Category: English

My fiancé Lucas, the CEO, told me the company wasn’t doing well and cut my salary in half. But then I saw his secretary Amber bragging on social media: “The boss not only gave me a raise, but also bought me a luxury car because he was worried I’d get tired from commuting. He’s so thoughtful!” In the photo, she was standing with Lucas in front of a brand new $100,000 car, looking blissfully happy. I pondered for a moment, then hit the like button. That evening, Lucas called an emergency meeting. Using the excuse that I was “disrupting company morale”, he docked my entire month’s salary and gave it to Amber as “emotional distress compensation”. Everyone looked at me with pity, probably expecting me to freak out. But I calmly packed up my desk and handed him my resignation letter. “Docking someone’s pay isn’t enough punishment for bullying a coworker. I’ll save you the trouble and quit.” 0 As soon as I finished speaking, Lucas’s secretary Amber chimed in. “Rachel, how can you quit over such a small thing?” she said. “You’ve been with the company for so long, and Lucas has always treated you so well. If you resign now, what will people think of him?” “Lucas, please talk some sense into Rachel!” she pleaded. Lucas may have been planning to convince me to stay. But after hearing Amber’s words, his anger flared up. He snorted coldly: “What’s there to talk about? If she wants to leave, let her leave. I have nothing to hide, I’m not afraid of what anyone might say.” Without hesitation, he signed my resignation letter and tossed it in my face. The other employees looked on in shock. A coworker I was close with quietly urged me to apologize, telling me not to act rashly. Almost everyone knew that I had helped Lucas build this company from the ground up. When the company was short on cash and couldn’t complete projects, I led the team in working overtime for three days straight. I had poured my heart and soul into every aspect of the business. Now the company had just secured funding and was about to go public. Anyone else would stay for that. But I remained calm as I picked up the resignation letter from the floor. “I’ll finish handing over my work before I go.” “No need for that. Get out right now,” Lucas said coldly, pointing at the door. Seeing this, I said nothing more. I said goodbye to a few people and left with my things. As I was leaving, I glanced back at Lucas one last time. I clearly saw a flash of complicated emotion in his cold eyes. I knew why, of course. He didn’t think I would actually leave. We had fought before, but after I left, I would always regret it soon after. I’d come back as if nothing had happened, apologize to him, and go back to work as usual. But he probably didn’t realize this time was different. My patience with him had finally run out. I walked to the parking garage and found my old beater car that I’d been driving for 10 years. The paint was chipped in several places. Next to it was parked a brand new top-of-the-line Porsche – the one Lucas had just given to Amber today. There were plenty of empty spots in the garage, but she had deliberately parked right next to me. I understood it was a provocation aimed at me. These weren’t just two cars – they represented the two of us. I had been with Lucas for 10 years, but I meant less to him than Amber who had only joined 10 months ago. I gave a bitter laugh and got into my car. Just then, a text message came through. I opened it to see a transfer from my friend Sophia. This morning when Lucas said the company wasn’t doing well and was cutting my pay, I had been worried he was under too much stress. I immediately contacted Sophia to borrow $50,000. I had planned to give it to Lucas, but then I inadvertently saw Amber’s social media post about Lucas buying her a new car. At the time, I was surprisingly calm. I didn’t feel sad or jealous enough to go crazy. Perhaps because it had happened too many times before. Amber had been hired by Lucas as a special exception. Her work abilities were terrible, but Lucas, who was usually so strict and serious about work, kept tolerating her mistakes time after time. From small things like serving the clients plain water while getting herself a latte during meetings, to big blunders like accidentally sending out our internal pricing sheet to a client, causing the company to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. When I tried to hold Amber accountable, Lucas would unhesitatingly stand in front of her to shield her. He’d look at me with obvious impatience. “Amber just graduated, isn’t it normal for her to make some mistakes? Why are you being so harsh on a new employee?” Over time, Amber became more and more brazen, to the point where she didn’t take me seriously at all anymore. Soon after, I left the parking garage. As I was waiting for the gate to lift, my car suddenly jolted as if rear-ended. Realizing I had been hit, I got out of the car, only to see Lucas and Amber getting out of the car behind me, hand in hand. “Oh no, I’m so sorry Rachel! I didn’t expect it to be you,” Amber immediately walked up, looking concerned at the dent in her own car’s front bumper. “But why did you brake so suddenly? I didn’t have time to react.” “What a shame, Lucas just bought me this new car,” she added with a pout. Lucas also glared at me coldly. “Did you do this on purpose? You knew Amber was behind you, so you deliberately slammed on the brakes to get back at her?” I almost laughed at the absurdity of it. There he went again, pushing all the blame onto me without even hearing my side. Before I could say anything, Amber’s eyes started to well up with tears. “Lucas, don’t blame Rachel,” she said. “It’s normal for her to be upset with me after quitting because of me.” “If anything, it’s my fault for causing all this trouble.” As she spoke, she made a show of clenching her fist and moving to hit herself on the forehead in frustration. But just before making contact, she deliberately loosened her hand. Lucas couldn’t see through her act. His eyes filled with tenderness as he gently rubbed her forehead. “It’s not your fault at all. Don’t take everything on yourself.” Then he turned to glare at me furiously. He seemed to get angrier the more he thought about it, and jabbed his finger at my forehead. “Rachel, can’t you learn from Amber and take some responsibility?” he scolded. “She knows how to be humble, while you’re still so childish and arrogant after all these years of working!” I stumbled back a couple steps from his push. When I recovered, I found the situation darkly amusing. For the past year, it had been Amber constantly stealing my achievements and using tricks to pin blame on me. Now suddenly she was the humble one with integrity, while I was childish and arrogant. Knowing it was pointless to argue further, I couldn’t be bothered to say anything more. I turned to leave. “Wait.” Lucas suddenly stopped me. I thought he was going to berate me again and defend Amber, but to my surprise, he pulled me aside. He spoke to me in a serious tone. “Rachel, I admit I was too harsh on you today.” “But it’s only because I have such high expectations for you, that’s why I’m so strict.” Hearing his gentle words, I was confused at first. But soon, I understood his intentions. Lucas gave me a slight smile and patted my shoulder. “I’ll withdraw your resignation. Just come back to work as usual. But find some time to publicly apologize to Amber, okay?” “Also, you’re fully at fault for this rear-ending. I’ll deduct the repair costs from your salary.” I realized what was happening and couldn’t help but laugh derisively. I glanced over at Amber. She had likely already known what Lucas was going to say. Her face was full of smugness as she winked at me provocatively. I scoffed. “No need,” I said firmly. “We can check the security cameras to see who was at fault for the accident. If you really want to pursue it, call the police.” “I have to go now. Goodbye.” With that, I walked away. Lucas shouted angrily behind me: “I already gave you a chance! Don’t come crying back later!” Regret? I wouldn’t regret this. I got back in my car and sent a message to Sophia. “I quit. I can start at your company tomorrow.” Sophia called back within seconds, her voice excited: “Are you serious?” She sounded a bit unsure: “Do you want to think it over with Lucas first?” Back when Sophia and Lucas were both starting their companies, Sophia had tried to recruit me. Compared to Lucas who was truly starting from scratch, Sophia had more resources and connections, and could offer me a much better compensation package. Sophia was in desperate need of top technical talent. She had promised me higher equity and profit sharing to entice me to help them out. Even after learning about my relationship with Lucas, she had made an exception and offered to let me work part-time. But for Lucas’s sake, I had rejected her without hesitation. Back when I was at my lowest point, lying in the snow nearly freezing to death, it was Lucas who had dragged me into a police station and saved my life. I was incredibly grateful to him, so I gave up everything else to pour my heart and soul into the business, doing whatever I could to help Lucas’s company grow step by step. But now it seemed he didn’t care about any of that. Besides, after all these years, I had more than repaid my debt of gratitude to him. There was no need for me to keep sacrificing myself anymore. “No need to discuss with him. I can make my own decisions,” I told Sophia firmly. We chatted a bit more and confirmed the time to sign the contract. Then I drove home first to get the documents I needed for the signing. I had thought Lucas wouldn’t be back until late at night as usual. But to my surprise, he came home soon after, talking happily on the phone with Amber as he walked into the living room. When he saw me, his expression immediately darkened. He rolled his eyes at me deliberately before going into the bedroom. I knew he was waiting for me to go comfort him. Every time we had a fight at work, I would always find ways to apologize and beg for his forgiveness. Even when he was the one in the wrong, I would swallow my pride and admit fault. In the past, I felt it was the right thing to do, whether to repay his kindness or to maintain our relationship. I thought I should be the one to comfort him. But now I just found it tiresome. I focused on searching through the drawers for the documents I needed. After a while, Lucas came out of the bedroom with a sullen face. “Did Amber get her car fixed? What about yours?” he asked. I knew this was his way of extending an olive branch. In the past, I would have taken this as a sign he had forgiven me, and eagerly tried to get back in his good graces. But now, I didn’t even look up as I replied flatly, “It’s just an old beater. Not worth fixing.” Lucas frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I looked up at him in confusion, not understanding what he was upset about now. This car had been scratched and dented many times before. Whenever I said I wanted to get it fixed, he would dismiss it with the same words I just used. I thought he was going to get angry again, but to my surprise, he let out a sigh. “Amber has been doing great work lately. I gave her the car as a way to retain this talent,” he explained. “You’re my girlfriend. We’re going to get married eventually – won’t the company be yours too? Why do you have to be so petty about salary and compete with her?” “Rachel, everything I do is for the company. I don’t want the other employees to think I’m showing favoritism towards you.” I was taken aback that he was actually trying to explain himself to me. He had never bothered to justify his actions to me before. But I knew these were just excuses. Everyone at the company knew how Lucas treated me versus Amber. Projects I had slaved over for days, he would suddenly hand over to Amber on a whim. She would just slap together a quick PowerPoint, and it would become her achievement. Clients I had spent days negotiating with, about to sign a contract – he would take Amber out for one dinner under my name, and suddenly the deal would be credited as Amber’s success. There were countless incidents like this. Over time, the other employees all came to believe Lucas favored Amber more. They even thought Lucas disliked me. Because of this, I endured a lot of cold shoulders and mistreatment at work. Lucas saw it happening but pretended not to notice. I didn’t want to explain. It wouldn’t matter anyway – even if I did, he would just accuse me of making excuses. “Oh,” I responded flatly. “You don’t need to tell me all this. I’m no longer involved with the company. Do whatever you think is best.” Lucas fell silent. Finally, he let out a sigh. He walked up to me and put his hands on my shoulders. “To be honest, I have selfish reasons too. I wanted you to take some time off to think about our wedding,” he said with a smile. “Have you thought about when we should get married?” But I had already picked out wedding dates many times before. Each time, he had refused. Every time we had a fight, he would use the prospect of marriage to appease me. Sometimes, I felt less like his girlfriend and more like a dog he was toying with. I said nothing. Lucas scratched under my chin playfully, as if petting a dog. “Don’t be mad anymore. Can you smile for me?” he coaxed. He planted a kiss on the back of my hand, as if deliberately trying to please me. He rarely showed me affection like this. In the past, I probably would have been overjoyed. After his display of affection, I would have taken the initiative to get closer, only to be pushed away as he laughed and called me a pervert. Looking back now, I found it all so tiresome. I yanked my arm away and wiped the spot he had kissed with a tissue. Lucas froze, as if struck by lightning. “You’re disgusted by me?” he asked in disbelief. “I have to go out later to take care of something. I’m going to change clothes now,” I said flatly. I turned to go back to the bedroom. Lucas tried to follow me, but I closed and locked the door without hesitation. “Fine! Rachel, don’t come crying back to me later!” Lucas seemed truly angry now. After yelling those words, he kicked the door hard before storming off. When I came out of the bedroom, the living room was empty. Lucas had sent a message in the company group chat saying he was treating everyone to dinner and asking who wanted to join. Everyone remained silent. Only Amber enthusiastically sent three “excited” emojis in a row. I knew Lucas was deliberately trying to provoke me. This had happened many times before. It always went the same way – the other employees were reluctant to attend, with only Amber showing enthusiasm. In the past, I would have gotten jealous and insisted on going too, only to be mocked by them. Now, I couldn’t be bothered to care. I went straight to meet Sophia and sign the contract. Sophia was thrilled and specially arranged a celebratory dinner for me. After a few drinks, I went to the restroom. As I was walking back, I heard familiar voices from a nearby private room. I instinctively paused. Through the partially open door, I saw Amber nestled in Lucas’s arms. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but Lucas was laughing happily. Taking advantage of the moment, Amber quickly leaned up and kissed him on the lips. Lucas froze for a second, but didn’t push her away. “Lucas, when are you going to break up with Rachel?” Amber asked coyly. “I can’t wait to be with you officially. Do you know how much it hurts me to see you with her every day?” Lucas opened his mouth as if to say something. In the end, he just hugged Amber tightly, patting her back gently like comforting a child. “Just wait a little longer,” he said softly. “It won’t be much longer now.” The two clung to each other intimately, looking every bit like a couple. I scoffed and walked away without watching any further. Back at the dinner, I had a few more drinks before we called it a night. As we were heading to the parking garage together, Sophia suddenly pulled me in front of a top-of-the-line Porsche and asked if I liked it. I nodded, confused. Thinking it was her new car, I was about to compliment it when Sophia unexpectedly pressed a key fob into my hand. “It’s for you,” she said with a wink. “Your old car is falling apart. I’ve been wanting to get you a new one for ages,” she explained. “Now that you’re officially on the team, it’s the perfect time for an upgrade.” I started to refuse, but she cut me off as if already knowing what I was going to say. “I heard Lucas bought a luxury car for that new hire at your old company,” she said bluntly. “If someone with her lousy skills can drive a fancy car, you definitely deserve something even better.” “You know, I’ve seen the work that new girl produces. The style is totally inconsistent every time – it’s obvious she’s just copying other people’s work. I have no idea how she’s managed to keep her job there…” Perhaps it was the alcohol, but Sophia held nothing back as she ranted about Amber. I remained silent. She was right. All those projects had actually been done by me and the other team members. Almost every time we were about to finish something, Lucas would suddenly demand we hand it over to Amber. That’s why Amber’s “style” was so inconsistent. Sophia could see through the situation without even being at the company. Yet somehow Lucas remained oblivious. I thanked Sophia and chatted with her a bit more before heading home. As I opened the front door, I found Lucas already sitting on the couch in the living room. “Where did you go?” he asked, his tone noticeably cheerful. The scene of him and Amber embracing at the restaurant flashed through my mind again. I felt a wave of nausea. “Had dinner with a friend,” I replied flatly, walking straight towards the bedroom. I had only taken a few steps when Lucas suddenly blocked my path, frowning. “You’ve been drinking?” “Didn’t we agree you wouldn’t drink when I’m not around?” he said accusingly. I couldn’t help but laugh derisively. What he really meant was that I was only allowed to drink when helping him entertain clients. I said nothing. Lucas seemed to realize something and suddenly smiled, looking rather pleased with himself. “You’re still upset about me going out with Amber earlier, aren’t you?” he said smugly. “You didn’t want me having dinner alone with her, but you were too proud to say it directly. Was it really worth drinking this much over?” “You’re overthinking things. My drinking had nothing to do with you,” I said wearily. I sat down in a chair, feeling tired. “But there is something I want to tell you.” “What is it?” Lucas asked. Probably thinking I was going to apologize, his tone became smug. “Let me tell you in advance – it’s too late to apologize now. I’m still very angry about what happened this afternoon,” he said haughtily. “Don’t think a simple ‘sorry’ will be enough for me to forgive you.” He rolled his eyes at me as he spoke. I pretended not to notice and started to say, “I…” Before I could finish, his phone suddenly rang. Lucas glanced down at it. I noticed the caller ID showed Amber’s name. “Hold on, I need to take this call,” he said dismissively. With that, Lucas completely ignored me and moved to answer the phone. I watched his cold, resolute back as he walked away, and calmly spoke up. “Let’s break up, Lucas.” As soon as the words left my mouth, Lucas’s body seemed to freeze for a moment.

