Category: English

After six months in the mental hospital, Olivia Chen was finally released. Shivering in the cold wind in her thin clothes, her pale face covered in horrific scars, she limped as Ethan Shaw’s bodyguards roughly pushed her out of the car. Her fiancé Ethan Shaw was standing in front of a grave. Seeing Olivia’s pitiful state, Ethan’s face darkened instantly. He viciously kicked Olivia’s knee, snarling in disgust: “You drove Sophie to her death, you should go to hell! How dare you act pitiful in front of me?” As if she had any right to act pitiful anymore. Olivia explained bitterly, “Ethan, I didn’t do it.” Ethan slapped her hard across the face, shouting angrily: “Don’t call me Ethan, it’s disgusting!” Her left cheek stung fiercely and her ear went momentarily deaf. Olivia couldn’t hear what he was saying, she could only stare at him blankly, somehow understanding his meaning. She wasn’t worthy of calling him Ethan anymore. But the young Ethan had once begged her for a long time to call him by this intimate nickname. Olivia couldn’t help but tear up. This innocent look instantly enraged Ethan. He grabbed Olivia’s hair and dragged her in front of Sophie’s gravestone, forcing her to look at the photo. “Olivia Chen, open your eyes and look clearly at what this is!” “If you hadn’t been so narrow-minded and resentful of Sophie, how could she have died? You’re a sinner who deserves to be executed!” “You still have the nerve to act pitiful in front of me? Olivia Chen, are you worthy?” No, she wasn’t. Olivia stared hard at that photo. The gray smiling face seemed to be mocking her and Ethan’s relationship of over 20 years, piercing her heart painfully. An immense sorrow also welled up. Everyone in the city knew how much Ethan Shaw loved Olivia Chen. Since childhood, he had fought for her, gotten injured for her, been jealous for her, acted like a fool for her, even climbed through her window at midnight to declare he only wanted to marry Olivia in this life… For over 20 years he had done all kinds of outrageous things, shocking the entire city. Later Sophie Lin appeared with her mission to win Ethan’s heart. Ethan had publicly humiliated Sophie, calling her lowly. Whenever Sophie caused Olivia even the slightest grievance, Ethan would repay it tenfold, even nearly killing Sophie at one point. Everyone was moved by Ethan and Olivia’s love. But when news of Sophie’s death came, Ethan who had always despised Sophie went mad. Learning that Olivia had met with Sophie before her fatal car accident, Ethan directly blamed Sophie’s death on Olivia. He personally sent her to a mental hospital, letting her suffer endless torment there. Olivia had once sent Ethan a plea for help. But Ethan was busy searching for Sophie’s body, crying bitterly for her, drinking in remorse for her. Later, when Olivia was dragged into the bathroom and assaulted by the mental patients, she finally managed to call Ethan after two of her fingers were broken. What she got was Ethan’s cold response: “If you want to die then hurry up and die.” Those lunatics became even more excited after hearing that. They used the most vicious methods to destroy Olivia’s uterus, causing massive internal bleeding that left her permanently incontinent. Her body was covered in horrific wounds and her right leg was crippled. Tears blurred her eyes, washing away her last shred of feeling for Ethan. It was that night of suffering worse than death that awakened Olivia. As long as Ethan hurt her six more times for Sophie’s sake, her memories and existence would be formatted by this world, severing all ties with Ethan. Snapping back to reality, Ethan coldly ordered his bodyguards: “Make her kowtow 100 times to repent for her sins!” The bodyguards forcefully pressed Olivia’s hands down, making her forehead slam loudly against Sophie’s gravestone. After just a few times, her forehead was split open and bleeding. As her vision blurred, Olivia smiled tragically and murmured, “Five more times left.” Soon she would fulfill Ethan’s wish.

After kowtowing 100 times, the bodyguards finally let her go. Olivia shakily tried to stand up. “You deserve all of this,” Ethan said coldly as he watched. He then grabbed Olivia and pulled her into the car. Olivia instinctively tried to pull her hand away. For the past six months, she had only experienced endless torment. She now feared any physical contact with others. But she had just been forced to kowtow 100 times and lost a lot of blood. Her body was completely drained of strength and she couldn’t pull away. This resistant gesture only angered Ethan more. He roughly threw Olivia into the car, sneering: “You dare throw a tantrum at me? Looks like these past six months of lessons were all wasted!” “Someone like you only deserves to rot in the mud!” Olivia’s vision went black from the pain and her heart seemed to stop. She had already known Ethan sent her to the mental hospital to deliberately torture her, and had given up hope in him. But hearing it directly still broke her heart. Ethan was truly too cruel. Over a decade of feelings meant nothing compared to his belated realization about Sophie. But she hadn’t done anything wrong, yet became a sinner in Ethan’s eyes. Ethan looked at Olivia with disgust, as if she was some filthy, unlucky trash. “Remember your place when we get back.” “I’m keeping you around to atone for your sins against Sophie!” Olivia couldn’t hear him anymore. The wounds on her forehead and knees hurt so much she passed out. In her blurry final moments of consciousness, she vaguely saw Ethan’s expression turn panicked, just like how he used to look whenever she got hurt before Sophie appeared. But the next instant, all she saw was Ethan’s back. “What? You say you saw Sophie? Where is she? I’ll go there right away!” So it had all been her illusion. Of course, after going mad over Sophie for over six months, how could Ethan care about whether she lived or died. Only Sophie could make him panic like that. Olivia was woken up by cold water being splashed on her. Seeing her awake, the servant threw a maid’s uniform at her. “Hurry up and change into this. From now on you’re a servant of the Shaw family. When the young master brings the young mistress back, you’ll have to atone for your sins!” Olivia stared blankly at the servant’s uniform, finding it darkly amusing. But she had no choice. Her clothes were soaked in blood and unwearable. She limped after the servant, standing to the side of the main entrance. Not long after, Ethan carefully carried a pregnant Sophie back. His face, gloomy for over six months, now wore a satisfied smile of having recovered something lost. Sophie kept fussing in his arms. “Ethan Shaw, let me go! Didn’t you say that even if I died, you wouldn’t like me? So why are you bringing me back now? I died once as you wished, go love your Olivia Chen!” “I’m not trying to win you over anymore, I won’t suffer your humiliation again!” Ethan let her fuss, unable to hide his smile. “Heaven blessed me by letting you survive. I won’t let you disappear again.” “Don’t reject me, and don’t go after other men!” “My child absolutely cannot call anyone else father.” Olivia listened to their conversation and stared at Sophie’s 7-month pregnant belly, feeling her mind explode. So Sophie had survived that car accident and spent the past six months pursuing other men. While the man who had once sworn he only loved her and wanted Sophie dead had been secretly involved with Sophie behind her back. No wonder Ethan went mad after hearing news of Sophie’s death. So what was all the torture she endured for the past six months? What about all of Ethan’s past vows of love to her? Olivia suddenly felt herself pathetic and laughable. Her chest felt tight and painful, she couldn’t breathe. She also…lost control of her bladder in front of everyone. The smell quickly spread. The servants next to her immediately moved away in disgust. Sophie also noticed her at this moment. Hiding a flash of smugness in her eyes, she pretended to be ashamed and pounded Ethan’s chest, retching repeatedly from the smell. “…Your wife had an accident, hurry up and put me down! Are you still trying to humiliate me at a time like this? I’ve already said I won’t interfere between you and Olivia Chen anymore. You two are meant to be together, please stop torturing me, okay?” Ethan hurriedly carried Sophie away, comforting her lovingly. “No, Sophie, you’re the one I love.” “I was wrong before. From now on, no one will ever bully you again. I’ll help you get revenge for all the grievances you’ve suffered.” After gently consoling Sophie, he stood on the stairs and berated Olivia in front of everyone: “Olivia Chen, how old are you to still wet yourself in public? Aren’t you disgusted with yourself?” “This isn’t a toilet. If you can’t control it, go buy some adult diapers. Don’t use the tricks you learned in the mental hospital to disgust me and Sophie.”

Olivia lowered her head, her face deathly pale. Every word Ethan said stabbed her heart. The strange looks from everyone around also made her feel awful all over. “So disgusting, how can there be such a disgusting person?” “She’s over 20 years old and still wets herself. It’s really making me want to vomit.” “Who did this? They didn’t care if the person died, but making her incontinent is trying to suffocate us, right?” “Forget it, you might as well not wear pants anymore. It’s a waste to wear them anyway.” “…” The servants’ whispers and the nurses’ mockery from the mental hospital echoed chaotically in Olivia’s ears. She fled to the bathroom in panic and shame, throwing away her dirty pants. She huddled in a corner, her body twitching uncontrollably as tears streamed down her face. Why did they have to humiliate her like this? She hadn’t done anything, yet just because she hindered Sophie from winning Ethan over, just because she prevented them from being together, she ended up in this state. But Ethan had originally loved her. Olivia cried until her whole body went numb, slumping to the ground. Four more times left. Then she would no longer interfere with them. Olivia took off her outer jacket and tied it around her waist, intending to find another servant uniform. Just as she opened the door, Ethan threw some dog diapers in her face. “Hurry up and put these on.” Knowing Olivia was allergic to dogs, Ethan had never kept any. He had once slapped Sophie hard for bringing a dog near Olivia. Now the Shaw house had dog diapers, clearly Ethan had brought Sophie’s dog back. And now he was making her wear dog diapers. How was this any different from calling her a dog? But Olivia had no choice. Not wanting to wet herself in public again, she could only choose the dog diapers. After putting them on, she followed behind Ethan. Seeing her walk too slowly, Ethan kicked her in disgust. “Six months in the mental hospital made you delicate? If you don’t want these legs anymore then get rid of them.” Olivia cried out in pain, her face turning even paler. She didn’t need him to do anything. Her right leg had already been crippled by those lunatics. Taking even slightly bigger steps was agonizing. She murmured an explanation, “My leg is crippled.” “You say it’s crippled so it’s crippled? Who are you trying to fool?” Ethan couldn’t care less if her leg was really crippled or not. Olivia had to bite her lip bloody to endure the pain of walking to Sophie’s room. This room used to be specially prepared by Ethan for Olivia. All the decorations and furniture had been arranged by him personally. Now it had become Sophie’s room. Ethan walked to Sophie’s side, his gloomy face instantly turning gentle. “From now on, she’ll serve you. She nearly killed you, so she should atone for her sins.” Sophie pouted and said: “I don’t dare. What if I accidentally hurt Olivia? You might beat our child to death.” Ethan hugged her tightly, full of heartache. “She’s a sinner. Even if she dies to make you happy, it’s worth it.” “No one can hurt our child. Don’t worry, we’ll hold our wedding in two weeks.” Olivia suddenly felt his love was ironic. When he loved you, you were the pearl in his palm. When he stopped loving you, you became trash whose dignity could be trampled at will. Sophie didn’t believe him, so Ethan anxiously tried to prove his love by preparing for the wedding. As soon as Ethan left, Sophie’s face instantly changed. She looked at Olivia with a sneer. “Ethan really went too far. How could he torture a perfectly good person into this state – incontinent, crippled leg, ruined uterus, probably not quite right in the head either…” “I heard it was because you saw me before my accident.” So she knew everything. Olivia suddenly thought of something. “You faked your death on purpose, didn’t you?”

Sophie stroked her pregnant belly and smiled provocatively. “My fake car accident death was just to help Ethan realize his true feelings. His love for you was only due to the influence of the plot and character settings. He and I are true love!” After saying that, she had the servants bring her dog over and deliberately ordered Olivia: “Olivia, you should have put on Doudou’s diapers, right? Doudou isn’t wearing any yet. Why don’t you put some diapers on Doudou too?” Olivia stumbled back a step in fear. “Get it away!” She wasn’t just allergic to dogs, she also had psychological trauma from them. The lunatics in the mental hospital often liked to torment and scare her. Once they even locked her in with a wild dog in heat. Sophie pretended not to notice her fear and smiled as she pushed the dog into Olivia’s arms. “Don’t worry Olivia, Doudou is very well-behaved. He won’t bite you. You shouldn’t forget your current status.” Olivia felt chills all over. The parts of her touched by the dog’s fur started stinging and burning. Before she could back away, Sophie suddenly let go of the dog. Doudou yelped in pain. Hearing the sound, Ethan rushed back in. Without distinguishing right from wrong, he grabbed Olivia’s hair and threw her aside, anxiously checking Sophie all over. “Where are you hurt?” Sophie hugged Doudou who had fallen to the ground, tears in her eyes. “Ethan, you should just let Olivia leave. Doudou and I don’t deserve to stay here.” Ethan instantly understood what had happened. His face darkened as he grabbed Olivia’s neck. “Olivia Chen, are you looking to die?” “The person I spent half a year trying to bring back isn’t for you to bully!” Olivia struggled to breathe as her face and neck turned red and purple. The fear of death made her instinctively struggle. “I…I didn’t do anything…” But meeting Ethan’s frosty, gloomy eyes, all the blood in Olivia’s body went cold. A feeling of helpless suffocation took over, and she swallowed back any words of explanation. No matter what she said, Ethan wouldn’t believe her. Sophie didn’t want Olivia to die just like that. She fearfully hugged Ethan. “It’s all my fault, I shouldn’t have come back. Ethan, let go quickly, don’t take a life because of me.” Ethan was afraid of hurting Sophie and had to release Olivia. But Olivia had committed a mistake and needed to learn her lesson. He called for his bodyguards. “Teach her a good lesson. Let her know what it means to be a servant. If she can’t even be a servant, then the Chen family can disappear too.” Sending her to the mental hospital for six months of torture wasn’t enough. Now he was even using the Chen family to threaten her. Ethan was truly cruel! Olivia was forcibly dragged away by the bodyguards to the basement. She was tortured all night long with various terrifying instruments. The next day when she came out, Olivia had been tormented into becoming a servant that satisfied Sophie. “Olivia, my feet are sore. Come massage them for me.” “The water’s gone cold. Go get me another glass.” “Oh no, I accidentally made a mess in the bathroom. Go clean it up quickly.” “How clumsy of me to spill it. Ethan made that porridge specially for me, what a waste. Olivia, why don’t you lick up all the spilled porridge?” “I don’t like using a mop to clean the room. How can you be so lazy with your work? Get on your knees and wipe this whole place clean with a rag.” Olivia knelt on the ground, struggling to scrub the tiles. Compared to the torture in the mental hospital and basement, this humiliation was nothing. Just three more times left. Ethan cut an apple into small pieces and fed them to Sophie, his face full of doting affection. To Olivia, his words were ice cold: “There’s a banquet tonight. Sophie can’t drink alcohol, so you go in her place.” Olivia had no right to refuse. “Yes.” Afraid she would embarrass them in a servant’s uniform, Ethan threw her one of Sophie’s unwanted dresses. Olivia limped after Sophie, drinking glass after glass of alcohol in her place until her stomach hurt terribly. Someone recognized Olivia and joked with Ethan: “Isn’t that your fiancée? Don’t you feel bad for her? If you keep torturing her like this, aren’t you afraid she’ll run away?” Ethan sneered: “Is she worthy of my pity? My fiancée is Sophie.” “Go call some more people over for her.” As for being afraid she’d run away? What a joke. Olivia had loved him for over 20 years. She was vicious enough to cause Sophie’s car accident to get rid of her. How could she bear to leave him?

Just as she was about to finish fending off the drinks, another group of men appeared in front of Olivia. With Ethan’s instructions, they deliberately insulted her: “Mr. Shaw loves Sophie. If she hadn’t tampered with Sophie’s brakes, Mr. Shaw and Sophie would have been together long ago.” “She looks pretty enough, but to use such vicious methods and harm an innocent person. She really needs to be taught a lesson. Why don’t you come with us instead?” “You’ve already been dirtied by those lunatics in the mental hospital anyway. It’s your luck that we young masters are interested in you.” “We heard you’re willing to be a servant just to stay in the Shaw family. You’re not still hoping to marry Mr. Shaw, are you?” Olivia endured the burning pain in her stomach and drank another full glass of strong alcohol. As if she hadn’t heard the implications in their words, she replied coldly: “My engagement to Ethan Shaw was cancelled long ago.” She would soon be formatted by this world. She wouldn’t marry Ethan Shaw. And she wouldn’t have to suffer this torment anymore. Seeing Olivia was drunk, some men immediately put down their glasses and started groping her. Others brazenly tried to drag her towards the bathroom. The man who had been joking with Ethan noticed and reminded him, “Aren’t you going to stop them? She’s a servant of the Shaw family now. If they have their way with her and she comes back, won’t that be disgusting?” Ethan saw what was happening but turned away to drink with his friends. “That’s her just deserts for daring to try to kill Sophie. She has to pay some price.” Someone immediately started flattering Sophie: “Sister-in-law, Mr. Shaw is getting revenge for you. You don’t know, after you had your accident, Mr. Shaw even sent Olivia Chen to a mental hospital!” “It’s lucky you survived. Otherwise, Olivia Chen dying ten thousand times wouldn’t be enough for Mr. Shaw’s grief.” Sophie shyly looked at Ethan. Ethan was just preparing for the wedding, but he still owed her a proper proposal. Taking this opportunity, he got down on one knee and gazed at Sophie with deep affection. “Sophie, I love you.” “Will you marry me?” … Olivia’s body was already ruined. Even if she wasn’t drunk, she couldn’t have resisted. Those men excitedly started undressing Olivia, but when they saw the horrific scars all over her body, they instantly felt disgusted. “Fuck, this is too gross.” Olivia was carelessly thrown into a corner of the bathroom, completely unconscious. When she woke up, Olivia stumbled out of the hotel with an agonizing headache. She found a random place to sit down. She wanted to call her parents, but she didn’t have the courage, and was also afraid of implicating them. Her phone kept receiving messages from Sophie. [What does it matter if you’re the female lead?] [Ethan is mine. I’ll be the female lead of this world.] In the video, Ethan knelt down and proposed to her with deep affection, putting a diamond ring on her finger and kissing her… Olivia’s heart had long gone numb. But seeing this scene still made her heart ache. She turned off her phone and sat blankly for a long time. As if about to be liberated, she smiled and murmured, “Just two more times.” Only two more times left. Before she could react, Olivia was suddenly dragged into a car by a group of people. She was so startled she hurriedly banged on the car window trying to get help from passersby, but no one noticed. Her arm was violently dislocated from struggling. Olivia asked with a pale face: “Who are you people?” No one answered her. The back of her neck was chopped with a hand. Olivia passed out. When she woke up again and saw the familiar nurse uniforms, Olivia thought she was back in the mental hospital, about to be tortured by fake nurses under the guise of treatment. Her face turned white as paper. “Let me leave…” “I’m not sick, I don’t want to stay here.” Ethan knew Olivia’s current state was very abnormal. But he didn’t care at all. Instead he angrily berated her: “Olivia Chen, you saw me propose to Sophie, didn’t you? So you found someone to humiliate her while she went to the bathroom, causing her to hemorrhage, then ran away yourself.” “Did you learn how to trade your body in the mental hospital? Why didn’t those men play you to death!” “No, I didn’t.” Olivia’s voice trembled as she fell off the chair. “Let me leave this place…” She had severe trauma associated with nurse uniforms. Ethan had no time to waste with her. He hurriedly urged the nurse: “She has RH negative blood. Quick, take her to draw blood.” Draw blood? Olivia became slightly more lucid. They wanted to draw her blood for Sophie? But she hadn’t done anything to Sophie. She didn’t even know what had happened. Why should she give blood to Sophie? Not to mention her body couldn’t handle donating blood in its current state. Just thinking about her blood flowing into Sophie’s body made her feel sick. She gathered her strength to run towards the door. “Ethan Shaw, why should I give blood to save her? I won’t do it!” But she only ran a few steps before Ethan easily caught up and threw her back into the wheelchair. His cold voice came from above her head. “The sins you committed should be atoned for by you.” “Olivia Chen, you have no choice!” Olivia was injected with a sedative by the nurse and forcibly taken away. She slumped in the wheelchair, looking at Ethan from afar and smiling bitterly. “Ethan Shaw, only one time left.” Just one last time, and they would have no more connection.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296119”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #励志Inspiring #惊悚Thriller #重生Reborn #校园School

