Category: English

On my wedding day, a sex tape of Julian Hayes and my cousin, Sera Reed, suddenly flashed across the big screen. Every friend in the industry, every media reporter, spun around to stare at me, camera flashes going off like crazy. The air froze. Everyone waited for my reaction, expecting me to go ballistic right there. But I just curled my lip into a cold, contemptuous smile and motioned for the staff to cut the video. “Let them enjoy themselves. We wouldn’t want to interrupt.” The big screen went black, cutting off the sickening images. Looking at the timestamp and location, the video was taken just last night, at Julian’s hotel. My industry friends and staff who had come to the wedding with me held their breath, cautiously watching my every move. I fought to contain the agony twisting inside me, desperately trying to maintain the composure of a true professional. “My apologies, everyone. Today’s wedding is canceled.” I said it as calmly as I could, but my voice still trembled slightly. The words barely left my lips when Julian burst from the back room, his face a mask of disbelief. “Cancel the wedding? Aurora, what do you mean by that?!” I turned and looked at him, noticing a disheveled woman following close behind him—Sera Reed. “Yes, Aurora, are you perhaps misunderstanding something?” Sera asked, feigning innocence, her eyes, however, glinting with a defiant challenge. “It’s all my fault. Last night was Julian’s bachelor party. We, a bunch of girls, got a little too wild and pushed him to have a few extra drinks. We did lie on the same bed, but nothing happened. This video is fake.” Watching the scene unfold before me, my heart felt like it was being twisted and torn, yet I was powerless. Julian always had a soft spot for Sera, and her words instantly turned his grim expression into a furious snarl. He pointed a furious finger at my face, “Aurora Vance, I can tolerate your jealousy on normal days, but today is our wedding! How can you be so unreasonable? You’re canceling the wedding over *this* little thing?!” Before I could even open my mouth, they just kept piling on the accusations. My hands clenched into fists, my heart felt like it was being sliced open, and my voice turned ice-cold. “Julian Hayes, you know it’s our wedding today? Then tell me, what kind of groom lies in the same bed as his fiancée’s cousin the night before his wedding?” “My husband would never be that kind of man. And he never will be!” I looked at him and Sera. Standing together, their faces and necks were covered in matching hickeys! “I get it. After all these years, she’s always been first in your heart. Since you two are so deeply entwined, then I’ll make it happen for you right now! From today on, you two can openly sleep together. May you both grow old together!” With those words, I left Julian and Sera stunned, turning and walking away. Julian had never seen me so resolute. For a moment, he froze, his eyes wide with disbelief. He even forgot to stop me or the guests leaving behind me. After leaving the hotel, I apologized to my accompanying staff and friends, then called my agent to explain the situation. When Ms. Albright heard I’d canceled the wedding on the spot, she was first shocked, then let out a deep sigh. “You’re a public figure, you have to be responsible for your decisions. I’ll respect your choice.” Ms. Albright said solemnly. I fought back tears, choking out an apology to my agent, assuring her I’d handle all the follow-up PR matters. Only after I’d dealt with everything did I hide away in the dressing room, carefully wiping the makeup from my face. The woman in the mirror, Her eyes were filled with exhaustion and disappointment, Yet she still maintained the dignity expected of a celebrity. My reflection in the makeup mirror showed a smudged face, vacant eyes. Once a dazzling award-winning actress, I now looked like a discarded extra. So pathetic. There was nothing left of the celebrity I was supposed to be. It was just like the past few years of my relationship with Julian. Julian and I met at an award ceremony. Back then, his acting was brilliant, he was dedicated, professional, and kind to everyone. I secretly admired him for a long time and confessed my feelings multiple times. It wasn’t until the fourth movie we worked on together wrapped filming that he finally accepted my pursuit. I knew he grew up in foster care and lacked a sense of security, so I was completely open about my finances and shared all my financial details and assets, and I was completely transparent about my schedule, giving him all the trust and security he needed. In the beginning, our relationship was sweet and happy. We often attended events together, hailed by the media as the model couple of the entertainment industry. But after Sera returned from abroad, our conflicts grew daily. Sera is my cousin; she and Julian attended the same performing arts academy and grew from green newcomers into popular stars. Later, Sera got the chance to develop her career in Hollywood and abandoned Julian without hesitation. Julian was heartbroken then and, during his career low point, accepted my invitation to work on a film. He used to say gratefully that my encouragement helped him rediscover his passion for acting. But as soon as Sera reappeared, he forgot all my sacrifices. On our three-year anniversary, I booked a Michelin three-star restaurant. He, however, brushed me off, claiming he had to film, only to turn around and take Sera to that very restaurant. They later posted romantic candlelit dinner photos on social media. I was so furious I confronted him. “How could you have dinner with another woman? That was the place I specifically booked for *us*!” He looked utterly annoyed at the time and snapped, “Why are you so petty? It’s just dinner, why are you making such a big deal out of it?!” Sera also feigned innocence, mediating between us, “Aurora, Julian and I just have a professional working relationship. We were just practicing a scene that day. If it caused a misunderstanding, I’ll keep my distance from him in the future.” Julian immediately flew into a rage, “Why should I cater to her? She’s such a high-maintenance drama queen, always making a scene!” I was shaking with anger, but Julian’s fury was even greater than mine; he caused a huge commotion on set. In the end, under pressure from the director, and to avoid affecting the filming schedule, I was the one who backed down first, going to his dressing room to apologize. I pleaded and coaxed, and even agreed to take on some less desirable projects for him, before he finally calmed down. Another time, Julian told me he was injured and asked me to bring some nourishing food. I thought he was badly hurt, so I specifically consulted a holistic practitioner and brewed a nutritious stew for four hours. Braving a heavy downpour, I drove to the studio complex where he was. To save time, I ran a red light on the way and almost got hit by a big truck. Although I managed to brake in time and avoided a crash, my car still skidded and hit the guardrail on the side of the road. When passersby took me to the hospital, I was still clutching that insulated container tightly. The doctor said I had a mild concussion, but I insisted on being discharged. When I arrived on set, I saw Julian and Sera laughing and going over the script together. His “injury” was just special effects makeup, purely for the shoot. Seeing my disheveled state, Julian showed no reaction, nonchalantly taking the insulated container. Sera, however, gave me a meaningful look, a faint smile playing on her lips. She complained, “What took you so long? Julian was practically starving by the time you arrived!” “Oh, forget her. Come on, let’s eat…” All these years, he repeatedly ignored me for Sera. I tolerated and compromised again and again, until finally, I was utterly exhausted by love. But our wedding date was set, and after so many years of dating, my love for him had become a habit. To maintain the relationship, I gave up many good roles, even turning down invitations from international acclaimed directors. But Julian didn’t seem to appreciate it. He always used work as an excuse to get involved in rumors with other actresses. Every time I confronted him, he would put on an innocent act, saying it was all just publicity, for the buzz. I chose to believe him because I didn’t want to admit that all my efforts were in vain. So I always fantasized that maybe our relationship would improve after marriage. After we were married, Julian would perhaps realize my importance and curb his womanizing tendencies, and we would rediscover the feeling of when we first fell in love. But I failed. He not only didn’t settle down, he even escalated, Sleeping in the same bed with my cousin, Sera Reed, the night before our wedding! It had come to this. I had no more illusions about him. I had naively thought marriage would settle him down, but reality slapped me hard in the face. The man who once made my heart pound now left me with nothing but disappointment and a sense of strangeness. Looking at my exhausted reflection in the mirror, I decided I wouldn’t waste another tear on someone undeserving. I wiped away the tear stains with a cotton pad, adjusted my makeup in the mirror, making sure I still looked radiant. Taking a deep breath, I stepped into my luxurious apartment. However, I never expected Julian to already be waiting for me there. He was sitting on my favorite leather sofa, looking at me apologetically, holding a large bouquet of roses. The company had found a wedding home for us last year, but Julian had been unwilling to move in because the apartment was too far from Sera’s studio. And the place we rented before was only a fifteen-minute drive from Sera’s studio. So, even though the new house had been renovated for over a year, it remained empty. We had planned to move into the new house after the wedding, but now that the wedding was canceled, this place had no purpose. So when I stepped into the living room and found Julian already there, my first question was: “What are you doing here?” Julian’s expression instantly stiffened, but he quickly forced a smile and walked towards me. “Aurora Vance, can we talk?” he said softly, a hint of plea in his eyes. “I just had my assistant order all your favorite dishes.” The dining table behind him was laden with exquisite food, the aroma wafting through the air. “Even though you misunderstood me, I forgive you. I won’t hold it against you for canceling the wedding. Let’s just eat.” If it were before, seeing Julian so humble, I would have softened and agreed, then we would have reconciled. But now, looking at him, I felt my heart growing colder and colder. The man who once made my heart race now seemed nothing but hypocritical and ridiculous in my eyes. “Julian Hayes, I made myself very clear today. We are broken up.” I said icily. His smile faltered, and his voice took on a hint of impatience. “I already apologized to you, what more do you want?” For years, I had always been the one to coax him, so he couldn’t accept my cold words. His expression crumpled into one of self-pity. “I even had my assistant prepare a table full of your favorite dishes. See, I rushed here so fast, I even left the company without–” “Julian Hayes.” I cut him off. “Do you remember that I’m allergic to seafood?” *** That table, besides the steamed lobster, also had abalone rice. I’m allergic to seafood; I can’t eat a single bite. But Sera’s favorite food is seafood! Julian didn’t remember my preferences or allergies at all, but he knew all of Sera’s quirks inside and out. Or rather, it wasn’t that he didn’t remember; he just didn’t care about me.

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My five-year marriage, in that single moment, became a bitter mockery. “For tomorrow’s monthly report meeting, I want Caleb to present your brand proposal.” My wife, Sarah, said without even looking up. I put down the files I was sorting, thinking I’d misheard. “What did you say?” “Caleb just joined the company. He needs a chance to prove himself, and your proposal is perfect.” She finally looked up, her eyes showing no room for negotiation. “That’s my submission for the competition.” “You win awards every year anyway. What’s the big deal if you let him have it just this once?” Her tone was casual, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Besides, the company needs to nurture new talent.” I stared at the woman I’d shared a bed with for five years, and suddenly, her face blurred. “Do you know how many all-nighters I pulled for this proposal? You’re giving it to an intern who just started?” “Alex, don’t be so petty. It’s just a proposal, isn’t it?” Her face hardened. “I’ve already decided.” My fists clenched, rage surged through my veins.

I never imagined my wife of five years would give away the creative proposal I’d worked on through the night. Hand it over, completely untouched, to an intern who’d only been with the company for half a month. When I saw Caleb, standing on the stage at the company’s monthly report meeting, confidently presenting the brand proposal I’d spent three sleepless nights on, I felt utterly sick. The icy chill of betrayal drenched me from head to toe. Colleagues in the audience cast admiring glances at Caleb. The department manager nodded repeatedly. Some even whispered about how remarkably talented this newcomer was. I sat in the last row of the conference room, watching the young man, seven years my junior, in a perfectly tailored suit. He gracefully pointed at the projector screen, showcasing my hard work, introducing “his” creative concepts to everyone. Sarah sat at the head table, her eyes filled with pride and satisfaction, as if she’d discovered some extraordinary talent. She even praised Caleb publicly, calling him a rare creative star the company had seen in years, worthy of everyone’s admiration. My fists clenched into tight knots under the table, my nails digging hard into my palms, almost breaking the skin. After the meeting, I blocked Sarah’s office door. When she saw me, her face still glowed with excitement from before, her eyes bright and sparkling. She had absolutely no idea how serious the problem was. “Alex, you saw it, didn’t you? Caleb really is talented. That proposal is just amazing.” I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice calm. “Sarah, that was *my* proposal.” She paused, then waved a dismissive hand, her tone light. “Oh, you mean that. I thought Caleb just joined the company and needed a chance to prove himself, so I let him use your proposal just to cut his teeth on.” Cut his teeth on. My three days and nights of hard work, in her mouth, became a mere tool for an intern to practice with. “Do you know what that proposal means to me? It’s my submission for this year’s International Creative Awards.” A hint of awkwardness finally crossed Sarah’s face, but she quickly reverted to her usual self-righteous demeanor. “You win awards every year anyway. What’s the big deal if you let him have it just this once? Besides, this was just an internal report, not an actual competition entry.” A burning inferno raged in my chest, and my blood boiled with pure fury. “Sarah, what do you take me for?” She seemed startled by my sudden serious tone, a flash of panic in her eyes. “Don’t be like that. Caleb is just a kid, fresh out of college. I was just trying to help him grow quickly.” I turned and walked away, not wanting to hear any more of her explanations. Her voice calling my name echoed behind me, but I didn’t have the strength to turn back.

