Category: English

**Chapter 1** For twenty years, Elara had been the Sterling family’s pampered darling. Then, the real daughter showed up with a DNA report. That’s when I learned I was nothing but an imposter, mistakenly swapped at birth. Humiliation burned through me. I packed my bags, ready to leave, but on my last night in the house, Damien Sterling, the eldest son, hauled me into his car. The brother who’d always been so cold, so distant, pinned me against the plush leather seats, pushing me to tears three times over. My throat was raw from crying, but he just clamped his hand around my waist, whispering, “I’ve wanted to do this to you for a long, long time.” Only then did I understand— His coldness all these years? It was just a mask, a forced restraint. Soon after, he announced our engagement. No one could talk him out of it. When Mr. and Mrs. Sterling objected, he stripped them of their authority, becoming the sole ruler of the Sterling empire. When Brooke, the real daughter, cried and threw tantrums, he cut off all her credit cards, threatening to send her away if she didn’t quit. I couldn’t accept being with the brother I’d grown up with. I ran countless times, but he dragged me back every single time. He had eyes everywhere. There was no escape. Until half a month ago. He’d driven out late at night to buy me a cake I was craving, and he got into a car accident. When he woke up… he’d forgotten everything. The Sterling family rejoiced. When they introduced me to him, they didn’t say I was the girl he loved to the point of madness. They just said I was the household maid. And now, with Damien’s amnesia, they saw their chance to finally get rid of me. “Here’s a hundred million.” Mr. and Mrs. Sterling eagerly pushed a check across the table towards me. “Damien has amnesia now, he doesn’t remember you. Take this money and leave, quickly. We raised you, and now we’re begging you—never appear before him again. Never let him find you.” After a long silence, I finally spoke. “Fine. I’ll finalize all my overseas paperwork within two weeks and never return to the country.” I took the flimsy check. This past year felt like a grotesque dream. They wanted me gone, and truthfully, I wanted to leave too. Damien had spoiled me rotten this past year, it was true, but I couldn’t bear the weight of his obsessive, forceful love. With Damien’s amnesia, this was my only chance to escape him. “What are you doing?” Just then, the front door swung open. Damien stood there, perfectly tailored in a suit, followed by Brooke. His imposing presence, the aura of a man in power, silently filled the room, making the air feel thick and heavy. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling’s faces paled. They quickly put on strained smiles. “Nothing, nothing at all. Just giving some instructions to the household maid.” Mrs. Sterling nudged Mr. Sterling, chuckling nervously. “We’re going upstairs for our afternoon nap.” Before leaving, she shot me a venomous glare, a clear warning. I lowered my eyes, clutching the hundred-million-dollar check. I was about to turn back to the maid’s quarters when… “Stop right there.” Damien’s voice was as cold as ice. I froze, head bowed, my heart nearly stopping. The sound of his dress shoes on the polished floor grew closer. The next second, my chin was roughly yanked up, forcing me to meet his dark, fathomless eyes. My breath hitched. My mind replayed all those moments—pinned against the floor-to-ceiling windows, pressed into the bedsheets, even held down on the kitchen island. His thumb brushed against my chin, his gaze frigid. “What perfume are you wearing?” I opened my mouth, about to answer… “Don’t wear it again.” He let go, his voice laced with disgust. “Maids should act like maids. Don’t try to seduce anyone.” My fingertips curled. He used to bury his face in my neck, chuckling low, asking, “What did you spray? Smells so good.” I’d shake my head, “Nothing.” He’d bite my earlobe, laughing huskily in my ear, “Even your natural scent is this good? Elara, truly every part of you was born for me. Don’t you dare leave me. Wherever you run, I’ll find you. Understand?” I once thought I’d never escape. But this time, fate had given me a chance… I didn’t explain or argue with him, just nodded. “Understood, Master Damien.” Watching him turn and enter his study, I let out a shaky breath. I was about to go back and pack my luggage when Brooke suddenly lunged at me, slapping me hard across the face! “Elara, how shameless can you be?!” she shrieked, her voice shrill. “You tried to seduce my brother before, and now he has amnesia, and you’re *still* trying to hook him?!” “Let me tell you, my brother already has a fiancée!” She sneered triumphantly. “The engagement news will be announced soon. This sister-in-law is a thousand, a million times better than you!” My body trembled slightly. A fiancée? Right. He had amnesia now. With the Sterling family’s status, prospective partners for a strategic alliance would be lining up. But it no longer concerned me. Brooke still wasn’t done. She snapped, “Guards, seize her! Throw her into the cold storage! Let her know the consequences of seducing my brother!” The bodyguards exchanged uneasy glances. No one dared to move. Everyone knew how much Damien had doted on me before. Once, a business partner simply touched my arm, and the next day, that man’s hand appeared on Damien’s desk. Brooke fumed, shaking with rage. “My brother has amnesia now! She’s neither the lady of the house nor the person my brother loves anymore! What are you afraid of?!” She pointed at a bodyguard. “If you don’t grab her, I’ll fire all of you!” The guards still hesitated. Just then, the study door flew open— Damien frowned. “What’s all this racket?” Brooke immediately plastered on a fawning smile. “Brother, Elara was inefficient, and I wanted to punish her by sending her to cold storage, but these bodyguards won’t listen to me!” Damien’s gaze swept coldly over the bodyguards, his voice chilling. “What did she give you that you won’t even obey your master?” He looked at me, his eyes filled with disgust. “Drag her away quickly. Don’t be an eyesore here.” With that, he slammed the door shut. With Damien’s words, the bodyguards no longer had any qualms. I closed my eyes, letting the bodyguards drag me away. I’d always hated the cold, which was why Damien always kept the mansion warm, like eternal spring. At night, when my hands and feet were icy, he’d even deign to cradle my feet against his chest, warming them. But now, he had personally given the order to lock me in here as punishment. The cold was bone-deep. I curled up in the corner, my consciousness fading. It’s fine. Just endure it. I’d be free soon. Soon, I could… be Elara again, not Damien Sterling’s private possession. Just as I was about to lose consciousness, I faintly heard someone screaming my name like a madman. “Elara!!” A figure burst into the cold storage, trembling as he lifted me into his arms. **Chapter 2** When I next awoke, I was met with the harsh, glaring white of a hospital room. “Elara, how are you? Is there anywhere else you’re uncomfortable?” A familiar voice reached my ears, followed by a gentle, kind face. Liam Parker sat by my bedside, his eyes bloodshot. He looked like he’d been watching over me for a long time. “…Liam?” My memory from before I fainted slowly trickled back. I forced myself to sit up. “Was it you who saved me?” Liam nodded, his voice laced with lingering fear. “I tried calling you repeatedly, but you didn’t answer. When I rushed to the Sterling mansion, I heard you’d been locked in the cold storage…” He trailed off mid-sentence as the hospital room TV suddenly blared a news report— “Sterling Financial Group and Reed Industries formally announce their engagement today. Mr. Damien Sterling and Miss Seraphina Reed will hold their wedding next month…” On screen, Damien was impeccably dressed in a suit, his face stern, while Seraphina, clinging to his arm, smiled radiantly. A perfect match, made in heaven. Liam immediately grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. A brief silence fell in the room. After a few seconds, he took a deep breath and looked at me. “Elara, I know about everything that’s happened recently.” “Before, you couldn’t escape, but now… Damien has amnesia.” His voice was soft but firm. “I’ll take you away. How about it?” I lowered my eyes. “Thank you, Liam. I’ve already made arrangements to finalize my overseas paperwork.” “The Sterling family has been in politics for three generations. He can’t leave the country.” I paused. “As long as I go abroad, he’ll never see me again.” A flicker of joy crossed Liam’s eyes. He instinctively reached out and grasped my hand. “That’s wonderful! I’ll go with you to get the paperwork done!” I tensed slightly, subtly pulling my hand away. He realized his overstep and quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, I just… I got too excited.” He paused again, his gaze serious and gentle. “But I hope you understand how I feel.” “It’s been so long. You can tell, right?” I remained silent, offering no reply. Of course, I knew. From the very first day Damien had taken me by force, Liam had been secretly helping me. He had once proactively offered to help me escape, but I knew Damien’s methods better than anyone. I’d tried running ten or more times, and not once had I succeeded. The longest I’d lasted was no more than ten minutes before being dragged back. Once, a man at a bar merely tried to chat me up, and the very next day, his entire presence vanished from the city. Damien’s influence spread like an inescapable net. I couldn’t get away, and I certainly didn’t dare implicate Liam. So, I had never responded to his feelings. I closed my eyes, my fingertips trembling slightly. “Liam, I…” He seemed to sense what I was about to say and quickly cut me off. “I’m not asking you to respond right now!” “I just want to tell you…” He took a deep breath, his voice gentle and firm. “Once you leave this place, you can finally live your own life.” “Do the work you love, go to places you like, and… fall in love, the kind that makes your heart flutter.” He smiled, a hint of bitterness in his eyes. “Even if it’s not with me, I’ll be happy for you.” “I just hope you can return to a normal life and not be affected by this past year.” I froze for a moment, my eyes welling up. After a long pause, I softly said, “Thank you.” “Once I leave here, I’ll resume a peaceful life.” I looked out at the bright sunshine through the window, my voice light. “Travel, work, and… fall in love.” Liam finally breathed a sigh of relief, his brows relaxing. “Then I’ll go with you to get the paperwork done.” That afternoon, Liam accompanied me to complete the expedited overseas procedures. “Your visa should be ready in two weeks at the fastest.” The staff handed back my ID. “Have a pleasant trip.” Stepping out of the embassy, I let out a long breath. The sunlight warmed my face, and a long-lost sense of ease washed over me. Liam drove me back to the mansion, and all the way, he chatted casually about my arrangements abroad. He said that once the paperwork came through, I should go first. His family also had businesses overseas, and he would apply to transfer there. “Elara, don’t feel pressured,” he added quickly, as if fearing I’d refuse. “Our family just happens to be expanding into the overseas market; it’s not specifically for you.” The car stopped at the mansion gates. I was about to get out when Liam suddenly called out, “Wait.” He reached out and gently smoothed my wind-blown hair, his movements as tender as if he were handling something fragile and precious. I instinctively looked up, but the next second, my entire body stiffened. Not far away, on the steps, an icy gaze was fixed on me! **Chapter 3** Damien stood there, impeccably dressed in a suit, his features stark, his imposing presence silently permeating the air. My fingertips trembled. I quickly told Liam, “You should go first.” Liam didn’t notice anything amiss and continued, “Once the paperwork is ready, you…” “Just go!” My voice was tight, almost a plea, as I looked at him. He paused, then finally nodded. “Alright. Be careful.” Only when his car drove away did I dare to turn, walking step by step towards the steps. Damien remained there, his gaze fixed on me, the emotions in his dark eyes unreadable. I was trembling all over, I could almost hear my own heart pounding wildly. Would he be angry? Or would he be like before, breaking someone’s hand just because they touched me? But in the end, I heard his cold voice: “We have guests. Go make some tea.” With that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps fading. I stood frozen for a while before I dared to look up. He… showed no emotion. It seemed he really had amnesia. I breathed a sigh of relief and turned to the kitchen to make tea. But when I carried the tea into the living room, I found there was another person there. I recognized her at a glance—it was Seraphina Reed, the woman who had been announced as Damien’s fiancée on the news. Currently, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling, and Brooke, were all gathered around her, smiling broadly as they discussed wedding arrangements. Damien sat to the side, not interjecting, listening calmly. I lowered my head, brought the tea over, and softly said, “Miss Reed, your tea.” Seraphina looked up at me, a subtle smile playing on her lips. She reached out to take the cup, but the next second, she suddenly “accidentally” knocked it over— The scalding tea splashed all over Seraphina. Before I could even react, Brooke had already swung her hand, slapping me hard across the face! “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?!” I opened my mouth, instinctively wanting to explain— “I didn’t…” But before I could finish, Brooke shrieked, cutting me off, then turned to Damien to complain: “Brother! I’ve been meaning to tell you, this maid has impure intentions towards you!” She pointed at me with a disgusted expression. “She secretly collects your things, she’s clearly a troublemaker! Now that she knows you’re engaged to Seraphina, she’s gone mad with jealousy and deliberately scalded her!” I felt a chill run through my body, unable to believe she could twist facts like that. “I didn’t…” My voice trembled, but before I could finish, Seraphina also spoke up. She looked at Damien, her eyes slightly red, her voice weak. “Damien, with your status, many people will try to cling to you. If we don’t punish her severely, there might be more imitators in the future.” Mr. and Mrs. Sterling immediately chimed in, “Exactly! She must be severely punished!” I froze, suddenly realizing— This was an act. A trap they had set together. And Damien despised anyone who tried to seduce him. Sure enough, the next second, I heard his icy voice: “Drag her away and carry out the family punishment.” After saying that, he bent down, scooped Seraphina into his arms, and walked upstairs without a backward glance. “I’ll call the private doctor.” I didn’t even have a chance to utter another word of defense before two bodyguards seized my arms and roughly dragged me out. Outside the mansion, the night was deep and dark. Brooke held a rattan cane with thorns, her face alight with undisguised excitement and malice. “Elara, you’ve finally fallen into my hands.” She raised the cane and brought it down hard! *Smack!* The first whip landed, tearing my skin open. “This whip is for stealing my identity!” *Smack!* The second whip, raw and mangled. “This whip is for seducing my brother!” *Smack!* “This whip is for being ungrateful!” … “Hahaha, scream, why aren’t you screaming wildly now? My brother won’t stand up for you anymore!” I bit my lip hard, forcing myself not to cry out. But the thorns on the cane dug into my flesh, each strike feeling like it was tearing me apart alive. Blood trickled down my back, my arms, my legs… dropping one by one onto the ground. Ninety-nine lashes. Brooke seemed determined to vent all her years of rage. She whipped harder and harder until, finally, my consciousness began to blur. All I could hear was her shrill curses and the dull thud of the cane ripping through flesh. When the last whip fell, I finally couldn’t hold on any longer and collapsed heavily into the pool of my own blood. **Chapter 4** When I next awoke, I found myself locked in a warehouse. The wounds on my back had formed a thin scab, and even the slightest movement sent searing pain through me. I forced myself to get up, knocking on the door. A cold voice from outside replied, “Miss Brooke said you haven’t learned your lesson yet, so you’ll remain locked up for three more days, without food or water.” He paused, then added, “Master Damien also agreed.” I slid down the door to the floor, and a sudden, bitter laugh escaped me. Brooke hated me, and I knew it better than anyone. Years ago, due to a twist of fate, I had occupied her rightful place as the Sterling heiress, leaving her to suffer outside. She had finally been reunited with her family, but Damien had refused to let me, the fake daughter, leave, spoiling me rotten, so much so that Brooke couldn’t even make me go away. Now, Damien had amnesia. He didn’t remember me, nor his insane, possessive love for me. Brooke finally had her chance for revenge. I leaned against the cold warehouse wall, not struggling, not knocking on the door again. Anyway… in a few more days, I would be completely free. There was no need to add complications at the last minute. Let it be. There were no windows in the warehouse, so it was impossible to tell day from night. I huddled in the corner, unable to sleep because of the pain from my wounds, counting my breaths to pass the time. Brooke would have someone throw in a stack of photos every day. The photos were all intimate moments between Damien and Seraphina— He was pictured with his arm around Seraphina’s waist at a party, leaning in to whisper in her ear; He bent down to adjust her dress, a gentlemanly and gentle gesture; He placed a diamond ring on Seraphina’s hand in front of everyone, pulling her into an embrace and kissing her; On the back of each photo, Brooke had scrawled taunting words in red ink— “This is what my brother’s fiancée should look like.” “What are you, anyway?” “Stop dreaming. He’ll never remember you.” Three days later, the warehouse door finally creaked open. Blinding light poured in, and I squinted, seeing Brooke standing in the doorway, looking down at me with disdain. “Seraphina’s birthday party? My brother went all out,” she said, her smile dripping with malice. “What are you waiting for? Get to the party and serve as a waitress!” I pushed myself up against the wall, my legs so weak I could barely stand, but there was no room to refuse. After hastily applying some medicine, drinking some water, and eating a little something, I was rushed to the banquet hall. True to Brooke’s words, Damien had spared no expense for Seraphina’s birthday party. The entire banquet hall was decorated to resemble a starry night sky, crystal chandeliers reflecting brilliant light, and champagne towers stacked taller than a person. But the most striking thing was Damien’s gift to Seraphina. A blue diamond necklace worth hundreds of millions. He personally placed it around her neck, and the entire hall erupted in applause. Even so, whispers rippled through the crowd— “Did Damien really lose his memory? He used to be so crazy for Elara…” “Shhh! Lower your voice! The Sterling family is audacious, arranging a fiancée for him while he has amnesia. Who knows what will happen if he ever remembers and overturns the whole family…” “I heard his amnesia is permanent, the doctors said so…” I kept my head down, quietly going about my tasks, as if these conversations had nothing to do with me. Until— A pair of high heels stopped in front of me. I looked up, meeting Seraphina’s smiling eyes. “Elara.” She swirled the champagne in her hand, her red lips curving into a faint smile. “Are you satisfied with the little gift I gave you last time?” I looked up at Seraphina. “You really don’t have to be like this.” I said softly, “Damien has amnesia now, he has no feelings for me, and I won’t interfere with you two.” Seraphina chuckled, her red lips curling into a mocking arc. “You say that so easily. I’ve loved him for so many years. Do you know how happy I was when I finally got my wish for a marriage alliance?” Her nails dug into my arm, her eyes swirling with twisted hatred. “And what happened? He turned around and announced he only wanted *you*! I loved him so much that I even came to him, offering a hundred billion dollar corporation as a dowry, but he didn’t even blink, and threw me out…” Her voice started to tremble. “That day, it was pouring rain, and I still went looking for him, only to see him coaxing you into bed again. I witnessed it with my own eyes, him pressing you against the floor-to-ceiling window, with such tenderness, such profound affection, saying that in this whole world, he only wanted you…” “Do you know how desperate I was that day? And now, your single phrase ‘I won’t interfere’ is supposed to erase all the pain I suffered?!” She stepped back, elegantly smoothed her dress, her smile sweet and malicious. “Elara, remember this: I will make you wish for death, but never find it.” With that, she turned and walked away. I stood rooted to the spot, cold sweat breaking out on my back. A strong sense of unease washed over me. I put down the tray and was about to leave when Seraphina’s panicked voice suddenly echoed through the banquet hall— “My necklace is gone!” The entire hall erupted in murmurs. “That’s the blue diamond necklace Master Damien just gave her!” “Who would be so bold as to steal it?” In the chaos, Seraphina looked at me pitifully, her finger directly pointing at me. “I only spoke to her a moment ago…” In an instant, all eyes shot to me. Damien’s gaze was the coldest, like a blade dipped in ice. **Chapter 5** Before I could even react, Brooke had already rushed over with the bodyguards. “Search her!” she shrieked. I struggled to back away. “I didn’t steal it…” But the bodyguards roughly pinned me down, publicly stripping my clothes. “Found it!” Brooke announced triumphantly, holding up the blue diamond necklace. She swung her hand back and slapped me again. Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth. “Haven’t you learned your lesson from last time?!” she screeched. My vision swam, but I still insisted, “I didn’t steal it… There are security cameras here, we can check the surveil…” *Smack!* Another slap cut me off. Brooke turned to Damien, her voice venomous. “Brother, it seems she’s still not over you. Last time she deliberately scalded Seraphina, and this time she stole Seraphina’s necklace. I think we need to make her completely understand her place!” She flashed a cruel smile. “I just saw a vagrant outside the hotel. How about we let them spend the night together?” My blood ran cold. But the next second, I heard Damien calmly say, “Mm-hmm,” his eyes filled with utter disgust. At that moment, I felt like I’d been struck by lightning. I didn’t care about anything else. I lunged, grabbing his sleeve. “I didn’t steal this necklace! I have no intentions toward you whatsoever! Damien, check the cameras, I…” Brooke’s face contorted in rage, and she sharply interrupted, “Drag her away!” A bodyguard roughly yanked my hair. I clung desperately to Damien’s sleeve, my fingertips turning white. But he, one by one, pried my fingers away. An icy sensation spread from my fingertips to my heart. As the last finger was pried open, I heard him say— “Dirty.” At that moment, I bit down hard on my teeth, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face. Memories flooded back like a tide: the days he cherished me, the times he’d worry for hours if I so much as bumped myself… A year ago, I had a fever of 102 degrees, and he flew back from overseas overnight, staying by my bedside for three days without closing his eyes. Six months ago, a wealthy heir chatted me up at a party, and the next day, his family business declared bankruptcy. Three months ago, I wanted a cake from the west side of the city in the middle of the night, and he drove himself to get it, resulting in a car accident. For the past year, he had claimed me countless times, day and night, like an addiction. And now, standing beneath the glittering crystal chandeliers in the banquet hall, he personally handed me over to a filthy vagrant. He even slowly wiped his fingers with a handkerchief, as if touching me was something repulsive. The bodyguards threw me into a dim guest room and locked the door from the outside. I curled up in the corner, the wounds on my back burning. Not long after, the door was pushed open, and a man reeking of stale sweat and grime walked in. He was in rags, his hair matted, and he bared a mouth full of yellow teeth, his eyes gleaming with a repulsive light. “Little beauty…” He rubbed his hands together and lunged at me. I screamed and dodged, grabbing a bedside lamp and throwing it at him. He grunted in pain, cursed, and slapped me across the face. “You little bitch, try disobeying again. Miss Brooke said I could do whatever I wanted tonight…” He pressed me onto the bed, his filthy hands tearing at my collar. I screamed and kicked, my nails raking blood across his face, but he bound my hands with his belt. Just as he was about to succeed, I felt the flower vase on the bedside table. *Smash!* The vase shattered on his head. He groaned and collapsed. I broke free, stumbling out the door. The hallway was empty. I ran barefoot, terrified the vagrant would chase me. In a panic, I pushed open a slightly ajar door and slipped inside. The room was pitch black. I held my breath, shrinking into the corner. I was safe… I was about to let out a sigh of relief when the bathroom door suddenly opened— “Who’s there?” Damien’s deep voice, laced with a hint of intoxication, drifted out. My blood ran cold. **Chapter 6** In the darkness, Damien’s footsteps grew closer. I instinctively edged towards the door, but then his voice echoed again: “Seraphina?” His voice was low. “Why are you in my room? Didn’t I say there’s no need to rush between us, and we should wait until after the wedding to share a room?”

