Category: English

At my final bridal fitting, I stepped out of the dressing room to find my sister, Daphne, straightening my fiancé Nolan’s bow tie. Nolan Hayes—the mafia Don feared throughout Boston’s underworld. I had just opened my mouth to say, “I’ll do it,” when the makeup artist smiled and walked toward Daphne. “Right this way, bride.” I stopped short. Nolan did not correct her. The black-suited guards stationed outside the door kept their eyes forward. Daphne only smiled shyly and leaned against him. Meanwhile, Miles—my childhood friend—raised his camera and began taking pictures of them. I stood frozen, like an outsider. Nearly every photo on Miles’s camera was of Daphne and my fiancé. There wasn’t a single shot of me—the actual bride. Daphne spoke as naturally as though she were the one getting married. “Fiona, bring me that bouquet.” When Nolan noticed I had not moved, he came over and gently took the flowers from my hands. Those eyes of his, eyes that had terrified countless men across negotiating tables, held a rare trace of warmth. “Fiona, what are you staring at? Go choose the invitation design. I’ll come over when we’re done with the photos.” Miles lowered the camera just enough for one eye to appear above the viewfinder. “Fiona, move a couple of steps to the side. You’re blocking the light.” I moved without a word and stood in the corner. At that moment, I finally understood how unnecessary I was. If this wedding had no need for me, then I wouldn’t be there. … I quietly picked up my bag from the bench and pushed open the door. The bell above it chimed once. No one called after me. I looked back. Daphne was twirling in front of the mirror while Nolan stood behind her, adjusting the bow at her waist. Miles held up his camera. “Yes, yes. That’s the angle.” The shutter clicked five or six times in quick succession. I turned away and walked out of the boutique. As I got into my car, the two black sedans assigned to protect me fell in behind me without a sound. My phone lit up with a message from the wedding planner. Miss Bennett, the wedding is coming up. Have you chosen the invitation design? Before I could answer, another message arrived. Or you could let your sister choose. She has excellent taste. The car was so quiet that I could hear every breath I took. One after another, as though I were counting something. What was I counting? How many times I had been forgotten in this relationship? I typed three words. Let her decide. I meant it. Let Daphne decide. Nolan would listen to her in the end anyway. The reply came almost instantly. Got it. I stared at those words and imagined the planner breathing a sigh of relief. Every decision the bride made was always changed afterward. They were probably tired of revising the plans over and over. It was easier to let my sister make the decisions from the start. Before I could put my phone down, notifications began pouring in. Miles was uploading photos to the group chat one by one. I opened one. His composition was excellent. The light fell perfectly across their faces. Nolan stood in a sharply tailored black suit, and the two of them looked like the stars of a bridal campaign announcing the future wife of the Hayes Don. I had poured everything into this wedding, as though doing so could prove that I was not always the one who got forgotten. I never imagined that, in the end, I would still be pushed out of the frame. My phone lit up, went dark, then lit up again. Messages kept filling the group chat. I did not respond. No one noticed. I dismissed my escort detail and drove alone to the apartment I had been renting. A note was stuck to the refrigerator. Seven days until the wedding. I peeled it off, crushed it into a ball, and dropped it into the trash.

The next morning, I checked my phone. The wedding-planning group chat showed 99+ unread messages. Daphne had tagged me only once, in a voice message. I tapped it. “Fiona, I changed the wedding song. The song you picked was too gloomy. The wedding should feel lighter.” Nolan replied immediately beneath it. Agreed. The original song doesn’t suit the occasion. Half the family will be there. Choose something lighter. The original song did not suit the occasion? I had spent an entire month choosing it. It was the song my parents had played at their wedding. Hearing it always made my eyes burn. They had died far too young, and I had wanted them to be present in some small way. Nolan knew that. So did Daphne. Yet they still thought it was too gloomy. Daphne continued in the chat. “Fiona never likes making decisions. We can just choose these things for her.” Nolan replied with one word. Agreed. I stared at it without moving. Messages streamed past one after another. No one noticed that Fiona was in the group chat. No one noticed that Fiona was silent. I had no role in my own wedding. I opened my private conversation with Nolan. The last exchange was still from yesterday’s bridal shoot. I had written, I’m a little nervous. He had replied with a head-pat emoji. After that, nothing. He had not even messaged me privately after I left early to ask what was wrong. The only thing he had done was tag me in the group the night before. What happened? Did you get so nervous you left early? No one answered. No one cared. Daphne posted a photo with the caption, Fiona, today’s shoot went perfectly. The dress is officially confirmed! And just like that, the matter was forgotten. Then they went back to discussing flowers, invitations, and the ceremony backdrop. Suddenly, I realized I was not merely unnecessary. Being unnecessary would at least mean I had once existed. I felt as though I had never been there at all. While I was packing, Daphne suddenly video-called me. When I answered, someone was applying her makeup. “Fiona, you’re moving way too slowly. The makeup team still isn’t confirmed, so I booked one myself. I’m testing them out for you first.” I looked at Daphne in front of the mirror and wanted to say something, but I no longer knew what. Two weeks earlier, I had told her my friend would personally do my bridal makeup. But it was as though my wishes never reached her. She simply made every decision for me. Had I never confronted them? Had I never been unhappy? Had I never stood my ground? I had. It always ended with the same line. “Fiona, you’re more mature than she is. Don’t make a big deal out of this.” Miles had known me longer than anyone, yet he always took her side. Then Nolan entered my life and pursued me relentlessly. The man known throughout the underworld for his ruthlessness and decisiveness would personally drive me home late at night and tell me my quiet, absentminded ways were adorable. I thought he liked me that way. But after he met Daphne, his preferences seemed to change. Without realizing it, he began saying that women should be lively and decisive. One day, I finally said, “Can you stop being so close to Daphne? You need better boundaries with her.” I thought he would understand. Instead, he laughed, ruffled my hair, and dismissed it. “Boundaries? Once you marry me, Daphne will be part of the Hayes family too. Do you expect me to treat her like a stranger?” I fell silent. Of course I didn’t want them at each other’s throats. But the words, You’re more mature, so you should be more understanding, had weighed on me for years. For the first time, those words felt heavy enough to suffocate me. They had forgotten that I was only two years older than she was. I wanted gifts too. I wanted someone to ask me, Do you like this? But no one ever cared.

I called my landlord and told him I was moving out that day. “Are you sure?” he asked. “You’ve lived there more than four years.” Four years. When Nolan and I first started dating, he had wanted me to move into the Hayes estate—a heavily guarded compound where his most trusted family members lived. Daphne said I should keep some private space before marriage and suggested I live alone. So I rented this apartment near the family’s downtown headquarters, hoping I would see Nolan more often. He agreed, and every now and then, he would slip away from his security detail and spend the night. These rooms had witnessed the sweetness of our early love, then the arguments, the silences, and the countless times he left in a hurry because of family business. But now I had finally reached the end of my patience. “Yes,” I said. “I’m moving today.” The landlord sighed and told me to leave the keys in the mailbox. Not long after I hung up, the door opened from the outside. Nolan and Daphne walked in, laughing together. Daphne glanced back at him with a smile. “You promised that when my lease ends, I can stay at your estate for a few weeks after the wedding. I want the room with the bay window in the east wing, and I want the curtains changed to pink.” I stood in the middle of the living room, convinced I had heard her wrong. She spoke so naturally, as though she had every right to decide how long she would stay and how our future home would be decorated. Nolan did not object. He smiled indulgently. “As long as Fiona doesn’t mind.” “Fiona always takes care of me. Of course she won’t mind.” Something loosened inside my throat. “What if I do mind?” The room went silent for two seconds. Daphne stared at me. Perhaps it was the first time I had ever truly refused her. Before she could say anything, her eyes were already turning red. Nolan’s tone sharpened with reproach. “What’s wrong with you, Fiona? You’ve always given her whatever she wanted. Now you’re going to make an issue out of one room?” “I’m not making an issue out of it.” “Then what are you saying?” He frowned. “Her lease is ending. She’d only be staying a few weeks. She’s your sister, not some outsider we need to guard against. The estate is enormous. What difference would one extra person make for a few weeks?” “That is supposed to be our home after the wedding. The home of the future lady of the Hayes family.” I looked at him. “Which one of us is marrying you?” That shut Nolan up. Daphne spoke softly, eyes red. “Fiona, I only wanted to be close to you. If you don’t want me there, forget it. I won’t move in.” Nolan turned to me with reproach. “Look what you’ve done. One sentence, and you’ve hurt her this badly. She’s your sister. Can’t you think about her feelings?” “And who thinks about mine?” I lifted my head. “You personally brought her into a company owned by the Hayes family and approved a salary far above everyone else at her level. She has almost nothing to worry about. What about me? All I have is—” “Enough.” Nolan’s expression changed. “Be reasonable. She’s your sister. I only take special care of her because of you. Do you really have to be this petty?” Petty. That word again. I smiled and stopped speaking. Daphne tugged at his sleeve. “Nolan, stop. Fiona is probably just in a bad mood.” He patted her hand, then softened his voice toward me. “Fiona, I’ve already made the decision. It will be good for Daphne to stay with us. You two can keep living close to each other.” I nodded. Agreed. It was their home, after all. I would never live there. Nolan relaxed. Daphne dabbed at the corners of her dry eyes and smiled again. I turned back to my packing. Behind me, Daphne asked, “So I really can change the curtains to pale pink?” Nolan laughed softly. “Whatever you like.”

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Under the ancient covenant, sisters of the Crescent Clan must be mated on the same full moon. Our veils stay on until we cross into our new Alpha’s land. For three years, I’ve waited for Kain. My body was wasting away from the silver blight. Today, his ceremonial convoy finally arrived. I was about to step outside, my heart pounding with hope. Then I heard his voice through the thin wooden wall. He was giving orders to his Beta. “Take Sara to my car first. She’s too delicate for the Shadow Mountains. That place would kill her before the first frost.” His Beta sounded troubled. “But Alpha… Lady Lyra was poisoned saving your life. To swap mates now breaks the sacred covenant. The Elders will demand a reckoning.” “I’ve already paid off the ceremony priestess. And I’ll handle my mother.” His voice was cold, decisive. “I am the strongest warrior in our clan. They won’t cast me out over this… inconvenience. Lyra can go to the Shadow Mountains. I have ways to get her medicine, to keep her alive. But Sara? She wouldn’t last a day. Lyra will have to take the hit.” Behind the wall, I swallowed back a wave of nausea. Thick, dark blood dripped from my lips. He knew exactly how sick I was. But in his clever little calculation, I was the one who could be sacrificed. I didn’t scream or cry. I just calmly stepped back into my stone house. They probably expected me to find out and go insane. To tear apart the entire convoy in a fit of rage. Instead, I just let my attendants guide me. I stepped into the black off-road vehicle heading for the Shadow Mountains. Ready to become the mate of a monstrous, brutal Alpha. “Lyra, don’t make a scene. Sara wouldn’t survive a single day in the Shadow Mountains. You go, and I’ll have medicine smuggled to you. In a few days, I’ll find an excuse and bring you back.” Kain’s voice came through the window, crystal clear. He was on his strong war wolf, riding right beside us. His tone was gentle, filled with that usual, arrogant certainty. He spoke as if I wasn’t his mate of three years, the one being shipped off to a monster. I sat perfectly still inside the transport. My hands were folded neatly in my lap. No tears. No shouting. I didn’t even open the window to confront him. There was a moment of silence outside. Kain was pleased with my silence. His voice softened even more. “I know you feel wronged. But Sara is so timid. She was crying the whole time she got into the car. That moonstone charm my mother left for you? I gave it to Sara to calm her down. Her body is always so cold. She needs it more than you do. You’ve always been the understanding one. You wouldn’t hold this against your sister, would you?” My fingers, resting on my knees, went rigid.

That moonstone charm was the last piece of my mother I had. It was the only thing that could keep the silver poison from taking over. I remember a blood moon night, three years ago. I dropped the charm into a frozen lake. Kain dove into the piercing water without a second thought. He searched for three hours, his lips turning purple from the cold. When he finally climbed out, he pressed the charm back into my hand. “What’s yours, Lyra, I would die to protect.” Back then, he only loved me. But now, with a single, casual sentence, he gave it all away. The one thing I cherished was gone. The metallic taste of blood rose in my throat again. I pulled a handkerchief from my sleeve, covering my mouth to stifle a cough. Blood blossomed across the silk. It looked just like the blood I’d shed for him. The day I took a silver-poisoned bolt meant for his heart. “Are you coughing?” Kain asked from outside. “Is it too drafty inside? You were always one of our strongest fighters, Lyra. Don’t start acting fragile just because you’re sick. The Shadow Mountains are a different world. You’ll need to curb that temper of yours. Don’t provoke Draven.” He still mistook my quiet pain for defiance. I folded the blood-stained fabric and hid it away. “Alpha Kain,” my voice was perfectly calm. “It’s getting late. You shouldn’t miss the ceremony.” A sigh of relief escaped him, loud enough for me to hear. “I knew you’d do the sensible thing. Wait for me, Lyra.” The scrape of wolf claws on stone faded into the distance. He went to meet his precious new bride. And I was on my way to the Shadow Mountains.

The car jolted over the rugged mountain pass. With every bump, the silver poison burned through my veins. I closed my eyes, curling deeper into my ceremonial gown. I didn’t know how much time passed before we lurched to a halt. Outside, there were no celebratory howls. No cheering clan. Just a chilling silence. The door was wrenched open. Icy mountain wind blasted in, and a violent shiver wracked my body. A large, calloused hand appeared before me. “My Luna, watch your step.” His voice was deep, not savage like the rumors claimed. It was calming. Without hesitating, I placed my ice-cold hand in his. The man tensed the moment our skin touched. But he didn’t pull away. His grip tightened, enveloping my hand completely. Heat poured from his palm, carrying the steady force of an Alpha. He led me past a raging bonfire and up a long flight of stone steps. The warmth only retreated when he settled me onto a bed of soft furs. My veil was lifted with the tip of an obsidian staff. I looked up into eyes as deep and dark as a frozen lake. Draven. The Alpha of the Shadow Mountains. He was dressed in black ceremonial leathers. His gaze was fixed on my deathly pale face. Then, from his sleeve, he produced a clean linen cloth. “Wipe the blood from your mouth.”

I blinked, taken aback. I took the clean linen cloth from his hand and gently wiped my lips. More blood. Draven took a half-step back, giving me a comfortable space. “No one here ever thought to set up proper heat for a Luna. I had the fires in the main den stoked for you. Just hold on.” He didn’t ask why I was here. He didn’t question the bride swap. I lowered my eyes and said softly, “Thank you, Alpha.” The silver poison flared, a thousand icy needles digging into my bones. I clenched my jaw, refusing to make a sound. A habit I learned over three long years. Because Kain once told me he hated hearing women cry out in pain. Three years ago, I blocked that silver poison arrow for him. The poison nearly destroyed my wolf core. A blizzard had sealed the mountains that night. He carried me through the deep snow, desperate to find a healer. My blood stained his back red. Tears streamed down his face as he made a vow. “Lyra, I swear I’ll never let you suffer again.” But then, Sara returned to the clan. She merely twisted her ankle in the garden, letting out a soft whimper. Kain abandoned me while I was writhing in agony and sprinted to her side. He scooped her into his arms. “Sara is so fragile. How could you leave her alone out here?” That was the first time he ever blamed me. After that, I learned to suffer in silence. “Alpha.” A voice came from the door. “The Crescent Clan sent something for the Luna.” Draven glanced at me. “Bring it in.” It was Finn, one of Kain’s most trusted enforcers. He stood with his head bowed, holding out a rough wooden box. “Luna, our Alpha sent this for you. He’s sorry for tonight’s hardships. Alpha went to three markets to find this frostbite salve for you. He knows the Shadow Mountains are harsh. This should help you endure.” I just stared at that wooden box. And I almost laughed.

I recognized that frostbite salve. Kain had bought it for Sara a few days ago. She’d complained about the harsh smell and tossed it on a table. Kain soothingly coaxed her. “My mistake. Tomorrow, I’ll get you the Elven jade cream instead.” And now, Sara’s trash was his “merciful gift” to me. He actually thought I’d be grateful. He thought I’d still swallow any poison for a drop of his sweetness. “Just leave it there.” But Finn didn’t move. His eyes darted toward me. “Our Alpha also wanted to know…” “Know what?” “He asked why you aren’t wearing the moon-laurel crown he sent. He said he designed it himself, and he was sure you would love it.” I closed my eyes, hiding the bitter irony. That crown was loaded with tacky, colored crystals. It wasn’t my style at all. It was what Sara wanted. She’d casually remarked. “Something that flashy would suit your sister.” He took her words as gospel and forced it on me. “Go back and tell your Alpha,” I said, my eyes snapping open. “I threw it away on the road here.” Finn’s head shot up, his face a mask of disbelief. “Threw… threw it away?” “Off a cliff. I enjoyed the sound it made.” Finn scrambled out of the room like he’d seen a ghost. Silence fell once more. Draven was just watching me. “You didn’t actually throw it away.” I stiffened but didn’t deny it. “So why lie to him?” “Because I don’t want to owe him anything. That crown, and everything else he ever gave me… I had it all sent back to the Crescent Clan’s storerooms.” Draven didn’t press further. He tossed a heavy, black wolf-pelt cloak over my shoulders. “Get some rest. Tomorrow, you return to your clan for the homecoming rites.”

The fire burned warmly, and for once, I slept soundly. No rustling in the night as Kain rushed off to soothe Sara’s nightmares. No maids whispering that Sara’s heart was aching again. The silence of the Shadow Mountains felt peaceful. After washing up, I sat at the table, sipping a warm soup. Draven had sent a healing herbal soup, free of the bitter thistle I despise. I slowly picked out the red berries, eating deliberately. Then, I heard faint footsteps outside the door. It was Grey, one of Kain’s personal guards. I set down my spoon and wiped my mouth. Kain had some nerve. Sending his most elite guard into Draven’s nest just to pass a message. “Lady Lyra.” Grey dropped to one knee, his voice low. “My Alpha sent me with a message for you.” “Speak.” He swallowed hard, as if the words were poison on his tongue. “The Alpha says Lady Sara was frightened last night. She can’t stop shivering. The fires in the Crescent Clan aren’t warm enough. She’s been coughing all night. The Alpha asks you…” He paused, unable to meet my eyes. “To strip off the Spirit Wolf Pelt and send it to Sara.” My hand stilled on the soup bowl. The soup rippled. The Spirit Wolf Pelt. The ancient relic I nearly died to win. After being worn for three years, the armor had completely fused with my flesh. Tearing it off now would be like being flayed alive. Kain knew this. He had fastened the pelt on me himself, his eyes red with tears. “Lyra, wear this day and night. I will never let you feel that pain again.” But now, he wants me to rip my own skin off. All to keep his Sara warm. “What else did your Alpha say?” My voice was flat. Grey ducked his head lower. “He said… he said your secret medicines will keep you alive. You just have to endure it. Lady Sara is too delicate. Without the pelt, she might not survive the winter. Once she recovers, he will find a way to make it up to you.” Kain actually thought some herbs could numb the pain of being skinned alive. “Lady,” Grey urged. “The Alpha is waiting for my report. Lady Sara cannot wait any longer.”

I set the bowl down. Then I walked into the shadows of the stone wall. And ripped the armor from my own flesh. Flesh tore free with a wet, sickening sound. Blood instantly soaked my underclothes. The pain made my teeth chatter, but all I saw was his face… Gently placing this pelt on me in the snow. I balled up the dripping armor, fought back the tremors, and stepped out of the shadows—throwing it right at Grey’s feet. “Take it away.” Grey just stared at the blood-soaked mess, completely frozen. He never thought I’d actually do it. He definitely didn’t expect this bloody, mangled ruin. “Tell Kain,” I said, my eyes locked on his. “The Spirit Wolf Pelt is a gift. For Sara.” Grey snatched the pelt and vaulted out the open window. A blast of cold air hit me. My strength finally gave out. My legs buckled, and I crumpled to the ground. I started coughing up mouthfuls of black blood. I collapsed on the floor, coughing so hard I could barely breathe. And my vision blurred at the edges. Before everything went dark, a pair of black boots stopped in front of me. A heavy cloak was thrown over me, wrapping me in its weight. Draven’s strong arms lifted me from the floor. “Do you really care that little whether you live or die?” His voice was shaking, thick with suppressed rage.

I woke three days later. A brazier burned by the bed, its herbal scent filling the room. I moved a finger. The silver poison in me was calmed by a gentle Alpha’s power. “You’re awake?” Draven sat at a nearby desk, holding an ancient scroll of hide. He looked at my pale face, his expression unreadable. “Three years ago, I was on the cliffs. I saw you take that silver arrow for him.” My whole body went rigid. I stared at him, stunned. He let out a bitter laugh. “I watched you nearly die for him, and get a wound that would never heal. I thought he would cherish you. Instead, he threw you away like you were nothing.” He set down the scroll and slowly walked toward me. “From now on, I will protect you.” My gaze fell. A lump formed in my throat, but I couldn’t speak. “Today is the Homecoming Ceremony,” he said, changing the subject. “If you’re unwell, I can send word to the Crescent Clan. You don’t have to go.” I pushed myself up to sit on the edge of the bed. “Thank you, Alpha. I’m fine. I have to go back.” I must. If I don’t, Kain will think I was tortured here, too broken to face anyone. An hour later, I was ready. I was dressed in the formal attire of the Shadow Mountains’ Luna. Black silk wrapped around me, my hair held up by an obsidian pin from Draven. He and I were in the same car, heading for the Crescent Clan’s territory. Our car stopped at the entrance just as Kain’s procession arrived. He was helping Sara down from her car. She was wearing my ceremonial dress. The Spirit Wolf Pelt on her chest shimmered in the sunlight. Kain looked up and saw me. His eyes widened in absolute shock. He expected me to be wasted away, a wreck. Not regal. Not serene. “Lyra,” Sara cooed, her voice dripping with venomou sweetness. “There you are. Kain’s been worried sick.”

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Julian treated “breakup” like his trump card. He always won. Any time we hit a rough patch, he’d throw those words at me. I was always the one swallowing my pride to fix us. Then, I saw it on his laptop. A round-trip flight confirmation to Seattle. His ex-wife lived there. I confronted him with the silent evidence. Offended impatience filled his face. “Isabella is doing poorly. I’m heading to the West Coast for work anyway. Just stopping by to see her.” He didn’t even bother to close the laptop. “If you can’t even trust me, maybe we should break up.” The flight details stared back at me. Then I looked at the man I’d loved for three years. A long silence followed. “Fine. I agree. Let’s break up.” … Julian’s movements froze. He clearly didn’t expect my agreement. An indifferent glance flickered my way. Then he simply returned to his files. “Suit yourself.” I closed his laptop gently. Then I walked out of the study. Outside the door, I closed my eyes. My heart throbbed with pain. Julian didn’t come to the bedroom that night. I knew he was waiting. He thought I’d push open the study door like always, wearing that same practiced smile. But I was done being the clown. The next morning, I carried my suitcase downstairs. Julian was on a call. He saw me and spoke quickly into the phone. “Okay, see you the day after tomorrow.” Julian hung up in a hurry. I knew it was Isabella on the other end. Julian looked at my suitcase, then my face. His brow furrowed deeply. “Where are you going?” “Moving out.”

“Moving out?” He smirked. “When are you coming back?” I ignored his contemptuous tone. “I’m not coming back.” Impatience nearly overflowed from his face. “Clara, knock it off. Seriously? It was just a quick stop to see her. You’re really blowing this up into something it’s not.” I looked up and watched him silently for a long time. “It is.” It wasn’t just one ticket. Unwavering monthly records filled his account. The orders were dense. Every single trip was to see Isabella. I wasn’t throwing a fit. I just realized there was nothing left worth saving. Julian frowned. “Since when are you so petty?” Maybe I was. “Yes, Julian. I’m petty.” I looked straight into his eyes. My voice was firmer than ever. “That’s why I agreed to the breakup.” Last night, Julian didn’t take me seriously. He was sure I couldn’t let go. For three years, I was always the one chasing after him, always the one giving in. He was used to my obedience, used to me letting everything slide. Even my friends thought I was wasting myself on him. Friends said I was hell-bent on clinging to a man who didn’t deserve me. Julian’s face darkened completely. He let out a cold laugh. “Fine. If you’re set on it, we’re done.” I moved out of the Upper East Side apartment. Julian didn’t contact me. He never reached out first. I visited him once after the Seattle trip. My arrival didn’t surprise him. The situation was entirely under his control, or so he thought. I would return and bow after my so-called tantrums. Leaning against the door, he waited for me to coax him. Instead, I slid the engagement ring off my finger. “This belongs to you.”

Julian lowered his eyes but did not reach out. He suddenly gave an extremely mocking sneer. “Clara, you’re actually giving this back?” Six months ago, Julian proposed out of nowhere. The moment he slipped that ring onto my finger, forever felt real. So I cherished that ring obsessively. I never took it off, even to sleep. He once mocked me for making a fuss. I ignored his sarcasm and repeated my words calmly. “Yes. Returning to sender.” Julian’s smile froze for a moment. Then he curled his lips with a condescending tone. “Keep it.” He said lazily. “Putting it back on you later is too much trouble.” Trouble? In Julian’s world, what was actually easy? Crossing the whole country to see her was not trouble. Gifts and messages always arrived punctually every year. Dropping everything to comfort her wasn’t trouble. If she was upset, he’d drop everything and fly out just to be there for her. Even while I waited for him at home. I had always chosen not to think too hard about these things. Now, they hit me like a tidal wave. I thought if I just kept waiting, he would eventually be fully mine. I was wrong. No matter what I did, Julian always kept a place in his heart just for Isabella. “No thanks,” my voice lacked even a single ripple. “We are completely finished.”

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I was the Snow Wolf Princess. My clan gave everything to make Bloodfang king. Six months pregnant, he forced a wager on me. My Luna title. Three thousand Snow Wolf lives. At the Autumn Hunt, I had to outshoot his favored consort. His favored consort was the pack’s top female archer. She smirked triumphantly in his arms. One arrow. My sacred crown was gone. The bastards laughed their hardest. Right then, I heard my unborn pup’s voice. He said he was the War God Sky Wolf reborn. “Mom, take the bet!” I drew my bow. First arrow, straight through the bell. Second arrow, clean through the hall. The bastards were left with nothing. Military command and the throne. Both mine! Inside the Alpha King’s tent, I stood below, cradling my belly. I watched that disgusting pair cuddled on the throne. Bloodfang’s men watched me like predators, jeering from both sides of the hall. “Luna, you accepted the bet to shoot against Her Highness Consort Nayi. Are you backing out after only one arrow?” Nayi sat in Bloodfang’s lap, black-eared and gold-eyed, smirking at me. A lithe Black-Stripe Jackal. The pack’s finest female archer. I was the Snow Wolf Princess. My kin came from the snowfields, every last one pure white. During the fight for the throne, I led my kin thousands of miles. We sought these warm valleys solely to crown my mate King. But the moment my dear mate took the throne, he made Nayi his consort. He exalted his mistress and crushed his Luna. At the Autumn Hunt, Bloodfang used entertainment as his excuse to pit me against Nayi. Three thousand Snow Wolf lives thrown on the table. He even demanded my sacred crown as a wager. My bow hand trembled. I bowed my head. Desperate tears splashed onto my knuckles. Right then, I heard a child’s voice from inside my belly. [Fear not, Mother. I am the War God Sky Wolf reborn. The next shot is mine.] My eyes went wide. A tiny wolf spirit emerged from my belly. Silver-white all over, his translucent body shimmered with starlight. Left eye gold. Right eye silver. [Zephyros is here! Who dares bully my mother?] Zephyros, the War God Sky Wolf. The most legendary young hero in wolf history. Could it truly be him? Yet no one else in the hall seemed to see him. Bloodfang drawled from his throne. “Can’t keep up, Luna? Just concede. It is a trinket. Nayi wants it, so let her play with it for a few days. You’re the Luna. Act like it.” My fists clenched tight. That crown had always been the sacred symbol of a Luna’s rank. A crownless Luna. The humiliation would be endless. Nayi stroked Bloodfang’s chest and looked my way. A dark, sultry smile curled her lips. “My King, you are so good to me. But if the Luna is struggling, let’s raise the stakes. I want the ice crystal around Isolde’s neck. Does she dare?” The hall erupted. I hissed. “This crystal is the Heart of Everwinter, our pack’s sacred charge. The Sky Wolf God granted it to our ancestors. It is no power symbol or military seal. It is the foundation of the entire wolf order. Nayi, how dare you treat it like a toy!” I lifted my ice-blue eyes. My voice came out cold and steady. Bloodfang waved his hand and pulled Nayi close with a doting squeeze. “Whatever you want, my love.” I gritted my teeth. The godlike little pup placed a paw on my hand. [Fear not, Mother. Take the bet. With me here, you will not lose. Not a chance.] I paused for just a beat, then made up my mind. “Since Your Majesty will sacrifice a century of our pack’s foundation just to amuse a mistress, then I accept.”

The entire hall went silent with shock. Nayi stepped down from the throne and reached into my collar. She pulled out the ice-blue crystal. The temperature in the tent plunged. Even the flames in the braziers dipped lower. “Perfect, Isolde. It is sacred and beautiful. I have always wanted this…” “Stop!” Slap! I knocked her hand away hard. “This is no trophy or toy. It is the anchor of a thousand years of wolf order. You’re from some backwater Black-Stripe Jackal offshoot. What gives you the right to touch it?” Nayi clutched her hand and stumbled back, feigning injury. She threw herself into Bloodfang’s arms, crying and complaining. “My King, Isolde clearly agreed just now. Why is she taking it back?” Bloodfang had been lounging against his throne, toying with the wolf-tooth pendant at his waist. He slammed a heavy palm on the armrest. His golden pupils shrank to thin vertical slits. The most dangerous signal before a wolf’s rage. Terrified elders dropped to their knees throughout the hall. “My word stands, Isolde. Do you want every beast clan to think the Alpha’s word is worthless?” “I would not dare,” I said coldly. “But beast-kin wagers are known for fairness. The stakes must be equal.” I lifted the sacred crown from my head. My white hair spilled down like a waterfall. Nine pure white wolf-tooth pendants swayed, clinking softly. “I stake this crown and the Heart of Everwinter. I wager my Luna title and our lineage’s dignity. Nayi, what do you have to wager? The slave identity you crawled out of a hyena den with?” In Bloodfang’s arms, Nayi’s pupils flared and her ears shot up. She glared at me with hatred. I went on, unbothered. “You were a slave picking arrows on the wasteland. You only wear silk and brocade because you crawled into the King’s tent. Do you really think you have the right to bet against me?” “Enough!” Bloodfang slammed the throne suddenly. His fangs showed. A low growl rumbled from deep in his throat. Nayi seized the moment and threw herself into his arms. Her tears fell like beads from a broken string. “My King… I am from a minor branch. I have nothing but you. She is right. I am unworthy to bet against her.” She put on a tearful, helpless look and started to rise. Bloodfang yanked her back into his arms, knuckles cracking. He stared at the crown in my hand, then looked down at his bawling mistress. Then he laughed. “Who says she has nothing?” