Category: English

Gideon’s beloved Lydia had given birth to his third child. On our tenth wedding anniversary, he brought yet another child conceived outside our marriage and said calmly: “Lydia’s child is the future heir of Gideon’s family. As Mrs. Gideon, it’s your duty to teach them well.” I didn’t react with tears or anger as I had before—I simply took the baby calmly. The guests erupted into laughter. “I heard she made quite a fuss the last two times, but this time she’s learned her lesson.” “With the Quentin family bankrupt, she knows a scene won’t help. Without her own child, she’ll be out sooner or later.” Gideon ignored their mockery and insults. I swallowed my bitterness and managed a smile: “Gideon, let’s get a divorce.” Gideon laughed, as though he’d heard the most ridiculous joke: “Nora, if you can come up with a billion dollars right now, I’ll sign immediately. Otherwise, stop pretending!” Without replying, I dialed an unfamiliar number: “I accept your terms.” A cultured voice responded with a gentle laugh: “A mere billion dollars. I can pay it for you anytime.”

“But are you sure you want to give yourself to me for a man who isn’t worth it?” The whispers of the guests cut into me like knives: “I heard the Quentin family is drowning in debt, surviving only on Mr. Gideon’s charity.” “She’s like a stray dog. Without Gideon’s family, she’d be on the streets tomorrow.” Looking at the child in my arms, I felt a wave of sadness. In ten years of marriage, Gideon and his childhood sweetheart, Phoebe, had three children for me to raise. Six years ago, I broke down when I refused. Gideon didn’t relent, using my family’s survival as leverage. Three years ago, when I resisted again, he took away my documents and kicked me out. In the freezing winter, I returned, crying and begging for his forgiveness. We loved each other when we were young. He even took a bullet for me once. But now, as we’ve grown to loathe each other, it’s time to end it. “I’m sure.” The man laughed joyfully: “In three days, everything will be as you wish.” The call ended, and I stayed silent for a long time. Seeing my red eyes, Gideon’s mocking expression softened slightly: “Nora, raising Lydia’s children to be healthy and strong is most important. As long as you behave, the position of Mrs. Gideon will always be yours. Don’t make trouble, okay?” He rarely coaxed me, but it was for someone else. I was too tired to argue and turned to leave with the child. Returning to Gideon’s family, a picture book hit my forehead, nearly making me drop the baby. Six-year-old Ezra, their first child, glared at me angrily: “Why didn’t you heat my milk?” I endured the pain and looked at the two nannies picking their nails. One rolled her eyes: “Mr. Gideon said taking care of the young master is the madam’s job. Don’t blame me for your laziness.” Right… This was all Gideon’s doing. He deliberately arranged for me to care for his and Phoebe’s children, calling it “the responsibility of Mrs. Gideon.” I remembered when Ezra had a high fever. I stayed awake for three days and nights to care for him. When he had chickenpox, I was covered in ointment to keep him company in isolation. Despite the disputes between Gideon, Phoebe, and me, the children were innocent. The child I raised with love now looked at me with hatred. Blood ties are stronger than water. To them, I was just a servant to push around. I eventually heated his milk, but as I handed it to him, he knocked it over forcefully. “Can’t you even take care of a child?” Gideon returned, his cold voice coming from behind. He pushed me aside: “What if Ezra gets burned?” My throat tightened. I’d tested the milk’s temperature. It couldn’t have burned him, especially since I was the one who got splashed. Ezra made a face at me and ran to Gideon: “Dad, Mom is clumsy. When will you take me out to play?” Gideon fondly ruffled his hair: “In three days, we’ll go out with Auntie Phoebe and take your siblings.” Phoebe’s smile froze when she heard this, but she clung tighter to Gideon’s arm. I noticed a jade ring on her finger—something my mother left Gideon before she died. There was a billion-dollar transaction behind my marriage contract with Gideon. Thirteen years ago, when I was in love with Gideon, who wasn’t yet in control of Gideon’s family, I was mistakenly diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer. To prevent affecting his fight for the family business, I broke up with him under the guise of family opposition. Later, when my family was on the brink of bankruptcy, Gideon arrived with a billion dollars, saying if I married him, he’d save my family from ruin. I was naïve then, thinking he loved me and we’d rekindle our romance. I never realized he came with hatred. My mother entrusted the ring to him on her deathbed, and he promised with teary eyes to treat me well. Now, that ring on Phoebe’s hand was the biggest mockery to me. “Sister, Gideon said I look good wearing this.” She noticed my gaze and shook her hand with a smile. “After all, he said you don’t need to dress up while taking care of the kids, so wearing these is a waste.” Gideon casually added, “It would just gather dust otherwise.” My heart was heavy with unspeakable bitterness. I just wanted to turn and leave. “Oh no!” Phoebe suddenly exclaimed. The ring fell to the ground and shattered. I instinctively reached for it but blacked out, hitting the coffee table. As blood trickled down my forehead, I caught a glimpse of Gideon’s panicked face. He frowned and instinctively reached out to help me, but Phoebe suddenly cried out in pain, twisting her ankle. He immediately shifted his attention, lifting her up like a princess. And I fell to the floor.

“Oh dear, sister, why are you so careless?” Phoebe leaned against Gideon, her voice sickeningly sweet. “Gideon, should we call a doctor to check on her?” Gideon frowned, glanced at me, hesitated for a moment, then spoke impatiently: “It’s just a scratch. Stop making a fuss.” He turned and took Phoebe and their children upstairs to rest. I walked alone to my storage room, hearing the nannies’ undisguised laughter behind me: “Why put on airs like a madam in front of me? She didn’t die from the fall!” I curled up on the small bed, drifting into a painful sleep. The wound on my forehead still ached. Footsteps approached outside. Then Gideon’s cold voice came through: “Behave tomorrow at the old man’s 80th birthday.” I didn’t answer. The door was suddenly pushed open, and Gideon stood in the doorway with a medical kit. Before I could react, he roughly pulled me up, his grip making me frown. “Know it hurts but don’t apply medicine?” He sneered at my wound but took out an alcohol pad skillfully. “Planning on showing the old man your sorry state tomorrow for sympathy?” “Gideon,” I asked softly, “why did you marry me?” He paused, then sarcastically pinched my chin: “Because you needed Gideon’s family’s billion dollars.” In the darkness, I laughed silently through tears. I should have known he didn’t marry me out of love. For ten years, he resented my parents for breaking us up, not knowing I left due to a false cancer diagnosis. By the time I wanted to tell the truth, he already hated me deeply. I took a divorce agreement from my bag and placed it on the bed. I’d brought up divorce several times over the years, but it never succeeded. With my family bankrupt, and Gideon keeping me at home to care for the kids, I had no way to gather the billion dollars he demanded for my freedom. He knew this well, never taking my requests seriously. He said impatiently: “Nora, are you done making a scene?” “This time is real.” I spoke softly but firmly. “I’ll find a way to get the money and pay you back. Even if you don’t believe me, about you…” Phoebe’s coquettish voice suddenly came from upstairs: “Gideon~ Where did you put my pink lingerie~?” Gideon immediately released me, crumpling the agreement and tossing it in the trash: “Enough, you’ve squandered all your dowry over the years. Who else but me would give you a billion dollars?” The door slammed shut. The next day, I forced myself to put on makeup, covering the wound on my forehead, and attended the birthday banquet. But Gideon’s assistant seated me in the last row, with the drivers and nannies. “Oh, isn’t this Mrs. Gideon?” A wealthy lady passed by, covering her mouth with a laugh. “What are you doing sitting here?” I sat in silence, hearing whispers behind me: “I heard Gideon brought another child home. Miss Phoebe is truly blessed with many children, no wonder she’s favored.” “Indeed, even as the legitimate wife, she’s now seated with the help. How embarrassing.” I clenched my napkin, fingers turning white. Moments later, Gideon strode over with Phoebe behind him: “Who told you to sit here?” The assistant said: “Miss Phoebe said you arranged for the madam to sit here.” Phoebe’s face turned pale with panic, but Gideon just frowned, saying nothing. She smiled smugly again. I followed Gideon to greet the old man. He kindly spoke a few words to me, then turned to Phoebe, displeased: “Not just anyone can enter Gideon’s family. Don’t bring random people here again.” Phoebe’s face turned ashen. At that moment, Ezra and Willa suddenly clung to her, calling her auntie sweetly. “Who allowed you to sit here?” The assistant replied, “Ms. Lin said you arranged for ma’am to sit here.” Phoebe’s face immediately showed panic, but Gideon just frowned and said nothing. She smiled smugly again. I followed Gideon to greet the old man. After a few kind words, he turned to see Phoebe and said disapprovingly, “Not just anyone can walk into Gideon’s family. Don’t bring such unwelcome guests next time.” Phoebe’s face turned pale. At this moment, Ezra and Willa suddenly jumped on her, sweetly calling her auntie. Phoebe’s expression softened a lot since she had given birth to three children for Gideon. Even if the old man didn’t like her, he would still show her respect for the children’s sake. The old man snorted and called Gideon away. I was about to get up and leave when Phoebe suddenly pressed my shoulder with a cold smile, “Sister, let’s play a game.”

Phoebe took out a thermos from her handbag and suddenly grabbed Willa’s wrist away from everyone’s sight. “Good girl,” she said, covering the child’s eyes, “Mommy’s going to do a magic trick.” “No!” I rushed forward to stop her, but she shoved me away. The next second, a piercing cry echoed through the hall. Willa’s fair arm instantly became red and blistered, and Phoebe quickly shoved the thermos into my hand. “Help!” Phoebe fell to her knees, holding the heartbrokenly crying Willa tightly, “Sister, if you have any grievances, come at me. Why scald Willa with boiling water? She’s just a child!” I was completely stunned, not expecting her to be so devious as to frame me and even harm her own child! Gideon rushed over, saw Willa’s injuries, and without thinking, kicked me to the ground, shouting angrily, “How could you harm such a young child! Are you even human?” Gideon called the family doctor to treat Willa’s wounds. Suddenly, Ezra started crying loudly. I lay on the ground, struggling to get up, trembling as I reached for Ezra, “Ezra, baby, don’t be afraid… tell Daddy… who just…” Before I could finish, Ezra hid behind Gideon in terror, crying, “It was Mommy! She poured hot water on Sister! I’m scared!” I froze instantly, my outstretched hand dropping weakly. “Are you really this jealous just because I brought Lydia to a party once? They’re the kids you raised yourself!” I opened my mouth, the taste of blood growing stronger in my throat, finally turning into a barely audible laugh. I looked into Gideon’s furious eyes, “Gideon, do you really believe this?” “He’s only six. Can he lie?” The guests around started whispering. Some called me “vicious,” others said, “No wonder you can’t have kids, with such a cruel heart.” The crowd’s accusations drowned me, but what hurt more was Gideon’s hateful gaze piercing my heart. To him, I was nothing but a jealous and vicious woman. Phoebe leaned into Gideon’s arms, eyes red, “Sister, if you’re sick, you need treatment. How could you do something so cruel?” Ezra’s cries grew louder, saying he was scared just seeing me. Gideon pointed at me and shouted, “Nora, get out of here where we can’t see you!” I wiped the blood from my mouth, stood up shakily, and took the divorce agreement I always carried out of my bag, smiling bitterly, “It’s time to leave… sign it, and I’ll leave quietly.” Gideon’s anger grew, and he stood up, tearing the divorce agreement and throwing it in my face, “Without ten billion, don’t even think about leaving! You’ll be my wife for life, Nora!” Outside, the rain poured down as I staggered into it, the cold rain mixing with my tears. Ten years of marriage, sincerity, and patience—shouldn’t it end when I get the money tomorrow? The next second, everything went black, and I fell down the stairs. Just as I thought I would hit the ground, I was suddenly caught in a warm, strong embrace. “I was only late for a moment, and you made yourself this miserable, hmm?” When I woke up again, I was in a hospital. The man in front of me was handsome, the current head of Carter Group, Declan Carter. I was about to speak when I noticed a familiar diamond cufflink on his suit sleeve, the gift I gave to a life-saver on my eighteenth birthday. “You finally recognize me? I didn’t waste years loving you.” Declan leaned in, his voice deep and magnetic. Memories surged back: when I was eighteen, I was kidnapped, and a young man risked his life to save me. Before leaving, I gave him my most precious birthday gift… “It’s you…” My voice trembled as I instinctively tried to sit up, but he suddenly looked tense and supported me, “Careful, the doctor said you’re pregnant, eight weeks.” I froze completely. The timing was just right; it was Gideon’s last time with me when he was drunk and mistook me for Phoebe. Declan chuckled coldly, “Interesting, Gideon kicked you out, not knowing his wife is pregnant with his child.” He smirked and looked at me with intense eyes, “But soon it won’t be his.” I was overwhelmed by the barrage of news, “What?” Declan laughed, “The ten billion has already been transferred; whether he signs or not, he has to.”

At that moment, Gideon was sitting in the villa garden, watching Phoebe and the two children playing on the lawn. “How could sister not come back all night, how could she be so petty with you, the baby cried at night and it broke my heart.” Gideon sneered, about to speak when his phone vibrated. He casually opened the message, still thinking about how to teach me a lesson when I got back. But the message froze his smile instantly— [Your account has received a transfer of 1,000,000,000.00 RMB, memo: divorce settlement] “Gideon?” Phoebe sensed something was wrong and reached for his phone. “What’s happening?” Gideon reread the message, disbelief etched on his face, before leaping up from his seat. Ezra nearly toppled over and began to cry loudly in fright. He shoved Phoebe away, staring intently at the message, his fingers trembling uncontrollably. One billion… Could Nora really have gathered one billion? “That’s impossible,” he muttered, immediately calling the bank for confirmation. “Mr. Gideon, the amount has indeed been credited from the Carter Group’s overseas account.”