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At my wedding, to save his adopted sister, my husband shoved me—three months pregnant—into the arms of our enemies as an apology. “This is my sincerity. You can do whatever you want with her.” I didn’t cry, didn’t fight. I simply followed our enemies, docile as a lamb. Because in my previous life, I’d traded all my wealth for freedom, desperate to return to Liam. But I was forced to drink abortion pills, writhing in agony for three days and three nights. “Brother, those enemies were just people you hired to play a part. Alice didn’t lose her virginity, so why did you insist on getting rid of the baby?” Liam scoffed. “A performance needs to be convincing, doesn’t it?” I died consumed by hatred. When I woke again, I chose to let them drag me away. But three years later, as I walked into the gala with my new partner, Liam lunged at me, his eyes wild. “Alice Summers, where’s our child?” … Three years. Liam felt like a complete stranger. “Alice, you don’t know how much Liam and I have been looking for you these past three years. I’ve felt so guilty.” I didn’t even spare Chloe a glance, using all my strength to pull free from Liam’s grip. Liam’s face darkened at my cold indifference, his voice dripping with fury. “I asked you, where’s our child?” I let out a cold laugh. It was utterly ridiculous. “What about the child? Don’t you already know?” Three years ago, what should have been the happiest day of my life – my tropical island wedding – became my eternal nightmare. How could a man who threw his pregnant wife to their supposed enemies for his adopted sister have the nerve to ask me that question? If I hadn’t been reborn, how could I have carved out a chance at survival for myself? Liam’s gaze flickered, and the hand he reached out to grab mine retracted. Chloe’s eyes welled up, her red-rimmed gaze fixed on me. “Alice, even though you were taken by those enemies for three years, you must have suffered a lot. And your body… But Liam and I don’t care.” “When a woman falls into a hellhole like that, we all know what she has to sacrifice. Even though Alice was defiled, it couldn’t be helped…” Her tone was full of pity, but her words were laced with pure malice. Liam’s face instantly turned grim, his dark eyes trembling slightly. By now, the party guests had gathered, their eyes shifting as they heard Chloe’s words. “She’s a slut! How does she have the nerve to show her face here?” “She’s probably been passed around, right? But her body’s still pretty good. If I were her, I wouldn’t be able to resist, ha ha ha…” Liam clenched his fists, like a lit stick of dynamite. “Have you caused enough trouble?” “Get home, now! Don’t embarrass yourself here!” My expression instantly changed. Home? Which home? I glanced at Chloe’s slightly swollen belly, my eyes mocking. “Is there still a place for me in your home?” My gaze swept the room. Why wasn’t he here yet? I had no patience left for these people and just wanted to leave. But they both seemed to misunderstand my meaning. Chloe nervously clutched her stomach, cowering behind Liam like a frightened fawn. “Alice, my… my baby is just an accident. The doctor said my health isn’t good, and if I had a miscarriage, I might never be able to be a mother. That’s why Liam let me keep the baby.” “Don’t worry, I’ll go abroad after the baby is born. I won’t bother you and Liam again.” If Chloe hadn’t crashed every single date Liam and I ever had, acting as a third wheel, I might have believed her words. But every single time, without fail, Liam had sided with Chloe. “Alice, why are you so petty? Chloe is just an immature kid. If she doesn’t come with me, she’ll cry in secret at home. Would that make you happy?” “Alice, I just wanted to learn how to date!” Gradually, I became numb to Chloe’s presence. I didn’t care anymore. Because I knew, caring was useless. Chloe’s tears fell onto Liam’s shoulder, and he instantly looked heartbroken, pulling her into his arms. “Chloe’s baby was an accident, and I’m definitely responsible for it.” “I’ll register our marriage with Chloe first, then we’ll divorce after the baby is born, so the child’s identity will be legitimate.” He then looked at me with what seemed like pity. “Alice Summers, for the next few months, take good care of Chloe at home. Only then will the baby warm up to you. As long as you behave well, I’ll give you the status of Mrs. Reed.” Hearing the word “divorce,” I clearly saw the resentment in Chloe’s eyes toward me. In a flash, I finally realized where Chloe’s inexplicable malice had come from all these years. Chloe wiped her tears and reached out to pull me. “Alice, just come home with us. Liam bought me a lot of clothes and jewelry; I’ll give them all to you, okay?” I was about to push her hand away, but in the next instant, I saw it—on her wrist, she was wearing the emerald bracelet my mother had left me. “Why is my bracelet on your hand!?” 2 “Oh… the doctor said my baby wasn’t developing well, so Liam gave me the bracelet to wear for good luck. If you don’t like it, Alice, I can give it back to you.” Chloe started to take the bracelet off. “Enough!” Liam immediately stopped her, his expression filled with tenderness. “It’s just a broken bracelet! Alice Summers, when did you become so petty?” A broken bracelet? Even after three years, I thought I had forgotten everything from the past, but a bitter ache still twisted in my heart. This emerald bracelet was the only thing my parents left me, a family heirloom of the Summers family, blessed by a spiritual master long ago. Years ago, I fell ill with a strange ailment. No matter how many local or international specialists examined me, they couldn’t find the cause. My parents cried for days, frantic, and finally, carrying this bracelet, they went to a remote spiritual retreat in the mountains. They kneeled every step of the way, from the foot of the mountain to the spiritual temple at the top—three thousand steps in all. Finally, they persuaded the master to consecrate the bracelet. But on the highway back, a large truck crashed straight into their car. My parents died instantly. When I woke up, all that was left were two memorial plaques… I cried myself unconscious in the funeral home, finally collapsing, overcome by despair. At that last moment, Liam held me tightly. “Alice! Your parents died for you! If you go too today, their deaths will have been meaningless!” “Don’t worry, I’ll never leave you in this life! Alice, you still have me.” Remembering that, I grabbed Chloe’s hand directly. “Give it back to me!” “Ah! It hurts so much…” Chloe’s face was pale, she bit her lower lip, and spoke in a wronged voice: “Alice, I’ll give it back. I wouldn’t dare touch anything from your family.” She looked like she’d suffered endless grievances. I just wanted my bracelet back, but Chloe let go of her hand before I could get a firm grip. The bracelet slipped from my fingers, hitting the ground with a sickening CRACK! It shattered into a million pieces. The world seemed to mute, leaving only my own ragged breathing. The sound of the bracelet hitting the ground felt like a sledgehammer to my chest, shattering my heart. Chloe cowered timidly in Liam’s arms, her voice trembling. “I didn’t mean to, Alice. You just scared me.” I instantly transformed into a furious beast, tears streaming down my face as I lunged toward Chloe. “You owe me my bracelet!” But as soon as I got close, Liam shoved me to the ground. “How much? Name your price, I’ll pay. Don’t upset Chloe over something trivial like this. Don’t be unreasonable, alright?” My wrists and legs scraped painfully against the hard ground. I bit my lip, saying nothing, and began picking up the shattered pieces of the bracelet. “Alice, let me help you!” Chloe leaned down, whispering in my ear: “Do you really think your parents’ death was because of this bracelet? Alice, you’re just too naive.” My eyes instantly widened, my head buzzed with a sudden, deafening roar. I seized Chloe’s collar, my eyes bloodshot with raw fury. “What do you mean? Speak!” But the next second, Liam kicked me hard. A metallic taste surged up, and with a gasp, blood spewed from my mouth, blossoming like gruesome flowers on the ground. “Brother, don’t hurt Alice. She’s just jealous that I’m carrying your baby, that’s why she wants to hurt me.” “You two were meant to be together. It’s my fault. I’ll go get rid of the baby and leave you! Then everything can go back to normal.” Chloe was shaking all over, like a terrified rabbit. But my heart was cold. Everything I’d never questioned before now felt suspect. “Liam, back then…” My words were cut off. “Brother, my stomach hurts so much…” Liam’s face instantly filled with distress. He scooped Chloe into his arms, heading for the host’s private doctor. As he left, he spared me a cold glance. “Lock her up.” I was surrounded by several security guards, an utterly outrageous display. My patience snapped. I snarled. “Get out of my way!” “You can’t afford the consequences of crossing me.” As soon as the words left my mouth, the surrounding onlookers scoffed. “Doesn’t everyone know the Summers family went bankrupt years ago? This woman talks a big game; she’ll hurt herself.” “She’s just a cast-off now, still thinks she’s that socialite from the city’s elite. Can’t she see the reality?” “Right! Everyone knows Mr. Reed is a rising star in high society now. She should just admit her mistakes.” I scoffed. If I hadn’t given Liam all the Summers family’s resources back then, how would he have gotten where he is today? But everyone present believed I was just making empty threats. To appease Liam, I was even locked in the security guard’s janitor’s closet. The room reeked of stale smoke. I had already coughed up blood, and now I felt even dizzier and more pained. I quickly lost consciousness. I don’t know how much time passed before I heard the door open. “You’re here!”

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My husband, Liam Miller, and his secretary, Bella Hayes, were kidnapped. The kidnappers demanded, “Give us a hundred million dollars, and you can take one person. Give us three hundred million, and you can take both.” Liam didn’t hesitate, transferring a staggering hundred million dollars – his *entire liquid assets* – to the kidnappers to free Bella. As he left, he looked at me, his voice a calculated calm. “I can only spare this much right now. You’ve always been so strong, so resilient, Chloe. Bella isn’t like you; she’s so fragile. I have to save her first. I promise, I’ll figure out a way to get you out next.” After they left, I was brutally thrown from the building by the kidnappers, sustaining severe injuries. When I woke up, Liam was holding my hand. “Bella scratched her arm on some glass. We had a piece of skin grafted from you onto her.” “She’s at that age where looks really matter. If she knew she’d have a scar on her arm, she’d be heartbroken.” I was so furious, but utterly helpless, unable to move a single muscle, let alone hit him. As soon as I was discharged, I booked a flight to Europe seven days later. Liam Miller, prepare for your downfall.

The next time I opened my eyes, I was met with Liam’s relieved gaze. “Chloe, you’re awake! Are you uncomfortable anywhere?” “This is all my fault. If I hadn’t put you in danger, you wouldn’t have suffered like this.” “I thought he’d give me time to negotiate, but then the kidnapper threw you right from the window in front of me. I almost went insane then.” “I couldn’t imagine what meaning my world would hold if I lost you.” “Thank goodness, you’re still here. I’ll make it up to you, I swear.” Seeing Liam’s guilt-ridden, weary expression, my heart couldn’t help but soften a little. I tried to lift my hand to touch his cheek, only to find my entire body was completely paralyzed. What followed was excruciating pain radiating through every inch of me. Liam reached out and squeezed my hand, his voice thick with what sounded like emotion. “The doctor said you have multiple fractures and need complete bed rest. You absolutely can’t move around, or it’ll hinder your recovery.” Just then, the doctor knocked and walked in. After checking me with various instruments, he said, “No fever, and no inflammation or infection at the wound site. It seems there were no adverse reactions after the skin graft surgery. Just focus on resting.” He finished speaking and wheeled his equipment out. My eyes widened in shock as I looked at Liam. “What are you talking about? What skin graft surgery?” Liam slowly helped me sit up, propping pillows behind me. “When the kidnappers threw you, flying glass cut Bella’s arm.” “The doctor said the wound was too big and would leave a scar. She’s at that age where looks really matter; how could she possibly accept a scar on her arm? Her eyes were so swollen from crying.” “Besides, this whole mess started because of *you*. And you always wear long sleeves and pants, so losing a piece of skin from your arm won’t really affect you, right? Plus, you’re unbelievably lucky to have just fainted after falling from that height. So, I took the liberty of telling the doctors to graft a piece of skin from your stomach onto her arm. Think of it as making amends for what happened.” I trembled with rage, trying desperately to reach out and grab him, to demand *why*. But then Liam’s phone rang. After he hung up, he said anxiously, “Bella’s getting her skin graft done. Girls are so delicate and afraid of pain; she needs me there.” “You’re awake now, you’ll be fine on your own. But Bella can’t manage without me. I need to go be with her.” With that, he placed a bouquet of roses on the bed and left me, utterly paralyzed, turning and walking away. But I’m severely allergic to real flowers. For our first anniversary, he’d ordered 999 roses for me. When they arrived, I broke out in hives, my breathing seized up, and I passed out cold. After that, any roses he gave me were always carefully crafted from silk. He completely forgot, didn’t he? It was Bella, his little secretary, who loved roses. Now, those real roses by my bed were practically a death sentence. My whole body started itching, my breathing grew more rapid. Enduring the searing pain, I stretched my hand, struggling to reach the call button on the bedside table. Just a hand’s length away, I tumbled from the bed. My head hit the corner of the table, blood gushing over my face. Unable to breathe, and losing too much blood, I finally blacked out.

When I regained consciousness, I vaguely heard Liam’s voice. A faint flicker of hope ignited in my heart. Had he remembered my rose allergy and come back for me? But the words that followed shattered my heart, one by agonizing one. “She’s just having an allergic reaction, isn’t she? Just keep her alive while you draw the blood, what’s so hard about that?” The doctor’s voice replied, “She has multiple fractures and an acute allergic reaction, plus she hit her head and lost a lot of blood. Her body can’t withstand such a large blood draw right now; it could be life-threatening.” Liam was silent for a few seconds, then his cold voice came through clearly. “She survived a fall from that height; clearly, she’s practically invincible. A simple blood draw won’t put her in danger.” “Bella needs blood for her graft, and their blood types match, so it’ll save you a trip to the blood bank. Just take 500 milliliters. And hurry up. If you drag your feet, I’ll report all of you.” I snapped fully awake, struggling desperately, but Liam pressed down on my arm. “Be a good girl, or the doctor will have to stick you again.” Pain shot through the back of my hand. My eyes red, I looked at him. “Liam Miller, what did I do wrong? Why do you keep hurting me again and again for Bella Hayes?” A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes, but when he looked back up, only ice remained. “Bella got hurt because of you. You’ll be fine after a good sleep.” My eyelids grew heavier and heavier. When I woke up again, the entire room was empty. Liam was gone. The only good news was that I could move. As I shuffled around on crutches, I passed a patient room, and the scene inside froze me to the spot. Liam was carefully peeling an apple for Bella, who lay in the hospital bed. He then cut it into small pieces, feeding them to her one by one, his eyes full of tenderness. Liam’s affection had once been solely for me. Now, only the recipient of that love had changed. Bella, her eyes wide with feigned concern, leaned into Liam. “Oh, Chloe isn’t mad at me, is she? I swear, I had no idea the kidnappers would throw her! Otherwise, I would have absolutely taken her place!” Liam gently pulled Bella closer. “Stay put. This isn’t your fault. Why would *you* apologize? If anyone should apologize, it’s *her*. If it weren’t for *her*, you wouldn’t be caught up in this mess, suffering like this!” He then picked up his phone from the bedside table. A moment later, my phone vibrated. I stood outside the door and answered Liam’s call. “I hear you can walk now. Get down to Room 305 downstairs.” “Don’t come empty-handed. Bella loves mangoes. Go buy some and bring them over.” He hung up before I could even react. Ever since Bella joined the company, she’d added Liam on SnapChat as his secretary. She’d constantly message him on SnapChat, asking for favors. At first, Liam would dismissively refuse, telling me she wasn’t as independent as I was. But over time, his impatient expression slowly changed. He started mentioning Bella more and more often to me, his tone always gentle and doting. Seven years of commitment, all for nothing against a newcomer.

I went back to my room and quickly checked out of the hospital. Just as I got home, my phone rang. The moment I answered, Liam’s furious voice boomed, “I told you to go apologize to Bella! Where the hell did you run off to? Do I have to come drag you over there myself?” I said calmly, “Didn’t you say she loves mangoes? Then she can just wait.” Liam’s anger died down a bit. “Alright, that’s better. Buy them and get over here, fast.” After hanging up, I switched my phone off. If she wanted mangoes, she could wait forever. I wasn’t buying them. Liam and I were college sweethearts. On our graduation night, amidst cheers from students and faculty, he knelt on one knee and proposed. After we got married, I turned down offers from major companies to start a business with him. When project stakeholders made things difficult, I pushed through, nearly getting alcohol poisoning, just to secure the deal. If a proposal wasn’t quite right, I’d spend days and nights perfecting it. When we were short on staff, I handled everything myself until the company grew bigger and bigger. Slowly, I moved from the frontline to the background. I became the woman behind his success. I even thought we were the most compatible partners, both in business and in marriage. But now, I knew this marriage had to end. I finished organizing all my client files when I heard the front door open. It was Liam, with Bella in his arms. He frowned the moment he saw me. “What’s wrong with you? You just vanished without a word to buy mangoes, and your phone’s off. You have absolutely no intention of admitting your mistake or apologizing.” “Bella is so much more forgiving than you. She’s been nothing but nice, saying good things about you.” I scoffed. “If you ask me, she’s not really into mangoes. She’s more into playing the innocent victim.” “So eager to bring her back here? What, are you expecting me to leave so you two can get down to business?” A flash of anger crossed Liam’s face. He raised his hand and slapped me. My right cheek instantly stung. He said coldly, “I think you’re getting more and more out of line. I brought Bella back so she could change for the company banquet, not for what you’re implying.” Then he walked towards the walk-in closet. Just then, Bella approached me, a challenging smirk on her face. “Chloe, what makes you think you can compete with me? At the hospital, Mr. Miller was constantly fussing over me. All the doctors and patients on our floor were so envious, saying I had such a wonderful boyfriend. And you? Fractured all over, with no one to even take care of you.” “And tonight’s banquet? Mr. Miller is taking *me* as his date.” Then, she suddenly lifted her hand and slapped herself hard across the face. She burst into tears, saying, “Chloe, I’ll take any punishment you dish out, as long as it makes you feel better.” “Just please don’t blame Mr. Miller anymore. He’s been through so much these past few days.” Liam violently pulled me away. “Chloe Spencer, what are you doing? I’m warning you, I brought Bella back here. Don’t go too far.” I stepped forward, but Liam immediately shielded Bella behind him. I sneered, then raised my hand and slapped Liam across the face. “I don’t have some self-harm fetish like *some* people.” “If I’m going to hit anyone, it’ll be the beasts who can’t control their own bodies.” With that, I turned and left. That night, I showed up at the banquet wearing a long black dress. Consider it a fitting end to seven years of marriage. I was surrounded by former business partners. “Long time no see, Chloe. Your reputation as a female powerhouse was legendary back then!” “It was such a shame you suddenly retired.” “How have you been? You should show up more often, let’s catch up sometime.” I smiled, responded to each old partner, and re-added their contact information. Then I found a quiet corner and leisurely sipped an orange juice. I had stepped back then because of Liam’s words: “Our company has grown, and we’ve brought in a lot of talent. You can finally rest easy, just be the woman behind me, and I’ll shield you from everything.” I had retreated to the background, becoming a full-time homemaker. But all I got in return was his wandering heart and betrayal.

The click of high heels echoed from behind me. Bella stood there, arms crossed, a mocking glint in her eyes. “You really are persistent, aren’t you? Following him everywhere.” “Didn’t that kidnapping incident make it clear to you? He doesn’t love you at all; he just can’t bring himself to divorce you.” “He even took skin from your body and grafted it onto mine, all for me.” She smiled, showing off her unblemished arm. “What’s the point of clinging to this marriage?” “What do you have that can compare to me? I’m young and beautiful, while you’re old and faded.” I calmly looked at her. “What’s the use of telling me all this? I’m not like you, a parasitic vine clinging to others.” “Without him, I’m still *me*. But you? Without him, you’re nothing, are you?” I was about to turn away when I noticed the necklace around her neck. It was the sapphire Liam had spent nine million dollars on, for me. It was so valuable that after I received it, I only tried it on once before putting it in a safe. Now, it was around Bella’s neck. I scrutinized her. “For someone of your standing, even a genuine piece looks like a cheap knockoff on you.” “You just can’t pull it off.” Bella suddenly grabbed my arm, her voice pleading, and dropped to her knees. “Chloe, please don’t be angry with Mr. Miller. I truly didn’t know this necklace was yours.” “He just lent it to me because I didn’t have any suitable jewelry for such a formal dinner. I’ll give it back right now. If you’re angry, take it out on me. I’ll endure whatever you dish out, a beating or a scolding.” She was about to take off the necklace. My temple throbbed. Bella was pulling this trick again. Just as I reached out to stop her, she cried out, “Ah!” and tumbled down the stairs. Liam emerged from the crowd. The moment he saw me, a flicker of admiration crossed his eyes. He was about to walk towards me when Bella, who had fallen, called out to him pitifully. Liam shoved me aside and rushed downstairs to pick up Bella. When he looked up again, his face was contorted with furious accusation. “What’s wrong with you now? Why are you giving Bella such a hard time? She’s just a sweet, innocent girl.” Bella, her eyes red, clung to his neck, sobbing softly. “I’m fine, really. I just lost my footing and fell down the stairs. It’s not Chloe’s fault.” “Mr. Miller, please go explain things properly to Chloe, don’t let this misunderstanding between you two get any worse because of me.” Liam lowered his head, his voice full of tender concern. “Are you hurt anywhere? Don’t be scared, I’m here.” Bella blinked her big, wet eyes, like a frightened deer, up at Liam, then pointed to her ankle. “It hurts… my foot hurts so much…” Liam bent down and scooped her up amidst her soft gasps of pain. As he passed me, Liam paused. His voice was icy. “You’re too jealous. Bella always seems to be in danger around you. I’m going home to pack some clothes and stay with her for a while. When you realize your own issues, come apologize to Bella.” “Otherwise…” I looked at the face I had loved for seven years. My voice was flat. “Divorce me, Liam Miller.” “I don’t want you anymore.” A ripple of murmuring swept through the room. Bella’s hand gripped Liam’s suit jacket, tense, afraid he might hear my words and change his mind, come back to me.