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In my previous life, I chose the leopard-man, while my cousin got the merman. The leopard-man fell deeply in love with my cousin. He watched coldly as I was torn to pieces, then used the crystal earned from my life to curry favor with her. In my last life, I stayed away from the leopard-man and chose the merman instead. Little did I know that the merman would also be attracted to my cousin. He conspired with her to drown me, then threw himself into her arms. Now I’ve been reborn again. Faced with these two beast-men that my mother strongly recommends, I don’t want to choose either of them. Just as I’m struggling with how to choose, a black shadow flashes by my side. Overjoyed, I catch it and declare on the spot: “I want this one!” Then without waiting for anyone’s reaction, I quickly form a contract with it. “Damn it!” As the silver light symbolizing the completed contract flashes, a voice simultaneously echoes in my mind. “Contracting with me, are you trying to die again?” My cousin Lily is a year younger than me. She should have chosen her beast-man a year later, but she was so favored by the family elders that she persuaded them to let her choose a year early. To choose at the same time as me. Of the two beast-men my mother had carefully selected for me, one would now have to go to my cousin. “Aria, just choose whichever one you want,” my mother said. That’s exactly what I did two lives ago. I chose the leopard-man, who had the strongest speed and power in the family, while my cousin got the merman. But after contracting with me, the leopard-man was always in poor condition. I thought he just needed time to adjust, so I wanted to give him some time. But I never expected that after watching me be torn to pieces by other beast-men, the leopard-man would leap up and quickly kill them with a strength I had never seen before. He looked at my corpse without any remorse: “The biggest mistake you made was choosing me, making me miss out on Lily.” It turned out the leopard-man had always liked my cousin, and even resented me for it. So in my last life, after being reborn, I chose the merman without hesitation. The merman had a gentle personality, surely he couldn’t do anything to me. But I never imagined that the merman would also fall in love with Lily. For her sake, the supposedly gentle merman tricked me to the waters where he grew up and conspired with his people to drown me. After my death, he sat by the water, eyes downcast. “I’m sorry, but I really like Lily. I like her to the point of madness.” This time, I’ve been reborn again. Directly reborn to the moment of choosing a beast-man. Right now, the family elders are impatiently urging me: “Aria, how long are you going to dawdle? Lily is still waiting behind you!” I looked at the fierce-looking leopard-man, then glanced at the merman who was secretly looking at Lily, and my head started to ache. I quietly asked my mother if I could not choose. Mother firmly said: “No.” “Aria, are you worried about their strength? These are the ones I personally selected. This leopard-man is the most talented genius in history in terms of speed and strength, while the merman is the prince of their clan, with a high chance of becoming the Merman King in the future.” The situation was urgent, and I had no way to explain to my mother what had happened to me. “Aria, just choose. Lily can only have the one you don’t pick.” Mother’s eyes swept around, her words full of intimidation. “I know many people in the family look down on me, but they don’t have the power to make decisions over me yet.” But even though mother said this, I couldn’t not choose a beast-man. This was a long-standing rule in our magical family. Every member needed to choose a beast-man at the contract ceremony. If I just left without following the rules, my mother would definitely be harassed by those old geezers using this as an excuse. But these two beast-men wouldn’t stay with me wholeheartedly. As long as they fell in love with Lily, my life would still be in danger. Just as I was struggling with which beast-man would be easier to deal with. A black shadow flashed by. Long and thin, extremely fast, no one noticed it except me. A small snake of unknown species that couldn’t shapeshift, but with the unique magical fluctuations of a beast-man. Overjoyed, I caught it and announced on the spot: “I want this one!” Then without waiting for anyone’s reaction, I quickly formed a contract with it. “Damn it!” As the silver light symbolizing the completed contract flashed, a voice simultaneously echoed in my mind. “Contracting with me, are you trying to die again?” When I opened my eyes, everyone was looking at me with various expressions. Lily couldn’t contain her excitement and said loudly: “Cousin, after all that fuss, you just chose a little broken snake?” An elder shouted in dissatisfaction: “Aria, this is the contract ceremony, are you mocking us?” I raised my hand to show them the faint silver mark on my wrist. them “How am I mocking you? Didn’t I contract a beast-man?” Seeing I mocking you? the unique imprint symbolizing the contract between our family and beast-men, they finally believed that the little snake in my hand was really a beast-man. They reluctantly shut up. Next it was Lily’s turn to choose a beast-man. Only then did I have time to pick up the little snake in an unnoticed place. “Just now you said ‘die again’, what did you mean by that?” “You have the nerve to ask?” The snake didn’t open its mouth, but its voice sounded directly in my mind. A magnetic, deep male voice, gritting his teeth. “My powers have plummeted, and I’m forcibly bound to you, unable to leave a single step.” “In your last life, and the life before that, you died twice, and I died with you twice!” “Each time, it was just when I was about to regain my peak power!” “This time I didn’t want to be manipulated by you anymore and was about to leave first, but you actually caught me and contracted with me?!” 2. “I see, so we have such a deep connection.” Thinking about how someone had been reborn with me twice, it was quite an amazing feeling. “Heh,” the little snake laughed dryly, “I don’t want this kind of connection.” “From now on, we’ll have to fight side by side, you must protect me.” “I’ll be lucky if I don’t kill you.” I looked towards Lily in the distance, who was looking back and forth between the leopard-man and the merman. “What do you think, who will she choose?” “How would I know?” “Then in your opinion, who is stronger?” The weak snake body twisted in my hand, but his commentary was ruthless. “They’re both weak.” I didn’t bother trying to get an answer from the little snake anymore and focused on Lily’s situation. But unexpectedly, she turned her head and looked at me. “Cousin, who do you think I should choose?” With these words, everyone in the scene fell silent, waiting for my answer. Whether Lily followed my advice or not, the one who wasn’t chosen would inevitably hate me to the bone. She was using me to draw hatred. I laughed coldly: “Why don’t you take both, cousin?” “These two beast-men are both so excellent, I’m sure you’d be willing to split your spirit power for them.” Actually, each member of our family could contract more than one beast-man. But contracting a beast-man required occupying spirit power in the mind sea. If one wanted to contract multiple beast-men, they would need to split off a new piece of spirit power from their original mind sea for each contract. Spirit power was similar to mental energy. Even a tiny bit of damage would make one feel their soul trembling, extremely painful. Not to mention forcibly splitting the originally whole spirit power into several pieces. Sure enough, as soon as I finished speaking, Lily’s face changed. She forcibly suppressed the unwillingness on her face and smiled: “I was just joking. Actually, I’ve already made my choice.” She walked towards the taller and stronger leopard-man, cut her fingertip, and dripped blood onto his lowered forehead. Silver light appeared, and the contract was formed. The leopard-man looked smugly at the dissatisfied merman prince, then knelt on one knee the next second. “I am Zack. I will protect you, forever and ever.” I sighed, couldn’t help but think of the past. He watched indifferently as I stood in front of him, single-handedly resisting the attacks of other beast-men. At that time, he wasn’t as devoted as he is now. “What a stupid woman,” the little snake said venomously. “If you couldn’t beat them, why didn’t you run?” “And didn’t you know he didn’t care about you and couldn’t wait for you to die?” “How was I supposed to know then!” I angrily retorted. “And once we formed a contract, isn’t it natural to trust your partner with your back?” The little snake fell silent. After a long while, he reluctantly spoke: “I’m called Kieran.” The contract ceremony was over, and I was about to leave. I wanted to explain to my mother why I didn’t choose the beast-men she had prepared for me. But things weren’t over yet. The merman’s face was pale as he held Lily’s hand, giving her a pleading look. “You really don’t want me?” “I can use sound attacks, I can make people within a mile drop dead instantly.” “I can heal, as long as they’re not dead, I can save them.” Kieran laughed lightly: “That’s not all he’s best at.” I asked him what the merman was best at, but he clammed up again. But no matter how the merman begged, Lily still heartlessly let go of his hand. “I already have Zack.” “But you can contract two beast-men!” the merman said urgently. Lily shot me a hateful glance, blaming me for reminding the merman of this. How could she bear to go through the pain of splitting her spirit power? She violently shook off the merman’s hand, but still had to maintain her gentle and lovable image: “I’m sorry, I have enough with just Zack.” I was planning to make up a reason to explain to my mother why I didn’t choose the beast-men she had prepared for me. After all, rebirth wasn’t something that could be explained clearly in a short time. Not to mention being reborn twice. But she said: “If there’s something difficult to say, then you don’t need to explain. No matter what, I believe in my daughter.” In two rebirths, the only constant was that my mother always believed in me like this. I died inexplicably twice, I can’t imagine how painful it was for her. If only for my mother’s sake, I had to become stronger. Thinking of this, I looked firmly at Kieran. “Now that we’ve contracted, the next step is to train together.” Kieran was still as venomous as ever: “You think I need to train with you?” An incense stick later, he dragged his limp body and, under my coercion, said the words “I’m willing.” I bid farewell to my mother and took Kieran with me into the Trial Spirit Realm. 3. The Trial Spirit Realm was created in ancient times, forming its own small space with many rare magical beasts and treasures. I entered from the outer edges, starting by slaying the first magical beast, gradually moving inward. From initially being chased by magical beasts, to later being able to fight back, and finally being able to take on ten at once. Although Kieran was also busy improving his own cultivation, he didn’t stay with me, going out early and returning late every day, coming and going alone. But after two past lives, my bottom line for contracted beast-men had already dropped very low. As long as he didn’t kill me, it was fine if we weren’t together. Moreover, Kieran’s power increase also greatly benefited me as his contractor. Kieran transformed into human form in the third month. That night he came back earlier than usual. Seeing him appear, I dismissed the magical beasts that were massaging my legs and back, and took out the spirit fruit I had specially picked for him. “Come quickly, this Feather Spirit Fruit is most suitable for your snake clan to cultivate.” As I said this, I tried to stuff the Feather Spirit Fruit into his mouth. But before my hand could reach his mouth, a strange scene suddenly appeared before my eyes. A white mist spread out from nowhere. A hand with distinct knuckles reached out from the mist and grabbed my wrist. “Who told you I’m from the snake clan?” It was still Kieran’s magnetic voice. The difference was that he was now in human form. Dressed in black robes, tall and handsome features. He looked quite good-looking… “Fine, if you don’t want it, I’ll eat it myself.” I ignored the slight flutter in my heart and threw the Feather Spirit Fruit into my mouth. But unexpectedly, Kieran intercepted it halfway and stuffed it into his own mouth. What a fickle snake clan. After that, Kieran changed his attitude and always followed behind me, even when I wanted to use the bathroom… This was not good, because Kieran wouldn’t help me fight against magical beasts together. Under his powerful pressure, no magical beasts would even come near me. I helplessly protested to him. He thought for a moment and agreed to my request. After that, it became Kieran forcing a group of magical beasts to chase me, while I had to fight hard against a large group for self-preservation. In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed. All the magical beasts in the Trial Spirit Realm had been beaten by me and now bowed to me as their master. It was time to leave. On the day we left, I saw my mother’s figure at the entrance of the spirit realm from afar. “Mother!” I ran over excitedly. Mother looked me up and down, a smile of admiration on her lips: “Aria, you’ve improved a lot.” I leaned affectionately on my mother’s shoulder: “Of course, I am mother’s child after all.” The moment was peaceful, but suddenly an unpleasant voice sounded. It was Lily. “Cousin has indeed improved so quickly, you must have obtained many treasures in the Trial Spirit Realm.” Her eyes were evasive: “But cousin is the daughter of Aunt, the family leader, so these things are rightfully yours.” With Lily’s words, the eyes of the family members who came to greet me changed. As if my power increase was really due to my mother abusing her authority and giving me many benefits. I shook my head: “It seems cousin really doesn’t understand the Trial Spirit Realm.” “I stayed in the Trial Spirit Realm for half a year, creating the longest record in our family’s history, yet you still think my power increase was due to external objects.” Lily was used to pretending to be weak and innocent. In the past, I had never embarrassed her in public. Now her face looked very unpleasant, but I wasn’t finished. “Oh, I just remembered, cousin hasn’t entered the Trial Spirit Realm for training yet, right?” “Although our family has always had the rule of going for trials after completing the contract with a beast-man, you contracted your beast-man early, which was already an exception.” “Understandable.” Lily just wanted to say that I had a family leader as a mother and received preferential treatment. But I wanted to tell everyone that she, Lily, was the one who was the exception again and again. “Yeah, Lily has already contracted a beast-man, why hasn’t she participated in the trials?” Some dissatisfied peers began to speak loudly, “We all went through life and death to come out of the Trial Spirit Realm, why does she get to be so special?” Lily also heard these words and became a bit guilty. “My beast-man and I are of one heart and mind, we don’t need to cultivate our rapport anymore.” As soon as these words came out, many people laughed. “You don’t think the trials are just to hone the rapport between you and your beast-man, do you? The trials are also a way to improve your strength!” Just as Lily didn’t know how to answer. Suddenly a figure appeared in the distance, flashing past the blocking crowd in the blink of an eye, arriving at Lily’s side. This terrifying speed made most people present exclaim in admiration. This was Zack, Lily’s leopard-man. He held Lily tightly in his arms, raising his head slightly: “Do you think my strength is not enough, and Lily needs to suffer extra hardships?” No one spoke, all acknowledging Zack’s strength. “Lily’s special treatment is backed by me.” Zack made such a statement, then left with Lily in his arms. Before leaving, he glanced in our direction. But he seemed to not notice Kieran behind me at all, only looking at me. A sinister glance, full of warning. 4. I frowned imperceptibly. It seemed that no matter what, Zack was very hostile towards me. I still couldn’t let my guard down. Soon came the day of the family’s grand competition. According to family rules, every young member who had a contracted beast-man needed to participate in the family’s grand competition. The winner would receive rewards of top-grade magical tools and pills. They could also exchange this opportunity to obtain magical tools and pills for a wish. If it wasn’t too excessive, the family elders would allow and help fulfill it. Lily came specially to tell me that she was also going to participate in this competition. “Cousin, I drew you as my opponent. But my beast-man is very powerful, you don’t mind, do you?” “I do mind.” Two lives ago, I was called away by Zack on the eve of the competition, and encountered a group of out-of-control beast-men on the way back. After I died, Zack dealt with these beast-men and offered the crystals from their bodies to Lily. Lily’s cultivation increased greatly because of this, and she became the winner of the competition. And the wish she made was to receive Zack, this beast-man who had lost his contracted master. With the help of the elders and magical tools, Lily didn’t suffer any pain from splitting her spirit power, and got two beast-men. And my soul was completely scattered, reborn into my last life… Not expecting me to actually answer that I minded, Lily’s face froze. “Cousin, winning this competition, I have something very important to do. So, I must participate.” I smiled faintly: “Then why are you asking why?” “I…” Lily stammered until Zack came and held her in his arms. “Aria Frost.” He narrowed his eyes at me, “If you had been a little nicer to Lily, I might have considered letting you lose gracefully.” “But with you treating her like this, I have no choice.” At this time, Kieran silently exerted his pressure beside me. Zack was caught off guard and instantly fell to his knees. “Someone as weak as you,” Kieran slowly walked in front of Zack and squatted down: “Tell me specifically, how were you planning to make her lose?” Zack used all his strength but still couldn’t break free from Kieran’s pressure. In the end, it was Lily who actively apologized to me before Kieran let them go. As they left, their conversation clearly reached Kieran’s and my ears. “Lily, I’m sorry…” “No, Zack, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s my fault, I’m too weak.” “Lily, I will definitely protect you, I will!” From that day on, Lily and Zack never appeared in front of me again. Until the day of the family competition. Lily stood opposite me, but showed no panic at all. I took the initiative to attack, and Lily was injured after just a few moves. Now it was time for our respective beast-men to take the stage. “Aria Frost, I hate that arrogant look of yours the most. Just because you have a family leader as a mother, what’s there to be so proud of.” Lily smiled strangely: “Everything you possess, from today onwards, will be taken by me.” As soon as I saw Zack appear, I roughly understood what was going on. Zack had taken a forbidden drug.

