Category: English

My childhood friend persuaded me into an intimate encounter, only to later reconcile with his ex-girlfriend, Sophie. A month later, I sent him a pregnancy report. His only response was, “Emily, I always thought of you as a friend. You don’t want to be my wife, do you?” I replied, “No worries, I’ll raise the baby on my own.” Two years later, I went bankrupt. As he was about to marry, he took our child from me, citing my financial inability to support him, and left him in Sophie’s care. Three days later, I received the devastating news of my child’s death. By the time I reached the hospital, Little Round was already cold. His tiny hand lay still in my palm, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t warm him. Michael stood by with his fiancée Sophie, explaining with a disturbingly calm tone, “The child was playing and fell into the villa’s koi pond. By the time Sophie found him, it was too late.” I screamed in agony, “Why did you let her take my child? Why!!” I charged at them in a frenzy. Michael shielded Sophie, angrily replying, “Emily, this happened because of you. If you hadn’t insisted on having him, would we be here now?” I stood frozen, something lodged in my throat, suffocating me. Michael sneered, “You’re just selfish. Did you think having my child would unify the Johnson and Taylor families? Dream on. I, Michael, don’t need a marriage alliance. And now it’s proven—Emily, the sole heir of the Taylor family, you managed to bankrupt the Taylor Corporation in just two years.” I looked at him, the man I had admired for so long, and felt nothing but hatred. “Glaring at me? You still think you’re the high and mighty heiress? What right do you have to glare at me?” Michael pulled out a card and tossed it to me dismissively. “This is for the child’s funeral expenses, and the rest is your payment for the past two years.” He then turned to Sophie, wiping away her feigned tear and gently said, “It’s not your fault, don’t blame yourself. Let’s go home.” “No, Brother Michael, I want to stay with Emily,” Sophie said, looking at me with feigned guilt. “She must be very upset.” “Sophie, you’re too kind. I’ll head back to the office and have someone take you home later.” They shared another deep kiss. Yes, Sophie is seen as kind, weak, and needing protection. I heard this countless times five years ago. That year, amidst a heavy snowfall, Sophie stopped our car, cradling a stray cat, begging us to take it in. Michael held an umbrella over her, gently caressing the kitten in her arms, his gaze never leaving her face. In that moment, I tasted the bitterness of impending loss. Michael took her into the car. I recognized her; she worked at the café near our school. Her home should have been nearby, so why didn’t she take the stray cat home instead of stopping our car? When I questioned this, Michael, displeased, pushed me out of the car, telling me to experience the harshness of life to regain my conscience. The snow that covered me that day enveloped me again today, chilling me to the bone.

After Michael left, Sophie’s sad expression vanished. She picked up the card and brushed it against my face twice. “Emily, I’m about to marry into the Johnson family. Don’t expect a penny from Michael! Just because you had his son doesn’t mean you can sit back and enjoy the benefits.” “Marry! Marry! Marry the Grim Reaper!” I lashed out, grabbing Sophie’s neck tightly. Even as Michael’s bodyguards tried to pull me off, I wouldn’t let go until they used a stun baton, leaving me paralyzed on the ground. Sophie grabbed the baton, laughing maniacally as she hit me. “Emily, you should thank me. If I hadn’t broken up with Michael, he wouldn’t have gone to you out of spite. You know, I still have recordings of how he humiliated you. Want to hear it?” I had no choice. Michael’s voice was already coming through the phone. “Sophie, I just had some drinks, and Emily conveniently showed up. It’s all her fault. This woman has clung to me since childhood, shamelessly sticking around, always finding excuses to be near…” But I remember, Michael was the one who invited me that day. He said, “Emily, will you stay with me until we’re old?” I asked if he wasn’t dating Sophie. He shook his head with a light laugh, “We broke up. What? Don’t you like me anymore?” “No…” I hadn’t even finished speaking when he sealed my lips with a kiss. Before, I placed all my hopes on him and the child. It was my way of holding onto the most heart-fluttering memory of my youth. But today, that hope died with the child. The man in my memories also died.

I buried Little Round with my grandfather so they could keep each other company and not be lonely. I lost my parents at a young age and was raised by my grandfather. Though life was wealthy, something was always missing. The Johnson family and ours were family friends, so Michael and I grew up together. When my grandfather learned I was pregnant with Michael’s child, he was thrilled and immediately discussed our marriage with Michael’s father. But Michael rejected it on the spot. He said, “I have someone I like, and the child in Emily’s womb might not even be mine.” My grandfather’s face went red with anger and he severed ties with the Johnson family. That night, I cried my eyes out. My grandfather sat silently by me until dawn. After Little Round was born, the Taylor household became more lively. But the good times didn’t last. My grandfather fell seriously ill. On his deathbed, he stroked Little Round’s face and sighed, “Thank goodness for this little guy accompanying you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t rest in peace.” After losing my grandfather, I was in a slump for a long time and neglected managing the company, leading to bankruptcy. I initially wanted to take Little Round and leave Wind City, to start anew in an unfamiliar place. But I was intercepted by Michael at the airport. He yelled at me, “You went bankrupt, fine, but why take my son!” That was the first time he met Little Round and the first time he acknowledged him as his child. At first, I was unwilling to give Little Round to him. He had someone forcibly take him and threatened that if I caused trouble again, I wouldn’t see the child well-off. I never imagined that this would be my final goodbye to Little Round. “Little Round, Mama won’t let you die in vain.” I lay before the gravestone, wiped my tears, closed my eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.

I don’t know how long I slept, but I heard someone repeatedly calling me. It was the cemetery caretaker. He frowned, “Miss, why are you sleeping here?” I smiled slightly and replied, “I have no home. This cemetery plot is the only place I owned, so I made do for the night.” Yes, I was penniless at that moment. The villa was auctioned off, and all my bags and jewelry went to pay off debts. But I’m not worried. Surviving isn’t difficult for me. I braced against hunger and walked into the most famous club in Wind City, where socialites gather to spend. As a fallen heiress, there’s no way I could rise back to the top from the glamorous side. They’d only try to crush me further. So I had no choice but to choose this route. The receptionist at the club recognized me instantly, “Miss Taylor, I remember you don’t have any wine stored here. Why are you here?” “I’m here to see Manager Brown.” The receptionist smirked sarcastically, “Not just anyone can see Manager Brown.” I wasn’t in the mood for her games and stood aside. Soon, a tall figure appeared in the club. I immediately approached, “Manager Brown, I need to talk to you.” Upon seeing me, Kelly Brown was a bit surprised, “Miss Taylor, you know I only work for money, you…” “I want to sell wine here, to work with you,” I said bluntly. “The news of a fallen heiress selling wine here will surely make your business boom.” “Indeed, anyone who can become an heir must be ruthless enough to let their dignity be trampled,” Kelly Brown extended a hand to me, “Welcome.” Soon, the entire socialite circle in Wind City was eager to see my downfall at the club. Most were my well-off classmates.

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My son was suffering from an aortic dissection and needed immediate surgery. My wife, Emily Walker, was a renowned cardiac specialist. But I didn’t call her. Instead, I hailed a cab and rushed straight to the hospital. In my previous life, I had begged her to return with the ambulance to save our son. She had arranged the hospital bed and prepared for surgery. But because Emily forgot her phone that day, her childhood friend, Alex Shea, who was suffering a heart attack, couldn’t reach her. He died in the ambulance. Emily disappeared for three months after that. When she came back, she seemed normal on the surface. She even volunteered to cook for our son’s birthday party. But she had laced the food with drugs. Then, she pinned me to the ground, gripping my neck as she slit my throat. “This is all your fault!” she screamed. “If I hadn’t gone back for our son, Alex wouldn’t be dead! Your entire family is to blame, and you all deserve to pay for it!” When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day my son’s heart condition first struck. This time, Emily answered Alex’s call. But little did she know, she would one day beg me for forgiveness.

“Mr. Walker, I understand how worried you must be, but there really aren’t any available beds,” said Sue Tanner, one of Emily’s colleagues and today’s attending physician. After being reborn, the first thing I had done was drive my son to the hospital. But Sue didn’t even glance at my son before blocking us from entering the cardiac unit. My son was crying silently. He had been too weak to even say he was in pain during the car ride. My mother was panicked, pacing back and forth. “What do you mean there are no beds? I just saw an empty bed in there! Can’t we use that one?” Sue didn’t even flinch. “That bed is already reserved for another patient.” My mother’s face flushed with anger. “Reserved? Since when can hospital beds be reserved? Isn’t it first come, first served? My grandson is seriously ill! How can you just turn him away? What kind of doctor are you?” Sue’s expression turned icy. “Calm down. I don’t see anything about him that looks like a heart condition. Do you know how long people wait for a bed here? Why should he be treated immediately just because you walked in?” Turning her attention to me, she added, “Mr. Walker, I don’t want to make this any uglier than it needs to be. But if you keep this up, I’ll have no choice but to call security.” Her words carried a thinly veiled disgust, as if we were pulling some sort of scam. In just a few minutes, a crowd had gathered. Whispers started to spread. “Everyone here has waited weeks for a bed. Who do they think they are, demanding one right away?” “Faking an illness to jump the line? Why don’t they just buy the whole hospital if they’re so entitled?” The insults kept coming. My son lay trembling in my mother’s arms, his body drenched in sweat. His small voice broke through the noise. “Dad, Grandma… it hurts so much. Please… help me.” Hearing his words felt like a knife stabbing into my chest. The pain reached all the way to my skull. But no matter how desperate his condition, Sue refused to believe he had an aortic dissection. My mom, on the verge of tears, pleaded with her. “Please, doctor, I’m sorry for what I said earlier. Just take a look at my grandson. He’s in so much pain.” Sue crossed her arms, her tone growing even colder. “Hospital policy is clear: no admission, no treatment.” My mother, now completely distraught, raised her fists as if to strike. I quickly stepped in to stop her. Looking Sue directly in the eye, I said firmly, “Sue, my son doesn’t have a regular heart condition. He has an aortic dissection. You know how critical this is. He needs surgery immediately.” My tone must have startled her because she finally dropped her nonchalant demeanor. But then she laughed. “You’re really committed to this act, aren’t you, Evan?” she sneered. “Did Google not tell you that kids don’t get aortic dissections? When Emily told me you’d do anything to take Alex’s bed, I didn’t believe her. But using your own child in this ridiculous charade? That’s beyond disgusting.” Her words dripped with contempt. I didn’t have time to argue. I knew how urgent my son’s condition was. An aortic dissection is rare enough in adults, with a one-in-100,000 chance of occurring and a nearly 100% fatality rate if untreated. In children, it’s almost unheard of. The only doctor in the country capable of performing this surgery was the head of this very department. I couldn’t afford to lose my temper or waste another second explaining. I glanced at my son, his lips turning blue from the pain. A wave of despair washed over me, stealing the air from my lungs. I knew Sue wouldn’t admit him. Clenching my teeth, I turned and ran straight to the head nurse’s office.

The cardiology department where Emily Walker worked was one of the most renowned in the country. Patients lined up for weeks, even months, just to get a chance at treatment. And yet, no matter how full the hospital was, there was always one empty bed reserved in the department. That bed wasn’t for emergencies. It was for Alex Shea, Emily’s childhood friend. In my previous life, when my son suddenly developed a heart condition, I called Emily, desperate for help. At first, she told me there were no available beds. But after my repeated begging, she finally agreed to let my son use that reserved bed temporarily. She even came back with the ambulance to ensure he was admitted. But in the half hour she spent helping our son, Alex suffered a heart attack. He tried calling Emily, but she didn’t have her phone on her. He died in the ambulance. Emily didn’t return home after that. She disappeared for three months. When she finally came back, our son had already recovered and been discharged from the hospital. Emily resigned from her prestigious position, saying she wanted to spend more time with our family. She drove me to work every day, cooked meals for us, and helped our son with his homework every evening. I thought she had finally let go of her grief and found her way back to us. But on our son’s birthday, she poisoned all of us. My son and my mother died in agony. As for me, she injected me with something to keep me conscious. Then she drove me to Alex’s grave and forced me to kneel, demanding I apologize to him. I didn’t understand what I had done wrong. Alex had always had a weak heart. Even after his heart transplant, he refused to take his medication, which led to frequent heart failure. The day he died, he had a heart attack but didn’t call 911 right away. By the time his neighbor found him and called an ambulance, Alex insisted on being taken to Emily’s hospital, 30 kilometers away, instead of the one just down the street from his home. I couldn’t understand why Emily blamed me for everything. “He did this to himself,” I told her. But Emily wouldn’t hear it. Tears streaming down her face, she screamed, “Our son was fine! How does a child suddenly develop a heart condition? You did something to make me miss Alex’s call that day! You killed him!” “Evan, I’ve told you over and over—Alex and I were just friends. But you couldn’t leave him alone. You pushed him to this! He stopped taking his medication because of you! If anyone deserves to die, it’s you!” I couldn’t comprehend her twisted logic. But she didn’t give me the chance to explain. “You killed Alex,” she said, her voice eerily calm. “Now you’ll know what it feels like to die of a broken heart.” With that, she sliced into my chest with a scalpel and crushed my heart with her bare hands. The memory of that pain still lingered, sharp and vivid. I shuddered at the thought, snapping back to the present. My son’s fragile condition was the only thing on my mind. Bursting into the head nurse’s office, I fell to my knees. “Please, Nurse Carter,” I begged, tears streaming down my face. “I know you can assign beds. We don’t even need a room—just let us stay in the hallway. My son has an aortic dissection. Dr. Lee is the only one in the city who can perform the surgery. Please, I’m begging you—save my son!” I dropped my head to the ground, bowing so hard that the sound echoed in the room. The head nurse hesitated, her expression softening. Finally, she picked up her phone and started walking toward the door. But before she could leave, Sue Tanner stepped in front of her. “Nurse Carter, you’re not seriously falling for this, are you?” Sue said with a snide grin. “Can’t you see he’s just putting on a show?” Then she turned to me, her tone dripping with contempt. “Let me tell you something about Evan,” she said loudly, ensuring everyone in the surrounding area could hear. “Back when Emily was planning to move abroad with her first love, Alex, Evan sent an anonymous letter to sabotage them. He even used his father, the hospital director, to pressure Emily into marrying him instead. “This man will do anything to get his way. And now, he’s using his kid to play the victim. For all we know, his son doesn’t even have an aortic dissection. Maybe he hurt the boy himself just to make this look convincing.” Nurse Carter lowered her phone, visibly hesitant. “I’m sorry, Mr. Walker,” she said gently. “Without a formal diagnosis, I can’t admit your son. It’s hospital policy.” My heart plummeted. I thought that by not calling Emily, she would stay with Alex, and the tragedy from my past life wouldn’t repeat itself. But I hadn’t expected her to go this far—to instruct her colleagues to block my son from being admitted. Just as despair began to consume me, I heard my mother scream. “Evan! Hurry! It’s Little Nick—he’s not breathing!”