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At the new product launch, Liam stripped off my dress in front of everyone. Within hours, photos of me desperately trying to cover myself were trending across Ins. He held up his phone, a smug grin plastered across his face: “You’re just a pathetic stand-in, a replacement. And you actually think you can have it all? A family and a career?” “You’re wearing my mom’s eyes, so act like it! Stay home and be nothing more than my personal maid!” The vile comments online were hard to swallow. But they didn’t cut me as deep as Alexander’s cold, hateful gaze. That chilled me to the bone. Twenty years ago, I was kidnapped. I had no choice. Twelve years ago, when my birth parents found me, I had no choice. Eight years ago, when I was married off to Alexander as a stand-in for my adoptive sister, I had no choice. Now. I want to make my own choice. From this day forward, I’m done walking this path with you all. 0 I scrambled to wrap myself in a tablecloth, fumbling to end the live stream. Liam laughed, triumphant. “Serves you right! You killed my mom, this is your karma!” “I let you live, I didn’t demand blood for blood. That’s mercy!” He was only eight years old. Words like that, he had clearly learned from someone else. I frowned, trying to explain. “Your mom’s death had nothing to do with me.” My adoptive sister, Brooke, had died in a drunk driving accident back then. I wasn’t even there. A flicker of guilt crossed Liam’s young face. He kicked the table violently, then stomped off, seething. A few years ago, I would have chased after him, held him close, and patiently explained everything. But now, I walked back to my room without a word. I didn’t expect what I found when I opened the door. All the clothes I’d prepared for the launch were slashed and torn, scattered across the floor. Especially the custom-made silk gown, made from that exclusive Xiangyunsha fabric, which the client had pre-ordered. It was completely ruined. That fabric was out of stock, and there was no way to get a new dress made in time. Liam’s delighted laughter echoed from behind me. He held a pair of scissors, his face contorted in a sneer. “Scarlett, you stole my mom’s eyes.” “Now I’m going to make you feel what it’s like to lose something, too.” He plunged the scissors viciously into a fabric doll on the table, his eyes pure venom. I stood amidst the wreckage, watching him walk away, utterly speechless. Years ago, when I finally came home after being kidnapped for over a decade. I discovered that Brooke had already claimed my family’s entire affection. The home I’d dreamed of, longed for, wasn’t warm or welcoming at all. After she died, my mom sent me to Alexander’s house. His only demand was that I conceive and carry his child with Brooke. I’d lived thirty years and never once known genuine family love. The child I carried for nine months, the one I raised for eight years, now saw me as his enemy. My eyes burned, dry and aching. My heart felt like a block of ice. I knelt, starting to clean up the mess. A pair of feet stopped in front of me. I looked up to see Alexander, his gaze soft as he sighed. His eyes held a gentle warmth, but his voice was chillingly detached. “Scarlett, you handled this situation badly.” He extended a hand to me, like offering charity. “Liam is only eight. He needs your undivided attention.” As I stood, more torn fabric fluttered to the floor. Alexander’s gaze softened a little, perhaps pitying my futile struggle. “You should cherish Brooke’s eyes. I’ve seen you pull all-nighters on your design drafts a few times. What if you damage *her* eyes?” “This is a good opportunity to close your online shop. I’ll cover the compensation costs for you.” His hand traced my cheek, his gaze fixed on my eyes, lost in thought. “Just listen to me. You know why I keep you around.” I understood, of course. Because of Brooke’s eyes. It was insane, the depth of his obsession with another woman. Every time we were intimate, he wouldn’t let me close my eyes. He looked through me, seeing only her. I had dedicated eight years to serving them, yet I never managed to warm their hearts. He pulled me into his embrace, his hot breath on my neck. “Scarlett, if you’re truly lonely…” “I can allow you to have a child with me.” His lips were warm and soft, brushing my cheek and the corner of my mouth. His embrace was scalding, but I felt like I was plunging into an ice cave. Back then, Alexander hadn’t wanted me at first. But Mom told him that Brooke had frozen her eggs beforehand, and I could be the ‘vessel’ for their love child. Only then did Alexander relent. Later, when he was drunk and pinned me down, the first thing he said upon waking was: “Don’t ever dream of having my child. You’re not worthy.” He watched, ensuring I took my birth control, time and time again. Now, eight years later, facing his rare ‘generosity’… I didn’t feel a flicker of gratitude. Instead, I turned my head, avoiding his kiss. “My time is up.” “Alexander, I’m leaving.” 0

Interrupted, Alexander’s expression hardened with anger. “All this over a ruined dress?” “Liam is eight, he’s just a child!” “You’re supposedly his mother! I haven’t even asked what you’ve been doing these past eight years that made the kid hate you so much. And you have the nerve to throw a tantrum?” Mother? How could I possibly be? I wasn’t even his lover, just a vessel, a convenient body to satisfy his needs. There were countless others who could replace me. Years ago, he had been engaged to me, but then he fell for my adoptive sister, Brooke. He swore that even if I returned, he would only marry her. Alexander orchestrated a lavish proposal, a fairytale event. Everyone there celebrated their eternal bond. But then, Brooke suddenly died in a drunk driving accident. My parents refused to give up the opportunity to marry into the prestigious Alexander family. Seeing Alexander consumed by grief, they hatched the plan to send me to his house. Because of the abuse I suffered from my foster parents, my eyes were almost blind. So, Mom arranged for Brooke’s cornea to be transplanted into my eyes. Alexander, maddened by longing, obsessed with the idea of a child that shared Brooke’s blood. And because of my eyes, he agreed to let me move in. The agreement was that I would stay for eight years, raise Liam, and then I could leave. No wedding dress, no ceremony, not even a marriage certificate. From beginning to end, no one ever asked if I wanted any of it. I lowered my gaze, stating calmly, “I’m not throwing a tantrum.” “It was just an eight-year agreement.” “Being here without a proper title, I’m also delaying you from finding someone new.” Alexander’s brows relaxed, and his rigid posture softened considerably. “Scarlett.” He sighed, coaxing gently, “All this fuss you’re making, it’s just because you want a proper title, isn’t it?” “Actually, if you’re a good girl, and if you give me a son this time, I can consider marrying you.” “No, it’s not.” When I was a child, my foster parents beat me, and I rarely had a full meal. After being found, I was like air in my own family, treated only as a tool to be used. I had never been loved myself. How could I bear to bring a child into this world to suffer? I stepped back half a pace, pulling out a pre-prepared folder from my bag. “All the recipes are saved on this flash drive.” “Liam’s preferences, his academic progress, his extracurricular class schedules – I’ve detailed everything.” “Liam is grown now, and he hates me so much. My presence here will only hinder his growth.” “You should find a good tutor to guide him.” Alexander reached out and gripped my chin, his gentle facade cracking. “Scarlett, since when do *you* get to make decisions?” He snatched the flash drive, throwing it against the wall. It shattered, parts scattering everywhere. His long fingers slowly tore the remaining papers. He spoke emotionlessly, “Don’t test my patience.” “I’m letting this go because you raised Liam and because of *those eyes*. This time, I won’t hold it against you.” “Go back to your room. Close your online shop. You’re not leaving the house for a single step this month!” He yanked open the door, coldly ordering his staff: “Take her home immediately. And make sure she stays put.” As the car drove towards the house. We passed a park where many parents were flying kites with their children. The kites soared high on the wind. But they were always firmly tethered by a thin string. Before I was sent to Alexander’s house, Mom took me to a high-end clinic, getting me a slew of cosmetic procedures to make me resemble Brooke. Mom meticulously coached me on all of Brooke’s preferences: her clothing styles, her favorite perfumes, the foods she loved, everything. I watched myself in the mirror, becoming more and more unfamiliar. Mom came up behind me, resting her hands on my shoulders, and placed a delicate silver charm bracelet on my wrist. “This was Brooke’s. Wear it to constantly remind yourself how you got into the Alexander family.” “Don’t feel wronged. The Alexander family is worth hundreds of millions. How many women are desperate to get close to him?” “Remember this. It’s your leverage to stay in the Alexander house.” “When you become Mrs. Alexander later, you’ll thank me.” I was obedient, mimicking Brooke’s every move. Alexander was very pleased with me over the years. That’s why he even allowed me to open my own online shop and do designs. But a fake can never become real. Charity can easily be withdrawn. … I was just about to head upstairs. A bucket of dirty water rained down from above. Liam stood on the steps, laughing hysterically. “Scarlett, does my pee smell good?” “If you don’t stop clinging to my house, next time I’ll make you eat sh*t, I swear!” I was covered in filth, and the house staff all hid in the background, watching the show. He was clearly delighted with his prank. Forgetting every lesson I had ever taught him. When Mom visited me shortly after Liam was born, she had said, “Even if he’s not your flesh and blood, he came from your belly.” “Raise him well, and you’ll find peace in your old age.” The moment I held the tiny infant in my arms, my heart melted completely. In those ordinary, fragmented moments, I harbored a hope I shouldn’t have. Now, the pretense was over. It all ended in nothing. 0

I clenched my fists, looking up at him. “Liam, ‘even small evils can have big consequences.’ Have you forgotten that so quickly?” Then I saw a woman, scantily clad, stroll lazily out of Alexander’s room. “Scarlett, Liam is still young. It’s normal for him to be a little mischievous. Don’t be so harsh.” Liam immediately flung himself into her arms. “Aunt Serena, you’re so much nicer to me. You have no idea what I’ve been through these past few years!” “I heard she lived in a pigsty after she was kidnapped. No wonder she always smells bad!” “You’re nothing like Aunt Serena, always smelling sweet and soft.” My heart clenched. Back then, at my foster parents’ house, I rarely ate a full meal, and my health was always poor. Even after coming to the Alexander house, I’d get sick every few days. Because Alexander disliked me, the house staff didn’t treat me kindly either. Only little Liam would sneak into my room at night. He’d press handfuls of candy into my hand. “Aunt Scarlett, eat this. The candy will make the pain go away.” His small hand would cover the old scars on my body, and he’d say in his baby voice, but with fierce determination, “When I grow up, I’ll beat up the bad guys for you, Auntie!” How could I have known then? That the little boy who promised to protect me would grow into the sharp blade that cut me deepest. The surrounding staff didn’t bother to lower their voices. “Didn’t she say she was leaving? How does she have the nerve to come back?” “Oh, come on, she just wants to threaten Mr. Alexander into marrying her, doesn’t she? You don’t get that little trick?” “Mr. Alexander never intended to marry her anyway. It was her mom who pushed her here, begging. She didn’t even care about a title, just slept with him for eight years. If she were my daughter, I’d break her legs and throw her out.” Serena was Alexander’s secretary in name, but in reality, she was his kept woman, his little ‘golden canary’. She watched me, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “Scarlett, it’s exhausting trying to hold onto something that doesn’t belong to you.” I lowered my gaze, ignoring her. As I started upstairs, the front door swung open. Mom walked in, her face instantly sour when she saw my appearance. “What in the world did you do to yourself?” She pushed me towards my room to clean up. Her voice, muffled by the bathroom door, sounded strangely unreal. “Scarlett, a little tantrum is enough. Do you really think you’re Brooke? You actually dared to threaten Alexander with leaving?” “How could you be so stupid, letting some cheap woman from outside get the better of you?” Seeing my continued silence, she yanked open the bathroom door. Water sprayed down, blurring my face; I couldn’t tell if it was water or tears. “Mom, I’m not happy.” My mom froze for a moment. I wrapped myself in a towel and moved past her. She grabbed my wrist, then whirled around and slapped me across the face. “Scarlett, are you awake now?” “Know your place. If you leave Alexander, you have no education, no skills. How will you survive?” I covered my face, tears streaming down. Seeing my continued silence, Mom softened her tone and reached for my hand. “Scarlett, how could a mother not care for her child? I’m doing this for your own good!” “Your dad’s company relies entirely on the Alexander family’s support to survive. Our family just bought that villa, and we still have millions in mortgage payments.” “Your brother and his wife are about to have their third child. It’s when they need money the most. If you upset Alexander now, do you want our whole family to die?” “Liam is just a child, no matter how harsh he sounds, he must still care about you deep down. You’ve looked after him for eight years; even a dog would develop feelings. As long as you coax him well, he’ll come around.” When disappointment reached its peak, my heart somehow stopped feeling pain. Honestly, I knew she had never truly loved me. But after being kidnapped, my foster parents’ abuse was so brutal that I desperately tried to recall the image of my birth mother holding me. Thinking of it so often, it became a tiny beacon of light. But a fake is always fake. When I finally let go of that obsession, when I personally burst that illusory bubble. The brutal reality that had been hidden beneath was finally exposed. I pulled out the suitcase I had already packed. “Mom, I’ve never had a choice in my life.” “But now, I want to choose for myself, just this once.” “From now on, I’m not walking this path with you all anymore.” I yanked open the door. Alexander’s brows were tightly furrowed, his eyes swirling with barely concealed fury. “Who said you could leave?” 0 He rubbed his temples, as if dealing with a disobedient pet. He coaxed, somewhat perfunctorily: “Why are you suddenly being so stubborn? Besides your parents, you have a brother, a sister-in-law, and two kids. Where will you even live if you go back?”

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My husband, Jaxson, had lost everything in a terrible investment. He’d racked up massive debts, and the creditors had kidnapped him, threatening to sell his organs if I didn’t pay up. Over the phone, his voice choked with tears. “Forget about me, Harper. Maybe we’ll find each other in the next life…” To save him, I made the agonizing choice to abort my two-month-old baby. Then, I agreed to the creditors’ demands: I would become a surrogate. Four months later, I stumbled upon Jaxson and his widowed sister-in-law, Sera, sharing a dark secret. “Don’t worry, Sera,” Jaxson’s voice was smooth, reassuring. “The doctors say *our* triplets are perfectly healthy.” Sera’s voice, sugary sweet, followed. “Besides the title of Mrs. Hayes, I can give you everything. The fortune, the children—they’re all yours!” “Once Harper delivers, I’ll find an excuse. I’ll say she’s tainted, and I’ll never touch her again!” Jaxson promised. “I belong only to you!” I laughed. A hollow, bitter sound. My heart didn’t just break; it shattered into a million irreparable pieces. Fine. If that’s how it is, then the role of Mrs. Hayes? You two can have it.

“Mr. Hayes, your children with Ms. Blackwood are perfectly healthy. However, as they are triplets, there’s a risk of premature birth for the surrogate. Please be prepared.” I thought I’d simply overheard someone else’s private conversation. I was about to slip away quietly. But then, *his* familiar yet chillingly unfamiliar voice echoed from the room. “As long as the babies are fine. *She’s* not important.” My heart clenched. My steps froze at the doorway. “Oh, Jaxson,” Sera’s voice was a soft, helpless sob. “It’s all my fault for having a weak body, for not being able to carry a pregnancy. Otherwise, I’d truly want to bear your child myself.” “But isn’t this unfair to Harper? After all, she aborted *your* child just to…” A sharp, derisive laugh cut her off. “She had it coming!” Jaxson’s voice was so cold it sent a shiver down my spine. “If she hadn’t secretly messed with the condoms, how would she have gotten pregnant in the first place? But even if she tried to trick me, I’d never have let her keep that baby!” His voice softened, directed at Sera. “Sera, besides the title of Mrs. Hayes, my fortune and my children are *only* for you!” “Besides, you’re so fragile, so delicate. You deserve to be pampered. Dangerous things like carrying a child? Of course, *she* should handle that.” It felt like someone had violently smashed my chest. A silent, excruciating pain spread through me, and cold sweat drenched my back. Jaxson’s voice continued. “You’re just too kind, always thinking of her. Truth is, I haven’t wanted her for a long time… But since she insists on being Mrs. Hayes, then she’ll pay the price!” “Once she gives birth, I’ll just find some excuse, say she’s tainted, and never touch her again!” “Sera, relax. I belong only to you!” I stood outside the door, my body stiff, my heart a stone thrown into the deep ocean. I was suffocating, unable to make a sound. My prenatal check-up was supposed to be this weekend, but these past few days, I’d been plagued by a gnawing unease. I was terrified something might go wrong with the babies inside me, jeopardizing the ransom. That’s why I’d rushed to the fertility clinic today. But I never imagined I’d walk into *this*. No wonder! No wonder when I told Jaxson I was pregnant, he only stayed silent. And within days, he claimed his investments had failed, that he owed a massive debt. For months, I’d lived in constant fear because of him, plagued by sleepless nights. I even aborted my own child and risked my life with this high-risk surrogacy, all just to get him back safe and sound. Turns out, this entire charade, from beginning to end, was a calculated scheme against me! My fingers trembled, my legs felt like jelly, my breath came in ragged gasps. Tears, hot and unstoppable, flooded my eyes. I fought back the rising nausea, forcing myself to turn around. My steps faltered as I stumbled out of the clinic. With every step, the crack in my heart widened. I pulled out my phone, my fingers so cold they barely gripped it. Scrolling to a message buried deep in my inbox, I slowly typed a reply. “Damian, I’m in. I’ll do what we talked about.” “Please help me arrange the surgery again. This weekend.”

When I got home, the moment I pushed open the door, a flurry of hurried movement erupted in the living room. Jaxson’s lips still bore a tell-tale smudged lipstick mark, while Sera, head bowed, fumbled to straighten her skirt. Back then, when Sera offered to buy our house and let us continue living there, I was so grateful I almost wept. I thought she was so thoughtful, so kind-hearted. But now, I saw it for what it was: a convenient arrangement for her and Jaxson to meet. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to act as if I hadn’t seen anything. I turned to change my shoes. Jaxson approached me, his face plastered with that fake smile. “Harper, why are you out by yourself with your belly so big? You make me worry.” Once, I would have thought that was genuine concern. But now, I finally understood. He wasn’t worried about me. He was worried about *his* babies with *her*. I said flatly, “My stomach felt bloated. I went for a walk.” Sera’s eyes flashed with panic at my words. She reached out, attempting to touch my belly. “Are the babies okay? Have you been eating something you shouldn’t have?” Instinctively, I recoiled sharply, pushing her hand away, my voice cold. Her smile instantly froze, replaced by a wounded whine. “What are you doing? I was just trying to show concern!” I took another deep breath. “Sera, if you love children so much, why don’t you have your own?” Jaxson’s face darkened. He strode forward, his voice low and sharp. “Harper! Sera means well. How can you talk to her like that?” Then his gaze shifted to Sera. She stood with her head down, lips trembling, the very picture of pitiful vulnerability: “I know you look down on women like me who have health issues and can’t have children. But I simply love kids. Please don’t misunderstand, okay?” Jaxson’s brows furrowed. His voice was low and cold, but clearly biased. “See! What nonsense are you spouting? Apologize to Sera, now!” My chest felt as if it were being ripped open by a sharp blade, cut by cut. The pain was so intense I couldn’t even breathe. The gentle, caring husband I once knew now only showed impatience and anger. I bit my lip hard, my throat dry. Too exhausted to argue, I turned and went back to my room. After the house was sold to Sera, Jaxson had said with a smile: “It wouldn’t be right for us to stay in the master bedroom.” “Why don’t you just stay in the small guest room on the first floor? That way you don’t have to go upstairs. It’s safer.” Back then, I was foolishly grateful for his thoughtfulness, believing he had my best interests at heart. But now, it was clear. All of it was just to make it easier for him and Sera to enjoy their undisturbed life upstairs. He followed me in, sitting on the edge of the bed, putting on that mask of fake tenderness. “Harper, don’t overthink things. Once the babies are born and we’ve paid off the debt, we won’t have to live under anyone’s thumb anymore!” He reached out, gently stroking my hair, his voice as soft as it used to be. “Then, we’ll have a baby of our own, and we’ll be a family, forever!” For a fleeting second, I almost wavered. I wanted to ask him. Had he ever dreamed of the baby who never got to come into this world, like I had? If he loved Sera so much, why didn’t he just marry her a year ago after his brother’s accident? Why had he suddenly proposed to *me* then? But all the words caught in my throat. I watched him reach out, seemingly wanting to touch my belly, but his movement halted when he saw my swollen abdomen and the faint stretch marks already appearing. A flicker of instinctive revulsion crossed his eyes. In that instant, his fake tenderness couldn’t hide the coldness and disdain in his gaze. My heart felt like it had been carved out with an ice pick, completely shattered into pieces. I let out a cold laugh, the corners of my lips curving into a smile that was uglier than a cry. Looks like some questions don’t need asking anymore. Seeing my silence, his face darkened. “I know you’re hormonal during pregnancy, but you chose to be a surrogate to help me pay off my debts. So stop being so passive-aggressive and making things uncomfortable.” I lowered my head, my throat tight, my heart chilling to the core. Yes, I chose all of it. I brought this upon myself. Seeing my expression, he put on his “tender and caring” facade again, gently comforting me. “Alright, don’t be mad. I have to go out for a few days. Sera helped me get a new client.” “I’ll definitely be back to accompany you before your prenatal check-up this weekend. I’ll bring you a gift.” I looked at the extreme hypocrisy in his tender expression, a slow smile spreading on my lips. “Okay. I’ll have a gift for you too, then.”

At the hospital, the doctor frowned. “Ms. Stone, you got pregnant again so soon after your previous miscarriage, and now you’re carrying triplets… If you miscarry again this time, you might never be able to conceive.” I froze, my hand unconsciously stroking my swollen abdomen, my fingertips trembling slightly. “If… if I abort the babies now, what will happen to them?” I asked in a low voice, so hoarse it was almost inaudible. The doctor sighed, then slowly spoke. “Under normal circumstances, the hospital helps arrange cremation and a proper burial, as per family wishes.” “But if the family doesn’t request it, the babies are incinerated collectively.” He paused, a hint of anger in his voice. “However, the most outrageous thing is when some people promise their wives they’ll handle the burial properly, but then just throw the baby into the toilet.” “Later, the cleaning staff found the baby stuck in the toilet drain. They had to be forcibly flushed away. There was no proper send-off at all.” My head snapped up, my throat tight, my voice trembling. “What was the pregnant woman’s name? When did this happen?” The doctor flipped through his records. “I remember, it was about half a year ago. The pregnant woman’s name was…” “Mrs. Hayes.” BOOM— My head spun with a violent ringing, as if something had exploded in my ears. I slowly stood up, my hands clenched so tightly around my clothes that my knuckles turned white and my fingers trembled. That was *my* baby! From the moment I knew I was pregnant, I’d started fantasizing about our family of three after the birth. Imagining the baby growing up, calling me ‘Mommy’… But for Jaxson, I had no choice but to let go. He had held my hand that day, as I went into the operating room, promising me he would take care of our baby. He had even taken me to see that small grave mound after that day. But I never, ever imagined that little life, who never got to enter this world, would end up like *that*. Thrown away like trash by his own hands! I bit down hard on my lip, tears streaming down my face. My chest felt hollowed out, the pain so intense I could barely stand. I retreated inch by inch until my back hit the cold wall, a suppressed sob escaping my throat. The last shred of hesitation in my heart was utterly broken. I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms. I looked up at the doctor. “I’ve decided. I want the surgery immediately.” After the surgery, I lay on the hospital bed, gathering my strength. I dialed a number. “Damian, I’m ready. Come pick me up tonight.” That evening, Jaxson returned home, his face etched with impatience. The moment he pushed open the door, he roared. “Harper, why did the clinic call me today saying you missed your prenatal check-up?!” “Are you kidding me?! I already explained to you, Sera and I were meeting a client, that’s why we couldn’t make it back!” Sera followed behind him, clutching his arm, feigning comfort. “Harper, don’t be mad. Jaxson and I were working. Don’t think too much, okay?” I sat pale on the sofa, my gaze coldly fixed on her arm wrapped around Jaxson’s. A faint, scornful smile touched my lips. Sera’s smile stiffened. She shrank her hand back. Jaxson’s face instantly darkened, anger churning in his eyes. He threw his jacket violently onto the sofa. “What exactly do you want?! Don’t you dare act out just because you’re pregnant!” His voice suddenly rose, rage practically spewing from him. “Haven’t I been working this hard for *you*?! Are you trying to use the baby to vent your anger and threaten me now?!” With that, he kicked the sofa, with so much force that the cushion almost flew off. Just then, my phone buzzed. I slowly stood up and walked towards the door. Jaxson instinctively reached out to grab me, but I shifted, avoiding his hand. He turned livid, his voice laced with threat. “Fine, Harper. If you don’t explain yourself today, don’t expect me to tolerate you anymore!” I glanced back at him from the doorway, a cold smile slowly curving on my lips. “You’re right. Nothing can happen to the babies. I’m going to get checked right now.” Jaxson seemed to sense something different. His eyes froze on me for a moment. Then, his gaze dropped, landing on my slightly slimmer belly. His face changed instantly. Just as he was about to say something, I cut him off coldly. “Your gift is right by the sofa. Hope you both like it.” By now, Sera had already torn open the express box. A nauseating stench washed over us. She looked inside, her face instantly turning ashen. She shrieked, recoiling sharply, almost stumbling. Jaxson turned at her scream, his face stiffening. He froze, pupils wildly dilating, the shock and fear in his eyes instantly devouring all his anger.

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Five years ago, I fell into a deep coma after a car accident that killed both my parents. When I finally woke up, I discovered that the person responsible for the accident was the one closest to me. By then, my daughter was living in squalor, eating leftovers, and being bullied by the household staff. My husband had long since found a new love and was tormenting me day and night, trying to force me to hand over the family business. Watching them act like a happy family of three, I secretly contacted my childhood friend, Ethan Brooks, the heir to a powerful family in the city! On the day of my ex-husband’s wedding, I showed up with Ethan and my daughter, shocking the entire city… I had been in a coma for five years, one month, and three days. While I was still unconscious, I vaguely sensed someone entering the room. From the sound, I realized it was my daughter, Lily. Lily held my hand and called out, “Mommy, I wish you could wake up and play with me. All the other kids have their moms with them.” Just as I wanted to open my eyes and tell her, “Mommy misses you too, Lily, my sweet girl,” the door was kicked open. “You little brat, who told you to come here? What, you think you can wake this worthless woman up?” a woman’s voice snarled. The woman grabbed Lily’s ear and berated her. I recognized the voice—it was Rachel Cole, the daughter of Mr. Cole, our former household manager. She used to be one of my closest friends, but before the accident, I discovered that she had been conspiring with her father to harm me. Lily broke free from Rachel’s grip and bit her arm before standing protectively in front of my bed. “You bad woman, don’t come near my mommy!” Rachel shoved Lily to the ground and slapped her repeatedly. “You little brat, how dare you bite me! I’ll beat you to death!” Lily wailed, her cries piercing my ears and stimulating my nerves. “Mommy, save me! Waaah!” “Mommy, this bad woman is going to kill me! If Lily dies, I’ll never see you again!” I struggled desperately to open my eyes. In my mind, I saw myself getting up and rushing over to save my Lily. But my body wouldn’t obey, lying motionless on the bed as if trapped in an endless nightmare. I was frantic with worry. When Rachel tired of hitting Lily, she called Mrs. Wilson to drag her out. “Mrs. Wilson, throw this little brat in the dog kennel and don’t feed her for three days!” Mrs. Wilson nodded and dragged my daughter away. The room suddenly fell silent. But I was still fighting to open my eyes, trying to regain control of my body. Rachel slowly approached me. I could feel her footsteps getting closer. When she leaned in, she placed a hand on my face, her voice dripping with sarcasm and contempt. “Well, well, Miss Shaw, you’re quite the survivor. Five years as a vegetable, and not only are you not dead, but your skin is even more radiant!” Suddenly, Rachel’s hands wrapped around my throat, her face twisted with rage. “Why were you born beautiful, with flawless skin and a privileged background? Why am I just a servant’s daughter, plain-looking and unwanted? Ah, I’ll strangle you to death!” Rachel squeezed my throat. I felt my breathing becoming labored. I wanted to struggle, but as the air in my lungs was nearly depleted, my consciousness began to fade. Just as I thought Rachel would choke me to death, a familiar voice stopped her. “What are you doing?” It was my husband, Derek Grant. He had arrived! Rachel abruptly stopped, her expression and voice suddenly turning gentle. “I saw that Olivia looked pitiful lying here, so I came to check on her and see if there was anything I could do to help!” Derek’s voice softened. “Rachel, don’t do anything rash right now. After all, she’s still the heir to Shaw Enterprises.” Rachel walked over and clung to Derek’s arm. “I’ll do whatever you say, darling!” As soon as she finished speaking, Rachel kissed Derek’s lips. Derek pushed her against the wall. “You’re very sexy today, and quite forward!” Rachel giggled seductively. “Of course. We’ve tried the kitchen, bathroom, and balcony, but never in front of your wife. Derek, don’t talk, just kiss me…” Derek’s breathing grew heavy as he embraced Rachel and began kissing her passionately…

Then came the rustling sound of clothes falling to the floor, mixed with their sounds of pleasure. The room was filled with their passion, but my heart sank to the depths. I couldn’t believe that my husband had betrayed me, and even more unbelievable was that the object of his betrayal was the daughter of our family’s servant. At this moment, I couldn’t help but wonder if Derek was involved in the car accident five years ago that had claimed my parents’ lives and left me paralyzed in bed. Remembering the tragic state of my parents when they died, my heart felt like it was being stabbed. The pain was so intense that I could barely breathe, and tears began to flow from the corners of my eyes. Fortunately, they didn’t notice my reaction. Apparently feeling uncomfortable, Derek picked up Rachel. “Let’s go to the bedroom next door. Tonight, you’d better perform well!” After they left, I suddenly opened my eyes, gasping for air. My consciousness had finally regained control of my body. As the cold air filled my lungs, my mind gradually awakened. I tried to lift my arm. Although my eyes were open and I could see everything in the room, my arms didn’t quite obey me. They would lift halfway and then fall back down. After several attempts, my arms, which had been paralyzed for five years, finally regained some mobility. Unfortunately, my neck could only maintain a tilted angle and couldn’t turn, while my legs remained completely numb. I slapped my legs, but I couldn’t feel any pain. I realized that even though I had woken up, I might be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of my life. I forced myself to calm down quickly and analyze my current situation. If Derek and Rachel found out I had recovered, they would undoubtedly try to force me to hand over the Shaw family business and then kill me by any means necessary. For now, my priorities were: first, not to let Rachel and the others discover that I had regained consciousness; second, to find a way to contact Ethan, the only person I could trust now. Ethan and I grew up together in the city. His family was in the medical business, while ours was in construction. Although our families were in different industries, our parents were close friends and even arranged for us to be married when we were children. But I couldn’t stand his spoiled, arrogant rich kid attitude, even though he had the face of a male celebrity. I just didn’t think he was my type. Of course, he seemed to feel the same way about me. Later, I fell in love with Derek Grant, who had nothing but was hardworking and ambitious—the typical rags-to-riches story. Now, I admit I misjudged him. If I could choose again, I would never pick this ungrateful beast. Otherwise, my parents wouldn’t have died in that car crash. Otherwise, my daughter wouldn’t be suffering abuse. And I wouldn’t have become a coma patient, lying motionless in bed, at the mercy of others! The more I thought about it, the more angry I became. Using my arms to support myself on the bed, I rolled onto the floor and crawled to a hidden compartment at the foot of the bed. I quickly retrieved an old phone I had discarded and plugged it into the charger. Just as I was about to climb back into bed, I suddenly heard voices from downstairs. I heard Lily’s cries for help, and I immediately crawled towards the door. “Lily!” I crawled to the top of the stairs and saw Mrs. Wilson holding Lily down on her hands and knees, while a chubby little boy clapped his hands excitedly nearby. Afraid of being discovered and killed by Rachel, I could only cover my mouth and watch helplessly. After my daughter was forced onto her hands and knees, the chubby boy climbed onto her back. “Lily is our family’s little wild dog, haha, this is so fun! Giddy up, giddy up!” I guessed this chubby boy was the illegitimate son of Rachel and Derek. Sure enough, Mrs. Wilson said, “Young master, you play with this little brat for now. I’ll go make you something delicious to eat!” The chubby boy climbed and hit my daughter’s back. I wanted nothing more than to rush over and slap him hard. After Mrs. Wilson left, Lily angrily threw the chubby boy off her back. “You’re just a pig head! If you bully me again, when my mom wakes up, she won’t let you off easy!” The chubby boy got up, glaring at my daughter angrily. He raised his hand, about to slap her! “Stop!” I couldn’t bear it any longer and shouted in anger. But when the chubby boy saw my fierce expression as I lay on the ground, he froze in terror.

“You’re… you’re a ghost!” The chubby boy fainted from fright. Lily ran up the stairs step by step and threw herself into my arms. “Mommy, you’re finally awake!” Tears streamed down my face as I stroked my daughter’s cheek. “From now on, Mommy’s here. No one will dare bully you again!” Lily said obediently, “Mommy, let me help you back to your room!” Knowing this wasn’t a safe place to stay, I quickly moved back to my room with Lily’s help. After lying down, I looked at Lily seriously. “Lily, remember what Mommy says. Don’t trust anyone in this house. Wait for Mommy to rescue you.” Lily nodded obediently. “Mommy, I know. Everyone here is bad. Even Daddy doesn’t feed me!” My daughter’s casual remark broke my heart, and I clenched my fists tightly! During the five years I was in a coma, my Lily must have suffered so much. Derek, that beast, didn’t even take care of his own daughter. He was worse than an animal! I stroked my daughter’s hair, comforting her before sending her back. I instructed her to pretend she didn’t know I had woken up. “Mommy, Lily is a little scared!” I looked into her eyes and said, “Lily, after Mommy avenges your grandparents, we’ll never be separated again!” Lily hugged me before reluctantly returning to her room. I picked up the phone on the bedside table and dialed a familiar number from memory. A very lazy voice came from the other end of the line. “Hello, who is this?” I tried to control my emotions as I called out, “Ethan, it’s me!” Ethan Brooks was my childhood friend who grew up with me in the city. We were so close that we used to share candy apples. Perhaps because we were too familiar with each other, having grown up together, I only felt a sibling or close friend relationship with him, not romantic love. When I first fell for Derek, Ethan warned me that Derek wasn’t a good man and urged me to reconsider carefully. Even then, he had seen through Derek’s character, but I wouldn’t listen. Even when my parents objected to him, I didn’t care. I was determined to marry Derek! So I, the heiress of Shaw Enterprises, married Derek Grant, who was just a low-level employee at the time. After we married, Derek was devoted to me. But I never imagined that he was secretly conspiring with the household manager to harm my parents, intending to seize Shaw Enterprises and even kill me! Now that I think about it, I was truly blind. I didn’t cherish the good man in front of me and instead chose a complete wolf in sheep’s clothing. Ethan’s voice immediately became excited. “Olivia, you’ve finally contacted me!” I took a deep breath. “Ethan, the ones who killed my parents are likely Derek and Rachel. Can you help me investigate and gather evidence against them… I want them to pay for their crimes in blood!” Before Ethan could respond, I heard footsteps outside. My heart sank—someone was coming! I quickly hid the phone under my pillow. My legs still hadn’t regained feeling. If Rachel and the others found out, I would surely die. Rachel pushed the door open, followed by Mr. Cole and the chubby boy who had seen me earlier. Mrs. Wilson came in from outside carrying a basin of cold water. Rachel gave her a look, and she slowly approached me. Rachel pretended to be gentle and asked, “Sister Olivia, are you awake?” I closed my eyes and remained motionless. Rachel waved her hand, and Mrs. Wilson lifted the basin of water and poured it over me…

The cold water splashed on my face, and I almost couldn’t help but open my eyes. Seeing that I still didn’t move, Rachel turned to look at the chubby boy. “Feixiang! You’re being naughty again. How could this useless woman possibly wake up!” The chubby boy shouted, “Mommy, if you don’t believe me, you can ask Lily. She saw it too!” Rachel glanced at me before preparing to take Mr. Cole and the others to find Lily. I wasn’t sure if Lily had returned to her kennel, and if they went now, she would inevitably suffer a beating. No, I had to buy Lily some time! I suddenly opened my eyes, my body involuntarily convulsing. Mr. Cole and the others, who were about to turn around, saw me open my eyes and were too shocked to speak. “She’s awake, she’s awake!” Mr. Cole pointed at me, his emotions running high. Rachel hadn’t reacted yet and teased Mr. Cole, “Dad, why are you being as mischievous as a child? This stinking woman has been paralyzed for five years. How could she possibly…” Rachel suddenly turned around, her eyes widening as they met mine. “How is this possible? This can’t be! Quick, go call Derek!” Soon after, I was helped into a wheelchair by Mrs. Wilson. Derek, still wearing his pajamas and looking half-asleep, was called by Mrs. Wilson. Derek pretended to caress my hand affectionately. “Olivia, you’re really awake. That’s wonderful!” I secretly pulled my hand away, my head deliberately tilted. I pointed at Derek, unable to speak, making only “mmm” sounds. If I didn’t do this, Derek’s cautious nature would surely keep me under strict surveillance. The reason I pretended to be unable to speak was to make them lower their guard. Derek and the others exchanged glances before understanding my condition. Although I had woken up and opened my eyes, and my arms had regained mobility, my speech function and legs hadn’t recovered. I was basically in a semi-paralyzed state. Derek and the others secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Rachel also pretended to hold my hand. “Sister Olivia, don’t worry. As long as the Shaw family has food to eat, you’ll have food to eat. We’ll take good care of you!” At this moment, Mr. Cole inappropriately asked Derek, “Derek, now that Olivia has woken up, will you and Rachel still get married tomorrow?” Derek glanced at him, then looked at me and said, “Olivia, you won’t blame me for marrying Rachel, will you? Don’t worry, we’ll all be family from now on. Even if I marry Rachel, I definitely won’t abandon you!” I secretly scoffed. The Qing Dynasty fell over a hundred years ago. What, are you trying to bring back polygamy here? Seeing my expression, Derek changed his tone. “I’ve already drafted our divorce agreement. As for some property division issues, as long as you sign this agreement, you can find someone you love after you recover.” I laughed coldly in my heart. What exactly did this beast take me for? Did he think I would go along with his schemes, without principles or bottom line like him? Rachel added a comment that made me even angrier. “Sister Olivia, why don’t you just transfer Shaw Enterprises to our Derek? After all, we’re family. We’ll ensure that you and your daughter live in luxury for the rest of your lives!” I coldly watched them perform like clowns in front of me. If I’m not mistaken, these lowly servants and ordinary people wouldn’t have today’s wealth and status without my support. These ungrateful wretches, they’re finally showing their true colors, aren’t they? If I really handed Shaw Enterprises over to them, what awaited me would surely be a miserable fate. I probably wouldn’t live long enough to follow my parents! I’m not afraid of death, but what about my daughter if I die! If I die, won’t this vast family fortune fall entirely into Derek’s hands? In the future, he’ll live in my house, spend my money, and enjoy life with other women? Even if I’m in the underworld, seeing this beast living so comfortably would make me angry enough to crawl out of my grave. I didn’t respond to them. Derek and the others probably didn’t know what to do with me. After Mrs. Wilson changed my bedding, they all went back to sleep. I secretly wiped away cold sweat. Fortunately, while they were calling Derek, I had hidden the phone in a secret compartment in the headboard. If Mrs. Wilson had found the phone, I would have been completely exposed. If they knew I had contacted Ethan, I probably wouldn’t survive the night. Lying in bed, I thought about my next move. But before I could figure it all out, something happened to Lily!

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“My father’s car accident was not an accident – the organ donation agreement he signed stated that the beneficiary was his illegitimate son whom he never called ‘son’.” When I woke up on the operating table of Moonhealer, with catheters all over my body, I finally understood the truth of this “father’s love” But now, I am back with the blessing of Moon Goddess. Kaelen looked at my scars with his blue eyes that could freeze his prey, but his fingertips were unspeakably gentle: “Does it hurt?” I smiled and put the dagger against his Adam’s apple: “Not even one ten-thousandth of his betrayal.” My hackles rose as the truth sank in – my sire hadn’t just betrayed our pack, he’d sabotaged our hunting vehicle. The brakes had failed during the full moon run. My dam and I had barely survived the crash. While we lay bleeding in the Moonhealer’s den, my sire had signed the life-debt waiver – agreeing to harvest our organs for his bastard whelp with the failing kidneys. His moon-blessed son by that she-wolf he’d been rutting with behind my dam’s back. Then the Moon Goddess granted me a second chance. I woke with the scent of pine and blood in my nostrils – the day before the accident. My claws dug into my palms as I watched my sire’s false smile, saw my dam’s exhausted muzzle graying too soon from years of submission. ‘This time,’ I vowed to the moon, ‘that traitor and his whore will pay in blood.’ I’d always known my sire despised me for being born female. He was obsessed with continuing the Blackfang bloodline, as if we were some royal pack instead of just territory holders. After my birth, my dam had quickened with three more pups – each time he’d forced her to reject the litter when the seers predicted females. The last forced rejection left her barren. My sire would sneer, “Useless bitch can’t even whelp proper heirs.” I’d begged my dam to flee with me to the Rogue Lands, but she clung to the fantasy that his wolf still recognized her as mate. The abuse lessened when I reached my first shift age. Not out of remorse – that was when his mistress birthed his precious golden-furred son. A traitorous Alpha, a broken Luna, and a conniving she-wolf waiting to steal our den. Even with this moon-blessed second chance, the injustice made my fangs ache. “Hunt safely. Howl when you reach the gathering,” my sire called after us, his voice dripping with false concern. What kind of Alpha sacrifices his true mate and firstborn for a sickly bastard whelp? Even lowland coyotes protect their pups better. As we left pack territory, I kept growling warnings: “Slow pace, dam. Scent the wind carefully.” Before reaching the Thunderpath, I demanded we stop at the Greasepaw mechanic’s outpost. She bared her teeth in irritation. “Your sire just had the vehicle blessed by pack mechanics! What could be wrong?” I flattened my ears. “My pelt won’t lie still. The moon whispers warnings. Please, just let them check the brake talismans.” Before she could refuse, I turned to the grizzled delta mechanic and dropped to a submissive crouch. “Honored one, please examine the stopping-magic. I offer two moonstones for your time.” The old wolf’s nostrils flared as he caught the scent of tampered enchantments. His growl shook the ground when he found the blood-tainted brake runes. “This was no accident. Someone wanted you dead on the Thunderpath.” My dam’s golden eyes finally cleared of denial as the truth sank in – her mate had tried to murder us for his bastard son. A low, grieving howl built in her throat as the mechanic showed her the evidence. The sound made my own wolf rise in answering fury. Tonight, we would howl a different tune. Tonight, the traitors would learn why even a female Blackfang was not to be crossed.

“Why did you choose to run the Volkten territory with me?” I asked as the Greasepaw mechanic worked on our vehicle, my claws tapping against the moonstone counter. In my last life, this question had haunted me. My dam rarely left pack lands, let alone traveled to distant territories without my sire. There had to be meaning in this journey. At my question, my dam’s ears flattened against her skull. Her golden eyes darkened with unspoken pain, her scent turning bitter with regret. The hesitation in her body language made my wolf stir with curiosity. Wait… My tail stiffened. Could my sire not be my true blood? Is my real father waiting in Volkten? Is that why she’s taking me there now that I’ve had my first shift? Years of listening to Lonewolf Ballads around the fire had clearly addled my brain – I was already picturing some dramatic Alpha reunion under the blood moon. My dam’s nostrils flared as she caught the change in my scent. She cuffed me lightly behind the ears, her growl laced with amusement. “Stop that. My wolf has only ever known one mate.” “The truth is,” she continued, her voice dropping to a mournful howl, “your grandsire is fading. The moon sickness has taken hold. Your uncle reached out through the howl network – he wants to see us one last time.” “When I bonded with your sire, my whole pack opposed the mating. I was so furious I severed the blood ties… and never looked back.” Her whiskers trembled with regret. Just as I opened my muzzle to ask about my grandsire’s pack, the delta mechanic approached, his grease-stained fur standing on end. “This vehicle shouldn’t be on the Thunderpath,” he rumbled, wiping his paws on a rag. “The brake talismans are nearly faded to nothing. At high speeds, the stopping magic would fail completely.” “The engine runes are cracked too,” he continued, showing us the damaged markings. “And worst of all – the fuel bladder is leaking moonfire essence. One spark and…” He made an explosive motion with his claws. My dam’s hackles rose. “Impossible! My mate just had the pack shamans bless this vehicle three suns ago!” The old mechanic gave a world-weary snort. “I call the scents as I find them, Luna. Take it to the Alpha’s mechanics if you doubt me – but don’t say I didn’t warn you when this den-on-wheels bursts into flames mid-run.” I placed a restraining paw on my dam’s shoulder before she could argue. “Fix everything,” I told the mechanic. “We’ll pay in moonstones or fresh kill.” Turning to my dam, I let my ears droop in submission. “Remember the death pact sire made us sign last moon cycle? I thought it was strange then… but now the scent trail is clear.” Before I could finish, my dam’s pupils dilated to black pools. Without a word, she stalked outside, her claws already extending as she punched in my sire’s number on her howl-phone. The low, dangerous growl building in her chest promised that someone’s blood would paint the moon tonight.

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To support my husband’s scientific pursuits, I sent him overseas for advanced studies. But two years later, he walked out of the airport with a young girl. “Seraphina, a junior researcher under me, got seriously ill from radiation exposure during an experiment while trying to protect me. I need to take care of her.” He insisted on bringing her home, converting my study into a lab. Day in and day out, they were ‘doing research’ in there. Until, well, they ‘researched’ a baby into existence. And he still claimed it was just a drunken accident. “Seraphina’s parents are both gone; this child will be her only family. I *have* to keep it.” “Be the bigger person, Harper. Let her have this house so she can focus on her pregnancy in peace.” “You’re so busy with work anyway, no time for kids of your own. This baby could even call you ‘godmother’ later.” I scoffed. That night, I cleared out everything from the house and pulled all funding from his research project. Sorry, but I’m not exactly short on houses. Or kids, for that matter.

“Ms. Harper, are you really going to cut off all funding immediately? Without any buffer time, their project will practically…” “Confirmed. Pull it all. Every last cent.” I didn’t hesitate for a second. The call with my assistant, Kai, had just ended when another call came in. “Harper Reed, what do you mean by ‘do you want to marry me’? You…” “Exactly what it sounds like. What, you don’t want to? Should I ask someone else?” “Who said I don’t want to! You’re not allowed to ask anyone else!” Declan’s voice shot up, then he slowly asked, “So you’re divorced now?” “Almost. Don’t worry, I won’t let you feel grossed out.” “That’s not what I meant. I meant, if you’re in trouble, I can help you.” I paused, then politely declined his offer, but a warmth slowly spread through my chest. He chased me for six years and never gave up. Guess he’s finally getting what he wished for. Only me, chasing after someone unworthy, ending up completely shattered. Not long after I hung up, I heard Julian and Seraphina’s voices behind me. They walked in, arm in arm, Julian carrying a large bag of baby supplies. “Julian’s never been a dad, but he’s already so good at this stuff,” Seraphina cooed. “If I don’t understand, I need to learn. Otherwise, how can I take good care of you… Harper?” Julian froze slightly when he saw me. Seraphina immediately hid behind him, timidly saying, “Ms. Harper, I’m sorry, I didn’t know you’d be back today.” “Don’t worry, I’ll go abroad after the baby is born. I won’t stay here and be an eyesore for you anymore.” Eyesore? I chuckled. Been an eyesore for this long, a little longer won’t hurt. Besides, soon enough, out of sight, out of mind. Just like in the past, the more pathetic Seraphina acted, the more Julian’s heart ached for her. He wrapped his arm around her, comforting her. “What kind of person do you take me for? You have no parents, no family. How could you live alone with a child?” The next second, he looked at me, his tone utterly natural: “Seraphina is pregnant and needs a new bedroom with a more comfortable environment.” “She can have ours. You rarely come back here to stay anyway, with all your overtime.” I stared directly into his eyes, simply replied “Okay,” and walked straight out. Julian, who had prepared himself for my “tantrum,” stood rooted to the spot. Before, when he wanted to convert my study into Seraphina’s lab, I fought him for a whole week, exhausting him completely. But this time… “Harper, what kind of attitude is that? What are you trying to pull now?” Julian chased after me and grabbed my arm. I looked at him impatiently and asked, “Julian, I should be asking *you* that.” “When I made a fuss, you said I was narrow-minded. Now I’m planning to give the entire house to Seraphina, and you think I have ulterior motives?” Julian’s expression flickered, then he let out an awkward cough, pulling my hand. “I’m sorry. I misunderstood you.” I was momentarily stunned. In our six years of marriage, to keep him focused on his research, I was always the one who gave in first. He’d always been so stingy with his words to me, and now he was actually apologizing. “Since you’re willing to change, then stay. Seraphina and I aren’t unwelcoming.” “Tonight, you can make Seraphina your signature sour fish soup.” “She’s had terrible morning sickness lately and craves something sour.” In that instant, I wanted to throw up too. Sure enough, it was all my imagination. “What *is* she, that she deserves me cooking for her?” I snapped back, unable to stand his face, but he immediately scowled and said, “Hmph, I knew you were faking it.” “You’re still that heartless, ungrateful businesswoman with nothing but filthy money in your eyes, no different from six years ago.”

Years ago, because of my mother’s rare illness, I met Julian, who was researching drugs in that very field. I was quickly drawn to his talent and personality and began to pursue him. To have common topics with him, I forced myself to read obscure biology books. To show my determination, after we married, I didn’t hesitate to agree to his continued studies abroad, even investing heavily in his lab and leveraging my connections behind his back. But what I finally got was him returning with another woman. “You’re right. I’m a businesswoman, so a businesswoman’s hands are only for making money, not for cooking.” Before, when he accused me of reeking of money, I’d feel sad. But now, I only felt lucky. Lucky that even though my judgment was poor, at least I had money. “On the other hand, you, you claim to love her so much, but you can’t even bear to cook for her?” “I’ve told you, I only feel gratitude towards her. I just want to take care of her. That child was an accident!” As always, he explained impatiently, then looked at me with disappointment, as if I had committed some grave error. I was too tired to listen anymore, so I shook my hand free and walked out. I didn’t expect that after an all-nighter at the office, I’d open the door to my apartment and see Julian in the kitchen, making breakfast. That was a ‘miracle’ that had never occurred in our six years of marriage. For the sake of his hands, which he needed for experiments, I had always done the cooking at home. I remember even when my hand was bleeding non-stop from a knife cut, he’d avoid me like the plague just to hand me a band-aid, terrified my blood would taint his hands. And now, he held a knife, meticulously slicing bread for Seraphina. “Julian, your hands shouldn’t be doing such things! Put that knife down!” Seraphina ran into the kitchen, and Julian immediately hugged her back, saying tenderly, “You stayed with that radiation source for so long to protect me, and now you’re still willing to have my child. This little thing is nothing.” Seraphina, touched, threw herself into his arms, and a flicker of triumph crossed her eyes as she looked at me standing outside the door. I watched them with cold eyes, then waved my hand, directly instructing the movers to start clearing things out. Julian looked at everything, confused, shielding Seraphina firmly behind him, demanding to know what I was doing. “Nothing much. I’m just divorcing you, so we’re separating first.” “What did you say?” Julian’s face went blank for a second, as if he couldn’t grasp what I was saying. “Divorce… me?” He again showed that ‘I knew it’ expression, full of disgust. “Here we go again. Harper, I’m not falling for your games anymore.” “Tell them to get out. Seraphina is pregnant and needs quiet rest. Don’t you understand that?” I sighed wearily. Before I could speak, a worker rushed down and asked me, “Ms. Harper, the safe you insisted we take—it’s in Ms. Seraphina’s room, and… it’s open. It’s empty.” My heart sank. I spun around to look at Seraphina. She blinked, saying, “Julian gave me that box. I saw it only had some old papers, nothing useful.” She curved her lips at me, her smile sweet and malicious. “So, I burned them all.” *Slap!* I lunged forward and slapped Seraphina across the face. “Those were my mother’s musical scores, her last precious relics! How *dare* you…” My heart ached so much I could barely breathe. But the next instant, Julian actually raised his hand at me— “Harper Reed, for some dead woman’s junk, you dare hit her!”

As the force of his palm rushed toward me, he met my red-rimmed eyes. He seemed to finally snap back to reality for a second, intending to lower his hand. But because of his strength, his wedding ring still grazed my cheek, leaving a thin cut. “Dead woman’s junk.” I stood frozen, my heart turning to ash as I repeated his words. “Fine, I get it.” I turned around and instructed the movers to take the things and leave immediately. But he chased after me. “Harper!” He grabbed my hand, a rare look of guilt on his face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know Seraphina would burn your mother’s things.” “But she’s pregnant, it might be hormones, her emotions are unstable.” “You’ve never been a mother, can’t you be more understanding of her? I’ll go get new copies of your mother’s things…” I sharply pulled my hand away, looking at his face, which was already regaining its ‘rational analysis’ look. “Julian, I’ll hire the best lawyers to expedite our divorce proceedings.” “You!” Julian was about to chase after me again, but Seraphina cried out in pain, and he immediately turned and ran back into the villa. After settling my things, I blocked all of Julian’s contact information. I didn’t see him again until a week later at a banquet. This banquet invited many CEOs from biopharmaceutical companies. Julian never used to come to such ‘corrupting’ places, but now, because of the sudden withdrawal of crucial funds, he had no choice but to seek help here. He still had no idea that the person behind that money was me. “Oh my, Ms. Harper, why are you here?” Seraphina covered her mouth, seemingly very surprised. “This place is full of professionals in biomedicine. The discussions aren’t about stocks or funds.” “Someone like Ms. Harper, do you even understand?” Her voice was clear, as if she wanted everyone around to mock my out-of-place presence. But everyone simply gave her a strange look and turned away. “I’m standing here because this banquet is *my* event. Every glass of wine Ms. Seraphina is drinking right now is paid for with *my* money.” “Without me, how do you think these bigwigs would grace us with their presence?” The resentment and jealousy in Seraphina’s eyes instantly overflowed. The next second, Julian actually dismissed her and stood next to me, holding a wine glass. I knew he had networked around, found no one willing to invest in his project, and so he came to me. “Harper, even if you want a divorce, our joint assets are half yours, half mine…” Even he struggled to say such shameless words. I chuckled, then slowly said, “Mr. Julian, did you forget the prenuptial agreement we signed?” “To prove your integrity, didn’t you personally sign an agreement for separate property, terrified to taint yourself with my ‘dirty money’?” Julian’s face immediately turned ugly, secretly regretting it. But he wanted to use our past relationship to make me soften, but I was utterly unmoved. I only spoke of “divorce.” “No, I’m afraid my money would dirty your experiments.” “Harper, are you really going to take it this far?” He gasped, all traces of his refined demeanor were gone. He thrust the wine glass towards me. “Fine then, if you have the guts, drink this, and we go our separate ways, and it’s over for good!” I took the glass without hesitation and drank it all. But after I finished, I noticed that Julian’s eyes, besides anger, held a hint of panic. No, this drink… A wave of dizziness hit me. My vision went black, and I collapsed.

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He Chose Her Dog Over Our Son. Julian’s childhood friend was taken. It was all because of her reckless compassion. To save a tiny dog, she tricked someone’s kid into opening the door, and he was bitten to death by zombies. To save her, Julian planned to throw our four-year-old son into the zombie horde, just to appease them. I ran to the edge of the zombie pit, kneeling and begging. “They just want to vent their rage! You can send me down there instead! They can hit me, curse me, tear me to shreds by the zombies—I’ll take it all, just please, I beg you, let the child go!” Julian yanked me onto the ground, his face twisted in utter disgust. “You go? If you die, who protects the Pei family? Don’t forget, you were bound to the Pei family by Grandpa Arthur, meant to serve until your dying breath.” “Besides, I’m just filming a video. I’m not actually going to kill him.” He rushed off to retrieve his childhood friend, leaving our son dangling in the air, transforming into a zombie right before my eyes. That night, I hardened my heart and ended my son’s life myself. Meanwhile, Julian spent the entire night comforting his friend, bringing her three fluffy puppies. I knelt before Grandpa Arthur, clutching Leo’s body, half of it already a chilling purple-black. “You laid my entire family to rest back then, and I saved your son’s life, even bore him a child. Now, my debt is fully repaid. There’s no reason for me to stay in the Pei family any longer.”

Leo’s eyes, wide and pale, were fixed on me. My heart grew heavier and heavier. All I could do was numbly raise the pistol. To end his suffering quickly. Only when Grandpa Arthur arrived could I cross the electric fence and reach my son. The rope binding Leo had two distinct marks. I gripped it tightly, replaying the footage on the camera. Originally, he was still far from the zombie horde. But hearing the sobs from the other end of the phone, Julian immediately loosened the rope, letting it drop significantly, afraid that Serena would think his apology wasn’t sincere. My heart churned with unbearable turmoil. He would hurt his own son for a woman who caused a death! Grandpa Arthur coughed, sputtering with rage. He had someone call Julian while he continued to curse. “He’s an animal!” As Grandpa Arthur ranted on, Julian’s bodyguard delivered a box of tranquilizers. The expiration date was a year old. That lit a fuse in him. “This scoundrel! Is the Pei family short on medicine or money, that he’d use expired tranquilizers?!” “Is that little tramp so important that she’s made him abandon his wife and son completely?!” He coughed, choking on his anger, and seeing the pistol in my hand, he nearly exploded with rage. “You’re just as foolish and cold-blooded! A good child, and you just had to kill him? Was there absolutely no way to save him?” “You’re a mother!” His own son didn’t want his wife and child, yet he called me cold-blooded? I stared at Grandpa Arthur, a chilling emptiness in my eyes. If there was a bullet left, I would have put it through my own head, just to be with Leo. Julian suddenly called, his voice furious the moment I answered. “Ava, can you stop exaggerating everything? I just wanted Leo to film a video, and you act like you’re suffering? Grandpa Arthur is so old, why are you making him worry? You have no shame!” “It was just for a video. You act like I was trying to kill our son. Besides, aren’t you some elite combatant? If Leo was in danger, you should have saved him! A few zombies are nothing for you, right?” “Oh, I forgot. You’re a liar, a manipulative bitch who only steals others’ credit and plays the victim.” “And didn’t I send the tranquilizers over? If Leo’s scared, give him a shot. Serena is too shaken up to be left alone. If you bother Grandpa Arthur again, I swear, I’ll make your life hell!” The call was on speaker. Hearing his son’s utter lack of remorse, his insufferable arrogance, Grandpa Arthur slammed the tranquilizer box onto the ground. The coffee powder spilled everywhere, mixed with some unidentifiable yellowish-green specks. Grandpa Arthur was too furious to speak. The moment I smelled the coffee powder, my skin began to itch. He sent a fake product, but beyond that, as a husband and a father, he didn’t even know I was allergic to coffee, and Leo couldn’t even be near the scent. I laughed, tears streaming down my face. My son was pulled up, wrapped in a suit jacket. Grandpa Arthur saw the abnormal purple-black on his body and his swollen arm. He was speechless for a long time. After a long silence, he knelt on the ground, slapping himself repeatedly. “I was so foolish! How could I raise such a scoundrel who disowns his own wife and son?!” “Now, all I can do is use this old face of mine to beg you. Just give Julian a chance to atone, and I, this old man, will give you my life!” I threw the suit jacket to the ground and held the cold Leo tightly. Ten years ago, he had knelt like this, just as pitifully, begging me to save Julian. During the harshest times of the apocalypse, Grandpa Arthur had laid my entire family to rest, giving them a final resting place. To repay that kindness, I had agreed. How pitiful that I, disregarding my own life, expanded the Pei family’s territory, helping them gain a foothold in this apocalypse, only to receive this outcome. He was old; I couldn’t bear his plea. I knelt down with Leo, showing no mercy. “Back then, the resting place for my family was given by you, Grandpa Arthur. But for ten years, what I’ve done for the Pei family is far more than just marrying and bearing a child.” “Grandpa Arthur, my debt is repaid. The Pei family cannot stop me.”