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Everyone in Eastwood City knew it. Julian Blackwood, the most influential CEO, had loved me for eight years and proposed 99 times. I was deeply moved, willing to abandon my adventurous exploration career and return from Iceland to the warm, comfortable city. But three years into our marriage, Julian brought home a woman with a visibly pregnant belly. That’s when I realized: all that time, he wasn’t just preparing his proposals. He’d found a stand-in to ease his loneliness. “Anya, I know you still dream of exploring, and you don’t want to have children. I’ll give you your freedom.” “Let’s keep this baby. Once he’s born, you’ll be his mother.” I looked at him quietly, my eyes red, a bitter laugh escaping me. “Is this really about my freedom, Julian? Or is it that the Blackwood family can’t be without an heir?” “Or is it that you, Julian Blackwood, have been cheating on me again and again, all these years you claimed to love me the most?” … I stared at the woman beside him, her face agonizingly familiar, and my stomach churned. “Julian, is this what you call loving me?” The man, now kneeling, stiffened. Julian looked up, his eyes filled with a tortured sort of affection. “Anya, I messed up. You kept rejecting me back then, and I felt frustrated and lost. It was like I lost my mind…” “We’d already cleared things up after we got married! This accidental pregnancy was because I was completely wasted and ran into Chloe. She looks just like you, Anya…” I pulled at the corners of my mouth, my face blank. “So, you just went with the flow for eight months, waited until her belly was too big to abort, and then told me, expecting me to just accept it?” Julian hesitated, but Chloe, standing nearby, burst into tears first. “Anya, please don’t blame Julian. I secretly kept the baby; he didn’t know.” “I’ll accept any punishment, any blame. I beg your forgiveness!” She began to kneel. But she was stopped. Julian’s face darkened, and he snapped at her: “Your belly is so big, and you’re still so careless. Are you trying to deliberately hurt the baby, just so outsiders will think Anya is bullying you and being cruel?” “Go stand over there!” He turned to me, his voice gentle. “Anya, I know you’re kind and wouldn’t want to trouble a pregnant woman. So I’ll discipline her for you.” I just found it utterly ridiculous. Did he really think I couldn’t see this was just him protecting Chloe? I watched, horrified, as an anxious, worried look – one Julian himself didn’t even seem to notice – replaced the pure, overflowing love that once filled his eyes. My heart felt as if it had been brutally pressed into scorching whiskey, choking me, suffocating me. I closed my eyes, fighting to steady the tremor in my voice. “What if I said I don’t accept this child?” Julian’s brows furrowed. His normally calm and composed face was contorted with anguish and indecision. “Anya, you know how much I love you. No matter what happens, your place in my heart will never change.” “I can promise you, as soon as the baby is born, I’ll send Chloe abroad. You’ll never see her again, and the child will only recognize you as his mother…” Julian said a lot, but he never once mentioned getting rid of the baby or sending it away. Yes, I knew Julian loved me. But if I forgave this, this child would become a constant thorn in my heart. A constant anxiety, periodically piercing my flesh, making me relive the pain of betrayal unexpectedly. My gaze hardened. Just as I was about to speak, Chloe suddenly cried out: “Ah! My stomach hurts so much!” “Julian, what do I do? Am I going into labor?” Julian’s face changed. He stood up without hesitation, scooping Chloe into his arms. “Anya, I need to take her to the hospital. I’ll come back and explain everything!” But I clearly saw the mocking curl on Chloe’s lips. Her face showed not a trace of pain. I bit my lower lip. “Julian, don’t go.” He paused. “If you leave now, then don’t ever…” “I’m sorry, Anya! I’ll take her to the hospital and be right back home… immediately! Ten minutes…” The door slammed shut with a heavy thud, thrown by the man’s hurried steps. The door closed, leaving the room utterly empty. My body slowly slid to the floor. Suddenly, I received a text message. It was a photo of hands clasped over a pregnant belly, with a message attached: “A happy family, all together. So who’s the third wheel now?” 2 My breath caught in my throat. The tears I’d fought back finally broke free, gushing uncontrollably. I clutched my phone, knuckles white. But before I could even process it, another call came in. It was Julian’s mom, Vivian. “Anya, I heard about the baby.” “You’re angry, but you also need to think. You and Julian have been married for three years without a child. If you can’t have one, are you going to stop someone else from having one?” “Don’t get me wrong, but when this baby is born, won’t you be the one who benefits? A free baby without the pain of childbirth – what’s better than that?” Vivian Blackwood had always had something against me. She used every chance to lecture me. I suddenly calmed down. “You think this is a good thing?” “You’re so open-minded about it. Maybe Julian was also ‘brought home’ by his father, from someone else?” Sure enough, the person on the other end erupted into a furious tirade. “…The moment my son was enchanted by you, I knew you’d be the biggest mistake of his life!” I hung up the phone. Vivian’s last words echoed in my ears long after. I was Julian’s mistake? But wasn’t he mine too? After Julian fell for me at first sight in college, he launched an intense pursuit. Even when I rejected him again and again, he never gave up. After graduating, I joined a world exploration team and flew to the Arctic. He followed closely, relentlessly declaring his love. His 99 meticulously planned proposal videos are still famous all over the internet. Even my heart, often so guarded, was finally moved by his daily persistence. For what I believed was true love, I put aside my dreams. But for someone accustomed to the freedom of wandering, trying to adapt to a stable life was incredibly difficult. I constantly suppressed the suffocating feeling of being trapped. Now, that pure, sincere love that first moved me was gone. Silence surrounded me. One thought became clearer and clearer in my mind. … I never waited for Julian to come home. All I got was a complaining call. “Anya, Mom said you cussed her out… Please understand, she just wants to hold a grandchild.” Suddenly, I heard a woman’s soft, whiny voice from the other end. Julian’s voice cut off abruptly. Listening to the fumbling on the other end as he muffled the phone, I let out a breath and said softly: “Julian, let’s get a divorce.” As expected, he disagreed, and started begging again. But I’d heard too many meaningless apologies. I hung up the phone, sharp and decisive, and quickly packed my bags. Besides essential necessities, everything else could be left behind and bought again. Perhaps my past exploration experiences had influenced my mindset—leaving on a whim required quick decision-making. And failed love was no different. I knew Julian was still at the hospital. The closest hospital to here would take at least half an hour. He couldn’t make it in time. —But I underestimated Julian’s madness. When I saw that steady, understated Cadillac chasing my car, its tires practically smoking, my heart leaped. Julian’s car clearly showed signs of collision, but he was still speeding up like a maniac. Afraid of an accident, I reluctantly pulled over. “Julian, what do you want?” Looking at the man whose eyes were filled with hidden fury, the emotions I’d suppressed burst out like a tsunami. “You’re the one who claimed to love me, yet found a stand-in to sleep with. You’re the one who cheated again after we married, your body and soul tainted, disgusting.” “Julian, I’m letting you have your perfect little family. Why won’t you let me go?” The love I thought was worth giving up my freedom for, turned out to be nothing but a bubble from the very beginning. The laughable part was, I had silently endured it for three years. By the end, every word was raw with pain. Julian’s eyes were also red, and he collapsed to his knees. “Anya, I didn’t betray you. This child was truly an accident. Later, I thought, I didn’t want you to get hurt having a baby…” I brushed away his hand gripping my sleeve and gave a cold, dismissive pull at my lips. “Stop with the pretty words, Julian. I don’t tolerate disloyalty in love, and besides… we’re not a good fit.” “Perfect. The baby’s born. You and your family can live happily ever after. As for us, this is the end.” With that, I turned and walked toward my car. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through the back of my neck. The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was Julian’s crazed expression. 3 When I woke up again, I was back in my bedroom. “Anya, you’re not leaving me.” Looking at Julian, who appeared haggard, the word “captivity” surfaced in my mind. I turned my head away, refusing to look at him. Julian didn’t seem to care. “Anya, Blackwood Corp’s PR department has already released the news that you’re pregnant. Now everyone in Eastwood City knows you’re about to…” I was so angry I laughed. “How do I not know I’m pregnant?” Julian took a deep breath, looking exhausted. “Stop messing around, Anya. This child, of course, can only be yours.” “Chloe is about to give birth. Just behave yourself for a while. Once the baby is born, I’ll settle Chloe, and then we’ll…” I cut him off coldly. “Get out.” Julian tried to say more, but his phone rang. “Julian, I’m so uncomfortable. The doctor said the mother needs the baby’s father present, otherwise my mood will worsen and affect labor…” Chloe’s delicate, pleading voice wafted from the phone. Julian’s eyes filled with worry. He looked at me, hesitating. Seeing my silence, he suddenly got angry. “Anya, you don’t want to see me, but someone else desperately wants me to stay.” “If you don’t say anything, I’m really leaving?” The frustration in his eyes mounted. Julian, in a fit of pique, threw out a “Fine, don’t regret it,” and stormed out the door. Even though I was utterly disappointed, watching Julian leave still made my heart ache. I slumped onto the bed, trying to calm myself. After a long while, I dialed a number. “My darling, why are you calling today?” “We even heard about ‘Mrs. Blackwood’s’ pregnancy all the way in Iceland! Your husband was so clingy before; now that you’re about to give birth, he must be glued to your side every day…” I gently cut her off. “That baby isn’t mine.” The line went silent. Even through the phone, I could imagine the shocked expression on her face. I gave a self-deprecating laugh and continued: “I’ll send you my ID information in a bit. Help me book a flight for the day after tomorrow afternoon…” Before I could finish, the door swung open. I quickly hung up. Looking up, I met Chloe’s gaze. “Anya Reed, you look awful.” “What? Does it bother you that I can make Julian leave with just one phone call?” “I thought you’d voluntarily step aside once you knew Julian chose my child. I never thought you’d shamelessly cling to your position.” Chloe’s face was filled with blatant arrogance, a stark contrast to the timid obedience she’d shown before. I shot back without hesitation. “About to give birth and still running around like this? Aren’t you afraid you’ll lose the only thing you have going for you in that belly?” I stared at her. “Just because you’re pregnant, you naively think you can successfully become the primary partner?” Chloe’s expression turned furious, but she didn’t move, only snarled in a low voice: “Having a child might not be enough, but what if it could drive a wedge between you two?” The next second, she clutched her stomach and stumbled backward. She didn’t fall. A pair of strong arms appeared behind her, catching her. Julian shielded Chloe, his eyes blazing with anger. For the first time, he yelled at me: “What are you doing, Anya Reed! She’s pregnant! She’s innocent! How could you just lay hands on her like that?!” Chloe looked at Julian with tearful gratitude, half-wailing, half-whining: “Julian, I’m so uncomfortable, but I don’t want you to fight with Anya again because of me. It’s all my fault…” Watching Julian softly comfort the woman in his arms, I felt a bitter taste spread through my mouth. I pulled at the corners of my lips, got out of bed, and slowly walked forward. “I laid hands on her?” 4 “Watch closely. This is me actually laying hands on her!” Before either of them could react, I slapped Chloe across the face. Her head snapped to the side. Instantly, her cheek swelled, a clear red handprint appearing. Julian’s pupils constricted. He shoved me violently. “Are you crazy, Anya Reed! She’s pregnant!” My thigh slammed against the glass corner of the coffee table, leaving a long gash. Blood spurted out, and the sudden, searing pain made my face go pale. I clearly saw the disappointment in Julian’s eyes. “When did you become so vicious and unforgiving?” I bit down hard on my lower lip and scoffed. “Have *I* changed, or have *you* changed? Oh, wait, if I had known you were flattering me while sleeping with someone else, I would never have agreed to your proposal.” I stared at him, enunciating each word: “Julian, you disgust me.” Julian’s breath hitched. He suddenly slapped me. Caught off guard, I nearly fell. A ringing sound echoed in my ears. In a dizzying whirl of disorientation, my former lover’s distorted face was chillingly clear. Julian only registered what he’d done when he met my bitter smile. His arm, wrapped around Chloe, loosened slightly. He mumbled, wanting to say something, but was interrupted. “Julian, I’m so uncomfortable…” Julian hesitated for a moment, a complex mix of emotions flashing in his eyes before finally settling into indifference. “Anya, you need to reflect on yourself. I’m taking Chloe back to the hospital first.” A corner of my heart crumbled with a resounding crash. My gaze went numb as I lowered my head. Over the next few days, Julian was nowhere to be seen, but a renovation team arrived. They said Mr. Blackwood wanted to reconfigure the house layout and set up a nursery. I found it utterly ridiculous inside, but on the surface, I behaved exceptionally obediently. Seeing this, Julian agreed to let me accompany him to the hospital to wait for Chloe to give birth. Chloe was still restless as she was wheeled into the delivery room, making provocative gestures with her lips toward me. I pulled at the corner of my mouth and took a few steps forward, but Julian suddenly grabbed my wrist, clamping it tightly to the cold metal chair. He knew I disliked pain and confinement. Once upon a time, he cherished me like a rare treasure, terrified of me getting even a scratch. But now, my wrist was bruised, and the ugly scar on my thigh from two days ago didn’t even register in his eyes. Julian didn’t notice my inner turmoil. He frowned and said: “Anya, I only agreed to you coming if you promised not to cause trouble.” “Just wait patiently for Chloe to deliver. Afterward, you’ll be the first to hold the baby, to bond with him.” I took a long, hard look at the man before me, then gave a soft, almost ethereal smile, tinged with relief and lightness. “Okay.” Julian, instead, looked stunned. He stared at my calm, seemingly detached expression, and a sudden panic stirred within him. But his mom, Vivian, was still urging him on, so he had to suppress his chaotic emotions. … Chloe gave birth to a son. Blackwood Corp’s PR department immediately announced that “Mrs. Blackwood” had successfully given birth to a son, and the whole internet celebrated. The hospital room was likewise filled with joy. Vivian Blackwood couldn’t stop smiling. Julian looked at the exhausted new mother with a praiseful, tender gaze, as if he’d completely forgotten his promise hours earlier that I would be the first to hold the baby. Amidst the celebratory atmosphere, I quietly slipped out of the hospital room. But just as I stepped into the jeep waiting at the hospital entrance, Julian’s voice, trembling, called out from behind me. “Anya, where are you going?” I turned, meeting Julian’s panicked face. His eyes held a desperate plea as he frantically ran towards me. “Don’t…”