The next morning, I deliberately avoided leaving at the same time as Sarah. After arriving at work, I went straight to my personal studio. This was a private space Sarah had specially partitioned for me in the company. It housed all my creative works and award certificates from over the years. But the moment I pushed open the door, I froze. All the trophies and certificates that usually sat in the display cabinet were gone. The posters I had personally designed, hanging on the walls, had been taken down, replaced by decorative paintings I’d never seen before. What made me even angrier was finding Caleb sitting in my chair. Design drafts were spread out in front of him, and a cup of coffee sat nearby, making him look like the owner of the place. He saw me enter, a flicker of panic in his eyes, but it quickly morphed into that innocent expression. “Mr. Hayes, you’re here. Ms. Sterling said I could work here temporarily because it’s too noisy outside, and it affects my thinking.” Ms. Sterling. That title grated on my ears. “Where are my things?” Caleb pretended not to understand, his gaze darting away. “What things?” “My trophies, my certificates, my work.” “Oh, those. Ms. Sterling said she put them away for now. She said displaying them might put pressure on me.” I stared at him for a long moment, then turned to find Sarah. She was in a meeting with a few clients. Her brow furrowed when she saw me push the door open. “Sarah, I need to talk to you.” “Wait until I finish my meeting.” “Now.” My tone left no room for refusal. The clients sensed the tension in the air and voluntarily suggested rescheduling. Once only the two of us were left in the conference room, Sarah impatiently spoke. “What’s wrong now? Didn’t I explain everything yesterday?” “Why are all my things gone from my studio?” Her expression flickered with a hint of guilt, but her words remained unyielding, defiant. “Caleb needs a quiet environment to create. And those trophies, they really do put pressure on people when they’re displayed there.” “That’s *my* studio.” “Every space in this company is mine. I can arrange it however I want!” That sentence slapped me hard across the face. Yes, this was her company. Phoenix Creative, which she had built from the ground up. And I, I was merely her nominal Creative Director, in reality, more like a free idea provider. When we first partnered, I contributed my expertise as an investment, but my stake was small. Most of the decision-making power was in her hands. I always thought we had moved beyond that initial purely transactional relationship. I thought we had real love and trust between us. But now, it seemed, in her mind, I was still just a subordinate she could freely command. “Sarah, you’ve changed.” A flicker of something crossed her eyes, but it was quickly masked by stubbornness. “I haven’t changed. You’re just too sensitive. It’s just borrowing a space, why are you making such a fuss?” I turned and left the conference room, a decision hardening in my heart. Since she didn’t care about my feelings, there was no need for me to continue to compromise.

Over the next few days, I consciously distanced myself from Sarah. In the mornings, I left earlier than her. At night, I waited until she was asleep before coming home, minimizing our time alone. But what I didn’t expect was for Caleb to actively seek me out. When he knocked on the door of my temporary office, he wore that seemingly sincere smile. “Mr. Hayes, I know you misunderstand me, but I truly just want to learn.” I kept my eyes on the computer screen, not looking up. “Learning doesn’t require taking over someone else’s studio.” He sat in the chair opposite me, his tone carrying an uncomfortable intimacy. “Actually, I’ve always admired your work. It’s truly an honor to work in the same company as you.” “If you truly admired it, you wouldn’t have used my proposal and passed it off as your own.” Caleb’s face shifted, but he quickly regained that innocent expression. “Mr. Hayes, you’ve misunderstood.” “Ms. Sterling said that proposal was a collective company effort, and she just asked me to present it to train my presentation skills.” I finally looked up at him, studying his expression carefully. The young man was indeed good-looking, with fair skin and delicate features. When he spoke, his eyes would curve into crescent moons, making it easy for people to like him. But in the depths of his eyes, I caught a subtle, almost imperceptible glint of triumph and calculation. “Caleb, how old are you this year?” “Twenty-three.” “Then you should know what honesty means.” His smile stiffened. “Mr. Hayes, I don’t understand what you mean.” “My meaning is very clear. That proposal, from beginning to end, was completed entirely by me.” “You knew that, yet you still had the audacity to present it. That’s called shamelessness.” Caleb’s face instantly flushed red, but he quickly composed himself. “Mr. Hayes, what you’re saying is very hurtful. I truly was just doing what Ms. Sterling asked.” With that, he hurriedly left my office. But I knew, this wouldn’t be the end of it. Sure enough, that same afternoon, Sarah stormed into my office. “Alex, what do you mean by that?! Why did you talk to Caleb like that?!” I put down my pen and calmly looked at her. “What did I say?” “You called him shameless, said he stole your proposal. He’s just a kid who just graduated, what you said will hurt him!” I couldn’t help but laugh, but there was no warmth in that laugh. “He’s hurt? What about me? Who cares about my feelings?” Sarah froze for a moment, apparently not expecting me to retort like that. “You’re an adult. You should be more understanding. Besides, Caleb didn’t mean any harm.” “No harm? Then why did he claim it was his own creative concept during the report?” “He just has poor communication skills, maybe his phrasing was problematic.” I realized that no matter what I said, she would find an excuse for Caleb. This blatant favoritism sent an unprecedented chill through me. “Sarah, do you… do you like him?” The words blurted out before I could stop myself. Her face instantly turned ashen, a flash of panic in her eyes. “What are you talking about? He’s just my subordinate!” “A subordinate needs this much protection from you?” “Can a subordinate casually use my studio? Can a subordinate take credit for my creative ideas?” Sarah bit her lip, silent for a long time. Finally, she just said coldly, “Alex, you’re being too extreme!” Then she left my office.

The next day, I found that several important creative files on my computer had been deleted, and even the recycle bin had been emptied. These files were proposals I had recently prepared for several major clients, each one costing me a great deal of effort. Even worse, one of them was my entry for the Global Advertising Festival, an award that held significant meaning for me. I immediately contacted the IT department and asked them to help me recover the data. The technicians checked and told me that these files were deliberately deleted, and the deletion time was around eleven last night. At eleven last night, I was already home. Only the security guards and employees working overtime were at the company. I reviewed the surveillance footage and found that Caleb had indeed stayed at the company very late last night, and he had also entered my office. When I told Sarah about this discovery, her reaction utterly disappointed me. “Maybe he wanted to learn your creative process and accidentally deleted them. Don’t maliciously speculate about a kid.” “Accidentally deleted? Sarah, even the recycle bin was emptied. Is that an accidental deletion?” “Maybe he was trying to help you clear junk files.” I looked at her defending Caleb, and suddenly, this woman in front of me felt so foreign. “Fine, even if it was an accidental deletion, why didn’t he tell me? Why did he hide it?” “He was probably afraid you’d blame him.” I took a deep breath, trying to control my emotions. “Sarah, I’ll ask you one last time. If it has to be one of us, me or Caleb, who would you choose?” She froze, clearly not expecting such a question. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice trembling slightly. “Why are you forcing me to choose? You’re both important to me.” “Answer me!” A flicker of something crossed her eyes, but she finally gritted her teeth and said it. “I won’t fire Caleb. He’s a young man with potential. His future shouldn’t be ruined because of some misunderstanding.” Those words were like a dagger plunged into my heart. I understood then. In her heart, I held less importance than an intern she’d known for less than a month. “Alright, I understand.” I turned and left her office, having made up my mind. That same evening, I contacted my lawyer friend, Marcus. “Marcus, help me draft a divorce agreement.” There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the line. “Alex, are you serious? You and Sarah were always so good together.” “Just prepare it. I want to see the agreement within three days.” “Okay, but you need to think carefully. There’s the issue of company shares between you two.” “I know. I’ll give up all my shares in her company, but I have one condition.” “What condition?” “I want to reclaim the copyrights for all my original works, as well as the copyrights for all the creative proposals I’ve designed for the company over the past five years.” Marcus gasped. “Alex, those are the core assets of her company!” “They were always my work. I’m just taking back what belongs to me.”

Over the next few days, I quietly began gathering evidence to prove that those creative proposals were indeed my original work. I dug out all the creative drafts, organized the evolution of the design concepts. I even found testimony from some clients, proving that they initially chose to work with Phoenix Creative because of my ideas. At the same time, I was secretly contacting some excellent creative talents, preparing to establish my own studio. During this period, Caleb seemed to sense something and started badmouthing me frequently to Sarah. He told Sarah that my work attitude had been very negative recently, and that I had been hostile towards him, affecting his work enthusiasm. Sarah actually believed him and even specifically called me in to talk, saying my recent performance had disappointed her. “Alex, Caleb said you’ve been quite unfriendly to him lately. That’s really bad for the company’s team atmosphere.” I sat opposite her, calmly looking at her. “What else did he say?” “He said you deliberately assigned him unreasonable tasks and even disparaged his abilities in front of other colleagues.” I couldn’t help but laugh. This Caleb really knew how to twist facts. “And you believe him?” Sarah avoided my gaze, a hint of guilt in her eyes. “I just hope you two can get along. After all, you’re colleagues in the same company.” “Alright, I understand.” I stood up to leave, but Sarah called out to me. “Alex, are you upset with me recently?” I turned back to look at her, a bitter pang in my heart. “No, I’m fine.” “That’s good. I thought you were mad at me.” I didn’t say anything more and left her office directly. That same afternoon, I received the first draft of the divorce agreement from Marcus. I read it carefully, confirmed there were no issues, and decided to confront her that night. When I got home, Sarah was busy in the kitchen, seemingly in a good mood. “Why are you home so early today?” “There’s something I want to talk to you about.” She walked out of the kitchen, carrying the freshly cooked dishes, a smile still on her face. “What’s so mysterious?” I took the divorce agreement from my briefcase and placed it on the dining table. Sarah’s plate almost slipped from her hands when she saw the cover of the agreement. “What does this mean?” Her voice trembled, her face instantly turning pale. “I don’t think there’s any need for us to continue.” “Let’s get a divorce.” “Because of Caleb, you want to divorce me?” I shook my head. “It’s not because of Caleb. It’s because of your distrust and disrespect towards me.” “Where did I disrespect you?”

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I spent ten years by Seraphina’s side, helping her climb from an illegitimate daughter, tossed out on the streets, to the top contender for the Vance family empire. When I eagerly prepared to propose, she was secretly planning a lavish wedding with her supposed soulmate, Preston Thorne. Even her own subordinates couldn’t stand it. “Mr. Hayes has been with you for so many years, everyone has seen his hard work and contributions. We’ve always considered him family…” Seraphina exhaled a puff of smoke. “Jaxson Hayes? He’s too much of a force to handle, too wild for marriage. He’s a sharp blade, no doubt, especially for cutting through business deals, but marriage? That’s for someone you truly love.” “Besides, his background? It’s nowhere near Preston’s.” “But Mr. Hayes is formidable now. What if he finds out about the contract termination?” Seraphina sneered. “The inheritance is pretty much in the bag. What kind of storm can Jaxson Hayes whip up? And seriously, you guys don’t get how obsessed he is with me, do you? A few sweet words, and he’ll be putty in my hands.” I slowly lowered the hand that was about to knock, tucking away the latest quarterly financial reports. Instead, I pulled out my phone and sent a SnapChat message to her sister, Blair Vance. “The Vance heir position and her life. Interested?”

I was in the middle of booking flights to Sweden when Seraphina strode into my office, a frown etched on her face, and rapped on my desk. “Preston lands in two hours. Arrange for someone to pick him up; I’m tied up here.” “Oh, and by the way, move out for a bit. Clear out the master bedroom and order 999 champagne-colored roses.” I just stared at her cold, clear eyes. For the first time, I didn’t immediately agree. I simply lowered my gaze, tidying up the papers on my desk. My phone screen lit up, confirming the flight booking. Seraphina glanced at it, her frown deepening. “Blair Vance has no real power now. The heir position is a sure thing. Your main task right now is to keep a close eye on those old foxes in management. Don’t let Blair get an opening.” Seraphina always spoke to me with that commanding tone. She always said she felt insecure, and to accommodate her, I’d always put her first in the company, following her every command. Now, it just felt ridiculous. Seeing my lack of response, Seraphina gripped the desk with clenched fists, veins popping out on her hands. “Jaxson Hayes, are you testing me? Are you even listening? So what if your tiny company had a tech breakthrough? That’s no reason to get cocky!” I pushed the printed termination agreement and a few recent contracts across the table to her. “Ms. Vance,” I said calmly, “sign it.” “What is this now?” She furrowed her brows, taking the papers impatiently. “Just read it yourself.” A notification pinged on her phone. She casually tossed the contracts aside, her slender fingers flying across the screen as she replied to a message. Apparently, text wasn’t enough to convey her urgency. She pressed her thumb to the screen. “Okay, I’ve arranged it. See you tonight.” She tried to control the joy in her voice, but the smile on her lips was impossible to hide. Her relaxed brows made her look even more radiant. After a long moment, she seemed to remember I was still there. Impatiently, she grabbed a pen, barely glancing at the papers as she signed off in a few quick strokes. Perhaps the other person’s message had put her in a good mood. “Jaxson, maybe we’ve both been too tired lately.” Seraphina’s tone softened. “You don’t always need to seek validation from me. Once everything settles down, I’ll fulfill my promises to you.” I ignored her, simply bending my head back to my work. After all, I’d been waiting year after year for such worthless promises. I finally understood: it wasn’t that she was too busy; it was that this groom was never meant to be me. After arranging the follow-up work for the termination and returning home, Preston Thorne, dressed in designer clothes, appeared at my door. “Seraphina said you were lonely and pathetic, which is why she took you in all these years.” “But you’ve really worked hard taking care of Seraphina all this time. Even a bodyguard couldn’t be this dedicated.” “Still, don’t fantasize about being the man of the house, big brother. After all, we’re getting married tomorrow.” I gritted my teeth, clenching my fists, fighting the urge to punch him. I turned to leave. But Preston quickly moved to block me, shoving his phone in my face. “This is a couple’s account Seraphina specifically made to document our love. I bet you’ve never seen this side of her, have you, big brother?” “I’d advise you to stop clinging to the Vance family’s high branch. Just give up and find someone ordinary!” With that, he shoved the phone into my hand and slammed the door shut. A cold breeze swept by as I scrolled through the messages, one by one. April 29th, 2025: While I pulled three all-nighters in a row, she bought Preston a two-million-dollar ring at an auction. October 18th, 2024: On the way to a contract meeting, I was hit by a truck arranged by a rival company, breaking my leg. She was living it up in Dubai with Preston. “Preston’s happiness is more important than anything.” June 8th, 2022: I was set up by her older sister and detained for 15 days. After I got out, I spent two weeks finding people to short Blair’s company stock. She was in France with Preston at an art exhibition. “No artwork can compare to even one-thousandth of Preston’s beauty.” Every single video frame felt like plunging into an ice-cold abyss, a suffocating ache squeezing my lungs. During those ten years with Seraphina, I had pleaded with her to take some photos to document our daily lives. She would just scoff and sneer, “Jaxson Hayes, how can you be so childish for a grown man? Closing a few big deals is far more important.” My only photo with her was probably the hundreds-person group shot when the company went public. Turns out, she didn’t dislike taking photos; she disliked taking them with me. She didn’t dislike going public; she just didn’t want to go public with me. Lost in thought, my phone pinged with a new message. Two words: “Let’s talk.” After a moment of consideration, I couldn’t help but want to confirm some things. “June 8th, 2022. Was that your setup?” The reply was instant: “What good would putting you in there do me?” “Are men in love really that stupid? You believe whatever that brat Seraphina says.” “So, because of that, you almost made me shoulder hundreds of millions in debt?!” I let out a long sigh. Yes, I’d truly been her pawn for years, believing everything she said. I’d made countless enemies for her, taken reckless risks for her, only to end up a complete joke.