The next morning, Grandpa Arthur was waiting for me. He saw me, covered in mud and bloodstains, and his eyes glazed over slightly, still holding onto a flicker of hope. “The funeral… won’t it be held at the Pei family estate?” I had spent the entire night killing one thousand two hundred and sixty zombies. That was how many days Leo had lived in this world. “I’ve chosen a good place for Leo. He will leave with me.” Grandpa Arthur reluctantly handed me the urn. He tried to make me stay, but I refused. That place had mountains and water, where one could see the sun and moon exchange places. It was better than this cutthroat, unforgiving place called the Pei family estate. I didn’t want Julian and Leo to have any more connection. But I knew Grandpa Arthur truly loved his grandson, so I left Leo’s favorite rattle with him. Heading home to pack my tools, I stumbled upon Julian and Serena lying naked in bed. Serena wriggled her hips, scratching his face with a lecherous grin. Her voice was sickly sweet as she traced circles on his chest. “Oh, Julian, they’re just so mean. I just wanted to save that poor little dog, and that child just had to come over. Now he’s dead, and they blame me.” Julian listened, his heart aching for her. He hugged her tighter, his hand sliding stickily along her waist. “I know you’re kind, honey. Look, I specially brought you three puppies. Do you like them?” Serena playfully pushed him. “Oh, you’re so naughty, Julian…” “Naughty? Here?” Their flirting only brought back the image of Leo’s face, contorted in agony, right before he died. I kicked the door open. They were even more brazen now. Julian scoffed, seeing my weapons neatly packed in my hand. “What, going off to some place to stay for a couple of days to put on a show for Grandpa Arthur again?” “Can’t you be more genuine, woman? You’re neither hot nor cold, full of lies, utterly detestable! Your knack for fooling Grandpa Arthur won’t work on me.” “If you’re leaving, just leave for good and don’t come back. It’ll be perfect; I can just let Serena be Leo’s mom.” His arrogant, unreasonable face ignited a raging fire within me. Leo’s dying agony kept replaying in my mind. Even though his face was convulsing with pain, his consciousness fading, he had still managed a weak smile and asked me: “Mommy, is Daddy hanging me here to train me? Look how strong I am, I’m not crying at all.” “Daddy, Leo is useful, Leo is brave. Daddy, don’t be angry, don’t hate Mommy.” A four-year-old child, whose only thought was how to make his father happy. But thinking of everything Julian had done to him, my heart ached until I felt utterly drained. Seeing my lack of reaction, Julian told Serena to take the puppies out. He grabbed me, pinning me tightly against the bed, and cursed: “You lying woman, do you even deserve to be called a mother? Let me tell you, my wife, the future mistress of the Pei family, can only be Serena!” “If you hadn’t played your tricks and ruined Serena’s chances of having children, why would I have ever married you? Leo should have been Serena’s son! You, you fraud, you stole him!” I stared at him, my face blank and cold, which only seemed to excite him more. “You’ve got guts, daring to get angry with me?” He pressed me into the bedding, tearing open my collar, letting out a guttural roar. “Didn’t realize you liked kids so much, huh? I’ll just give you another one then!” “Ava, Leo is what you owe Serena. You’d better bring him to Serena today, return him to her. Maybe if I’m in a good mood, I’ll even let you see him again.” The bedding reeked of their recent pleasure, making me gag. Julian’s shamelessness completely severed the last thread of affection I had for him. I slapped him hard, yelling, my voice raw: “Leo is dead!” “If you want to find him, if you want Serena to be his mother, then go to hell!”

Julian knelt over me, adjusting his clothes. He laughed loudly, as if trying to see through me, and gripped my chin tightly. “I truly underestimated you. To be the young mistress of the Pei family, you’d even curse your own son. You don’t love him as much as Grandpa Arthur said, do you?” “How could heaven let such a vain woman be a mother? Leo had terrible luck with you as his mother!” With that, he disgustedly flung my chin away. He looked at me as if I were something filthy, then stood up and left. I slowly sat up, a cold smile on my face. “Julian, in your eyes, I’m just a worthless, vain woman?” “If it weren’t for you, who used tricks to deceive Grandpa Arthur, adding Serena’s credit to your own, and harming her so she couldn’t have children in this life, you would never have touched the threshold of the Pei family!” “Serena is genuine and kind, while you are full of vanity, without a single truthful word! Your schemes won’t work on me. Everything that belongs to her, I will help her take back, one by one.” Julian slammed the door as he left. I recalled the third year of the apocalypse. The Pei family was gradually declining. Julian was infected by the smog and fell into a coma. Grandpa Arthur said there was the largest hospital in the southwest, the only one with intact equipment, that could save Julian. To repay my debt, I ignored my teammates’ warnings. Alone, with a gun and a hammer, I fought my way through floor by floor to occupy the hospital, ensuring Julian received timely treatment. We then used it as the Pei family’s territory, expanding outwards. When he finally woke up, I collapsed, covered in injuries and exhaustion. Julian held me, slipping a wedding ring onto my finger. He said he would only acknowledge me in this life. Drifting through the apocalypse for so long, it was the first time I felt loved, and I dared to fantasize about happiness. It wasn’t until I was pregnant, close to giving birth, that Julian brought back a woman covered in blood. From then on, his resentment and hatred towards me grew deeper and deeper. After I gave birth to Leo, Serena stood in the doorway, looking at Leo with envy. I didn’t know then that it was the beginning of my happiness slipping away. Julian frantically sought my affections, but then, upon learning of my pregnancy, forced me to take medication to abort. The first time, he was still willing to explain. The second, the third time, he grew increasingly annoyed, revealing his true colors. “Ava, this is your retribution for what you did to Serena.” “All the pain she suffered because of you, I will make you endure, little by little!” I hugged Leo’s urn and my packed weapons, then opened the door to leave. But bodyguards were already waiting outside, striking me with electrified riot batons. “Apologies, Ms. Ava, but Ms. Serena has caught a cold. Young Master Julian wants you to take care of her puppies.” “The Young Master said the puppies are fragile, and their feeding and care must be quick. If Ms. Ava is even a little slow, you’ll be punished and warned.” Before I could even question it, another baton struck my back. The searing pain of the electric shock always reminded me of Leo’s death, when I was held back by the electric fence, crying out powerlessly. By the time I reached Serena’s room, my body was numb from the beating, every step trembling. Julian, however, thought I was faking it, his face impatient as he urged me. “Hurry up and feed the puppies! If they get hungry and make Serena upset, you won’t eat tonight.” I gritted my teeth, enduring the pain, and picked up the bottle to feed them. But the puppy in my arms kept whimpering uncomfortably. Serena heard it and walked over, letting out a sharp cry. “Sister Ava, it’s still so small, why would you kill it?” Tears welled in her eyes. She reached out to grab me, then weakly collapsed to the ground, only looking at me and demanding: “Sister, I can’t have children anymore. I just wanted to raise a few dogs with Julian. Is even that not allowed?” Julian’s heart ached. He slapped me hard across the face. My already numb body couldn’t support me. I hit the corner of a table, dazed and unable to open my eyes. But he cursed me for faking it, picked up Serena, and frantically called a doctor. I lay on the ground, regaining my senses only after a long while. Picking up the dead puppy from the floor, I saw blood at its mouth. It had been poisoned. I rummaged through my belongings, put the puppy in a small metal basin Leo used to play with, and added two toys so he wouldn’t be alone. Before leaving, I lit a match and took the basin outside to set it ablaze. Having taken care of everything, I felt a sense of peace and left. Just as the city gates registered my face for exit, a bullet pierced my knee, the pain making me pass out. When I woke again, Julian was dragging me, throwing me at the entrance of Serena’s room. Three half-burned puppies, charred all over, lay there. He furiously kicked me in the chest, cursing. “You bitch, how dare you hurt Serena’s puppies?! What right do you have to get revenge on her?!” He dragged me out, pulling me before a sobbing, breathless Serena, forcing me to my knees. Serena gasped through her tears.

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When I received the medical report at the hospital, I was stunned, as if hit by a bolt from the blue. The report only mentioned a common cold, not the “kidney cancer” that nearly shattered me two weeks ago! Realizing my cancer was just a misdiagnosis, I rushed home, eager to share the news with my boyfriend, Jasper. But as soon as I stepped out of the elevator and reached for my keys, I heard some muffled sounds from inside. Thinking it might be a burglar, I quietly hid around the corner, pulling out my phone to check the surveillance camera I’d recently installed. But as soon as I accessed the camera view, the scene made my eyes widen in shock, and I was furious enough to want to burst in. Jasper, usually so gentle and considerate, was stark naked, tangled with a woman whose face I couldn’t clearly see. It was appalling and shameless. As their movements became more intense, the bed shook even more, and I could faintly hear it from outside the door. Anger surged through me, and I instinctively wanted to rush in and confront them. But as I pulled out my keys, the woman’s sudden voice stopped me in my tracks. “Jasper, Nora is already in late-stage kidney cancer, so why hasn’t she handed over the company’s power to you yet?” “Can’t you think of a way to make her pass quickly? I don’t want to sneak around with you like this anymore.” Seeing the woman’s face on my phone screen felt like a stab to the heart. The woman entangled with my boyfriend was none other than my beloved cousin, Hazel! In the video, Jasper smiled as he wrapped his arm around Hazel’s bare shoulder, kissing her cheek with a smug look. “Don’t worry, I asked the doctor. Her illness won’t last more than six months. After that, she’ll be gone!” “We’ve endured this for so many years, a few more months won’t matter. It’s better to keep our hands clean.” “Damn, that annoying old woman is finally going to die. Once she closes her eyes, I can inherit all her assets!” “By then, don’t worry about Finn or the one you’re carrying. I can afford to raise ten or eight kids!” I opened my eyes wide and, after understanding his words, wished I could rush in and tear him to pieces. This bastard, deceiving me for love and money was one thing, but he even wanted to use my money to support illegitimate children! But the last shred of rationality suppressed all my impulses. Watching the cheating couple become more arrogant on the screen, I clenched the medical report in my bag and coldly curled my lips. You’re so eager for me to die, but too bad, I won’t fulfill your wishes. Because the one diagnosed with kidney cancer isn’t me. It’s you, Jasper. Earlier on my way home, I received Jasper’s medical report from the doctor. I was initially overjoyed at being given a new lease on life, but seeing my misdiagnosis and Jasper’s confirmed diagnosis extinguished my joy in an instant. Jasper and I were high school classmates. We started dating after graduation and have been in a long-distance relationship ever since. He wasn’t a gentle and caring boyfriend, nor was he very capable, but I inexplicably liked him. Even after my promotion, when I felt him drifting away, I tried hard to bring him into my company and move forward together. In the past two years, our relationship gradually cooled. Feeling he didn’t care for me as much, I considered breaking up. But just as I was about to address it, the hospital’s report came back. I was in late-stage kidney cancer, beyond treatment, just waiting to die. In my despair, I thought he would leave and seek new happiness. But to my surprise, upon hearing the news, Jasper became more serious than ever, comforting me to continue treatment and being more gentle and caring, seemingly more in love with me than before. I thought it was the impending separation that made him realize his feelings, and I was deeply moved. I even secretly drafted a will, planning to leave all my assets to him after my death. But fate didn’t follow my wishes. I won’t die, and his dream of getting rich is destined to shatter! After calming down, I hid around the stairwell corner and quietly called the police, saying there might be a burglary at my house. Then I posted in the neighborhood group, saying I snagged some discount eggs, a penny for twenty, but spots were limited to the first twenty people. Hearing this, the elderly neighbors in the group buzzed with excitement. In less than three minutes, a dozen familiar elderly neighbors were at my door. I patiently soothed them to not make a noise before I opened the door. I didn’t know whether the room had excellent soundproofing or the cheating couple was too absorbed in their activities, but even when I opened the door, they were clueless and made no sound. Seeing the scattered woman’s underwear on the floor, I screamed, pretending to just discover the situation, and rushed into the bedroom, kicking the door open. Jasper and Hazel were still in their own world, shocked by my sudden entrance, not even having time to put on clothes. The elderly neighbors behind me, initially there for the eggs, were unexpectedly caught up in this thrilling scene. More excited than me, they blocked the doorway. Hazel hurriedly covered her face, and Jasper turned pale, trembling as he tried to explain, “Nora, let me explain…” I shouted, “Explain what?” and slapped him hard across the face, leaving him with a bruised and bloody nose. “Jasper, I’m just diagnosed, not dead yet, and you’re already fooling around. Have you no shame?” “All those sweet words before, were they all an act?” “How much have I spent on you over the years, on LV belts and Hermès bags? Have I ever treated you badly, yet you do this to me, hiring a prostitute at home!” The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I slapped him several more times, feeling a sense of relief. Hazel, seeing I was ignoring her, tried to sneak out wrapped in her clothes, but a quick-witted auntie grabbed her, pulling off her mask. Her face revealed, everyone was stunned, and Aunt Zhang, who was closer to me, exclaimed, “Nora, isn’t this your cousin!” I snapped out of it, leaving Jasper wailing on the floor, and turned to kick Hazel, slapping her hard. “Well, what a pair of lowlifes!” “Hazel, I’ve never mistreated you all these years, yet you stoop so low as to seduce my man. Have you no shame!” The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. Seeing a flash of green on Hazel’s hand, I was even more furious, grabbing her wrist to show everyone. “Everyone, look closely. This tramp not only stole my man but also my jewelry!” “This jade bracelet cost me three hundred thousand, and I couldn’t bear to wear it myself. Yet she steals it!” “Every time she came to my house, something would go missing. I overlooked it for family’s sake, but this time, I must send her to the police!” Hearing my words, Jasper, who was initially trying to plead with me, changed his expression instantly. Despite being the cheater, he suddenly looked self-righteous. “Nora, do you really want to make such a scene?” “I advise you to stop! Don’t forget, you’re about to die!” “Do you want to die without peace, to be cremated and scattered?” Hazel, still clinging to Jasper’s arm, spitefully added, “Jasper, don’t mind her!” “This late-stage kidney cancer lunatic can barely live a month, so she can only flaunt here.” “When she dies, let’s see what she can do to us!” I coldly glanced at the trash couple, kicking them both in their chests, making them wail in pain on the ground. Scum, you could die a hundred times, and I’d still be here. Trying to mess with me, let’s see what else you’ve got! After the police arrived, I quickly explained the theft situation at my house. With the bracelet on Hazel’s hand and witnesses, she couldn’t deny it. If she didn’t compensate, she’d have to go to jail for a few years. Jasper got into trouble for aiding in theft too, and to avoid prosecution, he bombarded me with calls and texts, but I ignored them all. After busting the affair, I quickly fired him and warned security not to let him in again. With my irregular work hours, it wasn’t easy for him to waylay me. So when my mom called me to come home, I wasn’t surprised. I knew those two tramps must have gone to see her. Sure enough, when I got home, my mom was sitting in the middle of the sofa. All my aunts and uncles, even Hazel and Jasper’s parents, were there, playing with a five or six-year-old boy. Seeing me, everyone’s expressions turned sour. The little boy glared at me and quickly ran over, stepping on my foot, resentfully saying, “You’re the bad woman who broke up my mom and dad, you’re a witch!” Hazel pretended to scold him, “Finn, how could you be so rude?” But I could see her smirking. I was about to speak when my mom suddenly coughed, glaring at me unhappily. “Nora, I called you here today not for anything else, but because as your mother, I need to educate you properly.” As soon as I arrived, the atmosphere shifted. The little boy glared at me fiercely and, when no one was watching, ran over to stomp on my foot, angrily accusing, “You’re the wicked woman who broke up my mom and dad. You’re just a terrible person!” Hazel feigned anger as she pulled the child into her arms, chiding, “Finn, how can you be so impolite?” Yet, I could clearly see the smirk playing on her lips. I was about to respond when my mom suddenly coughed twice and stared at me with displeasure. “Nora, I called you here today because I’m your mother, and I need to set you straight.” “You’re terminally ill, yet you continue to be so arrogant, not even saving face for your own family. Isn’t this wrong?” “We’ve always been aware of Hazel’s situation, and I watched Finn grow up. Honestly, if I were Jasper, I’d also prefer someone like Hazel.” “Whether as a cousin or a girlfriend, since you’re dying, why not be more generous and let them be happy?” “Today, you should sign the letter of forgiveness. We’ll pretend none of this happened, and when you’re gone, you can rest peacefully. Otherwise…” “Otherwise what? Will you grind my bones to dust?” Staring at my mom’s harsh face, I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh, pointing right at her nose. “When you cheated on Dad and he caught you, making him so angry that he died, did you think about resting peacefully?” “For years, you’ve favored your brother, giving everything good to Hazel and her brother, never caring whether I lived or died. And you still have the nerve to call yourself my mom?” “Since middle school, you haven’t given me a penny. I’ve earned all my tuition and living expenses through my own work. Educate me? You have no right!”

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