight’s main event is about to begin!” “Any gentleman here who can guess Miss Chloe’s measurements can take her home for the night! There’s no limit to how many can guess correctly!” Serena turned to look at me, a smirk playing on her lips. Before the words even faded, men, like hungry wolves, roared and lunged at me. Dozens of hands clawed and groped at my body, mercilessly tearing at my dress. I frantically clutched at my chest, trying to shield myself. “Damian, please, don’t let them do this!” I cried out, looking at Damian, but he stood by Serena’s side, completely unconcerned, not even flinching. Damian was the heir to a powerful fortune, and my husband of three years. Three days after our wedding, he took me to a plastic surgery clinic. He held up a photo, pointing at it as he spoke to the doctor. “I want her to look exactly like the woman in this picture. Understand?” Then he turned to me, his face devoid of emotion. “Chloe Evans, a slight resemblance isn’t enough for me.” The woman in the photo was Serena Lewis, the unobtainable love of Damian’s life. Years ago, she’d left him at their wedding, chasing her so-called ‘true love’ to the other side of the globe. And I, simply because I bore a faint resemblance to Serena, was forced to become a stand-in bride. He promised to cover my mom’s astronomical medical bills. For that, I had to break up with Liam Foster, my childhood sweetheart. Three years into this marriage, I was no longer Chloe Evans. I was like a puppet on strings, forbidden from having thoughts of my own. I was expected to imitate everything about Serena: her every gesture, her every smile, her fashion style, her daily habits. Even the most intimate moments between a husband and wife had to be just like hers. If I copied her well, Damian would accuse me of dreaming of replacing Serena. If I didn’t do it well enough, he’d find new ways to punish me. On the first day of our marriage, Damian told me, “From now on, you will learn her tone of voice, her laugh, her preferences—everything. You will learn it all. Do you understand?” “Why…?” I asked, my voice filled with resentment. He grabbed my wrist, his eyes icy. “Because you are Serena’s substitute. Turning yourself into her is the only reason you exist!” In the days that followed, Damian used every method he could to try and transform me into Serena. “Serena calls me with such tenderness, why do you have no emotion at all?” Damian pinched my chin, his fingers almost digging into my cheek. “Did I marry a robot? Are you even a woman?” I opened my mouth, but only a dry, raspy sound came out. He made me practice countless times, but I could never satisfy him. In the steamy bathroom, he picked up his phone. The screen showed a video of Serena dancing. “Put this on.” He tossed a lace slip dress onto me. “Dance exactly like that.” “But… I can’t…” I whispered, trying to object. “Then learn! If you don’t dance well, don’t even think about sleeping tonight!” He cut me off impatiently, his voice leaving no room for negotiation. I changed into the dress and stood amidst the swirling steam, clumsily imitating the movements from the video. Raising my hand, kicking my leg – every action felt stiff and awkward. Damian leaned back on the sofa, watching me with an amused, mocking look. “Chloe Evans, you’re truly… ugh, a pathetic attempt to mimic her, and frankly, it’s disgusting.” Humiliation made my eyes burn, but I didn’t dare retort. My mom still needed her medical treatment. One day, Damian suddenly tossed a shoe box at me. “Put these on and come with me to the party. Hurry up, don’t keep me waiting.” He actually bought me shoes and wanted to take me to a party? After being married for so long, he had never acknowledged me in public, nor had he ever taken me to any social events. For a moment, I was overwhelmed, cautiously opening the box. Inside was a pair of diamond-encrusted high heels. “They’re beautiful. Are they… for me?” I looked at him, disbelief in my voice. “Stop asking stupid questions. Just put them on.” But when I saw the nearly four-inch stiletto heels, my jaw dropped. I never wore high heels, let alone ones this tall. I looked at Damian, troubled. “Damian, these heels are too high. I really… I can’t wear them.” “Chloe Evans, look at yourself. Do you have an ounce of elegance befitting a woman from a wealthy family? Does your image even deserve to stand next to me, Damian Hayes? You’re not even fit to tie Serena’s shoes.” “You’re wearing these shoes today,” Damian commanded. So, I hobbled along with him to the party in those four-inch heels. During the event, someone called me Mrs. Hayes. To my shock, Damian’s face turned cold. “Remember, call her Miss Evans.” I forced an awkward smile, wanting the ground to swallow me whole. Damian wouldn’t even give me a proper title. By the time the party was over, my ankles were ridiculously swollen, and my toes and heels were raw and bleeding. The pain was excruciating. But Damian wasn’t satisfied with my performance. As soon as we got home, he dragged me into the bathroom, turning the shower on full blast, drenching me in cold water. “Your behavior today was incredibly disappointing. Don’t you dare forget your place just because someone calls you Mrs. Hayes. Don’t even dream of replacing Serena. You are nothing to me.” His voice was low and dangerous, his hand clutching my throat. “Do you know how to make up for it?” “Strip,” he commanded. I looked at him in horror. “Damian, no, please…” If the verbal humiliation and physical punishments had already made me numb, what came next was truly degrading. “Heh, Chloe Evans, why are you pretending to be so innocent in front of me? You’re just an object I own.” Damian forcefully ripped off all my clothes. I stood there, naked and humiliated, before him. I turned my head, trying desperately not to let the tears fall, but Damian wouldn’t even grant me that small dignity. He grabbed my hands, which were covering my chest, and pinned them above my head, pressing me tightly against the wall. “Call me Daddy!” he whispered in my ear, his breathing growing heavier, his other hand roaming relentlessly over my body. The shower continued to pour, drenching both of us, but Damian seemed oblivious to the cold. He was treating me like Serena again. I closed my eyes, pressing my lips together. When I didn’t respond for a long time, Damian suddenly kissed me, tearing at my lips with force. Just as I thought I couldn’t breathe, he released me. “Right. A woman like you, how could you ever make a sound like Serena?” He continued to roughly rub my body, mocking me all the while. “Ah, Damian, you’re hurting me…” I finally couldn’t help but let out a whimper. “Who gave you permission to call my name? I said Daddy, Dad-dy, understand?” His grip tightened, and I couldn’t bear it any longer. I had no choice but to give in. “Daddy…!” But Damian didn’t stop. Instead, he became even more aggressive, deliberately targeting my sensitive spots. He didn’t forget to taunt me with a disgusted tone. “Your voice is truly awful. Not even a fraction as good as Serena’s.” He tormented me again and again, ignoring my pleas, until I couldn’t get out of bed the next day. He said it was my punishment. Afterward, he would gently caress my face. “Serena, I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” He always tormented me in bed, all the while calling out Serena’s name. And I? I was nothing more than an outlet for his unrequited desire.

Not only did I have to endure Damian’s humiliation, but I was also constantly harassed by his crony, Chad Miller. One day, not long after Damian left, the doorbell rang. Chad stood outside, a lecherous grin plastered on his face. “Well, Mrs. Hayes, all alone at home, are we?” He tilted his head, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. “Damian’s not here. Do you need something?” I asked coldly, my hand still on the doorframe, ready to shut it. “Can’t a guy just drop by to see you?” He took a step forward, forcefully pushing his way inside. “Get out.” I pointed to the door. “Don’t be so cold.” He chuckled, moving closer and reaching out to touch my face. “Mr. Miller, have some respect!” I quickly backed away, my voice icy. “If you don’t stop, I’ll call for help.” “Call for help? Who are you going to call?” He scoffed. “This house belongs to Damian, you know. The staff? I already sent them away. Tsk, tsk. I heard Damian say you’re always failing to satisfy him. So I came specifically to help him ‘train’ you.” With that, he suddenly lunged, grabbing my wrist. “Where should I start?” His eyes roamed over my body, restless and invasive. One hand was already reaching for my clothes. “Let go of me!” I struggled fiercely, but his grip was too strong; I couldn’t break free. “Why are you acting so high and mighty?” He leaned down, his breath hot against my face, his lips almost touching mine. “Damian is willing to share everything with his buddies, including women.” His laughter sickened me. Even though I knew Damian didn’t love me, I was still his wife. I couldn’t believe he would allow this to happen. Chad’s hand slid inside my dress. Just as he was about to exert more force, I bit down hard on his arm. “Ah!” He cried out in pain, releasing me and glaring at me. “You little bitch, you’ve got some fight in you!” Before he could react, I grabbed the vase from the table and hurled it at him. *CRASH!* The vase shattered on the floor, fragments scattering everywhere. “You crazy psycho!” He dodged awkwardly, pointing at me furiously. “You just wait, I’ll get you back for this!” With that, he turned and slammed the door as he left. When Damian returned, I told him what had happened. He frowned, but his tone held a hint of impatience. “Why are you always provoking him?” “Provoking him?” I was stunned. “He broke in!” “If you hadn’t flirted with him, would he have acted that way? Go and reflect on yourself. You’re not eating dinner tonight. And besides, he’s my brother. We’ve always shared everything, including women.” Damian sneered, his eyes filled with suspicion and disgust. Their words were identical. So, he really had given his silent consent. From that moment on, the last shred of hope I held for him vanished completely.

I never thought Serena would return one day, or that Damian would push me into an abyss for her. “Damian, darling, I heard you found a stand-in. I’m so sorry, you must have had it tough these past three years. I’ll make it up to you.” Serena’s voice was cloyingly sweet. Damian, however, seemed to relish it. “Serena, it’s enough that you’re back.” With that, they embraced and kissed as if I wasn’t even there. After a while, Serena suddenly feigned surprise. “Oh, Damian, darling, we completely forgot Miss Evans is still here!” “She’s not important. Just pretend she’s air,” Damian said, glancing at me with a look of disdain. “I heard Damian has been training you every day? He wants you to become me? Hmph, you’re clearly out of your depth. Damian, darling, this cheap imitation is terrible, she doesn’t look anything like me!” Serena batted her eyelashes at me, playfully tugging on Damian’s arm. “Don’t be angry, Serena. It’s only because you left, and I missed you so terribly, that I reluctantly found a stand-in. How could a woman like her ever compare to you?” Yes, a woman like me was just a clown, meant for their amusement. Seeing me stand there in silence, Serena immediately put on a wronged expression. “Damian, darling, look at her sour face. Doesn’t she welcome me back? Maybe I should just leave.” Damian immediately slapped me, warning me, “Chloe Evans, Serena is the true mistress of this house. You’d better be polite to her, or I have countless ways to deal with you. Go, get Serena a glass of water, then pack her luggage.” “Oh, Damian, darling, don’t hit her for my sake. Besides, Miss Evans isn’t my maid. Look, she’s so pitiful.” “It’s her blessing to be your maid.” Serena intimately linked her arm through Damian’s, resting her head on his shoulder, proudly asserting her dominance over me. Damian, since your beloved Serena is back, then let me go! Watching them walk away, I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms. Ever since Serena returned, Damian didn’t even bother with pretenses. They were openly intimate in front of me, even leaving the doors open, deliberately making me listen to them. Serena’s cries made my face burn, and Damian’s heavy breathing made me want to flee. Afterward, Serena would look at me with a smug, triumphant expression, then feign regret. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Miss Evans! I forgot you were still at home! Damian, darling, aren’t we being too naughty? Miss Evans will be sad!” “She’s not important, Serena. As long as you’re happy!” Damian wrapped his arm around Serena, not even sparing me a glance. “Damian, since Miss Lewis is back, let’s get a divorce. I wish you and Miss Lewis happiness.” Three years. I couldn’t bear to stay in this place for another day. I couldn’t endure this humiliating life for another moment. Just as I expected Damian to agree without hesitation, he shockingly smashed a glass. “Chloe Evans, you want to leave? Don’t you dare dream of it. You’ll die in my house, even if it’s over my dead body.” I didn’t understand. If he didn’t love me and despised me so much, why wouldn’t he let me go? Was it just to continue humiliating me? Serena clearly hadn’t expected Damian’s reaction. She glared at me fiercely, then turned and walked away, linking her arm with Damian.

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On the day of our holiday family gathering, my wife, Vivian Hayes, with whom I had signed a prenuptial agreement stipulating a 10,000x payback of my assets if she cheated, took her young assistant, Liam Foster, to my private vineyard. She claimed Liam was away from his family and she wanted to make him feel truly welcome and cherished. So she lavished billions on him right there, splashing out money just to see him smile. As their emotions deepened, fueled by the cheers of the crowd, they linked arms and shared an intimate toast. My assistant sent me a screenshot from Liam Foster’s SnapChat story: “You truly become yourself when you meet the right person.” In the photo, the look in Vivian Hayes’ eyes as she gazed at him was brimming with an unadulterated affection, a fervent tenderness I hadn’t seen in five long years. I smirked, then casually froze her supplementary credit card – the one with a hundred billion dollar limit. “Honey, I’m doing a team-building event with my staff. Why isn’t my card working?” she called, her voice tight. “Everyone’s watching. Don’t make me look bad.” I replied calmly, “Ms. Hayes, have you forgotten who you are?” She hesitated for a moment. “Honey, don’t joke around with me. You’ll spoil everyone’s fun.” “Oh, really? If you love drinking so much, then live stream yourself chugging every bottle in the vineyard. I’ll unfreeze the card instantly.” A minute passed. She hadn’t taken a single sip. I sent her a trending news headline instead: “Hayes Group’s Hundred-Billion-Dollar Company Declared Bankrupt.” Since she loved splurging billions on her little assistant, I figured she should experience a thousandfold payback first!

As Wall Street reeled from a hundred-billion-dollar company collapsing in an instant, Vivian Hayes FaceTimed me. “Honey, stop messing with me! There are tens of thousands of bottles here. How can I possibly drink them all? It’ll kill me!” She looked pleading, yet utterly helpless. I chuckled. “I’ll ask just one question: Drink? Or not drink?” “You only have one minute, by the way! After all, people always have to pay for their actions…” I hadn’t even finished speaking when she hung up. Soon, her colleagues who were there sent me a video. In it, Vivian Hayes picked up bottle after bottle of red wine from the table, chugging them down like tap water. In another corner of the video, the white t-shirt boy was frantically yelling “Don’t drink!” looking ready to fight the person who forced Vivian to drink. With a cold scoff, I grabbed my bag and headed to the vineyard. On the way, my colleagues kept sending me messages. “Mr. Thorne, Ms. Hayes has already had thirteen bottles. Is she really okay?” “Her little assistant is over there, crying pathetically. It’s so annoying! Who does he think he is? I just want to slap him!” “Mr. Thorne, Liam Foster’s resignation letter is ready. When should we notify him?” “Some women get a little power and really start to believe they’re untouchable. Can’t wait to see her downfall!” I let out a soft laugh. It wasn’t that I absolutely had to confront her face-to-face. After all, I rake in millions every minute. She’s not worth even a second of my time. But people have to pay for their mistakes. And this whole spectacle wouldn’t be complete without me, would it? I pushed open the door and walked toward Vivian Hayes, who was sprawled on the couch, clearly drunk. My colleagues, seeing me, nervously tried to pull her up. She irritably shook them off. “What do you want!?” I watched as she lifted her head, her eyes flashing with resentment for a split second before it morphed into a desperate plea. “Honey, is that enough…? I’ve had twenty bottles.” Seeing Vivian’s pathetic act, I squatted down, gripping her chin. With my thumb and forefinger, I forced her lips into a smile. “What’s wrong, darling? Not having fun drinking? Smile for me, or someone might think I, Alexander Thorne, am mistreating you.” Vivian turned her head away in humiliation. I roughly twisted her chin back. “What, already feeling sorry for yourself? Weren’t you having such a blast with that intimate toast earlier?” Vivian opened her mouth, as if to explain, but ultimately said nothing. “You, how could you treat your wife like that? Don’t you see how drunk Ms. Hayes is? Just because you’re rich, you think you can insult people however you want?!” “Hey! Say something!” Liam, in his white tee and jeans, his eyes red-rimmed, puffed up his chest, trying to act tough as he shielded Vivian behind him. I smirked dismissively. But I ignored him, my gaze fixed on Vivian Hayes, who had stopped drinking and turned to meet my eyes. “What? You want to stand up for him?!” Vivian’s eyes were unreadable. She paused, then picked up another bottle of wine and chugged most of it down in one go. A cold smile played on my lips as I slanted a glance at the boy. Our eyes met, and he took two steps back. But then something seemed to click in his mind, and he angrily retorted, “What? Am I wrong? Who treats their wife like this? You have no sympathy!” I laughed, walking toward him step by step. With each step I took, he retreated one, until he was backed against the wall, nowhere left to go. I stood over him, laughing condescendingly. “What? So you *do* know this is someone else’s wife, huh? So, how does it feel to spend someone else’s money?” Liam’s eyes were red, as if he’d suffered a grave insult. He threw his head back and yelled at me, “You, don’t you dare slander me and Vivian! We’re just colleagues. Your own mind is dirty, that’s why everything you see is dirty!” “No wonder Vivian never wants to come home. You’re so controlling and domineering, what woman could stand it?” “Shut up!” Vivian, no longer feigning drunkenness, snapped sharply. I chuckled softly. “Vivian Hayes, so this is the kind of trash you fall for?” “Being brainless is one thing, but he’d look embarrassing as a mere office decoration. Your taste has really hit rock bottom.” Vivian looked up at me, her eyes filled with anxiety. “Honey, I know I was wrong, but there’s really nothing between me and him.” Before she could finish, I chuckled softly. “Don’t bother. I don’t have time for your nonsense. Finish all these drinks and be home by eleven tonight.” On the drive home, the scenery outside the car window flashed by. I never thought things with Vivian Hayes would become so ugly. Five years ago, she came to interview at my company. She wore a simple white dress, elegant and pure, standing out brightly in the crowd. In just three months, she went from one of over a hundred interns to a full-time employee and then my trusted assistant in one go. But she always did things for me that went beyond work, gestures that were thoughtful yet never crossed a line. She’d always have an extra umbrella for me during the rainy season, remembered every tiny preference I had, and would even mischievously give me candy on Children’s Day. Then, when I turned 25, my family started pressuring me. I was about to enter a marriage alliance with another prominent family. She blushed, stammering, “Mr. Thorne, I know I’m not good enough for you, but I’m afraid if I don’t say some things now, I’ll never have the chance…” “Mr. Thorne… can you wait for me? Wait until I can stand beside you as your equal someday…” Honestly, I was indifferent. High-society alliances, after all, are nothing more than mutually beneficial arrangements. But the young woman’s blushing confession did genuinely move me. However, as the CEO of a trillion-dollar empire, a little bit of emotional stirring didn’t stop me from making her sign a prenuptial agreement. If she ever went back on her word, if she ever cheated on me. Then every penny I spent on her would have to be repaid tenfold. For the next three years, I propelled her from behind the scenes to the forefront. I gave her a net worth of hundreds of billions, and her brother became a massively popular movie star. The Hayes family enjoyed unprecedented glory, their influence unmatched. Everyone greeted her with respect, calling her “Ms. Hayes.” But some things, when acquired too easily, don’t seem to be a good thing. It was 10:50 PM when Vivian Hayes sent another message. “Honey, I’m closing a deal. I’ll be home late.” I scoffed, indifferently going back to my work. “Martha, did you just make hangover soup? Pour it out!” That night, a colleague sent me a screenshot of Liam’s SnapChat story. “At 4 AM, I saw the crabapple blossoms were still awake.” The accompanying picture was a selfie of Liam, in dim light, with Vivian’s wedding ring reflected in a swirling glass of red wine. Immediately after, a friend sent me a video. Vivian, with Liam and a large group of her friends, clinking glasses and having a wild time at a private club. “Isn’t that your Vivian? She’s really soaring these days!” “Mr. Thorne, are you losing your touch with your wife?” I couldn’t help but laugh dryly. These two, either their combined IQ couldn’t hit triple digits, or they were openly rubbing my face in the dirt. They clearly knew that club was owned by my friend. They clearly knew I’d warned her to be home by eleven. Vivian Hayes, I gave you a chance. You just didn’t cherish it. I sneered, opened my SnapChat chat with Vivian, and casually unpinned her from the top of my contacts. “Ms. Hayes, you’re getting quite bold now.” Two minutes passed. No reply. I asked my assistant, “Did she check her phone?” “She glanced at it, then put it face down on the table.” I let out a sharp laugh. When did Vivian Hayes learn to play hide-and-seek with me? “Evading problems won’t solve them, Ms. Hayes. Don’t you understand that?” Casually, I had my assistant send her brother’s script termination notice, along with the Hayes Group acquisition agreement. “Alexander Thorne, you’ve gone too far!” She FaceTimed me directly, her face flushed, brows furrowed. I slowly sipped my red wine. “Heh, this is ‘too far’? Vivian Hayes, is this your first day knowing me?” I set my phone aside and slowly said, “I’m a little unhappy today.” “I’ll give you two choices. Either live-stream yourself slapping your own face, and while you’re at it, call yourself a home-wrecker – make sure you hit hard enough that everyone, even the stray dogs on the street, hears it. Let me check the time… It’s 11:20 PM, isn’t it? If it goes over 1200 seconds, then that’s 1200 slaps.” “Or, you can make that man get on stage right now and perform a striptease.” “Just do one, to cheer me up, okay?”