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BFF got pregnant before marriage, so I kindly let her stay at my house. Then I discovered the baby she was carrying belonged to my husband, who is a mama’s boy. My mother-in-law, who favors sons, belittled me, claiming I was useless compared to my BFF, and even likened me to something worse than a female dog. The day after I refused to divorce, the Ice Age Apocalypse struck. They threw me out, watching as I froze to death, becoming an ice sculpture. But fate gave me another chance and granted me a wish. “I just wish my BFF a prosperous pregnancy with six children.” When I learned my BFF Lydia was pregnant with six children, I realized I had been reborn, and Lydia’s wish had come true. “Nora, thank you for letting me stay at your house for free and accompanying me to my check-ups.” At this moment, Lydia hadn’t revealed her true nature and looked genuinely grateful. I suppressed my disgust and hatred, forcing a natural smile. “We’re like sisters; your concerns are mine.” Back home, my mother-in-law and husband Nolan were thrilled to hear Lydia was expecting six children. Mother-in-law clapped her hands joyfully: “Lydia is incredible, the more children, the better! It’s wonderful for the family line!” Then she cast a disdainful glance at me. “Unlike some people who have been married for two years without a sign of pregnancy, freeloading off our family, not even as good as a dog that can have puppies!” Nolan, the mama’s boy, scoffed, “Why are you just standing there? Mom gets annoyed seeing you. If you can’t have kids, at least make yourself useful in the kitchen!” I swallowed my anger, pleading as I did in my past life. “I’d like my BFF to stay in the empty house next door, is that okay, Mom?” Mother-in-law feigned reluctance but agreed. “Alright then, there’s an old saying that taking care of a pregnant woman can help you conceive. You go and look after Lydia and catch some of her good fortune!”

In my past life, my unmarried BFF cried to me about being abandoned and contemplated suicide. Feeling sorry for her, I decided to help by letting her stay next door to offer support. I was puzzled by my mother-in-law’s and my mama’s boy husband’s unusual excitement but didn’t think much of it. Until I saw Nolan, Lydia, and my mother-in-law had formed a group chat named One Big Happy Family. That’s when I realized that the father of the child in my BFF’s belly was Nolan. They had been together behind my back for over half a year. I confronted the three of them. My mother-in-law, who preferred sons, pulled my hair and cursed, “Useless hen! You can’t give birth and still have the nerve to ask? Do you want the Wang family line to end with you, you disgrace?” I turned to Nolan for help, but he helped his mom pin me to the ground. “My mom said I need a woman to give me kids. If you can’t, I’ll just have your BFF do it. Show some respect to my mom; it wasn’t easy raising me.” I got injured and was bedridden. I planned to call the police, but the extreme snowstorm delayed their arrival. The next day, the Ice Age Apocalypse struck. The whole community started heating early, roads were covered in snow, and TV stations announced that the extreme weather would last a long time. Residents were warned to stay inside and conserve food and water. My mother-in-law and Nolan conspired. “One more person means one more mouth to feed, can’t let my grandson suffer, Nora is useless, just kick her out to fend for herself.” “Mom, I’ll do whatever you say!” Outside was minus thirty degrees; going out meant certain death. No matter how I begged Nolan, he just repeated, “My mom said you being alive just means one more mouth to feed!” In less than ten minutes, I lost body heat, froze to death, turning into an ice sculpture. But fate had other plans. I was reborn. And granted a wish. My wish was for BFF Lydia to have a fruitful pregnancy with six kids. Just wait, my revenge has only begun.

I directly let Lydia move into the Wang house instead of next door. My mother-in-law was indeed pleased. Affectionately holding Lydia’s hand. “Oh my, with those childbearing hips, you’re bound to have sons! If all six are boys, I’ll be over the moon every day!” I showed no suspicion, pretending to know nothing every day. Whatever BFF wanted to eat, I’d make it, acting like a fool eager to be the child’s godmother. No matter how Lydia and Nolan flirted in private. Every time they slept, I’d get up to select a shelter. Calculating, the Ice Age Apocalypse was just half a month away. Looking at the million-dollar dowry my father left me, I decided to use it to build a comfortable, warm shelter. First, I chose the apocalypse survival location in the old family bunker. That bunker, now abandoned, once saved the whole village. Built by a famous returning architect at the time. I just needed to spend money on upgrades to turn it into an upgraded bunker. I contacted my cousin still in the village to help with this. Cousin was puzzled, “You’re living well in the city, why think of the village bunker, that place is quite dilapidated now.” Seeing I didn’t want to reveal much, Cousin didn’t press, just added with concern. “If things aren’t good in the city, coming back to the village is fine too. If you’re wronged, tell your cousin.” My eyes welled up. In the past, my mother-in-law often ridiculed me for having rural relatives. Mocking me as a wild chicken trying to perch high. But my family wasn’t poor; my dad was the first in the village to attend a prestigious university, getting a decent job after graduation, where he met my mom. Unfortunately, a car accident took them away. Growing up, I misjudged people, failing to see Nolan’s mama’s boy nature. After marriage, my mother-in-law often checked my phone, fearing I’d use family money to aid my family. Little did she know, our village had long prospered. Conditions were quite good. “Where are you sneaking off to make calls, is it some poor relative looking to leech off us?” Mother-in-law stood behind me, face dark. Nolan grumbled, “Mom said no using our money for poor relatives, do you even care about my mom!” I lowered myself, smiling apologetically. “No, I was asking another family’s babysitter about making soup for Lydia.” They half-believed, and the matter passed. I sneered inside. The Wang family might have some money, but it’s all from rental income. That’s why Lydia got involved with Nolan. Willing to bear his kids. But soon, their little money would be worthless. In the Ice Age Apocalypse, only food and water were precious. Money would just be worthless paper. I’ll never forget past grievances. I’ll slowly plot, letting these three receive what’s due. By then, I’ll be in the upgraded bunker, living well. As for them, they’ll face a dog-eat-dog world!

Cousin was exceptionally attentive to my matters. In just ten days, he finished renovating the bunker. Next was equipping the bunker. The Ice Age Apocalypse will cause power outages in most areas. I bought three generators: a diesel generator, portable, providing stable power output, needing regular maintenance and fuel replacement. A solar generator, converting sunlight to electricity, emitting no harmful gases, not consuming diesel, but has obvious drawbacks, heavily weather-dependent, unusable at night. A pedaling generator, only needing manpower, but its power output is small. So, the primary one is the diesel generator. I purchased a large amount of diesel, ensuring three months’ supply, with the bunker being ideal for diesel storage. With power sorted, next was food and water. I first bought essential appliances, like a frying pan and rice cooker, minimizing electric product purchases to prevent excessive consumption. I prepared a hundred pounds of rice, flour, and oil, and bought hundreds of boxes of instant noodles of various flavors. As for water, I decided to buy a purifier. In the apocalyptic cold, outside is a snowy world, water isn’t lacking. Firstly, pure water bottles take up too much space, and secondly, saved space can create a vegetable hydroponic area. Self-sufficiency, no need for a fridge, saving space and power. I bought seeds for cabbage, spinach, cilantro, tomatoes, and bok choy. For meat, I could only buy lots of military rations, enough for three months. Other than that, just some snacks I like and daily necessities. Having solved the food problem, there’s still clothing. I purchased down jackets and snow boots worth thousands, advertised as suitable even for Antarctica. Next, medicine. Especially vitamin tablets. In apocalyptic times, lacking fruit for long periods causes vitamin deficiency, leading to scurvy. Without timely treatment, one could die from fever, swelling, and paralysis. Living alone in the bunker, I mustn’t fall ill. After completing all this, the weather grew colder. Mother-in-law often nagged in my ear. “Always running out, who’s going to care for your BFF with her big belly, are you expecting this old woman to do it?” I couldn’t help but talk back, quietly making meals for the three. BFF lounged on the sofa watching TV, more like the hostess than me. “I want some fruit, make me a nice fruit platter, it’ll cheer me up if it looks good.” My gaze turned cold. “The apples on the table are washed, you can eat them directly.” Lydia glanced at Nolan, seemingly wanting to reveal the secret. The weather had turned much colder by the time all this was over. My mother-in-law would often nag at me. “You’re always out and about. Who’s going to look after your pregnant friend? Surely you don’t expect me, an old woman, to do it!” I couldn’t help but retort, all the while quietly preparing food for the three of them. My friend was lounging on the couch watching TV, looking more like the lady of the house than me. “I feel like having some fruit. Make me a nice-looking fruit platter. I’ll only feel good if it looks good.” I gave her a frosty look. “The apples on the table are already washed. You can eat them as they are.” Lydia glanced at Nolan, as if she was eager to spill a secret. Last night, I secretly checked Nolan’s phone and saw the advice he had given her. My mom said not to tell her about us just yet. Just treat her like a free maid. If she refuses to do chores, make her feel guilty. Lydia immediately put on a sorrowful face. “Nora, you were the one who invited me to stay at your place. Are you annoyed with me now? It’s normal for a pregnant woman to have cravings.” At this, my mother-in-law spoke up. “Exactly, you were the one who said Lydia could stay with us. My son and I, the real hosts, have no issue with it. So why do you?” Ha, what I had originally suggested was for her to stay next door. It was your idea for her to move in. If I had known the child Lydia is carrying was Nolan’s, I wouldn’t have cared about her well-being at all. I smiled. “Alright, just hold on a moment. I’ll make the fruit platter now.” It looks like the text you wanted to provide is missing. Could you please share the text you’d like translated?

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I am Ethan Fuller’s girlfriend, the heir to a wealthy family. Ethan is bold and handsome; I am shy and demure. Everyone thinks I’m not good enough for him and is waiting for us to break up. I feel the same way and have long been prepared to leave. Recently, his beautiful and accomplished ex-girlfriend has returned from abroad, Yet he proposed to me… It was already 11:30 at night when I finished getting ready for bed. Just then, I received a call from Ethan’s friend: “Tina, Ethan’s drunk. Can you come pick him up?” Before I could respond, he hung up. They were so sure I would come. And they were right. As soon as the call ended, I quickly changed and headed out to the bar to pick him up. But remembering the content of Ethan’s friends’ social media posts, my heart ached a little. [Welcome back, Rosalyn! Congrats on completing your studies abroad!] [Did she come back for her old flame? — Yes, she did!] [Can’t believe we’re about to witness the reunion of a perfect couple!] All these posts, so lively and excited, were just showcasing Rosalyn’s excellence and how well-matched she and Ethan were. Even though they knew I was Ethan’s girlfriend, and that I could see all of this. But they didn’t care, because it was Rosalyn! Ethan’s ex-girlfriend, the beauty queen of A University, and the heiress of the Lin Group. I was also a student at A University, and I had heard all about their passionate love story. Now that she’s back, should I step aside?

When I arrived at the bar, Ethan was already lying on the couch, half-asleep. When everyone saw me, they casually said, “Tina’s here. We were having a good time, and Ethan had a bit too much to drink.” “Of course we’re happy. Rosalyn’s back, and I heard she’s going to work at Ethan’s company…” Someone nudged the person who was speaking. That person shrugged carelessly, looking at me with a hint of challenge in his eyes, completely disregarding me as Ethan’s girlfriend. Ethan’s friends had never liked me, I knew that from the first time we met. Because I was just too ordinary and well-behaved. I smiled faintly, pretending not to care. I walked over to Ethan and gently patted his cheek. Ethan opened his eyes groggily, and seeing it was me, he sat up with a silly grin and hugged me, nuzzling against me. “Oh, my little wifey is here! My wife came to pick me up!” Drunk Ethan was burning hot, and the alcohol on his breath made me a bit uncomfortable. I skillfully took out the thermos I always carried and unscrewed the cap, handing it to him. “Have some honey water.” Ethan held my hand as he took a sip. “Sweet, so sweet, but not as sweet as my wife!” I blushed at his straightforward words. Even after three years together, I still wasn’t used to his outgoing personality. The others laughed along, “Sister-in-law is so thoughtful!” They only called me “sister-in-law” in front of Ethan. Ethan hugged me proudly, showing off, “Are you jealous?” “I… haha… wouldn’t dare.” It was clearly a forced laugh. They weren’t jealous at all. They disliked boring girls like me the most. I had heard Ethan’s friends complain more than once: “I really don’t know what Ethan likes about Tina. She’s just average-looking, with a dull personality. She can’t compare to Rosalyn at all.” “Yeah, Tina is just too obedient and well-behaved, like plain water. If I were with her, I’d be bored in three days.” “Maybe Ethan just got bored and found a little housekeeper for fun. But I have to say, Tina does take good care of Ethan.” “Of course she does. If she couldn’t even be a good housekeeper, what right would she have to stay by Ethan’s side?” “Hahaha… that’s true.” … I tugged at Ethan’s sleeve. “It’s late, let’s go home!” “Okay, whatever my wife says!” I supported the stumbling Ethan as we stood up. As we reached the door, he suddenly turned around and announced with a grin, “You guys all have to come to my wedding!” “Sure, sure…” Still just polite small talk. I also knew that his friends had a betting pool going on when we would break up. Some bet on one month, others on three months, with the longest bet not exceeding six months. Now, three years have passed. Not only have Ethan and I not broken up, but he proposed to me three days ago. However, today, Ethan’s ex-girlfriend Rosalyn arrived in the city. I don’t know if our wedding will still happen as planned.

I was driving Ethan home. My car was a top-of-the-line Volvo, but the high-performance SUV moved like a snail in my hands. Ethan, who had been drowsy at the bar, was now sitting in the passenger seat, staring intently at me. I felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze. “Why are you staring at me?” “It’s my right to look at my wife however I want.” I pouted, feeling a bit frustrated. “If you think I’m driving too slow, just say so.” “I don’t mind. Slow is fine, safety first! We’re taking our relationship slow anyway, step by step. You’re off tomorrow, so we’re not in a hurry.” Ethan patted my thigh. “I just feel really safe sitting in your car.” During a red light, I turned to look at Ethan. He was truly handsome, the most good-looking man I’d seen in my 27 years of life. Ethan had deep-set eyes, dark pupils, and long, delicate eyelashes. Looking into his eyes was like being drawn into an endless wilderness. Seeing me staring at him, Ethan smiled mischievously. “What, are you mesmerized by your husband’s good looks?” I calmly asked, “Why were you so happy today?” “I’m getting married to my little wife, of course I’m happy.” Is that so? But Rosalyn came back today, isn’t that worth being happy about too? I stared at him intently. “Ethan, are you sure? About marrying me?” “Of course! What, are you having second thoughts?” I smiled bitterly. “I’m afraid you’ll regret it.” Ethan suddenly sat up straight, looking at me with sincere eyes: “Tina, you have no idea how happy I am to marry you!” I smiled slightly, meeting his hazy, drunken gaze. I couldn’t quite make out the depth of emotion in his eyes.

I’m not good enough for Ethan. That’s everyone’s unanimous opinion. Ethan is the heir to the Fuller Group, born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He’s bold and unrestrained, with an unyielding spirit. Because of his background, he’s always been the center of attention wherever he goes. Ethan is also very good-looking, with sharp features, a high nose bridge, and a chiseled jawline. His deep-set eyes and thin lips would not be out of place even among the handsome actors in the entertainment industry. As for me, I’m just an ordinary girl from a middle-class family. I followed the usual path of going to school and finding a stable job after graduation, just like most people. My looks are also average. Among the beautiful women in the circle of wealthy heirs, I could at best be described as demure and gentle. Compared to those stunning beauties, I’m really not much to look at. If I had to say what my strong point is, it would be that I’m obedient and well-behaved. That’s why everyone disapproves of my relationship with Ethan. After all, Ethan’s ex-girlfriend Rosalyn was truly stunning, and the difference between us is obvious. My meeting with Ethan was completely accidental. My mother runs a small convenience store near A University. During that time, my mother wasn’t feeling well, so I helped out at the store in the evenings. That night, Ethan came to buy cigarettes. He was wearing a hat and a mask, so I didn’t recognize him. I was getting him some water when suddenly a crazed man rushed in, holding a knife to me and fiercely demanding, “Give me the money!” It was my first time encountering a robbery, and I was terrified. I trembled as I tried to explain, “Sir, please calm down. We use mobile payments now, we don’t have…” “Shut up!” The man was clearly mentally unstable and lunged at me with the knife. At that moment, Ethan suddenly intervened, grabbing the knife with one hand and kicking the attacker away. Ethan swiftly subdued the frenzied man. Then, I immediately called the police and gave my statement. It was only when answering the police’s questions that I realized he was the famous Ethan Fuller. The campus heartthrob of A University, a prominent figure, and the heir to a wealthy family. After the police left, I saw his bloody palm and felt terrible. After all, he got hurt while saving me. I clumsily bandaged his hand, repeatedly thanking him. Perhaps seeing me being so polite, Ethan jokingly said, “If you’re so grateful, why don’t you marry me?” “Huh?” I must have looked really dumb at that moment because Ethan’s smile was dazzlingly bright. That’s how Ethan and I met. Later, on a certain day, he very seriously asked me if I wanted to be his girlfriend. I think I must have liked Ethan. He was excellent, attentive, and never showed the arrogance of a rich heir in front of me. He respected me and cared for me. If it weren’t for the various filters placed on him by campus legends and his wealthy background, Ethan would really be a great boyfriend. I thought, even if we were destined to break up in the future, it wouldn’t be a loss to have dated someone like him. I agreed. If there was a second time in my life when I was brave and willful, it was becoming Ethan’s girlfriend. Unexpectedly, three years have passed in the blink of an eye. I glanced at the sleeping man beside me. He unconsciously wrapped his arm around my waist, seemingly lost in a sweet dream, smacking his lips and snuggling closer to me. I told myself: It’s okay, Tina. Even if we break up, it’s okay. It never belonged to you in the first place, so losing it is inevitable.

My body clock was very stable. No matter what time I went to bed the night before, I would always wake up on time the next morning. I moved Ethan’s arm from my waist, got up to wash, and made breakfast. I was just putting the hot soy milk on the table when I heard Ethan’s voice from the bedroom. “Okay, okay… I got it, I’ll be back at noon.” “Alright, I’ll bring her.” “Fine, fine, please don’t interfere.” “Mom, I’m serious…” I peeked into the room, craning my neck. I saw Ethan hang up the phone, toss it aside, and rub his hair in frustration. He looked up and met my curious eyes, beckoning to me like he was calling a puppy. “Come here.” I obediently shuffled over. He suddenly hugged me, turned me sideways, and pressed me onto the bed, showering me with kisses and pinches. I panicked and tried to dodge, stammering, “You… haven’t… brushed your teeth!” “You’re disgusted by me!” I grumbled unhappily. He didn’t care and bit me again, “Alright, I’ll listen to my wife. I’ll go wash up.” I stared at Ethan’s back as he hummed while brushing his teeth and washing his face, lost in thought. Setting aside others’ judgments and simply examining our relationship, he seemed to truly love me. After washing up, Ethan looked refreshed. A few drops of water still clung to his jaw, flowing down his neck, over his prominent Adam’s apple, leaving a faint water trail… “Are you mesmerized by your husband’s good looks?” I turned away shyly and poured him a glass of soy milk. “Freshly made this morning, no sugar added.” “Even without sugar, anything my wife makes is super sweet.” Such a smooth talker. We sat down to eat breakfast, and Ethan suddenly said, “Come home with me at noon today.” “Huh?” I was a bit reluctant. Ethan laughed, “What are you afraid of? The ugly bride has to meet the in-laws eventually.” “I know, it’s just…” I was just a bit afraid of Ethan’s mother. Ethan held my hand, reassuring me, “Don’t be scared. I’m the one marrying you, not my mom. We won’t be living together anyway, we’ll just have dinner together on holidays. As long as we can maintain a cordial relationship, don’t feel too pressured.” I forced a smile but sighed inwardly. He had no idea of my worries.

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At Gabriel’s bachelor party, his childhood friend Rose approached him for a kiss. “Gabe, you’re not engaged until tomorrow. Since you’re still single tonight, can I have a little kiss?” He hesitated for a moment, then leaned in and kissed her without hesitation. Their friends froze, all eyes turning to me – his fiancée. Everyone expected me to cause a scene and call off the engagement right then and there. Instead, I walked up to them and cheered them on. “Bravo! I love it! Why stop at a peck? Use some tongue, why don’t you?” 0 Gabriel stiffened when he heard my words and turned to look at me. Rose was still in his arms, breathless. When she saw me, her eyes held a challenging glint. “Oh, Lily! I didn’t see you there. Gabe, I’m so embarrassed!” Gabriel looked confused for a moment when he heard Rose, but quickly regained his composure. He tried to explain, “Lily, it’s not what it looks like. Rose is just like a sister to me…” Everyone here was Gabriel’s friend and supporter. No one dared say a word against him. Someone even tried to cover for him: “Yeah, Lily. Gabe’s just had too much to drink tonight.” I looked at Rose, who was impeccably dressed. Her carefully applied red lipstick was now smudged from the kiss, giving her an even more alluring appearance. Noticing my gaze, she stared right back at me defiantly, as if to say, “No matter how long you look, this man will drop you for me with just a crook of my finger.” “Hah.” Her arrogance made me laugh bitterly. “Oh really? Just like a sister? Well, you’re not actually related, so why don’t you just marry her instead?” Gabriel’s expression darkened at my words. “Lily, I suggest you watch your jokes! I’ve already explained, what more do you want from me? Do you really need to keep harping on this and insulting Rose? Where are your manners? Rose just got back from abroad, I’m just looking out for her a bit more. What’s wrong with that?” His words made everyone’s expressions turn awkward. Just looking out for her a bit more? We’re all adults here. Since when did “looking out” for someone mean practically taking them to bed? Rose smiled sweetly and said in a considerate tone, “Gabe, don’t say that about Lily. She’s always been so kind and understanding. She’ll understand us, right Lily?” But I didn’t react the way they expected. I didn’t even acknowledge Rose. This made everyone watch me with eager anticipation, wondering how I would handle Rose. Anyone could see Gabriel’s clear favoritism towards Rose. They were curious why Gabriel seemed the angriest, even though he was the one who had done wrong. Where did he get the nerve? In Gabriel’s eyes, I saw impatience and a “here we go again” look. As if I was some kind of monster who would fly off the handle at any moment. I suppose that makes sense. In the past, when faced with someone like Rose, I would have been a firecracker ready to explode at the slightest spark. And he would be the silent observer, watching me detonate after he lit the fuse. Until I was hysterical and completely spent. Then he would pick up the pieces, acting as if nothing had happened. He’d offer some empty words or a gift, and I would pathetically make excuses and forget everything. I’ve lost count of how many times this cycle has repeated. The worst time, I steeled my resolve to leave. But just as I was walking out the door, he called. “Lily, I really can’t live without you.” Just like that, with one flimsy sentence, I turned right back around. Every single time, it was the same. Countless nights I broke down, then licked my wounds alone. Then we’d act like nothing happened and get back together. By now, I’m utterly exhausted from this relationship. 0

Someone nudged me, snapping me out of my thoughts. I’m not sure how long I had been standing there lost in thought, but the atmosphere had grown tense. All eyes were on me. “Lily, if you’re going to make a scene, go home. Don’t embarrass me here!” Hearing his harsh rebuke, I suddenly felt it all pointless. I grabbed my purse from the booth and headed for the exit. “I’ll be going then. Have fun, everyone.” I waved behind me as I walked away without looking back. As I was leaving, I heard Rose say to Gabriel in her sickeningly sweet voice: “Gabe, you don’t think Lily’s mad at me again, do you? I really didn’t mean any harm!” Gabriel gently reassured her: “It’s not your fault. Don’t worry about it.” Whatever was happening in that room no longer concerned me. Even if they were rolling around in bed right now, it wouldn’t faze me one bit. After all, to outsiders, they looked more like the intimate couple. I was the one intruding between them. They shamelessly acted intimate under the guise of being “siblings” time and time again, right in front of others. Those suggestive words, those repeated boundary-pushing tests. They played me perfectly, accusing me of being petty the moment I got upset. This time was no different – the same old story, the same accusations. Gabriel took advantage of my feelings for him, acting without a care. I had just gotten in the car when I received a video message from a friend. The video showed Gabriel and Rose dancing closely, then passionately kissing. I couldn’t even finish watching before feeling nauseous, like I had just kissed a toilet seat. My friend also sent a message asking: “Are you really not going to do anything about this?” After the wave of nausea passed, I sat back in my seat, staring blankly at the message. Was there even any point anymore? I couldn’t figure it out after thinking for a while. Annoyed, I turned off my phone screen. With a roar of the engine, I drove out of the parking garage. I rolled down the window, letting the chilly night air clear my muddled mind. Suddenly, I realized – maybe I could stop loving Gabriel. I returned to the home Gabriel and I shared. Everything in this place was decorated to his taste. From the overall style down to each little ornament. Everything except me. After three years of living here with him, I had grown accustomed to it all. I loved everything here as much as I loved Gabriel. But now, it all seemed laughable. I went upstairs to get ready for bed, then fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Around 4 or 5 in the morning, I heard the front door open downstairs. Gabriel was back. I had thought he wouldn’t come home tonight. I didn’t get up to greet him, just rolled over and went back to sleep. Before I could drift off, I heard something shatter downstairs. He probably bumped into something in the dark, not used to the lights being off. In the past, I always left the lights on waiting for him, even if he didn’t come home until morning. This was the first time I hadn’t waited up with the lights on. He pushed open the bedroom door, light from the hallway falling across me. There was no arguing like he expected. 0

It was as if nothing had happened at the party. I wasn’t hysterical, nor did I show any concern. I just lay there, as still as a corpse. He stood silently by the bed for a long time. Seeing I still didn’t react, he eventually stormed out, slamming the door behind him. I knew he was trying to get my attention. He needed me to comfort him, to let him vent his frustrations. But I was tired of it all. I slept soundly that night and woke up in a good mood to make myself breakfast. As I finished cooking, Gabriel emerged from his study, rubbing his temples. A symptom of his hangover. Seeing his familiar figure, I couldn’t help but think of last night. When I returned to the apartment last night, he wasn’t there. But I felt no worry at all. I just went through my usual bedtime routine. The bed felt so much more spacious without him in it. Gabriel hadn’t even sent me a single message after last night, and I felt nothing about it. In the past, I would have been beside myself with worry, ready to mobilize my entire network to find him. Did I still want to marry him? As I pondered this, my phone buzzed with a new picture message. It was a photo of Rose and Gabriel in bed together. Along with an ultrasound report showing 16 weeks pregnant. Oh, so that’s why he didn’t have time to message – he was too busy in bed with his “sister.” Though shocked, I forced myself to accept the reality. There had been signs between them for a long time. I should have seen this coming. After all that flirting under the guise of being “siblings,” it would have been stranger if they hadn’t gone all the way. I texted Rose back: “Congrats! From rolling in the sheets last night to 16 weeks along already? Your kid must be some kind of superhero.” Rose replied quickly: “Lily, what are you talking about? Did you even look at the report date?” “Let me remind you – this was from 5 months ago, the day of your engagement.” I froze in place, Gabriel’s voice cutting through my thoughts. “Lily, don’t make the soup too thick. I don’t like it that way.” “I want some Shanghai-style noodle soup. I don’t have much appetite, something warm would be nice.” I heard him say this as I bustled around the kitchen. How laughable. Did he think I was his maid now? Even maids get days off and a salary. I had nothing. He couldn’t even keep it in his pants outside, let alone provide any emotional value, yet he expected me to do what exactly? I ignored him, tossed my phone aside, and sat down to eat my own breakfast. Gabriel, who had been waiting a while, surprisingly didn’t get angry when he saw I hadn’t made anything for him. Instead, he said: “I drank too much yesterday and got carried away. It was my last night as a bachelor, don’t be mad.” I had just finished eating and was loading the dishes into the dishwasher, not really listening to what he was saying. Seeing I didn’t respond, he repeated himself. I finally looked up at him. “Oh, why would I be mad? Didn’t you say she’s just like a sister to you?” He hadn’t expected me to be so nonchalant. Trying to sound casual, he said: “Right, so don’t overthink it. We’re getting married soon, I promise it won’t happen again.” “Mhm.” I finished tidying up and grabbed my bag, ready to head to my studio. “Lily!” Gabriel called out just as I was about to leave. “Yes?” I turned back, puzzled. He looked at me in disbelief: “You’re just… forgiving me like that?” “What should I do instead?” “Anyway, I’ve got to go or I’ll be late.” Men are such strange creatures. He used to get mad when I adamantly refused to let him interact with other women. Now that I’ve given him the freedom he wanted, he seems upset too. I really don’t understand. When I arrived at the studio, everyone was huddled together whispering instead of working as usual. This unusual behavior piqued my curiosity. As I approached, I caught snippets of their conversation: “Do you think Lily knows about this?” “I bet it was on purpose, to make Lily back down.” … I was about to ask what was going on when I heard crying from outside. I turned to see Gabriel dragging Rose towards me. Their intimate body language drew stares from my coworkers. Before I could say anything, Gabriel glared at me furiously. “Lily, did you do this?!”

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Every time my wife had an intimate conversation with her assistant, I would write a number in her diary. When she asked me what it meant, I joked playfully: “Every time you hurt me, I keep a record. When it reaches 100, I’ll leave you.” By the time I wrote 99, she didn’t take it seriously. When I wrote 100, I heard rhythmic moans coming from the CEO’s office. “Marcus, give me a child. Be my man, okay?” My hand, ready to knock on the door, fell limp at her words. Back home, I took down all our wedding photos, my anger and resentment having nowhere to go. I picked up a pen and wrote eight words furiously in the diary: “Lily, it’s over between us!” Suddenly, a sentence appeared below: “Who are you? Why are you writing in my diary?” “And what does this 100 mean?” Overcome with emotion, I forgot to be afraid and replied: I’m Adrian, because you don’t love him. “This 100 represents my 100 disappointments in you. I’m leaving you.” Words started popping up in the diary one by one. “You’re Adrian? You want to leave me?” “Impossible, how could you be Adrian? He’s standing right next to me!” “Who are you really? How can you appear in my diary?” Three questions appeared out of thin air. I was so startled I dropped the diary. It took two minutes for me to calm down. Looking at the words, I picked up the pen and replied: “I really am Adrian, 30-year-old Adrian.” “And I know you’re 17-year-old Lily. The future you will betray me. So, 17-year-old you shouldn’t get close to me either.” The diary suddenly went quiet. This was a magical notebook that I found in the attic while packing my bags. It happened a few days after my 30-year-old wife, drunk for the thousandth time, called out Marcus’s name and said she regretted marrying me. She said if she had married Marcus instead, she could have been a mother by now. When I opened it, I saw it was full of 17-year-old Lily’s love and devotion to me. Growing up, because of my looks, I always had many admirers. But because my parents divorced early, I never had much hope for love. No matter who confessed to me, I always refused: “I’m sorry, I just want to focus on my studies. I’m not interested in dating.” Until I met Lily. Unlike others, she pursued me relentlessly from middle school to college. After facing rejection after rejection from me, she only became more determined. She even participated in a dangerous car race just to win a watch I liked. Seeing her nearly lose her life, I finally opened my heart. When I discovered this notebook could update in real-time, I realized it was connected to 13 years ago. But when I remembered that two months ago, when I went to find her, I heard her and her new assistant passionately making love on the couch in her CEO office. And that person was Marcus, our high school classmate and her former neighbor and childhood friend. At that moment, the beautiful memories of the past were shattered by the cruel reality, becoming nothing but bubbles. Since then, I hadn’t communicated with the girl in the diary. Because I knew that no matter how passionate the love recorded in the diary was, it would eventually be betrayed. Just as I was bitterly printing out the divorce papers I had prepared long ago, signing my name stroke by stroke, ready to fulfill what I had said before – if she betrayed me, I would disappear from her world forever – I heard the jarring sound of paper being torn in the diary. “Impossible, I love him!” The pen tip, carrying the girl’s emotions, carved into the paper stroke by stroke, “I’ve loved Adrian for six whole years, how could I possibly betray him.” “You must be lying to me, you can’t possibly be Adrian! Who are you really?” “Tell me, are you Marcus?” Through the diary, I could almost see 17-year-old Lily’s angry and stubborn expression as she spoke of vows she would inevitably break in the future. Back then, her love was pure and determined. Of course, she couldn’t have imagined that at 30, she would become so cruel and heartless. I picked up the pen to reply, when suddenly the door was pushed open. The wind that came in flipped the pages of the diary. I calmly closed the diary. 30-year-old Lily came in and started rummaging through drawers and cabinets. In the past, every time she came home, she would excitedly jump into my arms, nuzzling me like a little kitten. Sometimes when I pushed her away because I was ticklish, she would cling even tighter, her big eyes sparkling as she whispered sweet nothings that made me blush. But now, her gaze didn’t even linger on me for half a second. After searching for nearly ten minutes without finding what she wanted, Lily finally turned to me in frustration and demanded: “Adrian, have you seen the family heirloom my mom left me?” “I’m pregnant, and I want to give the heirloom to Marcus, to bless our family of three.” Family of three?! My heart suddenly ached. On our wedding day, in front of all the guests, she had personally handed the heirloom to me for safekeeping. Lily’s brother was very dissatisfied, “Sis, Mom’s heirloom was meant for you to give to your baby. Everyone knows your husband is useless now, why give it to him?” 13 years ago, I had an accident that injured my body, leaving me unable to have children for life. No one had ever dared to mention this in front of Lily, but on our wedding day, her brother pointed it out in front of everyone. The atmosphere instantly became extremely awkward. Everyone focused their gaze on me, starting to whisper. I turned away in embarrassment, but Lily held me even tighter, slapping her brother across the face and declaring publicly, “Even if Adrian can’t have children, he’s the only one worthy of keeping the heirloom. He is the only man for me, Lily.” At that moment, I was grateful I had bet on the right person. For five years of marriage, I had carefully preserved it. But now, I laughed bitterly and pulled out the jade pendant engraved with the words “Peace and Safety” from the drawer. Lily snatched it, smiling happily, “Finally found it! After the baby is born, I want Marcus to put this on him personally.” Only then did she deign to look up at me, the coldness in her eyes unconcealed. “My mom said the heirloom needs to be put on by the child’s father to be effective. Now that I’m pregnant with Marcus’s child, this pendant should be in his care.” “Today I still need Marcus to accompany me for a prenatal checkup, so I have to go now. I’ll celebrate our wedding anniversary with you when I get back.” At the door, she suddenly stopped, glancing at me with a look of condescension. “Don’t worry, even if Marcus and I have a child, you’ll still be the nominal father. You’ll always be my husband.” Giving a slap followed by a sweet gesture was her usual trick in recent years. Watching her leave happily, I smiled bitterly. She says I’m her husband, but she’s having a child with another man. Opening the diary again, I saw another line had appeared: “Because I was waiting for your reply, I missed getting the spot in front of him.” I immediately picked up our graduation photo and was shocked to find that 17-year-old Lily’s position had indeed changed. I couldn’t help but hold my breath, my hand trembling uncontrollably. Could the Lily on the other end of the diary change the future? Chapter

Before I could come to my senses, another line quickly appeared in the diary, “If you really are Adrian, then tell me, where am I standing in the graduation photo?” I immediately replied, “You’re standing in front of Marcus.” The diary went quiet again. After waiting for a minute with no reply, I picked up the pen and wrote stroke by stroke with force. “Lily, please leave my life.” “Why? If you really are Adrian, don’t you know I like you?” The last question mark was written with such force that it tore through the paper. “Like? It’s because of your ‘like’ that the day after the graduation photo was taken, I was stabbed by people Marcus sent, leaving me unable to have children for life!!” “And now at 30, you’re pregnant with his child.” With each word I wrote, the memories of the past became clearer. I had tried everything to forget these memories, but countless nights, I was awakened by these painful memories, unable to sleep. It had become my inescapable nightmare. 13 years ago, Marcus begged Lily to stand in front of him, but she refused. Lily firmly stood in front of me, saying not only now, but in the future when we take wedding photos, she would stand with me. The girl’s passionate confession made my ears turn red. But the next day, an enraged Marcus found a dozen thugs to corner me in an alley. When Lily arrived after hearing the news, she saw me covered in blood and cried uncontrollably. She carried me on her back, even though I was half a head taller than her, and stumbled frantically towards the hospital. To save me, she donated half her blood, but although I survived, I suffered severe damage, permanently impairing my ability to have children. Lily held me and cried her eyes out, swearing she would marry no one but me and never let me be hurt again. But I never imagined that now she would cheat on me with Marcus, the mastermind behind my injury, and even get pregnant with his child. “Lily, promise me, if you like me, leave my life.” “As far away as possible! Can you do that?” “I’m begging you!” After waiting for a long time without a reply, I collapsed on the sofa with the diary, unknowingly falling asleep. In my dream, I saw 17-year-old Lily running desperately in a dark alley. Her face was panicked and anxious. A strong wind blew a flower pot off the balcony, jolting me awake to see that night had fallen outside. 30-year-old Lily hadn’t returned all night, not even a phone call or a text message. But Marcus’s social media was updated every ten minutes, a total of 30 posts. The first one was Lily putting the family heirloom around his neck. The second was Lily and him flipping through a dictionary, choosing a name for the baby. The third was him lying on Lily’s belly, happily listening to the baby’s movements. …… Each post had likes and blessings from friends in the comments. “Congratulations to Lily for finally becoming a mother.” “I told you Lily wouldn’t stay faithful to Adrian, but you didn’t believe me.” “How could Adrian ever be good enough for our Lily? Marcus and our Lily are truly a perfect match, made for each other.” Lily had liked every post. Perhaps deep down, she felt the same way. Exiting the social media app, I lay on the sofa feeling dizzy and drowsy. In my dream, 17-year-old Lily finally ran out of the alley. What met her eyes was me being pinned down and beaten by a group of thugs, with 17-year-old Marcus pulling out a knife, about to stab me. “Adrian!” The next second, Lily’s eyes turned red, and she rushed forward like a madwoman. Her thin body trembled uncontrollably, but she still picked up a brick from the roadside with all her might and started smashing the lead thug’s head again and again. The other thugs swarmed her, stabbing her dozens of times. Lily paid no attention, tightly gripping the blood-stained brick, using her last ounce of strength to smash the lead thug’s head open, screaming at the others with a ferocious expression. “Come on if you’re not afraid to die!” Those thugs were intimidated by her do-or-die attitude and fled in panic. Only when their figures had completely disappeared into the alley did Lily collapse powerlessly in front of me, shaking uncontrollably. When our eyes met, she smiled proudly, “Adrian, I told you I’d give my life for you, now do you believe me?” “Lily! I don’t need this!” “Leave me!” I shouted her name in anger, instantly waking up, tears already overflowing. Looking at myself in the mirror, with bulging veins and goosebumps all over my body, I didn’t know if it was from fear or cold. Looking down at the diary in my arms, I felt my mind was in a fog, unable to distinguish if this was a dream or a memory. Pulling up my shirt, I suddenly froze, quickly feeling my lower abdomen with my hand. Chapter

The scar that had been with me for 13 years was gone. Tears burst forth. Opening the diary again, I saw several more lines had appeared, but this time they were crooked, as if I could see the weakness of the person writing. “Adrian, I saved you.” After calming down, I calmly replied with one sentence. “This is what you should have done.” If it weren’t for her ‘like’. If it weren’t for her ‘like’ that she would inevitably betray in the future. How would I have been targeted by Marcus, losing my dignity as a man? Yet at 30, she had a child with the mastermind who hurt me, hurting me again. The words in the diary appeared staggeringly, the strokes not very clear, as if written with great effort. “Adrian, I’m willing to do anything for you, tell me what else you need me to do?” After 17-year-old Lily wrote down the last question mark, I replied, “I’ve already said, leave my life.” “Completely disappear from my sight, don’t use your love now as a weapon to hurt me in the future.” Once, when everyone mocked me for not being a man, it was Lily who firmly held my hand, gently soothing my shattered self-esteem. It was because of her love that I was not afraid of any mockery, ridicule, or vicious curses. So when she let go of my hand and stood among those who mocked me, I was instantly on the verge of collapse, even considering ending my life. It turns out that being hurt by the one you love is a thousand times more painful than physical disability. You could say, the more she loved me before, the more pain she caused me later. This heart of mine, already hurt by her, will no longer beat. The sound of forceful writing suddenly came through, each word sinking into the paper, almost piercing through it. “That’s impossible!” “Adrian, do you know? Every time there’s an extracurricular activity, you always like to stand under the second basketball hoop on the playground to play ball. I deliberately take a 5-minute detour every day just to see you once. Just seeing you makes me feel so happy.” “Once during a basketball game, I heard you were injured. I was so anxious that I skipped class for the first time to buy medicine for you, afraid you’d suffer for even a second more…” “And…” I interrupted, “I know, I know all of this you’re saying.” “There was also once… when I fell in the bathroom, you brought me medicine, blushing.” The diary suddenly paused for ten seconds before replying, “You know all this? How do you know?” “Since you know everything, why do you say I’ll betray you?” There was a sentence she didn’t write, but I’m sure I know she was muttering to herself, how could I betray you when I love you so much. I could imagine the shock and confusion on 17-year-old Lily’s face right now. “I know these things because the future you told me. You told me everything one by one, and said you deeply regretted doing these things.” Lily had said that she should have listened to advice back then and not married a man like me who couldn’t give her “happiness”, resulting in her enduring five years of humiliation. She had also said that she should have just let me starve to death back then, saving me too early led to me not only being ungrateful for her great kindness but even becoming more and more arrogant. She always boasted about her “great achievements”, and then did whatever she wanted in our marriage, until now having a child with someone else. Tears fell on the diary, blurring the words. Afraid of damaging the diary and not being able to change the past, I hurriedly tried to wipe it off, but I used too much force and accidentally tore the paper in half. In my panic, I suddenly found that everything in front of me had changed into a hospital ward. In front of me was a 17-year-old girl with thick bandages wrapped around her abdomen. Her face was pale, her brows furrowed in pain from the wound. 17-year-old Lily covered the blood-stained bandage with one hand, struggling to write a reply with the other, muttering under her breath. “Adrian, don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you until I become your wife…” She looked serious and determined, as if doing something of utmost importance. Just as she wrote this, 17-year-old Lily seemed to sense something. Her hand suddenly stopped, and when she looked up, our eyes met. “Adrian?” At that moment, those clear eyes like spring water, which had long disappeared from my memory, appeared in front of me again. Her slightly dry lips parted, but before she could speak, a sudden burst of phone ringing came through. Looking around, I saw the house was in a mess. All done by 30-year-old Lily. The phone rang sharply. It was a call from 30-year-old Lily, her tone commanding, “Come to the coffee shop downstairs from the company right away, Marcus and I have something to tell you in person.” At the same time, several lines appeared in the diary. “Trust me, okay? I would never do such a thing.” “I like you so much that even if you want to take my life, you can.” A girl’s affection, as pure and beautiful as cherry blossoms. Always feeling that vows would become the most beautiful flowers, as long as they stayed by their loved one’s side, they would never wither. I gripped the pen tightly in my hand, my eyes downcast. Fine. Since you don’t believe me, I’ll let 30-year-old you tell you yourself.

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Everyone in the city knows me as a Manhattan socialite. Jasper loves me deeply. I once thought I would spend a warm and peaceful life with him. But everything changed when his adopted sister, Kaia, developed gender identity disorder and became obsessed with him, treating him as if he were a romantic partner. When I confronted Jasper, he was indifferent: “It’s just temporary. Be patient. Once Kaia gets better, I’ll love you again!” He allowed Kaia to hurt me repeatedly without concern. My heart grew weary. On the day he married Kaia, I started a confidential 10-year project. Later, I heard my husband mention that Jasper had been searching for me for ten years. “Adeline, we really had no other choice.” I stared blankly at the signed divorce papers in the living room. Jasper’s mother spoke with a tone of helplessness and pain, but I caught a fleeting smile at the corner of her mouth. “Kaia’s illness came out of nowhere. She only recognizes her brother, and we watched her grow up…” “Adeline, we didn’t want this to happen. Can you… understand?” I opened my mouth but couldn’t speak. Jasper, who had been silent, looked at me with guilt. “Adeline, the doctor says Kaia’s illness is peculiar, but she’s recovering quickly, just a few months.” “Could we divorce temporarily? To stabilize Kaia’s emotions, and we’ll remarry once she’s stable, okay?” Jasper’s eyes were sincere. “Kaia may be adopted, but she’s been family for years.” “Exactly!” My mother-in-law chimed in. ” Adeline, a divorce is also good for you. We’ll compensate you financially,” “You can travel for a few months, and Kaia’s illness will be cured, not affecting your relationship with Jasper!” My fingers trembled, and the words stuck in my throat wouldn’t come out. In Manhattan, I’m known as the most famous “good girl” in the upper circles. My life’s decisions were all made by my family, with Jasper being the only exception. He promised to always love me, and he kept that promise well, except his sister Kaia targeted and pranked me when Jasper wasn’t around. She once said Jasper was her man and I was intruding. My mother-in-law even hinted several times that Kaia was her ideal daughter-in-law. I thought I could endure them with Jasper’s love for decades until three days ago when Kaia claimed she could make Jasper divorce me. Today, she was diagnosed with gender identity disorder, and even got Jasper to sign the divorce papers. Her actions were too fast… I felt a chill and looked at Jasper. “Jasper, only by divorcing me can Kaia’s illness be cured, right?” “How can you be sure she’s really sick and not faking it to trick you?” But Jasper’s eyes were full of disapproval: “Adeline, you don’t understand. Why would Kaia pretend to be sick to make us divorce?” “And what benefit would that give her?” “Yeah, Adeline, how can you say that about Kaia?” My mother-in-law disagreed as well. “Alright, stop hesitating and just sign the divorce papers!” I clenched my fist, my eyes hot, my hand instinctively covering my abdomen. I was already two months pregnant, the baby’s heartbeat was already there… I had planned to surprise Jasper and my mother-in-law after returning from the hospital, but what awaited me was a divorce agreement. In the past, when I was dating Jasper, my parents had warned me he wasn’t the right person for me. I didn’t believe them. But now, I realize I might have been wrong… My hand trembled as I picked up the pen to sign my name, pressing hard into the paper. As soon as I finished, my mother-in-law eagerly picked up the papers and smiled. “Good! Now Kaia’s illness should recover!” She looked at me with a more genuine smile. “Adeline, it’s good you understand our family’s difficulties. I’ve always told Jasper that you’re a good girl and would understand!” “Don’t worry, even if we’re divorced, we’re still family. This is just temporary!” Jasper also held my hand tightly, full of guilt and love. “I’m sorry, Adeline. In a few months, I’ll hold a grand wedding to bring you back in!” I forced a smile, my heart aching. I went upstairs first, and once back in my room, I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. Just then, a message vibrated on my phone. It was from my professor. [Xiao Xu, I really hope you’ll consider the S-level project research!] [I know a 10-year confidentiality period is hard for you to accept, but you’re the head of the institution, and without you, this project will be tough!] Through blurred vision, I typed my reply: [Professor, I agree to go to Y City. I’ll depart with the research team in two days!] After replying, I slid to the ground as if all my strength had left me. I had already tasted the bitter fruit of marrying Jasper against all odds. But now, I didn’t want to endure this pain any longer. Fortunately, it wasn’t too late. Jasper, this time, you personally pushed me away.

The next day, I scheduled a medical abortion. After the procedure, I left the hospital, clutching my stomach, and went to a nearby restaurant to regain my strength. There, I saw the last person I wanted to see—Kaia. “Hey! Adeline, did you really sign the divorce papers?” “Hahaha, I told you, how could you compete with me for my brother Jasper?” I forced myself to sit up and glared at her. “Your method of dealing with me is pretending to be sick to trick Jasper. Are you so sure it won’t backfire one day?” Kaia shrugged. “Why worry? Even if I am pretending, so what?” “Jasper had so many girlfriends over the years, I ruined them all, and he never said a word to me. But only you, Jasper wouldn’t let go, so I had to do this!” Her face twisted as she stood over me. “Adeline, Jasper loved your high and mighty, obedient nature. But I want to see, if you turn from a good girl to a harlot, what will he think of you then?” With that, Kaia gave a meaningful smile and left the café. I felt furious and uneasy, but could only suppress it and returned to the old house left by my parents. That night, I slept restlessly, my right eyelid twitching constantly, only barely falling asleep in the early hours. The next morning, I was awakened by the phone ringing. Looking at it, I saw nearly hundreds of missed calls, from friends and other unknown numbers. A foreboding feeling washed over me, and with trembling hands, I called a friend back. The next second, my friend’s panicked voice pierced my eardrums: “Adeline, what’s going on? Do you know your private photos have been spread all over the city!” My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly opened the video forwarded by my friend. In it, on a city’s Ferris wheel capable of projection, my photos, without a stitch of clothing, flushed and asleep, were pieced together into a puzzle, being completed above the Ferris wheel! In an instant, my mind exploded, and my whole body trembled uncontrollably. I remembered the photo. After getting married, Jasper and I had a harmonious intimate life. He was always innovative and even bought a camera to record it. This camera was always well kept by Jasper. But why… why were my photos projected on the Ferris wheel? Someone had even started a live broadcast, showing everything. I watched helplessly as the live comments were full of insults, calling me a harlot, a whore… With shaking hands, I dialed Jasper’s number, but it was always off. A flash of realization hit me, recalling Kaia’s meaningful smile before she left. Before I could react, a message from Kaia came through. [Do you like the gift I gave you?] [Adeline, with your wanton appearance, no wonder my brother is so obsessed with you!] [Do you like this gift? Should I give you another big one?] I rushed home in anger. When I arrived, Jasper was agitated, and when he saw me, guilt flickered in his eyes. “Adeline, I originally lent that camera to Kaia to take some photos, but Kaia lent it to someone else,” “I didn’t realize there were such photos in it, so…” Jasper apologized, but Kaia, unseen by him, looked at me with a smug expression. “Jasper, do you still think Kaia was careless?” I couldn’t hold back my emotions any longer and pointed at Kaia, choking up. “This is clearly her pretending to be sick to force us to divorce, then deliberately releasing my photos!” “She must have been in and out of our room often; otherwise, how could she know where the camera was!” But Jasper’s gaze darkened. “Adeline, stop it! I told you Kaia accidentally did it!” “This is my fault, but don’t worry, I’ll handle it!” As soon as Jasper finished, Kaia rushed over with teary eyes. “Brother Jasper, are you going to ignore me? I’m carrying your child!” “I’m clearly male, how could I be pregnant with your child? Or did you deliberately want me to have one?” “She must come and go from our room often; otherwise, how would she know where the camera is?” But Jasper’s eyes darkened. “Adeline, stop overreacting! I’ve already told you it was Kaia’s carelessness that caused this!” “This is my fault; don’t worry, I’ll handle it!” As soon as Jasper finished speaking, Kaia rushed up with tears in her eyes. “Brother Jasper, are you going to ignore me now? I’m carrying your child!” “But I’m a man, how could I be carrying your child? Or did you deliberately make me have a child?” Kaia spoke with a smug look, staring at me. I was stunned. A child? Jasper and Aunt Sue looked uncomfortable. A flash of realization hit me, and I began trembling. “Jasper, what does she mean? Explain yourself!” Jasper looked awkward, but the next second, my mother-in-law stood up. “Alright, if you’re too embarrassed to say it, I will!” “Adeline, the reason we want you to divorce isn’t just because Kaia is unwell. The most important thing is that Kaia is pregnant with Jasper’s child, and it’s been two months!” I stood there in disbelief, frozen. Jasper’s face showed embarrassment. “Adeline, believe me! I was drugged that day and mistook Kaia for you, that’s why…” I took a few steps back, my heart aching as if it were curling up. Suddenly, I remembered that two months ago, Jasper did say he was set up, but at the time, he explained it as a contract setup. Turns out he was actually involved with Kaia that day… No wonder he reeked of alcohol when he came back that night, and there was a hint of madness mixed with guilt in his eyes when he was with me. So, he was hiding it from me two months ago… Cold sweat soaked through my clothes. This is the “big gift” Kaia gave me. “Adeline, don’t blame Jasper and Kaia. Kaia is our adopted daughter, but she has no blood relation with Jasper,” my mother-in-law said. “Plus, Kaia has liked Jasper for so many years. It’s nothing for them to be together!” “Just think of it as them playing house. When Kaia recovers, you can remarry!” My mother-in-law’s words interrupted my thoughts. “Adeline, I know you’ve always been obedient and sensible, don’t be too bothered by it,” she continued. “If you’re really reluctant to part with Jasper, you can still have a child and be part of our family!” I let out a sarcastic laugh, tears streaming uncontrollably. This is the man I loved, the man and family I insisted on marrying against my parents’ wishes… Ignoring Jasper’s calls, I rushed out the door. When I came to my senses, I found myself back at the old house. A notification sounded, and I picked it up to see yet another message from Kaia! My heart ached unbearably, and I closed my eyes in pain. What more does she want?! I opened the message page; Kaia’s message appeared: [You lost! Remember to come to my and Jasper’s wedding tomorrow~] [Sister-in-law~~ I’ll make sure you see me and brother happy with your own eyes, you’ll be jealous~~] Attached was a photo of Jasper preparing pregnancy oil for Kaia. My vision blurred again. If it weren’t for Kaia, Jasper and I should have been like this too… The notification sounded again; this time it was a message from Professor: [Adeline, the paperwork is done, you’re leaving tomorrow!] I wiped my tears, and my blurred vision became clear again. I may be gentle and obedient, but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to be degraded, blindly trusting. Jasper, Kaia, and my mother-in-law all disgust me. So, this relationship isn’t worth keeping. I picked up my phone, looking for the account owner I hadn’t contacted in a long time. Jasper, if I find evidence of Kaia faking her illness, what will you do then? At that time, what would you do? * The next morning, I packed my luggage and had someone ship it to the airport. At the same time, Jasper came to the old house to find me. “I found a flight purchase record; are you going somewhere?” “Today… is my and Kaia’s wedding, won’t you come to see me?” I turned my head, looking at the wounded face of Jasper in his groom’s suit. Before and after marriage, Jasper always liked to stick to me. He kept a tight grip on my schedule, always knowing what I was doing, except for the confidential research project in Y City, which I didn’t tell him about. At this moment, I was very glad I hadn’t told him about it. “Yeah, going out for a break,” I responded lightly. Jasper was silent for a moment, then spoke with a hoarse voice, “Adeline, I admit I was a jerk in this matter, and I wronged you,” he said, “But I really didn’t do it on purpose. I mistook Kaia for you that day, that’s why we’re in this mess.” “Plus, Kaia is ill now, I really have no choice, can you understand me? I’m in pain too!” Jasper grasped my shoulders, “Adeline, I know you’ve always been good and sensible. I’ve already invited foreign doctors to treat Kaia’s illness. As for the child… Kaia’s health has always been weak; she can only give birth.” “But don’t worry, I won’t let this child affect us, so can you attend the wedding and then go for a break?” I pulled a sarcastic smile, the pain in my heart becoming numb. “Okay,” I heard myself answer. Jasper’s face instantly showed a smile, “Then I’ll go to the chapel first, you hurry and come over, I’ll be waiting for you!” I watched as Jasper left in a hurry, picked up my luggage, and took a taxi to the airport. At the same time, the account owner sent me a folder, [It’s handled, you don’t need to worry about your ex-husband’s wedding!] [Focus on your own stuff, I’ve got your back!] Looking at the message on my phone, I smiled slightly, Jasper, from now on, let’s never meet again. I’m sorry, but it appears that the Chinese text you want translated is missing. Could you please provide the text you’d like me to translate? 4. “Son, the wedding is about to begin. What’s keeping you?” Jasper’s mother asked, puzzled to see Jasper still outside the venue.

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“`plaintext Jasper was a notorious flirt. After we started dating, he began to change, letting go of his old habits. Everyone said he was deeply in love with me. But later, I saw him with a girl who used to bully me, laughing and saying: “You mean Lydia? Just a dull, unattractive deaf girl. “Not much fun at all.” His half-brother chuckled, “If you’re willing to let her go, that’s for the best. Remember to call her sister-in-law when you see her.” Jasper was completely thrown. On Valentine’s Day, I went to the hospital for a follow-up. “Miss Zhou, your hearing has recovered to 60%. You can start gradually removing your hearing aids.” Hearing this, I could hardly contain my joy. My first thought was to tell Jasper. But sitting in the hospital corridor, I called him three times, and each time he hung up. After waiting a long time, there was still no reply in our pinned chat box. Disappointed, I turned off my phone. Unexpectedly, just as I stepped out of the hospital, I ran into Finn. He was leaning against his car, tall and handsome in a perfectly tailored suit, his every move exuding calm elegance, catching the eyes of passersby. “Mr. Finn,” I greeted him a bit shyly, “What a coincidence.” Finn, the youngest leader of Finn Enterprises. I had heard Jasper complain in my ear more than once about how cold and ruthless his brother was. At this moment, this handsome capitalist pursed his lips and suddenly asked me: “Are you planning to spend the evening with Jasper?” I answered, confused: “Jasper hasn’t replied to my messages, he must still be busy…” Finn let out a barely audible chuckle. Seeing my puzzled look, he softened his voice, almost coaxingly: “That’s okay, I’m not busy now. I’ll take you to find him.” Finn drove me to a club. As I got out of the car, he suddenly stopped me. “Miss Zhou,” his eyes were dark and unreadable, “Do you really like him that much?” I was stunned for a moment, then smiled, “Yes, I really do.” I met Jasper in high school. Back then, because of my hearing loss, I was bullied at school. When I was soaked in foul mop water, shivering like a drenched chicken, a dashing and handsome boy appeared out of nowhere, draping his jacket over me. Through the damaged hearing aid, I couldn’t hear anything, only knowing the hand that pulled me up was so warm and strong. Young feelings stirred like a gentle spring breeze, shadows swaying, a fleeting tremor. For many years after, it was like our first meeting. Finn quietly watched me for a few seconds, then lowered his eyes, “Let’s go inside, it’s cold out here.” I hadn’t had time to speak when he drove off to the parking lot. I had to carry the gift I prepared for Jasper and walk into the club. Through the slightly open door came flickering lights and the smell of smoke and alcohol. Jasper was surrounded by people, eyes slightly narrowed, looking relaxed. I wanted to push the door open but suddenly stopped. A woman sat beside Jasper. Her back was to me, tall and unknown, with red hair shimmering like silk in the intersecting lights. I felt a bit strange inside. Then I heard someone laughing loudly: “Miss Su, you don’t stand a chance. Jasper is already hooked by the Apple Girl, he’s a family man now.” For a moment, my ears burned. My name is Lydia. Apple Girl, that’s referring to me. Jasper was wild and carefree before dating me. Drinking, smoking, racing… he was good at everything fun and indulgent. As for girlfriends, he changed them weekly without much thought. After confessing to me, he restrained himself a lot. Even his friends teased, “Jasper is more obedient than a rabbit in front of his wife, he’ll probably be henpecked in the future.” At this moment, I shouldn’t doubt him. The Miss Su facing away from me chuckled softly. Her voice sounded soft and delicate, with a hint of imperiousness, “Jasper, are you really with her?” Jasper lifted his eyelids, glanced at her indifferently, looking aloof. He took a sip of wine and said, “You mean Lydia? Just a dull, unattractive deaf girl. Not much fun at all.”

Each word was slow, each word was clear. I felt like I had been hit with a blunt object, unable to react. The room fell silent, everyone looked at Jasper in surprise. Miss Su laughed again: “Is that so? I heard she’s been with you for quite a while?” Jasper had a playful smile, acting nonchalant: “So what? “She’s like an apple, not bad but very boring, doesn’t spark desire. “No one would take the initiative to eat one, but if someone eagerly hands it to you, would you refuse?” I stood there in disbelief. I felt cold all over, like a wind was blowing through my bones, the sounds around me gradually fading. In a daze, I seemed to hear Miss Su coyly ask: “She’s a boring apple, then what am I?” Jasper lifted her chin, smiling ambiguously: “You’re my little cherry.” I started shaking uncontrollably, the gift in my hand falling to the ground. Everyone in the room turned to look at me. Jasper was momentarily stunned, then tried to regain his composure and walked towards me. He didn’t know I had heard everything he said. Because I wasn’t sure if the treatment was working, I never told him my hearing was gradually returning. My mind was blank, not knowing what to do, I frantically searched my bag for my hearing aid. It seemed like only wearing the hearing aid would give me a sense of security. When I looked up again, Beatrix was standing in front of me. She smiled brightly, “Why that expression? Miss Zhou, don’t you recognize me?” I trembled all over, my limbs stiff. It felt like being thrown naked into the snow in the dead of winter, needing all my strength to breathe. The woman in front of me was beautiful and radiant, her smile bold and generous, like a kind and pure, high-born princess. But I knew, beneath this facade was a heart of pure malice! Spilled food, foul-smelling water, never-ending taunts and bullying, reckless insults and rumors… How could it be her? It was her! I used all my strength to keep standing. Then I asked Jasper, who stood beside me, “Did you know she led the bullying in high school?” Beatrix stood to the side, smiling. Her expression was gentle, but her eyes held a hint of mockery. Jasper avoided my gaze, speaking nonchalantly, “Really, that happened? I don’t really remember…” At that moment, I understood Jasper’s expression, my heart was clear. I shook my head, tears welling up as I corrected him, “You clearly remember, you clearly know.” But your heart has gradually drifted away. Jasper frowned, “Beatrix is a bit straightforward, but it was just kids playing back then. Lydia, don’t be so sensitive. Besides, why would Beatrix target you? Did you do something wrong first?” The scars he had seen, now dismissed as “sensitive.” He even turned it around, asking if I was at fault first. I once thought the most precious thing in the world was sincerity. But it turns out, sincerity can change. “Jasper, you really make me feel sick.” Though my heart felt like it was being torn apart, I was more determined than ever, “Let’s break up.” Jasper’s face turned cold instantly, his eyes filled with gloomy anger. “Break up?” he sneered, “Lydia, who do you think would want you besides me?” My face was pale, my head throbbing, and I hurriedly turned to leave. “Lydia, don’t regret it!” I won’t regret it. Jasper, I may be weak, but I never regret.

Outside, Finn was still there. His mouth moved, saying something. But my ears were ringing, my steps unsteady, I couldn’t focus on him or think straight. I could only respond unclearly, “My ears, hurt, can’t hear.” The hearing aid was useless. Finn’s eyes showed worry, and something else I couldn’t understand. I didn’t have time to decipher it before I fainted. I had a dream. The dream was chaotic yet familiar. A woman lay in a bathtub, gently beckoning to me. I called “Mom” and ran to her, hearing her sigh, “It would be nice if you couldn’t hear anything.” How could not hearing be good? Mom, I don’t understand. As I got closer, I realized her skin was gray, the bathtub filled with blood. The cold floor was littered with empty pill bottles. I stepped back a few steps, falling down the stairs. Since then, there was no sound in my ears, the whole world seemed quieter than a cold winter night. Looking up, the scene changed suddenly, but the empty pill bottles remained at my feet. Someone picked one up, pouring out a few pills, chewing them like beans. I cried and lunged at him, snatching the pills from his hand, “This is bitter. Little brother, let me give you candy, okay?” He took the candy, silently weeping, not speaking. The scene shifted again, a well-dressed, beautiful young girl curled her lips and said to the person next to her, “The little deaf girl is always so dull, really boring. Cut her dress.” Suddenly someone from behind grabbed my hand. I couldn’t hear his voice, only felt his palm so warm and strong. Hope and joy rose in my heart, I turned and called out, “Jasper!” He affectionately ruffled my hair, smiling brightly. “` I broke into tears and rushed over, snatching the pills from his hand: “These are bitter. Let me give you some candy instead, alright?” He accepted the candy, silently shedding tears, without a word. The scene shifted. A beautifully dressed girl smiled and remarked to the person beside her, “That Little Deaf Girl is always so out of it, it’s boring. Let’s cut her dress, shall we?” Suddenly, someone grabbed my hand from behind. I couldn’t hear his voice, but his touch was warm and reassuring. Hope and joy filled me, and I turned around, shouting, “Jasper!” He affectionately ruffled my hair, his smile bright and cheerful. But in the next moment, his eyes turned cold, and he pushed me forward! I fell into the searing lava. Burning, pain, fear, confusion. I couldn’t escape. Everything blurred, and I felt parched. Suddenly, there was a soft, moist sensation brushing my lips, bringing a calming coolness. I clung tightly, like a child desperate for candy, refusing to let go once I had it. I kept savoring, seeking every drop of that moisture. But the coolness quickly turned into heat, accompanied by deep breaths and an overwhelming affection. “It’s hot.” I frowned, trying to pull away. “Apple Girl…” Someone called softly. I stubbornly moved aside. That person sighed, helpless yet indulgent, filled with tenderness. When he returned, he carefully wiped my forehead, hands, and feet with an alcohol-scented wet towel, repeating the process over and over. Until I escaped the nightmare and fell into a peaceful sleep. I woke up the next day. I was at Finn’s Suburban Villa. He explained, “I was worried the emergency room couldn’t take care of you at night, so I took the liberty of bringing you here and called my Family Doctor.” I nodded and then heard him say, “Miss Lydia, I’m hosting a dinner party here tomorrow. Would you be my date?” I instinctively wanted to escape, “I want to go back to school. My Thesis Project isn’t finished yet…” Finn thought for a moment, looking very serious: “This is the suburbs, you won’t find a ride. “Considering the fluctuations in your hearing condition, I can’t let you drive back yourself. That would violate the Traffic Safety Laws.” … He was right, and he took care of me so well yesterday. I couldn’t say no, so I asked cautiously, “Will Jasper come tomorrow?” “Do you want to see him? If you don’t…” “No, no!” I quickly waved my hand, “It’s fine.” Finn was kind enough to look after me when I was unwell. How could I cause a rift between brothers? Finn didn’t speak. After a long time, he chuckled lightly, his laugh a bit cool, making his gentle yet aloof eyes seem elusive. “Alright,” he said, “If you want, I’ll let him come.”

The Finn Family truly lived up to their reputation as the elite of the Southern Estate. The scene was lavish, with the scent of perfume and the clinking of glasses. The only downside was running into Beatrix. With no one nearby, she dropped her gentle facade: “You talk about breaking up with Jasper, yet you’re still trailing him like a lost puppy. “Lydia, do you even belong at a place like this? Do you deserve it?” I didn’t want to get tangled up with her, so I turned to leave. A vicious glint flashed in Beatrix’s eyes. She suddenly grabbed my hair and pulled me back: “Did I say you could leave? It’s been years, and you’ve grown bold.” I was shaking with anger, gripping Beatrix’s hand tightly. My nails left clear scratches on the back of her hand. Beatrix cried out in pain, her anger intensifying. She violently let go of my hair, yanking off my hearing aid in the process. My gradually recovering hearing had already been lost due to previous stress. Without the hearing aid, I was completely deaf. “Stop!” I shouted, eyes red with anger, trying to stop her. But in the next moment, the hearing aid was crushed under Beatrix’s high heel, mangled beyond recognition. “You…” I was so furious I could hardly breathe, “You’re too much!” Beatrix smirked, “Oh, and what of it?” A fiery rage surged up, almost consuming me. I raised my hand and slapped her hard! “Jia Jia!” I heard Jasper shout from not far away. The commotion drew attention, and people started looking over. Beatrix stood there, stunned, with a bright red slap mark on her face. Jasper quickly came over, looking displeased. He shielded Beatrix behind him: “Jia Jia, what are you doing?” I replied coldly, “What am I doing? Didn’t you see?” Jasper sighed, softening his tone: “I know you came here for me. But you shouldn’t cause such a scene at an event like this. “Jia Jia, apologize to Beatrix, and I’ll forgive you, alright?” I was momentarily stunned. Then it dawned on me—he thought I went through all this trouble to reconcile with him. Can someone really be this shameless? “Jasper, I remember telling you.” I spoke each word clearly, “We’re already broken up.” Jasper’s eyes darkened, “Jia Jia, stop it. Apologize.” I almost laughed, “Jasper, do you want a slap too?” Jasper suddenly tightened his grip on my wrist, his expression filled with a gloomy anger. “Lydia, if you don’t give in, you’ll really have no chance.” In the next moment, someone laughed from afar. Jasper looked past me, his expression changing instantly. A man walked up leisurely, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. His voice was like an immovable force of nature, “In that case, remember to call her sister-in-law when you see her.” I’m sorry, but it looks like the text you want me to translate is missing. Could you please provide the Chinese text that needs translation?

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On the day of Ethan’s engagement to my sister, I sat in the front row of the audience. When he saw me, he inexplicably let out a sigh of relief. “Olivia, have you finally had enough? If you apologize to me, I’ll…” All the guests were terrified, not knowing who he was talking to. Because I was already dead. Today was the seventh day after my death. 0 The day before I died, Ethan broke up with me. Because he was going to get engaged to my sister. I gathered my courage and asked him, “Ethan, can you not marry her?” Ethan’s dark eyebrows furrowed, his expression very displeased, his large hand gripping my waist tightly. “Olivia, if you need money just say so. This act is nauseating.” “Don’t forget why you exist.” “You like money that much? You like stealing from others? How cheap can you be?” My expression became dejected. I hadn’t forgotten. My existence was because my sister Sophia had a heart condition and couldn’t do strenuous activities. But my parents didn’t want to miss this opportunity to climb the social ladder through Ethan. So they made me, the “debt collector,” replace my sister in “serving” Ethan. Yes, that’s right, serve. A completely unequal term. But when there’s such a huge disparity in wealth and power, when even my birth parents don’t treat me as a person, concepts like human rights and women’s rights all become meaningless. “Your sister will recover and be discharged from the hospital soon. She can get engaged and married.” “You fake, get lost quickly. Don’t dream of stealing your sister’s golden goose.” “Look at your sister’s fate, and look at yours. How dare you even think you deserve this?” My mother’s cursing voice echoed in my ears. My heart ached dully. I gave a faint smile and hugged Ethan’s neck tightly. “Mm, I am a bit short on money. Give me another 500,000 then.” The dim light hid the tears in my eyes. No one believed that I, the substitute, truly loved Ethan. “Watching you get engaged, I want to turn over a new leaf too.” “Consider this money as a dowry for my years of companionship.” 0

The day I died. Ethan really had a bad temper. After hearing me say I wanted to marry someone else, he immediately turned cold, got up and left, leaving me feeling empty inside and out. Afterwards, he gave me two options: “Take back what you just said, or get out.” He often made me choose before, usually between “apologize or get out.” I usually chose the first option. After all, when he said get out, he really meant stand outside the door all night. But this time, I decisively chose the second option. Before pretending to cheerfully jump out of bed to pack my luggage, I kissed Ethan’s lips lingeringly, forcing a bright smile. “Ethan, thank you for taking care of me these three years. Goodbye.” Aside from the things Ethan had given me, I really didn’t have many personal belongings. After all… someone without a home to return to doesn’t dare to have too many possessions. By the time I finished packing, it was almost dawn. I pulled my suitcase, tiptoeing out of the bedroom. Ethan was already dressed in his loungewear, waiting for me in the living room. He tossed me a 500,000 breakup check, his expression more grim than I’d ever seen. His eyes trembled, his thin lips parting, surprisingly speaking once more: “Olivia, if you apologize to me now, you can still change your mind.” “Didn’t you want money? I’ll give it to you.” The effect of these words was no different than a meteor striking Earth, shocking me so much I almost dropped my suitcase. Ethan, the young master of the Xing family. It was always others bowing and scraping, offering every opportunity to beg for his mercy. When had he ever taken the initiative to give someone a way out, letting them back down? But no matter how great an honor, I never intended to take this way out, Ethan. “Brother-in-law, I wish you and my sister a happy marriage.” Offering sincere blessings, I turned around with a smile. Then, tears streamed down my face. My fingers gripped the suitcase handle tightly, turning white. I laughed through my tears. It’s fine. I may have lost my love, but I gained 500,000. It’s enough for Grandma Rose’s surgery. She can live healthily for a long time. Live for a long time. 0

I died. The soup of forgetfulness was a bit bland. “No green onions, it doesn’t taste good, Grandma Meng.” I looked up at the Goddess of Forgetfulness, forcing a pale smile. “Grandma, have you seen my Grandma Rose? She should be just ahead of me, about half an hour.” “You could… learn from her…” Two streams of bloody tears flowed down my cheeks as I smiled mournfully, my heart breaking. “The soup she makes is the best-tasting in the world.” “She’s also the only person in the world who truly cares for me.” “It’s my fault I couldn’t save her, but why, Grandma? I was just one step away, just one step…” Grandma Meng’s pitch-black eyes stared at me silently. Then she stroked my head. Though her touch was icy, I felt a warmth flow into me. “Child, you did your best.” A white light flashed before my eyes, and when I opened them again, I had returned to the mortal world. I became an earth-bound spirit, confined within a five-meter radius of Ethan. 0

The first day after death. I floated in the air, watching Ethan work with nothing better to do. Ethan was still handsome, his suit jacket draped over the chair back, white shirt sleeves rolled up to reveal half of his muscular forearms. The cufflinks were ones I had picked out. But what use was it? No matter how well I served him, I was still just a substitute for my sister. After all, just look – what kind of life did my sister have, and what kind of life did I have? To Ethan, my sister was his only childhood sweetheart, the delicate princess he had protected as they grew up. How could he bear to let her do these trivial, housekeeper-like chores? He had no qualms about ordering me around, this debt collector that my parents didn’t love. But Ethan seemed to be waiting for some news today. He kept not receiving it. He frequently picked up his phone, unlocked it, checked it, then angrily tossed it aside. Especially as it got close to the end of the workday, his face was so dark it could almost drip ink. How strange. But to be fair, without me reminding him every day to eat on time, pay attention to the weather, share trivial matters. He really didn’t have many messages. I guess I used to be such a chatterbox. No wonder he found me annoying.

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On our wedding day, my in-laws whispered something to my wife. She was beaming with joy, but then her expression changed dramatically, and she ran to the hotel rooftop and jumped. Everyone was curious about what the elderly couple had said. But they remained silent, and on the day of my wife’s funeral, they brought over ten women for me to choose from. It wasn’t until later that they whispered the same words to me. At 3 a.m., I found myself sitting in the large bridal room, staring blankly at our wedding photo on the wall. In the picture, my wife, Adeline, was glowing with happiness, clutching a bouquet as she leaned into my arms. Her hand tenderly rested on her belly, already two months pregnant. But now, she was just a cold body lying in the funeral home. My eyes were red, teeth clenched, my body shivering from the shock. Suddenly, the phone on the coffee table rang. I picked it up, and it was the police— “Mr. Nash, we’ve thoroughly investigated Ms. Cao’s parents and found no suspicious activity.” “Can you recall if Ms. Cao displayed any unusual behavior or tendencies before the incident?” In the police report they sent, I saw Adeline’s pale face, her body covered in blood from the fall. My heart ached, and I gripped the phone tightly, mumbling, “No.” Why would Adeline take her own life? It was supposed to be our long-awaited wedding day. Even the night before, we were holding hands, walking sweetly through the mall, dreaming about our unborn child in the baby store. I couldn’t understand why she would jump with our unborn child on our wedding day. With no clues from me, the police sighed— “There’s no evidence suggesting Ms. Cao’s death was her parents’ doing. We have to release them for now.” “They might come to you, so please be cautious.”

The day after Adeline’s death, her parents came to see me. Not to blame or extort, in fact… Adeline’s mom sat across from me on the sofa, a nervous smile on her face, rubbing her hands on her pants. They brought local delicacies from their hometown, along with handmade clothes, shoes, and snacks from Adeline’s mom. She pushed a bankbook and some credit cards toward me, speaking kindly— “Xuwei, this is our first meeting, and here’s a small token from us.” “Adeline may be gone, but you’re still young, and your life must go on. We won’t make things difficult for you. If you need anything, just tell us, and we’ll do whatever we can to help.” She forced the bankbook and credit cards into my hand, her eyes brimming with unspoken words. I couldn’t understand. Their daughter had died; how could they be so indifferent? I struggled, trying to pull my hand back, accidentally knocking the bankbook and cards to the floor. The bankbook opened, revealing over a hundred thousand in savings! I was stunned, staring at the numbers, then looked up at them with red eyes. In a broken voice, I gasped, “Why? Tell me why?” Adeline’s mom replied without hesitation, “Why what? You’re our son-in-law; isn’t it right to treat you well?” Her casual attitude infuriated me instantly. I slammed my hands on the table, shouting, “What about Adeline? She was your daughter!” “What did you say to her that day? Why did she take her own life?” I picked up the bankbook and cards from the floor, shoving them back into their hands. I knelt before them, holding my head in agony, pleading— “I don’t want money, I want nothing, just tell me what you said to Adeline that day.” Adeline’s mom froze, glanced at her husband, then awkwardly sat down. After a moment of silence, Adeline’s dad suddenly spoke, “Do you really want to know?” “Promise us one thing, and we’ll tell you.”

Adeline’s dad’s condition was for me to remarry within a week! I was furious: “What nonsense are you talking? Adeline’s not even buried, and you want me to marry someone else?” He looked up, eerily calm, “It’s just a woman, gone is gone.” Suddenly, he became agitated, veins bulging on his forehead, gripping my arm— “Marrying and having children, continuing the family line is what matters!” “Tomorrow, we’ll get the death certificate, so you can find a wife sooner.” His words left me frozen, chills running down my spine. I shook off his grip, stumbling out the door. Behind me, Adeline’s dad shouted hoarsely— “You must have a child soon, or it’ll be too late!” When I returned home late at night, Adeline’s parents were still there. They’d taken down our wedding photos. Not only that, they’d cleared out everything of Adeline’s: clothes, shoes, even her drinking cup. The house had no trace of Adeline left. On the coffee table were business cards from a dating agency, next to sheets detailing many girls’ basic information. That eerie feeling crept back into my heart. All night, I lay anxiously in bed, a shadow of fear looming over me. Around dawn, the bedroom door creaked open, and two figures sneaked in. It was Adeline’s parents. My scalp tingled, I held my breath, not daring to move. In the silence, Adeline’s mom took my jacket from the bedside, inhaling deeply. She sat by the bed, her cold hand stroking my hair, her voice trembling with suppressed excitement. “Honey, do you think there’s still time?” Adeline’s dad sighed, repeating the words: “That’s why he must marry and have a child quickly.” “Whatever it takes, even forcing him, he must have a child within a year.” “Otherwise, it’ll be too late!”

I didn’t understand what they meant by ‘too late.’ I didn’t understand why, as my father-in-law and mother-in-law, they were so desperate for me to remarry and have children right after Adeline’s death. Adeline’s suicide on our wedding day made headlines online. Their behavior following only shocked people more. Adeline’s dad emptied their savings, using the tragic story of their late daughter to find me a bride. Adeline’s mom seized the media attention, appearing on a TV dating show. Their bizarre actions once again sparked online debate— “Whoa! Are they really in-laws? Pushing their son-in-law to remarry?” “Their daughter just died, and they’re breaking the bank over his marriage. Not even for a son would they do this!” “The whole family is nuts. I wouldn’t be surprised if the bride was possessed or mentally ill!” But the medical examiner soon issued a death certificate. Adeline wasn’t poisoned, nor did she have any mental issues or take hallucinogens. The investigation stalled, and the police told me to take Adeline’s remains home for burial. On the day of the funeral, Adeline’s parents came again. They ignored the funeral hall, bringing in over ten young women, clutching my arms. “Xuwei, these are the brides we’ve chosen for you.” “Are you satisfied? If you like one, we’ll arrange the wedding quickly…” On the day of their daughter’s funeral, they brought women to the funeral hall for a matchmaking event! The guests erupted in shock, pointing and whispering. I couldn’t take it anymore, shaking them off, demanding, “Do you know today is Adeline’s funeral?” “Is this how parents act? You drove your daughter to her death, and now you disrupt her funeral?” Adeline’s mom’s eyes were red, her hand over her mouth, tears welling, repeating— “You must marry, have a child soon, or it’ll be too late!” The memory of that night filled me with unease and confusion. I blurted, “What do you mean by too late? What are you trying to do?” “Did you know Adeline was two months pregnant before she died? If it weren’t for you, we’d be a happy family. You ruined everything, and now you’re pretending to arrange my life?” The room fell silent, all guests watching us intently. In the quiet, Adeline’s dad suddenly spoke— “Do you really want to know? Promise us one thing, and we’ll tell you.”

Adeline’s dad’s condition was the same: choose a wife from those women. Adeline’s mom, in front of everyone, tearfully knelt— “Xuwei, I’m begging you, find another woman, marry her, have a child this year.” “Or it’ll be too late!” She clung to my hand, eyes full of tears, reflecting my image. Then, a guest suddenly stood up, shaking their head at me: “Xuwei, let it go, don’t ask anymore.” “If you really want to know, promise me one thing, and I’ll tell you.” Adeline’s dad still insisted that I choose a wife from those women and get married. Adeline’s mom, amidst everyone, tearfully knelt before me— “Nathan, I’m begging you, please find another woman to marry. You must have a child within this year.” “Otherwise, it’ll be too late!” She clutched my hand desperately, her tear-filled eyes pleading silently. Suddenly, someone among the guests stood up and shook their head at me: “Nathan, let it go, don’t ask anymore.” The woman in the crowd wore a long black dress, had short hair, and her expression was solemn and complex. She glanced at Adeline’s parents briefly and sighed— “Just for Adeline’s sake, stop pursuing this. Otherwise, she won’t rest in peace.” I knew this woman; she was Adeline’s best friend, Fiona. They were as close as sisters, and after Adeline’s death, besides me, she was the most heartbroken. That made it even harder for me to accept: “Fiona, what are you saying? Do you also want Adeline’s death to remain unexplained?” I turned, my steps unsteady, towards Adeline’s memorial tablet. In the photo, she still smiled gently, but it was now in black and white. I clenched my fingers tightly, and from my chest surged a determination— “Adeline was my wife. If her parents won’t honor her memory, then I, as her husband, will!” “Moreover, she was carrying my child. Even if it takes everything I have, I must seek justice for her and our child!” Fiona lowered her eyes and sighed: “Why are you doing this?” At this moment, Adeline’s dad suddenly spoke again: “Do you really want to know what we said to Adeline that day?” I looked at him, filled with expectation and hope, momentarily stunned and bewildered. Adeline’s dad then calmly said, “I can tell you. Just hope that after knowing the truth, you’ll stop here.” Adeline’s mom instantly panicked and instinctively pulled at him: “Honey, you can’t…” But Adeline’s dad shook off her hand and slowly walked towards me. Under the silent gaze of all the guests, he leaned close to my ear and finally said those words. 6 The moment I heard those words, it felt as if I had been struck by lightning, leaving me frozen in disbelief. Adeline’s dad quickly stepped back, putting some distance between us. I looked at them with a mix of shock and confusion and murmured, “How is that possible?”

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On our tenth wedding anniversary, my husband, who has hearing difficulties, disappeared for the entire morning. I thought he was planning a surprise, so I cheerfully headed to the hotel where we were supposed to meet. But instead of a surprise, I was met with his guilty admission: “I’m sorry, I cheated.” My mind went blank, and the crimson stain on the sheets seemed to burn into my eyes. Gideon, looking devastated, held his head in his hands, “Adeline, it was an accident. We were both drunk.” His friend, Nora, was clutching the blanket, sobbing, “I’m not a virgin anymore. How will I ever get married now…” Gideon was silent for a moment, then said, “I’m sorry, I’ll take responsibility.” I held back my tears, “And what about me?” Gideon couldn’t find the words. I let out a bitter laugh, tears flowing, “Let’s get a divorce.” “No, I won’t divorce you, not even if I die.” Gideon’s eyes turned red as he removed his hearing aid, refusing to talk to me. I watched him in despair. My phone buzzed with a message from my ex-boyfriend: [Adeline, please don’t be mad at me anymore, okay?] …… “Ms. Harper, I won’t destroy someone else’s marriage.” Nora said stubbornly, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. “Don’t worry, I won’t ask Gideon to take responsibility.” She sniffled, “I won’t be a homewrecker either!” Nora stumbled as she got up. Gideon tried to help her, but she dodged him. She got dressed, wiped her tears, and with red-rimmed eyes, glanced at Gideon before grabbing her bag and rushing out. My nails dug into my palms. Gideon hurriedly dressed, put on his hearing aid, and brushed past me as he chased after her. I collapsed onto the bed. A moment later, Gideon returned, looking devastated. Seeing me, he frowned disapprovingly, “How could you do this to Nora? She’s innocent.” I widened my eyes in disbelief. Gideon frowned, “Isn’t she?” I clutched my phone, turning my tearful face away, my voice choked, “And I’m not innocent?” Gideon was silent. He scratched his head in frustration, “We were just having drinks with a client, I didn’t expect things to turn out this way…” “Nora is a virgin… I have to take responsibility for her.” Gideon’s head hung lower and lower. I wore a sarcastic smile. “Then should I find my ex to take responsibility for me?” Gideon was at a loss for words, “That’s not what I meant.” I laughed, tears blurring my vision, “You still care that I’m not a virgin.” Gideon panicked, “No, I don’t! You know how much I love you.” “But you slept with someone else and want to take responsibility for her.” Gideon’s voice trembled, “But I don’t love her!” “It was a mistake after drinking. Can’t you forgive me just this once for the sake of our thirteen years together?” Gideon knelt in front of me, trembling as he held my hand. I lowered my head, hiding the tears about to fall. “I promise I won’t sleep with other women again, and I won’t drink, but…” He lowered his head, “This is my fault, I have to take responsibility for Nora.” I pulled my hand away from Gideon and looked into his eyes. “How do you plan to take responsibility? Be with her?” Gideon didn’t respond. I took it as his consent. “Let’s get a divorce.” Gideon bit his lip, avoiding my gaze. “Nora’s not in a good state, I need to find her.” “Wait for me… I’ll handle this, but I won’t divorce you.” “I only love you.” Gideon stood up and hurried out. I held my head in despair, tears streaming down uncontrollably. A new message popped up on my phone. [I won’t talk bad about Gideon anymore. I can apologize to him in person for what happened before.] [Don’t ignore me, I’ve been sidelined for thirteen years. I’m begging you…] I replied with trembling hands. [I want to go home.] He replied instantly: [I’m coming to get you now, wait for me.]

Back at the home I shared with Gideon, I looked around the small, damp room. For the first time, I realized how much hardship I endured for a man, having grown up with wealth and privilege. To be with him, I left home and moved thousands of miles away to Seattle. Here, I had no friends or family, only Gideon. But he… Wiping the tears from the corners of my eyes, I went to the bedroom to pack my bags. My elbow accidentally bumped Gideon’s mouse. The computer screen lit up, revealing his SnapChat chat box. It was his chat with Nora. I squinted, mechanically scrolling through the messages. The more I read, the colder my heart grew. [Brother Gideon, want to go out for drinks tonight?] [Is Adeline upset again? Women are like that, they like to throw little tantrums. Just coax her.] [My stockings tore, can you buy me a pair downstairs? Don’t overthink it, I see you as a brother.] [The coffee you had was nice, save the rest for me. I got you a milk tea and left it on your desk.] … After reading the chat, I was filled with anger, my body swaying. I barely steadied myself by holding onto the desk, my nails digging into the wood. Tears splashed onto the desk, creating little water droplets. Memories of Gideon’s proposal replayed in my mind. He’d knelt before me with a huge bouquet of red roses, solemnly swearing, “From now on, I only love Adeline Harper.” “I won’t let Adeline Harper suffer any grievance or shed a single tear.” “Heaven and earth as witness, I have no divided loyalties.” He broke his promise. I bit my lower lip hard, the taste of blood spreading in my mouth. The wedding photo on the wall suddenly fell with a loud crash. I walked over and picked it up, my fingers tracing the photo. When we first got married, we were tight on money, only getting the marriage certificate without a wedding. Later, when things got a bit better, Gideon spent a month’s salary to take wedding photos with me. In the photo, Gideon was holding me with eyes full of love, his lips pressed against my forehead. It was all so ironic. Numbly, I picked up scissors and cut the photo into pieces, tossing them into the trash. I heard a sound from the entrance; Gideon had returned. Seeing me at home, Gideon pressed his lips into a thin line. “Nora is missing.” “Mm,” I responded. He frowned, “Why are you acting like this?” My eyelashes trembled, “How should I act, then?” Gideon closed his eyes, took a deep breath. When he opened them, they were filled with disappointment. “Adeline Harper, you feel like a stranger to me.” “The old you was kind and forgiving, always helping those in need. But now, what have you become…” I interrupted, clenching my fingers, “As you said, that was before.” “I’ve changed, okay?” The living room fell into silence. I threw our marriage certificate in front of him, calmly meeting his eyes, “Let’s go get a divorce now.” Gideon seemed exasperated, “How many times do I have to say it? I’m not divorcing you.” “How can you give up on our thirteen years together so easily!” I slapped him, my eyes red and voice choked, “You were the one who gave up first.” His hearing aid fell to the floor. Gideon stood there, dumbfounded, covering his face, speechless for a long time. He silently bent down, picked up the hearing aid, and put it back on. Ignoring my resistance, he pulled me into his arms, “I’m really in a tough spot. Please, understand me, honey.” Pain spread in my chest, and I wanted to push him away, but my body felt too heavy to lift my hand. “Nora is young and fragile. It’s easy for her to spiral in this situation…” “I’ll stay with her for now, until she’s in a better place.” “Could you keep your distance from her in the future?” I was so shocked that I couldn’t speak. An abrupt phone ringing interrupted us. Gideon looked puzzled as he took out his phone and answered it. The next second, his pupils shrank, “What did you say?!”

Nora was in a car accident. Gideon hurried me to the hospital. Just before entering the room, he gave me a serious look and said, “You should apologize to Nora later. ” I furrowed my brows, “I haven’t done anything wrong, why should I apologize?” Gideon, looking worn out, replied, “If you hadn’t upset Nora, she wouldn’t have gotten into an accident.” I let out a bitter laugh. Inside the room, Nora whimpered in pain and weakly called out to us, “Gideon, Adeline, please don’t argue because of me.” “It doesn’t matter what happens to me, as long as it doesn’t affect your relationship.” Gideon forcefully pulled me in, “Apologize to Nora now.” A sharp pain hit my arm as I shook off Gideon’s grip. “It was you two who slept together. What did I do wrong? Why should I apologize?” Nora’s face turned ghostly pale, and she began to shake as she cried. “I’ve lost my honor…” “My parents will be furious, and I’ll never find someone to marry…” Gideon glared at me, “Adeline!” “Without my honor, I might as well be dead.” Nora’s eyes were vacant as she tried to get out of bed. Gideon quickly held her close, stopping her from moving. Nora buried her face in Gideon’s chest, clutching his shirt, sobbing uncontrollably. “Leave me alone. I don’t need your help.” “Just let me die. What’s the point of living?” Gideon gently patted her head, “I’ll take responsibility, trust me.” My vision blurred, and a deep pain filled my abdomen. “Gideon!” His back stiffened, and he removed his hearing aid. Nora, breathless from crying, wrapped her arms around his waist. I couldn’t bear to watch any longer. Clutching my aching heart, I left with heavy steps. By the time I arrived home, it was dark. I sat on the couch, my head throbbing. My tears had dried, and my throat was too hoarse to speak. Gideon called me. After picking up, there was a long silence on the line. Finally, he spoke with a raspy voice, “I’m sorry for losing my temper earlier.” “I’ll be home soon. I got you a gift; let’s discuss things then.” “Please don’t treat Nora like that again. She’s the victim here.” “Apologize to her properly tomorrow and try not to see her anymore.” I clutched the phone tightly and struggled to ask, “Do you remember what today is?” Silence fell on the other end again. “We’ll talk when I get home.” The call ended. I slid to the floor, feeling utterly defeated. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something under the couch. Instinctively, I reached for it. It was a file folder with the Gideon Corporation logo on it. Gideon Corporation had made waves in recent years, and rumor had it their boss, like Gideon, was hearing impaired. I turned the folder over, and Gideon’s name was written on the back. I frowned and opened it, revealing a thick stack of bidding documents. Flipping through them, my face turned ashen. Desperate for confirmation, I took out my phone and searched for the CEO of Gideon Corporation. The webpage revealed nothing. Suddenly, an idea struck me, and I opened Nora’s SnapChat moments. [March 25] [A cure-all, thanks to a certain anonymous good brother.] The picture showed her with the latest luxury bag. I zoomed in, recognizing a familiar hand in the bottom right corner, missing its wedding ring. My fingers trembled as I continued scrolling. [March 1] [The necklace matches my outfit today, thanks to Mr. Gideon’s care for his little assistant.] The picture showed her in a white dress, wearing a pink diamond necklace. Mr. Gideon, little assistant. The realization hit me hard. I had once told Gideon how much I liked that necklace’s design, but its 5.2 million price tag was astronomical to me. Gideon had joked about buying it for me when he could afford it. But now, it was around Nora’s neck.

In my memory, Gideon was an orphan, so poor that he relied on student loans and part-time jobs to get through college. When he started college, he only had an old phone, and his meals were just plain buns. He couldn’t afford a hearing aid, struggled to communicate, and was often alone. As class president, I felt sorry for him and bought him his first hearing aid. After graduation, even with a job, Gideon was still broke. He was so poor that my parents didn’t want me to marry him. But I went ahead and got the marriage certificate without asking my family for a cent. The new hearing aid he wears now was also bought by me. Yet, according to the timeline of Gideon Corporation’s founding, Gideon had money a year after graduation. But he still pretended to be poor, unwilling to spend on our wedding. The house we lived in was rented. Thinking back, Gideon always had excuses to ask for money, and my salary went towards our household and him. I never saw his earnings. My heart twisted painfully as I clutched my shirt, cold sweat trickling down my forehead, feeling suffocated. I grabbed a plastic bag and breathed deeply into it to avoid passing out. Gideon called me just then. “Adeline, I can’t come back right now. Nora is threatening suicide, I have to stay with her.” Ignoring what he said, my survival instinct kicked in, “Gideon, I’m struggling. Please come back.” Gideon sounded exhausted, “Adeline, stop pretending.” “Nora’s situation is truly dangerous. If I don’t go, she might harm herself.” “Stop causing trouble, okay? I’ll come to you after I deal with this.” He hung up before I could respond. I looked at my phone screen in despair. A message from my ex-boyfriend popped up: [Adeline, I’m almost there.] Regaining some composure, I forced myself to stand. I found Gideon’s bank card from a cabinet and opened the balance inquiry on the computer. With trembling fingers, I entered the password. Due to my nerves, I made several mistakes. When I finally unlocked it, I was stunned. The long string of zeros in the bank account made my ten-year marriage seem like a joke. My legs gave way, and I collapsed on the floor. Tears blurred my vision. Thirteen years together… Gideon had been lying to me all along. I bit my lip hard and climbed up from the floor. I operated the computer and transferred half of Gideon’s money. A new message popped up on my phone: [Adeline, I’m here.] Stumbling, I staggered to the balcony. There stood Asher, my childhood friend, in a black suit under the streetlight, his car parked nearby. Thirteen years apart, he had matured a lot, with a touch of melancholy in his eyes, no longer the sunny boy he once was. Perhaps sensing my gaze, he suddenly looked up, and our eyes met. Driving all the way here, Asher’s eyes were bloodshot. In an instant, my nose tingled, and tears started falling again. Asher, a bit flustered, quickly came upstairs. I opened the door and fell into a warm embrace. Asher held me tightly. The accumulated grievances finally couldn’t be held back anymore. Asher gently patted my back, his voice hoarse as he comforted me, “I’m here, don’t cry.” “No matter what happens, I’m here for you.” 5 Watching Asher running around, helping me with my luggage, I nervously gripped my clothes. “Thank you, Asher.” Asher paused for a moment. “It’s nothing.” Once inside the car, Asher buckled my seatbelt and handed me a small cake. “Here, have this to tide you over.”

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