All of this started because I reported my boyfriend’s “bestie” after she humiliated me at the train station, forcing me to strip during a security check. That same night, my boyfriend listed me on a secondhand resale app—for $9.99. “Wait, seriously? Nine bucks? Is she diseased or something?” “Dude, that’s Anderson’s girl! Didn’t she just scream her lungs out in the next room? Anderson, how could you let someone like her go? She’s a rare find!” Shane Anderson chuckled coldly. “Are you kidding? She’s blind. And after what happened at the train station—getting stripped down in front of everyone, with her photos all over the internet—I couldn’t even bring myself to look at her. She’s disgusting.” “She cost Tessa her job. A heartless, disabled piece of trash like her doesn’t even deserve the $10 price tag,” another voice chimed in. The room erupted in laughter. Their vile comments were like daggers, and I felt as though I had been plunged into an icy abyss. My trembling fingers managed to send a single message to my professor: “Professor, my vision has been restored. I’m ready to accept the offer to study abroad.” “She can’t see, so keep it down. Don’t scare her too much.” “Weren’t you planning to marry her a few days ago? Feeling guilty, Anderson?” someone teased. Shane Anderson snorted like he’d just heard the funniest joke of the year. “Marry her? The Anderson family would never allow a blind woman through our doors. And besides, after what Tessa’s been through, this is nothing. Letting her think it’s still me she’s with—that’s just for my own entertainment. Keeping her around makes it easier to break her down.” As he spoke, the screen of the private theater suddenly lit up. Playing on the massive display was a silent clip of Shane and me—intimate, recorded just minutes earlier. “Just made a little video,” Shane announced with a smirk. “No sound, so you can enjoy it while you play.” “Don’t worry, there are no cameras in here. Have fun.” My hands trembled as I tried to button my shirt. Shane had always loved dragging me to strange places—parks, parking garages, and now a private theater. I thought it was just another one of his quirks. But now, trapped in the suffocatingly narrow space, I could feel the crushing weight of humiliation pressing down on me. Footsteps outside the door grew louder and louder. Panicking, I leapt off the balcony. For three years, I thought Shane Anderson was my light in the darkness. He never minded my blindness and even traveled the world with me, seeking out the best specialists to restore my vision. When I finally regained my sight, I couldn’t wait to surprise him. I booked the earliest train ticket to his city and arrived at the station. Shane even asked Tessa, his best friend who worked there, to “take care of me.” I had heard whispers before—if the Brown family hadn’t gone bankrupt, the Andersons and Browns would have been joined by marriage long ago. But Tessa had always reassured me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Relax. Shane and I have known each other forever. If we wanted to be together, it would’ve happened long ago. I’m not interested in him.” I believed her. Naively. But at the security checkpoint, Tessa accused me of carrying a concealed weapon. She demanded that I strip for inspection. Using my blindness as an excuse, she tore my clothes off herself, leaving me completely exposed. Only after she “found” a knife—God knows where she pulled it from—did she let me go, smugly advising me to “be more careful next time.” A girl nearby, outraged by what she witnessed, called the railway authority to file a complaint. Tessa tried to get Shane to smooth things over for her, but instead, he forced her to apologize to me. By the end of the day, Tessa was fired for misconduct and barred from ever working in government or public enterprises again. Shane’s reaction was calm as ever. “She deserved it,” he said nonchalantly. But by that night, photos of me at the train station—humiliated and exposed—were spreading like wildfire online. And Shane? Shane Anderson listed me on a resale platform for $9.99, turning me into an object of ridicule and abuse. I was subjected to horrors I wouldn’t wish on anyone. And then Shane called. “Where the hell are you?” he demanded.

Dragging my injured leg, I slipped through the crowd and hid in a narrow alley. “I wasn’t feeling well,” I said over the phone, trying to keep my voice steady. “I noticed you weren’t around, and I couldn’t find the door… I accidentally fell off the balcony.” “You can’t see—why would you wander around? Stay where you are. I’m coming to get you,” Shane’s voice replied, laced with impatience. The memory of those men’s disgusting laughter flashed through my mind, sending shivers down my spine. “It’s fine. Someone already took me to the hospital. I’m okay now,” I lied, cutting the call before he could respond. Just then, a voice message popped up on my phone—it was my professor, her tone filled with excitement. “Good girl! You finally made up your mind. I’ll handle the application paperwork immediately. We leave in seven days!” She paused, then sighed. “The Anderson family’s wealth and influence must have caused you so much pain before your surgery. You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?” Her unexpected concern undid me. Every emotion I had been suppressing came flooding out. I had once dreamed of standing proudly beside Shane Anderson. I worked hard, earned a scholarship, and even secured an opportunity to study abroad. But Shane rejected it on my behalf, claiming it wasn’t safe for a blind woman to live overseas alone. Instead, he found me a job as a massage therapist in Bayview, insisting I didn’t need to work so hard. “Focus on being my future wife,” he’d said with a smile. Little did I know, it was all just a game to keep me entertained while he waited for Tessa Brown. Thankfully, my professor never gave up on me. When I got home that night, I saw Tessa’s latest post on social media. The photo showed her holding an employee badge from Anderson Enterprises, captioned: “A million-dollar goal, here I come! @ShaneAnderson.” Shane had replied: “I’ll be waiting for you.” I stared at the screen, the bitterness rising in my chest. After graduation, I had applied to Anderson Enterprises, but they hired someone far less qualified than me. When I asked Shane about it, he brushed it off, saying he couldn’t interfere with “company policies.” Now, it was clear—I simply wasn’t worthy enough for him to bend the rules. I liked Tessa’s post sarcastically and fell into a restless sleep. The next morning, I prepared to hand in my resignation at the massage parlor. But as soon as I arrived at the door, Shane was there, blocking my path. He leaned in close, his breath warm against my neck. “You ran off so quickly last night. Want to try something fun here today?” His playful tone made me sick to my stomach. I couldn’t stop the image of the group chat from flashing in my mind. “Shane, you’ve tried so many wild places with Leah. Why don’t you take Tessa somewhere exciting too?” “Nah, the outside world is filthy. I wouldn’t let Tessa go to places like that.” It all made sense now. In three years of dating, Shane had never once taken me to his house. I was nothing more than a disposable distraction, while Tessa was the one he truly cherished. I moved to step around him, but he grabbed my wrist, his voice turning serious. “You saw Tessa’s post, didn’t you? Where are your glasses?” I quickly hid my resignation letter behind my back. “It was an accident. I didn’t mean to.” Before I could say more, Tessa appeared from behind him, her tone dripping with mock sweetness. “Sis, why don’t you invite me in? Shane came all this way to make sure I apologized to you in person.” Her words reeked of sarcasm, and her posture with Shane was far too intimate. My voice turned cold. “No need. I don’t accept.” Tessa feigned a sigh. “Come on, Leah. I was just doing my job. It wasn’t personal. If you drop the complaint, I can get my job back. It’ll be better for everyone.” I let out a bitter laugh. “Better for everyone? Who’s going to erase the photos of me that are still circulating online? Who’s going to give me back my dignity?” Shane’s grip on my wrist tightened. “You’re blind. Just pretend you don’t know about it. Leah, since when did you become so heartless?” Pain shot through my injured ankle, and I lost my balance, collapsing to the ground. My resignation letter slipped from my grasp. Shane’s expression softened for a moment, and he bent down to help me. But Tessa stepped in first, crouching beside me with a smug smile. “Forget it, Shane. She has every right to be mad at me. I’ll come by a few more times to show her how sorry I am. She’ll forgive me eventually.” She turned to Shane with a pout. “By the way, aren’t you supposed to take me to the office today? You promised to help with my onboarding paperwork. Don’t flake on me.” Before leaving, Tessa stepped on my resignation letter, grinding it under her heel. They left together, laughing and teasing each other. Later, Shane sent me a voice message: “You’ve always wanted to work at Anderson Enterprises, haven’t you? Once your eyes are fully healed, if you drop the complaint against Tessa, I’ll personally bring you into the company.” In the background, I could hear Tessa giggling. I didn’t reply. After handing my resignation letter to the shop owner, she smiled warmly. “Your eyes are better now? Shane must be thrilled!” I shook my head. “He doesn’t know. Please keep it a secret.”

The day before I planned to leave, Shane Anderson rented out a private yacht to throw himself a grand birthday party. As his girlfriend, I was expected to attend. The moment I stepped on board, I felt the weight of all the judgmental stares. Their hushed voices weren’t hushed at all. “Can you believe a blind girl has the nerve to hang onto Shane Anderson as his girlfriend? A masseuse, no less. God knows how many people have had their hands on her.” “I heard she got stripped at the train station. How does she still have the guts to show her face? If it were me, I’d have jumped overboard already.” The sharp scent of flowers hit me like a slap. My skin began to itch and burn as hives broke out across my body. I was allergic to pollen. Shane knew this. But as I looked around, the entire venue was decorated with white roses—symbolizing pure love. The centerpiece of the display? Photos of Shane and Tessa Brown. “I’m having an allergic reaction,” I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. “I need to go take my medication.” Shane ignored me, pulling me closer instead. “I’ve got fireworks planned just for you. Stay with me a little longer, alright?” Soon, the sky lit up, the fireworks reflecting off the ocean waves. Leaning close, Shane whispered in my ear, his voice gentle and full of affection: “My birthday wish is to be with you, Leah, forever and always.” If my vision hadn’t been restored, I might have believed the sincerity in his eyes. But the fireworks that Shane claimed were “just for me” spelled out Tessa’s name in bright, glowing letters. Laughter erupted around us. Someone shouted, “Kiss! Anderson, give her a kiss!” Shane smiled, tugged my hand—and kissed Tessa instead. Cheers filled the air as they kissed passionately, completely ignoring me. Then I felt it—an unfamiliar pair of lips suddenly pressing against mine. Shane had signaled to one of the men nearby, and now this stranger was kissing me. The cheers grew louder as Shane and Tessa continued their display, while I was left reeling, my mind blank. How many times had Shane played out this sick scene behind my back while I was blind? No wonder he was so confident, so practiced. The way they looked at me—like I was some kind of circus act—made my stomach churn. “I’m leaving,” I said, grabbing my white cane and stumbling through the crowd. The yacht hadn’t docked yet, so I found a small storage room to hide in. As I sat there, trembling, my phone buzzed. Shane had posted a new listing on the same resale platform. To appease the growing number of buyers, he added a new photo: me in the lace dress I was wearing that night, a bow tied around my waist like I was some kind of gift waiting to be unwrapped. Just then, I heard voices outside the door. “Anderson says she can’t see. As long as we keep quiet, she won’t even know we’ve swapped out.” “Man, there’s so many of us. She’s gonna have the night of her life.” “Should we give her something first? You know, to loosen her up?” Their laughter echoed in the narrow hallway, their words sending a chill down my spine. Then my phone rang. Shane’s name lit up on the screen. Panicking, I silenced it immediately, praying the sound of the waves had drowned it out. I stayed frozen until their voices faded away, then quietly slipped back into the main cabin. When I opened the door to my room, the lights came on. Shane was there, leaning casually against the wall, a group of strange men standing behind him. Their eyes roamed over me, greedy and predatory. I felt bile rise in my throat as I tried to play it cool, pretending I hadn’t noticed anything. I took a step toward the door, desperate to escape. A hand suddenly grabbed my waist. The room erupted into laughter. Someone even whistled. Shane glared at the man who had touched me, then pulled me into his arms. “It’s fine. It’s just me,” he murmured. Then, as if nothing had happened, he added, “These guys are curious about your massage skills. Why don’t you give them a session?” I shook my head instantly, pulling away from him. “It’s my birthday, Leah. Don’t ruin the mood.” Gripping his sleeve, I pleaded with him, my voice breaking. “I don’t want to stay here anymore. Please take me home.” Before Shane could respond, Tessa appeared out of nowhere. She crouched down, meeting my gaze with a smirk as she tilted my chin up. “You want to leave?” she said sweetly. “Fine. Eat this gummy first.”

I grabbed the gummy from Tessa’s hand and swallowed it without thinking. Almost instantly, the room erupted in cheers. “Too late now,” Tessa sneered, grinding her heel into my palm, twisting it cruelly. “This is a new kind of aphrodisiac,” she said mockingly. “Perfect for someone like you. Who told you to cross me, huh? Shane treats me like a queen, protects me like I’m his everything. And you? Leah, you’re nothing more than his plaything—a blind masseuse who doesn’t know her place. Do you really think you’re his girlfriend? If I weren’t trying to make my own way in life, you wouldn’t even be in the picture.” I tried to move, to escape, but my body betrayed me as the strength drained out of me. One of the men in the room suddenly ripped my dress. “Well, we were going to make this fun for you, but you figured it out too soon. No matter—don’t keep the boys waiting. You can’t see anyway, so it doesn’t matter who it is, right?” As the last shred of my dignity was stripped away, I reached out a trembling hand toward Shane, praying for a sliver of mercy. He stood in the doorway, watching from a distance, shielding Tessa’s eyes with his hand. “Don’t look,” he murmured to her. “It’s dirty.” Before leaving, he glanced back one last time. “Go easy on her,” he said to the men. “And make sure she takes enough of the drug so she won’t remember anything tomorrow.” “Got it, boss. Nine bucks and ninety-nine cents, right? We’ll send the payment when we’re done.” When I woke up, Shane was sitting by my bedside, his eyes filled with feigned concern. Next to him sat Tessa, her expression as smug as ever. “Leah, thank God you’re awake,” Shane said, his voice soft. “You fell off the deck last night. I thought I’d lost you forever.” “Yeah, Leah,” Tessa chimed in, her tone dripping with mock sympathy. “What happened to you? You’re covered in bruises. If I didn’t know you fell into the ocean, I’d think something else happened…” I stared at the bruises and marks covering my body as the memories came rushing back—being stripped, dragged by my hair, held underwater in the bathtub. The laughter. The suffocating darkness. The overlapping shadows. I gripped the bedsheets tightly, gasping for air like I’d just narrowly escaped drowning. Shane shot Tessa a warning glare, then reached out to pat my hand in what he probably thought was a comforting gesture. But Tessa wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a kiss right in front of me. Their breaths grew heavier as they made no attempt to hide their passion. I clenched my fists so hard that my nails dug into my palms, drawing blood. The anger, humiliation, and heartbreak threatened to overwhelm me. It took me a long time to find my voice. “Shane,” I said, my voice trembling. “If you’re not feeling well, you should go home. I’d like to be alone.” Shane hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Alright,” he said hoarsely, before scooping Tessa into his arms and leaving without a second thought. The moment they were gone, I snapped. I tore through the hospital room, smashing everything within reach. When there was nothing left to destroy, I grabbed my ID and phone, threw on whatever clothes I could find, and hailed a cab to the airport. On the way, I made the mistake of checking the resale platform Shane had used to list me. Underneath his post, there were “reviews” left by buyers—photos and videos of me from the night before. The torn dress. The disheveled hair. The familiar room filled with strangers. My hands shook as I slammed my phone shut and yanked out the SIM card, throwing it out the window. When I arrived at the airport, still wearing my hospital gown, my professor was waiting. She didn’t ask any questions, simply took my hand and held it tightly. “You’re here. That’s all that matters,” she said gently. Before boarding the plane, I erased every trace of my identity back home. Ten hours later, I landed in a new country, free at last. What I didn’t know was that back home, Shane had returned to the hospital, staring at the mess I’d left behind. “Where’s the patient?” he demanded, his voice filled with panic. “She’s blind! How could you let her leave on her own?” The doctor looked confused. “Mr. Anderson,” the doctor said cautiously, “Miss Leah completed her final treatment in Capital City last week. Her vision has been fully restored for days now. Didn’t she tell you?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296136”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #励志Inspiring #浪漫Romance #魔幻Magic #校园School