After arranging things with Blair, I was about to buy some supplies for after I left when I saw Seraphina on a FaceTime call with her brother. “Seraphina, the shoes your fiancé wanted were finished overnight. The designer raised the price by another three million.” “It’s fine. As long as Preston likes them, money is no object.” “Mainly, I’m worried Mr. Hayes will find out and cause a scene tomorrow… You know his temper…” “Then shut him up. My wedding with Preston will not have any disruptions.” Even though I already knew Seraphina was marrying Preston tomorrow, and I had already decided to leave, hearing the truth from Seraphina’s own lips still felt like a thousand needles piercing my heart, leaving it riddled with holes. Perhaps the series of blows had put my brain in a daze, as I suddenly remembered I hadn’t grabbed my luggage. Back at the door, my clothes, shoes, and personal items were all unceremoniously dumped outside. Laughably, all my belongings combined amounted to very little. After all, for so many years, I’d often been working around the clock at the company, and home was just a place to sleep. But then it hit me: my mother’s emerald bracelet, which she said was for our future daughter-in-law, surely it hadn’t been thrown out too? It was the only memento my mother left me before she passed. I knelt on the ground, frantically searching through the luggage, tearing through it again and again, but it was nowhere to be found. Preston pushed open the door. “Oh, still clinging on, are we? No wonder Seraphina said you’re like a dog that just won’t leave.” “You saw the video just now, right? Seraphina loves me the most.” I stood up, grabbing his wrist with a fierce grip. “Where’s the bracelet? The jade bracelet my mom left me, where did you put it?” Preston winced, pulling his hand away. “Are you crazy?! What jade bracelet? I only saw some plastic trash!” “Is this it?” With that, the hand behind his back lifted, revealing my bracelet. “Give it to me!” He held it high. “Figures. Trashy people only deserve cheap knock-offs. Something so tacky.” “Who’d want this crap? You could probably buy dozens of these for a hundred bucks on Wish! Let’s see what’s so special about it.” I reached out to snatch it, but he just dropped the jade bracelet from above. A sharp crack echoed as the dark green bracelet shattered into countless pieces. I knelt on the ground, picking up piece after piece, but I could never put it back together again… Wiping away my tears, the pent-up anger I’d suppressed for so long finally erupted. *Thud-thud*. I landed two direct punches on Preston. He clutched his face, caught off guard, but then a smirk flickered on his lips. He ruffled his hair, tore open his shirt, endured the pain, bit his lip, and spat out a mouthful of blood. In my shock, I was suddenly kicked hard in the lower back, sending me sprawling to the ground with a painful thud. It felt like my internal organs were all twisted together. “Jaxson Hayes, you heartless man! No wonder everyone in the company says you’re cold and ruthless. You! How can you be so vicious?!” Seraphina rushed forward, helping Preston up in three quick steps. “Preston, are you okay?” Looking at the woman I had shared ten years of my life with, I was suddenly struck by an intense feeling of unreality. Which one of them was the real Seraphina? I endured the intense pain, looking at the woman to whom I had given my heart completely for ten years. “Jaxson Hayes, I’ve never seen a man as malicious as you.” “Throwing your weight around in the company was bad enough, but treating a boy like Preston with such arrogance and cruelty?” “If I had been a moment later, would you have beaten him to death?” Preston was sobbing. “I’m sorry, Seraphina, I caused you trouble again…” Seraphina tenderly wiped his tears. “It’s my fault for being late. I blame myself for not protecting you.” The residual force from Seraphina’s kick was considerable, yet I no longer felt the pain. My body was numb, and my heart even more so. “Seraphina, are you really marrying him?” A flicker of doubt crossed Seraphina’s face, as if wondering how I knew. Her lips parted slightly, but she seemed to hesitate. “Seraphina, it’s all my fault… Jaxson just coerced me, saying he’d beat me to death if I didn’t tell him the truth…” Seraphina gently patted Preston. “It’s a small matter, it’s okay.” Even though I already knew the answer in my heart, the moment I heard it, the last lingering shred of my fantasy about Seraphina vanished. I started laughing, a dry, hollow sound that grew louder and more bitter with each breath. Facing my laughter, only a fleeting hint of panic crossed Seraphina’s eyes. But quickly, she said coldly, “Yes, Preston and I are getting married tomorrow. You can come, but don’t cause a scene.” Thinking back all these years, the wedding only needed one day, yet she had dragged it on year after year. Only because the person she wanted to marry wasn’t me. Perhaps I should still be grateful to her, thanking her for being so generous as to allow me to appear at her wedding. I turned and went into the house. “Get out! Don’t let me see you two again.” I had paid for half of this house. Why should I let these two jerks benefit from it? Watching me limp, dragging my leg, Preston gave a cunning smile. “Seraphina, I just got back to the country and don’t have many friends. How about Jaxson be my best man tomorrow? I wonder if he’d mind…” When her beloved boy spoke, Seraphina naturally agreed without hesitation. I only heard her say “okay” before she grabbed my arm. Meeting my reddened eyes, Seraphina’s voice was cool. “Didn’t you hear Preston?” “So? You really want me to be your best man?” At that moment, my voice trembled uncontrollably, and tears streamed down my face. I wanted someone to come save me, to shout at Seraphina how much I had sacrificed for her all these years. And how dare she treat me like this? But there was no one… Only Seraphina’s voice continued, as if laced with a thousand knives. “Yes! I want you to be the best man! And I want you to personally deliver your blessings!” “Jaxson Hayes! I’m warning you! You better not mess things up tomorrow, or our partnership will be over!” In an instant, my heart was pierced, riddled with holes, and my emotions could no longer be suppressed. I flung Seraphina’s hand away, yelling hoarsely, “Get out! Seraphina! Get out! Take that bastard and get out!” “And! I’m telling you, I won’t agree! Not only will I not agree! I’ll leave that day! I want you to never, ever find me again! After all—!” As astonishment, doubt, and fear flooded Seraphina’s face all at once, I shook my head and said, “After all, it’s been ten years! Even a dog I raised would wag its tail for me, but you! You…!” I shook my head, ultimately swallowing the remaining words. I shut the door on them, enduring the pain as I shuffled back into the house. The sky grew dark. Soon, two message alerts sounded simultaneously. One was from Blair. The other, Seraphina. In the past, I would instinctively open Seraphina’s message first. But this time, I wiped away my tears and calmly opened Blair’s chat. With just one glance, I looked towards the door. “Pleasure doing business, Mr. Hayes. A small token of my appreciation, we’ll meet later.”

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Everyone knew Lily only married me to spite Jack, her idealized ex-lover. For five years of marriage, she played the role of a caring wife and renowned cardiologist in public. But behind closed doors, she was cold as ice towards me and brought up divorce countless times. Later, when Jack returned to the country due to illness, Lily tirelessly cared for him. She even warned me repeatedly: “Jack’s heart is weak. If you dare show your face around him, you’ll regret it!” Finally, on the hundredth time she mentioned divorce, I agreed. What Lily didn’t know was that I had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and didn’t have long to live. On the way to finalize our divorce, I got into a car accident and died instantly. Lily never made it to meet me. Instead, she received news that a matching heart donor had been found for Jack. She rushed back to the hospital excitedly and personally performed the surgery to remove the heart and transplant it into Jack’s body. It was only afterwards that she remembered about finalizing our divorce. But by then, she could no longer reach my phone… 0

The moment my soul left my body, the unbearable pain finally subsided. I floated above, watching the smoking wreckage of my car in the pouring rain. The driver’s side was severely crushed from the impact. The person in the seat was unrecognizable, their bones completely shattered. Today was supposed to be Lily and my fifth wedding anniversary. It was also the hundredth time she had brought up divorce. In the past, I always avoided the topic to maintain our fragile relationship. But this time, I agreed to the divorce. Our relationship hadn’t been good these five years, but we still spent day and night together for so long. Until a month ago, when Jack, the man Lily loved but couldn’t be with, returned to the country due to illness. After that, Lily never came home. She stayed at the hospital caring for him tirelessly. Everyone knew she had only married me back then to spite Jack. But I had loved her secretly for years. So even knowing this cruel truth, I still cherished Lily. My thoughts returned to the present. I watched as the ambulance took away my mangled body. For some reason, I felt compelled to follow. Lily worked at this hospital. For years, she had been a renowned cardiologist. But as the spouse of a top doctor, I couldn’t even go to her for minor ailments. On our wedding day, Lily had coldly told me: “I don’t want to see you at my workplace. And don’t bother me over small things.” So even when I was diagnosed with a terminal illness, I never got the chance to tell her. Tears streamed down my face as a dull ache filled my chest. My bloodied corpse wasn’t taken to the morgue. Instead, it was brought to the operating room on the fifth floor. Just then, the OR doors opened. Two people walked in one after another. “Jack, it’s illegal to take the heart without the family’s consent…” I recognized the person speaking – it was Tom, Lily’s intern. I had often brought Lily meals at work, and this guy had eaten plenty of them. Jack scoffed and walked over to my cold body with his arms crossed. He looked down at me with disdain, unable to hide his disgust as he quickly turned away. “I’ve waited so long to finally match with a donor. How could I let this chance slip away?” He turned to Tom coldly: “Call Lily back.” “I want her to personally remove the heart and perform my surgery.” Tom hesitated, looking at Jack with uncertainty. He started to speak several times but stopped himself. Jack wasn’t in a hurry. He took out a card from his bag and handed it to Tom. “There’s $50,000 on this card. This stays between us.” “Even if the family comes looking later, I have ways to deal with it.” Tempted by the money and Jack’s assurances, Tom finally took the card and called Lily. After some mechanical ringing, Lily’s voice filled the operating room. “What is it?” Tom paused, glancing at Jack before slowly replying: “Dr. Lu, we found a matching heart donor for Mr. Song.” “The body is in the OR. Please come back quickly.” Hearing this, Lily’s usually indifferent tone became ecstatic, as if she had won the lottery. “Really?! I’ll be right there!” “Jack won’t have to worry about this anymore…” Her excited voice felt like daggers stabbing into my heart. I looked at my corpse on the operating table through tear-filled eyes. If Lily knew it was me who died, would she still be so happy? 0

Less than 30 minutes later, Lily returned. She was out of breath as she hugged Jack in the hallway, saying happily: “Jack, you’re finally going to be okay.” Jack’s eyes reddened at her words as he said softly: “Lily, without you I’d rather give up this heart…” Hearing this, Lily hugged Jack tighter and stood on her toes to gently kiss him. She vowed, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely divorce Adam.” “I… only married him to spite you in the first place.” Even though this was common knowledge, hearing it from Lily’s own lips still made my heart ache uncontrollably. So this was how much she loved Jack. So even after five years, I still hadn’t managed to melt her icy heart. While I was lost in thought, Lily had finished comforting Jack and told him to prepare for surgery. She went with Tom to change into scrubs and entered the operating room. For Lily, a heart transplant was a simple procedure. But when she saw the blood-covered body on the operating table, she still frowned: “Tom, why wasn’t the body cleaned up before being brought here?” Tom froze, too nervous to look at Lily. In the end, he stammered: “Dr. Lu, Mr. Song’s donor was so hard to find.” “And, well, we wanted to ensure the heart stayed fresh…” Hearing this, Lily said no more. She held out her hand to take the scalpel Tom passed her. Just as she was about to make the first incision, she paused again. I followed her gaze and realized Lily was looking at my hand. On the ring finger of my left hand was a diamond ring, stained red with blood. I had designed this ring myself. I even made a matching women’s wedding band for Lily when we got married. But she had scornfully locked it away in a drawer and never worn it again. “Dr. Lu, is something wrong?” Tom asked in confusion. Lily shook her head. When she spoke again, her voice held a hint of pity. “What a shame. His wife must be devastated,” she said as she cut open my chest cavity. Tom stood beside her, handing her instruments as he replied: “And after examination, this man had a terminal illness. He didn’t have long to live.” “It really is pitiful.” This time Lily didn’t respond, but the atmosphere in the OR became even heavier. I watched her from afar, suddenly remembering last winter when I had fallen terribly ill. I was so weak I couldn’t even get out of bed. Lily was home at the time, but she only focused on her own work. I suffered through a high fever all night. By the time I was rushed to the hospital, the doctors said I had nearly died. But when I woke up, the first thing Lily did was berate me. “You’re a grown man, don’t you know to speak up when you’re not feeling well?!” She glared at me angrily. “Or were you just trying to get my attention?” At the time, I was too weak to argue. She was the one who said not to bother her even if I was unwell. I had listened to her, so why was she still angry? Lily could show compassion for a complete stranger, so why was she so cold towards her husband of five years? 0

The heart was successfully removed. Six hours later, it was beating again. But this time, it was inside Jack’s body. As soon as Lily left the OR, she went straight to Jack’s room. Seeing him lying unconscious in bed, she finally let out a long sigh of relief. After checking on Jack, Lily returned to her office. She sat down and took out her phone, but there were no messages. In the past, I would send her hundreds of messages every day, sharing every little detail about what I ate, what I did, how work was going. But Lily never replied. She stared at her phone for a long time before finally opening her contacts and scrolling to my name. She hesitated before dialing. But the phone just kept ringing mechanically before going to voicemail. No one answered on the other end. Eventually Lily lost patience. She opened SnapChat and sent two voice messages to my chat. “Adam, you already agreed to the divorce, so it doesn’t matter if you answer the phone or not. I won’t change my mind.” “Don’t think playing hard to get will make me reconsider divorcing you!” I watched her irritated expression and smiled bitterly, murmuring, “Lily, if you hated me so much, why did you marry me in the first place?” But it didn’t matter anymore. The husband she despised had died in today’s downpour. Lily would never have to be bothered by me again. For the first time, Lily’s messages went unanswered. I had vanished without a trace. But she didn’t try to find me. She was convinced I was just sulking, hiding away because I didn’t want to divorce her. My body lay unclaimed in the hospital morgue. The reason was simple – I was an orphan. After leaving the orphanage, I was admitted to a top design school in the country. That was probably one of the most praiseworthy things in my life. The other was marrying Lily. In college, she wasn’t just the beauty queen of the medical school, but also the top student. She was the unattainable dream girl for many guys. But back then, Lily only had eyes for Jack. Even I, from a neighboring school, knew about their romantic love story. The first time I saw her was at a joint school mixer. Amidst the crowds, Lily stood out in an expensive designer dress, confidently holding court. She was surrounded by people, but no one could outshine her brilliance. Later, I was standing by the river lost in thought when Lily approached me. She thought I was going to jump and tried to comfort me. For the first time, my dull heart fluttered. But I knew the vast difference in our status. Plus she had a boyfriend, so I kept my feelings hidden away. It’s laughable really. Those who crawl out of the mud always foolishly yearn for things far beyond their reach. I thought that would be my only interaction with Lily. Until she broke up with Jack. By chance, I was delivering custom buttons to her friend that day. The sun was shining brightly when she looked up at me casually and asked, “Do you want to marry me?” 0

“Adam still hasn’t answered the phone?” In the hospital room, Jack looked at Lily with a pale face and asked sadly, “Lily, after five years of marriage, do you really feel nothing for him?” “Are you lying to me about his disappearance? You actually… don’t want to marry me.” “You never forgave me for leaving you back then!” By the end, Jack was crying heartbrokenly. After these days, my emotions had strangely stabilized. I was leaning against the window, quietly watching them. I guessed Lily would hug Jack tenderly to comfort him. Sure enough, the next second, she frowned and stood up to embrace the agitated Jack. See, I guessed right. “Adam agreed to divorce me. I don’t know why he suddenly went off the grid.” She said as she gently patted Jack’s back to comfort him. Then she said softly, “But don’t worry, I will divorce him.” Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. Two uniformed police officers burst into the room. Lily looked at them in confusion, “Officers, is something wrong?” Before the police could answer, the door was flung open again. Tom stood there panting heavily. He looked up at Lily with trembling eyes: “Dr. Lu… Mr. Chen is dead…”

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Ten years after marriage, I, once diagnosed as infertile, became pregnant. The day after I found out about my pregnancy, Alexander Wilson brazenly brought home his female secretary. When my father learned of this, he flew into a rage and sent her to Poland, urging Alexander to come to his senses. Alexander said nothing. Instead, he turned around and bankrupted my family’s company, forcing my father to commit suicide by jumping off a building. My mother, unable to bear the shock, was admitted to the ICU. Then he forced me to take abortion pills and coldly said: “Olivia Johnson, I must have been too good to you before, making you take me for granted.” “Consider this child a lesson for driving Isabelle away.” I lay in a pool of blood, looking up at the man beside me. After ten years of marriage, for the first time, I saw clearly what kind of demon was in front of me. Alexander leaned down and gripped my chin, questioning me again: “I’ll ask you one last time, where did you hide Isabelle?” “Your mother is still in the ICU. Think carefully before you answer.” The tearing pain in my lower body had already made me delirious. Hearing the word “mother”, I finally came to my senses. “You have to promise to spare my mom.” He laughed coldly: “Do you think you’re in any position to negotiate?” “If you don’t tell me, I’ll stop paying for the ICU.” After saying this, he stood up straight, disgustedly wiping the hand that had gripped my chin with a handkerchief. Tears blurred my vision, just as they had all these years looking at Alexander. Before this, I could never have imagined. That Alexander could be so cruel to me. Forcing my father to death. Killing our child. Using my mother to threaten me into revealing his mistress’s whereabouts. All the past seemed like a dream. Now that I’ve woken up, I finally face the cruel reality. He coldly watched as I bled profusely, as I cried uncontrollably. No longer daring to gamble with my mother’s life, I still gave him the answer. “She’s in Poland.” After getting my answer, Alexander immediately strode out of the bedroom without looking at me again. At the moment he left, I saw Alexander’s upturned lips. His wife was dying, yet he was delighted to know his mistress’s whereabouts. I laughed miserably, gradually losing consciousness. When I woke up, I saw a pure white ceiling above me. Did someone send me to the hospital? I thought hazily. Just now, the doctor informed me of the news of my miscarriage. He said my body was too damaged, and I would never be able to have children again. I gently stroked my belly, which was still flat, with no sign that there had once been a life inside. The child I had longed for for so long was now gone, taken away by its own father. It wasn’t until Mrs. Wang, the housekeeper, came to see me that I learned it was she who found me unconscious and sent me to the hospital. Mrs. Wang said I had been in a coma for three whole days. She wiped her tears: “The master has been away and hasn’t come to see you.” I laughed coldly inside. Where else could Alexander be? Of course, he must have rushed off to pick up his dear Isabelle. After Mrs. Wang left, I ran out to find my mother’s ICU, ignoring the pain in my body. In the intensive care unit, my mother lay pale and weak, with tubes all over her body. After my father’s suicide, my mother’s hair had turned white overnight. Looking at my mother before me, I collapsed to the ground, crying. It was my poor judgment that caused them to end up like this. When my mother gets better, I want to divorce Alexander. The Wilson family and my family were originally upper-class families that would never have crossed paths. But when I met Alexander, I had no idea of his identity. Later, when my parents found out, they worried that the gap between our families was too great, and I might be bullied if I married him. If things really went wrong, they wouldn’t even be able to stand up for me. At that time, I was absolutely certain of Alexander’s love for me. I said Alexander loved me like his life, and would never let me suffer even the slightest grievance. He would remember every anniversary, spending two months making handmade gifts for me. He introduced me to all his close family and friends, telling them that meeting me was the greatest blessing of his life. Every date hadn’t even ended before he started saying he missed me. He would tell me he loved me every morning, noon, and night, never tiring of it after so many years of marriage. Whenever we were out, if someone looked at me for too long, he would be jealous for half the day. Back then he said: “Olivia, I must have done a lot of good deeds in my past life to deserve your love in this life.” Even though I was by his side every day, he would still ask me to say I loved him over and over again. I once thought I had married the right person and would grow old with my beloved. But Isabelle’s arrival shattered this illusory bubble.

Isabelle Taylor, a graduate from a prestigious university, showed exceptional work ability as soon as she joined Alexander’s company, despite being new to the workplace. So when Alexander first mentioned her, I was happy for him that he had found such a talent. I never imagined that in just three months, she would become Alexander’s personal secretary. Alexander took her to the Sky Garden, took her on his private yacht. He took her hiking on Wugong Mountain, took her to see Zhangjiajie. All the places he had and hadn’t been with me, he took Isabelle to every single one. When Isabelle was forced to drink by a business partner, Alexander lost his temper for the first time and cut off all business ties between the two companies. I finally realized something was wrong and hired a private investigator to look into it. By then, they were no longer hiding it, kissing in public. With the photos and videos sent by the detective, I slapped Alexander for the first time. But Alexander just looked at me coldly and said I was ungrateful. “Olivia Johnson, what are you fighting for against a 20-year-old girl?” “You’ve been married into the Wilson family for so many years, when will you grow up a little?” I never thought there would be a day when I would hear such words from Alexander’s mouth. No wonder Isabelle looked so much like me. It turns out all his love, all his devotion, was only for a 20-year-old girl. And my twenties had passed ten years ago. Just as I had made up my mind to divorce, I found out I was pregnant. Over the years, I had made many efforts to have a child but to no avail. This sudden child gave me new hope. I thought, even if he didn’t love me anymore, Alexander would surely love his own child. I should try again for the sake of the child, to save my family. But before I could do anything, Alexander brought Isabelle home. When my father found out, he sent people to drive her to Poland. He said he would give Alexander one last chance, otherwise we would divorce. No one could have imagined that Alexander would go so crazy for Isabelle. My more than ten years of feelings with Alexander couldn’t compare to one of Isabelle’s fingers. He didn’t even care about his own child. After my body recovered for two days, I went to a law firm. But as soon as they heard Alexander Wilson’s name, no one dared to take on this commission. “Mrs. Johnson, it’s not that we want to refuse the commission.” “It’s just that Mr. Wilson’s company has a top-notch legal team, we have no chance of winning.” I hadn’t thought of this aspect. But there was no use troubling the lawyers, I could only leave helplessly. After marriage, Alexander said he couldn’t bear to see me work hard, that I only needed to be the pampered Mrs. Wilson. I believed his lies and was a housewife for ten years. And all my social circles came from him, I couldn’t find anyone to help. Alexander now loves Isabelle, and after bringing her back, he should be eager to give her status. Perhaps I just need to wait for him to speak first. Back at the villa, I started packing the things I wanted to take away. After packing for half a day, I found that the things that only related to me were pitifully few. The gifts Alexander gave me almost filled my room. In the end, I only put clothes and documents in my suitcase. My body was already weak, and before the sun had set, I had collapsed on the sofa.

I don’t know when I fell asleep. When I was awakened by the sound of the door opening, my head was still groggy. But the next second I woke up. Alexander had come back, holding hands tightly with Isabelle. Compared to the last time I saw her, the woman looked even more beautiful, as if she had been well-nourished. The clothes she wore were of the same quality as mine, obviously from the same master’s hand. And on her neck, she wore the auction piece from a while ago – the diamond necklace called “Heart of the Deep Sea”, said to be the only one in the world. It seems Alexander has been treating her well these past few days. I just didn’t expect them to come back so soon. I suddenly felt my throat go dry. Facing Alexander again, what rose in my heart was actually hatred. Before I could react, Alexander had already brought Isabelle in front of me. He naturally brushed away the stray hairs on Isabelle’s forehead, his eyes full of tenderness. When he turned his face, his expression had already cooled: “Olivia Johnson, apologize to Isabelle.” He cut off my escape route, forced my father to death, forcibly aborted my child, and caused my mother to be admitted to the ICU. Now, he wanted me to apologize to his mistress. I couldn’t understand, really couldn’t understand. Why could Alexander be so cruel to me, to this wife who had loved him for thirteen years? Seeing no reaction from me, Alexander yanked me up from the sofa, forcing my head to face Isabelle. “I said, apologize to Isabelle.” “Don’t make me say it a third time.” Alexander’s tone became impatient. He was a successful businessman with many tactics for dealing with opponents. I just never thought these tactics would one day be used on me. Isabelle bit her lower lip, lowering her eyes. Seeing that I still wouldn’t speak after a long time, she timidly glanced at me and spoke with a grieved tone: “Alexander, don’t be like this.” “It’s right for Sister Olivia to despise me, it’s my fault, I shouldn’t have fallen in love with you.” She said this, but I clearly saw the challenge in her eyes. Alexander became even more pitying towards her, lightly patting her hand to comfort her. When he looked at me again, his eyes had already become dangerous. Thinking of my mother still in the ICU, I still lowered my head. Bending my body to a 90-degree angle, I sincerely apologized to Isabelle: “I’m sorry, Miss Taylor, my family shouldn’t have treated you like that.” “Please forgive me.” Isabelle pretended to be surprised, covering her mouth and waving her hands saying it was okay. After saying this, she turned to Alexander and pouted: “Alexander, I want to rest for a bit, can I?”

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Everyone knew I was Grandpa Davies’ personal choice for an arranged marriage, a union that would determine the sole heir to the entire Davies empire. At the engagement party, I was dressed in a custom-tailored suit, ready to announce the Davies-Thorne family alliance. But my fiancée, Serena Davies, had her fingers laced tightly with her adopted brother, Marcus Thorne, pulling him to the center of the crowd, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him. “Marcus and I are deeply in love; he’s the only man I’ll ever marry.” “Julian is far too impulsive. He’s simply not fit for the position of a Davies son-in-law.” My adopted brother had become Serena’s fiancé. Everyone’s eyes, filled with pity or mockery, turned to me. But what she didn’t know was that the only reason Grandpa Davies had chosen *me* to marry her was because my mother was the heir to the Sterling family – a reclusive, incredibly powerful dynasty. Someday, I would return to the Sterling family and inherit its vast fortune. Since Serena had already made her choice, it was time for the Davies heir to change.