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Jasmine became an overnight sensation after playing a bullied schoolgirl in a movie.
Fans called her the “White Rose” of the entertainment industry.
She jumped into icy water in winter just to film a scene perfectly. Meanwhile, I would only complain and wrap myself tightly in a coat when the crew asked me to wear a spaghetti strap dress.
After she subtly pointed out my wickedness countless times,
Angry fans sent me to the All-People’s Court for judgment.
They requested that I be judged for four crimes: [Violence], [Heartlessness], [Laziness], and [Promiscuity].
But I just smiled lightly at the camera and grabbed Jasmine’s long hair:
”You’re all so stupid, being played like fools by a born villain.” 1
 This is a world where public judgment prevails.
As long as 100,000 netizens jointly petition, they can send someone to the court.
I’m a notorious scandal-ridden actress in the industry, not very famous but always in trouble.
Not following the crew’s arrangements, being exposed for bullying the weak, willingly getting involved in others’ relationships – all kinds of negative news surrounded me.
Naturally, I became the perfect foil for my sister Jasmine.
Jasmine isn’t my biological sister; we just grew up in the same orphanage.
But even so, when you compare a pure and flawless white flower to a vicious man-eating flower,
Not to mention how Jasmine would often encourage me to turn over a new leaf on social media.
Deliberately pointing out my viciousness.
Of course, the fans became furious. 100,000 people joined hands to list my four crimes.
Successfully sending me to the All-People’s Court.
The impartial Karmic Judge would determine whether my four crimes were established and decide if I would go to jail.
I sat expressionlessly in the defendant’s seat.
The live stream’s comments instantly flooded the screen. [Skylar is actually really pretty…]
[Sweet face but cruel heart, that’s her!]
[She’s just a bitch, always bullying our Jasmine back at the orphanage.]
[I hope the trial ends quickly, and Skylar gets locked up for ten years!] Suddenly, Jasmine pulled a child with lowered eyes to stand in front of me: “Sister, I hope you won’t be sentenced! The kids from the orphanage and I all hope you can do well.” Seeing her trying hard to suppress her upturned mouth, I chuckled softly.
I reached out to gently stroke her silky black hair, then suddenly yanked it hard.
I was satisfied to see her pained expression: “You think I’m as stupid as them? To believe the words of a born villain like you!” Jasmine winced, letting out a weak cry of surprise: “Sister, you’re mistaken about me…” I sneered and pushed her away. [How dare she call Jasmine a villain when she’s done so many bad things herself!]
[Judge, can you teach her a lesson!] Jasmine’s poor acting made me laugh, but oddly enough, there was a group of supporters willing to be fooled by her.
I looked at her pretending to sob quietly with an indifferent expression.
No wonder she could hurt so many people and still escape, she’s been acting since she was a child. Jasmine, do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this day? 2
 A video started playing on the big screen.
The former director of the orphanage sat in a wheelchair with tears in her eyes: “Skylar, I don’t blame you for ruining my legs. Just admit your mistakes…” The comments went silent for a moment, then started scrolling frantically. [Is Skylar sick? The director was so kind, and she ruined her legs?]
[Oh my god, so that’s why the orphanage changed directors! She hurt the previous one!] Some angry audience members started cursing at me, and some even threw their shoes at me in their rage. “You ungrateful wretch, growing up in an orphanage and then hurting your own director!”
”You bitch, being so cold to your own director and sister! Who knows what else you’ve done behind people’s backs!”
”How can someone be so black-hearted? Look at her unrepentant face, it makes me so angry!” The Karmic Judge cleared his throat and had the staff put the judgment device on me.
The judgment device would extract memory fragments from my mind as evidence for this trial. “The trial begins! First crime: Violence!” The director also accused me of being violent towards the other children who grew up with me in the orphanage, bullying them more than once.
She even produced medical diagnoses from that time. I sneered coldly. Did they think providing evidence meant it was the truth? The big screen started playing extracted fragments of my memories for the Karmic Judge to make a judgment under the supervision of all the spectators. A little girl with two small pigtails and a soft, chubby white face full of anxiety: “Jasmine, did they bully you again?” This was me at seven years old. The comments were also stunned for a moment: [Was Skylar so cute when she was little?]
[Were she and Jasmine so close when they were young?] Jasmine threw herself into my arms with a sob: “Skylar, how could they do this to me?” Looking at her torn princess dress, I said sympathetically: “They’re too much! I’ll go settle accounts with them. Don’t be sad!” The scene changed, and the chubby-faced little girl angrily rushed in front of several children taller than her. “Harrison, why do you always bully Jasmine!” Her milky voice rang out. The boy in front looked me up and down: “Little fool, did Jasmine call you over to stand up for her again?” I was stunned: “What do you mean?” Harrison tapped my head: “You really are silly. She came over here herself to show off her new dress to us.” “Jasmine was just too happy…” I fidgeted with my fingers awkwardly. Harrison sighed: “Little Five wanted to buy study materials, but the director said there was no money, then turned around and bought her a new dress… Don’t be too kind-hearted, you’re being used as a pawn.” I didn’t notice Jasmine quietly following behind me.
But the big screen clearly showed the strange look in her eyes, unsuitable for a five-year-old child.
It seemed to be jealousy, or perhaps anger. [Jasmine’s eyes look so scary…]
[To be honest, five-year-olds don’t understand anything. How could Skylar bully others?]
[Agreed with the above, she’s just a little bean herself, how could she bully other children? And they seem to treat Skylar quite well.] Jasmine sat in the audience, looking at the comments with a gloomy expression. Late at night, Jasmine dragged me to the orphanage’s garage.
Two small figures huddled together in the dark. I looked at the pin she handed me with difficulty: “Jasmine, we shouldn’t do this! What if something goes wrong!” Jasmine smiled sweetly as she pushed the pin into my hand: “It’s fine, we’re just scaring them a little! They don’t ride bikes much anyway.” I pulled my hand back: “I don’t want to! Jasmine, I’m going back first. You shouldn’t do this either!” Jasmine watched my retreating back with an expressionless face, picking up the pin from the ground. 3
 The next day, the director suddenly announced a bicycle race.
The winner would get a new set of study materials. I worriedly watched Harrison and the others eagerly preparing.
Glancing at Jasmine’s smug face, I quietly approached Harrison. Tugging at his sleeve, I muttered: “Don’t ride bikes, it’s very dangerous.” The boy scratched his head carelessly: “I’m very good at riding bikes, I’ll show you in a bit.” I opened my mouth to say more, but Jasmine pulled me away. “Jasmine, you didn’t…” Before I could finish, Jasmine covered my mouth. She looked around: “Skylar, I didn’t do anything, don’t talk nonsense!” I felt relieved hearing that, but an accident happened right before our eyes. As they were riding, a rope suddenly appeared on the track ahead.
Harrison’s bicycle went out of control and fell heavily to the ground. Some of the other kids’ bikes had flat tires, while others had broken brakes. I watched with wide eyes as they tumbled into a heap.
Glancing at Jasmine’s pleased expression on her childish face, I hurriedly ran over to help them up. The director quickly called for a car to take them to the hospital.
I watched the director’s seemingly anxious expression, always feeling something was off. The video ended there… The comments seemed to freeze, only starting to scroll after a while. [These children getting hurt wasn’t Skylar’s doing!]
[Skylar was so cute when she was little, I think she’s quite nice…]
[Maybe she turned bad when she grew up!] I listened to the doubts from the audience seats with an indifferent expression. The Karmic Judge gestured for the evidence team staff to present the evidence. In the video, a handsome young man pushed up the glasses on his nose: “Hello everyone, I’m Little Five, the orphanage child who was allegedly bullied by Skylar… I feel it’s necessary to clarify that our group who grew up together all liked Skylar very much. The so-called medical diagnoses online were from when we got hurt in that bicycle race! I hope everyone won’t just follow the crowd and hurt a truly good person.” The comments couldn’t believe what they were hearing. [What the hell, is this a helper Skylar hired?]
[I think Jasmine is the one with issues… Didn’t you see her staying in the bike shed that night?]
[Above, this is a famous AI designer in the industry now.]
[Skylar may not have bullied anyone, but she did other bad things!] The Karmic Judge’s gaze was cold as he made his judgment: “Skylar’s first crime: Violence, verdict not guilty!” As the judge’s words fell, Jasmine’s hand secretly tightened, causing the orphanage child she was holding to whimper softly in pain. I noticed the commotion on her side, my gaze growing cold, as if it could form icicles. Jasmine, you and your backer won’t be smug for long! 4
 “Judging the second crime: Heartlessness!” The Karmic Judge tapped the gavel in front of him.
The trial began again. I was accused of maliciously setting fire to the orphanage, causing the director’s legs to be amputated. The extracted memories this time started from a few days before the fire occurred at the orphanage. Me as a high school student, already grown into a graceful young lady. The beautiful Jasmine clung to my wrist: “Skylar, I heard there will be many famous entrepreneurs coming to the orphanage’s donation banquet tomorrow night!” I smiled faintly and pulled my arm away: “Is that so?” Unlike when I was little, I wasn’t so easily fooled anymore.
By this time, I had vaguely started to notice Jasmine’s insincerity and began to distance myself from her. The director walked gently into the courtyard: “Skylar, Jasmine, dress up nicely tomorrow and perform well, don’t be nervous.” Watching her softly stroke Jasmine’s hair, a dark glint flashed in my eyes. Some people in the comments noticed my expression. [What kind of look is that on Skylar’s face? Is she jealous of our Jasmine?]
[She must be jealous that the director likes our Jasmine!] Soon it was the day of the banquet. I, who had been living at school, returned to the orphanage to help out. While getting vases from the storage room,
I heard the director on the phone: “Mr. Shen, I know your taste. Don’t worry, I’ll arrange everything.” Standing in the corner, enveloped by the shadows, I felt something was very wrong. Lily, noticing my tightly furrowed brow, asked with concern: “Big sis Skylar, what are you thinking about?” I patted her head.
But she flinched, and my expression changed: “Is someone bullying you?” Lily was a few years younger than me and had only been at the orphanage for a short time. She was good at reading people’s expressions. When I occasionally returned to the orphanage on breaks, I would often help her with her studies. Seeing her tightly gripping her sleeves and her evasive gaze, I felt suspicious.
I suddenly grabbed her hand and pushed up her sleeve: “What… happened to this!” My voice trembled as I saw Lily’s thin arm covered in bruises and swelling. Lily carefully looked around, and seeing no one else, she threw herself into my arms and burst into tears. Listening to her sobbing confession in my ear, my eyes turned blood-red, as if about to drip blood. [Can anyone in the comments hear what this little girl is whispering in Skylar’s ear?]
[Can’t hear, in this situation she probably subconsciously hid this part of the conversation…]
[She’s not planning to do something bad, is she?]
[Skylar’s expression is so scary.] I followed Lily into her room. On the other bed in the double room lay a girl with a deathly pale face. My face was as cold as water. Lily met my eyes and nodded firmly. In the footage, I seemed to want to rush out.
But suddenly thinking of something, I stopped in my tracks. I turned back to pour a glass of water for the girl and brought it to her parched lips. The audience whispered among themselves: “This Skylar seems quite kind-hearted!” [You can’t judge a book by its cover, who knows what she’s plotting in her mind.]
[Don’t forget she’s an arsonist and a troublemaker!] At the banquet, the director enthusiastically invited the orphanage children and donors to take photos together.
Seeing how timid the children were, the anger in my heart burned uncontrollably. The orphanage quieted down.
The director, with a smile on her face, led the donors through the dormitories. I hid behind them, watching their disgusting, jovial manner with a frosty expression.
Quietly turning the lighter in my hand. [Look! She started the fire at the orphanage!]
[Skylar has such a vicious heart! She wanted to burn the donors and the orphanage people to death!]
[Could she be what they call an antisocial personality?] Jasmine’s mouth curved upward, smiling gently as she looked at me.
With malice in her eyes, she mouthed to me: Skylar, arsonist, you’re finished!