I bolted forward. My son was slumped over my mother’s shoulder, his small arm hanging lifelessly. I reached out to feel his carotid artery. Nothing. No pulse. My heart clenched, and my mind went blank. Instinctively, I shouted, “Lay him flat on the ground! Quickly!” My mother gently lowered him to the floor. I dropped to my knees and started performing CPR on my son. I pressed down on his chest, keeping my movements steady, while my mother turned to the nurses’ station. She fell to her knees, crying and begging, “Please, help us! My grandson is dying! Are you really going to just stand there and watch?” The crowd of onlookers fell silent, their expressions frozen in shock. One of the nurses hesitated, clearly wanting to help, but once again, Sue Tanner stepped in to block her. “Please don’t interfere with hospital operations,” Sue said coldly, as if we were merely a nuisance. Even without assistance, I kept going. After a few agonizing minutes, I felt my son’s pulse return. His eyelids fluttered, and he let out a weak whisper. “Dad…” Relief surged through me. Tears streamed down my face as I hugged him tightly. But as the realization hit me—that my son had nearly died right there on the floor of a hospital—I felt an ache so deep it was suffocating. “Dad,” my son said softly, his voice trembling. “Am I going to die? Isn’t this where Mom works? Why isn’t she helping me?” His innocent words pierced through the air, silencing everyone around us. I saw a few people in the crowd wipe tears from their eyes. Finally, someone spoke. “Dr. Tanner, this doesn’t seem fake. Maybe you should take a look at the boy,” a man suggested hesitantly. “Yeah,” a woman chimed in. “This could be serious. Just examine him—if it’s all fake, then fine, but what if it’s not?” The crowd began pleading on our behalf, but Sue remained unmoved. “Evan,” she sneered, “you’ve really gone all out, haven’t you? What’s next? Practicing CPR at home to perfect this performance? Too bad your technique is so sloppy.” She crossed her arms and continued, “Besides, Emily’s with Alex right now. Your little drama here is pointless.” I couldn’t believe it. Even after everything, Sue still didn’t believe my son was truly sick. Anger boiled inside me. “Sue,” I said, my voice shaking with rage, “what have I ever done to you to deserve this ridicule? Even if I’ve made mistakes, there are laws to hold me accountable. But what about my son? What has he done to deserve this? You call yourself a doctor, but you refuse to even examine a patient. Do you even deserve to wear that white coat?” My words struck a nerve, and the crowd erupted again. “He’s right! Who would use their own child to fake something like this?” “Exactly! If you think it’s fake, prove it! Just use a stethoscope and check!” For the first time, Sue hesitated. Her face darkened, and she reluctantly pulled out her stethoscope. She leaned down, finally ready to listen to my son’s heartbeat. But before she could, her phone rang. She answered it immediately. “Emily? Where are you? Your husband is causing a scene in the department,” Sue said, her voice laced with irritation. Hearing that name sent a chill down my spine. The voice on the other end was cold. “I’m with Alex. He’s been admitted,” Emily said. “Kick them out. I’ll deal with them after Alex is stable.” There was a brief pause before Emily added, “And that bed? It’s reserved for Alex. Nobody else touches it.” Hearing those words, my mother broke into uncontrollable sobs. “Emily, are you insane? That’s your own son! How can you let him die? Don’t you have any sense of guilt?” she screamed into the phone. Emily let out a bitter laugh. “No one is more important than Alex. If my son has to die, then so be it.” I quickly covered my son’s ears, but I was too late. He looked up at me, his eyes filled with confusion and pain. “Dad… why does Mom want me to die?” I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. What could I possibly say to him? Emily hung up the phone. Sue looked down at me with a smug expression. “You heard her,” she said. “Now take your son and leave. Stop embarrassing yourself.” Just then, I saw a familiar figure at the door. It was Nurse Carter, and she wasn’t alone. Standing beside her was Dr. Lee, the department head. My heart leapt with hope. Holding my son tightly, I ran toward them. “Dr. Lee, please! Look at my son! Dr. Tanner refused to admit him. I think he has an aortic dissection, but no one will listen!” Dr. Lee didn’t hesitate. She placed the stethoscope on my son’s chest, her expression growing darker with every passing second. Sue followed, her voice dripping with condescension. “Dr. Lee, don’t waste your time. Children don’t get aortic dissections. This woman is just making things up.” But before Sue could finish, Dr. Lee straightened up, her face grim. She handed my son to a nearby nurse and barked out orders. “Get the OR ready. This child has an aortic dissection,” she said sharply. Then she turned to Sue, her eyes cold. “Who told you children can’t have this condition? Sue Tanner, do you realize you almost cost this boy his life?”

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I’ve been Alexander Sullivan’s blood source for twenty years. Just because my blood was special, I was adopted by the Sullivan family to be their blood slave. To ensure a daily supply of blood, the Sullivans went as far as implanting a curse in my body. This curse not only produced blood but also controlled one’s desires. The sixth time I uncontrollably approached Alexander due to the curse’s poison, begging him to help me neutralize it, He cruelly threw me into the swimming pool. But what Alexander didn’t know was— From that day on, I found a new person to neutralize the poison. I struggled to open my eyes, only to find myself surrounded by darkness. As I tried to sit up, I realized my hands and feet were tightly bound. Looking down at my wrists, I saw they were covered in countless needle marks – scars left from years of blood extraction. They looked like ugly centipedes crawling across my skin. Footsteps from outside broke the silence of the basement. The butler walked in expressionlessly, carrying a tray. He approached me and said coldly, “Miss Aria, it’s time for your blood extraction.” His voice was devoid of any emotion, as if he was merely carrying out a routine task. I looked at him fearfully, my body trembling uncontrollably. The bright red blood flowed slowly through the transparent tube into a glass bottle. This routine of being locked in the basement and having my blood regularly drawn had been going on for ten long years. Ten years ago, after my parents died in an accident, I was adopted by the wealthy Sullivan family. At the time, I naively thought I had found salvation, not knowing this was just the beginning of a nightmare. My blood was rare and special – the ideal source for Alexander Sullivan, the young master of the family who suffered from a terminal illness. The Sullivans adopted me only to use me as a tool to sustain Alexander’s life. Due to the need for daily blood supply, the Sullivans even went so far as to plant a curse in my body. This curse accelerated blood production in my body, but also turned me into a complete puppet. I could see no hope, no way out. As my blood was continuously drained, I heard familiar footsteps approaching in my dazed state. Alexander had arrived. He walked to the bedside, bent down, and gently stroked my head. “How are you feeling today?” “Young Master Sullivan, how do you think I should feel?” I weakly questioned him, my tone filled with undisguised anger and sarcasm. “Being kept like livestock, having my blood drawn every day, should I be grateful to you?” “The Sullivan family feeds and clothes you well, of course you should be grateful,” he replied. “After all, no master likes a dog that bites.” Perhaps because we had repeated this conversation too many times, Alexander seemed unfazed by my attitude. He took a bowl of soup from the butler, held my chin, and forced me to drink it spoonful by spoonful. With most of my blood drained and then being forced to drink that bitter medicine, my body grew increasingly weak. I had no strength left to struggle and could only let Alexander hold me. As my consciousness began to fade, I felt my entire body burning up, as if a fire was raging inside me. I couldn’t help but start writhing, trying to ease the unbearable pain. “So hot… it hurts…” I could feel the curse in my body greedily consuming what little blood I had left. I moaned in agony, unconsciously pressing closer to Alexander, trying to draw some coolness from his body to ease the heat inside me. Alexander seemed startled by my actions and frowned in disgust. He roughly pulled me away from him and threw me to the ground like a rag doll. “Don’t touch me!” But if the curse wasn’t dealt with, the consequences would be unthinkable. I crawled to his feet, clutching at his pants leg, begging, “Young Master… please… save me…” “If you can’t stand it, go cool off!” Alexander roared, throwing me aside. He stood up and dragged me to the edge of the swimming pool. The next second, I was mercilessly pushed into the water.

The ice-cold pool water instantly submerged me. I instinctively struggled but my limbs were too weak, and my body began to sink. There was no one left by the pool’s edge – Alexander had left. As the air in my lungs was slowly depleted, the specter of death loomed over me. Just when I was about to give up hope, I saw a blurry figure swimming towards me. I couldn’t make out his face clearly, but I desperately reached out to him. He quickly approached, pulled me into his arms, and swam powerfully towards the surface. The moment I could breathe air again, I felt as if I had been reborn. The man’s strong arms supported me. I instinctively held onto him tightly, my body shaking uncontrollably from the cold and weakness. But strangely, as our skin touched, the curse that had been raging inside me gradually calmed down. “Are you okay? Do you feel unwell anywhere?” he asked. I shook my head. After we got out of the pool, perhaps realizing that my condition was not just a typical reaction to near-drowning, the man waited while I went to the bathroom by the pool to clean up. I changed into dry clothes and opened the door to find that the man who had just saved me was still standing guard outside. He had somehow changed into dry clothes as well. He was a stranger, but handsome and gentle, looking at me with eyes full of concern. “You…” He was about to ask something when urgent footsteps were heard from outside. “Damn it, where is she?” The newcomer’s voice was urgent and tinged with anger. It was Alexander! I instinctively felt a wave of fear, and my body began to shake more violently. Why did he come back? Was he here to confirm if I was dead? The man seemed to sense the fear in my expression and immediately pulled me back into the bathroom. “Stay here and don’t move. No matter what happens, don’t make a sound,” he whispered, then left the bathroom and closed the door. He turned the corner and met Alexander, who was hurrying over. “Lucas, what are you doing here?” Alexander looked surprised to see Lucas. “You should ask Mrs. Wang about that. I left my car keys here yesterday, and she said she couldn’t remember where she put them,” Lucas said, spreading his hands to reveal the red sports car key in his palm. “She mentioned a few places, and since she’s getting on in years, I didn’t want her running around, so I came to look myself.” Hearing this, Alexander seemed to relax a bit, though his eyes swept over the swimming pool. “By the way, did you see anyone just now? I thought I saw a figure coming this way.” Lucas’s face still wore a faint smile: “No, I just came out and saw only you wandering around here.” “…Maybe I was mistaken then.” Alexander narrowed his eyes, as if trying to see if Lucas was lying. But after careful consideration, he realized that Lucas and I were not acquainted, and Lucas had no reason to lie for me. The two men stared at each other for a moment. Alexander suddenly smiled and patted Lucas on the shoulder, saying, “Alright, now that you’ve found it, head back soon. In the future, just let the housekeeper handle these small matters. No need to trouble Dr. Carter to come all the way here after a night shift.” “I have some business to attend to, so I’ll be going now.” With that, he left the pool area with his men. Hearing Alexander leave, I finally let out a sigh of relief and collapsed onto the floor.

Imagining what Alexander would do when he couldn’t find me, my body couldn’t stop shaking. The changing room door was gently pushed open, and Lucas walked in. “Are you alright?” he asked. I gave a faint “mm” in response, tidying my clothes as I stood up. “Thank you… for today,” I said. “It’s nothing, I would have saved anyone I saw drowning,” the man replied. He seemed to have a belly full of questions he wanted to ask, but after hesitating for a moment, he only added, “I’m Alexander’s friend. You can call me Lucas.” “I haven’t seen you at the Sullivan house before… you’re his friend?” I asked. As I finished the last two words, I inwardly mocked myself for a moment. Of course, a playboy like Alexander would have friends from all walks of life. If Lucas were really his friend, he would surely know me. He probably thought I was one of Alexander’s kept women. But a kept woman is docile and vibrant. I was just what the Sullivan servants called “the blood slave in the basement.” Not knowing how to respond, I could only lower my head and stare at the ground awkwardly. In the end, it was Lucas who broke the silence. “I won’t tell Alexander about what happened today,” he said. “You fell into the water and caught a chill. It would be better if you took some medicine when you get back.” He turned to leave, but suddenly, a strange idea welled up from the bottom of my heart. As if possessed, I grabbed the hem of his clothes. “Mr. Carter, could you… help me with my illness?” When I returned to the basement, Alexander was sitting on the sofa in my bedroom. Seeing me return, he put down his wine glass. “Where have you been?” he asked, his tone calm and emotionless. “I… I felt out of breath after climbing out of the water, so I went for a walk in the garden,” I replied. Alexander’s gaze was piercing, as if trying to see through me. “Is that so?” He slowly walked up to me, his tone low and dangerous. “The garden is windy. With your weak body, you should be careful not to catch a cold.” “I… I understand,” I said, lowering my head, not daring to meet his eyes. “Don’t wander around at night in the future. I’ll worry about you.” Alexander reached out his hand, gently stroking my cheek. But I trembled violently all over. It was happening again. Every so often, Alexander would use this method to check on the curse inside me. Only after confirming there was no problem would he let me leave. I endured the pain of the curse resonating with its master, forcing out an obedient smile. “I… I understand. It won’t happen again.” Sure enough, after feeling for a while and finding nothing unusual, he smiled with satisfaction. He pulled me into his arms, stroking my hair. I stood there stiffly, letting him hold me. My mind unconsciously recalled how Lucas had held me in the water. Under his wet shirt, his muscles were clearly defined and powerful. He was… handsome. “Today, why didn’t you beg me for help?” Alexander suddenly spoke, interrupting my thoughts. Coming back to my senses, I replied flatly, “I could endure it.” Alexander was momentarily at a loss for words, as if wanting to explain something, but in the end, he didn’t. After a moment of silence, he only added, “That’s good. You should understand, I don’t do that to you because I’m being responsible for you.” I nodded slightly. He seemed to have forgotten that the reason I reacted that way was not because of my own desires. It was because of the curse, which made me completely lose control. The reason I became like this, who was to blame after all?

The first time I saw Alexander was a week after I was brought to the Sullivan house. That pale, sickly boy lying in bed. The painful source of the curse planted in my body, the one who needed my blood. At that time, young as I was, I was locked in the basement, never seeing the light of day. Yet Alexander’s condition improved day by day after my arrival. He began to get out of bed, to move freely around the Sullivan house. Due to frequent blood transfusions, Alexander would even take me along when he went to school. The children at the prestigious school were mostly arrogant, knowing even at a young age the most direct way to humiliate others. On my first day stepping into the classroom, I felt the malice from those around me. “Well, well, where did this country bumpkin come from? How dare she attend school with us?” “Don’t you know? She’s Young Master Sullivan’s personal blood bank. In other words, she’s just a high-class blood slave!” “Disgusting. Who knows if her blood is clean? Hope she doesn’t infect Young Master Sullivan with some dirty disease!” I tried hard to ignore them, finding a corner to sit down. But they wouldn’t leave me alone. Several of them deliberately tripped me, throwing my backpack hard on the ground. “Oh, sorry, sorry, didn’t see you there. Are you okay? Young Master Sullivan’s blood slave, it wouldn’t be good if you got hurt.” I lay on the ground, reaching for my books. A pair of shoes stopped beside me. In an instant, the shoes stepped over my face. Alexander nonchalantly found a seat and sat down. He watched coldly as they emptied my backpack and tore everything inside to pieces. The piercing laughter was like needles stabbing into my heart. “Alright, that’s enough,” Alexander finally spoke up. His tone held no trace of protection, but rather a hint of indulgence. “She’s weak, she can’t take your teasing.” Alexander’s words, far from stopping their mockery, only made them more unrestrained. “Young Master Sullivan is so kind, even treating a dog so well.” “Of course, after all, it’s a dog he needs to suck blood from every day. It needs to be kept well. If it dies, where would Young Master Sullivan get his blood from!” Alexander laughed freely, but it made my heart freeze to the bone. Tears fell uncontrollably. “What are you crying for? If you can’t even bear this little bit of grievance, how will you serve me in the future?” Alexander spoke to me. “I… I just feel wronged,” I sobbed. “Wronged? What do you have to feel wronged about? The Sullivan family feeds and clothes you well, lets you live a life of luxury. What more do you want?” His tone was impatient. “I… I just want a little respect,” I said. “Respect? You think you deserve that?” Alexander sneered. “Is what they’re saying wrong? You’re nothing but a dog raised by the Sullivan family, a dog kept to keep me alive. What right do you have to talk to me about respect?” At that moment, I finally understood. In Alexander’s heart, I would forever be just a lowly, inferior blood slave. A tool that anyone could trample on at will. But now I was dependent on the Sullivan family with nowhere to escape, unable to resist. I became even more cautious, silently swallowing those taunts and malice. In front of Alexander, I tried my best to appear more submissive and obedient. He seemed to enjoy it, and when no one else was around, he would be very kind to me again. He would bring me some food, or some interesting books. And he also knew well what damage the curse had done to me in my childhood. Every time the curse acted up, I would be tortured by excruciating pain, rolling on the ground. I even thought about ending my own life through self-harm. Alexander would grab me, hold me, letting me struggle madly until I gradually calmed down. This continued for a full twenty years. And the side effects of the curse became more uncontrollable after I reached adulthood.

That day, after an episode, I really couldn’t bear it anymore. Regardless of dignity or rules, I just wanted to live. I rushed to Alexander’s room. “Mr. Sullivan, I feel so awful. Can you please save me…” But I came at the wrong time. Alexander’s face, which had been laughing and chatting with a woman, turned ashen when he saw me. The woman’s eyes darted between us, and she laughed. “Alexander, I don’t mind you keeping someone on the side.” “Now that we’re engaged, I just hope your little pet doesn’t appear in front of me.” “She’s just a dog that can’t leave its master,” Alexander said coldly. “The curse is acting up again, she can’t live without me.” “How pitiful. Alexander, aren’t you too kind to her? Can’t you just find someone to take care of her needs?” Alexander lifted my chin, his eyes cold and his tone contemptuous. “You want me to help you? Fine.” “Get down on your knees and beg me like a dog, and I’ll consider it.” I bit my teeth in humiliation, my body trembling uncontrollably from the pain. “Alexander, don’t be like that. She looks so pitiful,” the woman said with a smile. “Why don’t you just help her? After all, this kind of woman, it’s no big deal to play with her a bit.” Alexander burst into laughter, grabbing Sophia’s waist and saying in a frivolous tone, “Sophia is right, it’s no big deal to play a bit. Aria, did you hear that?” “As long as you make Sophia happy, I’ll agree to help you.” Sophia smiled contemptuously: “How about this, crawl from here to the door, bark three times like a dog, and I’ll consider letting Alexander help you.” I bit my lip hard, my nails digging deep into my flesh. But I knew I had no choice. To survive, I could only do as they said. Trembling, I knelt on the ground and crawled forward step by step. By the time I reached the door, I had used up all my strength and didn’t even have the energy to open my mouth. In my last memory before fainting, I saw Alexander walking towards me. His face was cold as he grabbed me and threw me out the door. “Get lost,” he said. The door slammed shut, and the woman’s laughter could be heard from inside.

Since that night when Lucas saved me at the swimming pool, I started seeing him more often. He always appeared when I least expected it – in the garden of the Sullivan mansion, on the small path leading to the backyard, or even in the studio where I was occasionally allowed to move freely. In those brief moments when I could catch my breath, he seemed to be able to find me. Every time he saw me, he would first inquire about my health condition with concern. Then he would secretly slip me some herbs and nutritional supplements he had prepared. He told me that the curse Alexander had planted in me was not unsolvable; it could be controlled and even removed. He searched everywhere for methods, trying various approaches with me. Although there wasn’t much progress in the short term, and I still felt feverish and uncontrollably drawn to others during episodes, the medicine Lucas brought did alleviate my pain considerably. Taking advantage of Alexander’s business trip, Lucas started visiting my room more frequently. We talked about everything from my condition to casual chit-chat. He told me how wonderful the outside world was. He said I shouldn’t be trapped here, that I should live the life I want. He said, “Aria, I can help you escape from here.” His words made my heart race uncontrollably. But could I really break free from Alexander’s control? The long imprisonment had worn down my edges and made me timid and cowardly. Even if I did escape from here, where would I go?

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When my girlfriend was at her lowest, I broke up with her. Years later, after she found success and fame, she used every means possible to marry me. Everyone said I was her one true love, her most treasured husband. But in reality, every night she brought a different man home, shattering my heart and turning me into a laughingstock. I never fought back. I never cried or argued. I simply moved into the study, quietly staying out of her way. She hated that. One night, furious, she kissed me roughly and whispered, “Aren’t you jealous?” What she didn’t know was that I was sick. While she spent each day trying to hurt me, I was silently counting down how many days I had left to live. In the third year of our marriage, my wife, Claire, started keeping a young, handsome college student. His name was Ryan. He was tall, good-looking, and exactly Claire’s type. She kept him around for over six months—longer than any of the others. My friends warned me to be careful. They said Claire seemed genuinely attached to Ryan. The first time I met him was on my birthday. That morning, I’d woken up with a nosebleed that wouldn’t stop. At the hospital, the doctor told me I probably wouldn’t live past spring next year. I nodded calmly and said, “That’s fine.” I wasn’t afraid of dying—I just didn’t want it to hurt. There was an expensive medication that could ease the pain, but I didn’t have enough money to afford it. So, I went to Claire’s office to ask for help. That’s where I ran into Ryan. He had just graduated and was working as Claire’s assistant. Claire was in a meeting, so I sat in the lobby to wait. Ryan kept glancing at me, then leaned over to whisper to his coworkers, “So, that’s the husband? He looks awful—so skinny and sickly, like he’s on his deathbed.” He laughed and added, “People say I look like him, but I don’t see it. I’m way better looking.” I caught my reflection in the glossy glass wall. Messy hair, a puffy coat that made me look even frailer. He wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t much to look at—just a man waiting to die. A coworker nudged him and whispered, “Don’t underestimate him. If he cleaned up, you wouldn’t even compare. And don’t forget, Claire loves him. If you piss him off, she’ll destroy you.”

Ryan wasn’t convinced. He rolled his eyes and smirked. He brought me a cup of tea and asked mockingly, “So, Mr. Baker, why is Claire making you wait so long? It’s weird—whenever I stop by, no matter how busy she is, she always makes time for me. She says I’m her priority.” He smiled smugly, and for a moment, I saw a bit of my younger self in him. I thought about it. Claire did treat Ryan differently. She’d had countless lovers over the years, using them as pawns in her game to provoke me. Every night, she brought home someone new, testing my limits. But she never kept them around for long. A day or two, maybe a week. She always got bored quickly. Ryan, though, was different. She spoiled him. She took him out to dinner, shopping, and movies. They acted like an ordinary, happy couple. She gave him money, but she also gave him affection. I looked at him and smiled gently. “If you’re so important to her, why settle for being her dirty little secret?” “You should convince her to divorce me and marry you instead.” Ryan’s expression darkened instantly. He glared at me, his voice shaking with anger. “You’re the one who’s useless here! You’re nothing but a kept man!” “You only got to her first. But now? You’re old, you’re ugly. What could you possibly offer her?” His coworker hurried over, pulling him away, clearly worried I’d be upset. But I wasn’t. I’d promised myself long ago that I wouldn’t get angry because of Claire. I wouldn’t feel sad because of her. And I definitely wouldn’t stoop to competing with her lovers. She wasn’t worth it. 3. Ryan was pulled back by a coworker, but he lost his balance, fell to the ground, and shattered the teacup in his hand. Blood poured from the deep cut on his palm, pooling on the floor. Through the glass of the conference room, Claire saw what had happened. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, she threw down her papers, pushed the door open, and hurried over to Ryan. She grabbed his hand with visible distress, frowning as she examined his injury. Her voice was cold as she asked, “Who did this to him?” The coworker who had tried to help Ryan stepped back in fear, their face pale. I let out a dry laugh. “It was me. And honestly, he deserved it.” Ryan gritted his teeth and glared at me, then shouted, “Yeah, I deserved it! I fell for someone I shouldn’t have. I’m the one being called a kept man, a plaything.” “But Claire,” he said, looking into her eyes with a mix of defiance and passion, “as long as you love me, I’ll stay by your side forever. No one can take me away from you.” The words were absurd, but the way he said them—so firm, so sincere—made him seem almost brave. Claire couldn’t help but laugh. She reached out to ruffle his hair and said softly, “Don’t be mad. You’re going to make me worry.” She treated him differently. That much was obvious. I lowered my gaze, no longer interested in the scene. Instead, I calmly said to Claire, “For my birthday this year, I want $50,000.” It was funny, really. We were married, yet we didn’t even have each other’s phone numbers. The only time I reached out to her was when I needed money. Before we got married, we had an agreement: she wanted me, and I wanted her money. Claire had always hated how materialistic I was. But in the past, no matter how much I asked for, she would always give it to me without hesitation. This time, though, she looked at me with a cold smile and said slowly, “You can have the money.” “But, Isaac, first, lower your proud head and apologize to Ryan.” Claire was willing to pay $50,000 to buy back my dignity and give it to Ryan in the form of an apology. It was the first time she had used money to humiliate me for the sake of another man. I clenched my fists and forced a laugh, holding back the sudden wave of pain that surged through my body. I turned and walked away. I didn’t need the money anymore. For the first time, I was curious about Claire. If one day she found out that this money could have given me more time to live… if she knew how much I’d suffered before I died… What kind of expression would she have then? 4. I went home alone, curling up in bed in pain, drenched in a cold sweat. After taking a sleeping pill, I told myself, If I fall asleep, it won’t hurt anymore. Half-asleep, I dreamed of when I was twenty years old. Claire was dirt-poor back then, but she loved me deeply. That year, on my birthday, I walked past a café and saw a couple sitting by the window. The boy was holding a white cake—it looked delicate, delicious, and expensive. I still remember the snow falling heavily that day. I scooped up a mound of snow, turned to Claire, and grinned. “Claire, doesn’t this look like a cake?” She bit her lip, pulled me into her arms, and held me tight. She didn’t let me see the tears welling up in her eyes. Three days later, she showed up outside my dorm with a cake. When I saw the frostbite on her fingers, my eyes turned red with anger. Through gritted teeth, I told her, “Claire, your hands are meant for reading and writing, not for ruining just to make me happy.” I said I didn’t deserve such an expensive cake. She frowned and immediately shot back, “Isaac, you’re the best person in the world. You deserve all the good things it has to offer.” That day, I ate the entire cake through tears. I don’t even remember what it tasted like anymore. I just know that after that, I never had a cake that tasted better. I slept for a long time. Half-conscious, I heard my phone ringing. When I picked it up, Claire’s voice came through. “Isaac,” she said. I smiled faintly, my voice soft as I replied, “Claire, it’s snowing. I want cake.” Before she could respond, I turned over and fell back into a deep sleep. 5. I slept until the middle of the night when hunger woke me up. I went to the kitchen to find something to eat, only to realize Claire had come back. She had bought Ryan a big house. They lived there together. He cooked for her, made her laugh, and waited for her to come home. Claire seemed happy. She hadn’t been back here in a long time. She leaned lazily against the floor-to-ceiling window, her eyes fixed on me. I kept my head down and walked past her, only for her to grab my arm. Frowning, she asked softly, “Why have you lost so much weight?” Her tone was gentle, almost like she still cared about me. For a moment, I froze before yanking my arm away and snapping, “Claire, what’s wrong with you now?” She glanced at her empty hand, her face slowly turning cold. It wasn’t until I reached the dining table and saw a cake covered in candles that I realized the phone call hadn’t been a dream. I’d said I wanted cake, and Claire had bought one. What was this? A peace offering? But I was dying. I didn’t need a cake—or her—anymore. Grabbing the cake, I threw it straight into the trash. Claire frowned, then shoved me against the wall, her voice sharp. “Isaac, are you messing with me?” I smiled, unbothered. “Yeah, Claire, I’m messing with you. So what?” “I said I wanted cake, and you went and bought one. God, you’re just as pathetic as you used to be.” I twisted the knife deliberately, watching her expression grow colder by the second. Her face darkened completely as she grabbed my collar and dragged me into the bedroom. She shoved me down onto the bed, her movements rough and unrestrained. Claire was furious. Her lips crashed onto mine, hard enough to split the corner of my mouth. I shoved her off, my voice icy. “Don’t touch me, Claire. You disgust me.” But she lunged at me again, biting down on my neck. The sharp pain made me suck in a breath. Her voice was low and harsh against my ear. “Isaac, would it kill you to give in to me for once?” “Do you even know how long I’ve waited for you to come to me? How many years I’ve waited for you to just talk to me?” “Do you know how happy I was when you said you wanted cake?” “And then you turn around and treat me like a joke?” She pulled back, her eyes red and brimming with tears, staring at me as if waiting for an answer. My own eyes stung as I glared back at her. The room was dim and suffocating, and neither of us said a word. Claire leaned in closer, her lips just inches from mine when her phone suddenly rang. It was Ryan. She paused, then answered it. I could hear Ryan’s voice, tearful and trembling. “Claire, are you really leaving me for him? You love me. I know you do.” “I’m at a bar right now. I’ve had a lot to drink, and some woman started talking to me…” “I hate her. Please come get me. Take me home, Claire. Please.” Claire said nothing at first. She just stared at me, her lips curling into a cold, mocking smile. Then she spoke, her voice soft but commanding. “Isaac, beg me.” “Beg me to stay, and I won’t leave.” She must have forgotten. A long time ago, I’d already begged her. I’d swallowed my pride and asked, “Claire, can we just sit down and talk calmly?” “Can we stop fighting?” “Can’t we just… be happy together?” “Can you treat me better?” I remember how she had stared at me back then, her gaze cold as ice. And she’d smiled as she said, “Isaac, you don’t deserve it.” Those words had stayed with me ever since, lodged deep in my heart. And now, finally, I could say them back to her. Grabbing her collar, I looked her dead in the eye and said, slowly and deliberately, “Claire, you don’t deserve it.” She froze for a moment, then let out a bitter laugh. Raising the phone to her ear, she said to Ryan, “I’m coming to get you.” Without another glance at me, she stood up, slammed the door, and walked out. 6. The next day, photos of Claire fighting another woman over Ryan spread through our social circles like wildfire. It was the first time one of her affairs had turned into such a public spectacle. Reporters were waiting outside our house. As I walked out, they swarmed me, bombarding me with questions. Claire’s company had grown rapidly over the past few years, and she was a rising name in Westbridge. Not only was she wealthy, but she was also stunningly beautiful, frequently trending online. One young reporter asked, “Mr. Brooks, do you have any comments on what happened between Claire and Ryan?” I didn’t stop walking. Without looking back, I replied, “One’s a cheating wife, and the other’s the kind of man who knowingly gets involved with one. What do you want me to say?” The reporter followed me, persistent. “But I heard that when Claire was at her lowest, you dumped her for money. Then, when she became successful, you guilt-tripped her into marrying you. Now that she’s found true love with Ryan—who’s clearly a better match—you’re clinging to the title of her husband and calling him a homewrecker. Don’t you think you’re the real problem here?” I stopped, turned around, and gave him a cold smile. Grabbing the badge hanging around his neck, I read his name and flipped it over. On the back, there was a student ID from Hillside University. Calmly, I asked, “You’re Ryan’s friend, aren’t you?” “Everyone in these circles knows Claire did whatever it took to marry me. You think I wanted to marry her?” “Or are you here on his behalf, trying to sling mud at me so your buddy can successfully take my place?” The reporter’s face paled. He snatched his badge back and stammered, “I am Ryan’s friend, but I’m a journalist. Everything I say is fair and objective.” “If you really didn’t want to marry her,” he continued, regaining his composure, “then why haven’t you divorced her now that she’s fallen for someone else?” I smirked, about to respond, but then I felt a familiar warmth trickling from my nose. Blood. Someone sneered, “Mr. Brooks keeps saying he doesn’t care, that he was forced into this marriage, but look at him—so stressed out he’s giving himself nosebleeds.” I wiped the blood from my lips with my finger and said evenly, “I’m not stressed. I’m sick. Dying, actually. Nosebleeds are common these days.” The crowd fell silent. The mocking smiles disappeared. Only the young reporter kept talking. “Oh, come on. Quit the act. A nosebleed makes you a dying man now? You’re just trying to play the sympathy card.” “I can’t stand guys like you—always playing the victim, using every dirty trick in the book. You make us all look bad.” With that, he turned and walked away. Something about his retreating figure reminded me of Ryan. Both left the same sour taste in my mouth. 7. The video of me surrounded by reporters quickly made its way onto trending news. Claire responded publicly later that day, saying, “I will never divorce my husband. Please stop bothering him.” That same afternoon, Ryan’s journalist friend was fired. Online, though, the backlash against me only grew. “This guy is disgusting. If he didn’t want to marry her, why did he? No one held a gun to his head.” “And he claims to be her ‘first love’? Please. He’s just a gold digger.” “Claire defends him so much—I’m jealous.” “He dumped her for money back then, and now he’s sticking around for the same reason. All this talk about not wanting the marriage is just him playing the victim.” “Yeah, he’s trying to act noble while still reaping all the benefits. Hypocrite.” Amid the hate, one comment stood out: “Why don’t you all shut your mouths? If you don’t know the truth, stop talking.” People immediately swarmed that account, demanding to know the “truth.” The truth was as cliché as it gets. That year, my mom was diagnosed with a terminal illness. The doctors said it was genetic. Not only was I doomed to eventually face the same fate, but if I ever had kids, they were likely to inherit it, too. The day my mom fell ill, she bled so much from her nose that the floor was covered in red. She lost so much blood that she slipped into a coma for three days. When she woke up, the first thing she said was, “Isaac, you need to break up with Claire.” I stared at her, dumbfounded, and whispered, “Mom, she won’t care about that.” I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince her or myself. My mom gently held my hand, nodded, and said, “I know. She’s a good girl.” She paused, then smiled faintly. “You two have been together since high school. Every morning, she’d wait for you at the corner with her bike. Did you think I didn’t notice?” “I remember once, she bought you a sandwich for breakfast. It cost all her bucks.” “You were so clueless and greedy. She lied and said she’d already eaten. And you believed her, happily devouring the sandwich while she went hungry.” “She didn’t have much back then. Her parents were divorced, and she was practically an orphan. That twelve bucks might’ve been her entire day’s budget, and she didn’t even hesitate to spend it on you.” “I thought to myself, my son is lucky to have found someone so good.” “She’s smart, kind, and wonderful in every way.” “But because she’s so good, I can’t let her waste her life on you.” That same year, Claire’s grandmother fell ill and was hospitalized. They were incredibly close—her grandmother had raised her. Claire was already overwhelmed trying to pay for the medical bills. My mom said women’s hearts are fragile. If Claire lost her grandmother and me, it would destroy her. I clenched my fists, and after a long silence, I whispered, “Mom… I can’t let her go.” Those words broke me. Tears poured down my face. I can’t let her go. 7. Even ten years later, thinking about it still makes my chest ache. I bought my mom’s favorite persimmons and planned to visit her grave one last time. I was dying. I needed to tell her that I wouldn’t be coming back anymore. Before heading to the cemetery, I decided to stop by Claire’s office to retrieve something. When my mom was alive, she adored Claire. That was back when she was still healthy, and Claire and I were deeply in love. One year, my mom visited a temple and brought back two porcelain dolls for good luck. Inside the boy doll, she tucked my birthdate. Inside the girl doll, she tucked Claire’s. They were supposed to protect us—keep us healthy and ensure that we’d always stay together. My mom asked me to give Claire her doll. But Claire didn’t want the one meant for her. She insisted on taking mine instead. She said the boy doll reminded her of me—awkward and a little goofy, but endearing. She said looking at it felt like looking at me. She liked seeing me. To this day, that doll had sat on Claire’s desk at work. I was worried that after I died, Claire would toss it in the trash like it was nothing. It was something my mom had given me. I needed to take it back and leave it at her grave, so it could stay with her. When I arrived at Claire’s office, she was watching the video of me from that morning—the one where I was bleeding from my nose, casually mentioning that I was dying. When she noticed me, she set her phone aside without saying a word. I glanced at her desk and saw that the spot where the doll used to sit was empty. Frowning, I asked, “Where’s my doll?”

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I lost five years of my memories. When I woke up, I discovered that Evelyn Frost, the goddess I had been secretly in love with for years, had become my wife. But she wasn’t good to me at all. All her tenderness was reserved for her male best friend. Even when my life was in danger, she was only concerned about accompanying her childhood sweetheart. Everyone said I was madly in love with her. They claimed that even if Evelyn asked me to be a slave to her male best friend, I would do it without hesitation. What a joke. I didn’t even remember this person. I didn’t remember Evelyn, and since she wasn’t good to me, I naturally proposed a divorce. But later, she lingered outside my house late at night, unwilling to leave. “Honey, can you… look at me one more time?” “Ms. Frost, your husband attempted suicide!” When I woke up, all I could see was a blinding white. Before I could react, a sharp pain shot through my wrist. As I was coming to my senses, I heard an anxious female voice nearby. Then, I saw a woman standing with her back to me, talking on the phone: “Ms. Frost, Jack Carson is in the hospital now. Do you want to come and see him?” A cold, emotionless female voice came from the other end of the line: “Is he dead? If not, don’t bother me!” The call was hung up, and the woman sighed, turning around. When she saw me, she froze for a moment. After a while, she walked up to me: “You’re awake?” “…Who are you?” I looked at her blankly, “Are you talking to me?” “You don’t recognize me?” The woman’s expression changed, “I’m Zoe, Ms. Frost’s assistant.” “…Who is Ms. Frost?” Zoe frowned as she looked at me, her expression already showing some impatience, “Jack, Ms. Frost is very busy with work right now. Even if you attempt suicide, it won’t work, let alone pretending to have amnesia! Give it up, Ms. Frost won’t come to see you!” I was even more confused, not knowing what she was talking about. Seeing that I didn’t respond, Zoe took another step forward and said earnestly: “Jack, you’ve been married to Ms. Frost for five years, and you’ve been causing trouble for five years. Ms. Frost still hasn’t fallen in love with you. Don’t you think you should reflect on yourself and stop causing trouble for Ms. Frost?” Although I still didn’t know what had happened, her attitude made me very uncomfortable. Especially looking at her face, I felt an inexplicable aversion. Wait a minute… “Did you say… five years?” I suddenly rushed into the bathroom attached to the hospital room, looking at myself in the mirror— It was indeed still me, the same face, but more mature and with a hint of lingering melancholy. Could what Zoe said be true? Is it five years later now? Am I really married? … The facts proved that I was indeed married. And had been for five years. I hadn’t time-traveled or been dreaming, I had just lost my memory. My current memories were still from when I was 18, just entering college; I had a secret crush on a senior student named Evelyn Frost. She was an ice beauty with impeccable looks, family background, and abilities. She had skipped grades since childhood, and although she was my senior, she was actually a few years younger than me. And now, I was married to her. According to Zoe, I married Evelyn when I was 22, in a rushed marriage without much of an emotional foundation. At that time, I hadn’t even graduated from college. We only got our marriage certificate, without a wedding ceremony. After getting married, I discovered that Evelyn’s heart wasn’t with me, but rather close to her male best friend, Lucas Sterling. Apparently, he was her unrequited love, the one that got away. And I, unloved, began to act out in our marriage. I used all sorts of bizarre methods to attract Evelyn’s attention, but only earned her increasing disgust. Her friends all treated me like a joke, just waiting to see when we would divorce. Lucas never took me seriously either. He was the young master in their circle, and my hysterical antics were nothing more than a clown show in their eyes. Finally, I used suicide to threaten Evelyn, demanding that she cut off all contact with Lucas. But she didn’t agree, and even told me to go ahead and die. So I attempted suicide. This was what happened before I woke up— I found it surreal. Attempting suicide for love didn’t seem like something I would do! I hated being a love-sick puppy the most! I would never be any woman’s lapdog! By the time I figured all this out, I was already in the master bedroom of our marital home. The doctor said I was fine, so Zoe had sent me directly back home, warning me not to cause any more trouble before she left. Looking at the enormous villa before me, I no longer had any desire to cause trouble. I was completely overwhelmed by this immense wealth. Even just the walk-in closet was bigger than my old house! Just as I was dizzily taking in our bedroom, there was a commotion at the door. I turned my head sharply and met Evelyn’s icy gaze.

Although I knew I had been married to Evelyn for five years, for me, this was the first time seeing her face up close. I had to admit, there was a reason she became the goddess of my youth. Just having that face in front of me improved my mood considerably. Even though she was giving me a cold look, I didn’t dislike it much. It seems Zoe’s words were credible; I might indeed be a sucker for beauty. Seeing that I didn’t speak, she frowned slightly, “Jack, what are you up to now?” As she spoke, she walked gracefully to the closet, not even pausing as she passed by me, and picked out a nightgown. I turned to look at her, “Up to?” From the moment she suddenly came back until now, I hadn’t said a word. Why did she say I was up to something? Evelyn’s pitch-black eyes glanced at me, “In the past, you would always pounce on me when I came back. Have you changed your tactics now?” I was a bit shocked. After marrying Evelyn, was I really that desperate? But I didn’t show it on my face, only saying flatly, “Oh, it won’t happen again in the future.” I originally thought Evelyn would be relieved. Unexpectedly, her frown deepened, and she looked at me with even more impatience, “I’ve been very tired with work lately, I don’t have time to deal with your antics.” Me: “…” Seeing that I didn’t speak, Evelyn’s gaze suddenly turned cold, “Jack, don’t try to do anything to Lucas again. He hasn’t done anything wrong, and even if you use suicide to threaten me, it won’t work.” I was stunned for a moment, my feelings complicated. Zoe had told me most of what had happened between Evelyn and me. It was nothing more than me loving Evelyn, Evelyn loving Lucas, and me, the clown in this love triangle, constantly trying to cause trouble for Lucas, increasingly earning Evelyn’s disgust. This suicide attempt was also because I was jealous of Evelyn’s constant care for Lucas. So I privately attacked Lucas’s company and smeared his artists, but Evelyn unhesitatingly chose to support him— This undoubtedly told everyone in the circle that I, Ms. Frost’s husband, was husband in name only, not even worth a finger of Lucas in Evelyn’s heart. So I lost my balance and tried to use suicide to win back Evelyn’s heart. The result was predictable. A woman who was already tired of me wouldn’t have a change of heart because of my suicide attempt; she would only find it troublesome. Seeing that I didn’t speak, Evelyn also lost patience and went directly to the bathroom. I breathed a sigh of relief, falling onto the large bed, my mind in chaos. After all, having lost the memories of these years, I really didn’t know why I would become so crazy. The 18-year-old me despised those obsessed with love, but now I was ready to die for a woman. I really couldn’t imagine that I would have such a day! My thoughts were in a jumble, and before I could figure out what I should do now, the blanket beside me was lifted, and a soft, warm body lay down next to me. The fragrance that hit me made me jolt. I turned my head to see Evelyn looking at me with those pitch-black eyes, her usual ice-cold demeanor now mixed with a hint of suppressed darkness. I stammered, “I, you… what are you doing?” Although I had lost my memory, based on the information I knew, Evelyn and I should have a bad relationship, right? We might even sleep in separate beds, so why did she lie down beside me so naturally? Evelyn seemed not to notice my discomfort. Her soft arm wrapped around my waist. Without a word, she pounced on me, her delicate fingers skillfully teasing the most sensitive parts of my body, giving me unprecedented sensations— “Evelyn!” I couldn’t help but call out her name, “Don’t touch me!”

Perhaps because the resistance in my eyes didn’t seem like an act, Evelyn’s eyes flashed with momentary bewilderment. But it was quickly replaced by impatience, “Jack, stop throwing a tantrum.” I didn’t like the way she always spoke to me, and even her face, which I had secretly loved for years, started to lose its appeal. “I’m your husband, right? I attempted suicide and was hospitalized, and you didn’t even show a bit of concern when you came back. Now you’re accusing me so aggressively. Evelyn, what gives you the right to treat me like this?” My anger seemed to ignite her fuse as well. She gripped my wrist tightly, her tone icy, “Because all of this is your own doing.” Her strength was minimal, but she happened to grip the wound from my suicide attempt. It hurt, but I endured it without making a sound. Evelyn suddenly withdrew her hand, as if she had lost interest, and lay on her side with her back to me, her tone cold: “I’ll let it go this time, but don’t pretend to attempt suicide to threaten me again in the future.” I lay beside her, my emotions a mix of five flavors. When I woke up the next morning, Evelyn was no longer beside me. I casually put on some clothes and went downstairs, only to see her already eating breakfast at the dining table. The housekeeper was beside her and greeted me, “Good morning, Mr. Carson.” I stood there without moving. Evelyn didn’t even lift her head, “Come down for breakfast.” Although it was just breakfast, the lavishness made me speechless. I couldn’t help but think, no wonder they’re a wealthy family, even breakfast is such a grand affair. I sat right across from Evelyn and saw the housekeeper serve me a plate of pancakes. I was speechless. What man eats this stuff early in the morning? Smelling the scent of strawberries, I frowned, “Why are there strawberries?” The housekeeper said: “This is specially sent over by Mr. Sterling. It’s also Mr. Sterling’s favorite, flown in from Europe…” I immediately lost my appetite, “I’m not eating.” The silver cutlery clashed with the porcelain, making a crisp sound. Evelyn looked up at me, her voice cool, “Jack, know your limits.” I had a belly full of anger, “Not eating strawberries offends you too?” “Isn’t it because Lucas sent these that you won’t eat?” Evelyn’s face was icy, “Jack, when will you curb your jealousy.” Me? I’m jealous of Lucas? I don’t know what the 27-year-old Jack was like in front of Evelyn, probably a pitiful and petty image. But no matter what, we are husband and wife. Doesn’t she even know that I’m allergic to strawberries? I was about to speak when the housekeeper suddenly said: “Sir, Mr. Sterling has arrived!” A gentle voice sounded: “Evelyn, am I interrupting you?” A tall figure walked in from the door. Both the housekeeper and the maid seemed very familiar with him, obviously a frequent visitor. One look and I knew this person was Lucas Sterling. I noticed how the housekeeper addressed him. I’m Evelyn’s husband, but he only called me Mr. Carson, while he called him Mr. Sterling. The difference in intimacy was clear from the way he addressed us. No wonder the 27-year-old me was so against Lucas. We are legally married, yet I can never compare to her blatant favoritism towards another man, under the guise of childhood friends. Anyone would lose their balance. Lucas looked at me with concern, “Mr. Carson, I heard you attempted suicide… Are you alright now?” I snorted, showing him no courtesy. I don’t know what the 27-year-old me was like in front of them, perhaps very cowardly, perhaps because I loved Evelyn too much, so I allowed them to boss me around— But now, I’m the 18-year-old me. I don’t love Evelyn at all. So I don’t need to swallow my pride. Lucas looked a bit troubled and said to Evelyn: “Evelyn, I’m sorry, Mr. Carson doesn’t seem to want to see me, perhaps I shouldn’t have come…” “You knew that and still came?” I said bluntly, “Are you here to laugh at me?” Lucas’s face instantly turned red, and Evelyn coldly reprimanded me, “Jack, stop making unreasonable scenes.” She was covering for Lucas, which made me feel unhappy, further lowering my impression of her. Originally, waking up to find myself married to my secret crush made me a bit excited and grateful— But now it seems, Evelyn is just ordinary. So what if she’s beautiful and rich? Abandoning her own husband, does it make her look impressive? If she had the guts, she shouldn’t have married me in the first place! I was indignant, but Lucas remained gentlemanly and calm, “Evelyn, I came this time to specially invite you to my celebration party…” After saying this, he seemed to realize that I, a living person, was standing right there, and he couldn’t not invite me, so he had to say to me: “Mr. Carson, why don’t you come along?” Originally, I didn’t want to go. But seeing the contempt and provocation hidden in Lucas’s eyes, I suddenly smiled and agreed, “Sure, after all, I am Evelyn’s husband. I should accompany Evelyn to social events.”

So I went with Evelyn to Lucas’s celebration party. When the three of us appeared, everyone in the private room looked over, their expressions a riot of colors. “Why did she bring him along?” “It’s not surprising, her husband is always making scenes and causing trouble, hostile to all the men around Evelyn, especially Lucas!” “I heard he even attempted suicide because of Lucas?” “That’s right! But he should know his place. Marrying Evelyn was already marrying up, what right does he have to control her? Those other guys were one thing, but Lucas? Who is he to compare?” These voices were neither loud nor soft, just enough for me to hear. I swept my gaze over them, guessing they were probably friends of Evelyn or Lucas. Anyway, they were all in the same circle, I couldn’t be wrong. I laughed coldly in my heart. No wonder the 25-year-old me wanted to commit suicide. Hearing these belittling words every day, how could the psyche not be distorted? Besides, I must have loved Evelyn very much back then, so I suffered to the point of wanting to give up my life in the daily torment. Evelyn and Lucas had already sat down in the seats reserved for them, leaving only me standing alone. “Isn’t he embarrassed standing there alone?” “How could he be embarrassed? As long as he can be with Evelyn, he’d even kneel if you asked him to!” I coldly looked at the man who was gossiping, “She’s not dead, why should I kneel for her?” The man’s face changed, as if he hadn’t expected me to talk back today. Evelyn’s expression was impatient, “Alright, stop making a fuss, all of you.” I had been ridiculed like this, and not only did she not help me, but she also tried to be impartial. I sneered, “It seems I’m not welcome here. I won’t disturb you any longer.” With that, I turned and left. Behind me came the gasps of those people: “Did I see that right? He actually dared to give Evelyn attitude!” “Could it be that Lucas really drove him crazy?” “I bet he won’t last half an hour before he comes crawling back…” “…” The noisy voices behind me were very annoying. I went to the outdoor swimming pool to clear my head. Not long after, Lucas suddenly came out. “Mr. Carson, you really surprised me.” I looked behind him, seeing that he came out alone, and said playfully, “I hate you so much, aren’t you afraid I might push you in?” Lucas laughed, “I’m more afraid you wouldn’t dare. After all, everyone knows Evelyn would save me.” I pressed my lips together, not bothering to respond to him. Lucas walked to my side again, “Jack, do you dare to bet?” I found it strange, “If you two really love each other so much, why don’t you let Evelyn divorce me? Lucas, do you have to trample on someone else’s true feelings to play out your love story? Is that what you call deep love?” Lucas’s expression changed slightly, “That’s because you won’t let go! You’d even attempt suicide to cling to Evelyn, she’s just pitying you!” Soon, he regained his calm and gentle demeanor, asking me again, “Jack, do you dare to bet?” The swimming pool sparkled, looking clear but actually very deep. I firmly shook my head, “I don’t dare.” I can’t swim. Suicide is a stupid thing, doing it once is enough, no need for a second time. I had just stood up when I caught Lucas’s disappointed gaze. He stood behind me and gave me a push— Splash! Screams of all kinds echoed in my ears as my body hit the water surface and then quickly sank. At that moment, I couldn’t feel anything. Only the fear of my senses being overwhelmed by water from all sides. My throat started to choke on water, my lungs gradually sinking. I struggled desperately to swim up, only to see a familiar figure quickly swimming in another direction. My wife, Evelyn, when both Lucas and I fell into the water, swam towards him. A sharp pain shot through my heart. This might be the last bit of feeling left in the 27-year-old me… Although I had long forgotten the past and no longer loved her, my body’s instinct was still there. But this time, it was also thoroughly drowned. … When I woke up, I was lying by the pool. Both Lucas and I had been rescued, but he was saved by Evelyn, while I was saved by a strange woman. She was quite beautiful, with a stunning figure. I lay on the ground as she pressed her hands on my chest, trying to squeeze out the water I had swallowed. I spat it out with a “Wah!”— In the corner of my eye, I saw Evelyn walking over. Lucas was still pretending to look at Evelyn’s back. Evelyn seemed to suddenly remember she had a husband, frowning as she asked, “Are you okay?” I didn’t answer, struggling to stand up. The woman beside me tried to help me, but I pushed her away. When Evelyn came to stand in front of me, I raised my hand, originally intending to slap her. But I don’t hit women. My hand raised in the air, in the end, I just grabbed her neck and threw her to the ground— There was dead silence all around. I could even hear everyone’s deliberately slowed breathing. A white-rich-beautiful woman like Evelyn, the darling of heaven, probably had never been touched violently by anyone, let alone being thrown aside. “Evelyn, let’s get a divorce.” After a long while, I heard my own voice in the dead silence. “I don’t want anything. That throw just now, consider it as the breakup fee you give to your ex-husband.”

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At the request of my best friend Lydia Moore, I found myself navigating the complexities of a world where love came after marriage, tasked with winning over one of two brothers. Lydia chose to marry the gentle painter Vincent West, while I opted for his dark and enigmatic younger brother, Dylan West. Three years later, I became the president’s wife of West Group, draped in clothes worth millions of dollars and surrounded by luxury cars and mansions. Lydia, however, found herself caring for Vincent who had given up his inheritance and now walked with a limp, struggling with daily life. When Lydia approached me, asking me to get divorced together, I refused. Before I could explain, she grasped my hand and pulled me to jump off a building together. When I opened my eyes again, we were back at the moment of making a choice. This time, she didn’t hesitate for a second and decided to pursue the younger brother. Great! This lifetime, I could finally choose to enjoy my life to the fullest. At the West family banquet, my best friend Lydia, dressed modestly, entered with Vincent, who walked with a limp. I, on the other hand, was adorned in jewels, sitting next to Dylan, exuding sophistication. Lydia’s gaze settled on me, her eyes flickering with undefined emotions. “It’s been a long time. Can we catch up?” I nodded, and we made our way to the penthouse of the villa. She locked her eyes on mine, demanding with urgency, “Megan, after all these years, why haven’t you visited? Not even a phone call?” “It’s complicated. I wanted to see you, but…” Before I could finish, she grabbed my hand, pleading, “Megan, I want a divorce. Let’s do this together? The System says if you get divorced too, I can escape this world. I really can’t care for that crippled loser any longer.” Hope ignited within me as I asked, “If you leave, can I too?” She hesitated and replied, “You’ll have to wait for the next traveler to arrive…” I shook my head firmly. “You dragged me into this game for the thrill, and now that you want to leave, you expect to abandon me?” In a shocking twist, she seized my hand and pulled me backward. “Then let’s die together!” I felt a sharp pain before darkness enveloped me. When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the moment of choice. Next to me, Lydia was gleefully addressing the System, “I choose to marry Dylan.” She winked at the stoic Dylan, who remained unreadable. “Megan, what about you?” With a gentle smile, I replied, “I’ll marry Vincent.” At that moment, Vincent was still uninjured, standing tall and handsome, offering me a brief nod. The System said, “Choices are final and cannot be changed.” That day, a butler took us to obtain our marriage licenses. At the West Manor, their mother, Fiona West, delivered a stern lecture. “From now on, you are part of the West family. If not for the betrothal your ancestors arranged, your backgrounds wouldn’t even qualify you to serve us. Behave yourselves.” Her eyes narrowed at Lydia. “Especially you—being the president’s wife of West Group isn’t easy.” With excitement, Lydia replied, “No problem!” After the lecture, I headed back to Vincent’s current apartment while Lydia remained at the West Manor. As I observed her urging me out the door, I kindly warned, “Fiona seems tough; be careful.” “Yeah, yeah, I got it. Don’t dawdle, just go back!” she replied, waving me off impatiently. I glanced back at the West Manor, its opulent architecture shining in the light, the tall gates towering over me. The driver took me to Vincent’s apartment. Upon entering, I found the design simple yet warm, sunlight pouring through the glass and filling the space with golden warmth. “Ms. Fox, Mr. Vincent West is currently busy with art training and may not return for a while. He said you can make yourself comfortable.”

I nodded and began packing my bags, intending to buy a couple of outfits when I discovered that the wardrobe was already stocked with clothes that perfectly suited me. There was even a bank card tucked inside. Vincent truly was a considerate and thoughtful person. At this point, Vincent hadn’t completely relinquished his shares in the West family, so my finances were looking quite comfortable. I decided to enroll in a painting class since I had always loved to paint. In my past life, I had wanted to pursue Vincent, but Lydia had begged me to help her win over the gentle artist Vincent. Reluctantly, I had chosen to pursue the dark and brooding Dylan instead, and I’d regretted that decision countless nights. The next day, I donned a simple pair of jeans and a T-shirt, took the card, and headed to the city’s largest mall to buy some watercolor supplies. To my surprise, I ran into Lydia, who was shopping with a posse of bodyguards. She was clad in an expensive dress, her hair recently styled—a complete transformation from the day before. “Hey, Megan! Did you not recognize me? One day apart and you’ve already forgotten!” she said playfully before remembering something. “After you left yesterday, Mom took me for several spa treatments. Today, she even gave me a black card to shop for clothes. “She said a president’s wife needs to look the part,” Lydia added, eyeing me up and down. Then she continued, “Now that you’re Vincent’s wife, dressing like this isn’t quite fitting. How about I help you pick out a few outfits?” “Really? That would be fantastic!” Expecting me to decline or blush in embarrassment, she was taken aback when I gladly accepted her offer and led her to the mall’s high-end store. “I want that bag.” I pointed to a limited-edition handbag displayed on the top shelf. The sales associate looked me over with disdain. “Miss, that bag is out of stock. You might want to look at something else.” I knew that bag was a limited release—only five in existence worldwide. Lydia flashed a proud smile and walked over, reciting a number to the sales associate. Immediately, the associate’s demeanor changed to one of sycophantic eagerness, and she brought the bag to us while inviting us to the VIP lounge to relax. I shook my head. “No thanks; I have things to do today. Just wrap the bag up for me.” Turning to Lydia, I said, “Let’s use your card.” Lydia frowned, seeming displeased with my nonchalant attitude, “Megan, what’s with your tone?” Feigning innocence, I replied, “But you said I could buy whatever I wanted. After all, you are the president’s wife—certainly, you can afford a bag, right?” The staff, hearing she was the wife of West Group’s president, suddenly looked at her with new interest. Lydia raised her chin haughtily. “I can afford it, but with your attitude, I’ve changed my mind about treating you.” Oh, this was perfect. I quickly squeezed out a couple of tears. “Lydia, we’re not just friends—I’m also the wife of your husband’s brother! You can’t treat me like this, especially after saying you’d buy it for me. Now you’re backing out? “You just want to see me embarrassed. You want me to beg you? Well, forget about it!” With that, I rushed out, leaving Lydia surrounded by shocked onlookers. In the world of the wealthy, information travelled fast, and this incident would undoubtedly reach Fiona’s ears. She, who cared deeply about her reputation, wouldn’t let Lydia get away with such a public display of shame. I couldn’t help but recall my past life where I had faced a lot of hardship at Fiona’s hands. I walked on, suddenly thinking, “When I first got that black card, I spent an entire day treating Lydia to whatever she wanted. Was she genuinely happy, or did she think I was just showing off?”

Fiona called me, inviting me to the family dinner that night, as her son Dylan was back. I took a deep breath as I hung up. Dylan had been my target in the previous life, and even now, just thinking about him gave me chills. As I composed myself and gathered my things, I told myself I couldn’t let myself panic at this family gathering. In the evening, Fiona sat at the head of the table, with Lydia and Dylan seated across from me. Lydia looked noticeably thinner after just a few days, the dark circles under her eyes conspicuous despite the makeup. In my past life, I had been force-fed the etiquette of high society, studying it daily. But all those lessons paled in comparison to what was to come. It seemed Lydia’s progress was going well, as she sat, wrapping her arm around Dylan’s sweetly. “Why didn’t Vincent come with you?” Fiona asked. Vincent and Fiona had a strained relationship, but I knew she still loved her son dearly. I replied, “Mom, Vincent is abroad for an art exhibition. It might take him a while to come back.” “Art, art! All he knows is drawing! Is that useful?” Fiona grumbled, then sighed, “Oh well, if it makes him happy.” Just as she spoke, I caught a glimpse of jealousy in Dylan’s eyes. Vincent, the eldest son, had always been groomed to be the heir, leaving him little freedom. Meanwhile, their parents’ attention was always focused on him, leaving Dylan, the younger son, feeling overlooked. The lack of affection from his parents had twisted his personality, leading him to become possessive while also working hard to surpass his brother in finance. “No worries, when he’s back, I’ll bring him to visit you,” I said. As soon as I finished, Lydia jumped in. “Not to stir the pot, but Megan, how’s your marriage with Vincent?” She extended her wrist, flaunting a thick intricately carved gold bracelet. “Dylan had a craftsman make this for me. It’s not that gold is worth much, but the effort Dylan put into finding the right artisan makes it truly special.” I shot back, “I still think gold is valuable. If you believe it’s not, feel free to give me some gold bars next time—I don’t need any fancy designs.” Lydia seemed taken aback, quickly shifting the topic. “Even if Vincent is away, it’s still a family dinner. Dressing like that is rather inappropriate.” I looked at her innocently. “What should I wear then? This is the best outfit I have in my wardrobe. I can’t afford anything else. The last time you mentioned buying me something, I asked for a bag, and you made me beg you for it.” Lydia said, “That was just a joke! Don’t take it seriously. We’re friends!” “Oh, so you were joking when you embarrassed me in front of all these people?” Being sincere was always a winning tactic. Lydia hadn’t expected my directness. The color drained from her face, and Fiona’s expression darkened as well. Fiona said, turning to Lydia, “I’ve heard about this too. Apologize to Megan.” Lydia turned beet red and stammered, struggling to spit out a simple apology. Dylan intervened, saying, “Mom, don’t make it hard for Lydia. She was just joking after all—they were friends, so it’s normal.” “I don’t find it funny. Or do you think it makes you feel superior to Vincent?” I retorted, locking my gaze on Dylan. As the words left my lips, Dylan’s look hardened, his eyes narrowing into piercing daggers. My question was a challenge. Fiona just couldn’t hold it in any longer. She cleared her throat a couple of times and said, “Lydia, as the president’s wife of West Group, you need to act like a refined lady. Apologize!” Noticing that Fiona was really ticked off, Lydia grudgingly mumbled an apology to me. I stared right back into her angry eyes. “Lydia, you know I’m hard of hearing. I didn’t catch that.” “Sorry!” she hissed, barely above a whisper. I nodded, feeling pretty chuffed. As we were leaving the family dinner, Lydia yanked me to the side, her eyes spitting fire. “Come on, spill the beans. Have you been reborn too?” I put on a show of being indignant. “What are you talking about? If you hadn’t made me look like a fool last time, I wouldn’t have given you a piece of my mind. Is this how you treat your BFF?” “Listen up, starting today, we’re done! Even if you end up on the streets, panhandling, don’t count on me for a dime,” Lydia declared, acting all high-and-mighty. I let out a smirk. “Well, funny you should say that, because I’ve been thinking about cutting this cord too. But as a parting shot, let me give you a heads-up—throw away that bracelet. It looks so tacky and out of date.” She rolled her eyes like I was nothing, but then a thought hit her, and she lifted her chin in a smug way. “Just wait till that good-for-nothing gets back. We’ll see if you’re still cracking jokes then.” I knew she was referring to the incident where Vincent would get attacked abroad and end up limping. I just let out a disdainful snort and said, “Worry about yourself first.” What I didn’t tell her was that there was something else hidden inside that bracelet.

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I had devoted myself wholeheartedly to my in-laws for five years, earning their wholehearted support to marry their only son. Alexander was a spoiled playboy, so I stepped up as the CEO of Hughes Corporation in his place. Under my leadership, the company flourished. At a celebration for a major project, Alexander showed up with his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Scarlett. “Marrying a commoner like you was just settling. Now that Scarlett and I have rekindled our relationship, the mother of my child deserves to run Hughes Corp. You’re fired, so get lost.” I glanced at my in-laws, who seemed hesitant to speak. With a sigh, I said, “You don’t have the authority to fire me. I’ll give you one last chance – have her terminate the pregnancy and cut ties with her. Then we can still be a family.” Everyone laughed, thinking I was delusional for trying to cling to my position. I just smiled calmly. “You’re right, I do have the qualifications to keep this job.” After I spoke, the ballroom full of socialites fell silent for a moment. Then the guests erupted in chatter. “Mrs. Hughes must have lost her mind. Without the Hughes family, she’d be nothing. What nonsense is she spouting?” “We shouldn’t even call her Mrs. Hughes anymore. She’s just a cast-off wife now, back to being a nobody.” “Olivia, why don’t you just accept it gracefully? The child was never going to have your surname anyway. Since you’re not the birth mother, what does it matter? Just be happy to play stepmom.” Amidst the mockery, Alexander frowned at me with his usual air of superiority. “Olivia, don’t try to act tough. You don’t have that privilege anymore! Without me, you’re nothing.” Looking at his handsome, aristocratic face, I recalled our years of passion and intimacy. My heart ached despite everything. “Three years of marriage, and you toss me aside so easily. You even want to force me out of the company. Have you thought about how to explain this to your parents?” Alexander’s expression turned cold, disgust flashing in his eyes. “If you hadn’t shamelessly sucked up to my parents back then, do you think you could have married me? But we’re from different worlds. I can’t stand being with you anymore. What right do you have to be CEO of Hughes Corp? My parents will take my side, of course.” “Is that so?” I folded my arms, my tone neutral. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” Seeing my confidence, the guests were taken aback. “Does Mrs. Hughes have some kind of trump card up her sleeve?” “Come to think of it, Hughes Corp was just a regular company before. In the three years since she took over, its value has multiplied several times over.” “That’s right, not to mention this billion-dollar project. Even if the company did nothing else, they could coast on this success for years.” As praise for me started to spread, Scarlett couldn’t stay calm any longer. She snorted derisively. “No matter how capable you are, you’re still just an employee. Once you’re fired, you’re worth less than dirt. Know your place – you’re not like us who were born lucky!” I ignored Scarlett’s acidic remarks and asked Alexander seriously, “Is that how you see it too?” Perhaps recalling my intense work ethic, Alexander’s gaze held a hint of pity. “Firing you is my decision, and it’s final. Look, I’ll give you $100,000 for a clean break.” I found it absurd. “You think $100,000 covers three years of my life? Just this billion-dollar project alone is worth 100 times that.” Alexander scoffed dismissively. “You think that’s unfair? But what right do you have to talk about fairness? Olivia, you should remember you never signed a contract. So even if I kick you out without a cent, that’s my prerogative. If you’re smart, you’ll take the money and leave quietly.” At these words, everyone turned to look at me. Their gazes – sympathetic, surprised, gloating – nearly overwhelmed me. I could only shake my head ruefully. Back then, I thought I was working for my own family’s company, so I hadn’t insisted on a contract. I never imagined Alexander would want Scarlett to replace me. Scarlett was his first love. Years ago, when Hughes Corp was struggling, she had ruthlessly abandoned him. She’d been silent all these years, but now that I’d put the company on the right track, she came running back. It was clear she was here to reap the benefits. I despised how Alexander could be so blind, treating me so cruelly for a woman who once abandoned him! Anger welled up inside me, and I spoke in a cold, stern voice. “Alexander, you don’t have the authority to fire me! “I’m giving you one chance. If you have her terminate the pregnancy and devote yourself to me from now on, we can still be a family. But this is your only chance!” Alexander stared at me in disbelief, then pointed at me furiously. “Who do you think you are to order me around? Scarlett is carrying the Hughes heir. From now on, I’ll devote myself to loving her. As for you, even if you beg on your knees, you’re still fired! Get out!” People shook their heads, laughing at my audacity. But I didn’t care, because they were all wrong. I never make empty threats. I had enough leverage to give Alexander this ultimatum. If I hadn’t promised his parents I would love and tolerate him, he would have lost his chance the moment he cheated. I looked at him steadily. “So you’re saying you want to fire me and divorce me for this homewrecker?” “Olivia, you bitch, watch your filthy mouth!” Scarlett immediately flew into a rage, cursing at me. “The unwanted one is the real homewrecker. Are you brain-dead? Don’t you understand even this basic logic?” Alexander unhesitatingly put his arm around her. “That’s right, Olivia. I don’t want you anymore. Without your connection to me, you have no right to be CEO of Hughes Corp. Scarlett, our child, and I are a family now.” “What a pity.” I sighed softly. “Alexander, you’ve missed your last chance.” Alexander’s expression gradually turned cold, looking at me with utter disgust. “Stop putting on airs. You think you’re still the almighty CEO of Hughes Corp? Without me, you have nothing. Who cares about your so-called chance!”

Scarlett went further, jabbing her finger at my forehead imperiously. “Are you a dog, just barking nonsense? While your brain still works, hurry up and hand over the project. I’ll be in charge of Hughes Corp from now on!” I swatted her hand away without hesitation. “You think just any stray cat or dog can handle this project?” “Olivia, have you completely lost your mind?” Alexander shoved me roughly, then held Scarlett’s hand tenderly. “Does it hurt, darling?” Scarlett gritted her teeth. “Alex, since she refuses to back down gracefully, don’t be polite anymore.” Alexander nodded gravely, looking at me with contempt. “It doesn’t matter if you cooperate with the handover or not. If someone like you could handle this project, of course a brilliant overseas graduate like Scarlett can too. Besides, my father will help Scarlett.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “What makes you so confident your father will accept her?” Alexander looked at me like I was an idiot, his hand resting lightly on Scarlett’s belly. “Scarlett is the mother of my child, the mother of the future Hughes heir. Just based on that alone, you’ve already lost completely.” Seeing his arrogant, self-righteous attitude, I couldn’t help but warn him kindly: “Being with her doesn’t guarantee your child will have the right to the Hughes name.” “You’re right!” Scarlett laughed triumphantly. “Alex loves me so much, he’s already agreed our first child will take my surname, Evans. See the difference? This is what happens when you’re loved versus unwanted. You’ve sucked up for years, but you still can’t compare to a single hair on my head!” The guests couldn’t help but laugh too. “Olivia thought everyone was like her, desperately trying to marry into money, with children who could only take the man’s name?” “The Hughes and Evans families are equally matched. The child’s surname is open for discussion.” “Mr. Hughes only has this one son. Of course he’ll let him do as he pleases.” Alexander looked at me with disdain, announcing rudely: “Olivia, no matter how much you cling on, it’s useless. You’re fired. From now on, Scarlett will be CEO of Hughes Corp.” I laughed coldly, completely unfazed. “I told you, you don’t have the authority to fire me.” Hearing this, everyone reacted as if they’d heard a joke, pointing and whispering about me. Scarlett didn’t bother hiding her mockery and contempt. “You stupid bitch, stop putting on a brave face. You’ve offended Hughes Corp. Not only are you fired, but no one in this industry will dare hire you again. Your good days are over!” People were shaking their heads, saying I was foolish. I could have gotten compensation before, but now I’d lost everything and ruined my future prospects too. But I didn’t care. Instead, I stood tall with complete confidence. I looked around at each guest in turn. “Do you really think someone with my abilities deserves to be fired?” Everyone attending this celebration had deep business ties with Hughes Corp. Alexander had always been a spoiled playboy, only interested in enjoying life, with zero interest in management. Previously, Mr. Hughes ran the company, then handed it over to me. The guests didn’t know Alexander well, but they’d all dealt with me personally. Some had companies on the brink of bankruptcy, but I saw potential in their projects. Through collaboration, I’d given them a lifeline. Afterwards, they’d gratefully said I was like a parent giving them a second chance at life. Some had initially been prejudiced against me as a trophy wife who married into money. But after working together repeatedly, they came to respect me wholeheartedly and became close friends. As for those who actively tried to curry favor with me and maintain good relationships, they were too numerous to count. But now, they were all either avoiding my gaze or openly showing contempt in their eyes. “Olivia, it’s no use looking at me. If you’d agreed to part ways amicably with Hughes Corp earlier, I might have considered taking you in, thrown you a bone.” “Your abilities are decent, but you’ve burned your bridges. There’s plenty of talent out there, we don’t need to offend Hughes Corp for your sake. Who do you think you are?” “You’ll never work in this industry again. Next time, remember to keep your head down. If not, go find another man to suck up to. After all, that’s your real expertise!” By the end, waves of unrestrained laughter echoed through the ballroom. The very people who once put me on a pedestal were now kicking me while I was down. This scene reminded me of what Mr. Hughes said when I first took over the company. He said when things are going well, everyone around you seems nice. But once you fall into hardship, it’s a different story. Looking at these fickle, hypocritical faces, I truly understood what he meant. Too bad for them, I wasn’t going to play along. I stopped giving them any attention and spoke firmly: “I’ll say it again – no one here has the authority to fire me!” “You gold-digging parasite, how shameless can you be?” Scarlett gnashed her teeth, shouting at me uncontrollably. “Alex has abandoned you. You don’t belong in high society anymore!” But I treated her outburst like a dog’s barking. Instead, I calmly took a glass of champagne, swirled it gently, and began to sip. Perhaps because I looked so composed, the crowd’s expressions turned uncertain. They started to wonder if I really did have an ace up my sleeve. In the huge venue, not a single person dared to force me out. But Alexander didn’t believe for a second that I could turn the tables. He glared at me impatiently, repeatedly glancing towards the entrance. Suddenly his eyes lit up. “Mom, Dad, you’re finally here!” “Olivia, you said no one here could fire you. But surely my father has that authority, right?” Alexander smugly took his father’s arm as he spoke arrogantly. He wasn’t wrong. Although I was CEO of Hughes Corp, I still worked for Mr. Hughes as the Chairman. He did have the power to decide whether I stayed or left. “Dad, I know Olivia is good at sucking up and you like her. But I’m miserable with her. I only love Scarlett, and she’s already pregnant with my child. Please give us your blessing!” “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Hughes.” Scarlett put away her arrogant expression, smiling demurely. Mr. Hughes had never liked Scarlett, especially since she’d dumped Alexander before. But now, looking at her pregnant belly, Mr. Hughes held his tongue and said nothing. Mrs. Hughes seemed to want to speak but hesitated, asking Scarlett: “Are you… really carrying Alexander’s child? Are you feeling alright?” “I was fine until Olivia upset me so much my stomach started hurting.” Seeing Mrs. Hughes’s concern, Scarlett immediately took advantage, complaining coquettishly. Hearing this, Mr. Hughes looked at me gravely, his eyes full of complex emotions. The guests had wavered a bit due to my confident attitude earlier. But seeing Mr. and Mrs. Hughes’s care for Alexander and Scarlett, they no longer doubted. They were convinced I had just been bluffing. Countless scornful gazes stabbed at me like knives. Alexander’s lips curled in a smug smile, certain of his victory. “Mom, Dad, I want to divorce Olivia. I know you like having someone fuss over you and massage your feet, but you can just hire some attentive housekeepers for that. Normal women don’t do such undignified things. Once you get to know Scarlett better, I’m sure you’ll love her.” The disgust in Alexander’s eyes was undisguised. Hearing that I’d even massaged feet, the crowd stepped back, acting like they couldn’t get away fast enough, as if I were something filthy. Seeing I had no chance of a comeback, Scarlett laughed gleefully. “So what’s the use of sucking up? Without status or leverage to back it up, you end up with nothing in the end!” Mr. and Mrs. Hughes were about to speak, but I waved them off. Alexander looked at this in surprise, then immediately berated me angrily. “You used to not dare breathe if Mom and Dad told you not to, but now you dare stop them from speaking! Since you’ve given up hope with me, are you trying to burn all your bridges? You really are rotten to the core! “Mom, Dad, how can you bear to see me with such a vicious person? I want a divorce. Please agree.” Scarlett immediately chimed in: “Father, Mother, you wouldn’t want your first grandchild to be born out of wedlock, would you? As soon as Alex divorces, I’ll marry him right away.” Mr. and Mrs. Hughes looked steadily at me, then at Alexander and Scarlett’s tightly clasped hands. They let out a long sigh. “What a pity. It seems you’re not meant to be family after all. We can’t force it.” “Alexander, do as you wish.” Alexander was overjoyed and immediately had someone bring the divorce papers. “Olivia, you could have gotten compensation, but you were too greedy. Once you sign this, we’ll have no connection, and you’ll no longer be CEO of Hughes Corp. You brought this on yourself!” Around me, the guests’ mocking laughter filled the air as Alexander impatiently urged me to hurry up. At this point, I decisively signed the divorce agreement. “Now that we have no more ties, it’s time to let you know where my confidence comes from.” I tossed down the pen and spoke to Alexander word by word. Alexander ignored what I said. He picked up the divorce agreement and carefully checked my signature. 2 After confirming I hadn’t played any tricks, he sighed in relief and smiled happily. “Scarlett, I’m finally free. I can marry you now.” Scarlett couldn’t hide her excitement either. “Alex, I’ve been waiting for this day for so long! But before that, we should deal with this pest first. She’s still trying to act tough.” Saying this, Scarlett snuggled up to Alexander, looking at me with amusement. “Go ahead and say whatever you want. I can’t wait to see how you’ll eat your words!” Alexander also snorted coldly. “Olivia, you have 30 seconds. If you’re still putting on an act, we’ll have to ask you to leave. After all, today’s celebration is for the CEO of Hughes Corp – that’s Scarlett now. This has nothing to do with you anymore.” Everyone looked at me like I was a clown, certain I was just bluffing. But I didn’t speak. Instead, I turned to look at Mr. and Mrs. Hughes. Oh, I can’t call them that anymore. “Mom, Dad, why don’t you explain instead?” Alexander glared at me angrily. “Shut up! I’ve already divorced you. How dare someone like you still call them Mom and Dad?” Scarlett softly comforted him while calling for security. “There’s no need to listen to this madwoman’s ravings. Just throw her out.” “Wait!”

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Just because our marriage registration delayed Hayden from picking up his childhood sweetheart at the airport, he put me up for auction online for $9.99 on our wedding night. [Auction: Newly Married Woman, $9.99 with Free Delivery!] When I went to confront Hayden, I overheard him haggling with his friends. “Seriously, Hayden? Your wife is a famous model! Only $9.99?” “Too expensive? I’ll give you a 50% discount. She’s not pure anymore, who would want her if I don’t make her cheap enough?” “You’re selling your wife just because Chloe had to wait an extra minute at the airport? If you don’t love your wife, why did you marry her in the first place?” “If Chloe hadn’t gone abroad back then, would Amelia have had a chance? Who knew she’d actually think she was the real deal and dare to bully Chloe? I had to teach her a little lesson.” The group burst into laughter. Hayden spoke carelessly, “A washed-up model who’s turned into a frumpy housewife, does she really think anyone would want her?” But when someone later bid $500,000 to buy me out, Hayden went crazy begging me not to leave.

“Tsk tsk, I’m actually tempted. How does that saying go? Nothing beats dumplings for food, and nothing beats…” “Getting Hayden’s wife for $9.99, what a bargain!” “Shut up!” Hayden kicked the speaker. “Who says the woman you marry is the one you love most? Watch your mouth.” He gazed deeply at Chloe Parker. They exchanged a knowing smile. “How can the woman you love compare to the one you settle for? An unloved wife can be shared freely, but the apple of my eye is off-limits!” Witnessing this scene, I clenched my fists tightly, my nails digging into my palms, my heart twisting in pain. I could be hung up online for cheap auction, to be toyed with and insulted. But his beloved couldn’t even be mentioned by others. I used to think Hayden loved me. Why else would he fight his family and defy everyone to marry me? Only now did I understand the difference between love and indifference. “Hey, why don’t we call Amelia over? It’ll be fun if we’re all together!” “I’ve got something good here. One sip and she won’t even recognize her own mother. Let’s do a live stream, and use the tips to buy Chloe a bag. What do you say?” The group eagerly discussed how to torment me to appease Hayden’s childhood sweetheart. Hayden remained silent throughout. My heart felt like it was being torn apart. I instinctively looked at him, wanting to know how he would react. Hayden’s childhood sweetheart Chloe interrupted everyone, saying reluctantly: “Come on, guys, stop it. Even though I caught a cold from waiting, she’s still Hayden’s wife. She’s not wrong for wanting to assert her position.” “It’s okay if I suffer a little, but if you do this, Hayden will be angry.” Chloe wiped away a tear as she spoke. Hayden’s remaining hesitation vanished instantly. He hugged Chloe comfortingly. “We could have registered any day! She clearly made you catch a cold on purpose!” “Keep talking. Whoever can get revenge for Chloe gets the downtown project!” Hayden’s words were like a drop of water in a hot pan. “I’ve got the livestream camera ready. Let’s give her a wedding night she’ll never forget!” “Yeah, it’s not like anyone’s going to buy her anyway. Might as well let the boys have some fun and get back at Chloe!” “Hayden’s not saying anything. Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts?” Hayden’s face twisted as he immediately pulled out his phone to call me. “Me, have second thoughts?” “I’m just thinking about how to play this to be more satisfying.” “Amelia is just my doormat. She’ll come if I call, won’t she?” I covered my mouth, suppressing the bitterness in my heart as tears silently rolled down my cheeks. After getting together with Hayden, he had been attentive to my every need, learning to cook for me and hand-washing my intimate apparel. He said his greatest pleasure was slowly fattening me up. I gave up my career for him, cut ties with my family, and abandoned all the things I liked. I completely packaged myself into the person he liked, spent four years wholeheartedly taking care of him, and entered into marriage with him. I thought I had finally found true love. But it turned out all of this was just because he was in a spat with Chloe. I was just a pawn in their love story. I bit my lip hard to control my sobs, wiped away my tears forcefully, and turned to leave. Just then, my phone rang in my pocket. Hayden ordered me to get to the club within ten minutes. But our marital home was a two-hour drive from the club. The pain in my heart had reached its limit, and I felt numb. I just calmly asked back: “Do you know how far home is from where you’re talking about? Hayden, I just got my driver’s license yesterday.” “So what if you just got your license? Stop being so delicate. Today is Chloe’s welcome party, don’t ruin the mood!” I smiled bitterly. But Hayden, today is also our wedding night! Seeing that I didn’t respond, Hayden softened his tone. “I’ve already said it in front of everyone. Are you going to make me lose face in front of my friends? Don’t be difficult. You know I like you best when you’re understanding, hmm?” I clenched my fists tightly. “Fine, I’ll be right there.” Things needed to come to an end. I might as well give my past self some closure. Before the call fully disconnected, I clearly heard a burst of raucous laughter from the other end. “Hayden, you’re the man! Even a dog isn’t this obedient!” “Tonight we’ll make sure Amelia becomes an overnight sensation and returns to her peak!” Chloe helplessly tried to stop them, “It’s Hayden’s wedding night after all, don’t go too far.” Hayden’s doting voice followed, “As long as it makes you happy, anything goes.” The cruel words completely severed my last shred of attachment. I tilted my head back, forcing back my tears. Hayden, let me put an end to this myself.

“Well, look who’s here!” “Sister-in-law, let’s have a toast! Let me share in your newlywed bliss!” As soon as I stepped through the door, I was surrounded by a group of people. Their slimy, disgusting gazes swept over me relentlessly. I was forcibly made to drink toasts with several men. A sense of humiliation washed over me. Yet my newlywed husband just stood by and watched coldly. My heart sank to the bottom. “Hayden, why did you put that kind of link online?” Hayden sneered: “It was just a joke. You didn’t actually think someone would place an order, did you?” “You’re just a sloppy frump now. Who else but me would want you?” My eyes stung. It was Hayden who said his family didn’t like my profession and told me not to be in the public eye, to return to being a housewife. So I painfully gave up my flourishing career. I used to believe in him so much, but now all I’m left with is this mess. Hayden smirked: “To be honest, Amelia, I preferred how you looked before.” “That’s easy to fix! Sister-in-law, want to make a comeback? We’ll help you!” “Come on, sis, look at the camera!” “Hey sis, drink up! You need to loosen up after a few drinks!” I was surrounded by a group of men, forced to down glass after glass of strong liquor. I struggled to escape but was grabbed by the hair and pulled back. The camera once again focused on my dazed face. “Come on! Post the link! Brothers in the livestream, $9.99 with free delivery, place your orders quick!” “See? Even at a bargain price, no one wants you!” Someone recognized me as the once-famous model Amelia Frost and frantically spammed questions asking why I had fallen so low as to become a risqué livestreamer. I was cursed to the top of the trending topics, and an online mob attack centered on me exploded. I crawled to Hayden’s legs, grabbed his ankle and glared at him fiercely, but couldn’t speak. He lifted my chin with his foot and sneered at me. “Want me to save you?” “Fine, kowtow to Chloe 100 times and apologize. If Chloe forgives you, I’ll make them stop.” Chloe looked embarrassed and lightly patted Hayden. “Hayden has always been like this since we were kids, making a big fuss over anything involving me.” “They’re just a bunch of big boys, they don’t mean any harm.” “Amelia, please get up.” Chloe pulled me to my feet. Suddenly, she screamed and fell towards the coffee table, spilling drinks on her dress. Hayden hurriedly protected Chloe, holding her with concern. I was pushed back towards the fruit knife on the table, a long gash opening on my chin, instantly staining my white dress red. Chloe: “Hayden, don’t be angry. I’m sure Amelia didn’t mean it.” “Amelia Frost! You’re asking for death!” Hayden viciously kicked me. I spat blood and fell to the ground convulsing. “Amelia, stop pretending! Who are you putting on this show for? Get up and apologize now!” I had been kicked in the heart. “Hayden, I think she’s really not okay.” Hayden impatiently nudged me with his toe, clicking his tongue. “One kick and she’s being dramatic.” “Bring a bucket of ice water!” A bucket of ice-cold water was dumped over my head. I jolted awake, my thin white dress soaked through, revealing what was underneath. The men’s eyes roved over me lecherously. But Hayden said: “If you want to die, go die outside. Don’t scare Chloe.” “I just asked you to apologize, and you’re making such a fuss.” “I never realized you were so manipulative before.” There is no greater sorrow than a dead heart. At this moment, I truly gave up hope. “Hayden, let’s get a divorce.” “Divorce? Who would want damaged goods like you after a divorce?” “Amelia Frost, you still think you’re a top model?” “Holy shit! Hayden, someone placed a $5 million order to buy out the link!”

“The system must be glitched!” “Maybe it’s one of those rich old perverts who buy beautiful women to play sick games with. I heard a washed-up celebrity died recently and no one even claimed the body.” “It must be. Who else would be so blind as to buy a frumpy housewife?” Hayden’s previously annoyed expression instantly relaxed. He even smiled mockingly. I felt utterly absurd. “Hayden, you’re okay with me being bought by some perverted old man to be his plaything?” “Don’t act all high and mighty when you’ve lucked out. Be grateful someone wants you.” “Chloe’s had her eye on a bag recently. Consider this your apology gift to her as her sister-in-law.” With that, he transferred all the money to Chloe. Chloe was overjoyed. She hugged Hayden’s neck and kissed him hard. “Thank you, Hayden! You’ve spent millions on me these past few years. Won’t Amelia be angry?” “Who is she to control my money? You just spend as you like.” Chloe glanced at me triumphantly, like a victorious rooster. She leaned close to my ear and whispered: “For the past three years, Hayden has spent six months each year flying abroad to be with me. He bought me a house and said he’d take care of me forever.” “He also said you were just a target he used to anger me and divert his parents’ attention. He never loved you.” “See? As soon as I came back, I only needed to use a little trick to draw all his attention.” “Living as a woman like you, you might as well be dead.” My heart turned ice cold, and I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. So all those years when Hayden said he was going on business trips, he was actually accompanying Chloe. Once, his mother came to our home and nitpicked everything about me. I didn’t know I was pregnant at the time and was forced to kneel on the ground as a human footstool for his mother for four straight hours. Just because his mother said the sofa wasn’t real leather and she wasn’t used to sitting on it. That night I was bleeding heavily and crawled to the study door asking Hayden to take me to the hospital. Hayden said he had to go on a business trip and had no time to take me, telling me to bear with it. That’s how I miscarried. Later, Hayden even blamed me for not protecting the baby, saying I wasn’t fit to be a mother. Every time we had sex, he made me take birth control pills. As a result, my uterus became inflamed, and I can never have children again. I looked at Chloe in front of me. Covered in luxury brands, all the latest season’s items. The diamond ring on her finger was a million-dollar pink diamond from South Africa. While I was still wearing clothes I bought with my own money four years ago when dating Hayden. Even my wedding ring was just a blade of grass he casually plucked and twisted. He said he didn’t like materialistic girls, so I never asked him to spend money on me. I liked his down-to-earth little romantic gestures, which made me feel he was being thoughtful. Now I know, where the money goes, that’s where the love is. As the drug effects wore off, I struggled to my feet and painfully made my way towards the door. Someone viciously kicked me, and my head slammed directly into the corner of the coffee table, blood spraying everywhere. Everyone burst into laughter. “Don’t run away, we’re not done playing yet!” “Is sister-in-law in a hurry to go serve the old man?” I said nothing, crawling towards the exit with reddened eyes. Just as my hand was about to reach the doorframe. A pair of leather shoes stomped hard on the back of my hand. Hayden looked at me coldly. “You’re so eager to be some old man’s plaything, huh?” “If that’s the case, I’ll grant your wish.” “Call that old geezer and tell him to come pick up his goods. If I’m in a good mood, I might even throw in the wedding night for free.” “Hayden, you’re the man!” An all-night party centered on abusing me raged on. I was treated like a plaything without dignity, toyed with at will. Hayden patted my face. “Why the long face? Who are you trying to impress?” “I’m helping you get used to it early. How else will you serve the old man when he comes?” They roared with laughter, bringing over a bucket of ice and forcing someone to pour it into my body. I screamed in terror, but to no avail. Just then, the door of the private room was kicked open violently. A fruit knife stabbed firmly next to the hand of the man who was about to strip off my clothes. “Did I say you could touch her?” Hayden’s face darkened. “Lucas Stone, what are you doing here?”

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I attended an outdoor adventure with my husband when his first love suddenly passed away. That night, he left a suicide note and slit his wrists. Only then did I realize he never truly loved me. When I opened my eyes, I found myself back in my college days. This time, my husband firmly chose his first love. I knew he had also been reborn, but I didn’t try to interfere this time. Years later, we met again at a dinner party. He had become a successful young CEO, standing next to the woman he had always dreamed of. When he saw me, he frowned and said, “Emma Carter, you’re such a loser. I can’t believe I’d run into you here.” I ignored my ex-husband from my previous life and walked straight towards my daughter nearby. Seeing this, his face immediately contorted with anger, veins bulging on his temple: “Have you gone completely insane? Did you really marry someone else and have a child just to make me jealous?” His voice was filled with fury and disbelief. I froze for a moment when I spotted that familiar face in the crowd, surprise flashing in my eyes. I never expected to run into Jason Miller again at Alexander Sullivan’s homecoming party. In the crowd, Jason had his arm around Lily’s shoulders, smiling and greeting everyone. He was no longer the cold, aloof young man from years ago. “Congratulations, Mr. Miller! You’re now the youngest and most successful CEO in the financial sector of our city. You have a bright future ahead!” “That’s right, to receive an invitation from the Sullivan family at your age – you’re destined for even greater things.” “Is this beautiful lady your girlfriend? You two make such a lovely couple.” Faced with these compliments, Jason smiled politely and replied: “This is my fiancée, Lily. We’re planning to hold our wedding in July. I hope you all can attend.” Everyone eagerly expressed their intention to be there to celebrate. At this point, one of Jason’s old classmates curiously asked: “You two were known as the model couple in college. Why did it take so long for you to decide to get married?” Hearing this, I set down my glass and glanced in their direction. To be honest, I was quite curious about the answer myself. After all, in my previous life, Jason had chosen to follow Lily into death after she passed away. And when he returned to his college years, he immediately abandoned me to pursue Lily. I never expected that after all these years, they still hadn’t tied the knot. The situation was indeed a bit strange. Jason’s smile froze for a moment when he heard the question, a flash of embarrassment crossing his eyes. “Lily was the first girl I ever loved, and she’s the most important person in my life. I wanted to give her the best.” “So I’ve been working hard all these years, just to give her a fairy tale wedding.” As he said this, his eyes were filled with deep emotion. Lily smiled and responded, “I’m really looking forward to that day.” Seeing them like this, I couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional. So, when Jason truly loves someone, he considers their feelings this way. This was completely different from how he had treated me in the past. No matter how hard I tried back then, I couldn’t get him to agree to marry me. It wasn’t until I accidentally got pregnant and his grandfather pressured him that he reluctantly agreed to marry me. I really didn’t want to stay at this boring party any longer, so I stood up to leave. Just then, from the corner of my eye, I noticed a little girl with two pigtails hiding under a nearby table, secretly drinking juice. I couldn’t help but sigh as I walked over to her. Accidentally, I knocked over a glass on the table. Crash! The glass shattered, leaving shards all over the floor. “Who are you?” “How dare you barge in here?” “Do you know how much that glass costs?” A waiter nearby stopped me, his voice full of contempt. Everyone’s attention immediately turned to us. Jason looked at me in surprise, his eyes widening. “Emma Carter?” “You actually dared to crash the Sullivan family’s party for me?” Hearing this, the people around us looked confused: “Mr. Miller, are you saying she’s not an invited guest of the Sullivan family?” Hearing this question, Jason frowned, looking a bit uncomfortable as he said: “I’m sorry to disturb everyone. She’s my ex-girlfriend.” Hearing Jason’s words, everyone’s faces broke into knowing smiles. “Mr. Miller sure has good luck with the ladies! Both his ex and current girlfriend are beauties!” “Wait a minute, didn’t Mr. Miller say Lily was his first love?” “So what’s the deal with this ex-girlfriend?” Listening to the chatter, Jason’s face grew embarrassed. Lily, in his arms, looked at me with hatred and displeasure in her eyes. “Everyone’s misunderstanding,” Jason said. “She wasn’t really my girlfriend.” “She was just someone I used to relieve stress when Lily and I had a fight.” After explaining, Jason turned to a nearby waiter and said: “I’ll pay for the glass.” “Get her out of here.” Throughout this, Jason barely glanced at me, as if I were something shameful. I was speechless, but this was fine. I would never have anything to do with him again in this life. “Get going,” the waiter next to me pushed me impatiently. “Look at yourself. How could you even dream of being with someone like Mr. Miller?” The waiter said while looking disdainfully at my dust-covered workout clothes. I frowned and said: “Wait a minute, I still need to find someone. I’ll leave as soon as I do.” Hearing this, the waiter became angry: “Find someone?” “You think I’d believe that?” “I’ve seen plenty of women like you. Don’t think you can pick up men at this party.” Saying this, he grabbed my arm and started walking towards the exit. Just then, Lily suddenly called out from nearby. “Wait.” Lily walked over, arm in arm with Jason, looking smug. “Emma Carter, Jason never liked you. Stop clinging to him.” “We’re about to get married. Aren’t you basically a homewrecker at this point?” “That’s right,” Jason frowned, looking at me impatiently: “I never loved you, so stop deluding yourself.” “Even if it were 80 years instead of 8, I still wouldn’t be with you.” “How about this,” Jason pursed his lips and continued: “I’ll give you a million dollars if you promise never to show up in front of me again.” As he spoke, Jason asked Lily to take out his phone from her purse. When he opened Snapchat, Jason froze. “Emma Carter? Why did you block me?” Jason’s voice suddenly rose, his face full of disbelief. “What else could I do?” I sighed, my eyes flashing with helplessness. Since we had already broken up, why would I keep his contact information? Besides, my husband at home was a notorious jealous type. If he found out I still had my ex’s Snapchat, he’d surely make a big fuss about it. Hearing my words, Jason’s face grew even more unpleasant. Lily, seeing this, quickly said: “Emma Carter, how can you use such a cheap trick again!” “You don’t think this will make my Jason soften up, do you?” “Keep dreaming!” After saying this, Lily gently rubbed her chest against Jason’s arm, pouting: “Jason, don’t pay any attention to her.” “I bet she’s only doing this because she knows you’re a CEO now, that’s why she won’t let go!” “Women like her love to cling to powerful men!” “Mm,” Jason nodded, his eyes flashing with disgust. Lily looked me up and down, sneering: “You graduated from a top university, but instead of focusing on your career, you waste time seducing men.” “Look at how poor you are now, you’re worse off than a beggar!” Hearing her say this, I couldn’t help but laugh. Lily had truly forgotten how she used to live. Lily’s family had been poor for generations, living in a remote mountain village. What’s more troublesome was that she doted on her younger brother excessively, practically worshipping him. From childhood, she treated her brother like a precious treasure. After getting together with Jason, she exchanged all the gifts he gave her for money to give to her brother. The first time I met Jason was when he got injured at work trying to earn money to send red envelopes to Lily’s brother. He had broken his leg, and Jason’s family forced them to break up. That period was probably the darkest and most difficult time of his life. I stayed by his side, slowly helping him through those days. Jason loved to paint, so I found opportunities for him to exhibit his work everywhere, spending a lot of money on tickets. I also worked part-time as his driver and assistant, taking him around the world to see art exhibitions. I bought him the highest quality paper and paints. Not only that, but I was also responsible for all his daily needs. All he had to do was focus on creating art. Even his friends said I was the perfect girlfriend, worthy of the title. Everyone thought my love for him was so deep, but actually, he was the one who actively came to me saying he wanted to be with me. I never expected him to confess to me. Because he often used a secret account to follow Lily’s life online. I thought he still couldn’t forget her. But Jason looked at me earnestly and said: “Emma, you’ve given me hope again. Without you, I might not even be alive anymore.” “Actually, I fell in love with you a long time ago. I want to be with you every day.” These words deeply moved me, so I agreed to his request. We spent eight years together, even surprising Jason’s parents with how mature he had become. However, there was a secret that no one knew. During those eight years, I proposed several times that I wanted to start a family with Jason, but he always found excuses to refuse. It wasn’t until I accidentally got pregnant and his parents found out that he reluctantly accepted the child. Under strong pressure from his family, he grudgingly married me. Shortly after our wedding, while we were on an outdoor trip together, he accidentally learned that Lily had passed away. So he locked himself in his room for three consecutive days, not seeing anyone. On the fourth day, when I finally forced my way into the room, I only found a suicide note. [Lily is the only person I’ve ever truly loved in this life. Without her, my life has no meaning.] [I hope in the next life, I can give her the most romantic wedding.] Only then did I realize that just the night before, he had slit his wrists to follow Lily. At that moment, my heart turned completely cold. So, when I was reborn and returned to my college days, I didn’t try to win back Jason, who was determined to find his first love. Instead, I felt liberated and ready to start a new life. Just as I was about to leave, Lily suddenly rushed in front of me, her face full of smugness: “Emma Carter, look at the clothes you’re wearing. That workout outfit went out of style ten years ago!” “Your life is really pathetic!” “How about this? I’ll put in a good word with Jason and get you a job as a waitress here?” “Miss Parker is so kind,” someone nearby said flatteringly. That person looked at me with contempt: “This is the most high-end banquet hall in the city. Working as a waitress here can earn you over $200,000 a month!” “Someone like you has probably never seen so much money in your life!” “Hurry up and thank her!” Hearing these words, I glanced at her impatiently: “I already have my own job, no need for you to worry.” But Lily still wouldn’t let it go: “You’re not lying, are you? What kind of job?” “Painting,” I answered. Jason, who had been silent nearby, suddenly looked at me with a complex expression when he heard my answer. “Painting?” Jason said softly. After two years of not speaking, he looked at me with a complicated expression: “I used to say I liked painting just as a casual remark. I didn’t think you’d actually believe it.” “Forget it, for the sake of our past relationship, I can help you find a decent job.” I was stunned for a moment. Soon I realized Jason must have misunderstood. He probably thought I chose this path because of him. But that wasn’t the case at all. After being reborn, I discovered that all my money had been spent on buying exhibition tickets and art supplies. Not wanting to waste these things, I could only learn to paint myself. Gradually, I fell in love with the art of painting. Over the years, I’ve gained some fame domestically. Some places abroad even invite me to hold exhibitions. As a result, I now earn more money than Jason, the company CEO. However, I didn’t want to tell him any of this. After all, he never believed in me. Also… I looked down at my outfit. This workout set did look a bit shabby. I had no choice. I was brought here right after getting off the plane. I didn’t have time to change out of the clothes I wore while sketching in the mountains. But so what? I coldly said to Jason: “I love my profession and will continue with it. No need for you to worry.” Hearing this, Jason’s face immediately darkened.

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My husband fell in love with a vibrant college girl and suggested we try an open marriage. I proposed divorce, and he scoffed in disbelief. “Aria, who else would want you if you divorce me?” A month later, Bay City’s most mysterious tycoon held my waist and raised an eyebrow, asking: “Your ex-husband is next door. Want to go see him?” I threw caution to the wind and replied with a slight smile, “Sure, let’s go meet your predecessor.” After Connor came back, he excitedly shared with me that he had never met someone so compatible. They went skydiving together, skiing together, and climbed to the peak of Mont Blanc… Their souls resonated; they were each other’s muse. “Aria, you should go out and see the world too, or maybe start dating. “Honestly, we got married too early, mistaking habit for love. “Why don’t we try an open marriage?” Connor’s face was beaming with sweetness as he generously suggested. I stared at Connor’s handsome face, tracing from his brow bone to his jaw with my eyes. Less than three years after graduation, he had already become a stranger to me. I paused for a moment, then chuckled: “No need for such trouble, let’s just get divorced. “Since you like her so much, I’ll step aside.” A flash of surprise crossed Connor’s eyes. “Aria, you know your situation. Who else would want you if you divorce me?” I was slightly stunned, not expecting him to use this to poke at me. Yes, what was my situation? My mother ran off with someone. My father was a gambling addict who drowned in a muddy pond while drunk. Even my grandmother who raised me passed away a few years ago. I was alone, like duckweed, with no one to rely on. This was the vulnerability I had revealed to him in my fragile moments, and now it had become his leverage to manipulate me. Connor was so sure I couldn’t leave him that he dared to flaunt his new love interest right in front of me. The promise he made when we got married – to love and care for me for a lifetime – was like a sharp knife, repeatedly twisting in my heart. I took deep breaths, hands gripping the edge of the table, staring at him steadily, my tone resolute: “I said, I want a divorce.” Connor was stunned for a moment, a smile unconsciously appearing at the corners of his mouth. “Since you insist on divorce, I have no choice. “Aria, it’s not that I want to let you down, you’re forcing me to do this. “Don’t come back begging me later.” When I went back to the room to pack my things, I overheard Connor’s conversation with his friend. “Connor, are you really divorcing your wife?” “She’s trying to pressure me with divorce, so I’ll let her have her way. “Zoe’s been clinging to me tightly, I don’t have time to deal with her petty jealousy. “She has no family here, it won’t be long before she comes crawling back begging me to remarry her.” A wave of bitterness washed over me. I directly threw our wedding photo along with the wedding ring into the trash can.

On the day of the divorce, the sun was shining brightly. I met the girl Connor had described as his soulmate – she was sporty, with a high ponytail, full of energy. “Sis, you should go out more often. When people get old, they can’t keep up with the times and easily get eliminated.” She clung to Connor’s arm, sitting in his passenger seat, looking at me provocatively. I was barely twenty-five, yet someone was calling me old. Someone passed by carrying a mirror, and I caught a glimpse of myself. Delicate features, long black hair, curves in all the right places, long legs – I wasn’t inferior to anyone. On the way home, I tried hard to control my emotions, but tears still kept flowing. Bang! I crashed into a Rolls-Royce in front of me. I hurriedly got out of the car to apologize. A pair of long legs stepped out of the car ahead. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, impeccably dressed in a suit, exuding nobility amidst his coldness. “It’s you.” The man broke the awkward silence first. I was confused for a moment, then suddenly realized who the man in front of me was. Connor had mentioned him many times – Bay City’s mysterious tycoon, Lucas Sinclair, the helmsman of the financial group that Mitchell Corp had always wanted to cooperate with. “I haven’t even asked for compensation yet, and you’re crying like this.” Lucas Sinclair handed me a handkerchief, his tone surprisingly gentle. “No, you misunderstand. It’s entirely my fault, I’ll definitely compensate you. “I just got divorced, and I’m having trouble controlling my emotions. I’m sorry.” I hurriedly explained, afraid he might think I was trying to shirk responsibility. “Divorced?” Lucas Sinclair asked again. I nodded. “That’s good.” “What?” Lucas Sinclair’s lips curled into a faint smile as he slowly said: “It’s nothing. The weather is nice today, we shouldn’t waste time on such trivial matters. “Miss Bennett, would you mind exchanging contact information? We can talk more later.” I was a bit surprised and didn’t recover for a long time. Connor had once spent hundreds of thousands but couldn’t get Lucas Sinclair’s phone number or SnapChat. Now it was just lying in my phone. Several days passed, and Lucas Sinclair didn’t mention anything about compensation. Even when I asked proactively, there was no reply from the other side. A tycoon is a tycoon, probably busier. Or perhaps he had five SnapChat accounts and didn’t check this one often. The next time I saw Lucas Sinclair was after a company drinking party. I was a bit drunk and bumped into a figure in the hallway. Lucas Sinclair gentlemanly supported me. Under the influence of alcohol, my emotions broke down again, and I cried uncontrollably. “Mr. Sinclair, this…” “I have something to attend to, we’ll talk next time.” Suddenly my feet left the ground, and I was carried by Lucas Sinclair to his car. The atmosphere became somewhat ambiguous. In the confined space, the pheromones emanating from Lucas Sinclair constantly stimulated my nerves. I had heard many stories about him – how he took over Sinclair Corp at a young age and won the trust of the old guard with his thunderous methods. [“Who else would want you if you divorce me.”] Connor’s words echoed in my mind, painful to the point of suffocation. Looking at this face in front of me, more noble than Connor’s, I couldn’t help but lean closer. “Aria, you’re drunk.” Lucas Sinclair’s finger pressed against my shoulder, his voice deep. Maybe it was the alcohol clouding my judgment, or maybe it was my unwillingness to give in. I boldly shook off his hand and leaned forward. “Your lips look so soft, I wonder if they’re nice to kiss.” At that moment my mind went blank, I don’t even remember what Lucas Sinclair replied. I only knew that his breath lingered on the tip of my nose, making my heartstrings tremble. His lips really were soft, yet full of aggression. “Open your mouth to breathe~” I dazedly complied. He cupped the back of my head, like crashing waves. His fingertips slid down my waist, and I couldn’t help but arch my body, pressing against his burning chest. His warm lips moved down inch by inch. In the adult world, we both knew what was about to happen. Lucas Sinclair draped his suit Connoret over my flushed face and carried me into a nearby five-star hotel.

“Connor, isn’t that Mr. Sinclair up ahead? Our project…” Not far away, Connor’s car was parked. “Have some sense, don’t ruin Lucas Sinclair’s mood.” Connor lazily leaned back in his seat, his expression playful. “Rumor has it he doesn’t take interest in women, seems we can’t trust everything we hear. Those you picked before were too low class, go find better ones.” “Yes, Connor.” “I heard your ex-wife is at that store up ahead, should we…” Connor gave a cold laugh and rolled up the window. “Don’t bother with her. “She knew I’d be passing by and deliberately tried to get my attention. “I’m tired of her tricks. “Let’s go somewhere else. “By the way, go buy that jewelry set she likes, so she won’t throw a tantrum at me again.”

I was pinned against the door by Lucas Sinclair, his tall figure tightly enveloping me. As my clothes slipped off, I suddenly felt like retreating. “Scared?” Lucas Sinclair’s finger slowly slid down my spine, and for a moment my mind cleared. I shook my head slightly and directly wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him back. After years of following the rules, what harm could one moment of wildness do? Moreover, the man in front of me was Lucas Sinclair, whom countless people pursued. The night was deep, the moon had just peeked out, stirring the spring waters all night long. When I woke up, the sound of water came from the bathroom, and the man’s toned body was silhouetted behind the misty door. His waist was slim but powerful. Recalling last night’s frenzy, my face instantly turned red. Lucas Sinclair opened the door, the towel around his waist a bit short. I couldn’t help but swallow. Even though I had seen everything last night, being so close and meeting his gaze still involuntarily drew me in. Connor was right, I should date more. Having never tasted anything good, I had stupidly clung to him. But someone of Lucas Sinclair’s background wasn’t suitable for me. “What are you thinking about?” Lucas Sinclair’s fingertip touched behind my ear, leaving a gentle kiss. What followed was another surge of passion. While Lucas Sinclair was in another room taking a conference call, I quietly put on my clothes and left the hotel, blocking his contact information. This incident was just a mistake. People in the clouds are out of reach. To keep myself clear-headed, I agreed to a date with a college student. In a coffee shop on the corner, I took out a mirror to touch up my makeup when someone I didn’t want to see appeared – Zoe Harper. “Sis, what a coincidence. Are you waiting for someone?” Zoe Harper sat down across from me uninvited. Today she was dressed provocatively sexy. I had no interest in engaging with her and picked up my bag to change seats. “The person you’re waiting for won’t come, sis. He’s my junior, I asked him to invite you. “I didn’t expect you’d be so easy to ask out, sis. Seems you’re really not popular, no one’s chasing you. “No wonder Connor said you’re boring.” Zoe Harper’s words made me stop in my tracks. I turned around and poured my unfinished coffee on her. “Is interfering in other people’s marriages something to be proud of? “Should I go advertise at your school, let your juniors and seniors admire you properly?” “Aria! Don’t go too far.” Connor had just arrived and saw me bullying his precious little girlfriend. He protectively shielded her behind him. “Sis was stood up by my junior, that’s why she took her anger out on me. “It’s okay, I’m fine. Look, I’m perfectly alright.” Zoe Harper smiled as she wiped the coffee stains off her face, enthusiastically explaining on my behalf in front of Connor. “Junior. Heh, Aria, when did you start trying to date college boys too? “Remember what I said? After divorcing me, no one else would want you.” A thousand words stuck in my throat, my chest feeling as if pressed by a heavy weight. I looked at him and poured the remaining coffee in the cup directly onto his face. “Connor, you’re disgusting.” After doing this, I clenched my sweaty palms and quickly left the coffee shop, dragging my tired body and mind. Back home, that eye-catching Rolls-Royce was parked in the community parking lot. After going upstairs, sure enough, Lucas Sinclair was standing at my door, his eyes bloodshot with exhaustion. “Mr. Sinclair, what a coincidence.” I felt a bit awkward and guilty, not knowing what to say for a moment. “Mr. Sinclair? That night…” Lucas Sinclair raised an eyebrow. I immediately nervously covered his mouth and pulled him inside after opening the door. Lucas Sinclair confined me in his arms, his kisses forceful and surging.

It wasn’t until I was pressed down that he looked down at me, his eyes icy cold, and asked: “Aria, do you know how many people want my contact information? “Why did you block me? What did you take me for? “A tool to dispel your sorrow, or a substitute for your ex-husband?” Those eyes were bottomless, making me afraid to meet his gaze. The wind whipped the flowers into a frenzy. I couldn’t help but tremble, biting down on his shoulder. “Think it through before you speak.” For a period of time after that, Lucas Sinclair and I maintained a delicate balance. I had seen firsthand how uncompromising he was in negotiations. No matter how cultured he appeared on the outside, it couldn’t hide his decisive and ruthless nature. For someone like him, women wouldn’t be in short supply. I really couldn’t figure out his intention in squeezing into my home every day. Perhaps he found it novel… “What do you want to eat? I’ll take you out.” Lucas Sinclair put on his watch and buttoned up his shirt, returning to his cold and noble state, a stark contrast to the beast from moments ago. “Anything is fine with me.” I’m not picky about food. Lucas Sinclair directly took me to a high-end restaurant, where Connor used to love bringing friends. “Covering old memories with new ones helps you let go of the past.” Lucas Sinclair ordered several dishes, and I realized he understood me better than I had imagined. “Did you specially choose this place?” I couldn’t help but ask the question in my mind. “I hope that in the future, wherever you go, the only person you think of will be me.” Lucas Sinclair cut the steak and gently pushed it in front of me. “Mr. Sinclair, don’t joke around. We don’t have a future.” I smiled wryly. The expression of the person in front of me suddenly turned cold, filled with some indecipherable emotion. “Aria, do you think I’m the kind of person who’s casual about relationships? “You’ve provoked me, don’t you plan to take responsibility?” “Mr. Sinclair, I’m divorced.” I sighed. “So what?” “We’re not suitable.” “You didn’t say we weren’t suitable when you wanted to kiss me. “Now that you’ve had your fill, you want to sever ties with me?” Lucas Sinclair stood up and gripped the back of my chair, his hot breath fanning my face, his soft lips just inches away. I still wanted to kiss him. “Connor, you really don’t want to find your ex-wife?” The voice of Connor’s friend sounded outside the private room, and I immediately held my breath. “Wait until she comes to apologize on her own.” Connor said coldly, his tone tinged with impatience. Looking at his phone, Aria had blocked all his contact methods, even on social media platforms. This time, her temper was quite big. It was time to properly grind her down. “Miss Harper will be here soon. Should we order her favorite dishes?” “Whatever, you don’t need to ask me about these things.” Aria still hadn’t actively sought reconciliation with him, to the point where Connor had lost interest in Zoe Harper as well. Perhaps he had been too harsh towards Aria that day at the coffee shop. Next time he saw her, he could consider giving her a way out. During their time apart, Connor finally realized that compared to the fresh excitement outside, he still preferred Aria’s stability. He and Aria were meant to be together, destined to be bound for life. “Go order a bouquet of flowers, red roses, 999 of them.”

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