Challenge: Kiss your best bro and see how he reacts. I waited until Steven was distracted by his phone, then I pounced. I climbed onto his lap, grabbed his tie, and planted a kiss on him. He froze, staring at me in total disbelief, his hand covering his lips. Suddenly, we heard a high-pitched scream from a phone: “Steven’s mom! Come quick! It’s happening for real!” Wait… what? If I could turn back time, I’d choose to go back 24 hours. If not, I’d rather just vanish into oblivion. WHY DID I DO THIS?! As a content creator, chasing trends is part of the job. You’ve got to ride the wave of what’s popular to get those views. While scrolling through short videos for ideas, I came across a new viral trend: “Surprise your best friend with a kiss and capture the shock on his face!” I slammed my hand on my desk. This is it! The perfect idea! How convenient that I already had a best friend living under the same roof. Steven and I practically grew up as brothers. Our moms were best friends, so we’d been stuck together since childhood. Apart from going to college in different cities, we were inseparable. After graduation, Steven started working at his family’s company, while I became a full-time video creator. My mom called it “messing around at home like a hyperactive monkey.” Eventually, she got sick of me “goofing off” and packed up my stuff. She sent me to live with Steven so I could “learn a thing or two.” Learn what, exactly? His strict routine? His obsession with working out? How to live like a monk? The guy’s never even had a girlfriend! If I lived like Steven, my life would be unbearable. He doesn’t eat fried chicken, drink beer, or touch barbecue. Honestly, I feel bad for whatever poor girl ends up with him. That evening, Steven came home from work, still in his suit, and collapsed onto the couch with his phone. He looked so focused on whatever he was watching, he didn’t even notice me sneaking up. I’d already hidden my phone on the TV stand to record the whole thing. Grinning mischievously, I tiptoed over to him. When the moment was right, I jumped onto his lap, grabbed his tie, and leaned in to kiss his cheek. But he turned his head at the worst possible moment. Our lips met. We both froze. Then, from my phone came the unmistakable sound of my mom’s excited scream: “Steven’s mom! Come quick! It’s real! It’s happening!” I turned my head like a rusty machine, and there it was—the phone screen showing a live video call with my mom. Before I could process what was happening, Steven’s mom appeared in the background, wearing a face mask. She looked just as shocked as my mom. “Oh my God! You two… when did this happen?!” I turned to Steven, silently begging him to explain. But instead of helping, he leaned back on the couch, smirking as he watched me squirm under their interrogation. I grabbed his tie again, pulling him closer. “Say something! Explain! Now!” Steven just raised an eyebrow and frowned slightly, refusing to say a word. Meanwhile, the moms were losing their minds. My mom shrieked, “I can’t believe it! My little Tyler is so bold—does this mean he’s the dominant one?” Steven’s mom immediately protested. “No way! Steven’s taller, stronger, and more mature. He’s definitely the dominant one. Plus, he could pick Tyler up—imagine that!” My mom nodded enthusiastically. “You’re right! Being picked up is so romantic. Oh, this is giving me so many ideas—I could draw at least twenty illustrations from this!” Steven’s mom giggled. “Not to mention Tyler’s smaller frame, tiny waist, and soft legs. He’d look amazing in a dress, being held by Steven. Don’t you think?” “Absolutely! Steven in a dress wouldn’t have the same effect. Tyler’s definitely better for that.” …Excuse me?! Mom, are you even trying to defend me? Do you realize what you’re saying? I’m a manly man, okay?! I could totally be the dominant one! But a dress? Being picked up? I sat there, frozen, still gripping Steven’s tie, as their words echoed in my head. Steven finally sighed, his patience clearly wearing thin. He glared at me, then growled, “Handle your family.” Before I could react, he wrapped an arm around my waist and ended the call with his free hand. Of course, the last thing we heard from the video call was both moms screaming, “IT’S HAPPENING!” I’m dead. Just bury me now. In that moment, I made peace with my fate. No need to save me, I’m fine being dead, thanks. 2 The thought of everyone finding out what happened between Steven and me sent a cold shiver down my spine. “Steven, if I jump out the window, do you think I’d die on the spot?” Steven glanced at me with zero emotion. “It’s the first floor. Even if you jump off the roof, you’d barely sprain an ankle.” Frustrated, I tugged on his tie like a madman. That’s when he slapped me on the butt—yes, the butt. We both froze. Then, in a dangerously calm voice, Steven said, “How long are you planning to sit on my lap?” I scrambled off him immediately, only to realize I was still holding onto his tie. I let go like it was burning me. Steven leaned back on the couch, clearly annoyed. Still in his work suit, tie slightly loosened, he tapped his fingers impatiently on his knee. His sharp gaze flicked to me, brows furrowed in irritation. Meanwhile, I sat on the carpet like a scolded puppy—wait, no, like a dignified person—waiting for him to fix the mess I’d created. “I told my mom I was filming a video, but she doesn’t believe me,” I said. My credibility with my mom was already in the negatives. She didn’t even bother replying to my texts. “Can’t you explain to your mom?” I added, trying to sound pitiful. “You know how my mom treats me. Sometimes, I wonder if I’m even her biological child.” Steven sighed, pulled out his phone, and typed: “Tyler was filming a video.” A moment later, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expression darkening, then tossed the phone onto the couch. On the screen was his mom’s reply: “Oh, roleplay? Filming is fine, just remember to keep it private. Don’t worry, your Aunt Lisa and I fully support you!” Steven’s glare could’ve frozen the sun. I sat there trembling on the carpet, trying to come up with a solution. “What if… you tell your mom you dumped me? That way, you save face, and we both get out of this mess. Plus, I can move back home.” The more I thought about it, the better the idea sounded. Steven let out a cold laugh. “Why don’t you tell your mom I dumped you? I don’t care about saving face.” I froze. If I told my mom Steven dumped me, she’d call me 80 times a day to yell at me. A shiver ran down my spine. No way. Too terrifying. Desperate, I scooted over on the carpet until I was at Steven’s feet, looking up at him with wide, pleading eyes. I grabbed his hand. “Steven, please! Help me out!” When we were kids, I had a round face with chubby cheeks and dimples that made me look adorable. Any time I got into trouble, I’d use this same pitiful look to get Steven to take the blame for me. And it worked—99 out of 100 times, he’d cover for me. But it had been years since I’d tried this trick. Would it still work? Steven stared at me with disdain for a long moment. Finally, he sighed, reached out, and pinched my cheek hard. “Fine. Just let it blow over. It’ll die down eventually.” Would it, though? I wasn’t so sure. But seeing the storm brewing on Steven’s face, I decided to keep my doubts to myself. I liked being alive, thanks. The video was filmed, the trend was followed, and I held the key to going viral. But I couldn’t bring myself to post it. Still, staring at my dwindling follower count and my creative block, I knew I had no choice. I edited the video, cutting out all the embarrassing parts, like my mom insisting Steven was the dominant one. After an hour and a half of careful trimming, the video was ready. Of course, I blurred Steven’s face. With trembling hands, I uploaded it. The next morning, I woke up and immediately checked my account. The notification count read 99+. My heart raced. Rolling around my bed in excitement, I clutched my phone like it was a winning lottery ticket. I wanted to run downstairs in my boxers and do a victory lap around the block. Then I opened the comments section. “OMG, sunshine puppy meets stoic alpha? This is the pairing of the century!” “Did you see how he grabbed the smaller guy’s waist? His hands almost wrapped all the way around! What kind of god-tier waist is that?!” Huh?! I felt my toes curl in embarrassment. What were these girls even watching?! “Am I the only one who’s a voice addict? When the alpha said ‘handle your family,’ I legit started drooling.” “Uh… just wondering, is the creator taking a break from posting because his husband kept him busy all night? Hehe.” My face turned pale. I couldn’t read anymore. I threw my phone onto the bed and buried myself under the covers, pretending to be dead. What kind of unholy comments were these?! 3I felt a sharp smack on my butt and shot up from under the covers. Standing by my bed in casual clothes was Steven, looking at me like he knew I’d done something wrong. Panicking, I grabbed my phone and clutched it to my chest. “Why are you home? Shouldn’t you be at work? You know, sacrificing yourself for the company?” Steven’s handsome face remained unreadable as he gave me a once-over, his gaze finally landing on the phone in my hands. His tone was pointed. “Feeling guilty about something?” “Ha! Nonsense. I’m an upstanding citizen. I have nothing to hide!” Steven snorted, clearly unimpressed, and turned to leave. “Come eat. I ordered takeout.” Once he was out of sight, I quickly closed the app and let out a huge sigh of relief. That was close. At the dining table, I spotted my favorite crab buns, and my face lit up like a Christmas tree. I looked at Steven with genuine gratitude. “Steven, you’re the best! If I ever make it big, I won’t forget you!” He raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Spare me. It’s better if you do forget.” I didn’t care about his attitude. I was too busy devouring the buns, savoring every bite. The video of me kissing Steven, paired with the moms’ over-the-top reactions, had gone viral within a week. Over 20 million views on the short video platform and more than a million new followers. Sure, there was a chance Steven could see it, but every time I thought about the sponsorship offers rolling in, I couldn’t help but drool a little. So what if I get beaten up? Pride is overrated. If losing some dignity means paying my bills, I’ll take it. A few days later, I got an offer from a company asking me to promote their gaming chairs. They were willing to pay $50,000 per million views. I stared at the email on my laptop, my jaw practically hitting the floor. Is this it? Is this my big break? Am I finally ascending to the top of the food chain?! Overwhelmed with joy, I signed the contract immediately. But as I started planning the next video, doubt crept in. What if this one flopped? The last video’s success was a total fluke. Could I really pull it off again? That evening, Steven came home carrying a package and tossed it onto the table in front of me. “What’s this?” “Something your mom sent you.” I perked up. My mom loved sending me snacks—usually the ones she couldn’t finish or didn’t like. Waste not, want not, right? But when I opened the package, I froze. It wasn’t snacks. It was a dress. A little black dress. “…What the hell?!” From across the room, Steven leaned casually against the wall, sipping his coffee. He smirked and let out a low laugh. “Hah.” “AHHHHHH!” I screamed, chucking the dress onto the floor. Fueled by rage and embarrassment, I charged at Steven, determined to settle this once and for all and salvage my already nonexistent dignity. But before I could get close, Steven calmly reached out, placed a hand on my forehead, and held me at arm’s length like I was a misbehaving child. I flailed helplessly, stuck a full meter away from him. This is war. 4 “Son, did you get the dress I mailed you? Put it on and take a photo for me, okay? Better yet, record a little video. I need inspiration for my work—something like this pose.” After getting thoroughly manhandled by Steven earlier, I opened my mom’s message. Not only did she confirm the package had arrived, but she also assigned me a “task.” Attached to the text was an image: a tall, muscular guy sitting in a chair, while a girl in a sleek black dress leaned toward him. Her hand was playing with her hair, her face turned slightly to show off her flawless profile. The two of them were so close, their lips were practically touching. It was drenched in hormones and tension. She wanted me to wear a dress and recreate this—with Steven? I’d rather die, thanks. Before I could respond, my dear mother, who knows me far too well, sent another message: “If my son doesn’t cooperate, then you can say goodbye to your precious collection. 😊😊😊” Attached was a photo of my carefully curated collection of figurines and models—alongside her hand holding a pair of scissors. This was blackmail. Shameless, blatant blackmail! I glared at the dress, struggled for two minutes, and then caved. My collection was non-negotiable. The fabric of the dress was silky and cold against my bare skin. After fighting with a pair of five-inch heels—and falling flat on my face multiple times—I finally managed to wobble my way to the living room. Steven, who was casually sipping his coffee, took one look at me and spit it out. “What the hell are you staring at? Come help me walk, genius!” Steven, still in shock, staggered to his feet and grabbed my arm to steady me. After a few steps, his face turned strangely red. Without warning, he reached over and adjusted my spaghetti strap. “What are you doing?” I shot him a glare. Steven coughed, avoiding eye contact. His voice was low and awkward. “I could see it… pink.” WHAT?! I immediately crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at him suspiciously. I set up my phone, yanked a very confused Steven into the new gaming chair I’d just received for promotion, and posed according to the reference image: leaning toward him, our faces close enough to feel each other’s breath. As I inched closer, Steven’s expression shifted from confusion to alarm, and then to something I couldn’t quite place. His ears turned red, and just when I thought I’d nailed the shot, he leaned forward— And kissed me. His lips brushed mine, soft and warm. I froze, stumbling back a step, completely stunned. “What the hell was that?!” Steven frowned, licking his lips. “I should be asking you that! What are you even doing?” “My mom said she needed inspiration for her art, okay? She threatened my figurines! Wait—didn’t your mom tell you anything about this?!” For context, my mom is an artist who specializes in romance fan art, and Steven’s mom writes novels in the same genre. Growing up, they’d constantly rope us into weird photo shoots, so I thought for sure Steven was in on it. Apparently not. Steven pinched the bridge of his nose, looking like he was seriously reevaluating his life choices. “Next time, give me a heads-up, will you? I thought you were…” “Thought I was what?” Steven hesitated, his gaze flickering to the empty space on my chest, then down to my legs in the too-short dress and heels. His face turned bright red. “Too cute,” he mumbled. Steven’s reaction gave me an idea. If I could get this video to go viral again, I might as well use it to launch the gaming chair promotion. After all, I’d already crossed the line into wearing a dress—why not profit from it? The video was posted, and the comments section exploded. “OMG, the creator in a dress?! Adorable! Look at those legs!” “Wait, isn’t this the same guy with the ‘tough alpha best friend’ from the last video? I SEE THAT HAND ON HIS WAIST. Don’t try to hide it from us!” “Forget the chair—just kiss already! Right here, in front of us!” “More dress videos, please! You’re too cute to stop now!” I closed the app, my face burning from the sheer chaos of the comments. These fans were absolutely unhinged. But as I watched the follower count and views skyrocket, I couldn’t help but grin. MayMaybe wearing a dress wasn’t so bad after all. If every video brought in millions of views, what’s a little humiliation? Turns out, when it comes to dresses, there’s no such thing as just once.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296152”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #励志Inspiring #魔幻Magic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn

The Pregnant Mistress Who Came to Claim Her Place I didn’t have the courage to tell her to get lost. Because I couldn’t get pregnant. My husband James said that in ancient times, men had multiple wives and concubines. What was wrong with him having two women? One to bear his children, one to be his public face. I flatly refused to accept this, and my whole family called me a fool. On the day we were to sign the divorce papers, someone finally dropped their act. My husband’s uncle Lucas, rumored to be uninterested in women, pinned me against the wall and kissed me forcefully. He said, “I’ve been going crazy wanting you.” In the living room, James sat on the couch opposite me, his arm around his mistress. Yasmin stroked her round 5-month pregnant belly, smirking at me challengingly. James calmly said, “In ancient times, a family of our status would have had multiple wives and concubines. Having two women now isn’t that many.” The person before me felt increasingly like a stranger. When he pursued me initially, it was the talk of the whole city. He was so passionate and zealous, holding nothing back. At our wedding, he even vowed to love only me for life. Now, he was embracing another woman right in front of me, humiliating me. With reddened eyes, I asked, “James, have you forgotten everything you said?” James sneered, “It’s all because you couldn’t get pregnant. For three years, everyone’s been whispering behind my back that I have no heir. It’s been so embarrassing.” I lifted my chin, trying hard not to let the tears fall. “So you cheated and found another woman.” “Coco, I just want a child. If you can’t be a mother, are you going to deny me the right to be a father too?” With a broken heart, I slowly stood up. He was still trying to justify himself! Before the tears could fall, I quickly turned and left that heartbreaking scene. As I rounded the corner, I unexpectedly collided with someone. Looking up, I saw it was James’ uncle – Lucas Fu. He was known for being cold, especially towards women. Rumors said he had no interest in women and at 33 still refused the family’s attempts to arrange a marriage for him. I hurriedly stepped back, escaping from his embrace. “Uncle Lucas, I’m… I’m sorry.” Lucas looked down at me and said slowly, “Running away won’t solve anything. Be a good girl and stay in the Fu family.” His soft, coaxing tone made me uncomfortable. In the end, I took his advice. I couldn’t believe James would abandon me and destroy all our beautiful memories and vows. At dinner, there was no spicy Sichuan food on the table, only light Cantonese dishes. I grew up in Sichuan and was used to spicy food. I really couldn’t stomach these bland dishes. James was peeling shrimp for Yasmin, eating happily. I had never experienced such treatment from him. Yasmin glanced at me slyly as she ate her fried egg, deliberately asking, “James, what happens to a hen that can’t lay eggs?” James casually replied, “It gets made into soup.” My mother-in-law sitting at the head of the table remained silent the whole time. She didn’t stop the mistress’s deliberate provocation, showing how disappointed and annoyed she was with me. I immediately lost my appetite and left the table. The maid quickly brought Chinese herbal medicine. But this time, it wasn’t just one bowl, but three. The extremely bitter soup went down my throat, making my stomach churn. I couldn’t stop gagging, but I had to drink it. Thinking of James’ actions today, I finally couldn’t control my emotions. Tears dripped into the medicine, mixing together to become even more bitter. That evening, I checked the calendar and saw it was my ovulation period. I wanted to make one last attempt. I put on light makeup, wore a black slip dress, and sprayed James’ favorite perfume. James came back to the bedroom where I was already waiting on the bed. I slowly wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my lips to his. As our lips moved together, James quickly became aroused. Just then, James’ phone rang with the special ringtone he had set for his mistress. I didn’t want to give up, pleading softly, “Don’t answer it. She’s just doing it on purpose. Don’t go.” James’ expression instantly hardened. “You’re jealous of a pregnant woman? How petty.” With teary eyes, I held him back. “Fine, I’m petty. If you go out tonight, don’t think about coming back to my room or asking for sex.” I thought this would stop James from going to see her. But James roughly pushed me away, glaring as he said, “Stop being unreasonable. I can sleep with you whenever I want. I don’t need your permission.” He quickly disappeared. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Now I felt like a woman shamelessly flaunting herself to compete for favor. How degrading – I had lost all dignity and self-respect. I went to the kitchen and threw all the Chinese medicine from the fridge into the trash. Wiping away my tears, I headed straight for the wine cellar. Nothing could heal the wound in my heart better than getting drunk. As soon as I entered the wine cellar, I felt an intense gaze on me. I felt awkward, annoyed at losing composure in front of Lucas. I was barefoot, wearing a black nightgown with my hair loose – not at all proper. I wanted to retreat, but remembering the scene upstairs, I steeled myself and walked in. I silently chose a red wine, took a glass, and started drinking on my own. Lucas held out his hand to stop me: “You shouldn’t drink so much.” I smiled bitterly and shook my head. “Uncle Lucas, don’t stop me. Let me drink myself to death.” After that, Lucas no longer tried to stop me.