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My cousin saw a marriage video online and wanted to marry an enclave leader, dreaming of living like royalty. The two handsome men in the video seemed so sincere. [“We’re simply looking for a wife to spend our lives with. We promise to treat you well, cherish you, and grow old together.”] Something felt off to me. I begged my cousin not to go. Six months later, my cousin saw a viral live stream. There, in plain sight, were the same enclave leaders from the marriage video. A woman nestled happily in their arms, gushing about her blissful and incredibly wealthy life post-marriage. Turns out, the enclave leaders were worth hundreds of millions. That very day, my cousin burst into my apartment and grabbed me, squeezing my neck tight. “You b*tch! Why did you stop me from marrying into a wealthy family?!” When I opened my eyes again, I saw my cousin, Tiffany, blushing as she asked me, “Maya, should I go meet them?” I opened my eyes again, and the phantom sensation of being choked still lingered on my neck. Cold sweat instantly drenched my back. I looked around. It was my familiar rental apartment, the lingering scent of instant noodles still in the air. Had I… come back to life? “Maya, what are you spacing out for? Come on, help me look!” My cousin, Tiffany Miller’s voice, jolted me back to reality. I stiffly turned my head. She was holding up her phone, and on the screen played a video I knew all too well. In the video, two men stood side by side. One was mature and composed, the other bright and charming. Both wore clothes that hinted at an exotic, far-off land. “Miss Tiffany Miller, hello. I’m Kael,” the older brother, Kael Thorne, said, his voice deep and magnetic, his eyes sincere. His younger brother, Zane Thorne, then spoke, his smile dazzling. “And I’m Zane.” “We are sincerely looking for a wife to spend our lives with.” “From the first moment we saw you, we knew, Tiffany, you are the one destined for us.” “We sincerely invite you to meet us, to give us a chance to get to know you, won’t you?” In my previous life, my first reaction to that marriage video was utter absurdity. What era were we in? Claiming ‘destiny’ after seeing someone only on a video? This was either a catfishing scam or worse, a human trafficking trap. Pure bait. I painstakingly tried to explain the risks to Tiffany, from online fraud to human trafficking, from fake personas to international crime. Finally, after talking until I was hoarse, I managed to convince her. Though her face showed reluctance, Tiffany reluctantly closed the video, promising she wouldn’t contact those two men again. I thought that was the end of it. Until six months later, a live stream by a blogger named “Seraphina Blackwood” went viral overnight. In the live video, a woman dripping with jewels was nestled happily in Kael and Zane’s arms. Inside a palatial mansion, the dining table was laden with exotic gourmet dishes most people had only dreamed of. She casually picked up a limited-edition Hermes bag and flaunted it. “So many people ask me how I suddenly started living this life. The secret? I married well, darling!” “When my husbands first asked me to meet them, I actually thought it was a scam. Who knew they were secretly billionaires?” “You’re asking what I do now? Every day, I just shop, get beauty treatments, and have SPA days.” “My only complaint is that the brothers are just so… passionate. I can barely keep up!” “Why can I marry two men? Oh, my husbands come from a unique enclave. Their community practices polyandry – one wife, multiple husbands. And there are still so many handsome bachelors without wives!” “You want me to ask for you? Sure! If you’re interested, sweethearts, remember to DM me after the stream!” Tiffany completely lost it after seeing that live stream. She believed I had deliberately blocked her from marrying into wealth and becoming one of the elite. So, that night, she barged into my apartment, rushed to my bed, and choked me to death. “Maya Reid, you b*tch! If it weren’t for you, I’d be living like a goddess right now! Why did you stop me?!” The suffocating pain and her twisted, enraged face were the last things I remembered before dying in my past life. Seeing me still lost in thought, Tiffany nudged me again. “Maya, they seem so sincere, and they’re so handsome. Tell me, should I go meet them?” Watching her face flush with imaginary bliss, a chill ran down my spine. My good intentions in my previous life had led to my brutal death. This time, Tiffany Miller, I won’t stand in your way. So, when she asked, I simply replied, “Cousin, this is a huge decision for your life. You need to think it through and decide for yourself.”

Hearing my answer, Tiffany visibly froze. She had probably prepared a whole speech to argue with me, never expecting me not to stop her. She eyed me suspiciously, thinking I hadn’t finished, but I just turned to scroll on my phone, ignoring her. Seeing I wouldn’t say more, Tiffany put away her phone, a smile returning to her face. “You’re right, of course. After all, not everyone gets this kind of incredible luck.” “Just wait for my good news, sis.” I didn’t say another word. I had no desire to relive the painful experience of my past life. Tiffany Miller, this time, you walk your own path. Your hell, you descend into it yourself. Without my interference, Tiffany moved with astonishing speed. That very afternoon, she took time off work and booked a flight for the next morning to the border city where the men were located. The next evening, Tiffany video-called me. The moment I answered, the luxurious scene on the screen dazzled me. Tiffany was sitting in a lavishly decorated private room, a dazzling crystal chandelier hanging above her. She wore heavy makeup, designer clothes, and a huge emerald pendant gleamed at her neck. “Maya! You won’t believe how amazing they are!” Tiffany’s voice was buzzing with excitement. “They are totally my soulmates! After just a few words, they understood me completely!” “And they’re even more handsome in person than in the video, and so incredibly gentle and sweet!” Then she aimed the camera at the dishes on the table; each one was an exquisite work of art. “Do you know how much this meal cost us?” She didn’t give me a chance to answer, holding up both hands. “A hundred thousand! A full hundred thousand! Have you ever had a hundred-thousand-dollar meal?” “And this afternoon, Kael asked if I’d be willing to marry both of them.” “Kael and Zane said that according to their enclave’s tradition, I can marry both brothers! They practice polyandry!” “See? What did I tell you? I, Tiffany Miller, am destined for wealth! Two high-quality men have fallen for me head over heels!” Just then, Kael and Zane appeared in the frame, offering polite but distant smiles. “Hello, you must be Maya, Tiffany’s cousin? Tiffany talks about you often, says you’re her best sister.” Kael spoke, his tone gentle, but his eyes were sizing me up. “That’s right, we brothers are both very fond of Tiffany,” Zane’s smile was still bright. Tiffany snatched the camera back, her face so red it looked like it would drip blood. She happily announced, “Just now, I said yes to their proposal!” She eagerly lifted her wrist, showing off chunky gold jewelry. “See? These are all gifts they gave me just now. They said that as long as I marry in, the entire enclave’s treasury will be mine.” Then she glanced at my loungewear, her eyes full of undisguised pity. “Maya, look at you, working yourself to death with overtime every day, and your monthly salary isn’t even enough for one of my bracelets. Sister’s telling you, a woman, it’s not about working hard, it’s about marrying well.” “Don’t worry. Once I’m a rich lady, I definitely won’t forget you. I’ll introduce you to some of their enclave’s eligible bachelors with deep pockets, so you can have a good life too.” I listened silently to her bragging, just pulling at the corners of my mouth in response. “Well, congratulations, cousin.”

My calmness completely threw Tiffany off. She pouted, bragged a few more times, and then reluctantly hung up. Over the next few days, my Ins feed was flooded with Tiffany’s posts. One day, a selfie in a five-star hotel’s presidential suite. The next, a shopping spree with Kael and Zane at a luxury boutique. The day after, a top-tier club with tables piled high with Romanee-Conti, and her holding a glass, her eyes glazed. In the photos, she was always flanked by the two men, her designer outfits changing daily, never repeating. The comments section exploded. Friends showered Tiffany with extravagant praise. “OMG! Tiffany, did you land a sugar daddy? That’s insane!” “Those two hot guys adore you! What kind of fairy-tale love is this? I’m so jealous!” “Tiffany, you’re literally living the dream! Take me with you!” Tiffany humblebragged in her replies: “Hehe, not really, I just found the love of my life, that’s all.” She never mentioned marrying two men, simply basking in the adoration of the crowd. I thought that after she married into wealth, she wouldn’t bother her poor, struggling cousin anymore. Until one day, walking home from work in my neighborhood, I suddenly felt a shiver down my spine. Like a pair of eyes were staring at me from the shadows. The gaze was cold, sticky, making my hairs stand on end. I spun around, but there was no one there, only the rustling of leaves in the evening breeze. Was it just my imagination? Muttering to myself, I quickened my pace, jogging back to my building. Just then, my phone rang. “Tiffany Miller” flashed across the screen. I hesitated, then answered the video call. “Maya!” On the video, Tiffany’s face seemed thinner, and the dark circles under her eyes couldn’t be hidden even by a filter. But her tone was still frantic. “I’m marrying Kael and Zane next week!” “We’re best friends, how can you not be there for such a big event?” “Hurry up and come be my bridesmaid, soak up some of my good luck!” She smiled, looking perfectly sincere. “I’ve already had Kael book your flight, all expenses paid. It’ll be a real eye-opener for you, consider it my gift.” I looked at her slightly distorted face on the screen and sneered inwardly. Bridesmaid? More like luring me there to sell me off or harvest my organs. “No, cousin,” I refused. “I’m really swamped with work lately, I can’t take time off.” To my surprise, the moment I finished speaking, Tiffany’s face instantly darkened. “Maya Reid, what do you mean?” Her voice suddenly sharpened. “I’m giving you a chance to make it big, don’t be ungrateful!” “Are you jealous of me? Can’t stand to see me doing better than you?” Her voice grew louder, but I couldn’t be bothered to argue. “Think whatever you want.” As I spoke, I reached into my bag for my keys, ready to unlock the door. But I searched and searched, and found nothing. My wallet? It had my ID, bank cards, and a few hundred dollars in cash. Had it fallen out on the subway on the way home… “I can’t talk anymore, I think I lost my wallet.” I said into the phone, preparing to hang up. “What’s the big deal about a stupid wallet?!” Tiffany was still ranting on the other end. I ignored her and hung up directly. The feeling of being watched grew stronger. I didn’t dare linger downstairs and quickly hailed a cab to the police station.

Telling Tiffany I lost my wallet and was going to the police station wasn’t entirely an excuse. My documents were important. Stepping into the police station, that persistent, chilling sensation finally receded slightly. The officer on duty, Detective Miller, was patient. He took my statement and said he would keep an eye out for my wallet. But for a wallet lost on the street, the chances of recovery were slim to none. “Don’t worry too much, young lady. But it’s best if you report your bank cards stolen first. We can help you with a new ID,” Detective Miller said. But my real purpose went beyond that. I told the police everything about Tiffany’s situation, from that ridiculously suspicious marriage video to the so-called enclave leaders and polyandry. As I spoke, I handed Detective Miller screenshots of Tiffany’s Ins posts. At first, Detective Miller thought it was just another common catfishing scam. But as he listened, his expression grew increasingly serious. By the time I finished, he immediately connected it to several recent disappearances of young women. “The pattern is too similar. They all use online romance or high-paying jobs as bait, and the victims disappear completely within days of arriving at a border city. We suspect there’s a well-organized cross-border crime syndicate at play,” he said. Hearing that, my heart sank. In my previous life, I was merely a victim. This time, only now did I truly glimpse how deep this rabbit hole went. “Ms. Reid, the information you’ve provided is incredibly important. Your cousin is in danger right now; she might even be an accomplice to these people.” “We need your cooperation. This is a chance to take them all down.” “Take this micro-tracker. If they forcibly take you away and imprison you, find a way to leave the tracker behind. We’ll use its location to launch a rescue operation.” Detective Miller looked at me, his expression grave. “This process will be extremely dangerous. Are you willing?” “I am,” I replied without a moment’s hesitation. This wasn’t for Tiffany. It was for myself, who had died so tragically in my past life, and for all the innocent girls like Tiffany who had been lured into hell. By the time I left the police station, it was completely dark. Walking home, that chilling gaze reappeared. My heart pounded, and my palms were slick with cold sweat. As I approached a street corner, I hardened my resolve. I suddenly sprinted a few steps, then ducked and hid in the nearby bushes. I held my breath, staring intently at the corner. Rapid footsteps grew louder, approaching from afar. Closer and closer! It was him! My heart was practically leaping out of my throat. Just as the person was about to appear, a little boy on a scooter shot out from around the corner, shouting, “Avengers assemble!” The rapid footsteps came to an abrupt halt. I paused, confused. Had I… been too nervous? I waited a little longer in the corner, but no one else passed by, and the chilling sensation on my back vanished. I let out a breath of relief, chuckled self-deprecatingly, and hurried home. Maybe I was just overthinking things. However, the very next morning, reality slapped me hard in the face. I was about to leave for work. The moment I pulled the door open a crack, several unfamiliar faces blocked my way. They were all burly, their eyes hostile, reeking of stale cigarettes, alcohol, and menace. My heart jumped, and I instinctively tried to close the door. “Bang!” A foot firmly wedged in the doorframe. Before I could even scream, a knife pressed against my waist. I was paralyzed with fear by the sudden turn of events, forced back into my apartment. “What do you want?” I heard my voice tremble. The leader of the men grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth. “What do we want?” “Of course, we’re taking you to Miss Tiffany’s wedding.” His words instantly sent a chill through me. It was Tiffany! She had actually hired people to kidnap me! My mind went blank. Before I could react, a towel reeking of acrid chemicals was clapped over my mouth and nose. In the last second before darkness claimed me, I thought I saw a glint of reflected light behind the man. When I woke again, I found my eyes blindfolded. My mouth was tightly sealed with tape, allowing only muffled sounds to escape. My hands and feet were bound with rough rope, and any slight movement caused my wrists to burn with pain.

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“He ripped open his collar to reveal the bite marks: ‘Now, it’s my turn to cover you with my scent.’” Selina cut off the contract with Alpha with her own hands, but met her childhood follower at the most embarrassing moment – now he has become a dangerous and charming wolf upstart. “Remember you said you would protect me forever?” She chuckled sarcastically, but he grabbed her wrist and pressed her against the French window, “Sister… This time I will teach you what ‘protection’ means.” When the old wounds have not healed and the power changes, she must choose between desire and reason: should she continue to be a deserter, or let this man who has lost his youth teach her the taste of sinking? Not long before Valentine’s Day, my mate, Kieran Draven, dropped a ridiculous amount of money on a custom diamond pendant. And when the day actually came? All I got was a bouquet of roses. He handed them over with a shrug. “We’ve been together forever, right? No need to go all out—flowers should do the trick.” That night, scrolling through my feed, I nearly choked. His Beta, Mira Thornclaw, had posted a picture, proudly showing off my necklace. A cold, sinking feeling twisted in my gut. When I confronted him, he just scoffed. “She’s part of our pack, Selene. No mate, no family—I felt bad for her. What, is that a crime now?” I let out a sharp laugh. “Oh, sympathy? Why not just mark her while you’re at it?” His entire body went stiff, his jaw tightening as he turned to look at me. “You’re seriously this worked up over a piece of jewelry?” He gestured toward our room, irritation rolling off him. “Have I ever forgotten to get you something for a special occasion?” “Who makes sure you’re taken care of? Who keeps you safe? Who provides for you as my Luna?” “This is about a necklace? You’re actually thinking about rejecting our bond over something so petty?” “Why can’t you be more like Mira? You know how much she’d appreciate what you take for granted?” He let out a humorless chuckle. “What, still not enough for you?” His voice boomed through the den, his dominance pressing down on me like a command. At the mention of Mira, my hands clenched against my legs. That familiar sting of hurt clawed its way up my chest. Here we go again. Every fight, every disagreement—it always came back to her. I forced a bitter smile. “I’m the one being difficult? I’m the one who isn’t grateful?” “Kieran, is Mira my problem? Is it my job to make sure she has a cushy life?” My voice rose, all the anger I had swallowed for months finally breaking free. “And yet you, my mate, my Alpha, have never once gone out of your way for me like you did for her with that necklace!” “Ask anyone in the pack—who’s the selfish one here, Kieran? Have you ever stopped to think about how I feel?” I glared at him, my whole body shaking. Then, last year’s Valentine’s Day crashed into my mind. We had planned a trip to the Moonlit Cliffs in Silvercrest—a place sacred to our kind. I had everything packed and ready the night before. And then, just like that, he told me he wasn’t coming. It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over me. My chest tightened. “Why?” I had asked. He had barely looked up. “Something came up with the pack. Can’t make it. We’ll go another time.” I wasn’t stupid. “What could possibly be so urgent tonight? Even the Elders take the night off! You swore on the last full moon that we’d go.” “You’re always busy, Kieran. Can’t you give me one day?” I muttered under my breath, “Mia’s mate is taking her on a run through the Elderwood tomorrow.” At that, his expression darkened. “How long have Mia and her mate been bonded? You really think we’re in the same place?” “Can you stop obsessing over these ridiculous traditions? Why do you always need so much attention?” And then, with a look of pure exasperation, he pulled out his wallet, yanked out his black pack credit card, and tossed it onto the table. “Here. Go crazy. Buy whatever you want and let it go.” Then he walked out without another word. And after that, he was never there when it mattered. For the longest time, I told myself this is just how it is. Long-term bonds settle. Alpha and Luna, learning to coexist. But tonight? I knew better. His heart hadn’t changed. It had just shifted—toward someone else. I sucked in a shaky breath, trying to steady myself. Kieran’s face flickered with something—maybe surprise, maybe guilt—but it was gone in a second. His coldness faded, but indifference remained. Silence stretched between us until his phone buzzed against the table. He glanced at it, sighed, and looked back at me. “Selene, I’ll get you another necklace.” “But can we not turn this into a whole thing? You know the stress I’m under as Alpha.” I had known Kieran Draven since we were pups.

Growing up, our families were so close that I practically trailed behind Kieran everywhere, and everyone knew I had a puphood crush on him. Over time, we went from childhood friends to mates, then engagement, and eventually, we became the Alpha-Luna couple everyone in the pack admired. But a year ago, everything shifted when he started expanding our pack’s territory. His duties as Alpha became overwhelming, and that’s when he took on a new Beta assistant. At first, I barely noticed her—Mira Thornclaw was plain, easy to overlook in a crowd. Turns out, that was my mistake. That seemingly unremarkable she-wolf somehow caught Kieran’s attention. He started nitpicking things he never cared about before. My love for steaks? Suddenly, that was wasteful and extravagant. Shopping for ceremonial Luna gowns? He had endless complaints about the cost, accusing me of spending recklessly. He even had the audacity to say that just one of my outfits could have funded supplies for the warriors or helped struggling Omega pups. Eventually, I figured out why. He was comparing me to her. Mira came from a rough background—an Omega-born girl who had to claw her way up in a pack that favored sons. She’d earned a scholarship to an elite shifter academy through sheer willpower. Even now, she still sent half her salary back home. Kieran admired that about her. And the more he sympathized with her, the more he resented me—his spoiled Luna who had never known hardship. Last month, I decided to surprise him at his office. Between constant meetings and pack matters, he barely ate properly. Too much stress, too much raw meat, and he’d been having stomach issues for weeks. I had a pack chef prepare a meal just for him. I walked into his office, smiling, lunchbox in hand—only to see an empty plate already sitting on his desk. Kieran looked at the meal I brought, expression unreadable. Then my gaze landed on a small wolf-shaped lunchbox sitting beside his files. A chill spread through me. It was the kind of thing a she-wolf would pick out. Doubt sank its claws into me, deep and unshakable. Forcing a smile, I asked lightly, “New meal plan, Alpha? Did the pack start sending catered lunches now? What happened to the ones I used to bring?” Before he could respond, the door to the Alpha’s private lounge creaked open. Mira stepped out, holding an identical lunchbox. A matching set. My stomach twisted. Everything clicked into place. I let out a cold laugh, walked straight to his desk, and without hesitation, tossed the lunchbox into the trash. Mira paled, eyes darting to Kieran, but she didn’t say a word. I turned to him and spoke, voice like ice. “Looks like your Beta’s got your meals covered, Alpha. I’ll stop wasting my time.” “She can take care of you from now on.” I walked out without looking back, my throat burning. And after that? I never brought him food again. If I ever mentioned it, he brushed it off—I was overreacting, I was being unfair, I wasn’t as understanding as Mira. Eventually, I got tired of the whole thing. Stopped fussing over him. Stopped checking in on whether he made it home after meetings. Instead of thinking about what he needed, I focused on what I wanted. I even sent him shopping lists instead of waiting around for him to remember to ask. A few days ago, Ravara—the Gamma’s mate—invited me to dinner, her voice laced with excitement. “Selene, did you hear the news?” I blinked. “What news?” “About you and Kieran.” I frowned, confused. “What about us?” She grinned. “He ordered a diamond pendant infused with moonstone from my family’s shop. Over a hundred thousand—extravagant, even for him.” “Honestly? I’m jealous.” Since her family owned one of the most renowned jewelry businesses among werewolf packs, I knew she wasn’t lying. And for the first time in months, hope flickered inside me. Maybe he was trying. Maybe things weren’t as bad as I thought. The more she talked about it, the more I started to believe. But then, Valentine’s Day came. And that hope shattered like fragile glass. Instead of the carefully selected, Elder-blessed moonstone pendant, he handed me a hastily bought bouquet of roses. And the custom-made Luna’s necklace? It was sitting around Mira’s neck. A bond built over two decades—reduced to nothing compared to the she-wolf he’d only known for a year. I let out a bitter laugh at myself. The moment Kieran left, I collapsed onto the den’s leather sofa, drained. I pressed a hand over my eyes, fighting back the sting of tears. And in that moment, I swore I could hear it— The sound of my mate bond breaking apart. I had finally reached my limit.

I was up early the next morning, packing my things to head back to my birth pack. Once I was ready, I called my mother, the Pack Luna, from downstairs. She stepped outside, her face lighting up. “Selene, look who finally decided to come home!” “Come in, I made your favorite—venison stew.” I nodded, following her into the Alpha’s residence. Dad, the Pack Alpha, was already at the table, casually eating. I pulled out a chair and sat across from him. We ate quietly for a while before I finally worked up the nerve to speak. “Mom, Dad… I need to talk to you about something.” Their heads lifted instantly, curiosity flashing in their eyes. I hesitated, then met their gazes. “I’m thinking about rejecting my mate bond with Kieran.” Both of them spoke at once. “What?!” Dad’s silver spoon hit the wooden floor with a sharp clang. Mom was the first to react. “Did something happen? Did you and Kieran have a fight?” “If he upset you, just tell me—I’ll handle it.” I exhaled slowly, choosing my words. “It’s not just an argument. It’s more than that… We can’t keep going like this.” “He doesn’t care about me. Not really.” The room fell into silence. Dad’s brows knitted together, his expression unreadable. After a long pause, he finally said, “I’m meeting with Alpha Magnus for dinner tonight. Come along. Talk it over with him.” That evening, dressed and ready, I rode with my parents to the Pack’s Council Hall, where the Alphas gathered. As soon as I stepped into the private dining hall, my breath caught. Kieran was already there, dressed in a fitted black training shirt, exuding dominance like he belonged at the head of every table. I barely spared him a glance before greeting his father. “Hello, Alpha Magnus.” The older Alpha smiled warmly. “Selene, it’s been too long. You’ve grown into a strong she-wolf. Come, sit with us.” I nodded, deliberately choosing the seat beside my mother, ignoring the empty one next to Kieran. He noticed. His hand tightened around the chair he was about to pull out, but instead of sitting, he pushed it back in, his face darkening. Sensing the tension, his father made an effort to keep Kieran engaged, serving me roasted meat, refilling my drink, and keeping the conversation flowing. It didn’t change the fact that the air between us was stifling. Maybe it was all the water I drank, but soon, I excused myself to step out. As I left, another door nearby opened. And out walked Mira Thornclaw. She froze. I stared. She smelled like nerves—anxiety rolling off her in waves. Dressed in a dark violet gown that hugged her curves, she looked anywhere but at me, her fingers twisting together. My jaw clenched. “What are you doing here?” I glanced at the private pack chambers behind her, suspicion crawling up my spine. Mira Thornclaw, the Beta assistant from a struggling Omega family, standing inside an elite Pack Elders’ gathering? Something didn’t add up. I took a step forward, intent on seeing exactly who was inside that room. She stepped in front of me. I moved to the side, and she did too. I was done playing. I shoved her aside, harder than I meant to, and she tumbled to the floor with a startled gasp. Just as my hand closed around the door handle, a furious voice rang out. “Selene! What the hell are you doing?!” I turned in time to see Kieran storm toward us. His Alpha instincts kicked in immediately, kneeling beside her, checking her injuries. Her scraped knees. Her tear-filled eyes. Her trembling lips. And then he looked at me. Golden Alpha eyes burning with fury. “Selene, apologize. Now.” Something inside me snapped. He hadn’t even asked what happened. He hadn’t questioned why I reacted. He had just assumed. I let go of the door handle and met his gaze with an icy glare. “Apologize? Sure. But first, tell me something—”

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The company’s annual gala was a blur of shimmering dresses and forced smiles. Then, Chloe, the new intern, publicly accused me of deliberately tripping her and staining her designer gown. My husband, Liam, didn’t hesitate. He told me to hand over the dress I’d picked out for our anniversary to compensate her. When I refused, she flew into a rage, humiliating me in front of everyone: “You’re nothing but a discarded toy, auctioned off and shamed by your ex-fiancé! How dare you even think of marrying Liam?!” With that, she threw a glass of red wine over my head. “I heard your compromising photos were auctioned off for a dollar! There are so many people here today, why don’t you show off your wet body to everyone?” A collective gasp swept through the room. My heart clenched, and I stared at my husband in shock. My mind raced back. I’d been drugged and tricked into a sham marriage by my ex-fiancé, and my intimate photos were livestreamed for auction. Luckily, my childhood friend, Liam, came to my rescue, buying off all those photos at an astronomical price. But now, I realized the salvation I thought I’d found was just a casual joke to him. If that’s the case, I choose to leave.

I was drenched and stunned by the glass of red wine Chloe threw at me. Before I could even react, her voice lashed out again. “Audrey Smith, you only got your position because of Mr. Scott, didn’t you? Don’t think everyone doesn’t know about your past!” “Remember when your nude photos were auctioned off for a pittance, causing a massive scandal that rocked the entire city? Tsk, tsk, what a show!” Every word she uttered felt like a poisoned needle piercing my wounds. All eyes in the room fixed on me – shocked, disgusted, and gleefully malicious. A chill ran through me, the humiliation from years ago washing over me again. Instinctively, I looked at my husband, Liam Scott. I still remembered how he saved me when I was at my most desperate, buying all my private photos for an astronomical sum. I’d always seen him as my savior. But now, he stood just a few feet away, motionless. He saw my plea for help in my eyes. Yet, he only frowned, his gaze flickering before he looked away. No defense, no explanation, not even a hint of concern. He silently condoned Chloe’s insult and didn’t care about the judgment raining down on me. My breath hitched in my chest. Seeing this, Chloe leaned triumphantly towards Liam. “Mr. Scott, I didn’t mean to. It was Manager Smith who… she pushed me first!” Liam patted her arm reassuringly. “I know.” Then he pointed at me, clearly annoyed. “Audrey, what are you even doing? You’ve been so unreasonable lately.” “You weren’t like this before.” His words stabbed into my heart like a knife. Before? Yes, I was so “reasonable” then. I never questioned him when he didn’t come home at night. I cleared his name when rumors about his affairs spread. But what did my “reasonableness” get me? In my panic, someone tripped me, and I stumbled backward. The wine glass in my hand shattered on the floor. I instinctively put my hand down to brace myself, feeling a sharp sting. Blood stained the polished floor. I looked up, wincing in pain, and met Liam’s gaze. Those eyes, once filled with tenderness, now held only icy disgust. In that moment, I clearly understood: in his eyes, I was perhaps never a cherished lover. I was just a shameful stain in his life, someone to be constantly reminded of, lest I embarrass him. I had always believed those sordid past events were a secret between only him and me. But I never imagined he’d casually tell an outsider like Chloe, giving her ammunition to attack and humiliate me. My heart turned to ice, inch by painful inch. I picked myself up from the floor, blood still flowing from my palm, but I no longer felt the pain. I just wanted to escape this place. I ducked my head, pushing through the crowd, and stumbled out of the ballroom. Liam’s voice pursued me. “Audrey Smith, where are you going? Get back here!” I didn’t look back, quickening my pace. I had just found my car in the parking lot when he appeared, like a ghost, behind me. “Audrey, have you had enough?” He grabbed my arm. I looked at him with vacant eyes. He seemed a little uncomfortable and let go of my arm, but his tone remained firm. “Chloe is young, why are you making such a big deal out of it?” “Where’s that dress in the car? Chloe’s dress is ruined, she can wear it as a backup.” I paused, then remembered the dress I’d specially prepared, sitting on the back seat. I’d intended to wear it for our anniversary. How ridiculous it seemed now. Seeing my inaction, he impatiently opened the car door himself, roughly pulled out the dress box, and without a glance at me, turned and walked away. I deflated, too drained to go after him and question him. Chloe jogged over from a short distance away. Liam handed her the dress box, and she broke into a delighted smile, intimately linking her arm with his. Then, as if to spite me, she pulled the dress out and threw it on the ground, stomping on it several times with a look of vengeful satisfaction. Liam stood by, watching her foolishness with a tolerant smile. I closed my eyes, feeling the last bit of strength drain from my body. They walked away together, leaving me in the parking lot with the soiled dress on the ground. As I was about to get into my car, several dark figures suddenly surrounded me. Leading them was my ex-fiancé, Derek Stone. He smiled maliciously, closing in on me. “Long time no see, Audrey Smith.” “What, you’re Mrs. Scott now? I hear Liam can’t satisfy you, so you remembered me?” The men behind him chuckled obscenely. A warning bell rang in my head, but I forced myself to stay calm. “Derek, what do you want?” “What do I want?” He sneered. “Chloe’s under my protection. You’d better not get in her way, or else…” He reached out for my face. I recoiled in terror, screaming, “Don’t come any closer!” But they pressed in, cornering me against my car door. My vision blurred, and I completely lost consciousness. When I woke up again, I was lying in a hospital bed. The nurse said a passerby had found me and brought me in. She also told me I was about six weeks pregnant. My mind exploded with a *boom*. I was pregnant? This was Liam’s and my child… My emotions were a complicated mess. The nurse gave me instructions for early pregnancy care, then left the room. I lay on the bed, staring blankly, my hand unconsciously stroking my lower abdomen. Here, a tiny life was forming. Liam and I had always wanted a child. But for various reasons, we’d put it off. Now I had his child, but our relationship was no longer intimate. In the evening, I completed the discharge procedures. My body was still weak, but a certain thought in my mind grew clearer and clearer. I returned home. The living room was dark; he hadn’t come back tonight. I wearily walked towards the bedroom on the second floor. As I reached the staircase, I heard gasping sounds coming from under the bedroom door. The sounds were all too familiar: Liam and Chloe. I was rooted to the spot, unable to move. My fingers dug into my palms, but I felt no pain. I turned and walked back down the stairs. No tears, no hysterics, not even a flicker of emotion. There is no greater sorrow than a heart that has died. I left the house and wandered the streets. The night wind blew cold on my face, but it was nothing compared to the chill in my heart. As dawn approached, I made a decision. I booked an abortion for early the next morning and a flight to another country for three days later. Finally, I contacted an agency specializing in faked deaths, paid a large sum, and asked them to stage an accidental death for me. Three days from now, there would be no more Audrey Smith in this world.