Friends kept sending me videos recorded live from the White Lily Club. Liam Foster, truly looking like a delicate, wilting flower. His afternoon white tee and jeans were replaced with skimpy clothing, just a few silver chains barely covering his body. He cowered on the stage, his face full of resentment, yet he had no choice but to comply. The audience below went wild. The audience, used to bold, hot male models, were absolutely electrified by this starkly contrasting performance, their restless souls wildly agitated. “Do you know who’s on stage? Ms. Hayes from Hayes Group’s toy boy!” “Apparently, the real boss caught them red-handed, and that’s how we got this amazing show!” “Holy cow, Mr. Thorne, you’ve got quite the entertainment lined up! My club’s revenue today is going to double!” my friend excitedly messaged me. “This is just the beginning.” The next second, I told my assistant to go to the club and scatter a billion dollars on the spot. The entire club floor was covered in red cash, like heaven. “Liam Foster’s dance was great today. Mr. Thorne is in a good mood, so let everyone have some fun.” The cheers from the crowd were deafening, enough to blow the roof off. “Mr. Thorne is a legend! Happier than winning the lottery, that’s what this is!” “But Alex, are you really okay?” my friend asked, a hint of worry in his voice. I scoffed. “You call this ‘something’?” Half an hour later, Vivian Hayes returned, her face haggard, a cold, defeated expression etched on her features. “Alexander Thorne, are you satisfied now?” I held my red wine, scrutinizing this broken, haggard woman, and shook my head. I scoffed and walked directly into the bedroom. “Alexander Thorne, I’m truly so disappointed in you! I never thought you’d treat a young man fresh out of college like this!” “He’s so naive and kind. How will he ever be able to hold his head high after being publicly humiliated by you like that?” Through the closed door, every word of Vivian Hayes’ voice was laced with resentment. I opened the door and leaned against the frame, watching the woman who claimed to have loved me for five years, now gritting her teeth and questioning me with hatred. Instead of getting angry, I laughed. “Naive?” “Vivian Hayes, tell me, is there any part of you that he hasn’t touched? And you call him ‘naive’?” Vivian’s face flushed instantly. “Are you listening to rumors again? Alexander Thorne, I know many people in the company are loyal to you, but do you have absolutely no trust in your own wife?” “Hmph, trust?” “You were practically sleeping with him right in front of my damn face. What? If there’s no evidence, it doesn’t count as cheating, right?” “Well, I’ll tell you what. I just don’t f***ing like him, alright?!” Seeing my indifferent expression, Vivian clenched her fists, wanting to say something, but ultimately remaining silent. “And another thing, Vivian Hayes. If you had reached where you are today purely by your own merit, even if you kept a hundred toy boys outside, you’d still be my wife when you came home. But now, you’re taking my money and spending it on other men? Whose face are you slapping now?” As I spoke, I walked up to her, looking up at her eyes, which, though showing faint lines, were still beautiful. *Pat, pat, pat.* I lightly slapped her cheek, a faint smile on my face. As if suddenly realizing something, she tensed. “Alex, you wouldn’t…” I turned around and took a stack of photos from my bag. “Yes, exactly what you’re thinking.” “Look, they’re all lining up to be Mrs. Thorne. Looks, figure, education – which one isn’t better than you? And they know how to please, they’re good in bed.” “More importantly, they’re all younger than you.” With that, I gave a pitying glance at her increasingly fatigued face. Vivian Hayes deflated like a punctured balloon. “If it weren’t for the fact that you’re my wife, heh.” At the bottom of the stack of photos was that prenuptial agreement, the one with the ten thousand times payback clause. “What happened with your brother and your dad was just a warning. You should know that if I can take you from having nothing to becoming Ms. Hayes, a woman everyone gives face to, I can also make you…” I didn’t say the last few words, just gave her another scrutinizing look. And that single glance caused Vivian Hayes to suddenly lunge into my arms. “Honey, I’m sorry, I… I’ve just been under too much stress lately.” “But I really didn’t cheat. I, I’ve always loved you…” The moment she embraced me, the scent of alcohol, cigarettes, and cheap men’s cologne from her overwhelmed me. A violent wave of nausea surged through me. I pushed her away, perhaps a little too forcefully. She stumbled, hitting the doorknob, but I felt no pity. “Vivian Hayes, why do you think I’d believe a word you say?” *Thud.* Vivian suddenly knelt down. *Slap, slap, slap, slap…* Left cheek, then right cheek, she kept slapping herself. In that instant, I felt absolutely nothing. I got up and walked directly to my study. Only when I opened the door did I turn my head, my tone serious for the last time. “You don’t need to put on this act for me. I’m busy. But I am seriously informing you: this is the first and last time between us. I won’t give you another chance. Think carefully.” “Think about how you got to where you are today. And then give me a satisfactory answer tomorrow.” The next day, Vivian Hayes fired Liam Foster in front of the entire company. Liam walked out of the company, clutching a cardboard box, tears welling in his eyes, resentment clear in their depths. “Oh, isn’t that the guy who tried to climb into bed to get ahead? What, found another rich woman?”

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My best friend stole all the condoms from the supermarket and vanished. When I saw her again, she was the Queen of Beasts. She was scantily clad, with several male beasts lounging at her feet. She pointed at one of them, a generous smirk playing on her lips. “This one’s quite the catch, strong and… exceptionally talented. I’m only letting him go for you, Chloe. Consider it a sacrifice for our friendship.” I recoiled in horror. “No, no, thank you! I’m here mainly to find *you*!” Male Beast #1 growled, “Brothers, this woman’s here to steal our Queen!” Male Beast #2 added, “Someone get this woman! Throw her to the wild wolves!” Then, ignoring my pleas, disregarding my very life, she turned back to her beasts, resuming their wild, chaotic ‘games’. And I was left trembling, abandoned in the wolves’ territory… Three years ago, my best friend Seraphina and I went on vacation and each bought a matching charm bracelet. Strangely, after we returned, my life started getting better and better, while hers plummeted. She became weak, constantly muttering nonsense. “Chloe, I don’t want to live anymore.” I quickly clamped my hand over her mouth. “Woah, no! Don’t say such morbid things. We’re fine!” She tugged at the charm bracelet on her wrist, a strange, possessive attachment in her eyes. My heart lurched. Could that bracelet be affecting her? I told her to throw it away, but her reaction was abnormally intense! “No! You haven’t thrown yours away, so why are you telling me what to do?” She glanced at the supermarket behind me, then walked away thoughtfully. At the time, I just thought she was in a bad mood. I never imagined that a few days later, when I opened the supermarket doors, all the household goods and food were gone, even the condoms. Hundreds of thousands in losses, and the security cameras didn’t capture a thing. Even stranger, there were no signs of forced entry, not a single footprint or fingerprint. The police concluded it was an inside job and started investigating everyone around me. Just then, Seraphina’s mom suddenly found me, weeping. “Chloe, have you seen Seraphina?! She’s gone!” My heart pounded. Remembering Seraphina’s words and seeing the ransacked supermarket, a terrible feeling washed over me. Something was definitely wrong. I took my bracelet to Sage Elias. He examined it, his eyes wide with shock. “Where did you get this?” I told him everything, and he sighed deeply. “These are Twin Beast God Bracelets. One brings luck, the other brings romance. If I’m not mistaken, your missing friend is no longer in the human world!” I gasped. “Seraphina’s dead?” Sage Elias wagged his index finger. “NO. She’s in heat. She disappeared to the Beast World to find male beasts!”

I patted my chest in relief. Thank heavens she wasn’t dead! But then I caught myself. “What? The Beast World! How do I get her back?” “Difficult,” Sage Elias sighed, his thumb and forefinger rubbing together meaningfully. “Unless… well, unless the right ‘opportunity’ presents itself.” My face darkened. I placed a stack of cash on the table, and the Sage’s face broke into a wide smile. “That bracelet Seraphina has? It’s made of fourteen beads, each representing a male beast from their world. For three long years, those beasts have rotated through her dreams, coupling with her. Their destinies are sealed, Chloe. To save her, she has to be willing to cut ties and return to the human world herself!” I was confident I could convince her. “Seraphina will come back with me. Who would like wild beasts, anyway?” Sage Elias smiled a deep, knowing smile. “Hard to say, hard to say!” I also asked about the supermarket theft. Sage Elias yawned. “Well, Seraphina had no dowry, did she? Going to a whole new world, she had to make some… arrangements.” I was astonished that she could have moved so much merchandise all by herself, without a sound. Sage Elias rolled his eyes. “That’s because she had fourteen husbands helping her!” Sage Elias said I had a “connection” with him. As I left, he gave me one last piece of advice. “Little lady, if you go to the Beast World, remember to bring some food that animals like. It might save your life!” I went back to my empty supermarket, on the verge of tears. Ugh, only a few bags of dog food left in the corner. I guess I’ll take these! I had no idea then that this dog food would not only save my life but also change it completely. The Beast World was still a matriarchal society. Although I was female, the problem was I was human. Sage Elias threw me into a primeval forest in the Beast World. I walked for three days until I finally saw two wild bears. Two bear-headed, human-bodied beasts, their lower halves joined front-to-back, their bodies constantly thrusting. Ugh… I think I just interrupted something. As I lifted my foot to turn away, a bear’s roar ripped through the air, and then a huge paw slowly swung towards me. I’m screwed! Looks like this is where I die today. I squatted on the ground, covering my head, waiting to be flattened into a meat patty. “Huh? Isn’t this the Queen’s bracelet?” At the crucial moment, a she-bear, adjusting her shorts, stepped over, her pointed fingers picking up my bracelet. Both bears looked at me with suspicious eyes. “Tell us, how did you get the Queen’s bracelet? Did you steal it?” I quickly tugged at my torn clothes. “Please, Bear Sires, you’ve got it all wrong! I just arrived, lost in this forest for three days. I have no idea about any Queen’s bracelet!” The two bears didn’t believe me. “This is a treasure only the Queen of Beasts possesses! You little thief, now confess!” Mr. Clawson raised his hairy paw to hit me again, and I wanted to cry. “Please, Sires, calm your rage! This bracelet, besides mine, my best friend has one too. Perhaps she’s your Queen.” As soon as I said that, Mrs. Clawson burst out laughing. “Hahaha, that’s hilarious! You? You think *you* could be worthy?!” The two bears scoffed as if they’d heard the funniest joke, mocking me while boasting about how amazing their Queen was. “Our Queen is a rare beauty in the Beast World, a high-and-mighty human girl! What’s a tiny Dog Tribe like you?” “Dog Tribe? What?!” I pointed at my nose. “Me? Dog Tribe? Sires, are you mistaken? I’m also a high-and-mighty human, just like you said!” The two bears snorted, crossing their arms, pointing at my shadow on the ground. “Hmph, just look at the Sun God. He’s showing your true form! Stop pretending to be human!” The sun was directly overhead. I looked down, and sure enough, the short black shadow in front of me looked exactly like a dog! Its two ears even wiggled. I stared, wide-eyed in disbelief, but every time I moved, the dog’s shadow moved with me, identical movements. I shrieked. “Ahhh! Help! Why am I a dog?!”

No matter how much I explained, Mr. and Mrs. Clawson didn’t believe me. They treated me like a slave and even planned to make me marry the Wolf Prince in place of their daughter. I grumbled about how different species couldn’t possibly intermarry, but Grizzly Clawson glared at me. “Your Dog Tribe and those savage Wolf Tribe are considered the same kind! This marriage isn’t a hardship for you.” I squatted in the corner, utterly wronged. “If it’s no hardship, why don’t *you* go?!” Grizzly Clawson sneered. “How could a noble Clawson maiden like me marry that poor, dull Wolf Tribe?” I got annoyed. “You’re a noble Clawson maiden, and I’m a noble Queen’s best friend!” Grizzly Clawson rolled her eyes. “Laughable! If you were the Queen’s best friend, I’d shave all my fur off and make you shoes!” That’s a good idea, I told her to wait. She said the Wolf Prince was handsome and brave, and that I should just wait obediently to marry him, dismissing everything else as wishful thinking. Ha, she really thought I was stupid. I’d been in the Beast World long enough to hear plenty of rumors. After the Beast Queen took charge, the Wolf Tribe, serving as border generals, had always been loyal. But recently, due to political disagreements with the Queen, the Wolf Tribe was stripped of their military titles and their home ransacked. The Queen’s methods were ruthless; she banished their entire tribe to the barren desert. The Clawson Tribe, seeing the Wolf Tribe’s decline, became fence-sitters. But they also wanted to leave themselves a backdoor, which is why they came up with the idea of a substitute marriage. They must have lost their minds! Not only did they think I was blind, but did they really think a giant ‘woof-woof’ like me could pass for a human bride, and the Wolf Tribe wouldn’t notice? But my purpose here was to rescue my best friend, Seraphina. In this world of survival of the fittest, I could only pretend to agree for now. I behaved obediently for a while, and when the Clawson family saw me quiet down, they began preparing my dowry. But all they prepared were wild boar bones from the forest, and unknown animal droppings made into ‘poop candy’. Even the blanket was shaped like a dog bed. I ground my teeth in anger but had to comply. Because I looked at the map, the wedding procession would pass the Queen’s palace. All I could do for now was endure. Seraphina, wait for me. I will surely save you and bring you back to the human world! My luck was surprisingly good. Before the wedding procession even reached the palace, we heard that the Queen had left for an inspection tour. I just didn’t expect to see Seraphina again in such a shocking manner. She was wearing a two-piece swimsuit, stolen from *my* supermarket, lounging on a high platform. A shaggy lion lay at her feet, and behind her, a spider beast had conjured several hands to massage her shoulders and legs. On either side of her, a White Tiger and a White Horse, transformed into humanoids, were feeding her grapes, mouth-to-mouth. The glistening juice flowed from Seraphina’s lips down her pale neck and across her chest. A leopard, who had been waiting for a long time, eagerly bowed its head to lick it all up, not missing a single drop of sweetness. A soft sigh escaped Seraphina’s lips, and she stroked the leopard’s head, her eyes filled with doting affection. This scene of lavish debauchery assaulted my senses. I couldn’t bother to keep watching. Tears streamed down my face. Oh my god, I finally found Seraphina! Seizing a moment when the Clawson Tribe wasn’t paying attention, I struggled free of the pressure on my shoulders, stood up, and shouted her name across the crowd. “Seraphina! Seraphina! It’s Chloe! Look at me, I came for you!” But the horde of beasts gathered to gaze upon the Queen’s beauty was too vast, and my voice was quickly drowned out. A bear paw slammed onto my head. I looked up to see Grizzly Clawson’s mocking face. “What? You actually think you can get close to the Queen?” Grizzly Clawson scoffed. “Go look in a puddle, little dog. You’re not even fit to lick her boots!” Grizzly Clawson ordered her soldiers to tie me up and gag me. I struggled, but heavy bear paws hammered down on me, blow after blow. They dragged me into a nearby alley and started tearing off my clothes.

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My best friend showed up begging me, saying her ex-boyfriend was harassing her and her parents were pressuring her insanely to get married. She wanted to fake-marry my husband. I never thought Ryan, my husband, would actually agree! And he even let her move into our home. Listening to the unsettling noises coming from Ryan and Ashley in the living room every night, I completely shattered… My husband, Ryan, and I had been married for three years. He was thriving in his career, and I was stunning at home. Our relationship was full of love and harmony. But three days ago, something happened that turned my world upside down. My best friend, Ashley, forced a check for one hundred thousand dollars into my hand, saying she needed to “borrow” Ryan to marry him. Her excuse? She was being harassed by her ex-boyfriend and was under relentless pressure from her parents to tie the knot. She desperately needed a man to protect her for a while and give her parents some peace. She promised that once this period was over, she’d step aside, and I’d have Ryan back. This was utterly outrageous! Even if she was my best friend, there was no way I’d agree. One hundred thousand dollars? I had countless amounts of that. But just as I was about to transfer the money back to Ashley, Ryan came home. He sighed at me, “Honey.” “Why the long face? Rough day at work?” “No.” He opened his Snapchat stories. “Honey. Look how pathetic Ashley is. A girl harassed by a guy all day long, she’s going to crack.” I saw photos of Ashley covered in bruises, and my heart ached a little. It made me hesitate, wondering if I should actually help her. For the next few days, Ashley kept calling me, sending me desperate voice messages, crying as if her life depended on it. “Please, Chloe, you’re my only friend, my best friend. You have to help me! My parents said if I don’t get married soon, they’ll jump off a building!” “Once this is over, I’ll file for divorce with your husband, and he’ll be yours again, always.” Against my better judgment, I agreed. The moment I saw the divorce papers with Ryan’s name and mine, and then his marriage certificate with Ashley, my mind still raced like a frantic drum. It all felt like a bizarre dream. The day they got their marriage license, Ryan came home and presented me with a bouquet of roses. “My dearest, most beautiful goddess, you’ve been working so hard lately.” Looking at my loving and tender husband, a strange calm washed over me. All those awful thoughts just seemed to vanish into thin air. Being born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I was actually pretty easy to win over. That night, Ryan and I got intimate, just like old times. Midway, Ryan held my wrists with both his hands, leaning close to my ear, whispering. “Honey, I heard Ashley is still being harassed. Should we invite her to stay with us for a while?” My brow furrowed slightly. Why was he bringing up Ashley now, of all times? “Would she even want to? It’s just a fake marriage, let’s not make things awkward for her. It’s not right.” “Let’s just try.” I didn’t think Ashley would actually come to my house, so I made a casual, half-hearted invitation. “Really?! Thank you, Chloe! I’m so incredibly happy! I’ll be over tomorrow!” Me: “…” I felt a pang of discomfort. On Ashley’s very first night, Ryan took us out for a nice dinner at a trendy restaurant, claiming it was to celebrate Ashley staying with us. I felt a stab of jealousy. Was my husband being *too* good to Ashley? That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Ryan held me close and whispered, “Don’t worry, it’s just a fake marriage with her. We talked about this, remember? After a while, we’ll divorce, and then I’ll remarry you. It’s not real with her.” I tried to tell myself I was overthinking, but my mind just wouldn’t cooperate. Then I noticed Ashley was incredibly diligent around the house. She loved talking to Ryan, always being overly attentive to him. It was like she was the lady of the house. And every time Ryan came home, Ashley would find a way to wear something alluring. One day, I just couldn’t take it anymore and confronted Ashley. “Ashley, Ryan is my husband. Could you please dress more appropriately?” Ashley looked at me with pleading eyes and apologized, “I know I was wrong. I promise I won’t dress like that again.” Seeing her humble apology, I didn’t want to ruin our rare friendship. After that, Ashley started dressing normally, but her other behaviors were anything but. For instance, while Ryan and I were being intimate, Ashley would suddenly shriek and knock on the door, interrupting our mood. I’d ask her what was wrong. She’d sniffle and say, “I had a nightmare.”

Then she’d look at Ryan with pitiful, sweet eyes and a delicate voice, “Ryan, I’m so scared. Can you stay with me?” I felt a surge of irritation, but Ryan immediately calmed me. “It’s fine, don’t worry.” His gaze was steady, and my frustrated heart gradually settled. I could only force myself to say, “Then go ahead and stay with her.” So, Ryan led Ashley to our guest room. Soon after, strange noises started coming from the guest room. I faintly heard Ashley saying, “I’m so scared, Ryan.” And Ryan would reply, “It’s okay, don’t be afraid. You’re safe here with me.” I immediately pulled the duvet over my head, afraid of what I might imagine if I listened too long. Yet, I still believed in Ryan’s character. The next day, after much thought, I handed the one hundred thousand dollars back to Ashley. “Please leave my house, Ashley. And divorce my husband, okay?” Ashley’s tears spilled out in three seconds. She grabbed my arm, gently nudging me like a timid kitten. “Chloe, I swore before! I’d divorce him as soon as this period is over and I’ve given my parents the news about my marriage. You might not trust me, but don’t you trust Ryan? If you do this, won’t he feel like you don’t believe in him?” A knot formed in my stomach. I *did* trust Ryan. But trusting someone doesn’t mean you can stop overthinking things. I was still anxious. But then Ashley told me she needed to take Ryan back to her hometown to introduce him to her parents. She promised they’d get a divorce as soon as they returned. I was overjoyed. As long as she filed for divorce with Ryan, that’s all that mattered. As I helped Ryan straighten his tie, I couldn’t help but remind him, “Try to act natural in front of Ashley’s parents, okay?” “Don’t worry, my sweet wife.” “Such a charmer,” I chuckled. I dressed Ryan impeccably and personally sent them off at the airport. After Ryan left, I missed him terribly, so I kept sending him messages. He always replied with a flower emoji, a smiley face, and a string of photos. But a few times, it felt off. I noticed he was posting a lot of Ashley’s pictures on his social media. Some friends even teased him, asking if he’d found *another* girlfriend… Soon enough, they returned. As soon as they were home, I asked Ashley, “Can you two get divorced now?” Ashley suddenly covered her face, sobbing uncontrollably. “No, Chloe, I can’t yet.” I snapped instantly. “Why not?” “Because… I’m pregnant.” “What?” Had I heard that right? Ryan walked over and put his arm around my shoulder. “The baby she’s carrying is her ex-boyfriend’s. She’s pregnant now, she can’t divorce me.” I couldn’t even describe how I felt. On one hand, I was relieved the baby wasn’t Ryan’s. On the other, I was disgusted that she was still clinging to my husband, and Ryan wasn’t even bothered by it. From then on, I kept my distance from Ashley, finding her constant presence in my house headache-inducing. One time, Ashley took my hand and said, “Chloe, I know you’re hurting, but I swear, once the baby is born, I’ll definitely divorce Ryan. I had no choice; I needed a man to protect me. Ryan has always loved you. He just sees me as a friend.”

She always spoke to me so sweetly and demurely, making me feel like the bad guy. Watching her tears stream down, I eventually couldn’t bring myself to kick her out. I decided to let bygones be bygones. I even cooked for her myself, preparing nutritious meals. During this time, she did indeed maintain a distance from Ryan that made me feel more at ease. That’s why I worked even harder to take care of her. Ashley gained weight during her pregnancy and was incredibly healthy. Ten months later, Ashley went into labor. That day, Ryan suddenly took time off work and came with me to the hospital. “Didn’t you say you had a multi-million-dollar project going on? Why are you here at the hospital?” I didn’t understand Ryan’s behavior. Ryan didn’t even look at me. His gaze was fixed anxiously on the delivery room door. He gave a dismissive answer, “It’s fine, it won’t affect anything.” In that moment, Ryan felt like a complete stranger to me. Just as my suspicions flared, Ashley’s healthy eight-pound son was born. When the doctor opened the delivery room door and asked who Ashley’s husband was, Ryan shot forward like a rocket. “That’s me, that’s me! I’m her husband!” “Congratulations, this is your son.” The doctor placed the baby in Ryan’s arms for him to hold first. Me: “…” Who could possibly describe how I felt then? It felt like I’d been punched in the gut. Soon after, Ashley was wheeled out by the nurse. Even though she’d just given birth, she was young and recovering remarkably well. Ashley was quickly settled into a private room. Looking at the delicate, adorable baby, I genuinely congratulated Ashley, “Congratulations, this baby looks so much like you!” Ashley gazed at the child, her eyes warm, her voice filled with maternal affection. “He not only looks like me, but he looks even more like his father.” As she spoke, she glanced sideways at Ryan. She was implying the baby looked like Ryan? And Ryan didn’t even protest! Instead, he looked even more excited than Ashley as he gazed at the baby. I felt a surge of anger. The atmosphere felt suffocating, so I stepped out for some air. But as soon as I walked out, I realized I hadn’t grabbed my bag. When I turned back to get it. I heard Ryan and Ashley talking from inside the room. “My love, this is *our* son. Your wife couldn’t give you one, but I could. Aren’t you happy?” “Ashley, you worked so hard. Our son is truly adorable.” “He is, isn’t he? So cute! We have a son!” “…” Their conversation cut into me like razor blades. One was my best friend, the other my husband. I remembered Ashley giving me one hundred thousand dollars to “borrow” my husband, and I actually let her. But now, this insane drama felt like it was splattered all over my face. I wanted to storm in, scream, and tear them both apart. But I held back. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. Honestly, I should have seen it coming—there’s no such thing as a “proper” fake relationship like that. But I had believed in Ryan’s integrity. Yet reality always delivers such a brutal slap to the face. Ryan was tainted. Ashley was a traitor. I regulated my emotions, pretending nothing was wrong as I walked in, grabbed my bag, and left. That night, I went out and drank myself into oblivion. I drank and threw up, then drank and threw up again. No one knew how miserable I was at that moment, it felt like I was being torn apart and chopped into mincemeat. Ryan, the man I loved most, who constantly told me to trust his character. And now, they had a baby together. His “integrity” was a joke. He was trash. That very night, I betrayed Ryan. I hooked up with a younger guy. Then, I waited, pretending nothing happened, for Ashley and their new little family to come home. I watched Ryan personally prepare special recovery meals for Ashley. “Ashley, the baby’s here now. Can you divorce my husband?” Hearing my words, Ashley held her son, looking wronged and pitiful. “But the baby is still so young; he can’t be without a father…” “Ryan isn’t your baby’s father. You two are only fake-married,” I said, acting as if I knew nothing. Ashley started crying, holding her baby, looking fragile and helpless. Hearing the commotion, Ryan burst in, his voice sharp with anger. “Chloe, what is the meaning of this? Ashley is still recovering postpartum. Do you know how bad it is for her to cry right now? What if she gets postpartum complications later?” I sneered. “You’re *my* husband, yet you threw away a multi-million-dollar project just to wait on *her* during her recovery. What about me? What am I to you? Did you even consider my feelings, Ryan? If you two don’t divorce, I’m leaving you.” Seeing me threaten to leave, he immediately panicked.

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On a luxurious cruise ship, a notorious ex-crime lord, who’d gone straight, was marrying his beloved. 99 other women, stand-ins for his bride, were treated like mere playthings and distributed to his men. Only I remained, unwanted and alone, chilling on the deck, my heart set on dying. I had been thrust into this world, and I’d poured everything I had into saving four male leads, who’d been driven to madness by the story’s true heroine. But I failed. The System said I could return to my real world for three precious days to say goodbye to Grandma if I died here. Without a second thought, I plunged into the icy water. Release. It was finally here. But as consciousness faded, I saw someone swimming desperately towards me… Guests swarmed around the crime lord’s bride, their celebratory chatter meaningless to me. I easily found a secluded spot. My broken leg screamed in protest, each movement a tearing agony as I hoisted myself over the railing. What was a little pain, if it meant seeing Grandma? With a relieved smile, I resolutely jumped. In the frigid embrace of the ocean, I looked back on fifteen years of absurd existence. I had been thrust into this world with a mission: to save the male leads driven to madness by the heroine. If I could successfully save just one of them, I could escape a fatal car accident in my real world. But in the end, I failed all four. Every time Isabella, the world’s chosen heroine, reappeared, all my efforts at redemption were instantly erased. Seawater flooded my nose and mouth. I thought I could finally find release. But then, a strong arm clamped around me, holding me tight. Through the haze, I saw his frantically worried face. Then, I completely blacked out. When I woke up, my throat burned. Staring at the unfamiliar white ceiling, I knew I hadn’t died. Why was even dying so difficult?! I turned my head and saw an exceptionally handsome face. His gaze was downcast, his expression utterly blank. He looked like a marble statue, or an ancient deity stepped out of a forgotten legend. Wait, wasn’t this Julian? One of my targets. The Julian who once told me, “Without you, I would have already fallen into hell.” As if possessed, I reached out and touched the blessed wooden bracelet I’d gotten for him years ago, still on his wrist. His eyes snapped open, a sharp gaze piercing me. “Scarlett, what game are you playing now?” I pulled my hand back as if burned, my heart seizing in my chest. He thought I was trying to manipulate him again, to win his pity. But he’d forgotten. Fifteen years ago, it was Isabella, the woman he deeply loved, who framed him, destroying his family. He’d plunged into utter despair, retreating from the world. It was *I* who stayed by his side, day and night, tirelessly caring for him, shielding him from all the ruthless debt collectors, helping him rebuild his life bit by bit. He’d once held me tight and said he wouldn’t exist without me. But now, his eyes held nothing but disgust and contempt for me. All my sacrifices, in his eyes, were utterly worthless. Julian spoke with chilling indifference: “Isabella has always been frail.” “And she’s been busy all day. She’s not feeling well now and needs your blood.” The doctor nearby tried to interject, “Miss Scarlett just fell into the water, she’s very weak…” “She’s perfectly fine. She’s got a thick skin, a little blood is nothing,” He brutally cut off the doctor. “This is the only way she can help Isabella. She should be grateful.” I stared at Julian, a bitter taste spreading through my heart. “If you love her so much, why aren’t you by her side?” “Watching her marry Roman, becoming his hidden shadow… are you truly content with that?” The System said he was going to turn dark, that I needed to save him. But this pathetic, self-sacrificing devotion for love… how was this “turning dark”? “Isabella is different,” His features softened instantly. “Back in the orphanage, she was the only one who gave me warmth.” “That kindness, I’ll never forget it.”

The orphanage again. I looked at him, my mind a blank. Right, the System had said it. Isabella was the destined heroine of this world. She and the four male leads shared a supposedly beautiful childhood in that orphanage. Even if she later left them bruised and battered, all it took was her return, a few tears, and a few soft words, and everything anyone else had done for them seemed to reset to zero. After they were done draining my blood, my vision swam, threatening to black out completely. I was on the verge of losing consciousness, my mind drifting: If I just sleep now… Will I finally return to my world and see Grandma? Grandma, Scarlett misses you so much… Late that night, I woke up again, feeling a little stronger. Damn it, I still couldn’t die. Even death was this difficult. I looked around, recognizing this as Julian’s secluded retreat. Then I remembered the rumors: the remote trails behind the retreat were rumored to be infested with venomous snakes… Without hesitation, I stumbled towards the back trails. My broken leg made my steps agonizingly slow, but I pushed on, utterly resolute. Just as a venomous snake was about to strike, I was violently pulled back. “Scarlett! Are you insane?!” It was Julian! How was he here *again*?! He gripped my arm, his strength so immense I thought my bones would shatter. His face was contorted with a mixture of panic and fury I’d never seen before. “Are you trying to die, huh?!” He growled, complex emotions swirling in his eyes. “First jumping off the cruise, now provoking venomous snakes! Are you *that* desperate for my attention?!” “Attention?” I yanked my arm from his grasp, a cold laugh escaping my lips. “If I die, I won’t be in your way anymore, and I won’t threaten Isabella, the woman you hold so dear, will I?” “You should be happy!” I shoved him away, turning back towards the snake. Death. I *had* to die here today! He grabbed me again, and my arm scraped against a rock, a sharp sting. “Stop trying to play the victim!” He roughly seized my hand, his voice thick with impatience. “Go put some ointment on that wound!” As he forcibly dragged me back, I saw the bracelet on his wrist again. It reminded me of the lucky charm Grandma gave me. Good thing I hadn’t given *that* to this ungrateful bastard back then. I was going home to Grandma now, and I needed to take it with me. While they weren’t paying attention, I quietly slipped away. That lucky charm, Grandma had embroidered it herself. The stitches were meticulously neat, depicting beautifully embroidered lovebirds, a symbol of enduring happiness, imbued with her deepest blessings for me. Grandma had always hoped I’d find a good husband and live a life of peace and happiness. I used to naively think that if I could successfully save any of them, I’d give that lucky charm, imbued with Grandma’s heartfelt wishes, to him, letting her witness my happiness. But alas, none of them deserved it. I returned to my uncle Ryder’s house to get the charm. But I found him staring blankly at a portrait of Isabella. Ryder, a decorated veteran, who’d been confined to a wheelchair. He willingly served as Isabella’s personal security, only to be brutally humiliated by her. She even manipulated him, causing him to become permanently disabled. It was I who stayed by his side, day after day, helping him with his physical therapy, encouraging him to stand again. I cooked for him every day. He initially resented my presence, but later, he grew protective, doting on me, forbidding me from cooking. He lovingly prepared every single meal for me. But then Isabella came back, and with a sudden, casual mention of a dog fur allergy, He didn’t hesitate to throw the little dog we’d raised together for so long, who we treated like family, from a tall building. That little dog was a gift from him, bought after he finally accepted me. We had promised to rely on each other. It had accompanied us through so many happy times. But because of Isabella’s dismissive comment, he ended its life without a single blink. I used to fear such abandonment. Now, I craved it. I ignored my uncle and walked straight into my room. Only to find it completely empty. “Where are my things?”

I fought down my fury, asking Ryder in a cold voice. “Isabella didn’t want any of your things here, so I cleared them out,” Ryder said, his voice distant. “I’ll find you somewhere else to live.” Cleared out? He made it sound so simple. “Just like you got rid of that innocent little dog, are you trying to get rid of me?” I let out a cold, hollow laugh. From start to finish, I was always the extra one. “You…” I cut him off, my voice trembling with emotion. “You can do whatever you want with everything else, I don’t care. I just want that box!” Inside was Grandma’s lucky charm, my only connection to her! “What do you want it for?” Ryder’s face instantly darkened, his eyes turning wary and harsh. He thought I was going to use the contents of the box to stir up trouble with Roman again. “You’ll never be as kind and wonderful as Isabella!” “Roman would never like a manipulative, vile woman like you!” “I’m warning you, I will *never* let you ruin Isabella’s wedding!” Kind? In his eyes, only the heroine of this world was truly kind. I had once told Ryder about that box. Under the moonlight, he’d said, with a hint of jealousy, that he’d keep it safe for me until I found my true love. I’d also said that if I could ever be with him, I’d give him the box. Back then, his expression was serious and loving, filling me with hope. Now, he was warning me with the most vicious words: “You stay put! Don’t you dare try to cause any more trouble for Isabella!” “If you don’t tell me where the box is, I’ll go tell Isabella right now exactly what kind of filthy, hidden thoughts you have about her!” I intentionally provoked him. Ryder was indeed completely enraged. He retrieved the box from a corner and violently threw it to the ground. The box shattered, and the lucky charm fell out. He snatched up the charm and brutally tore it to shreds, the pieces scattering across the floor. “Scarlett, you’re so ungrateful! I’m going to teach you a lesson you’ll never forget today!” I looked at the shredded lucky charm, my heart twisting in agony. This was the man I had poured everything into caring for. His inherent ruthlessness had never disappeared! Good. His cruelty was exactly what I needed to end my life, to see Grandma sooner. I clutched the torn pieces of the charm tightly in my hand, looking at Ryder’s enraged face, and smiled. “We’re completely even now.” With that, before he could react, I lunged, smashing into his previously injured leg. The pain from my broken leg made me stumble, but I put all my remaining strength into the impact. Excruciating pain instantly flared, and I coughed up blood, my vision blurring. I knew it was his sore spot, the scar left by Isabella. I deliberately provoked him, wanting only to finish this quickly and leave this world. Ryder froze, stunned that I would do such a thing. His face flashed with shock, self-reproach, and pain, as he looked at me helplessly. But soon, these emotions were replaced by fury. “Scarlett! You couldn’t seduce Roman, so now you’re trying to seduce *me*?! You have no shame!” I was fading fast, my consciousness blurring, but I saw Julian had arrived too. When I woke again, I found myself in a dark, damp basement. “Didn’t Julian take me away? How did I end up here?” As I wondered, Isabella stood before me, a triumphant look on her face. “Scarlett, you’re in such a wretched state, and you still can’t leave them alone?” Isabella looked down at me from above, mocking, “Do you really think a pathetic wretch like you can compete with me?” Before I could even process what she was saying, she suddenly leaned close to my ear and whispered, “I’ll show you today.” “All your struggles and efforts are nothing but a futile joke.” “But, seeing how pitiful you are, I’ll give you a fair chance to compete.” I grew even more confused. Just as I was about to demand an explanation, I heard sounds of a struggle outside. Then, the door burst open, and Roman rushed in, yelling frantically: “Isabella, are you okay?!”

He immediately saw Isabella and me tied together, connected to a complex device, and his face instantly turned grave. I understood at once: this was Isabella’s self-orchestrated kidnapping! The device connected to two ropes, each tied to Isabella and me. The other end of the ropes connected to two syringes filled with venom. Once the device activated, both ropes would tighten simultaneously. One would snap, pulling its syringe into the person it was tied to. Meaning, Roman could only choose one of us to save. Isabella looked at Roman, feigning vulnerability. “Roman, save me…” I looked at Roman, my heart a desolate void. Roman, the formidable crime lord… he was once such a proud man. But Isabella had left him utterly broken. When he was at his lowest, before being acknowledged by his family in the underworld, Isabella brought people to humiliate him, forcing him to eat dog food and live in a dog kennel. He endured endless torment. When he finally returned to his family, his personality had warped, becoming ruthless, cruel, and unapproachable. I had placed my last hope in him, wanting to save him. As his exclusive sparring partner, I silently endured his relentless torment, staying by his side, never leaving. One day, he beat me black and blue. I turned to leave, utterly desperate. But he suddenly pulled me back from behind, holding me tightly in his arms. His deep voice rumbled in my ear: “Where are you going?” “Stay here.” My ear rested against his chest, listening to his powerful heartbeat, thinking my redemption efforts had finally paid off. I thought he, having been hurt the most, would be the most resistant to Isabella’s allure. But I was wrong, so terribly wrong. In the end, he was the one who remained devoted to Isabella, refusing to marry anyone else, even holding such a grand wedding for her. And all the suffering I’d endured by his side, helping him transition his empire into legitimate ventures, had become a colossal joke. To prevent Isabella from discovering our past, he found 99 other women, stand-ins for her. As if to prove I wasn’t special, wasn’t unique. He was just so desperate for Isabella that he found so many women who resembled her. To prove his loyalty to her, he even sacrificed me to his sworn enemy. I was tortured for a day and a night, and the tiny life growing inside me was lost. Roman looked at the intricate device, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. Seeing this, Isabella immediately feigned weakness again. “Roman, save her. She was with you for a long time when you weren’t around…” “I’m content marrying you now, I couldn’t ask for more.” She then brought up old memories from the orphanage, each word hitting Roman where it hurt the most. Roman’s heart ached. He turned to me, furious. “Scarlett, aren’t you satisfied? Must you cause such a scene! You saw Isabella and I were getting married, so you deliberately set up this scheme, only to be kidnapped yourself. Are you happy now?!” Just then, Julian and Ryder also rushed in. Seeing Isabella in danger, they both grew anxious, vehemently accusing me of being manipulative and bringing this on myself. I looked at them, their past gentleness and promises now turned into icy accusations and condemnations. I’d given everything, only to be met with their disgust and scorn. Why did it come to this? My heart felt as if it was being torn apart; I couldn’t breathe from the pain. I didn’t want to waste any more time. I scoffed directly: “You were all manipulated like puppets by Isabella, and now you’re fawning over her like desperate dogs! How pathetic! I must have been blind!” “You idiots! You were all played by that bitch Isabella, wrapped around her little finger!” “And now you’re still fawning over her like a bunch of tail-wagging dogs, completely devoted!” “It’s the most pathetic joke in the world!” “I, Scarlett, must have been blind to ever think of saving you ungrateful bastards!” Roman was indeed enraged. His eyes turned bloodshot, veins throbbing on his forehead. With the three men’s unspoken coordination, Ryder quickly subdued the kidnappers, and Julian immediately shielded Isabella. Roman, meanwhile, lunged at me, savagely plunging his dagger into my shoulder! Agony ripped through me, blood instantly staining my clothes. I looked at his bloodshot eyes, filled with madness and hatred. “I never wronged you. Why do you hate me so much?”

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I was heartlessly abandoned by my parents the day they discovered I was intersex. My childhood friend, Lucas, threatened to kill himself to convince his family to adopt me, promising to love me for a lifetime. As our wedding day approached, I accidentally stumbled upon him in an intimate moment with his first love: “You’ve taken such good care of yourself. So soft and delicate, with a faint floral scent. Not like my fiancée’s – hers is oddly shaped and utterly repulsive. “Thank goodness I have you, or I’d die of loneliness.” In an instant, my heart felt like it was being stabbed by a thousand knives, my body pierced by countless needles, the pain unbearable. People truly are fickle. I struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes as I turned to leave. What I didn’t know was that Chloe had seen me at the door, nor did I realize she had silently crept up behind me. “Ava… had enough of eavesdropping?” I heard a voice say. Just as I was about to turn around, she gave me a hard shove, and before I could react, I tumbled down the stairs. Chloe stood at the top of the stairs, coldly watching me, silently mouthing the words “Go die.” She then turned and went back into the room. “Lucas, I’m done in the bathroom. Shall we continue?” “What was that noise just now?” “It was nothing, just something falling. Don’t waste time, I can’t wait any longer.” I curled up on the floor, in excruciating pain, but instinctively still wanting to call out to him for help: “Lucas, it hurts so much, help me…” But the rhythmic sounds of passion told me he was too occupied. I involuntarily clenched my thighs together, a wave of self-loathing washing over me. He had always said I was special, that having me was a blessing he must have earned from several past lives. When I was at my lowest point, fighting for survival, it was Lucas who had threatened suicide to convince his family to adopt me. From that moment on, I had silently vowed that Lucas was my destiny. But now he was in the throes of passion with another woman. Slowly, the blood from my head stained a large area of the floor. My vision began to blur. I desperately looked towards Lucas’s direction, praying he would appear… Suddenly, Lucas rushed out of the room, but he was carrying a woman in his arms, frantically shouting: “Chloe, hang on a bit longer, I’m taking you to the hospital. “I’m sorry, Chloe, I shouldn’t have been so rough. Just hang in there.” He carried Chloe past me, and in his haste, he even stepped on my fingers. I inhaled sharply from the pain. He didn’t notice at all, his eyes focused solely on Chloe in his arms. I could no longer hold on and slowly closed my eyes. When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I saw was Lucas’s anxious gaze. Seeing me awake, he let out a sigh of relief. “Ava, are you alright? Why didn’t you call me when you fell? Do you know how worried I was about you?” I tried to raise my hand to touch my head but couldn’t lift it. “What’s wrong with my hand?” He quickly pressed my hand down. “Don’t move, your hand is fractured from the fall. It’s a comminuted fracture.” From the fall? I remember it was you who stepped on it. “Ava, I want to discuss something with you.” He took my other hand, his gaze full of sincerity. “On the way to bring you here, I saw Chloe. She’s very ill and needs a heart transplant. Could you…” His words hit me like a sledgehammer, crushing my heart. Lying to me was one thing, but now he wanted me to donate a heart to someone who had attempted to murder me. “Ava, don’t be afraid. Our company has just developed a new artificial heart. The technology is very advanced, it’s just like having a normal heart once it’s implanted.” The more he spoke, the more excited he became, his eyes filled with urgency. “Ava, Chloe doesn’t have much time left. I’ve already done the heart compatibility tests for you two, and you’re a match. The surgery can be done in three days. “Ava, you’re beautiful and kind-hearted, you’ll help her, right? “You should be the one who understands her the most, right? Because you also have an incurable condition…” They’ve already done the compatibility tests and scheduled the surgery. So is he here to inform me or to ask for my opinion? I let out a cold laugh and turned my head away. Seeing my silence, his face lit up with joy. “Ava, since you’re not saying anything, I’ll take that as a yes. “Rest well and take care of yourself these next few days. I have some work to do at the company, so I’ll go now.” My heart sank to the bottom. I struggled to reach for my phone on the side and sent a message to the Special Experimental Lab in Hong Kong: [Ryan, save a spot for me in this experiment. I’m not getting married anymore.] Three days is enough for me to rest. After three days, I’m leaving this place.

After he left, he never came to see me again. Looking at the empty hospital room, I felt a pang in my heart. The nurse told me I had to get up and walk around today. Walking would be good, it might help clear my mind. I leaned against the wall, slowly inching forward with my head down, not knowing why my legs felt like they weighed a ton. Suddenly, another pair of feet appeared in front of me. Those shoes… they belonged to Chloe. Just as I looked up, she grabbed my throat, her face contorted with rage: “Ava, you’ve stolen Lucas from me for so many years. It’s time you paid the price!” I desperately tried to pry her hands off, attempting to make her let go. But she only tightened her grip. My face turned red from the lack of air. “Lucas showed me your photo. You freak, how dare you stand by his side. “You got lucky last time, but this time I’ll make it look like a medical accident.” Lucas had actually taken secret photos of me and showed them to others. I managed to squeeze out a few words from my throat, “But you’re still… by his side…” At this moment, she was like a madwoman, deaf to anything I said, her eyes filled with hatred. Suddenly, a familiar voice came: “Chloe, where are you?” Looking to the side, I saw Lucas anxiously searching for her. Chloe immediately let go of me, straightened her clothes, and quickly returned to her room, acting as if nothing had happened. It turned out Chloe had been staying in the room next to mine all along. Lucas hadn’t gone to work at the company; he had been taking care of her. I collapsed on the floor, gasping for air. At this moment, Chloe deliberately raised her voice. “Lucas, do you really want her to give me her heart?” “Of course. When I saw her disgusting side, my heart was already dead. But at least she still has some use. “I’m sorry I can’t give you an official status yet.” I let out a bitter laugh and struggled to get up from the floor, feeling dizzy. Suddenly, the wall beside me cracked with a loud noise, and pieces of the ceiling began to fall. People were thrown into a panic, with someone shouting: “Run! The hospital is collapsing!” I snapped to attention and started running, but after just a few steps, I felt an intense pain in my head, as if my brain was rattling inside. I clutched my head, my eyes red and unfocused as I stood rooted to the spot. If I don’t run, I’ll die. Mustering up my courage, I was about to move forward when I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder. The force of the impact threw me off balance, and I fell to the ground uncontrollably. The dust in front of me was getting thicker. I waved my hand in front of my face to clear my vision and saw who had bumped into me. It was Lucas, carrying Chloe on his back as he ran desperately towards the exit. The patients around me who could run had already fled, and those who couldn’t were being helped by their family members. Behind me, there was no one. The only person who used to be behind me was now carrying another woman away. I could no longer hold back and burst into loud sobs.

The dust in the air grew thicker, and pieces of rubble kept hitting my body. But what was this compared to the pain in my heart? It wasn’t even a fraction. It seemed like I was the only one left around, all alone. What was the point of staying alive in this world? Perhaps this disaster was my destined fate. I slowly closed my eyes, waiting for death to come. My ears were filled with the sound of the building tearing apart, each sound like the ticking of a countdown clock to the end of my life. Suddenly, a pair of strong hands lifted me up securely. Could it be Lucas? I opened my eyes excitedly, but when I saw who it was, I swallowed my words. “Ryan? Why are you here?” He frowned, his eyes fixed determinedly ahead. “Are you an idiot? Don’t you know to run?” I wanted to explain, but I didn’t know where to start. Ryan carried me out of the hospital just as the building collapsed behind us. He carefully set me down. As the smoke cleared, I saw people in various uniforms – doctors, nurses, patients, firefighters. Among the crowd, that familiar voice rang out again. “Firefighters, please go in and save people! There are still people inside! My fiancée is still in there.” Lucas’s face was red, the veins on his forehead bulging, as he anxiously gestured to the firefighters. The firefighters wore troubled expressions. The building had collapsed severely; anyone still inside would have been crushed. Seeing the firefighters not moving, Lucas roared, “How can you be like this! There are people inside and you won’t save them? I’m going to file a complaint!” After saying this, he suddenly turned and ran towards the rubble, digging at the stones with his bare hands. As he dug, he muttered under his breath: “Ava, you can’t die, you can’t die. “Chloe still needs your heart.” My heart suddenly skipped a beat. So, he wasn’t upset because of me, but because if I died, there would be no one to give Chloe a heart. I took a deep breath and slowly spoke up: “Lucas, I’m here.” As soon as I spoke, everyone turned to look at me. A flash of relief crossed Lucas’s face. He dropped the stones and ran towards me. He pulled me into a tight embrace, hot tears sliding down my neck. “Ava, do you know how worried I was about you? As soon as I heard about the accident at the hospital, I rushed over here. I’m so glad you’re okay. “Where did you go? How did you get out?” I unconsciously glanced at Ryan but didn’t answer. Someone watching nearby commented, “It’s obvious the man next to her saved her. They probably came out so late because they were together.” Lucas immediately raised his head and glared fiercely at Ryan. “Who are you?” I quickly stepped in front of Ryan. “He’s my friend. We met by chance, and he saved me.” Lucas let out a cold laugh, the hostility in his eyes not diminishing at all. “Don’t joke around. Who would want to be friends with you?” Indeed, everyone thought I was a freak. Chloe slowly walked over, a smile playing on her lips, her voice full of malice: “Ava, you and Lucas are about to get married. It’s not good to cheat now, is it?” Lucas instantly flew into a rage. He stepped forward and grabbed Ryan’s collar, shouting: “Well, well! You and Ava are bold enough to cheat right in front of me?” How could he accuse others of what he himself was guilty of? It was laughable. “Lucas, I advise you to stop right there,” I warned, knocking his hand away. “Fine, you’re even protecting him now? Ava, don’t take advantage of my love for you and do whatever you want.” Love for me? What a joke. Loved me so much he brought another woman home, loved me so much he didn’t save me when the building was collapsing. I was about to retort when a stern voice came from behind. “Who’s in charge of this hospital? We’ve found that the building materials used were substandard. Please come with us for investigation.” The next second, his hand pointed at me. “It’s her. She’s the director.” My pupils constricted, and I looked at him in disbelief. Back then, he said he wanted to build a hospital just for me, so I became the nominal director. But all along, it was his people who had been managing these things.

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While staying by Alpha Riven’s side for eight years, I also had to raise the little wolf pup born to him and my deceased sister. Enduring constant humiliation and bullying from his mistress and their pup, I finally left the pack that brought me nothing but disgrace and lies. I returned to inherit the Crowhurst Pack—but there was a condition. I had to bond with Alpha Caelum, a man who had lost his mother in a tragic accident, was mentally unstable, and born without a wolf spirit. Ironically, he was also Alpha Riven’s half-brother. I thought Alpha Caelum was a cripple… until one day, he stood up. Ravenna’s POV I took a deep breath before answering the phone, “I’m ready to fulfill your condition and take my rightful place as the heiress,” I said, before hanging up abruptly. The weight of my decision hit me, but I knew it was the only way forward. Staring at the room that had been my sanctuary for eight long years, I felt a bittersweet smile tug at my lips. Years of devotion, patience, and love had led me here—empty-handed. My heart pulsed with the same bitter ache that had echoed through me for so long, the same ache that the wolves called the weight of a bond never realized. A piercing voice broke the silence, sharp and angry. “How dare you wear my mother’s dress!” Corvin’s words were like a slap in the face, and I turned to face him, fighting the urge to bare my teeth at him. His eyes were full of fury, but I had long since stopped caring. “You’re not going to respond?” He snarled again, his voice dripping with venom. I took a slow breath, controlling the beast inside me, the part of me that wanted to shift and rip him apart. “Go to your celebration, Corvin. Your pack is waiting for you.” My words were soft, laced with the weariness of someone who had fought too many battles with those who never saw her as a true part of their pack. “No!” He roared, fury dancing in his eyes as he grabbed the pitcher from the table, and with a swift motion, splashed the hot contents all over me. The burn hit me like a punch to the chest. “This is what you deserve!” He spat. “You can never replace my mother! You killed her with your jealousy and now you wear her dress like it’s your right!” His words were poison, each one a reminder of everything I’d lost and could never have again. I screamed, the heat of the coffee searing my skin, but I knew better than to fight back. The sting on my body was nothing compared to the sting in my heart. A maid rushed in, gasping at the sight of my scalded skin and coffee-stained clothes. “I’m so sorry, Miss Ravenna. Corvin ran off again. Let me take him away,” she quickly said, her voice trembling. As they scurried off, I stood there, feeling the rage of my wolf slowly subside, replaced by the cold numbness of defeat. That dress…it had never been Elspeth’s. It had been mine—given to me by my mother before her passing. But Elspeth had taken it, just like she had taken everything else from me. I sighed heavily as I stepped into the shower. The familiar sting of the hot water was nothing compared to the ache inside, the ache of losing everything I had ever wanted. Eight years ago, I was supposed to marry Alpha Riven Grimsbane, the Alpha who was once my childhood sweetheart, the one I thought I’d build a life with. But it all shattered when he chose Elspeth over me. She was the one who carried his bloodline forward, and their son, Corvin, became the focus of all their attention. But Elspeth died during childbirth, and I was blamed for it, accused of killing her out of jealousy. The truth, however, was far darker. As the only sister of the deceased, I had been forced to stay in their home and care for Corvin. I had been instructed by my stepmother to treat him as my own son. But the role I was given felt like a cage—no love, no respect, just the cruel reminder that my place was never as anything more than a mere servant. For eight years, I poured everything into Corvin, raised him, loved him, but nothing ever changed. Alpha Riven never loved me. He was a wolf who had chosen his pack over me, his mate over his promise. I had been a fool to believe otherwise. But the truth was clear now. I had no place in this house except as a discarded concubine. Every action from Alpha Riven, every word from Corvin, reminded me of my insignificant position in their lives. As I stepped out of the shower, the sound of Alpha Riven’s voice pulled me back into reality. “The celebration is starting. Where are you, Ravenna?” He called out, his voice full of authority, like the Alpha he was meant to be. I took a deep breath, steadying myself before exiting the bathroom. He entered just as I had finished drying off. His eyes immediately fell on the coffee stains, and I saw the disappointment flicker across his face. “I heard what Corvin did. Don’t take it to heart,” Alpha Riven said, his voice soft but laced with a warning. “He’s still just a boy, and he does care about you.” I scoffed. “That child knows nothing of love. Not when it comes to me.” My words were sharp, a bitter truth I had come to accept long ago. His face tightened. “Don’t say that, Ravenna. He’s a good boy.” I turned away, ignoring the way his presence made my skin crawl, and grabbed the soothing balm from the nightstand. I applied it to my scalded skin, the ointment cooling the burn. It would heal by morning, just like my heart had learned to heal over the years. “Let me help you, Ravenna.” Alpha Riven’s voice broke through the silence, and before I could stop him, he took the balm from my hands and began to rub it into the inflamed skin. A few years ago, I would have melted at his touch, but now, it just made my skin crawl. “You don’t get it, do you?” I muttered under my breath, but he didn’t hear me. His breath was warm against my neck as he whispered, “You have to be patient with him.” I jerked away, feeling the familiar pull of the wolf that wanted to fight back, to push him away. “I need to tell you something,” I said, my voice hard. Alpha Riven frowned. “Can’t it wait? The birthday celebrations are starting.” “No, it can’t,” I said, my voice steady, the decision clear in my heart. “Today marks the eighth year. I’m leaving. I’m done.” Alpha Riven stared at me, confusion and disbelief written on his face. But I had made my choice. There was no going back now.