I drank glass after glass, quickly emptying two bottles of red wine. Under the influence of alcohol, my body felt light and floaty, happy and relaxed. It was late at night when I stumbled, preparing to return to my bedroom. But my legs were weak, and I accidentally fell forward. Lucas quickly wrapped an arm around my waist. I tried to struggle, but he picked me up in his arms. The alcohol left me powerless. Leaning against his chest, I pleaded helplessly, “Uncle Lucas, put me down. This isn’t appropriate.” Lucas ignored my protests and carried me back to my room. In the darkness, something soft and warm wiped away my tears. My exhausted body sank into the soft bedding until late the next evening. Yasmin stood by my bed, looking smug. “Coco Lee, the Fu family is wealthy and influential. A mother gains status through her son. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll voluntarily ask for a divorce and leave James on good terms.” I got up from the bed, ignoring her provocation, and went straight to the bathroom to wash up. Yasmin leaned against the doorframe, tilting her head as she said viciously, “You can’t beat me. Even while pregnant, I can keep him perfectly satisfied. That’s why he didn’t come back to your room all night.” I spit out my mouthwash forcefully. I turned to stare her down. “If you shamelessly refuse to leave, I’ll make you sorry.” Just then, we heard James’ voice. Yasmin immediately switched to acting like a victim. She slapped herself hard across the face, leaving a red mark. Then she collapsed to the floor, crying and making a scene. James came running over and saw this tableau. He approached step by step, angrily demanding of me: “Did you do this?” My eyes reddened. “You believe her?” “James, she hit me and pushed me down. She was trying to kill our baby,” Yasmin wailed. The next second, James raised his arm and slapped me hard across the face. Caught off guard, I was knocked to the ground by the force. My forehead slammed into the sink, splitting open. Blood immediately started flowing. James yelled, “Coco Lee, get out!” Night fell, bringing with it a heavy rainstorm. I took off my wedding ring and left the Fu mansion without taking anything else. The downpour instantly soaked me to the bone. The icy raindrops were bitterly cold, making my body shiver uncontrollably. Blood from my forehead mixed with the rain, blurring my vision of the road ahead. In the darkness, a black car pulled up beside me. Lucas opened the door. I firmly rejected his kindness. At this point, I was utterly disheartened and no longer wanted any warmth or care. The bone-chilling cold seeping into my skin and marrow was perfect for filling the emptiness in my heart. It took a full two hours to walk from the Fu mansion to my parents’ home. My body was extremely weak as I shakily took out my key and opened the door. I had hoped for some hot soup, but the man and woman on the balcony made me lose my appetite. “Why are you back in the middle of the night?” The woman speaking was my own mother. The man holding her was our next-door neighbor. The man smiled, his teeth yellow. “Coco, can whatever it is wait until morning? Uncle can give you money for a hotel room.” No hot soup, no concern, just an affair and cheating. I turned and left immediately, not wanting to stay a second longer. Standing in the pouring rain, I felt lost and didn’t know where to go. Soon, I heard Lucas’ voice through the rain. Just like before, he ignored my protests and picked me up securely, placing me in his car. In the backseat, Lucas handed me a set of cotton pajamas. Feeling dejected, I didn’t react. The next second, Lucas actually started undressing me himself, tearing off my wet clothes. My body was completely exposed in front of this man. I immediately slapped him hard. “Lucas, what are you doing?!” Even after being slapped, Lucas didn’t stop. He stripped off all my clothes and put the soft pajamas on me. I curled up in the corner, unable to stop crying. My mind was in a haze, feeling both ashamed and miserable. The car drove through the thunderstorm, soon arriving at our destination. The underground parking garage of a hospital. Lucas carried me all the way into the operating room. The doctor and nurses were already prepared. The wound on my forehead was stitched up. Due to the rainstorm, my body was feverish and I needed to be hospitalized for an IV drip. Lucas silently stayed by my side. I turned away, not wanting to look at him. As the medicine slowly entered my body, I felt a warm sensation flowing out below. I quietly lifted the blanket to look. It was a pool of fresh blood. Counting the days, it wasn’t my period. What could it be? Soon, my lower abdomen started cramping terribly. I broke out in a cold sweat and grabbed Lucas’ arm. “Quick, call the doctor for me.” Thunder and lightning split the sky. The hospital room was soon crowded with people. My mother-in-law was the first to reproach me: “Coco, how could you be so careless? Getting pregnant and then running around outside.” I looked over at James. He slowly raised his head and said, “When I told you to get out, you actually left? That was just something I said in anger. Besides, we have cars at home. How did you end up caught in the rain and getting a fever, causing the miscarriage?” I asked, “James, Yasmin is already carrying your child. What does my baby have to do with you?” James angrily retorted, “Her child can only be considered illegitimate. Our child would have been the proper young master of the Fu family. It’s all your fault for making me angry.” I slowly sat up, calmly refuting him: “You’re blaming everything on me, but what about yourself? Cheating, bringing your mistress home, provoking and insulting me, hitting me – which of those actions makes you a real man?!” Seeing the situation, my mother-in-law interjected: “Although my son made mistakes, now my precious grandchild is gone and you bear responsibility, Coco Lee. Don’t be ungrateful!” I looked at the mother and son, my eyes blazing red as I enunciated each word: “I want a divorce!” James’ face turned completely cold. “You don’t have the right to divorce. You’re not qualified. Coco Lee, you’re mine in life and in death.” I couldn’t control my whole body shaking. My heart was utterly desperate. “Even as a ghost, I wouldn’t want to be your wife. You’re worse than a dog.” James was furious. He said through gritted teeth: “Coco Lee! Say that again!” I was determined to get a divorce. Only by thoroughly angering him would James possibly sign the divorce papers. So I was willing to endure this beating. I repeated, “James Fu, you’re lower than an animal.” James was so angry he wanted to hit me. He raised his fist, but the doctors and nurses quickly rushed over to restrain him, preventing the blow from landing. Soon after, the Fu family’s lawyer brought the divorce agreement to the hospital. The moment I signed the divorce papers, years of grievances and pain finally came to an end. Unfortunately, after trying for three years, I had finally gotten pregnant, only to lose the baby in the end. Not long after, Lucas walked in. Remembering what had happened in the backseat of the car earlier, I felt somewhat awkward. “Un-Uncle Lucas, you… you’re here.” Lucas said nothing. He strode over, one arm wrapping around my waist, the other hand pressing against the back of my head as he kissed me fiercely. My cry of surprise was muffled by his lips. My whole body froze. I doubted this was reality and thought it must be a dream. Lucas kissed me domineeringly. I immediately struggled, but he held me tightly in his arms. Lucas kissed me wildly without restraint. Only when I was breathless and my body went limp did he finally release me. I hit his chest with reddened eyes. Lucas kissed my forehead. “I’ve been going crazy wanting you.” Things had developed completely beyond my expectations. Lucas actually had such wild ambitions. I angrily tried to push him away, but to little effect. After the kiss, Lucas left and wasn’t seen for many days. A month later, I recovered and was discharged from the hospital. Since I had left my marriage empty-handed, I didn’t have much savings and urgently needed to support myself. Fortunately, my three-year marriage to James wasn’t too long, so I wasn’t completely out of touch with society. I soon interviewed for a job at a company my best friend recommended. Just when I thought I could put the past behind me and start over, Lucas conspired with my best friend to set a trap for me. The new job turned out to be as Lucas’ assistant. The contract was for five years, with a huge penalty for breaking it. Left with no choice, I reluctantly accepted this difficult-to-describe job. On my first day as his assistant, Lucas wanted me to accompany him to a cocktail party. Going from James’ wife to Lucas’ female companion was a sudden change in relationship that I found hard to adjust to. Lucas whispered teasingly in my ear, “Stand tall and proud. Let them see what it means to be one in a million.” After dealing with wave after wave of people, I went from feeling awkward to feeling numb. During a break, the phone in my clutch started ringing. It was James calling. James angrily said through the phone: “Coco Lee, how did you end up with Uncle Lucas? I saw photos of you two embracing. You’re really desperate, aren’t you? He’s my uncle!” I could only answer: “I’m his secretary, working as his companion for the night.” James’ voice was terrifyingly fierce. “You can’t be his companion, not even his secretary! Just wait, I’m coming right now…” The party ended, but I didn’t see James anywhere. Had he just been talking big? Lucas embraced me as we left. James started shouting and making a scene. It turned out he had been blocked by security downstairs the whole time.

James stormed over angrily, demanding: “Uncle, what’s the meaning of having my ex-wife be your secretary and companion?” Lucas leisurely lit a cigarette, took a drag, and said, “Coco needed a job. I wasn’t comfortable with her working elsewhere.” James immediately became furious, pointing as he said: “Lucas Fu, you’ve got your eye on my ex-wife, don’t you?” “Yes, I do. What of it?” Lucas’ frankness made me gasp. He was clearly pouring oil on the fire. “You shameless, depraved beast…” Lucas calmly smoked as he waited for James to tire himself out cursing. Then he opened the car door, gesturing for me to get in. James hurriedly tried to stop me: “Coco, we’ve both been manipulated by Lucas. He’s the one who broke up our marriage. Don’t fall for his tricks…” Faced with his endless chatter, I looked away. The car window quickly rolled up, completely shutting him out. As the car drove at a steady speed, Lucas said unhurriedly: “News of us will surely spread like wildfire tomorrow. Are you afraid?” I coughed dryly in response, “An upright person fears no false accusations.” Lucas suddenly leaned in close, his lips near my ear as he softly said, “But our relationship already became improper the night of your divorce.” Lucas drove me home. I didn’t invite him in – that shameless woman was still there. I opened the door to find James in the living room. The room was filled with expensive gifts. James came over and wrapped his arm around my waist, acting completely natural as he said: “Mom knows we had a fight and you were upset, so you moved back home. I’ve sincerely come to take you home.” May must have taken bribes from him. She immediately said, “Sweetie, couples fighting is normal. Be a good girl and go back with him.” I silently went to my room. James eagerly followed me in. As soon as the door closed, James pushed me onto the bed, kissing me sloppily while trying to take off my clothes. I pushed him away with all my strength, panting as I said: “If you dare do this again, I’ll report you for rape!” Just then, May’s voice came from outside the door: “Don’t be difficult. Go along with what your husband wants.” Go along with James? He cheated whenever he wanted, hit me whenever he wanted. Now he wanted to force himself on me, and I was supposed to just lie back and let him have his way? Feeling rebellious, I bit down hard on James’ shoulder. He let out a pained cry. I quickly got off the bed and sent a text to Lucas. Opening the door, I calmly said to May: “I’m already divorced. He hit me.” May immediately started cursing: “Ungrateful wretch! Where will you find another man like him? You actually divorced? Besides, it’s perfectly normal for a man to hit his woman. It’s not like he beat you to death.” James chimed in from the side, “Mom, she’s been seducing other men.” May pointed at me accusingly: “You didn’t behave properly as a wife and broke up the family on purpose, just to anger me, didn’t you?” I asked, “Who’s the one not behaving properly, bringing men back home to fool around?” May hadn’t expected that I, who had always been obedient, would talk back and defy her. She immediately started crying and making a scene. I had endured this kind of moral coercion for years. When I signed those divorce papers, I said goodbye to the past. No one could threaten or pressure me anymore. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Lucas stood in the doorway. I took the initiative to wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him passionately. Perhaps infected by my enthusiasm, Lucas held me tightly, kissing me back fervently, lost in the moment. May let out a shocked cry and fainted.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296169”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #励志Inspiring #魔幻Magic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn #惊悚Thriller

I supported Lucas Gray for seven years and loved him for just as long. He finally agreed to be with me. But later I found out he was in love with his childhood sweetheart. He had always hated me, thinking I was humiliating him by throwing money at him. For ten years after our marriage, he was extremely cold to me, and eventually moved out to start a new family with his sweetheart. I was left alone in an empty house, withering away in depression. When I was reborn to the day I decided to support him, Lucas’s sweetheart Emma threw herself at him and yelled at me excitedly: “You think you’re so great just because you have money? We don’t need it!” I smiled. “You’re mistaken. I’d rather burn this money than give it to you.” “Aria Collins, you’re just a rich brat! You think money makes you better than us? We don’t want your charity!” Emma shouted, clinging to Lucas. Looking at Emma draped over Lucas, I felt a sense of déjà vu. My gaze met Lucas’s. At twenty, Lucas still had a boyish air about him, wearing a faded denim jacket. But he was so handsome – tall and straight-backed, with chiseled features and eyes like cold stars – that he made even the worn clothes look expensive. I couldn’t help taking a step back, steadying myself against the table behind me. How long had it been since I’d seen Lucas like this? Ten years? Twenty? It had been so long, I could barely remember. After all, that was in my past life. Lucas looked slightly startled when I stepped back. Emma was still ranting, but I couldn’t hear a word she was saying. Everything before me was exactly the same as in my previous life. Back then, he refused my help, but I insisted on supporting him anyway. I had loved Lucas for seven years, and I knew his family was struggling. His father was a degenerate gambler who would come home drunk and beat Lucas and his mother after losing all their money. Lucas’s mother, unable to bear the abuse any longer, eventually drowned herself in the river. From a young age, Lucas had to pick up trash and do odd jobs to support himself. He managed to stay in school by applying for scholarships. We shouldn’t have had any connection. But he always had excellent grades, so our private high school offered him a scholarship to boost their college acceptance rates. That’s how we ended up at the same school. Back then, most of us in our circle were rich kids, with wealthy families. We didn’t care much about studying and just coasted through our days, waiting to go abroad for an easy degree before coming back to inherit the family business. Lucas was different. He had clear goals, studied hard during class, and worked part-time jobs after school. Though he was poor, he never saw it as something to be ashamed of. He always carried himself with dignity. That’s when I fell for him. Because I liked him, I couldn’t stand to see him suffer. I was young and naive then, always trying to force what I thought was best onto him. He had to skip breakfast to make it to his night job, so I’d bring him lunch boxes from home. “Lucas, try this! My family’s chef makes the best Wagyu beef. “And this foie gras – my dad had it flown in specially. It’s delicious!” I was an only child, spoiled rotten since birth. Everyone around me indulged my every whim, leaving me with an empty head. I just wanted to give him the best of everything. But I completely ignored whether he wanted it or not. Our classmates would jeer: “Aria, he doesn’t know what foie gras is! He probably can’t even afford chicken liver!” I’d yell back: “Mind your own business!” I didn’t notice Lucas’s fingers turning white as he gripped the lunchbox tightly. After a moment, he handed the box back to me and said coldly: “Thanks for the thought, but no thanks.” “Come on, Lucas,” some guy said with a wink, “if you get with Aria, you’ll never have to work hard again. Better snag her quick!” “Yeah, then your dad can gamble as much as he wants without touching your tuition money, haha!” Everyone burst out laughing. I slammed the table. “Shut up, all of you!” The others stopped laughing. But Lucas stood up abruptly and walked out. I chased after him, trying to give him the lunchbox: “Lucas, don’t listen to them. Please eat this. You’ll wear yourself out working at night if you don’t eat properly.” He stopped and whirled around. I froze. His eyes were filled with pure hatred and disgust.

Young people tend to have short memories. I soon forgot about that incident and continued pursuing Lucas. For his sake, I even started studying hard and got into the same university as him. My dad was overjoyed and doubled my allowance. Lucas was even busier in college. His scholarship application was rejected, and the financial aid for poor students went to a classmate with connections. At his lowest point, he could only afford one bread roll from the cafeteria each day, filling up on free soup. I couldn’t bear to watch and offered to support him, but he refused. He worked three part-time jobs a day, eventually collapsing from exhaustion on the street. That’s when I finally snapped and grabbed him, insisting on giving him money. “Lucas, why won’t you take my money? What are you trying to prove by working yourself to death?!” I went to his advisor and forcibly paid his tuition. By then I’d grown up a bit and knew to be mindful of his pride. So when we ate together, I’d always say I couldn’t finish my food and ask him to help. When we went out, I’d claim I had free vouchers and invite him along. Gradually, Lucas and I seemed to grow closer. I supported him all the way through graduation, and to make him happy, I even helped support Emma, his childhood friend. After graduation, Lucas started his own business. He’d always had excellent grades and had developed a game app with some friends in college, but they kept hitting dead ends and couldn’t secure any investment. I couldn’t stand seeing him so dejected, so I asked my dad to invest in his company. I remember Lucas was very quiet that night. As I was almost falling asleep on his shoulder, he suddenly spoke up. “Aria, why are you doing all this?” At the time, I thought he meant to ask why I was being so nice to him, so I answered without hesitation: “Because I like you. “Lucas, do you like me?” I tugged at his arm playfully. “I’ve been so good to you. If you don’t be with me, you’re a big meanie!” I was just joking at the time. But Lucas didn’t say anything, and I took his silence as agreement. That’s how we got together. Two years later, Lucas and I got married. The wedding was a simple affair. Lucas said he didn’t like big crowds, so we only invited a few tables of close relatives and friends. They were all my relatives and friends. On his side, he was the only one there. After the wedding, Lucas remained cold towards me. I was so stupid back then. I thought that was just his personality, and since I’d been chasing him for so many years, even a heart of stone would eventually be warmed by my love if I just kept being good to him. But I never imagined that his heart truly was impossible to warm. Because his heart had always belonged to someone else. Three years into our marriage, our conflicts could no longer be reconciled. I started to lose patience with his daily indifference. I confronted him, asking if he was in love with Emma. He just stared at me coldly, saying nothing. When pushed too far, he’d simply slam the door and leave. His cold violence drove me increasingly paranoid and crazy. Whenever he came home, I’d interrogate him, curse at him. During our most heated arguments, I’d lose control and say terrible things: “If I’d known you’d be such an ungrateful bastard, I should’ve just gotten a dog instead. At least it would wag its tail at me!” His expression twisted for a moment before quickly becoming calm again. After that day, he stopped coming home altogether. Later I found out he’d been with Emma all along. They had a new home together, and even… a child. For years, he had a perfect, happy family outside. While I guarded our empty home alone, all my love fermenting into poisonous hatred. Lucas’s business took off, and he became even richer than my father. I had nothing left to hurt him with. The only thing I had was our marriage. I bet my life on revenge against him, refusing to divorce him no matter how much money he offered. He ruined me, so I wouldn’t let him off easy either. The woman he loved would forever remain a mistress hidden in the shadows. His son with her would always be an illegitimate child born in the gutter. Lucas didn’t dare sue me for divorce. He was afraid the publicity from our marital dispute would affect his company’s stock price, and the other board members wouldn’t allow it. So we were stuck in this stalemate for ten years. No matter how hysterical I became during those ten years, no matter how crazed, even when I finally broke down and begged… He never softened. He never came back to see me. I grew thinner and sicker in my daily despair. In the end, I withered away and died, consumed by depression.

“Aria?” I snapped back to reality and looked at Lucas beside me. A deep hatred welled up from every part of my body. My heart felt like it would explode, and I could barely stand. After I died, he finally got what he wanted, didn’t he? Perhaps he treated me that way deliberately, hoping to torment me to death faster. I remembered how my medication was suddenly switched before I died. When I asked the housekeeper about it, he just said it was changed to a milder type. I didn’t suspect anything. But not long after taking the new medication, my health deteriorated rapidly. Towards the end, I could barely even sit up. Soon after, I breathed my last. It must have been him. Who else could it be? Who else hated me so much, wishing for my immediate death? He wanted Emma to take my place. How vicious. I stared at Lucas, forcibly suppressing the urge to lunge at him and kill him on the spot. I hated him so much! I truly believed that apart from being inconsiderate of his pride when I was young and ignorant, I had never wronged Lucas in any way. I didn’t even force him to marry me. I even asked if he was willing, saying I could wait if he wasn’t ready. Yet he hated me like this. Emma was still shouting at me, just like in my past life: “Aria Collins, you think you’re so great just because you have money? How dare you insult us like this!” I turned to look at her. She wore a white dress, looking small and delicate like a little white flower. This was the woman Lucas loved, the one he’d kill me to be with. It was the same in my past life. Lucas and I were talking normally, and I told him if he felt uncomfortable, he could pay me back for his tuition when he started earning money – I’d just consider it a loan. But Emma suddenly accused me of throwing money at people and insulting Lucas. Later, during arguments with Lucas, I gradually came to understand. He had always felt that I was humiliating him by throwing money at him. I suddenly found it all very amusing. Seeing Emma’s protective stance, I smirked. “You’re overthinking things. “I’d rather burn this money than give it to you two.” Lucas’s face changed dramatically.

Emma’s expression went blank for a moment. “…What did you say?” I smiled. “Didn’t you think me supporting you was an insult? “We’re classmates, how could I insult you like that? In that case, forget it. You can keep working your part-time jobs.” Emma’s family situation was similar to Lucas’s. Her father had run off with borrowed money, and her mother was bedridden after working herself sick to pay for Emma’s education. Perhaps because of their similar circumstances, she and Lucas had always been close, constantly hovering around him. She always liked to tag along when Lucas and I went out. Sometimes I didn’t want her to come, but she’d hide behind him and ask me pitifully: “Aria, do you dislike me because I’m poor? Do you not want to be friends with me?” Before I could say anything, Lucas would shield her behind him and say in a low voice: “If you think we’re not good enough for you, then don’t go.” I’d have no choice but to bring her along. She’d be there when we ate out. She’d tilt her head, looking at the lobster on the plate and say: “Do you eat such good food every day?” Then in a dejected yet envious tone: “We really are from different worlds, aren’t we?” Several times when Lucas and I were chatting happily, she’d suddenly say something like this, and the smile would fade from Lucas’s face. He’d stop talking to me. At first, I thought she was just being thoughtless. Until one time when I was walking with Lucas and suddenly turned back to say something to him, I caught her expression as she looked at me. Emma’s face was expressionless, her eyes roiling with viciousness and resentment. Seeing me turn around, she was caught off guard and quickly forced a smile. But I felt a chill run down my spine. That’s when I finally realized. She disliked me. Or rather, she hated me. Actually, when Lucas and I first got married, we did have a brief period of harmony. His company had just gotten on track then, securing their first big contract. After the celebration party, he drunkenly hugged me and said with a smile: “Honey, what do you want? Your husband will buy it for you.” I felt bad that he’d worked so hard to earn money and hugged him back contentedly. “It’s okay, just knowing you care makes me happy.” But he insisted, stubbornly saying: “A husband earns money for his wife to spend. I’ll buy you a bag. What kind of bag do you like?!” Even as he fell asleep, he was still mumbling: “Aria, I have money now. “You don’t have to suffer with me anymore.” He really did buy me a bag the next day. But before I could say anything, Emma showed up. She looked at the bag in my hand with an odd expression. Then she suddenly snatched it from me and said to Lucas with a smile: “Oh my, I remember Aria had this bag in college. A guy who liked her gave it to her. “She even complained it was too cheap to carry around.” I had long forgotten if that had actually happened. But Lucas’s expression immediately turned ugly. Then he took the bag and left without a word. The next time I saw that bag, it was on Emma’s shoulder. She smiled at me, feigning nonchalance: “Aria, Lucas gave me this bag. You’re not mad, are you?” Of course I objected and told her to return it to me. Her face filled with panic and distress, eyes reddening as she asked: “You already have so many bags, why do you have to fight me for this one?! “You have so many, and this is my only one!” Lucas pulled me away, his face dark. “Let go! If you don’t care about it, why are you fighting her for it? Or do you just like taking things from others?!” I was too proud back then to take such treatment. We had a huge fight and parted on bad terms. It was only later that I understood. Emma wasn’t talking about the bag at all. She was talking about Lucas. She felt I had stolen him from her, which was why she hated me so much.

“Aria,” Lucas suddenly grabbed my arm in a panic, “Wait!” I turned back, startled by the look on his face. His eyes were turbulent with emotion, as if something was about to burst forth! Even his voice trembled slightly. “This isn’t right, it shouldn’t be like this! “Aria Collins, why aren’t you supporting me anymore? Don’t you like me?!” I was shocked by his frenzy. What was wrong with Lucas? Had he gone mad? Or was he angry at how I spoke to Emma? But in my past life, I hadn’t won him over yet at this point. He was always cold and expressionless towards me. Was he having some kind of episode? I tried to pull my hand away: “Let go!” But he held on even tighter, his eyes reddening. “Aria, don’t you like me anymore? “Are you abandoning me?!” Now I was truly frightened. When had Lucas ever said such things to me? I stared at him wide-eyed: “Lucas Gray, did you take the wrong medication or are you possessed?” But he said nothing, just staring at me unblinkingly, his expression obsessive and crazed. It sparked my temper. After how he treated me in my past life, he dared to glare at me now?! “Didn’t you think me supporting you was humiliating? Or were you just putting on an act, wanting me to beg you so you could freeload off me?!” Emma’s mouth fell open, apparently not expecting me to speak to Lucas this way. Of course, in my past life this was when I loved him most. Every word I said was carefully measured, afraid of hurting his pride. But now I didn’t care anymore! “Lucas Gray, who do you think you are?!” I said scornfully. Ungrateful bastard, biting the hand that fed him. I really wondered how I ever fell for someone like him before. Surprisingly, Lucas didn’t get angry. He just turned deathly pale, all color draining from his face. I yanked my hand away and left without looking back.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296185”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic

I returned from studying abroad to find a future sister-in-law in my house. She proclaimed herself the future lady of the Sherman family, the young mistress. She even threatened to put this never-before-met little sister in her place. But no one told her my brother was adopted. Being the sole heir of the Sherman family, I even had my brother tread carefully around me. When my brother, Rylan Sherman, picked me up from the airport and brought me home, my parents were eagerly waiting. Due to the pandemic, I hadn’t been home in ages, so everyone was overjoyed. After exchanging warm greetings and catching up, Rylan pulled a strange woman toward me. With slight awkwardness, he introduced her, “This is my girlfriend, your future sister-in-law, Kenna Burke.” Then he tilted his chin at her. “This is my sister, Adeline Sherman. Just call her Ada.” “Hello,” she said with a polished smile, extending both hands. Still buzzing from the reunion, I greeted her briefly before turning back to chatter with my parents. That night, curled up with Mom, I learned Kenna was an intern at a branch Rylan managed, sweet, uncomplicated, and utterly adored by him. Within weeks of dating, he’d brought her home, already talking about marriage. “Seriously? He’s really getting married?” I gasped, thrilled by the gossip. “Your father and I hoped for someone of equal standing,” Mom sighed. “But if he’s set on her, we won’t interfere.” Mom had always been open-minded, so I wasn’t worried. Until the next day, when I realized I’d underestimated Kenna. Jet-lagged, I woke in the late afternoon. Heading downstairs for food, I was halfway through breakfast when a voice drawled behind me. “You just woke up? Your brother’s already put in half a day at the office.” Excuse me? My brain short-circuited. I turned to see Kenna. “Uh… were you talking to me?” I asked, incredulous. She rolled her eyes so hard I swore they’d get stuck. Arms crossed, she sauntered down the stairs like she owned the place, a far cry from her demure act yesterday. “Who else? Or do you see a third person here?” The hostility was unmistakable. So I hadn’t misread her. After a stunned pause, I laughed, “Thought you were talking to a ghost. We’re not close. Don’t mind my business.” I dismissed her and went back to eating. What did Rylan see in this train wreck? She marched over, ready to snap back, until the front door swung open. Instantly, Kenna morphed into a wounded fawn. “Don’t be mad, Ada. If you hate it, I’ll stop…” Wow. A textbook mean girl act. Did she even hear herself? Mom and Rylan walked in. Noticing Kenna’s pout, Mom hurried over. “What’s wrong?” Seizing the moment, Kenna summoned tears. “Ada hates it when I say she woke up late. I just wanted to be close… Don’t worry. I’ll never do that again.” Her voice trembled. Oscar-worthy. I gaped. Twenty-plus years alive, and I’d never met a real-life drama queen. Mom waved it off. “It’s not a big deal.” Rylan shot me a look. “She’s jet-lagged and grumpy. Don’t take it personally.” Arm around his “distressed” girlfriend, he whisked her away to comfort her. My appetite vanished. When Mom asked what had happened, I shrugged. Let’s see what else this clown had up her sleeve.

Fresh back from abroad, I was like a starved animal, reuniting with old friends every day and eating like there was no tomorrow, determined to make up for all the meals I’d missed over the years. During this time, I had no intention of dealing with Kenna. But then, a friend brought her up unprompted. “So how’s your future sister-in-law? Not your average girl, huh?” It was my childhood friend, Bruce Wall, wearing that smug look he always had, the one that said, “I know something you don’t, but I’ll wait for you to beg me to spill it.” Typical of him. I shot him a glance and played along. “Just spit it out already.” His grin turned downright conniving. “That girl was just an intern at your family’s company. Barely started working before she had your idiot brother wrapped around her finger.” I scoffed, “That’s it? Everyone knows that. Give me something new.” Unfazed, Bruce leaned in. “Did you know her only goal from day one was to seduce your brother? Now she’s parading around as the young mistress of the Sherman family.” That got my attention. I turned fully toward him as he pulled out his phone, triumphant, and showed me screenshots of Kenna’s chats with her friends. Kenna: [Rylan Sherman’s already mine. Rich boys like him? They fall in line for someone like me. He took me home to meet his parents. The Sherman Villa is huge, maids and all. I’m locking this down. His sister’s coming back soon. Girls from these families like hers are always trouble. I’ll put her in her place the second she steps through the door.] I thought to myself, “Pathetic. Bragging about this? She’s got no self-control.” I side-eyed Bruce. “And how did you get these screenshots?” He chuckled, utterly shameless, “What’s the big deal? Mutual benefits. Not everyone’s as clueless as your brother.”

I had no choice but to keep an eye on Kenna. From what I observed, she was very ambitious. On the surface, she played the sweet, unassuming girl, never asking for a thing. In reality, she’d maneuvered Rylan into promoting her, transferring her to a cushy department job, and practically moving her into our house. She was a master at playing the victim and at winning people over. Everyone in the family adored her. Everyone except me and the maid. She buttered up my parents, her future in-laws, and coaxed Rylan, her ticket to becoming Mrs. Sherman. Only with me, her sister-in-law, did she drop the act entirely. One night, when the housekeeper, Marina, brought me a late-night snack, Kenna threw a fit demanding the same. It was past midnight. The soup had been simmering for hours; no time to make more. And Marina needed to sleep. When Marina hesitated, Kenna planted her hands on her hips and snapped, “What, I can’t even get soup now? Are you the maid here or some pampered lady? Since when do I need your permission?” Marina had no choice but to obey. That was Kenna. Tyrannical when no one was watching, yet playing the martyr in front of my parents. I refused to humor her charades, which only made me look like the petty one. Once, I cautiously asked Rylan, “Are you sure you want to marry her? Do you even know who she really is?” He brushed it off as childish tantrums. “We’re getting married. Try to get along.” My parents doted on her more each day. Kenna accompanied Mom on shopping sprees, gushing over every handbag she picked out until Mom was preening with delight. Naturally, she also walked away with lavish gifts, trading flattery for luxury. A win-win. Rylan was thrilled at their “harmonious” dynamic. I was the only one who saw through her. The contrast grew starker. Now I looked like the villainous sister-in-law. Emboldened, Kenna escalated her antics, especially when our parents weren’t around. “Your room is so spacious,” she mused one day, her tone dripping with faux innocence. “Once your brother and I marry, we should swap. You’ll move out eventually anyway, and this room has the best light. Such a waste to leave it empty.” It wasn’t a request. It was a declaration. She’d had her eye on my room all along. I glanced at Rylan. He stayed silent. Livid, I laughed coldly, “Oh? You’re not even married yet, and you’re already claiming my room? Can’t Rylan afford a real home for you? Or are you just mooching off us?” “Ada! Enough.” Mom stormed over. “Kenna, ignore her.” She soothed Kenna first, then scolded me, “Apologize to them. Now.” Not a chance. Even if I regretted my words, I’d never back down in front of her. Kenna smirked, emboldened by Mom’s defense. “It’s okay. Ada’s just upset. We’d never move out. Rylan and I will take care of you forever.” Her saccharine tone was a slap in my face. Rylan played mediator. “Kenna was just teasing about the room. Don’t take it seriously.” He turned to me, placating. “She was joking. No hard feelings, okay?” Mom piled on. “She’s so mature. Why are you so petty? It was just a joke.” The wedding preparations were actually underway now, and I started to panic. I couldn’t let her marry into our family. Living under the same roof with that drama queen was out of the question. I seized a day when Kenna wasn’t around to call a family meeting with my parents and brother. “I object to Kenna marrying into our family.” The moment I said it, everyone turned to stare. Mom chided, “Ada, stop causing trouble.” Rylan looked unsurprised. “Just as Kenna predicted, you’d oppose it.” Wow. She actually saw this coming. He sighed, exasperated, “What’s your problem with Kenna? You’d had it out for her from the start. She warned me, but I didn’t believe her. Yet here you are, making things difficult.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296202”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #励志Inspiring #浪漫Romance

As I opened my eyes, I saw the severe weather warning on my phone. A shiver ran down my spine. I spotted an open bag of chips that Tyler had left untouched. Grabbing it, I devoured it ravenously. After finishing the chips, I still felt hungry, so I started rummaging through the fridge. Jack, my husband, looked at me with disgust. “Are you some kind of starving ghost? Can’t you eat more politely? You’re embarrassing yourself!” I ignored him, not bothering to explain. The memory of hunger and cold from my previous life was still vivid. Seeing Jack’s nonchalant attitude towards the flood warning, I had no intention of alerting him. Instead, I grabbed the keys to our high-rise apartment in the city, planning to stock up on food. As I was about to leave, I saw Jack and Tyler chatting happily with Lily and her daughter Rose at our villa’s entrance. I approached them coldly. “What are you all talking about? You seem so happy.” Jack flinched, his tone unnatural. “Just some neighborly chat, you know, building relationships.” Tyler impatiently added, “Mom, they say neighbors are better than distant relatives. What’s wrong with Dad and I getting to know our neighbors?” Seeing how they blamed me, my heart ached. Usually at home, these two only called me to cook, barely talking to me otherwise. Now they had so much to say to our neighbors. I looked at Lily, the single mother next door, with hostility. “Don’t you know that single mothers often attract gossip? Aren’t you worried about my husband and son ruining your reputation?” Lily seemed unbothered, even a bit shy. “I don’t care what others say, as long as you don’t mind, Jack!” My husband puffed up proudly. “If anyone dares to gossip, I’ll teach them a lesson!” I felt like an outsider. Watching Tyler eagerly share his precious toys with Rose, I felt utterly disappointed. As I was about to leave for our apartment, Jack followed me, annoyed. “I’m just being friendly with the neighbors. Why are you so petty? What’s there to be angry about?” This sentence instantly brought back memories from my previous life. Back then, when I tried to make Lily and her daughter leave our home, Jack had said the same thing. After Jack and Tyler had lectured me, they had stayed in a bedroom with Lily and Rose. I had wondered if I was truly being selfish and considered apologizing to Jack and the others. But as I approached the bedroom door, I overheard Jack saying, “That old hag can’t compare to you. If she wasn’t still making money for me to spend, I would have divorced her long ago.” Tyler chimed in, “Aunt Lily, I wish you were my mom instead. I really want you to be my mom!” I gave Jack a cold look. “I’m not angry,” I said calmly. I headed out, planning to drive to our old apartment. Jack noticed the keys in my hand and asked curiously, “Honey, why are you taking those keys? We haven’t been back to that apartment since we moved to this villa. It’s probably unlivable now!” I hesitated, wondering if I should take Jack and Tyler with me this time. But remembering how they had forced me out to find food in my previous life, my heart turned cold. “I want to tidy it up. I’ll be working overtime at the company for a while, so I’ll stay there. It’s more convenient, and I won’t be able to take care of you and Tyler.” Hearing that I wouldn’t be home due to overtime, Jack frowned. I knew he wasn’t worried about me, but about who would cook for them. So I added thoughtfully, “I’ll transfer some money to your account later. You and Tyler can buy food for the next few days.” Jack’s frown disappeared, and he said cheerfully, “Alright then, go get the apartment ready. Don’t let it interfere with your overtime!” As I drove away, I didn’t head straight to the apartment. Instead, I went to the largest supermarket in the city. During the catastrophic flood, food shortage was one issue, but power outage was even more terrifying. At its worst, the flood had brought ice rain. Many people died from severe colds due to the extreme cold. The world had become a vast ocean, and if our apartment hadn’t been above the 38th floor, it would have been submerged too. The reason I had drowned in my previous life was because my hands, frozen stiff while paddling a raft, had slipped, causing me to fall into the water. At the supermarket, I first spent a fortune on several generators and a lot of coal. I also arranged for workers to install a coal stove in our apartment. After that, I rushed to stock up on food. Looking at my bank balance, I didn’t feel the least bit of regret. After all, the villa we currently lived in was bought entirely with my own money. Since marrying me, Jack had always found excuses not to work. And I had foolishly spent all my money on him and Tyler. So this time, I was determined not only to survive the flood but also to improve my quality of life. I bought plenty of hotpot ingredients, vegetables, and meat. Instant noodles, quick-cook rice noodles, rice, and other necessities were all on my shopping list. I also stocked up on fruits and medicines. Many people in the previous flood had died not because their illnesses were severe, but because they lacked medication. Besides these, I bought many other miscellaneous items. After all this, I hired a renovation company to replace the door of our apartment with a vault-grade one and to improve the waterproofing of the entire place. When everything was settled, I looked at the apartment packed full of supplies and felt a sense of security wash over me. These supplies would easily last me through the month-long flood, maybe even for a year or more if needed. [Truncation point] Before the catastrophic flood hit, I decided to return to the villa one last time. It wasn’t out of kindness or a desire to warn Jack and Tyler. On the contrary, I wanted to make them believe the flood warning was just a hoax. When I got home, I realized I had worried unnecessarily. In my previous life, if I hadn’t prepared an inflatable raft after seeing the news on my phone, our family wouldn’t have been able to return to our apartment after the flood hit. This time, without my intervention, not only had Jack and Tyler not stocked up on food, they had even taken the fruits and vegetables I had bought earlier to share with our neighbors. Through the front door, I saw Jack hosting a lavish meal for Lily and Rose, while Tyler was thoughtfully peeling crayfish for Rose. My eyes grew colder at the sight. Just as I was about to enter, I heard Rose say in a sweet voice, “Big brother, I wish I could eat at your house every day. I really love playing here!” Tyler excitedly replied, “You can come whenever you want! As long as that old hag of my mom isn’t home, you can come every day!” Rose forced a smile, eating the crayfish Tyler had peeled for her. “Your mom is really annoying. I hope that old hag is never home.” Seeing the happy family of four inside, I pushed the door open. Jack was startled, stumbling as he stood up. “Honey, why are you back so suddenly? You didn’t even call to let me know!” I coldly looked at Lily and her daughter, saying bluntly, “Why should I tell you? So you can hide your mistress in advance?” Lily and Rose turned pale. Tyler stood up and said, “Mom, what are you talking about? Dad and I are just trying to be good neighbors. Don’t you know the saying ‘neighbors are better than distant relatives’?” I laughed coldly, not wanting to say a word. Jack awkwardly tried to pull me to sit down and eat with them. Sitting in the chair, I pointed at the feast before me and said, pinching my nose, “Honey, is this food spoiled? How could you serve rotten food to our neighbors?” Jack was surprised and immediately bent over the table to smell the food. “That’s not right, it’s not spoiled. I just ate some myself!” I smiled and said sarcastically, “Are you sure it’s not spoiled? I smell something fishy.” Lily was infuriated. She turned red and left with her daughter. Jack wanted to go after them, but seeing me sitting in the chair, he dejectedly walked back. I was about to speak when Jack interrupted me. He pointed at the news on his phone and said, “Honey, I think this catastrophic flood might actually be real. Living in this villa, if the flood really comes, we’ll have nowhere to hide. We’ll be submerged directly!” I glanced at him. In my previous life, Jack had no thoughts of prevention. Why had he changed this time? But his next words made me understand his intentions. “Honey, didn’t you clean up our apartment? That building is tall, above the 38th floor. Even if the flood comes and the whole city is submerged, it won’t reach our place. Why don’t you stay there for the next few days and stock up on some food for me and Tyler? When the flood comes, we’ll pack up and join you!” I see, so he’s eager for me to leave because he’s been having too much fun with the neighbors while I’ve been away. I pretended to hesitate and said, “Honey, why don’t you and Tyler come with me to the apartment now? We don’t know when the flood might hit. It’s better to be prepared.” Hearing that I wanted them to come with me to the apartment, Tyler immediately protested. He hurriedly said, “I’m not going! The villa is so comfortable, and I have friends to play with here. You can go by yourself!” Jack quickly glared at Tyler, and Tyler realized he had said too much, so he shut up. But Tyler was still afraid that if I really forced him to go back, he wouldn’t be able to play with Rose next door. So he stubbornly said, “I’m not going back to the apartment no matter what. I can’t get used to living there!” Jack looked at the news on his phone, his expression becoming hesitant. He seemed to be genuinely considering whether to come with me to the apartment. Just as I was cursing myself for speaking up, we heard a door closing next door. Followed by a cat’s meow. But to my ears, this meow was clearly imitated by a person. Jack’s hesitant expression immediately turned joyful. After a moment of silence, he awkwardly said to me, “Honey, let’s discuss this later. I’m going to take Tyler out for a walk first!” Seeing the barely concealed smile on Tyler’s face, I immediately understood what was going on. I nodded understandingly and said, “Alright, you two go out for a walk. I won’t join you. I’ll clean up the house a bit!” The two of them excitedly left. I didn’t clean up. Instead, I watched from behind the window. I saw Lily and Rose walking in front, with Jack and Tyler happily following behind, looking every bit like a family. When I followed them out, I saw the four of them enter a convenience store. Tyler generously said, “Aunt Lily, you and Rose can have whatever drinks you want. It’s my treat today!” Jack laughed and scolded, “Since when can you afford to act generous, you little rascal? Lily, take whatever you want. It’s on me!” Knowing that both Tyler and Jack’s money came from me, and now they were using my money to buy things for Lily and Rose, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I burst into the store, shouting, “What are you doing? Who are you buying things for?” My voice was so loud it nearly made Jack fall over. The other customers in the store all turned to look. Seeing my fury, Lily quickly pulled her daughter to hide behind Jack. Jack laughed awkwardly and said in a low voice, “Honey, weren’t you cleaning at home? Why are you here?” I looked at him angrily and said, “If I hadn’t come here, I wouldn’t have seen you buying drinks for your mistress!” Hearing me say this, the surrounding customers’ eyes filled with a strange look. Lily, seeing the situation, started crying pitifully. “Sister Emily, it’s not what you think. It’s just so hot today, and Jack was kind enough to buy us a drink.” I didn’t go easy on her at all, directly scolding, “Don’t you have your own money? Why do you need my husband to buy you drinks?” Lily looked even more pitiful, wiping her few tears. “Sister Emily, how can you say that about me?” Before I could speak, Jack, seeing Lily cry, stepped in front of me. He shouted loudly, “Emily, what nonsense are you talking about? What’s wrong with neighbors buying each other things and deepening our friendship?” I laughed coldly. “What’s wrong? Inviting a single mother and her daughter to our house for meals, eagerly buying them drinks… If I hadn’t been home today, I bet this ‘friendship’ would have deepened all the way to the bedroom!” Jack’s face turned red, unable to say a word in response. The surrounding customers, seeing Jack’s expression, seemed to understand what was going on. They started whispering and pointing at Jack and Lily. At this moment, Tyler, who had been silent, suddenly said viciously to me, “You’re a bad mom! You’re deliberately slandering Aunt Lily. You’re a terrible person!” Seeing my son side with outsiders, my anger grew even more. After all the hard work I had put into raising him, buying him toys, paying for tutoring classes, buying him nice clothes, and now he calls me a bad mom. I angrily slapped him across the face. Tyler immediately started wailing, covering his face and shouting that I was a bad mom. Seeing that I was hitting harder and harder, Jack stepped in front of Tyler. “Emily, have you lost your mind? Why are you hitting our son?” At this point, the manipulative Lily suddenly spoke up: “Sister Emily, you can’t hit your son just because he’s telling the truth. This only proves that you’re feeling guilty!” I took a deep breath, not to admit my mistake, but suddenly realizing my approach was wrong. That’s right, hitting my son would only make others think I was guilty. So, hitting Lily, this manipulative woman, should be okay, right? With that thought, my eyes darted towards the mop handle in the convenience store. Without much thought, I grabbed the mop and shoved its dirty, grimy end right into Jack’s mouth.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296218”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn

I Dated 8 Guys at Once They all saw me as a substitute. But I didn’t care. As long as the money kept coming, they were all my darlings. Later, they discovered each other’s existence. And they were furious. I’m a master of time management. I’ve been dating eight guys simultaneously for three months. None of them have discovered the others’ existence. They all think they’re the one I love most. They often feel troubled and annoyed by my affection towards them. And they’ve repeatedly warned me to know my place and not harbor unrealistic hopes. Ha! The only unrealistic hopes I have are for their money. My first boyfriend, Jack Thompson, is a wealthy CEO, but he’s quite high-maintenance. He likes to roleplay office scenarios. Every date, he requires me to wear a white dress and pretend to be his secretary. During lunch breaks, I even have to play the piano for him. He’s so pretentious. But his combination of stupidity and wealth is irresistible. For our lunch date today, I followed his instructions. I wore a white dress, light makeup, and long straight hair as I waited in his office. When he returned from a meeting, he frowned immediately. He looked at me, his substitute, with disgust: “Trying to imitate her appearance won’t change anything. You still can’t compare to a single hair on her head.” I smiled politely: “As long as you’re happy.” This idiot is so dramatic – isn’t this exactly what he asked for? Hearing my response, his gaze grew even colder. Who knows what he imagined in his head. He said to me: “I’ve warned you before, don’t fall for me. I’ll only ever love her.” Alright, alright, I get it. You have your true love. I pinched myself, walked to the piano with reddened eyes, and played an awkward tune for him. Halfway through, he stood up angrily. Looking disappointed, he said: “This is unbearable. As expected, no matter how similar a fake may look, it’s still fake.” He left in the middle of our date. At the same time, $200,000 was deposited into my account. I wiped away fake tears and called out to his retreating back: “Jack Thompson, I don’t want your dirty money!” As expected, he turned back with a look of disgust. He said coldly: “Remember, there will only ever be a financial relationship between us.” Then he angrily transferred another $500,000 to me. Oh wow! How rebellious. I like it! After parting with Jack, I rushed to meet the next one. With eight men to juggle, even a time management expert like me stays quite busy. My second boyfriend, Ethan Brooks, is a university professor. Today he asked me out shopping. At the mall, he picked out dozens of outfits and had me try them on one by one. I spent the whole afternoon changing clothes, exhausted. But I still forced a sweet smile and said: “Ethan, are all these clothes for me? You’re so good to me. I love every piece.” I happily reached out to hold his arm. But he stood up abruptly, his face darkening as he avoided my hand. He frowned and said with disgust: “I’ve told you before, I hate anyone but her touching me!” Then he checked his watch and asked the staff to pack up all the clothes. He said to me: “I have to go. I’ve transferred you some money – buy whatever clothes you like, but don’t buy anything matching hers. I hate seeing others wear the same clothes as her. And don’t message or call me unnecessarily. I’m very busy.” With that, he turned and left. At the same time, $200,000 was deposited into my account. Yes, all eight of my boyfriends are the same. Although they pay me to date them, we just eat, chat and shop together. They’re determined to save their purity for their true loves. They won’t even let me touch their hands. This is… Exactly how I like it! After Ethan left, I checked my schedule. My next appointment was at 7pm. With boyfriend number three, Ryan Chen. A nouveau riche guy who wears giant gold chains and fur coats. His face isn’t bad, but his taste is terrible. Ryan was tired of being a backup option. Today he offered me a million dollars to have dinner with him and his crush. When I arrived, he asked me: “You know what to do later, right?” Considering the million dollar paycheck, I nodded obediently. After this job, I’ll have enough savings to retire and get out of here! I suppressed my excitement and said softly: “Ryan, I understand. I’ll perform well later to make your crush jealous. Once you two get together, I’ll leave quietly and won’t get in your way.” Hearing this, Ryan suddenly glared at me angrily, looking very displeased. “What? You don’t want to be with me?” Oh crap. I got carried away for a moment! After three months as a substitute, I know exactly how these stupid men operate! I quickly pinched myself, lowered my head, and said with reddened eyes: “How could that be… I don’t want to leave you, Ryan. If you have any feelings for me at all, please don’t make me go. I won’t interfere with you two, I just want to quietly stay by your side.” This response hit the mark. Ryan’s expression softened a bit. But he still said in an annoyed tone: “Impossible. My heart will always belong to her! I’ll give you two million today. If you know what’s good for you, don’t show your face in front of me again after this is over.” I nodded reluctantly: “I understand…” Stupid man, so high-maintenance! Ryan put his arm around me as we arrived at the private room where we were meeting his crush. When we opened the door, there was a moment of stunned silence. We found ourselves face to face with not just Ryan’s crush, but my other seven boyfriends as well! I was dumbfounded. I never imagined that the true love of all eight of my boyfriends was the same person! This girl looked about 80-90% similar to me. Just like how I usually dress up, she wore a white dress, had long straight hair past her shoulders, and big watery eyes. She looked delicate and fragile. No wonder… they often seemed lost in thought while looking at my face. While I was still in shock, the gazes of all seven boyfriends landed on me. No, more accurately, on Ryan’s hand around my waist. They all had dark expressions, looking at me with angry glares. Their eyes seemed ready to kill. The girl looked at Ryan’s hand on my waist with a slight start. Then her eyes reddened as a sad expression crossed her face. She asked timidly: “Ryan, is this your new girlfriend?” After she said this, the seven boyfriends’ glares at us grew even more furious. Ryan, ever the backup, melted at the sight of his crush’s teary face. He completely forgot our carefully planned scheme. He forcefully pushed me away, immediately distancing himself: “No, I don’t know her!” I stumbled and fell to the ground, but no one paid me any attention. The girl broke into a smile through her tears. She grabbed the hands of the two men on either side of her, tilting her head innocently: “Don’t always fight over me, you guys. Didn’t we agree before? I’ll never get a boyfriend in this lifetime, so the nine of us can stay together forever as best friends!” I got up awkwardly. I saw the eight boyfriends glaring at each other in annoyance, then looking at the girl with doting expressions. It was… quite a harmonious scene. I stared at this tableau in bewilderment. How is this okay? I suddenly felt that I may not have fully grasped the essence of this situation before. The girl’s name was Sophia Lin. She grew up as childhood friends with these eight men. Although she’s the same age as me, she’s completely different from an orphan like me who grew up without parents in an orphanage. She’s the daughter of the Lin Group, a little princess who grew up pampered and spoiled. That night, Ryan transferred me $5 million as compensation for pushing me down. After sending the money, he ordered: “Come have dinner with Sophia and me this weekend. We messed up this time.” He even started blaming me: “Why didn’t you cling to me when I pushed you away? Do better next time, got it?” After receiving the money, I blocked him without a word. Along with him, I blocked the other seven boyfriends too. Sorry boys. I’ve made enough money. This lady is done serving you. On the third day, eight luxury cars were parked outside my rented apartment. I was buying chicken at the market at the time. Just as I finished weighing my purchase, my landlady Mrs. Lin came running over in a panic. She told me anxiously: “Olivia, it’s terrible! Eight men came looking for you, all claiming to be your boyfriend. Now they’re fighting! You better go take a look! It’s getting violent, there’s blood!” When I returned with my chicken, I indeed saw my eight ex-boyfriends. They all looked disheveled and bruised, still fighting each other. I stared in shock. Why weren’t these guys standing by for their goddess’s beck and call? What were they doing here? How unlucky! I covered my face, preparing to sneak back home. But Jack Thompson spotted me. He coldly said: “Olivia Clarke, explain yourself. What’s the deal with these other seven?” As soon as Jack finished speaking. The others all stopped fighting and angrily turned to look at me. They were still frozen in poses of grabbing each other’s ties and arms. Holding my chicken, I felt slightly awkward. I pinched myself, then said with reddened eyes in a soft voice: “Stop fighting! Don’t fight over me anymore!” Good, this time I learned from Sophia Lin’s playbook. But it didn’t work. They still glared at me furiously. Their expressions were even fiercer than when Ryan had his arm around me that day. They all looked like they’d been utterly betrayed. Ryan Chen’s gold chains had been yanked off. He forcefully let go of Ethan Brooks across from him and yelled angrily: “Olivia Clarke, you dare cheat on me?!” Ethan Brooks straightened his tie. With a dark expression he said: “You found seven other men behind my back. Impressive.” Boyfriend number four wiped blood from the corner of his mouth and said through gritted teeth: “I’ve never been played like this before. Well done, Olivia Clarke. Claiming to love me while juggling eight guys behind my back. You think I’m an idiot?” Boyfriend number five was the most badly beaten, with two black eyes. He screamed at me hysterically: “Olivia Clarke, tell me, out of us eight, who do you really love?” Wait, weren’t you all getting along fine in front of Sophia Lin? Why are you making such a fuss over a substitute like me?! This doesn’t make sense! So I tried imitating Sophia Lin’s style. Teary-eyed and emotional, I tentatively said: “You’re all my best friends, and you all have the closest relationship with me. From now on, don’t ask who I love most! In my eyes, you’re all equally important to me. Even if I have a child someday, you’ll all be the child’s godfathers! Turn your open competition into secret care – take care of me, take care of our child. Let the child be the happiest in the world, loved by eight dads. Wouldn’t that be nice?” After I finished speaking, I looked at them with tear-filled eyes. Then I saw all eight ex-boyfriends with expressions like they’d just eaten shit. Okay, this time I hit the mark. Ethan Brooks looked at me with disgust, like he was looking at a lunatic. “You think you’re worthy of being my backup? Dream on.” Jack Thompson said coldly: “You’ve been a substitute too long and started thinking you’re the real deal. I’m warning you, don’t try to play games with me.” Everything was going well. But then a traitor appeared among them. Ryan Chen lifted his chin and said condescendingly: “You begged me before, wanting to stay by my side forever. Fine, I’ll agree now. As long as you cut ties with them from now on, I can forgive your past transgressions.” As soon as he finished speaking, everyone else turned to glare coldly at Ryan Chen. They seemed ready to gang up on him. The craziest one, boyfriend number five, had a different thought process. His way of grasping the key points was quite unique. He had a thunderstruck expression. “You’re pregnant? Whose is it?” After speaking, he looked around with reddened eyes. That cuckolded expression made everyone look like a potential baby daddy. Finally, he seemed to realize something. He pointed at Ryan Chen and said through gritted teeth: “It’s his?” Ryan Chen pointed at himself, then looked at me, dumbfounded. The next moment, everyone gnashed their teeth and glared fiercely at Ryan Chen. War was about to break out. Boyfriend number five was the first to rush over and punch him. Ryan Chen cried out in pain: “What are you crazy about?” Just as he finished speaking, Jack Thompson also punched him. After that, Ryan Chen was truly beaten up by the group. I took advantage of him getting beaten to slip away. After that day, the eight ex-boyfriends tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. In the end, they couldn’t help but call me, angrily demanding to know whose child it really was. I was speechless. Are you sick? There’s no child! So I irritably replied to them all: “Your father’s.” Then I simply changed my phone number. I ran into Sophia Lin unexpectedly when I went out that day. When she saw me, she suddenly dropped her innocent act. She even showed disgust, sneering disdainfully: “It’s you?” I blinked: “Ah, it’s me.” How does this person have two completely different faces? Seeing I didn’t respond, she frowned in displeasure: “Why are you back here, humiliating yourself like a clown? Hah, so what if you look a bit like me? You’re nothing but a fake. They only give you the slightest attention because of me! You think you can steal the men around me with your tricks? Keep dreaming. They’ll only ever love me!” Ah yes, yes. I didn’t care at all about her mockery. I even nodded vigorously. Who wants eight annoying men anyway! Only she can handle them. I sincerely pleaded: “Can you keep them under control and tell them to stop bothering me?” But Sophia Lin thought I was challenging her. She rolled her eyes like she’d heard a joke and sneered: “Are you dreaming? They only have eyes for me. Why would they actively seek you out? Stop being delusional!” But right after she finished speaking, Ryan Chen came looking for me. And he did it right in front of her. He hadn’t slept for two days and had bloodshot eyes. He’d been beaten pretty badly too – his face was swollen like a pig’s head and his arm was wrapped in bandages. He looked quite ridiculous. When he saw me, he gritted his teeth. He rushed over and grabbed my arm, not even noticing Sophia Lin next to me. His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at me with a fierce yet pained expression. He said frantically: “Do you have any heart at all?! Aren’t eight of us enough for you? How could you go after my dad too?! Tell me, when did you and him start?” I stared at him silently, at a loss for words. I seriously pondered why Sophia Lin’s eight devoted admirers seemed just as unhinged as her. How could anyone actually believe what I said as a random retort? Ryan Chen stared at me painfully for a long while before finally compromising: “Fine, keep my little brother. I’ll raise him. As long as you behave from now on, I can pretend nothing happened.” I was shocked and greatly alarmed. Does your dad know about this?! Meanwhile, Sophia Lin standing next to me had turned pale. Then she seemed to think of something and put on a kind, understanding smile: “Ryan, I’m right here. Did you mistake her for someone else?” Ryan Chen was taken aback: “Sophia, why are you here?” His words made it clear he hadn’t mistaken me for her. The smile froze on Sophia Lin’s face. Because Sophia Lin was there, Ryan Chen didn’t pester me further that day. Things quieted down for two days after that. I thought my conversation with Sophia Lin had worked. She really had kept them away. But on the third day, all eight of them angrily showed up at my doorstep again. Jack Thompson said coldly: “What did you say to Sophia? Why did she cry all night after going home?” Ethan Brooks said expressionlessly: “I’m warning you, don’t use your scheming tricks on Sophia. She’s different from you – a poor person who grew up in the slums and only cares about money. She’s been pampered since childhood, pure and kind. When we were young, she even risked her life to save us without a thought for her own safety. We all owe her our lives. No matter what, she’ll always be the person I care about most. I can never allow anyone to hurt her.” Ryan Chen gritted his teeth: “I thought you might struggle raising a child alone, so I was planning to keep you by my side even after I married and had kids. I never imagined you’d have such vicious thoughts. If you dare do anything to Sophia, I’ll make you regret it for life!” Ex-boyfriend number four laughed coldly: “Don’t think we eight have any special regard for you. I’ve found out the truth – you’re not even pregnant. Hah, just a little trick to catch and release.” I really wanted to applaud him. Such high intelligence – did that really need investigating? Ex-boyfriend number five ranted: “Not only did you juggle eight guys, you even have such vicious thoughts. You’re not worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as the pure Sophia! How dare you try to bully her? Did you think people wouldn’t get angry just because they didn’t show it? You’re treating everyone like fools!” Numbers six, seven and eight also took turns berating and cursing at me. I sighed, speechless. I get it, your one true love is Sophia Lin. I don’t even compare to a single strand of her hair. But I really didn’t want to get involved in your relationships! I sincerely believe you nine are a perfect match, meant to be together for life. So I thought for a moment and seriously suggested: “How about this? Don’t come looking for me anymore. That way your precious Sophia won’t be upset.” But they must have had a screw loose in their heads. Not only did they ignore my sincere advice, they even misunderstood that I was speaking out of jealousy. That I was competing with Sophia Lin for their attention. Ryan Chen laughed coldly with a “just as I expected” expression. He said disdainfully: “What, are you jealous of Sophia? I didn’t expect that after warning you so many times, you’d still harbor unrealistic hopes for me. Although you don’t even compare to a single hair on Sophia’s head in my heart, I can allow you to stay by my side as a hidden lover, considering your feelings. But only if you obediently go apologize to Sophia and swear never to appear in front of her again.” Jack Thompson’s face darkened: “Ryan Chen, are you asking for another beating?” Then he turned to look at me, still with that self-confident expression. He said in confusion: “You dated me for three months, loving me desperately, willing to stay with me even without money. Why did you then find these other seven men? Did they threaten you? Although my heart belongs to Sophia, I can help you get rid of them if you beg me, considering our three months together. Just stay obediently by my side from now on.” Ex-boyfriend number five ranted: “Bullshit, Olivia loves me most! She often cooks and does laundry for me.” Ex-boyfriend number four laughed coldly: “Cooking and laundry, that’s nothing. She doesn’t really love you. She stayed up all night taking care of me when my stomach hurt from drinking, often worrying and reminding me not to drink, even though she knows I have someone else in my heart.” Ex-boyfriend number seven chimed in: “Hah, that’s nothing. She knows I have someone I like, but she’s still willing to be her substitute. She always dresses up according to her habits to please me, and clearly remembers the day we met, my birthday, and all my hobbies. If that’s not love, what is?” Soon, they started arguing again over who I loved most and what I had done for each of them. They were all firmly convinced that they were the man I loved most. I silently plugged my ears and thought: I really don’t understand men’s damned competitive nature. Although they kept saying they loved Sophia most, they could still almost come to blows over the question of who I loved. After enduring for two minutes, I really couldn’t stand the noise anymore and quietly spoke up: “I really didn’t have any unrealistic hopes for you guys.” “I was just strictly following the service principles of the substitute industry, treating you nicely in exchange for money. Don’t take it seriously.” “You saw me as a substitute, I saw you as employers.” “We were all willing participants in this arrangement.” “Moral coercion is not okay.” “The first rule for us substitutes is to never fall in love with the client.” “Don’t worry, I swear I’ll stay far away from now on. I’ll never appear in front of you or Sophia again.” “I wish the nine of you a happy life together, till death do you part, with many children and grandchildren!” After I finished speaking. The eight ex-boyfriends who had been arguing over who I loved most all froze. They turned to look at me in disbelief, faces dark. “You’re saying your love for us was all an act?” The eight ex-boyfriends were deeply shaken. I also said in horror: “You guys didn’t fall in love with me, did you?” Help! Please no! They’re much better matched with Sophia Lin. Hearing my words, the eight men’s faces darkened as they laughed coldly in unison. They said in one voice: “Fall in love with you? You’re not worthy! I’ll only ever love Sophia in this lifetime!” After speaking, they gave me the usual warnings not to bother them and Sophia in the future. Finally they all turned to leave. I let out a heavy sigh of relief. Patting my chest, I thought: Thank goodness. You really had me scared there for a moment. I was so happy during the days they didn’t come around. I went back to visit the orphanage in my hometown. The old matron held my hand with tears in her eyes. “Child, don’t keep sending money back. Save some for yourself.” A bunch of little kids clung to me, calling me big sister. I patted each of their heads, smiling as I said: “Matron, I grew up here too. This is my home. You don’t need to be so polite with me.” I gave most of the money I earned from the eight ex-boyfriends to the matron. The matron never married, dedicating half her life and savings to the orphanage. I was abandoned in front of the orphanage and taken in by the matron. Although we’re not blood related, the matron always treated us orphans as her own children. All the kids who grew up here remember her kindness. After staying at the orphanage for a week, the matron gave me a jade bracelet. She sighed and said: “You’ve always been such a sensible and kind child. I still remember when you were seven, you snuck out and encountered kidnappers. You ended up saving a bunch of kids, nearly losing your own life. You almost scared me to death. I can’t believe how grown up you are now. Take this jade bracelet – you were wearing it when I first took you in as a baby. You were so young then, I was afraid you’d lose it, so I kept it safe for you. It’s very high quality jade, not something a poor family would have. There may be more to your story that we don’t know. If fate allows, perhaps you’ll be able to find your birth family someday.” I looked at the jade bracelet with mixed emotions: “If they abandoned me, there’s no need to find them now. Matron, you should sell this bracelet and use the money for the children’s food.” The matron smiled and glared at me, still forcefully pressing the bracelet into my hand. As I was preparing to leave, I ran into a well-dressed man in a suit. The matron greeted him with a smile. I learned that this man had also heard about the orphanage’s financial troubles and came to donate money to the matron. The matron asked me: “Olivia, do you remember him?” I was confused for a moment. The matron smiled and said: “This is Tiger. You saved a group of kidnapped children back then, remember? He had amnesia at the time and stayed at our orphanage for over half a year before his family found him. Although Tiger was older than you and half a head taller, he followed you around every day calling you ‘big sister’. You got annoyed and tried to shake him off but couldn’t. You even gave him the nickname Tiger because you said he was so fierce.” I thought hard and vaguely remembered someone like that. The man also seemed to recall. He looked at me in surprise, then smiled a bit shyly: “Is it really Big Sister Olivia?” Seeing this guy who was older and quite handsome calling me “big sister” made me embarrassed too. “You can just call me Olivia.” Tiger’s real name was Lucas Lee. He happened to work in the same city as me. He offered to drive me back together. On the way, we chatted about embarrassing childhood memories and became less awkward. He dropped me off at my door and we exchanged contact information. Lucas smiled and said: “I’ve wanted to see you again all these years when I visited the orphanage, but never managed to run into you. Are you free tomorrow? Give me a chance to treat you to a meal as thanks for saving my life back then.” I smiled and nodded. He suddenly reached out and ruffled my hair. “It’s great that Big Sister Olivia hasn’t forgotten me.” But just at that moment, eight men suddenly emerged from different directions in the darkness. When they saw each other, they were taken aback for a moment. They probably didn’t expect the others to be here either. Then they all glared angrily at Lucas. Jack Thompson spoke first: “Hah, I underestimated you. A few days apart and you’ve already found another man.” Lucas looked at them in confusion, then turned to me with a bewildered expression. I smiled awkwardly: “Sorry you had to see this. These are my eight ex-boyfriends.” The eight men seemed to recognize Lucas. Seeing it was him, their expressions grew even darker. Ryan Chen angrily said: “Lucas Lee, you again! It’s not enough that you keep Sophia hanging, now you’re going after Olivia Clarke too? I’m warning you, my patience has limits. Don’t think I won’t do anything just because Sophia likes you!” Ethan Brooks also stared coldly at Lucas: “What’s your relationship with Olivia Clarke?” I was stunned. I didn’t expect Tiger to be such a big shot. He was actually the true love of these eight ex-boyfriends’ true love! Lucas frowned slightly. Ignoring them, he asked me quietly: “Are they harassing you?” I nodded blankly. Hearing this, Lucas took my hand. Then he said coldly to the eight men: “I have no relationship with Sophia Lin and barely know her. But Olivia is my girlfriend. Please show some self-respect. I don’t want any of you bothering my girlfriend again in the future.” After Lucas finished speaking, all eight men immediately reddened with anger. They glared at him furiously. I became alert immediately. This scene was familiar! They had the same expressions right before they ganged up on Ryan Chen that day! Lucas was trying to help me get rid of these lunatics. He couldn’t suffer undeserved harm! I quickly stood in front of Lucas, glaring fiercely at them. “If you want to hit my boyfriend, you’ll have to go through me first!” As soon as I finished speaking, the eight men opposite us turned red with rage. I seriously wondered if they all had some kind of eye infection. Among them, Ryan Chen was the angriest. He still hadn’t fully recovered from the last beating, with bandages on his hands. Now he stared at Lucas and me, completely losing his cool. He stepped back, shouting in disbelief: “Why didn’t you protect me like this when I got beaten up last time?! Olivia Clarke, so you really don’t love me…” Lucas smiled and pulled me behind him, saying softly: “After I left the orphanage, my dad threw me into the military. I’ve had over ten years of training, don’t worry. They’re no match for me.” I looked at him skeptically. Surprisingly, in less than half an hour, Lucas had beaten down all eight men. You guys act so tough, but you’re all paper tigers! Not a single one can actually fight! Lucas flexed his wrist, completely unharmed as he glanced at them. Then he took my hand and went upstairs. He brought me to my apartment, then let go of my hand with a blush: “Sorry about that just now.” I waved my hand magnanimously: “Thanks so much for your help earlier.” He paused, seeming to want to say something but hesitating. “Weren’t these eight lunatics supposedly only interested in marrying Sophia? How did they suddenly start pursuing you?” Hearing him say this, I felt I’d found a kindred spirit. So I asked him: “How do you know these eight nutcases?” Lucas and I had a lot to talk about. We chatted about my ex-boyfriend squad and Sophia Lin. From him, I learned that Lucas, my ex-boyfriends, and Sophia all grew up in the same neighborhood. They attended the same schools from elementary through high school. But Lucas thought they were crazy and didn’t associate with them much. Mainly because my ex-boyfriend squad was deeply in love with Sophia, but Sophia didn’t like them. Instead, she liked Lucas. Because of this, my ex-boyfriend squad often picked fights with Lucas growing up. They would frequently curse at Lucas for being ungrateful, saying Sophia was so good to him but he ignored her. They said he must be blind. They even repeatedly pressured and bribed him to get together with Sophia. It was utterly selfless love on their part. At first Lucas would beat them up when annoyed, but later he decided they were all mentally ill and stayed away to avoid being infected. After hearing Lucas’s story, I was left speechless for a long time. They really are ridiculous! They’re truly a perfect match made in heaven with Sophia Lin! I also told Lucas why I knew them. During that time, the orphanage was short on money and about to shut down. I wanted to help the matron, so I agreed to be Jack Thompson’s substitute girlfriend. Later, the other seven men also found me. I figured being a substitute for one person or eight people was the same job. I could make more money this way, so I took them all on. Hearing this, Lucas said apologetically: “I’m sorry. I was in the military these past few years and couldn’t return in time. You’ve suffered.” I smiled: “There’s nothing to suffer about. Actually, I should thank those nine people for giving me job opportunities. I couldn’t have earned this much money working other jobs.” I paused, then said offhandedly: “I never imagined I really looked so similar to Sophia Lin. If I weren’t an orphan, I’d think she was my long-lost sister.” Lucas frowned slightly, looking at me intently: “You don’t look that alike. You are much prettier.” After saying this, he belatedly blushed. Lucas was quite considerate. Worried that I’d still be harassed by them, he often came to have meals with me. But when he dropped me off at home, we’d frequently run into those eight men. Although they were afraid of getting beaten up so they didn’t approach, they’d always glare at us fiercely from the roadside. It was… quite creepy. After a while, Sophia Lin actually came to find me. She looked at me disdainfully and directly threw 20 million dollars at me, telling me to leave Lucas. Then she sneered: “Olivia Clarke, why are you so shameless? Always going after my men. Whether it’s those eight or Lucas, you’re only approaching them for money, right? I’ve seen plenty of poor people like you. Those eight love me and would never marry you, so you’ve set your sights on Lucas? Hah, keep dreaming. The Lee family would never let a nobody orphan like you marry in. There’s 20 million in this card. If you know what’s good for you, take the money and get out of this city. Don’t show your face in front of Lucas or those eight again.” I looked at the card on the ground, then back at Sophia Lin. I couldn’t help but marvel – is this the power of love? Sophia Lin’s two-faced nature had gone unnoticed by her eight devoted admirers all these years. I ignored her and started to walk away. But as I passed by her, she suddenly fell to the ground. Then eight men suddenly appeared from the roadside! They first carefully helped Sophia Lin up, then glared at me angrily. Sophia Lin wiped away tears, saying in a pitiful voice: “I’m sorry, big sister. I know you dislike me because of those eight, but I really didn’t have bad intentions coming to find you today. I just heard your orphanage needs money, so I wanted to give you some to help…” Jack Thompson looked at the card on the ground, then at the wronged-looking Sophia Lin. He immediately yelled angrily: “You threw Sophia’s goodwill on the ground, and you even dared to push her! How could I have known such a vicious woman!” Ryan Chen also looked at me with disgust: “Aren’t you very poor? You’d even be a substitute for money. Now Sophia gives you money and you suddenly remember your pitiful self-respect.” Ethan Brooks said coldly: “So you’re jealous of Sophia, that’s why you played us all? You’re jealous that she was born into wealth, innocent and lively, pampered since childhood. While you grew up in an orphanage, with a dark heart, living in poverty every day. So you wanted to steal us and Lucas from her side, destroy her innocence and liveliness? How can there be such a vicious woman in this world!” I was speechless for a long while: “Whatever makes you happy…” I didn’t expect these guys to be such good storytellers. No wonder they’re the most compatible with Sophia Lin. I tried to leave, but the eight of them surrounded me, all with dark expressions like they were about to interrogate a criminal. Ethan Brooks said coldly: “You think you can leave so easily?” Jack Thompson frowned: “I don’t hit women. Slap yourself and apologize to Sophia, then I’ll let you go.” Ryan Chen said: “Don’t test my patience. No one is allowed to bully Sophia!” Admirer number four: “You pushed Sophia down and think you can leave unscathed? Dream on!” Admirer number five: “I actually had some good feelings towards you before. I never imagined you’d set your sights on Sophia. You dared to hurt her – I’ll make you regret being alive in this world!” I silently looked at them. I even saw Sophia Lin standing behind them. She was clutching her scratched arm, tears still clinging to her lashes, expression still innocent and pitiful. But the look in her eyes as she gazed at me was full of condescension and disdain. Yes, she looked down on me. Looked down on a poor person like me. They were all staring intently at me, waiting for me to slap myself hard. Waiting to see me in a miserable, humiliated state. Later, Lucas arrived. He forcefully kicked away Ryan Chen who was standing on the outside. Ryan Chen fell flat on his face with a miserable cry. His arm that hadn’t fully healed was injured again. Lucas walked to my side and took my hand. He stared at them coldly. In a deep voice he said: “Taking advantage of my absence to bully my girlfriend? Seems I went too easy on you last time.” Seeing Lucas protecting me, jealousy flashed in Sophia Lin’s eyes. Then her tears fell even harder. She clutched her arm and walked pitifully in front of us, saying softly: “Lucas, I’m sorry. I just wanted to help big sister. There’s been a misunderstanding…” Lucas frowned deeply and said coldly: “Enough, save it. That trick doesn’t work on me. You know very well what just happened. Keep your tears for those eight.” Sophia Lin’s face turned pale. She bit her lip and looked at Lucas with an even more wronged expression. Her eight admirers immediately became even more furious, glaring at Lucas. Jack Thompson said angrily: “Lucas Lee, are you blind? Mistaking a pebble for a pearl. Sophia loves you so much and is so good to you, but you fall for this vicious substitute instead!” Ethan Brooks glared at Lucas through gritted teeth: “I’m warning you, apologize to Sophia now or I won’t let you off! Sophia is so wonderful but you don’t know to cherish her, insisting on dating this Olivia Clarke instead! Sophia is pure and kind, while she’s vicious and scheming. She’s just a knockoff, don’t you understand?! Lucas Lee, you’ll definitely regret treating Sophia like this in the future!” I was speechless – why are these people so dramatic? I instinctively looked at Lucas.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296072”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #励志Inspiring #惊悚Thriller #重生Reborn #校园School

My name is Cynthia Johansson. After my husband Zane Knowles lost his memory, he demanded I leave our marriage with nothing, citing his mistress Camilla Fox’s pregnancy as the reason.   I agreed. After he regained his memory, he chased me to a foreign country, begging for reconciliation.  But by then, I had long lost all feelings for him. Because I, too, had recovered the memories I had lost.   “Sign your name. Camy is pregnant, and I need to divorce you.”   Across the table sat the man I had loved for seven years—Zane, the primary heir of Knowles Group.   And I was his wife.   “Zane, think this through,” urged the woman beside him, his mother, Mary Knowles. “You’ll regret this once your memory returns.”   That was right—Zane had lost his memory.   Three years ago, on our first wedding anniversary, he had driven to the supermarket to buy ingredients, saying he wanted to cook me a grand meal himself, just like he did when we were dating.   But he never came back. The day after I reported him missing, the hospital called to inform me that Zane had been in a car accident.   When I rushed there, I found Zane gazing tenderly at the girl who had saved him.   Then, the doctor told me Zane had lost his memory.   His memories had reset to three years prior—just one day before we first met.   He didn’t remember that I was the woman he had pursued for two years. Worse, he had fallen madly in love with the girl who brought him to the hospital.   The day after he was discharged, he asked me for a divorce. The look in his eyes was as serious as when he had confessed his love and promised to cherish me forever. It felt like a knife twisting in my heart.   I refused. I couldn’t let go of what we had.   So he moved out.   Over the next three years, I heard countless stories of Zane’s reckless devotion to that girl. After all, Knowles Group was influential, and Zane himself was handsome and accomplished.   But more than that—many of those grand gestures were things he had never done for me.  

Sometimes, I think love is the most fragile thing in the world. A person’s affection can shift entirely just because their memories have changed.   For three years, many people tried to talk Zane out of his foolishness.   Every relative and friend who had witnessed our love urged him to come home, even just for a while.   Later, they turned to me, saying that once Zane regained his memory, he would remember how deeply he had loved me.   So I endured. I endured when they told me Zane had bought the company where the girl worked just to keep her close. I endured when they said he had gifted her an entire island. I even endured when I learned they were living together and calling each other husband and wife.   But now, I couldn’t take it anymore.   “Fine,” I said with a smile. “Bring the papers. I’ll sign.”   “Thia, don’t do this.” Mary clutched my hand, tears streaming down her face. “Zane’s just lost his memory. He loved you so much, and you love him too. Fate has been too cruel to both of you.”   My parents had passed away long ago, and over the years, Zane’s parents had treated me like their own.   “I’ll be alright. Haven’t you always wanted a grandchild? She’s pregnant now. The child is innocent.” I wiped Mary’s tears away. “That girl isn’t bad either. Zane and I… I guess we just weren’t meant to be.”   “I can’t believe you’re giving up so easily.” Zane let out a cold laugh, his gaze devoid of any past affection—only the disdain one would reserve for a deranged woman. In his current memories, I was just the lunatic who refused to divorce, standing in the way of his perfect love.   “If I don’t agree, should that child grow up as a bastard instead?”   Zane glanced at my stomach and sneered, “Seems I never loved you that much to begin with. We were married for a year—why didn’t you get pregnant?”   I flung a glass of water in his face. “Get out!”   Wiping his face in a fluster, he still managed to throw out a final threat. “Once we’re divorced, this house won’t be yours either!”   After he left, Mary vented her anger on my behalf. “Thia, move in with me. Even if you’re no longer Zane’s wife, you can still be my daughter.”   I shook my head. Over the past three years, Zane had fought with his parents too. He refused to come home. When I went to his office, he had his staff block me.   But he needed my consent for the divorce. His friends were too ashamed to pressure me, so he turned to his parents. After being scolded by them a few times, he stopped visiting them altogether.  

After finally convincing Mary to leave, a friend brought me a message—the girl wanted to see me.   Camilla was the one who had taken Zane to the hospital that day. Now that she was pregnant, I was terrified that any meeting might result in her getting hurt or miscarrying, leaving me responsible. So I refused without a second thought. But my friend insisted that Camilla was determined—she was waiting at a café right now and wouldn’t leave until she saw me.   Those two were truly the bane of my existence. Grumbling under my breath, I stormed into the café and immediately spotted Camilla by the window.   Thinking about it, Camilla and I didn’t have any real enmity between us.   Some friends called her a homewrecker, but I believed the fault ultimately lay with Zane.   If anything, Camilla was the unlucky one. She had done a good deed by taking an injured man to the hospital, only to be relentlessly pursued by him afterward.   I knew exactly what Zane was capable of when he wanted a woman. His charm and resources were irresistible, and Camilla was just a young woman fresh out of college. No matter how strong-willed she was, Zane’s sweet words and grand gestures would wear anyone down.   Camilla wore a pale sundress, her long curls glowing softly in the sunlight—though her complexion looked off.   “Cynthia, thank you for coming.” Her voice was as gentle as her appearance.   Camilla and I were complete opposites. She was an art student—gentle, refined, and delicate, like the heroine of a romantic music video.   Before meeting Zane, I had been a botanist constantly trekking through forests. Because I became a team leader at a young age, my personality had grown assertive. Back then, Zane hadn’t taken over Knowles Group yet—he was still a thrill-seeking playboy. He had paid a fortune to join our expedition team, only to be scolded by me countless times for his lack of survival skills.   When he first pursued me, I refused. I loved my adventurous life in the rainforests and mountains. Being a wealthy wife might be many people’s dream, but not mine.   But Zane knew exactly how to manipulate people. He showed me something I had never had—the warmth of family. His parents were wonderful, truly treating me like their own. And he promised me that marriage wouldn’t chain me down—that he would be my support.   Those were all lies. In the early days of our marriage, I didn’t give up my career. It wasn’t until he wanted to have his own children that I considered temporarily switching to lab work. Then, right as I was finalizing the transfer, the accident happened—and he lost his memory.   My marital vows wouldn’t let me abandon him, so I took the lab position, continuing my research over the three years he kept demanding a divorce.   Now, I knew it was time to let go. I started missing the life I had before marriage.