Serena gripped Marcus’s hand tightly, pulling him to stand firmly before everyone. Marcus gasped, trying to pull his hand back. “Serena, you can’t do this. Your engagement to my brother was personally arranged by Grandpa Davies.” “You’re the one I love, Marcus. I won’t agree to marry anyone else.” She held Marcus’s hand firmly, her gaze fixed on Grandpa Davies, who sat on a raised platform. “Grandpa, Marcus has always been the one I love. I’ll only ever marry Marcus and make him my husband.” The guests in attendance watched, their eyes filled with pity and mockery. Everyone knew Serena and I had grown up together, practically destined for each other in Grandpa Davies’ eyes. But now, in front of everyone in this elite circle, Serena had just publicly humiliated me. Serena’s tone was absolute, leaving no room for doubt. “Even though Julian and I grew up together, I’ve always seen him as nothing more than a brother. I’ve never had any other feelings for him.” “Marcus and I are deeply in love; we’ve been together for a while now. In my heart, Marcus is the only man who can be my husband. No one else.” Mr. and Mrs. Davies’ faces instantly changed, their eyes nervously flicking towards Grandpa Davies’ expression on the main seat. Serena then linked her arm with Marcus’s and looked my way. Her eyes held a distinct glint of sarcasm. “Julian, you must know I don’t have any romantic feelings for you. Surely you don’t want to force a marriage with a woman who doesn’t love you, wasting your entire life, do you?” “Besides, Marcus and I are already together. You can’t possibly think that just because Grandpa favors you, you can butt in and break us up, can you?” I glanced at the two of them, then bowed deeply to Grandpa Davies. “Grandpa Davies, since they are so deeply in love, how could I possibly stand in the way of such profound love? Let them be together.” “I wish Ms. Davies and my brother eternal happiness and a lifetime of togetherness.” Serena’s face flickered with displeasure when she heard me say that, but Marcus cautiously took her arm. “Serena, your marriage to my brother was arranged by Grandpa. Won’t he be upset about this?” Serena patted Marcus’s hand reassuringly, soothing him softly. “Of course not. Grandpa spoils me rotten; he’d never be truly angry with me over *him*. Besides, you’re the *actual* Thorne heir, aren’t you? This alliance was always about our families, so why should anyone care about some outsider?” An outsider? Only my father and Grandpa Davies knew my true identity. My mother was the heir to the Sterling family. My father and mother’s marriage was initially a strategic alliance, and since I would inherit the Sterling family’s legacy, I took my mother’s surname. Moreover, she actually thought Marcus was my father’s biological son? Grandpa Davies frowned at Serena’s words. “Serena, don’t be ridiculous. Are you absolutely certain you want to marry Mr. Thorne?” Serena firmly slipped the ring onto Marcus’s finger, then had him press a solemn kiss to her forehead. “Grandpa, I’ve thought this through. I’m marrying Marcus, and no one else, in this lifetime.” Grandpa Davies looked at Serena with disappointment. If it were merely a change of fiancé, he wouldn’t have thought much of her. But her deliberate choice to humiliate me in front of so many people today proved that she was utterly unreliable. “Very well. As you wish.”

Once Grandpa Davies spoke, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. This family alliance had invited many prominent business figures to witness it, and everyone was eager to see how it would unfold. Amidst the whispers, Serena, holding Marcus’s hand, faced the guests who had come to celebrate and made her announcement. “Thank you all for coming today to celebrate my engagement to Mr. Marcus Thorne.” The guests’ faces showed varying expressions. No one had expected the Davies and Thorne families to pull such a last-minute switch. My father hadn’t anticipated this either; his face instantly darkened. My own expression wasn’t much better, but I forced myself to stand tall, back straight, and in the midst of the chatter, I raised my glass, offering a generous gift. “Ms. Davies actually swapped fiancés on the spot. She’s not giving Julian any face at all!” “Didn’t Grandpa Davies insist on Julian becoming his grandson-in-law? Why did he agree to the change?” “Switching fiancés on the day of the engagement party… it’s truly humiliating. I wonder what he did to make Ms. Davies take such a drastic step.” The guests’ whispers weren’t quiet. My father glared at Marcus and didn’t hold back with Serena. “What you’ve done will subject your brother to so much gossip!” “And you, Marcus! You’re not a child anymore. Don’t you ever think about the consequences? Are you trying to slap me in the face?” Marcus, chastised by my father, timidly tried to take off the ring to give it back to me. Grandpa Davies waved his hand, stopping Marcus. He gave my head a regretful pat and spoke in a deep voice. “Julian, don’t worry. Grandpa Davies will make this right for you. If you’re willing, the Davies family has several other excellent young women.” Mr. and Mrs. Davies, hearing Grandpa’s words, simply assumed he was comforting me and didn’t pay it much mind. To their shock, I pointed to Samantha Davies, the Davies family’s illegitimate daughter, who was watching the spectacle from the corner. “Actually, I’ve always had feelings for Samantha. I hope Grandpa can approve our union.” Their gazes fell on Samantha, darting back and forth between her and me. Samantha was Mr. Andrew Davies’ illegitimate daughter. After Mr. Andrew Davies passed away, she wasn’t well-regarded in the family and had a difficult life. But since she was still a Davies family child, Grandpa Davies didn’t want anyone to say the family mistreated children. So, he took her in and raised her himself. My father stared at me in shock, then leaned in, quietly trying to dissuade me. “Julian, I know you’re upset, but she’s an illegitimate daughter. The Davies family doesn’t value her.” I casually swirled my glass, raising it to Samantha as a gesture. “It’s not like she *chose* to be an illegitimate daughter. I think she’s quite remarkable, actually. I’m willing to give things a try with her.” Samantha’s eyes met mine, her expression relaxed. “If Mr. Blackwood is interested in me, then let’s give it a try.” Everyone’s gazes toward me became even more meaningful. News of the Davies family’s on-the-spot fiancée swap spread like wildfire through the circle. The moment the banquet ended, I received a text from my mother. In the private room, my mother held me close, her eyes glaring at my father. “David, how dare you let my son suffer such humiliation? I think you’re looking to get fired!” I squeezed my mother’s hand, redirecting the conversation to business. “Grandpa Davies set me up with a new fiancée. Her name is Samantha Davies, and I quite like her.” My father wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed again. “She’s just an illegitimate daughter, an outsider in the Davies family. Why would you choose her?” I looked at my parents’ confused expressions and slowly began to explain. “Grandpa Davies and Grandpa Sterling had an agreement about this alliance; I am definitely marrying a Davies woman.” “Samantha might be an illegitimate daughter, but she’s the most capable among the younger generation of Davies. She’s also the smartest and most composed. From a business perspective, she’s the most suitable partner for this alliance.”

“What’s more, she’s an illegitimate daughter. If I marry her, the Sterling family becomes her foundation for gaining a foothold in the Davies family. She’d never betray me.” Currently, Marcus Thorne was the toast of the town, flattered and courted by everyone. Countless people rushed to meet and connect with him. After all, a strong alliance between the Davies and Thorne families promised to elevate any industry they touched to new heights. I didn’t have time to bother with such matters. I was focused on completing the tasks my mother had given me abroad. One day, it was Grandpa Davies’ birthday. Marcus specifically sent me an invitation and called me several times, so I had no choice but to go. The moment I stepped through the Davies family’s front door, all eyes landed on me. I showed no trace of awkwardness, simply smiling as I handed my gift to the Davies family’s butler. “Why is Julian here? Didn’t the fiancée get swapped?” “You haven’t heard? Ms. Davies insisted on changing fiancés, and in a fit of pique, he chose to marry that illegitimate daughter from the Davies family.” “Even marrying an illegitimate daughter to get into the Davies family… Mr. Blackwood certainly is desperate.” Just as everyone was buzzing with speculation, Serena made a grand entrance, elegantly arm-in-arm with Marcus. Unlike her usual understated and gentle attire, today she wore a high-fashion couture gown, adorned with several sets of intricate and luxurious jewelry, making her appear dazzling but somewhat vulgar. As for Marcus, his suit alone was incredibly expensive, and the watch on his wrist was worth more than a luxury mansion. He spotted me there and came over, trying to sling his arm around my shoulder in a familiar gesture. “Little brother, it’s wonderful that both of us brothers can be Davies sons-in-law! For the sake of brotherhood, I’ll make sure Serena gives your wife a good boost.” I nearly burst out laughing at Marcus. Even now, he still believed I was desperate to marry into the Davies family. Serena clearly thought the same. In her eyes, I’d gone to any lengths to try and marry her. She looked at me as if I were something utterly disgusting. I couldn’t be bothered with either of them and turned to leave, but then I noticed a beautifully crafted jade pendant around Marcus’s neck. This was the Davies family’s ancestral jade pendant, always kept by Grandpa Davies. I never expected it to be on Marcus. The Davies family heir hadn’t even been formally decided yet. How could this jade pendant be with Marcus? I pointed to the jade pendant around Marcus’s neck, my gaze tinged with scrutiny. “Where did you get that pendant?” Serena showed a flicker of guilt, while Marcus stroked the jade pendant on his neck, his face showing a hint of grievance. “Little brother, this was meant for you originally, but now that I’m marrying Serena, this jade pendant naturally belongs to me.” Serena nodded righteously. After all, in her mind, she was already the undisputed heir, so there was no harm in letting her beloved wear the jade pendant a little early. “This is my Davies family’s ancestral jade pendant. I can let whoever I want wear it. What’s it to you?” After saying that, she looked me up and down with a disgusted expression and took a step back. “Don’t you dare think you can use this to cling to me. I will never like you. My heart belongs only to Marcus.” Serena’s voice wasn’t quiet, and several gazes around us landed on me. “Julian usually seems so dignified, but I never imagined he’d try to steal his brother’s fiancée just to get into the Davies family.” “They’re clearly in love. Why is he still clinging on?” Marcus, his face flushed, gently tugged on Serena’s arm. “Don’t be so harsh on my brother. Once he marries Samantha, we’ll still be family. You’ll have to help them out then.” Serena glanced at me, then affectionately tilted her head back and pinched Marcus’s cheek. “Fine, for Marcus’s sake, I won’t hold it against him. But if you have any improper thoughts about me, don’t blame me for being ruthless.” The two of them were still immersed in their sweet exchanges when a voice suddenly rang out from behind them. “Why would my husband have improper thoughts about you, Serena? You’re being incredibly rude to your future brother-in-law.” Samantha Davies entered, supporting Grandpa Davies. A smile played on her lips, and her gaze towards Serena held a hint of challenge. Grandpa Davies glanced at the jade pendant around Marcus’s neck, his expression darkening.

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It was New Year’s Eve, and my in-laws insisted we spend it at their place, claiming it would bring good luck for the coming year. Unable to get train tickets, we decided to drive back. That’s when Jack’s ex-girlfriend, Chloe, invited herself along. She brazenly took my seat in the front, saying, “Emma, I get carsick easily. I can only sit in the front.” Jack looked at me with disdain. “It’s just a seat. Why are you being so petty?” His parents chimed in, “You’re older, what’s the harm in letting Chloe have the front seat?” Unable to argue, I squeezed into the back with my in-laws. At a toll station, Chloe spotted a stray dog and had a sudden burst of compassion. “That poor dog! Let’s take it with us.” I immediately objected, “Our car is already full. We’d be over capacity if we took the dog. We wouldn’t be allowed on the road.” Chloe gave Jack a pitiful look. Without hesitation, he turned to me, “Emma, why don’t you give up your seat for the stray dog? You can take a cab home.” … At the toll station, Chloe, who had insisted on squeezing in with us for the trip home, spotted a stray dog and wanted to bring it along. Faced with my objection, Chloe didn’t care at all. She just looked at Jack with puppy eyes: “Jack, please, can we take this dog? If we leave it here, it’ll freeze to death.” “It’s so young, it hasn’t even seen the world yet. It shouldn’t die here like this.” She wrapped her scarf around the stray dog as she spoke. Jack took my shawl from the car and draped it over Chloe’s shoulders, comforting her as if I wasn’t there: “Don’t worry, I won’t abandon it.” “You’re already so frail, you need to take care of yourself too. Don’t catch a cold.” Then he turned to me with displeasure: “Emma, how can you be so heartless?” “It may just be a stray dog to you, but it’s a living being.” “How can you be so cold and indifferent?” I looked at the two of them, annoyed by their excessive display of compassion. I had never said we shouldn’t help the dog, yet they painted me as some sort of villain. And one of them was my husband, who had shared a bed with me for years. Despite my anger, I patiently explained: “If you really want to save this dog, we can leave some food for it.” “Or we could talk to the convenience store staff here, leave some money, and ask them to look after the dog.” “Our car is already full. If we take it with us, we’ll be over capacity and will definitely be stopped by the police.” I thought my explanation was clear enough. But as soon as I finished speaking, Chloe became upset: “Emma, I know you’re loaded, but how can you just leave the stray dog with the store staff here? How do you know they’ll take proper care of it?” “What if they take the money and don’t do anything? What will happen to Blackie then?” In less than five minutes, Chloe had already come up with a name for the stray dog. “How can you expect a little dog to survive this harsh winter?” “Do rich people like you think a dog’s life is worthless? Is it not a life at all?” “How can you bear to leave it here all alone? Can’t you see it’s already shivering from the cold?” Listening to Chloe’s moral blackmail, I couldn’t help but laugh. “I think you have a point.” Then I changed my tone: “Why don’t you give up your seat for little Blackie?”