The next morning, I woke up in a hotel. My phone’s notification sound was buzzing frantically. I looked, and my work WhatsApp group was blowing up. Someone had forwarded a video—the humiliating footage from three years ago that Derek had coerced me into filming. Although key parts were pixelated, anyone could tell the person in the video was me. Under the video were various vile comments. My phone also showed dozens of missed calls, all from Liam. I sneered, turning off my phone directly. The next second, the hotel room door suddenly burst open! Liam stormed in, his face contorted with rage, and slammed a photo down in front of me. “Audrey Smith, explain yourself! What is this?!” he roared. It was a photo of Derek and me in the parking lot last night. The angle was tricky, making it look intimate and ambiguous, like we were kissing. “That’s not…” I started to explain. “Not what? Not you throwing yourself at him?” Liam cut me off, his voice filled with disgust, not waiting for my explanation at all. “Audrey Smith, I never thought you’d be so depraved! Being my wife on one hand, and still hooking up with your ex-fiancé on the other!” “I didn’t! This is clearly staged!” I couldn’t help but retort. But Chloe peered out from behind him, chiming in, “Mr. Scott, please don’t be angry. Manager Smith probably didn’t intentionally meet someone in the middle of the night. Maybe she had a reason.” “What reason could she have?” Liam snorted. “I think she’s shameless and promiscuous!” “She did something disgraceful herself, and she still has the nerve to be jealous of you, deliberately making things difficult for you at the party!” “Audrey Smith, you will kneel and apologize to Chloe right now!” I stared at him in disbelief. Was he crazy? He wanted me to kneel and apologize to Chloe? “Liam Scott, how dare you order me around?!” I trembled with anger. “Because I’m your husband! Because you did something to betray me!” His tone was absolute. “I didn’t!” I stubbornly met his gaze. “Still haven’t learned your lesson yet? Have you forgotten how your compromising photos were auctioned off back then?” He grabbed me and threw me to the ground. I hit the floor unexpectedly, my knees throbbing with pain. But it was nothing compared to the despair in my heart. I looked at the man I had loved for so many years and felt, for the first time, how utterly foreign he seemed. I humiliated myself by kneeling. “Chloe, she knows she was wrong.” He wrapped his arm around Chloe and walked away haughtily. Not long after, I saw the entertainment trending topic – #ScottGroupCEOPubliclyDisplaysAffectionWithNewLover# The accompanying picture showed the doting and indulgent look he gave her. My heart felt nothing. I wrote a divorce agreement and sent it to Liam via express delivery. After all this, I lay on the hospital operating table. As the cold instruments took away the little life inside me, I didn’t shed a single tear. I just felt incredibly cold. After the surgery, I returned home. Opening the door, I saw a bracelet shattered into several pieces on the coffee table. This was our promise bracelet, Liam’s and mine. Sunlight streamed through, and I stared at the fragments. Perhaps, from the moment he allowed Chloe to humiliate me, this bracelet, along with our feelings, had already shattered. Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Liam. I hesitated but answered. “Audrey, where are you?” His voice sounded a little tired, but still impatient. “Do you need something?” My tone was flat. “That bracelet… Chloe accidentally broke it. She didn’t mean to.” He explained, his voice a bit stiff. “I understand.” “Don’t overthink it. I’ll buy you a better one later. Tomorrow is our third wedding anniversary, by the way, I’ve prepared a surprise for you.” Third wedding anniversary? He still remembered. But to me, it no longer mattered. “No need,” I refused coolly. “I have to make an impromptu trip to a neighboring country tomorrow. I’ll be catching an early flight and will be back in the evening.” There was silence on the other end for a few seconds. “So sudden?” He seemed a little surprised. “Then I’ll drive you to the airport tomorrow.” “Okay.” I replied faintly, then hung up. That night, Liam didn’t come home. Alone in the house, I personally burned all the memories of him and me. Photos I once cherished, gifts he had given me, and things we had used together. The firelight reflected on my calm face. Everything should end now. The next day, when I was about to leave, Liam called. “Audrey, I’m sorry, I can’t take you to the airport today,” his voice carried a hint of apology. “Chloe’s puppy suddenly got very sick and is making a big fuss. I have to go with her to the vet.” “You go to the airport alone, be careful on your way.” Chloe’s crying could be heard from the other end of the line, and Liam was gently comforting her. I chuckled mockingly. See? I was not even as important as Chloe’s dog. “Okay,” I replied emotionlessly. After hanging up, I unhesitatingly blocked his number and tossed my phone SIM card into the trash. Then I pulled my suitcase and walked towards the airport without looking back. Boarding, takeoff.

That evening, at the city’s most exclusive revolving restaurant, Liam had meticulously set up a romantic scene. Red roses adorned the table, along with a velvet jewelry box containing a diamond necklace he had specially chosen. He held a bouquet of flowers in his arms, glancing at his watch repeatedly. Why wasn’t Audrey here yet? Liam called her, but the ring tone indicated her phone was off. He tried again from a different number, still off. He felt an inexplicable irritation and unease. Chloe’s call came in just then, crying that her dog’s condition had worsened and urging him to come quickly. Liam felt annoyed and quickly brushed her off. His heart grew increasingly unsettled. He suddenly remembered Audrey’s unusual coldness and calmness during their phone call yesterday, and his heart tightened. She seemed… different. He instructed his assistant, “If my wife arrives, tell her to wait for me for a while. I’ll be back soon.” Then he left the restaurant in a hurry. At the vet, though he was with Chloe, his mind was completely elsewhere. He kept checking his phone; there was still no news from his assistant, and Audrey hadn’t shown up. He felt a sense of panic he’d never experienced before. He couldn’t sit still any longer and decided to go look for Audrey himself. He planned to say goodbye to Chloe, but as he reached the door of the examination room, he heard Chloe’s deliberately lowered voice inside. “Derek, don’t worry, Liam is completely wrapped around my finger now.” “As for that bitch Audrey, she’s utterly disgraced now. I doubt she can cause any trouble.” “Once I climb into the upper class, we can team up, find more wealthy housewives like Audrey, take their private photos, and then we won’t have to worry about money, right? Hahaha…” Liam’s eyes instantly turned bloodshot. So, this was all a setup! Chloe and Derek had conspired to frame Audrey! And he, like a fool, had been played by Chloe, personally pushing his own wife into the abyss! Regret and fury instantly consumed his heart. Liam was about to burst into the room when his assistant called. “Mr. Scott, it’s bad! I just received a delivery—a divorce agreement from your wife!” A divorce agreement? Liam felt as if he’d been struck by lightning. She wanted to divorce him? No, impossible! She loved him so much; how could she bear to divorce him?! He refused to believe it, couldn’t accept it. He frantically called Audrey, but the line was still busy.

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I was coerced by Jasper into donating a kidney to my sister, and I died right there on the table. Upon my rebirth, I realized I was the main character in a romance novel, and my sister had awakened early to try to eliminate me. I resolved to no longer be merciful. When I allied with a billionaire CEO to fight back, Jasper locked me to the bed, kissing me passionately: “Promise me you won’t see other men, okay?” I was restrained on the cold operating table, the glaring light above making it impossible to open my eyes. Yet, I held back tears, turning my head to plead with Jasper beside me, “Jasper, please, let me go?” A flicker of hesitation crossed Jasper’s face, but Daphne’s anguished expression quickly drew his focus. At that moment, Daphne looked at me with a pitiful pallor, “Sister, just one kidney is all it takes to save me. Surely, you wouldn’t be so selfish?” She started to cry softly right after. “Brother Jasper, if sister doesn’t want to, maybe we should wait…” Listening to her, Jasper’s eyes turned resolute. He held my hand and said tenderly, “Lydia, just this one time. I’ll give you anything you want once we’re back.” Hearing him, I released his hand. At that moment, I gave up, realizing that saying anything more was futile. I spoke coolly, “Get on with it.” But tears slipped from the corners of my eyes. I don’t know if I died or if I was dreaming, but I vaguely heard sounds of struggle and someone trying to wake me, “Sister, I’m sorry, I came too late…”

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in Jasper’s bed. Instinctively, I touched my body and was astonished to find the surgical scar was gone. I immediately grabbed the phone from the bedside table and found the date was actually a week earlier. I distinctly remembered dying on the operating table. Could this be a rebirth? I weakly got out of bed, clearly having had a tumultuous night before. At this moment, Daphne had already moved into my house, citing illness. As I passed by Daphne’s room, I deliberately slowed my pace. I overheard an anxious voice inside: “Why hasn’t Jasper let me take Lydia’s kidney yet? Does Jasper still love that woman? What’s the next part of the storyline…” Hearing this, I was stunned. So, I’m the protagonist of a romance novel, with Jasper as my childhood sweetheart and the male lead I eventually marry. And Daphne is just a disposable female antagonist meant to develop my relationship with Jasper. Her end is a tragic death on the street. But she woke up early, twisted all the plot lines, and walked through the story that was originally mine. In the end, because she couldn’t fight the script and realized Jasper still liked me, she arranged for me to die on the operating table. I couldn’t help but smile wryly. How fascinating, truly fascinating! I stared fixedly at that door: “In the last life, you knew my path ahead of time and killed me first. But this life, I know too. My dear sister, let’s see who wins.”

Looking at the time, around now in the previous life, a fire was about to break out. Back then, I bravely rushed into the inferno to save Jasper’s mother and child, disregarding my own safety. When I awoke, he coldly questioned me, “Who told you to come?” I defended myself, but he gripped my neck tightly and said, “Don’t think that just because of my feelings for you, I won’t kill you.” And Daphne, who did nothing, was cared for by him in every possible way. This time, I decided to save him again. But not by myself. Not for any other reason but to let him feel guilt towards me, both physically and emotionally, in the end. After all, he’s the male lead and won’t die easily. “Lydia, let’s go back to the old house. Grandma has been asking for us,” Jasper called me. Back at the old house, just like in the last life, I sat in the garden playing chess with the old lady. At this time, Jasper and his mom were in the kitchen, trying to be filial. I estimated the time was about right and immediately walked to the kitchen, watching him try hard to carry his mom out. In the last life, I rushed into the inferno to carry them out, but I fainted from exhaustion at the door. Now, I hurriedly shouted for help, and when enough people went in for rescue, I rushed in to support Jasper. As I turned to look at the corner of the wall, I quickly noticed a shadow there. I pretended to faint, collapsing at the door. Indeed, a faint camera click sounded from there. I smiled, knowing something was amiss.

After everyone sent me to the hospital room. I immediately got up and walked to Jasper’s room, and sure enough, Daphne was inside. Daphne was peeling an apple, speaking sweetly, “Brother Jasper, I didn’t expect sister to be like that. Don’t blame her, okay?” Jasper looked down, his expression unclear, “Thank you…” At this moment, I pushed the door open, “Shouldn’t you thank me?” Jasper raised his head quickly, coldly questioning me, “Who told you to come?” Of course, it’s the same line. I sneered, looking down at the photo in his hand, “Already forgot your savior so quickly?” The next second, I snatched the photo from his hand, tore it up, and threw it between them. “Seeing isn’t always believing.” But then Daphne stood up and slapped me, “Sister, wake up. It’s already good that Brother Jasper isn’t blaming you, don’t continue down the wrong path…” I covered my face, frowning at Jasper, “What do you think happened?” He remained silent. I laughed coldly a couple of times and threw the photos I specially asked my friend to secretly take at them, “See who really saved you.” Jasper picked up the photos, still frowning, “Lydia, there’s no need to deceive me with fake photos.” “What? I’m using fake photos? Then why do you believe Daphne’s photos are real?” Daphne pretended to hesitate, “Sister, you don’t need to do this. Everyone knows you and other men… have been deceiving Brother Jasper.” Looking at the seemingly dumbfounded person on the bed, I immediately left the room. Daphne shouted behind me, “Sister, where are you going? Brother Jasper hasn’t been discharged yet…” Jasper’s cold voice came through, “Let her go.”

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I have been in an on-and-off relationship with Declan for seven years. I was the one who ended things, and he always tried to get us back together. But the last time I suggested breaking up, he didn’t try to win me back. Instead, he found someone who bore a striking resemblance to me. To support her, he took away my opportunities. He effortlessly passed the Oscar-winning Actress title, which I had been striving for over ten years, to her. At the award ceremony, a reporter asked if I regretted breaking up. I smiled, raised my hand to show off the diamond ring on my finger: “I’m getting married.” As soon as I said that, everyone saw the usually composed and proud Heir of the Declan Family suddenly have reddened eyes. At a fashion gala, I attended in full glamor but went alone. Reporters curiously asked, “Miss, is Mr. Declan not accompanying you this time?” At that moment, there was a noticeable stir in the distance. I turned to look. Declan stepped out of the car, holding the hand of the woman beside him intimately. Everyone was astonished. It was his first time changing companions in seven years. I was always the one by his side. Now it was Adeline, a famed Rising Star known for her pure image. Entertainment reporters once compared our looks. They found she bore a slight resemblance to me. Declan attending with her felt like a scene from a story where the stand-in surpasses the original. Reporters swarmed around them. I met Declan’s gaze, his eyes indifferent. I nodded politely and turned away to walk inside as if nothing happened. On the way, my agent, Nora, quietly asked, “No wonder Adeline took your fashion resources. I wondered who had her back; turns out it’s Declan. Did you have another fight with him?” I shook my head, “No fight.” “We broke up.” Nora sighed, unsurprised, and advised, “Heiress, it’s only halfway through the year, and you’ve broken up three times already. Each time, Mr. Declan sets aside his ego to coax you. You should consider giving in once, or Adeline will really steal him away.” Yeah. In everyone’s mind, all year round, it’s me causing trouble. Declan is the one placating me. As for Adeline, she’s just a pawn in Declan’s little game with me. If I gave in, Declan would reconcile with me immediately. But I know. Declan isn’t acting out of spite; it’s a demonstration of power. He’s telling me, if you’re not interested, there are others who are. I clenched my fists, the diamonds on my dress pricking my skin, the slight pain making me more aware. “It’s really over.” I said firmly, “This time, I’m truly done with him.”