I sat across from Camilla at her invitation. She must have been newly pregnant—her figure was still slender.   “Why did you insist on seeing me? I’ve already agreed to the divorce,” I said bluntly. I didn’t expect Camilla to burst into tears. “What are you crying for? I said I’d sign the papers.” I was baffled.   She just kept wiping her tears. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.”   Seeing such a delicate beauty cry softened my heart despite myself.   “You don’t owe me an apology. It’s not you who made Zane lose his memory. That was just…because of fate.” I took a sip of coffee. Normally, I drank it like water, but today, for the first time, the latte tasted unbearably bitter. “You’re having his child, so just…be happy with him.”   Camilla sobbed uncontrollably. “I never wanted this—really, I never wanted this.”   The attention of the café was now fixed on our table, and I felt exhaustion creeping in.   “Stop crying.” I reached over to wipe her tears. “I don’t blame you. Honestly.”   “Camy!” The café door slammed open, and Zane stormed in like a hurricane.   “I never thought you’d stoop this low!” He grabbed my wrist with enough force to snap it. “Camy did nothing wrong! If you’re angry, take it out on me!”   I had never realized until now that Zane was an idiot.   “Are you insane? Why would I hurt her?”   “Zane, Cynthia didn’t do anything to me. Let her go!”   Zane shoved me away violently. My hand slammed against the edge of the table with a loud thud.   I hissed in pain. I had fieldwork coming up—an injured hand would be a disaster.   But I’d underestimated Zane’s irrationality. He fussed over Camilla, checking her from every angle, only to confirm that her eyes were just swollen from crying.   “Cynthia, I’m the one who betrayed you. If you dare harass Camilla again, I won’t let you off easy.”   I couldn’t fathom how I’d ever fallen for a man like this.   “Zane, the divorce is happening. And one more thing—” I slapped him across the face. “If you’re so desperate for it, bring the papers sooner. Don’t fucking waste my time.”  

That evening, Zane’s secretary called. “Mrs. Knowles, why did you agree to the divorce?”   I pressed an ice pack to my wrist and corrected her, “Don’t call me Mrs. Knowles anymore. We’re divorcing. Given how eager he is, it’ll probably be finalized in a couple of days.”   “Ms. Johansson, but Mr. Knowles isn’t leaving you anything!”   I froze. “What do you mean, nothing?”   “Mr. Knowles consulted a lawyer this afternoon. He’s demanding you walk away with nothing.”   But I distinctly remembered Zane’s proposal vow: if he ever betrayed me, he’d be the one to leave empty-handed.   The secretary continued, “Including everything he ever gifted you—he wants it all back.”   He’d been thoughtful during our courtship. Knowing I didn’t care for jewelry or handbags, he’d named a star after me.   “Even the star?”   “Which star?” The secretary sounded confused. After some typing, she said, “Mr. Knowles only purchased the naming rights. He hasn’t filed to rename it yet.”   Or maybe he’d simply forgotten. I caught her implication.   The more I thought about it, the more absurd it seemed. A star bearing my name was as fleeting as our relationship—shattered the moment his memory disappeared.   “It’s fine. Those things were always his. Let him have them.” I was tired. Soon, none of this would matter anyway.   “Ms. Johansson, even though I’m Mr. Knowles’ secretary, the terms are unfair. You did nothing wrong in this marriage. He can’t treat you like this.” She hesitated. “I have no right to interfere, but…please don’t sign.”   I knew she meant well. Everyone knew my background—modest, orphaned, living in a shabby apartment before knowing Zane. Yet the heir of Knowles Group was stripping his blameless wife of everything.   “Thank you,” I said sincerely. “But honestly…none of it ever really mattered to me.”   The next morning, Zane’s lawyer arrived at my door.   “Ms. Johansson, these are the divorce papers drafted per Mr. Knowles’ instructions.”  

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296088”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #励志Inspiring #惊悚Thriller #重生Reborn #校园School

I married Ethan Foster in what was essentially a marriage of convenience between our wealthy families. Our relationship had always been cold and distant after the wedding. Our parents couldn’t stand to see us like this anymore. They ordered us to work on developing genuine feelings for each other. Ethan said to me, “If you have any requests, feel free to ask. I can fulfill them all.” I replied, “Then bring home a collar.” Ethan’s voice was strained as he said, “You… You’ve got the wrong person. I’m not someone who can play those kinds of games with you. You shouldn’t do this either. It’s not good.” I shrugged. “Fine, then I’ll find someone else.” That night, he tightly gripped my hand against the collar, his eyes red as he said: “No one but me gets to be your puppy.” The marriage of convenience had landed me a sexually repressed CEO for a husband. Not only did he button his shirts all the way to the top, he wouldn’t even let me see him in the shower. Two years had passed with no progress in our relationship. If anything, things seemed to be getting even colder between us. Our parents couldn’t stand it anymore. They called multiple family meetings, ordering us to work on developing real feelings for each other. They wanted us to hurry up and become the model of a loving couple in our social circles. I’d heard this speech so many times I was immune to it by now. But Ethan seemed to take it seriously this time. He hadn’t been at the office long when he sent me a message: “Is there anything you want today?” I was busy at the time and casually replied: “No.” Ethan wasn’t satisfied with this answer. “Why not? A handbag? Jewelry? Are you sure there’s nothing?” I took a moment to respond again: “Really, there’s nothing.” Ethan could be a bit old-fashioned, but he was always generous when it came to these things. Clothes, bags, jewelry – gifts would arrive at the house every few days. Ethan still wouldn’t let it go: “If there’s anything you want, you can tell me. I can fulfill all your desires.” It seemed his family must have put quite a bit of pressure on him again. I petted the puppy’s head and replied to him: “Then bring home a collar when you come back.” Ethan had just left for work that morning when my best friend arrived carrying a puppy. She said she thought I might be bored, and they’d just had puppies at home, so she wanted to give me one. I spent the whole morning bonding with the puppy and learning about puppy care. I had most of the other supplies like food and toys ready, but I’d forgotten about getting a collar. Since Ethan was so insistent on me making requests, I figured I’d humor him. Ethan’s chat showed he was typing for a long time. After a while, he sent a video call request instead. The puppy had gotten restless in my arms and jumped down to run around. I answered Ethan’s video call and saw his face on the screen. He looked like he was trying hard to control himself as he finally spoke: “You…” “Don’t joke around with me like this.” I was totally focused on the puppy and frowned when I heard him say that. “I’m not joking. Puppies need training.” Ethan’s frown deepened. The hand visible on camera was clenched into a fist, like he was struggling to hold something back. After a long moment, he let out a slow breath and said: “You…” He paused, then continued in a controlled voice: “You’ve got the wrong person. I’m not someone who can play those kinds of games with you.” What a weirdo. He wouldn’t even wear a simple collar. Then why say he could fulfill any request I had? I kept my face neutral. “Fine, forget it then. I’ll find someone else.” Ethan tried to explain: “That’s not what I meant.” I didn’t give him a chance to say anything else. I hung up the video call and immediately ordered a delivery.

The delivery arrived half an hour before Ethan got home. The collar was very elegant. I took over a dozen photos and posted them on Instagram with the caption: “Looks like I’m a puppy parent now!” Ethan immediately commented: “?” I’d forgotten to hide the post from him. If he knew, my mom would find out. She’d rush over as fast as possible and insist on taking the puppy to raise herself, saying it was too much trouble for me. Realizing this, I quickly deleted the Instagram post. When I reposted it, I made sure to hide it from all the key people who shouldn’t see. Our house was so big that even with a puppy here, Ethan might not necessarily find out. I was admiring the photos of the puppy on my phone when I heard the screech of tires in the driveway. The sound of dress shoes on the floor followed. For some reason, my right eye started twitching. Through the gap in the not-quite-closed door, I caught a glimpse of Ethan’s shadow. But he didn’t come in right away. He stood outside the door for over 10 minutes before he finally seemed to work up the courage to lightly knock twice. I adjusted my clothes and said, “Come in.” Ethan entered with one hand in his pocket. His sharp gaze swept every corner of the room. I looked up at him after smoothing my outfit. “What are you looking for?” Ethan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “Where is he?” Who? The puppy? He’d commented on my Instagram post, so he must have looked at it carefully. He had to be talking about the puppy. Since he already knew, there was no point in hiding it anymore. I answered him honestly: “He ran off.” Ethan’s hand in his pocket clenched into a fist, veins standing out on his arm. “Where did he run off to?” I gave him a strange look, not understanding why he was acting this way. Seeing I wasn’t answering, Ethan took a deep breath and said in a strained voice: “He just left you all alone like that? What kind of man is he?” My brow furrowed even more. “What are you talking about?” Talking about a puppy having responsibility? This fit my stereotypical image of Ethan perfectly. Ethan kept taking deep breaths, like he was trying to calm himself down. I didn’t want to keep having this nonsensical conversation with him. I turned to go dry my hair. Ethan stood behind me, his emotions seeming more under control now. “Why are you taking a shower at this time?” I sighed. “The puppy made a mess on me.” He must have been overexcited today. While I was playing with him, he peed all over me. I had no choice but to shower. Ethan clenched his fist again. He nearly crushed a decorative object nearby. After a long moment, he spoke through gritted teeth: “Don’t see him anymore. Let’s just pretend none of this ever happened.” I couldn’t believe this. What was wrong with me having a puppy? Was it illegal? Besides, it’s not like Ethan disliked dogs. He was clearly just looking for an excuse to argue. My own tone wasn’t very pleasant as I replied: “Why should I?” In the mirror, I saw Ethan staring intently at me. He spoke as if forcing himself to compromise: “It was my fault earlier. I shouldn’t have rejected you like that. If you really want to, I suppose I could… But you shouldn’t have…” He paused, then continued: “It’s my problem.” His attitude had changed so quickly, I didn’t have the heart to keep glaring at him. But before I could speak, Ethan went on: “As long as you don’t see him anymore, I’ll do whatever you want.” He kept fixating on the puppy. I was getting angry now. I slammed the hairbrush on the table and stood up. “Ethan Foster, I put up with you not treating me like a real wife before. But now you’re going too far, trying to control even little things like this. If you insist on being this way, we might as well get divorced!” We didn’t have much of a relationship anyway. I didn’t say that last part out loud, but Ethan had already pushed me against the wall and was kissing me fiercely. I don’t know how long it lasted before he pulled back slightly. His breathing was ragged and his eyes were a bit red as he said: “Divorce? Don’t even think about it! No one but me gets to be your puppy!” I stared at him blankly, my mind not quite processing what was happening. Just last night he’d been so guarded around me, not even letting me see him in the shower. How had he gone from that to wanting to be my “puppy” in one day? Ethan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, he’d regained his usual composure. He brushed his thumb across my lips and apologized softly: “I’m sorry, I got carried away just now.” See, this was the real Ethan Foster. Apologizing even for a simple kiss. Before I could say anything, Ethan was already speaking in a conciliatory tone: “If you really insist on keeping it, I… I suppose I can accept that. But don’t let yourself get tricked, and try not to bring it around me if possible. As for divorce…” Ethan withdrew his hand without finishing the sentence. “You should get some sleep.” By the time I came back to my senses, all I saw was Ethan’s retreating back. My mind was a jumbled mess. I tried to sort through my thoughts. Ethan wouldn’t be jealous of an actual puppy. His loss of control earlier must have been because he thought I was talking about keeping some kind of boy toy “puppy.” But that made even less sense. If that were the case, knowing Ethan’s personality, he would immediately file for divorce. To end this loveless marriage of convenience. But he didn’t. Instead, he said things like “I can accept it” that sounded more like a jealous boyfriend. Come to think of it, over our two years of marriage, he’d always shown me proper respect and care no matter where we were. He never forgot my birthday or any anniversaries either. Could it be… that he had feelings for me? I chewed on my fingernail, pondering for 10 minutes, but still couldn’t come up with a reasonable explanation. I gave up and decided to just go to bed instead of wasting more brainpower on it. Just before falling asleep, I took out my phone, intending to check on the puppy through the security camera. But I accidentally tapped into the feed for outside my bedroom instead. It showed that after Ethan left my room, his footsteps had clearly slowed down. Then he leaned against the hallway wall, covering his eyes with the back of his hand. I turned up the volume. With my ear practically pressed to the speaker, I finally made out the faint sound of his muffled sobs. My heart clenched. Thinking back carefully, from the moment I’d misunderstood Ethan not letting me keep the puppy, every word I said had been laced with thorns. Then at the height of my emotions, I’d even blurted out something about divorce. Ethan didn’t know the puppy was a real puppy. So from his perspective, I was arguing with him over another man and even bringing up divorce, right? No wonder he cried. The root of the problem was me, so I should probably go comfort him a bit, right? Yes, just to comfort him. No other reason. After psyching myself up, I put on my slippers and headed straight for Ethan’s room.

His door wasn’t locked. Only a small night light was on. I snuck in quietly, taking off my shoes to creep up behind him. I wanted to see if he was still crying. But I’d barely gotten close when Ethan suddenly whirled around. In the dim light, I could see his eyes were a bit swollen. Oh no. I really had hurt him this time. I scratched my head awkwardly and apologized: “I’m sorry, I didn’t really mean it about divorce earlier. I just got emotional because you seemed to hate the puppy so much.” Ethan’s body was tense as he stared at me like he’d seen a ghost. Worried he’d be uncomfortable in that position, I turned him back around to lie flat. To show how sincere my apology was, I practically draped myself over him. I wanted him to see the honesty in my eyes: “I’ve apologized now, so please don’t cry anymore, okay?” Ethan seemed to be wound tight as a spring. He forced out through clenched teeth: “Get… off… first.” I ignored him. Ethan couldn’t take it anymore. He gripped my waist and set me to the side. To prevent me from hugging him again, he quickly sat up and turned on the light. The sudden brightness made me squint. Ethan’s hand immediately covered my eyes. Once he was sure I’d fully adjusted, he started to pull away. But I caught his hand and kissed his palm lightly. Ethan yanked his hand back like he’d been electrocuted. “What are you doing?!” We were sitting face to face now. I could clearly see his puffy eyes and ears that had turned bright red. Ethan belatedly realized this. He turned away, not letting me look at him anymore. I averted my gaze and asked, “Were you really crying in bed earlier because I mentioned divorce?” It didn’t seem like the Ethan I was used to seeing. But he had definitely started crying right after leaving my room. That word seemed to hit a sore spot for Ethan. His tone was a bit harsh: “I wasn’t crying!” I instinctively reached out to touch his slightly warm eyelids: “But your eyes are all swollen.” Ethan grabbed my wrist: “I was just watching a movie.” So stubborn. I pulled up that segment of security footage to show him: “You started crying as soon as you left my room.” Ethan barely glanced at it before taking my phone away. He said in a strained voice: “You’re mistaken. I didn’t.” I’d never realized Ethan could be so obstinate before. I tried to reassure him: “It’s okay if you cried. I won’t make fun of you. I just wanted to tell you that mentioning divorce earlier was impulsive. I won’t casually say things like that again.” Ethan frowned: “So you only came to comfort me because you saw me crying?” I nodded. A flash of disappointment crossed Ethan’s eyes. I explained: “I came to apologize because I didn’t want you to be upset.” It was only after seeing him cry that I realized how hurtful my words had been. Ethan’s breathing hitched for a moment: “Why don’t you want me to be upset? Is it because…” He trailed off there. I furrowed my brow: “I don’t have some weird fetish for watching people be miserable. Why would I want to see you upset?” But come to think of it… Ethan did look pretty… sexy… when he was crying. My gaze lingered on his slightly swollen eyes, then trailed downward. Maybe because he was about to sleep, or maybe because he’d been too busy being upset. Ethan’s pajama top had fewer buttons done up than usual. After my manhandling earlier, it was even riding up a bit to reveal his abs. My cheeks felt hot. I couldn’t bring myself to look directly at Ethan anymore. After forcefully shaking the inappropriate thoughts from my head, I spoke up: “I’m going back to bed now. Bye.” If I stayed any longer, I was afraid I might lose control. Just before getting off the bed, I suddenly remembered the most important thing I still hadn’t explained: “Oh right, about the puppy, you…” I’d meant to tell him he’d misunderstood. But as soon as the word “puppy” left my mouth, Ethan flopped back down and bundled himself tightly in the blanket. I poked him: “Ethan?” He closed his eyes: “I’m going to sleep now.” I tugged at his blanket, trying to get him to open his eyes. Before I could say anything, Ethan had already lifted the covers and pulled me in with him: “Time to sleep.” He seemed to have a visceral aversion to the word “puppy.” Curled up in his arms, I tried speaking again: “The puppy is a real puppy. The kind that barks.” Ethan kept his eyes closed, pretending to be asleep. He clearly had no intention of listening seriously. Fine, I’d explain properly tomorrow. Sensing I wasn’t going to say anything else, Ethan held me even tighter. He was so warm. I quickly started drifting off to sleep. But in the middle of the night, my feet got cold again. I instinctively tried to burrow closer to Ethan. It took a couple tries before I realized his spot was empty. I was too sleepy to open my eyes, so I just called out groggily: “Ethan?” A few seconds later, Ethan lay back down. I was about to wrap my arms around his waist. But he caught my hand and placed it on his neck. He seemed to be wearing something. It felt a bit cool, like metal. His lips brushed my ear as he said: “I can be your puppy too. Don’t find anyone else, okay?” His breath tickled my ear. I buried my face in his chest, mumbling an incoherent: “Okay.”

When I woke up, I was still in Ethan’s arms. He was in the same position as when we’d fallen asleep, like he hadn’t moved all night. So what had I felt last night? Noticing me staring at him, Ethan casually pulled the blanket up higher to cover himself: “What are you looking at?” My mind was filled with the sensation from last night. Hearing his question, I instinctively pointed at his neck: “You’re not wearing anything there?” Ethan frowned, like he had no idea what I was talking about. I still wasn’t convinced: “Like a collar or something?” In our two years of marriage, I’d never dreamed about Ethan before. And I definitely wouldn’t have some risqué dream just from seeing him shirtless. So he must have done something while I was asleep! Ethan still looked confused: “Collar?” Then he had a look of realization: “You really want to see me wear one?” Yeah right. Playing dumb. I didn’t pursue that line of questioning. I threw back the covers and got out of bed. Ethan watched me pitifully: “Where are you going?” My gaze fell on his neck as I said deliberately: “To see my puppy, of course.” “I bought lots of cute collars yesterday. If you won’t wear one, I’m sure he’d love to.” Ethan clutched the blanket tightly, like he was struggling with some great internal conflict. After a long moment, he finally spoke: “I’ll come too.” I pretended to hesitate: “Is that appropriate? You said last night not to bring him around you.” Ever since realizing last night that Ethan probably had feelings for me, I felt no guilt about teasing him like this. It was his own fault for not saying anything. If he wouldn’t say it, I’d just have to test the waters myself. Ethan gripped the blanket so hard it wrinkled: “I’ll just take a quick look. To make sure he’s suitable.” I’d been planning to take him down to see the puppy room anyway. Hearing him say that, I nodded reluctantly: “Alright then.” Our destination was in the house, but I couldn’t tell him that yet. I could only hint vaguely: “You don’t need to dress up too formally.” He’d even put on shirt stays. If he found out we weren’t even leaving the house… I rubbed my nose, debating whether to reveal the truth now. After a moment’s hesitation, seeing Ethan turn back to pick out a tie, I decisively abandoned that idea. I couldn’t really blame myself. I’d tried to explain last night, but he was the one who refused to listen. Besides, I really wanted to see his expression when he met the actual puppy.

An hour later, Ethan had finally finished getting ready. To prevent him from suspecting anything, I’d even changed into a different outfit. Ethan looked down at the dress I was wearing: “Why are you wearing that one?” I glanced down at myself. This was a dress Ethan had sent over last month. I loved it, but I’d been saving it to take nice photos in, so I hadn’t worn it yet. I put it on today partly because puppies can see yellow well. And partly because I wanted Ethan to help me take photos with the puppy after I explained everything. Before I could answer, Ethan had already retracted his question: “Never mind, of course you should dress up nicely to see someone you like.” It was such a simple statement. But I detected a hint of sarcasm in it. Before my brain could fully process it, I blurted out: “If this counts as dressing up, then what do you call putting on shirt stays and styling your hair?” He looked more like he was going to intimidate a rival than just check things out. Ethan glanced at me: “Meeting the man my wife likes.” With that, he took my hand and led me downstairs.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296104”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #励志Inspiring #惊悚Thriller #重生Reborn