Hearing my words, Chloe, who had been so righteous a moment ago, was stunned. “You can’t expect Jack’s parents to get out of the car to make room for your Blackie, can you?” “After all, they’re elderly.” “Since you’re so concerned about this little dog, why don’t I take it, and you stay here?” Now Chloe panicked, looking nervously at Jack. He frowned, looking at me with displeasure. “Emma, you’re going too far.” “How can you leave Chloe, a young woman, in a place like this? What if something happens to her? How would I explain that to her parents?” I used to think Jack was just insensitive and didn’t care about people. Now I realized he wasn’t incapable of caring; he just didn’t care about me. When it came to Chloe, he was attentive to every detail, afraid of causing the slightest discomfort to his ex-girlfriend. I crossed my arms and looked at Jack expectantly. “So what do you want to do?” Without a second thought, he picked up the little dog and put it in the car, then turned to me coldly: “Emma, just make a small sacrifice and give up your seat for this little dog.” “You can take a cab. That way, you won’t have to squeeze in the back with my parents, and you’ll be more comfortable.” At that moment, exclamations came from inside the car: “Oh my, where did this stray dog come from? It’s already cramped enough back here, there’s no room!” Jack patiently reassured them: “Don’t worry, Mom and Dad. Emma won’t be riding with us, so it won’t be crowded.” With one sentence, he had stripped away my rightful place, and none of my so-called family objected. “You want me to give up my seat for a stray dog?” I pointed at myself, looking at Jack in disbelief. He looked at me as if it were the most natural thing in the world: “Mom and Dad are old. Do you want to leave them at this toll station? Don’t you have any sense of duty as a daughter-in-law?” “As for Chloe, she’s already in poor health. How can you bear to leave a sick person at a toll station?” “If anything happens to her, how are you any different from a murderer?” “I’m doing this for your own good. Can’t you stop being such a princess?” He even started complaining about me: “If you knew how to drive, would we be in this mess?” “I’m already exhausted from driving long distances. Emma, can’t you be a little more understanding?” I looked at Jack in shock. It’s true that I don’t know how to drive. Because since I was young, my family had always provided me with a chauffeur. Later, when I met Jack, he had said: “From now on, I’ll be your driver. You just need to sit comfortably in the passenger seat.” Now, not only had he given my passenger seat to Chloe, But my inability to drive had become his excuse to blame me. My heart felt as if it had been doused with ice water, instantly turning cold. He worried about his parents being old, worried about his ex-girlfriend’s poor health. Even a strange dog could catch Jack’s attention. But for me, he had not an ounce of sympathy. He had even forgotten that I, too, was a defenseless woman. Yet he was perfectly content to leave me alone at this toll station in the middle of nowhere. I looked at Jack coldly. “So what am I supposed to do?” Jack turned to me without a hint of hesitation: “You’re a grown woman. Don’t you know how to get home?” “Even if you’re a pampered rich girl, surely you know how to call a cab!” As he spoke, he helped Chloe into the front passenger seat and thoughtfully closed the door for her. “It’s cold outside. You just sit tight in the car.” Chloe looked at me triumphantly: “Emma, I knew you were kind-hearted deep down.” “Saving a dog’s life is a great virtue. I’m sure Blackie will be grateful to you.”

Her words of gratitude were laced with smug satisfaction. They sat comfortably in the warm car while I stood alone in the cold wind outside. The contrast couldn’t have been starker. “Jack, do you even remember who your wife is?” I snapped. My words successfully darkened Jack’s face. “Even if you are my wife, that doesn’t give you the right to be unreasonable!” “It’s not like I’m asking you to walk home. What’s the big deal about taking a cab? Why are you making such a fuss?” “Emma, when will you learn to be more considerate?” With that, he slammed the car door shut and started the engine. “Instead of arguing with me, why don’t you hurry up and get a cab?” “Don’t make everyone late for New Year’s Eve dinner!” At the mention of dinner, Jack’s parents chimed in: “Emma, remember to buy some fresh vegetables on your way back.” “The eggs at home might be expired too, don’t forget to buy some.” “Oh, and Jack’s father hasn’t been feeling well lately. He can’t eat anything too greasy. Try to keep the New Year’s Eve dinner light, okay?” They seemed to have forgotten that I had been kicked out of the car and still had no idea how to get back. Yet they shamelessly continued to treat me like a maid, bossing me around. Even Chloe joined in, watching the drama unfold: “Can Emma cook everything?” Jack nodded without hesitation. She excitedly leaned out the car window, looking at me challengingly: “Then I’d like some braised meatballs!” With that, she closed the window. Jack didn’t even give me another glance as he stepped on the gas and drove away. The car hadn’t gone far when Jack’s phone call came through. But it wasn’t because he had a change of heart or was worried about my safety. Instead, he was giving me orders. “How come you haven’t gotten a cab yet? What are you even doing?” “Also, Chloe isn’t feeling well, so I can’t drive too fast. Since you’ll be taking a cab, tell the driver to hurry. Get back first and prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner we just ordered. We’re all tired from the long drive, so hurry up and do your job!” I used to be a pampered rich girl who never had to lift a finger. It was only after I got together with Jack that I learned how to cook. We always had a housekeeper at home. But they said they couldn’t get used to the housekeeper’s cooking and insisted that I, the daughter-in-law, should cook myself. I had complained before, but Jack always shut me down: “My parents have worked hard all their lives. They just want to enjoy being taken care of by their daughter-in-law. Can’t you just indulge them a little?” With that one sentence about filial piety, he successfully trapped me in a cage of serving them for three years. Naturally, the New Year’s Eve dinner also fell on my shoulders every year. I didn’t even have the chance to ask Jack to help out. Because his mother would say, “It’s bad luck for men to enter the kitchen.” And she would drag Jack out immediately. In the eyes of Jack’s parents, and even Jack himself, I wasn’t a wife or a daughter-in-law. I was just a servant catering to their every need. Listening to his arrangements, whatever remnants of affection I had for Jack were destroyed by his own hands. At that moment, I suddenly woke up. If there’s no love left, why keep this garbage of a man around for the New Year? Wouldn’t that just bring bad luck for the coming year? I immediately sent a message to my lawyer, asking him to prepare the divorce papers. I looked indifferently in the direction they had left and smiled. Then I dialed 911: “I want to report a crime. My husband deliberately abandoned me on the highway.”

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The smartest thing I ever did at 22 was make the bold move of getting into Julian Davies’s bed. From then on, I became his most unremarkable yet longest-staying mistress. In our fifth year together, he handed me a card, his expression indifferent. “Chloe, we’re done. Don’t be clingy.” I took the card, a smile playing on my lips. “Understood, Mr. Davies.” Two years later, I married someone else, and his hair had turned stark white. The company chat group was buzzing with talk of Julian Davies’s wedding, while I was busy picking out candy for the celebration. It was supposed to be a task for him and the esteemed Seraphina Hayes, but with both of them so swamped, these trivial matters fell to me. “Is CEO Davies really tying the knot with Ms. Hayes from the A Group? They’re a perfect power couple!” “Congratulations! CEO Davies must be nearly thirty now, it’s about time he settled down. I heard Seraphina was his first love.” “First love? She’s the one that got away, his pure love. I heard they were childhood sweethearts.” I glanced at the bustling chat, said nothing, then opened my laptop and started printing my resignation letter. Julian was half a perfectionist. Before his grand wedding with Seraphina, he’d clean up all the messy women around him. And I was the last loose end he needed to snip. I’d been with Julian since I was 22, sticking around until 27. Now, I was not only his personal indulgence but also his competent assistant. A good assistant and compliant mistress knows how to anticipate her boss’s needs. So, before Julian even had to ask, I had my resignation letter printed and placed it on his desk. Right next to it was the list of recommended wedding candy brands. Julian walked into his office precisely at 9:30 AM every day. He saw me standing by the CEO’s office door and called out, “Chloe, come in for a moment.” I nodded obediently, my face serene, and followed him inside. “Mr. Davies, this is my resignation. And these are the wedding candies and recommended brands you asked me to select yesterday.” Julian’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned the resignation letter. Without a hint of hesitation, he pulled out a pen and swiftly signed his name. “Chloe, these two apartments will be under your name. This card has five million. And the car I bought a while ago, that’s yours too. Are these terms acceptable?” I sat across from Julian, looking up at his serious, focused face. My eyes curved into a smile. “Perfectly acceptable, Mr. Davies.” A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he quickly returned to normal. “Chloe, I hope you remember I don’t like clingy women.” I reached out to take the card he offered, my smile still flawless. “I wouldn’t dream of it, Mr. Davies. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.” “Hm.” Julian said no more, immediately looking down at the documents in his hands. I stood there quietly for a moment, wanting to use these last few seconds to etch his image into my mind. Julian was a generous patron. His compensation packages when ending relationships were always lavish, and mine was the most substantial. So, I had no reason to be dissatisfied with this ending. Leaving the company and settling into a taxi heading back to my downtown apartment, I felt all the strength drain out of me. I leaned back against the seat, silently gazing out the window. Julian had many mistresses, but I was the most obedient and sensible one, the one he trusted most. Even his friends couldn’t help but marvel, asking where he’d found such a dutiful, considerate mistress who never took advantage of his affections. Back then, Julian’s eyes would always hold a hint of tenderness. When our fingers interlaced, he’d gently knead the soft flesh on the back of my hand. “Maybe it’s fate.” But he probably never imagined that his most obedient mistress had already fallen for him, and that love had lasted five years.

My story with Julian began with a setup. After graduation, I worked diligently, hoping to make a living in the big city through my own efforts. But life wasn’t a fairy tale where dreams came true. When I was 22, my boss, to shift blame onto me, accused me of leaking company secrets, causing significant losses, and facing ten years in prison plus a hefty fine. I’d just been at Davies Corp. with my team leader, discussing a collaboration, when I heard the news. I don’t know how I ended up stumbling into Julian’s lounge, curled up in a corner, crying and begging any god to help me. In the lounge, Julian’s face clearly showed his annoyance at being woken. He stared at me blankly. Perhaps seeing my ugly-crying, Julian tossed a pack of tissues my way. “Wipe your face. Stop begging gods, beg me. I’m far more useful than any deity.” Julian’s face was fierce, a clearly menacing expression, yet I felt strangely at ease. He was like a hero swooping in to save me. I swallowed my tears and obediently walked over to him, pleading, “Sir, can you really help me? I was truly framed. I didn’t leak any company secrets.” Julian stroked my head, his voice surprisingly soft. “This little thing? Of course, I can help you. But I’m a businessman, so what can you offer me?” Thinking back to that day, I always felt Julian had peculiar tastes. I was crying so ugly, and he still thought of making me his mistress. His taste must be truly extraordinary. Later, I asked Julian why he wanted me to be his mistress. He said, “You were crying like a messy kettle, quite amusing. Besides, weren’t you the one who asked for my help first?” Once I realized it wasn’t my face that had caught Julian’s interest, I began to diligently learn how to be a good mistress. I put away all my petty schemes, listened to my patron, avoided causing him trouble, never took advantage of his affections, and worked hard to improve myself so I could contribute to his success. Countless times during boring flower arranging classes, I’d reflect on what good any of this was. Was I going to perform flower arranging while in bed with Julian? In fact, my choices were correct. The more I learned, the more presentable I became. I helped Julian close one tough contract after another and accompanied him to high-stakes meetings with powerful figures, never once embarrassing him. Julian was very satisfied. He spent more and more time with me, showered me with more and more affection, even dragging me along to his gatherings with friends. But I never played games. I just diligently did whatever Julian asked. I witnessed Julian’s cold indifference firsthand at an exclusive club. A popular actress, soaked in liquor, lay sprawled on the carpet, frantically reaching for Julian’s pant leg, only to be kicked away by a bodyguard. Julian stood holding a glass of hard liquor, staring emotionlessly at the woman on the floor. “My girlfriend? Do you really think you’re worthy?” The actress, who had claimed to be Julian’s girlfriend, frantically kowtowed, her body trembling. “Mr. Davies, I was wrong! Mr. Davies, it was a moment of madness, I spoke out of turn! I know I’m not worthy of being your girlfriend, I misspoke. Mr. Davies, please be magnanimous, don’t hold it against me!” Julian said nothing, letting his bodyguards hold the actress down and watch her struggle. His peripheral vision caught me, and he waved me over. He gently rubbed my face, which the actress had slapped, sighing softly. “Why are you so bad at protecting yourself? You let someone slap you? You’re my competent assistant. How could you let someone bully you without saying a word?”

Julian’s eyes were filled with pity and sympathy, his words of affection like tiny needles, tugging at my heartstrings. My heart stirred. The sting of the actress’s slap was replaced by Julian’s tenderness. I instinctively brushed my hand against his palm. “Because I trust you, Mr. Davies. I knew you wouldn’t let me be wronged.” Julian raised an eyebrow, playfully squeezing my neck, then lowered his head to kiss me near my lips. “You trust your Mr. Davies that much?” “Mm-hmm.” I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck, looking at him with devotion. “Mr. Davies is the only one who will protect me. I’ve always trusted you.” Julian was completely taken by my sincerity, by the way I trusted him implicitly. That night, he was rough with me, a flurry of intense kisses raining down on my forehead, neck, and back. Finally, he paused over my heart. I heard him murmur, “Chloe, you’re a true gem. I really can’t bear to let you go.” Unfortunately, the lighting was dim, and his captivating eyes were too distracting. I didn’t pay much attention to that remark. It was much later that I learned Julian had intended to hand me over to a business partner that day, but my trust in him had made him reluctant. And he hadn’t stood up for me because of *me* then; it was because the actress had used his girlfriend’s identity to act arrogant toward Davies Corp. employees. Soon after, the actress was embroiled in a sex scandal that utterly destroyed her reputation. “Chloe, I’m serious, you’ve got Julian Davies wrapped around your finger. Do you think there’s a chance you’ll become Mrs. Davies?” When I heard Liam laughingly bringing up these old stories, I just smiled and raised my glass, playing along with his probing. “No chance, Mr. Liam. You’re overthinking it.” Back at my downtown apartment, I walked barefoot on the cold floor, curled up on the sofa, watching the news channel extensively report on Julian Davies’s wedding to Seraphina Hayes. “Recently, Julian Davies, CEO of Davies Corp., announced his marriage to Seraphina Hayes, daughter of the Hayes Group. It’s understood the two have been childhood sweethearts…” I carefully watched every news segment about his impending marriage, seeing how perfectly matched he and Seraphina looked standing together. Seraphina was beautiful, raised in a privileged home, carrying herself with grace, confidence, and undisguised pride. I couldn’t understand why anyone would think Julian sought mistresses as replacements for Seraphina. Clearly… Seraphina was nothing like any of the women he had kept. I first met Seraphina at a party. That day, I didn’t know who Julian was going to meet, but I could see the anticipation in his eyes. He specifically hired a designer to pick out his outfit and even personally chose a gift, finally holding an amber-colored brooch and asking me to wrap it. At the party, I finally understood Julian’s unusual behavior was all for a young woman named Seraphina. Seraphina sat in the center of the ballroom, her fingers dancing across black and white keys, producing one beautiful melody after another. All the lights in the hall were focused on her; she was like a luminous fairy, captivating everyone’s attention, including Julian’s. After finishing her piece, Seraphina stood up and walked toward us. “Julian! I knew you’d come! Long time no see. And who is this?” “My secretary.” Julian gently took Seraphina’s hand, deftly changing the subject. “Want to play a duet together?” Seraphina smiled and nodded, her girlish shyness evident. That day, Julian and Seraphina performed perfectly together, earning a standing ovation and countless compliments. Amidst praises of “golden couple” and “perfect match,” I learned the identity of that young lady. Julian’s childhood sweetheart, the one he held dearest, his future wife.