Ravenna’s Pov “What nonsense are you spewing now?” Alpha Riven’s voice rumbled like thunder, shaking the very air between us. The tension in the room was palpable, but I stood my ground, unflinching under his piercing gaze. “It’s been eight years, Alpha Riven,” I declared, my voice steady, yet edged with finality. “I’m leaving.” Alpha Riven’s features twisted in a snarl, his wolfish anger rising to the surface. His aura pressed down on me, almost suffocating. “Why are you making a fuss now? Corvin’s just a cub. Don’t take his childish antics to heart. Today is his birthday. Come along, don’t be difficult. I’ll deal with him later.” Before I could respond, his hand clamped around mine, tugging me toward the door. I yanked my hand away, my eyes cold as I faced him. “You promised me, Alpha Riven. When Corvin turned eight, I was free to go. Why am I making a fuss?” As I spoke, a voice sliced through the thick air, sharp and biting. “Ravenna, how dare you cause such a scene? You always manage to steal the spotlight, even on a day meant for my grandson!” I didn’t need to turn around to recognize Sara’s voice. She was the one who had struck the deal with Alpha Riven, promising me freedom once Corvin turned eight. So why was she now making such a racket? “I’m not stealing anything, Sara,” I shot back, my words laced with ice. “You were the one who said I could leave after eight years.” Her lips twisted into a venomous sneer. “On Corvin’s birthday, Ravenna? You couldn’t wait until tomorrow?” Alpha Riven intervened, his voice too smooth, too calculated. “It’s fine, Sara. Ravenna didn’t mean to disrupt things.” I could see through him now. Years ago, I would’ve believed it, but now I knew his words were just an empty attempt to keep me by his side, trapped in this unending cycle. “Come, let’s go join the party,” Alpha Riven said, a hint of impatience creeping into his voice. I didn’t protest, letting him lead me into the crowded celebration. Corvin and his friends were already in the middle of their chaos, but as soon as Corvin saw me, his face hardened, turning to stone. “Look, Corvin,” one of his friends called, “Your mother is here.” Corvin’s lip curled in disgust. “She’s not my mother.” The sting of his words didn’t pierce my heart like they used to. Now, I stood unmoving, only watching as Alpha Riven sighed deeply, pulling Corvin into line. “We don’t speak like that, Corvin. Ravenna is your mother now. She’s taken care of you like her own.” Corvin’s face contorted with rage. “She’s not my mother! She killed my mother!” His voice cracked with fury as he pointed at me, accusing me before the entire room. Whispers rippled through the hall, the guests’ eyes darting to me like I was some kind of pariah. “She’s the boy’s aunt.” “Why does he act like that toward her?” “Obviously, she’s done something wrong. He doesn’t like her…” Alpha Riven’s booming voice cut through the murmur of voices. “Apologize to Ravenna, Corvin!” I raised my hand, stopping him in his tracks. “Let him be, Alpha Riven. It doesn’t matter anymore.” Without a word, I turned and walked out of the room, my steps composed but my mind swirling. In the past, Corvin’s words would have crushed me. But now, I was numb to his hatred, numb to the way Alpha Riven’s love always belonged to someone else. “Why would you cause a scene on his birthday, Ravenna?” Sara’s shrill voice echoed behind me, and I turned to face her, my expression neutral. “What do you want, Sara?” I said, my voice dripping with exhaustion. “I’ve fulfilled my duty for eight years. I’m done.” Her eyes narrowed with disdain as she took a step closer. “You should treat Corvin like your son. Endure his fits, care for him as if he’s your flesh and blood. If my daughter were alive, she’d have handled him better.” I gave a nonchalant shrug, the bitterness of the situation settling in. “Pity, your daughter is dead.” Without warning, Sara’s hand shot out, aiming for my cheek. But I caught her wrist effortlessly, my grip like iron. “Don’t try it, Sara. I’m not in the mood for this. Eight years ago, you forced me to come here and care for them. The contract is over. Corvin is eight. I have every right to leave.” She jerked her hand away, glaring at me as she rubbed her wrist. “Do whatever you want, Ravenna,” she hissed, “No one will ever love you. Not even your father.” She turned on her heel and stormed off. A hollow smile twisted on my lips as I watched her leave. It had been eight years since I’d last seen my father. Ever since his beloved daughter had died, he’d sent me away and never looked back. “I’m sorry, Ravenna. I brought you a gift.” A quiet voice broke my thoughts, and I turned to see Corvin standing there, holding a small, neatly wrapped box. His innocent smile was almost too much to bear. “You shouldn’t have,” I said, my voice flat, though I could see the hint of irony behind my words. Corvin giggled, a light, almost playful sound. “I wanted to. Please, open it.” With a shrug, I unwrapped the box. The moment I opened it, an overpowering stench hit me. Inside was the lifeless body of my cat, an arrow lodged through its heart. “That will be you, if you don’t leave me and my father alone,” Corvin said, his voice dripping with sick amusement, his eyes gleaming with a chilling intent. Chapter 3 Ravenna’s Pov I was mortified staring at my only pet that I had been allowed to bring to the pack mansion nestled deep in Bloodpine Forest, the ancestral land of the Moonclaw Pack. The same way I have taken care of Corvin. The air was sharp with winter frost, my Beta senses pricking at every sound, but all I could hear was my own heartbeat—and Corvin’s angry growl. “Don’t mess with me and don’t get my father upset with me!” Corvin snapped, his wolf aura flickering in his eyes, golden like his father’s. I watched as he stomped off while I stared at the arrow in my cat’s body. A silver-tipped arrow. Wolf-forged, cruel, precise. Fate is indeed mocking me because I was the one who taught Corvin how to shoot arrows. I taught Corvin everything he knows and now he’s using it against me. I cradled the box as I stared at Lin Lin, my best friend, and a single tear slipped from my eyes. “Why are you out in the cold, Ravenna? Don’t get sick on me!” Alpha Riven Grimsbane’s deep voice carried through the thick wooden door, laced with command and concern. He immediately stood behind me as he draped me with his jacket, his scent—pine and steel—enveloping me in a wave of unwelcome familiarity, which I shrugged off. “What’s wrong?” he queried. His face twisted in slight disgust when he saw the dead cat in the box. “Your son came to apologize,” I stated. Alpha Riven’s frown deepened, “He’s your son too.” I scoffed, “He hates me, Alpha Riven! He killed my cat.” “Come now, let’s go inside. I’ll have a talk with him in the morning, and you can bury the cat tomorrow. I’m sure he was just messing around and it was a silly prank,” Alpha Riven said. I shrugged away from him as I carried the cat and headed into the garden. The moon above was nearly full—another cruel reminder that I wasn’t his Luna, only his obligation. I wasn’t going to let my cat stay out all night for some animal to poke at him. Alpha Riven followed me, complaining about how I was being stubborn, but he stayed with me while I buried Lin Lin. When I was done, I went inside. The party was over, and the guests had all gone home. The pack house was silent now, except for the distant howls echoing through the valley. It was already late and windy. I sneezed just as Alpha Riven held me. We got to my room, and he sat me down on his lap. His touch no longer warmed me—it burned like an unwanted bond. I cringed inwardly. “What do you want?” I snapped. Alpha Riven sighed, “What’s wrong, Ravenna? I’ll get you a new cat.” “I want to leave, Alpha Riven. Tomorrow,” I stated. Alpha Riven tensed. A flicker of Alpha command slipped into his gaze, but I held mine, refusing to submit. “Corvin is a child. I don’t trust anyone to take care of him except you. Besides, where do you want to go? It’s not like you have anyone else.” I shrugged, “I’ll worry about that. I have no place here. You have refused to marry me after eight years.” Alpha Riven sighed, “I already told you, Ravenna, I can’t take another mate now.” “I’m not asking you to. In fact, I don’t want to marry you. I just want to leave.” “Okay, why don’t you have a child for me? That way I can secure your future and that of your child. If you have a child for me, no one would dare say a bad word against you. And then Corvin will have a little sibling.” I smiled sadly. I had reduced myself to nothing and discarded my pride and yet eight years still he wants me to have an illegitimate child for him. All this just to protect Corvin and keep me in the same house as him. “I’ve instructed the maid everything she needs to know about Corvin. He’s homeschooled, so you can get the best tutors for him or send him to school. He doesn’t need me again,” I stated. Alpha Riven kissed me, his lips cold despite the heat of his wolf. “Sleep on it and tell me how you feel in the morning.” That night I didn’t sleep a wink. I packed my luggage and I kept seeing the face of Lin Lin. In my dreams, Lin Lin ran under moonlight… until the arrow struck again. Morning came sooner than expected, and after a quick shower, I dragged my suitcases outside. It was finally happening. I was leaving. But of course, I wasn’t going to leave in peace. A slow clap echoed through the courtyard, followed by a familiar, mocking voice. “Well, well, well,” Kiera’s shadowed voice cut through the early dawn fog. She leaned against the stone pillar of the eastern gate, her Beta aura bristling beneath her flawless skin. “Have you finally come to your senses?” I sighed. Kiera, my Alpha Riven’s mistress, always knew when to strike with her venomous charm. Corvin adored her. She never let me forget it. I ignored her and kept walking, but she stepped into my path, tilting her head in amusement. “Eight years, Ravenna,” she continued, crossing her arms. “Eight years of playing house, of waiting for an Alpha who never claimed you. And now, after all that time, you’re finally leaving.” She chuckled. “Took you long enough to realize that Alpha Riven and Corvin will never love you. You’ve been nothing but a worthless concubine.” I met her gaze, my expression unreadable. “Enjoy it, then,” I said simply. “Do whatever you want. None of this concerns me anymore.” Her smirk widened. “Oh, I will. Don’t worry,” she whispered. “Soon, I’ll move in and take your place.” Before I could respond, the front doors swung open. Alpha Riven stepped out, followed closely by Corvin. And in an instant, Elspeth’s entire demeanor changed. She gasped dramatically and dropped to her knees, clutching the hem of my coat as if her life depended on it. “Ravenna, please!” she sobbed, her voice thick with desperation. “Please don’t go! Corvin needs you! You’ve been taking care of him all these years—how could you just leave him like this?” I stared down at her blankly. “Corvin loves you, he really does,” she continued, her voice cracking. “He’s just a child! Please, don’t leave him. I’m so sorry for everything, just please, Ravenna—”

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