I’ve been with Declan for seven years. We’ve broken up and gotten back together more than twenty times. I was the one who ended things, and he always tried to get us back together. He’s the Heir of the Declan Family, surrounded by countless admirers, yet he’s willing to set aside his pride repeatedly to make me happy, to win me back. If I just mention missing him, he’d fly across the country to be with me, to hold me. Many advised me not to be so sensitive, arguing over tabloid news. He’s clearly full of love for me, so why break up repeatedly and hurt the relationship? I understood too. But I couldn’t control my emotions, leading to many nights of tears. He would hold me tight, soothing me with his deep voice, “How can it be sensitivity? It’s just that Phoebe loves me too much, feels too insecure. I’m willing to comfort Phoebe.” I asked him, eyes red, “For a lifetime?” “A lifetime.” He answered without hesitation. We were so young then. Love was always fervent, intense, and saying forever seemed so simple, as if it could be achieved just by saying it. But in reality, it was just a thought. Remembering this brought a slight bitterness to my heart. Then Nora asked me, “Why break up this time?” I was stunned, slowly blinking, finally fixing my gaze on the couple not far away, and lightly said: “He wants to get married, and he wants me to be his lover.” Nora was stunned. I withdrew my gaze, drained my glass, and no one saw my flushed eyes. “I told him I wouldn’t.” Nora paled, only murmuring: “Absurd—”

Indeed. So absurd. But Declan didn’t think so. When he mentioned it, he even seemed to take it for granted, “Phoebe, I’ve already talked with Genevieve. We’ll just be a couple in name. Privately, she won’t bother me, and I won’t bother her. We can still be together.” Genevieve. The Heiress of The Genevieve Corporation. Also, the chosen partner for the Declan family’s arranged marriage. I accidentally learned from Declan’s secretary about their possible engagement. I wanted an explanation, hoping for his denial. I never expected such a bombshell. How ridiculous. My boyfriend of seven years was getting married. He wanted me to be his lover. I looked at the man in front of me, my heart unexpectedly stopped for a moment, followed by a furious pounding, making my nose sting uncontrollably. I didn’t know whether to be angry at his insult or sad about my lost love. But Declan just looked at me. His gaze was calm and determined. As if, sure I would agree. After all, I loved him so very much. But I only wanted to ask, “Declan, did you ever plan to tell me you were getting married?” Declan slightly frowned, a hint of confusion in his gaze, “What does getting married matter? Loving you is enough, Phoebe. This is common in our circle, you’ve seen it—” I’ve seen it. Of course, I have. Being with him for seven years. He’s taken me to countless circles and gatherings. I’ve seen couples who pretend to love in front of cameras but are actually estranged, and I’ve seen arranged marriages where both parties do as they please in private. But I never thought it would be the same for Declan and me. We loved each other so deeply. I was sure we’d marry, have children, grow old together. But, I was wrong. Declan never thought of marrying me. All along, it was just my wishful thinking. I withdrew my hand from Declan’s grip, speaking clearly and steadily, “But I don’t want to be your lifelong secret lover.” Declan frowned but patiently explained, “Phoebe, you’re not a lover. You’re my wife, my partner.” “What about Genevieve?” He said nothing. He couldn’t deny Genevieve’s status but still didn’t understand why I cared about her presence. Perhaps we were never on the same path from the start. I lowered my gaze, hiding my reddened eyes, and slowly said, “Declan, I won’t be a Mistress.” “Phoebe, don’t you want to be with me? We promised forever, you clearly love me—” “I do love you.” I looked up at him, eyes earnest and unwavering, “But, Declan, I won’t lose my principles because of love.”

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I asked Declan for a divorce. I don’t want anything except the money. Declan sneered, “Not even your beloved son?” “No, not even him.” Because my child’s wish for his fifth birthday was, “Can dad and mom get a divorce? I want Aunt Fiona to be my mom.” 1 I handed the divorce papers to Declan. He looked at them as if they were just another ordinary document on his desk. His eyes were cold and indifferent. His passion for me probably only existed during those endless nights. “Adeline, pick a better time to throw a tantrum. This is the office.” He was sure I wouldn’t go through with the divorce. Just another attempt to make him jealous. “I’m not causing a scene.” I was made to wait in the reception room like a regular visitor for three hours, enduring the pitying looks from others. How is that causing a scene? “Miss Fiona doesn’t have to wait even a minute to see Mr. Declan.” “So the rumors about Mr. Declan hating his wife are true?” Yes, they are. Their Mr. Declan truly doesn’t like his wife. The one he’s always liked is Fiona. “Declan, I want a divorce, the sooner the better.” “Adeline, what are you doing?” Only then did Declan lower his eyes to look at the papers. “Adeline, you only want this little money for a divorce?” Yes, when I accidentally got pregnant, he intended to use this money as compensation to keep me away. But I didn’t leave. Because I am a character from another world. Having Finn and marrying him was a task assigned to me. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t warm Declan’s heart. We have no future. This money can be a belated compensation. Fifty million on the agreement is nothing to him. But to me, it’s a fortune, enough for a happy life. Declan stood up, looking down at me. His expensive tailored suit made him look even taller and more imposing. He sneered again. “Just the money?” “Not even your beloved son?” I smiled faintly, “No, not even him.” 2 I used to love Finn very much. After all, he shares my blood. For five years, I devoted all my patience and love to every step of his growth. Maybe it’s because of his association with Declan that he never had much affection for Finn. When Finn was born, Declan only looked at him once and said, “Looks a lot like Adeline.” Then he handed Finn over to the nanny. But oddly enough, Finn adored Declan. He had a gift for languages. At just three, he could sternly say to me, “It’s your fault dad doesn’t come home.” I thought it was just childish babble. When he was four, he met Fiona, who had returned from her divorce abroad, for the first time. He came home and told the nanny, “No wonder dad likes Aunt Fiona. I like her too.” “Aunt Fiona is gentler and makes me happier than mom.” It was just because I wouldn’t let him eat too many sweets. He pouted angrily. I had just come out of the kitchen and heard his accusations. Suppressing my discomfort, I softly said, “Finn, I’ll make it up to you with new candies.” “Mom made them herself, a combination of pear and hawthorn, delicious and healthy.” He grabbed the candy I made and threw it into the trash. Shouted, “I don’t want your garbage. I want the fancy candies Aunt Fiona brought from Italy.” “So what if I get cavities?” I stared at him blankly. My son, how much he resembles his father, both cold and unfeeling. Especially on his fifth birthday. Both father and son invited Fiona. As the candles were being lit, the system’s long-absent voice suddenly echoed in my mind. “Host, it’s been a while. I’m back.” Though no one else could hear it, I instinctively stepped outside the hall. “Host, your task is complete. You have enough points to return.” In the original world, I was in a coma due to an accident. I made a deal to complete the task to wake up. “You can choose to stay. After all, you have a family now.” “In the original world, you’re just alone.” As I hesitated, Finn made the decision for me. I had just stepped back into the hall when I heard his birthday wish. Clear and loud, not even trying to avoid me. “Can dad and mom get a divorce? I want Aunt Fiona to be my mom.” Everyone was taken aback. Declan just frowned slightly, “Make another wish.” Fiona covered her mouth, laughing, “Oh, you can’t say things like that, you cute kid.” But her eyes couldn’t hide the glee. I smiled a bit. Turned to the system and said, “Take me home. I don’t want to wait another second.” 3 But the system hit me with unfortunate news. “Since the central system received too many requests to transfer, there’s now a waiting period for leaving the system.” I was stunned. The system cleared its throat, “Like your human divorce waiting period, you need to wait.” “Wait for what…?” Damn it. I reminded myself to use polite language and asked restrainedly, “How long?” “Three years.” “Three years?” “System, are you afraid the plans will wither?” The system paused, “Host, your insults are quite sophisticated.” It fell silent for three seconds before saying, “As compensation for my long absence, I’ll add a third more points for you to redeem a healthy body when you wake up from your coma.” “Fine, then I’ll get the divorce first.” That’s why I’m standing in Declan’s office. “Declan, let’s get a divorce.” Declan lit a cigarette with a snap. He blew out a smoke ring, smiling arrogantly. “Adeline, did you forget?” “Who said five years ago that without Finn, she’d die?” That was me. That year, Declan had heard the news of Fiona’s marriage abroad. He had tormented me all night. The next day, I developed a high fever and was alone in the house for three days. In my delirium, I forgot to take that kind of medicine. Later, I found out I was pregnant with Finn. When Declan found out, he initially coldly told me to abort Finn. I remembered the words, “Aborting now means task failure. You know the consequences.” I could only beg Declan, “If the child is gone, I’ll die.” If I didn’t plead, with his ruthless business style, he had plenty of ways to deal with me. Declan is harsh on everyone, including himself. His only weakness was Fiona, who had lived with him in the orphanage and saved him. Later, Fiona was adopted by a wealthy family. Declan, wild by nature, risked everything to rise from a petty hooligan to a business mogul, all to gain Fiona’s adoptive parents’ approval to marry her. But unfortunately, before he could give her the massive pink diamond, news came of Fiona’s marriage. Much later, I found out, Declan proposed to me because of something Fiona said. “Declan, I’m married. I hope to hear your good news.” 4 I looked at Declan’s handsome face. But I was thinking, I hope I never see him again. I said calmly, “Since both you and your son like Fiona,” “After the divorce, you can form a family. Everyone will be happy, won’t they?” Declan squinted at me. One hand tilted my chin, his fingers long and even. He sneered, “Playing hard to get?” Then his smile vanished, and he said harshly, “You want to play? I’ll play along.” “Add a clause: after the divorce, without my consent, you’re never allowed to see Finn again.” Threatening me? In the past, that would have been a fatal blow. Because love makes you vulnerable. But now, I don’t want to love anyone. So I have no weak spots. I replied calmly under his challenging gaze, “Fine.” He paused, his eyes darkening. He grabbed a pen and quickly scribbled on the agreement. Then tossed a copy to me. I picked it up and turned to leave. Declan bit his back teeth. “Adeline, get out of the Declan house tonight.” “Alright.” My emotions now are terrifyingly steady. But then I paused, smiling as I asked him. “The divorce certificate isn’t done yet, and you’re kicking me out early?” “I won’t leave for free. Please pay the alimony in advance, thank you.” Declan’s face showed a hint of anger. But from what I know about him, he’s generous with money. Sure enough, I would receive that fifty million by tomorrow. Nice. 5 Watching Adeline walk out of the office without looking back, Declan felt an inexplicable irritation. Just then, Mr. Quinn walked in with some documents. He’s been with Declan for many years, a trusted aide. “Boss, is Adeline really divorcing?” Amidst the smoke, Declan coldly said, “She’s just making a fuss; she wouldn’t dare.” “She wouldn’t leave Finn behind.” Mr. Quinn chuckled, “True, Adeline loves you and the child so much. Maybe she’s just in a mood, and a little coaxing will do.” “No need to coax. From what I know of her, she’ll be back begging for forgiveness within three months.” Mr. Quinn smiled, left the contract, and walked out. Declan looked out from the thirtieth floor at the gradually lighting city below. He unexpectedly thought of the Adeline from years ago. The first time beneath him, she was tense and afraid, like a helpless little rabbit. Her eyes were red, her voice trembling. Saying things he couldn’t understand. “How could she leave Finn behind?” Mr. Quinn chuckled, “True, Adeline loves you and the kid so much. Maybe she’s just having a little tantrum. Declan, just coax her a bit, and it’ll be fine.” “No need to coax. Based on what I know about her, she’ll come back within three months, asking for my forgiveness.” Mr. Quinn smiled, set down the contract, and walked out. Declan gazed out from the thirtieth floor, watching the city lights flicker to life below. For some reason, he thought of Adeline from years ago. The first time with him, she was nervous and scared, like a helpless little rabbit. Her eyes were red, and her voice trembled. She even said things he couldn’t quite grasp. “Declan, I’m not just here to win you over. I truly like you.” “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be doing this with you.” “Declan, be good to me in the future, okay?” Declan bent down and silenced her with a kiss. He also silenced her soft cries that night. Over the years, Adeline had been obedient and compliant. The one thing that angered him was her scheming, using the child to threaten him. She absurdly said, “If the child is gone, the mission will fail, and I won’t exist anymore.” He had to punish her. So for five years, he hadn’t been kind to her. Anyway, she had nowhere to go and would stay with him until her last breath. Her innocent pleas echoed in his mind again. “Declan, I want a cute child, a family of three, living in a warm little home. Is that okay?” “No.” He had no interest in having a family. He never had one growing up. Now that he had everything in his grasp, he needed it even less. The day Adeline asked for a divorce, he inexplicably skipped a dinner party and returned home early. “Where’s Adeline?” The Nanny whispered, “Madam moved out this afternoon.” Declan just felt more irritated inside, but he didn’t show it. He merely scoffed, “She’s quite the actress.” Then he walked into the study and ignored it. — With the agreement in hand, I returned to The Declan Family’s house. I packed a few things and was ready to leave. But Finn was sitting in the living room, playing on a tablet, with a candy in his mouth. Colored wrappers were scattered all over the floor. He glanced at me and said flatly, “Dad allowed me to eat this.” “Aunt Fiona gave it to me, don’t meddle.” I smiled, “I won’t meddle, you can eat a hundred if you want.” I squatted down and pinched his cheek. “If anyone’s getting cavities, it’s you, not me.” “Finn, I’m leaving.” “Where to?” “Making space for your new mom. I won’t be coming here anymore.” Finn frowned, his expression just like his father’s. “Mom, stop talking nonsense. Dad said you’re an orphan too. You’ve got nowhere to go except clinging to him.” “Mom, can you be more mature?” “Aunt Fiona wouldn’t be as childish as you, running away at your age.” “Mom, just leave, I won’t miss you.” Then he lowered his head and continued playing his game. In the past, I might gently take away his electronics. Then tell him, “Mom will play LEGO with you, okay?” “Mom will go swimming with you?” “Mom will read picture books with you?” I’d sacrifice a lot of my personal growth time to spend quality time with him. Now, I don’t care. Whoever wants to manage can do it. “Alright then, Finn, hope you can keep that tough attitude.” With that, I dragged my small suitcase and walked out the door of The Declan Family’s house. The sun shone warmly on me. It stung my eyes slightly. But the phrase “living towards the sun” surfaced in my mind.

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