The banquet was bustling, full of clinking glasses and lively chatter. I sat in the dessert area, watching Julian, with a faint smile, chat with the playful Seraphina and other guests. After watching for a while, I suddenly felt suffocated. I grabbed a glass of juice and went to the outdoor gazebo for some fresh air. Outside, the moonlight poured down like liquid silver, and a faint floral scent hung in the air. I leaned against a pillar, gazing up at the moon. The way Julian looked at Seraphina was ardent, a look none of his mistresses had ever received. It was almost time to leave. I turned my head to look at the wall. Through the wall, I saw Julian’s smiling face—a blessing I had never received. Suddenly, a man emerged from the shadows and stood before me. “Beautiful lady, all alone?” The man leaned in, his warm breath almost brushing my face. “May I buy you a drink?” I frowned, subtly stepping back two paces. “No, thank you. I don’t really drink.” “That’s odd,” the man scratched his head. “Aren’t you the one who’s always so good at drinking on behalf of Julian Davies? How can you not drink now? Are you refusing to give me face?” Hearing that he knew my background, I didn’t dare refuse outright. I simply raised my glass, my smile flawless. “It’s a special occasion, sir. I hope you understand. Perhaps another time?” “Alright,” the man stepped out of the shadows, revealing a face five parts similar to Seraphina’s. “You’re interesting, Chloe. Let’s arrange something for next time.” He pulled out his phone to open a QR code, casually bringing up another matter. “But I wonder, your boss wouldn’t be mad if I asked you out, would he? A man and a woman, alone together, it might not look good.” “He wouldn’t.” I obediently scanned his SnapChat code and explained softly, “Mr. Davies is just my boss. He doesn’t interfere with my private time.” Seeing the relaxed expression on his face, I knew my answer had satisfied them. I saw Seraphina in the distance, holding a drink and raising an eyebrow at me, her face exuding the air of a victor. Julian was draped his coat over Seraphina, adjusting her collar, without sparing me a glance. After the banquet, sitting in the car on the way back, Julian calmly said, “Well done.” “Mm.” I looked down at the back of my hand, silently calculating how much longer I could stay with Julian. “I’ll be careful to maintain my boundaries with you, Mr. Davies.” That night, he didn’t give me a farewell kiss, nor did he walk me up. He simply told me to start contacting wedding planners. Watching Julian’s car drive away, my knees buckled, and I crumpled to the ground. I stared blankly at the asphalt, not crying, not sad, just feeling all emotions stripped from my body, leaving only an empty shell. It took me a week to sell off all the jewelry, apartments, and the car Julian had given me. During that same week, the news of Davies Corp. and Hayes Group’s impending union spread like wildfire.

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As a descendant of a Beta, I, Ophelia Wentworth, was set to bond with Alpha Desmond Calder. But on the night before our bonding, my parents died in a tragic car accident. I was immediately demoted to an Omega, and he replaced me with another she-wolf—my best friend, Elowen Blake. Devastated, I was saved by Alpha Tobias Hawthorne, who made me his Luna. However, I soon discovered a shocking truth—my parents’ deaths were orchestrated by Alpha Tobias himself. His proposal to me was never out of love; it was all just to please Elowen Blake. Determined to escape him, I faked my own death while traveling to the Crowley Pack. There, I found a new mate—Alpha Gideon Crowley. But my “death” changed everything. Alpha Desmond Calder broke his bond with Elowen Blake, and Alpha Tobias Hawthorne never stopped searching for me. Worse, he finally uncovered the truth—his blind obedience to Elowen Blake had never been real. He had been drugged all along. I was born a Beta’s daughter, destined for an honorable life—until everything was ripped away. The night before my bonding ceremony, my parents died in a tragic car accident. Their deaths weren’t just a loss; they were a sentence. Stripped of my status, I was branded an Omega overnight. And the man who had sworn to cherish me—Alpha Desmond Calder—crushed our bond without a second thought. With cold indifference, he announced his intent to bond with my best friend, Elowen Blake. The reason was that Elowen accidentally marked him. But I knew—it was no accident at all. Betrayed. Humiliated. Cast aside. The pack whispered, watching, waiting for me to crumble. But instead of breaking, I found myself standing before Alpha Tobias Hawthorne—the ruthless, untouchable Alpha of the Hawthorne Pack. His next words shattered the expectations of an entire pack. “Marry me, Ophelia.” His voice was steady, his claim absolute. Before I could second-guess, I grasped the lifeline he offered. And just like that, I became his Luna. I abandoned everything I had fought for, everything I had built. I was the envy of every she-wolf in the pack. But illusions shatter just as easily as dreams. At an extravagant pack gathering, I went to fetch my mate. He had indulged too much and couldn’t control the release of his pheromones, I was afraid that many she-wolves would be drawn to him because of it, so I went to find him. With an inhibitor in my hands, I followed Eulalia Finch, Alpha Tobias’s secretary, through the dimly lit halls of the Pack’s VVIP suite. Then, just as I reached for the door handle, a voice drifted through the barely open doorway. “Tobias, Elowen’s trading post is finally opening. You’ve given up so much for her—your reputation, your so-called marriage. How much longer do you plan to keep up this farce with Ophelia?” I recognized this voice—it was his friend. “Luna!” Eulalia grew nervous but didn’t dare to stop me from listening. A sharp pain speared through my chest, but nothing could have prepared me for Alpha Tobias’s slurred yet unmistakably genuine reply. “For as long as Elowen needs me to.” A pause. Then— “I’ll remove any obstacle that stands in her way.” The world spun. My breath hitched, my fingers trembling against the doorframe. Beside me, Eulalia stiffened, her silence the cruelest confession. She had known. They had all known. I had been blind. A fool. A pawn in a game I never realized I was playing. ” Ophelia trusts you so much,,” the voice inside whispered. ” If she found out that her parents’ death was connected to you and that marrying her was just to ensure Elowen could become Alpha Desmond’s Luna, what do you think she would do? ” Alpha Tobias chuckled, low and knowing. “She won’t. She never will.” The warmth of the corridor became suffocating. The weight of betrayal coiled around my throat, tighter and tighter. Before I knew it, the inhibitor in my hand had been crushed to pieces. I forced my voice steady. “Alpha Tobias has had too much to drink,” I murmured to Eulalia. “Take this to him later. I’ll wait in the car.” “And say nothing to him.” The night air was crisp, but it did nothing to ease the numbness spreading through me. I sat in the car, staring at the moonlit sky, retracing the twisted path that had led me here. Desmond had discarded me like nothing. Alpha Tobias had pretended to save me, weaving a beautiful lie for the pack to admire. I was never his mate. I was just a shield. A deception wrapped in silk and gold. Eulalia returned, guiding Alpha Tobias into the car. His hand restlessly wandered over Eulalia’s chest, making her expression turn uneasy. He leaned against me, his scent a blend of whiskey and pheromones. His fingers ghosted over my arm, his voice gentle. “You didn’t need to come, Ophelia. Eulalia could have handled it.” A bitter smile curved my lips. “I was worried about you.” He was in heat and, just like before, bit into my neck to leave his mark. But this time, I felt nothing. Alpha Tobias lost all interest. He exhaled, his grip tightening slightly. “The trading post opens tomorrow. I’ll be working late—don’t wait up.” “Take care of yourself.” I replied smoothly. That night, I didn’t sleep. Somewhere between heartbreak and fury, a thought surfaced. I had left my pack communicator in the study. Slipping from bed, I padded into the dimly lit room. As I reached for the device, my fingers brushed against the edge of a hidden stack of papers. Documents? Contracts? Curious, I pulled the drawer open.

This was unheard of. His drawer was always securely locked—until today. A strange pull guided my hand as I slid it open, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. It shouldn’t have budged, but it did. Inside, stacks of architectural blueprints lay meticulously arranged, each one marked with a name that sent a shiver down my spine—Blake. Blake Mall. Blake Residences. Blake Jewelry. Every structure, every expansion Alpha Tobias had planned was tied to one name. Elowen Blake, the she-wolf who stole my mate, Alpha Desmond Calder. The realization hit me like a silver blade to the chest. I had been part of the Architecture Department for years, yet Alpha Tobias had always assured me he had his own team handling high-profile projects. I never questioned it. Now, it was clear—every brick, every foundation, every luxury boutique was a shrine to the she-wolf. My fingers trembled as I reached for the small jewelry box nestled between the documents. My breath hitched when I flipped it open. Empty. Suddenly, I remembered. Yesterday, Elowen posted a photo on the pack’s social platform, and she was wearing that very necklace. I clenched my fists, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. My phone buzzed, yanking me from the dark spiral of my thoughts. [Miss Wentworth, are you certain you’ve made your choice?] A deep breath steadied me. There was nothing left to hesitate over. [Yes. I’ve made up my mind.] It was time to leave. The next morning, I barely glanced at my packed bags. “I’m leaving for Crowley Pack tonight.” A pause. Alpha Tobias’s voice, always calm, held a trace of something unfamiliar. ” What are you going there for? ” I swallowed hard, keeping my tone light. ” A she-wolf’ trip with some socialites. Just a few days.” He pressed a kiss to my cheek, his lips warm against my skin, but I felt nothing. “Good. Enjoy yourself, shop to your heart’s content.” I miss my parents a little. I want to go see them. I had never understood why Alpha Tobias had buried my parents in another pack, but now I did. He was afraid I was getting too close to the truth. It struck me then—how effortlessly he feigned affection. How deeply I had drowned in his illusions. I was done. But before I disappeared, I had one last thing to do. He has a pack gathering to attend tonight, and I’m going to check it out. The Blake Mall grand opening was tonight. The final piece of his empire. When I arrived, the air was thick with celebration. Chandeliers cast golden light over the elite of the Pack, their laughter blending with the music. And in the center of it all stood Alpha Tobias—every bit the powerful Alpha, commanding and unreadable. Then there was Elowen. She moved like she owned the night, the necklace resting against her throat, a silent declaration of her place in his world. Her lips curled as she raised her glass toward him. “Mr. Blake , congratulations.” Alpha Tobias turned, his gaze meeting mine for the briefest second. A flicker of something—shock?—passed through his eyes before he masked it with his usual effortless charm. He clinked his glass with another man’s. “Mr. Blake, your design for the Blake Mall is truly remarkable. It’s drawing in the Pack’s finest.” Mr. Blake? Steeling myself, I stepped forward. I refused to let him pretend I wasn’t here. Alpha Tobias’s eyes darkened as he turned to me, his expression unreadable. “What are you doing here?” A sharp smile played on my lips. “What? Am I not welcome?” Tension crackled between us like an oncoming storm. He set his glass down, his jaw tightening. “Of course not. But you don’t usually attend Pack events like these. You tend to get… overwhelmed.” Elowen’s laughter chimed beside us, sweet and venomous all at once. Just then, Eulalia approached. “Alpha, your speech is about to begin.” Alpha Tobias hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. He turned back to me. “Stay for a while. Rest. We’ll talk after.” And then he was gone, swept away by duty and power. I moved toward the dessert table, grabbing a slice of cheesecake, hoping the sweetness could mask the bitterness rising in my chest. Elowen was beside me before I could take a bite, her voice a silk-wrapped dagger. “Long time no see, Ophelia. My dearest friend.” I met her gaze, the glint in her eyes telling me one thing: She knew exactly why I was here.

Elowen’s lips curled into a smug smile, her golden eyes gleaming with challenge. “What’s the matter, Ophelia? Keeping an eye on me now?” “Maybe you should just chain Alpha Tobias to your side if you’re so worried about him.” “Tell me, how does it feel to be the Luna of Alpha Tobias? Living in someone else’s shadow, watching me take everything that was once yours?” “You’ll never win against me. No matter how hard you try.” Her laughter rang out, sharp and mocking. Around her neck, the necklace gleamed under the lights, its brilliance searing into my vision like a blade to my soul. Elowen and I had once been inseparable—at least, I had believed so. We had dreamed of conquering the world of architecture together, our bond unshakable. But then, Alpha Desmond, my fated mate—severed our bond, choosing Elowen as his Luna and shattering my world in one brutal moment. To be betrayed by my closest friend and my destined mate—there was no deeper agony. For a time, I thought the darkness would consume me. Until Alpha Tobias, Alpha of the rival Calder Pack, entered my life. He offered me a way out, a promise of something greater. In the beginning, everything felt safe, secure. But then came the moment that changed everything. Just as I was preparing for a prestigious international Pack competition, Alpha Tobias uttered the words that would define my downfall: “Ophelia, you don’t need to fight for dominance or carry the weight of our Pack. Just be my Luna. I will protect you. Your family will be safe. You’ll never have to struggle again.” His words burrowed deep into my wounded soul, and in a moment of weakness, I let go of the life I had built. I sold my architectural firm. I abandoned the competition without a second thought. And who stood victorious in my place, basking in the limelight? Elowen. My so-called best friend ascended, her name celebrated in thecircles of the architectural world, while I faded into obscurity, reduced to nothing more than Mrs. Hawthorne—Alpha Tobias’s Luna in name alone. But now, as I stood in the center of it, something felt off. The towering structure before me was familiar—too familiar. My gaze traced the lines, the symmetry, the core design principles embedded in every detail. My breath hitched. This was my design. The one I had abandoned years ago. The one I had left buried deep in my personal files, never to be touched again. And yet, here it stood, a living, breathing monument to my stolen dreams. My pulse pounded in my ears. How had this happened? How had Elowen— “Ophelia!” Elowen’s sudden shriek shattered my spiraling thoughts. She stumbled backward, her hands clutching her stomach. A strangled gasp tore from her throat as she crumpled to the ground, her face twisted in pain. Gasps rippled through the gathered crowd. “Someone call an PackDoctor!” “She’s fallen! Get help!” All eyes snapped to me, suspicion and accusation burning in their gazes. And then—I saw him. My Alpha.

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Julian Thorne’s ex, Seraphina, was back from overseas, divorced, and pregnant. The moment she returned, my husband of five years, Julian, just told me to take care of her every need. I didn’t argue or make a fuss; I simply accepted. After all, everyone in the family knew I was just a stand-in for Seraphina. All these years, he’d ignored my dedication to this family. One casual comment from his ex about wanting a ‘servant’ and I’d be running myself ragged for her. If she so much as sighed, Julian would practically hand her his soul. When Seraphina saw me, she immediately flung herself into Julian’s arms. “Brother Julian always had good taste, marrying a free housekeeper.” “I just wonder if asking Amelia to take care of me will make her angry…” Angry? There was no need. Julian had already signed the divorce papers three days ago. From now on, we were going our separate ways, no strings attached. “My mother’s still in the hospital. Seraphina and I have plans tonight, so you go take care of her.” Julian said, pulling on the clothes I painstakingly ironed and laid out for him every day. He didn’t offer a single word of comfort, just grabbed Seraphina and walked straight out the door. He left the breakfast table a total disaster, and even though he knew I hadn’t eaten, he dumped the extra portion straight into the trash. The house was terrifyingly quiet, leaving me alone in a mess. “Oh, you poor thing, Amelia. You really slave away for us day in and day out.” “Now there’s just Seraphina, too, but I’m sure you can handle it. My brother trusts you, that’s why he gave you the task of looking after the whole family.” Julian’s sister, Chloe, muttered a sarcastic remark as she passed me. I knew she’d always disliked me. I mean, who asked me to ‘steal’ her dear Seraphina’s husband, right? Even though I was Julian’s legal wife, Julian and the entire Thorne family’s favoritism toward Seraphina was plain for all to see. I was already exhausted from work every day, yet he ordered me to spend ten hours at the hospital taking care of his mother, who was paralyzed from the waist down. Julian and I had a huge fight about it. Everyone in the Thorne family saw my distress. Even when I yelled and screamed like a banshee, not one of them would say a word in my defense. Even though I’d tirelessly played the part of the perfect daughter-in-law and wife for five long years. This was my last argument. I was exhausted from constantly fighting to stay afloat in this toxic family dynamic. I listed out all the care instructions for Mrs. Thorne in a neat table and sent it to Seraphina. Isn’t she so eager to climb the ladder? Might as well give her a head start on what it means to be a Thorne daughter-in-law. She stomped her foot in anger. “What’s this supposed to mean, Amelia? You’re complaining about taking care of Aunt Thorne?” “Besides, Brother Julian, you know I’m frail and sickly…” So Julian had the absolute audacity to tell me to quit my job and become Seraphina’s full-time caretaker. I stood before them, watching them flirt and intertwine. They both seemed to be waiting for me to get angry, to rage. But none of that happened. I simply said, flatly, “Okay.” And so, today’s scene unfolded. He seemed determined to humiliate me, all just to win a smile from his ex. Julian believed that leaving me utterly devastated was proof of his love for Seraphina. I should have recognized the truth long ago: Julian never loved me. Julian and Seraphina’s love story was the kind people dreamed of, a real fairytale, the kind you read about: childhood sweethearts, perfectly innocent and inseparable. But when the Thornes went to propose, they were utterly shut down. Apparently, the Cross family looked down on the Thornes’ social standing, thinking Julian was just a toad trying to snatch a swan, and married Seraphina off to a wealthy foreign businessman instead. Julian wanted to elope with Seraphina, but she refused, tears in her eyes. She claimed it was for her family’s benefit, but in truth, she had just snagged someone richer than Julian. And so, they parted ways. Seraphina went to live overseas with her husband, and Julian vowed never to marry. But Julian’s parents wouldn’t have it. That’s when they found me. Julian and I met on a rainy day, a scene straight out of a romance movie. I was being harassed by some thugs, and he stood up for me. Then I held my umbrella over him as he stood drenched in the rain. From that moment, love took root in my heart. It had been ten years since then. At first, he strongly resisted, but then, after meeting me, he compromised. It was only then that I realized the truth: it was because my face was an uncanny eight-tenths match for Seraphina’s. Now Seraphina was back, and it was time for me to go.

It was past midnight when I finally finished taking care of Mrs. Thorne. Mrs. Thorne was famously difficult: petty, cruel, and demanding. Even though I tried my absolute best, she was always finding something to complain about, even if it meant splitting hairs. If anything was even slightly not to her liking, she’d start throwing things around the hospital room and cursing me with all sorts of foul language. As a daughter-in-law, my conscience was clear. Tonight was no different. I was only a minute late bringing her food, and she made me kneel by her hospital bed until she fell asleep before I could leave. In the dead of night, taxis were scarce, so I had no choice but to hobble home, my knees swollen and red from kneeling. I couldn’t afford to waste time; I had a major project to follow up on at the company first thing in the morning. Then a notification popped up on my phone. I squinted, and it was from Julian Thorne. He had never actively messaged me before, and for a second, a flicker of surprise, even hope, stirred in my heart. But as I opened the message, my heart died completely. It was a photo of him kissing Seraphina. Behind them, fireworks exploded, and drones lit up the night sky, spelling out a message: “Seraphina, Julian Thorne loves only you, this life and forever!” All the grand gestures were custom-made for Seraphina. Julian’s next message was ice-cold. “Sent it to the wrong person. It was meant for Seraphina.” “Whatever. You saw it, you saw it. Doesn’t matter.” In five years, I had only ever made one request of him: to receive a single bouquet of roses from him. But he had refused. “Roses? Can’t eat ’em, so what’s the point!” Hearing that, I had only felt a quiet sadness, assuming he was just a pragmatist, not into grand gestures. Turns out, Julian wasn’t clueless about romance; he just wasn’t willing to put in the effort for me. The joyful, blissful expression on Julian’s face in the photo was something I had never seen before. I opened my social media feed, and it was completely dominated by Seraphina’s posts. The comment sections were filled exclusively with messages from relatives and friends. “I knew Seraphina and Julian were always the perfect match.” “When is Julian finally going to divorce that old hag, Amelia Vance?” “Wishing them eternity.” Those comments were like daggers plunging into my chest, leaving me breathless. My finger slipped, and I accidentally liked one of Seraphina’s posts. Her message popped up instantly. “Today is the 10,000th day since Brother Julian and I met. He insisted on giving me a surprise, and I forgot to block you, Amelia, which might have upset you.” “But Amelia, you’re such a generous person, I’m sure you won’t mind, right? Oh, and I forgot to tell you, the photo Brother Julian just sent you? I accidentally sent that too.” “Accidentally”? I almost choked laughing at her ‘accident.’ How she managed to ‘accidentally’ pick me out from hundreds of contacts and send that photo, she knew damn well. Seraphina just wanted to see me furious and raging, didn’t she? Well, I was truly going to disappoint her. What once felt like the end of the world now just felt… trivial. At that moment, I calmly downloaded the photo Julian had sent me and the photos from Seraphina’s social media feed, zipped them into a file, and sent them to my lawyer. Everything I was owed, I would get every single penny. I had already wasted too many of my prime years on Julian Thorne. From now on, I would live for myself. I dialed my family’s number. “Big brother, I’ve made up my mind. It’s much more comfortable inheriting the family fortune back home. Will you still welcome me?” My brother was practically weeping with joy. “My little princess is finally willing to come home! There’s always a place for you here, sis.”

Julian didn’t come home, so I immediately called my private investigator. Sure enough, an hour later, I had the video of them ‘doing their thing’ at a hotel. I was determined to get my share of the Thorne family’s assets. After we got married, Julian always wanted to start his own company. So, I handed over the millions of dollars my family gave me as a wedding gift, letting him go all in. He just happened to catch a massive trend, and the company took off, making the Thornes richer and richer. But Julian, with his pea-sized brain, couldn’t even manage to pass his classes back in the day – how did he think he could run a company? He actually believed he was some kind of business genius! If I hadn’t called in financial executives from Vance Group to advise him, he’d have lost his shirt by now, along with everything else. But instead of gratitude, Julian only became more arrogant, and that whole pack of ungrateful wolves in the Thorne family looked down on me even more. How they saw me no longer mattered. Sooner or later, they would reap what they sowed. I just considered all the money and time I’d invested over the years as wasted, thrown to the dogs. First thing the next morning, as I was packing my bags to leave, Julian called and told me to attend the Thorne family dinner. “Don’t forget the family dinner at noon. Just dress casually, nothing too fancy. You know my parents don’t like you dressing too extravagantly, and it wouldn’t look good for the relatives and friends to see you overly made up. Even if the Thornes are rich, we can’t have you being too wasteful.” Before I could refuse, he’d already hung up. Maybe he was afraid I’d argue with him again, or perhaps he was afraid I’d beg him to forgive me over the phone, considering I was always the one meekly going to him to make up after every argument. Whatever he was afraid of, it didn’t matter anymore. I was about to be completely free. My family’s fortune was waiting for me to inherit. No need to work hard, no need to endure being belittled. How great would it be to just ‘lie flat’ and still get paid? The divorce papers were already effective, and I had collected all the evidence of his infidelity. Attending one last family dinner wouldn’t hurt. But when I arrived at the banquet hall, I was stunned. Everyone was dressed to the nines, while my outfit could only be described as pathetic in comparison. No wonder he told me to dress simply. He was setting me up! The most dazzling person in the crowd was undoubtedly Seraphina, wearing a haute couture gown, its skirt shimmering with diamonds, making her look absolutely radiant. Julian had clearly gone all out to make me look bad and let Seraphina shine, putting in a truly pathetic effort. But when I looked closely at the design of the dress, I froze. Wasn’t this the gown design I had personally created? I stood at the entrance of the banquet hall, watching Julian put his arm around Seraphina’s waist and dance elegantly. People around me started whispering. “Is that Julian’s ex-wife? Why is she dressed so shabbily? How embarrassing!” “She clearly knows she can’t compare to Seraphina, yet she still showed up? Talk about overconfident!” “Tsk, tsk, tsk, she looks way too much like Seraphina. Did she get plastic surgery to look like that?” A wave of laughter swept through the room. Seraphina spoke up, feigning concern for me. “What’s so funny? Amelia spends all day slaving away in the kitchen at home. It’s perfectly normal she doesn’t know how to dress herself up.” Anyone who didn’t know better would think Seraphina was being noble, but in reality, she just wanted to embarrass me, pure and simple.

Too tired to deal with them, I turned to leave, but Seraphina grabbed my arm. “Amelia, you just got here! Why leave so soon? Stay and enjoy the party!” “Didn’t Brother Julian prepare a gown for you? I thought he’d arrange something for you too!” I raised my eyes and stared at Julian, but he nervously avoided my gaze. Seraphina continued to chatter. “Oh, that’s right. Amelia, you’re such a rough person, I guess you wouldn’t know how to wear a gown anyway. No need to waste Brother Julian’s money.” I cursed silently in my heart. Sweetie, when I was wearing gowns, you were probably still crawling around in diapers. But I maintained a polite expression. “Oh, you’re absolutely right. I’m just a crude country bumpkin. But Seraphina, you’re so generous, I’m sure you’d be happy to take off your gown and let your ‘older sister’ wear it, wouldn’t you?” Julian spoke up. “Amelia Vance, do you really have to be so difficult with Seraphina? It’s just a dress. I’ll buy you one, okay?” I smiled, looking at Julian. “Oh, yes, just one dress. But everyone at this party is dressed elegantly, and you specifically told me to dress simply. What was your intention, then? To make me a mere backdrop for your first love?” Julian looked a little flustered. “Do you have to be like this, Amelia? I already told you, Mom and Dad don’t like their daughter-in-law dressing too flashy.” I swirled the red wine in my glass, watching Julian perform his little act. “Is it really your parents who don’t like it, or is it your beloved first love?” Seraphina quickly interrupted. “Amelia, if you think it’s me, then it’s me! As long as you don’t fight with Brother Julian, I’m willing to take the blame.” “I’ll toast to you, hoping you’ll calm down.” She raised her glass, trying to clink it with mine. I scoffed. “I have a severe phobia of trash, so no, I won’t be clinking glasses with a b*tch.” Julian roared, “Enough! If you can’t behave, then get lost! Don’t be an eyesore.” I turned to leave, but Seraphina suddenly rushed forward and knelt in front of me, grabbing my hand and trying to pull it towards her face. “It’s all my fault, Amelia, please don’t be angry.” In Seraphina’s violent tug, I lost my balance and spilled the red wine from my glass onto her gown. She shrieked in terror. “Amelia, how could you do this? You can hit me, curse me, but how could you take it out on this gown? This is a haute couture gown worth millions, the only one in the world!” “If you can’t afford to pay for it, Amelia, you’ll be facing jail time. And I truly wouldn’t want to see that happen to you.” I just laughed. A chilling, slow smile that spread across my face. Seraphina looked confused. “Amelia, you’re about to go to jail. Why are you still laughing?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296844”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #狼人Werewolf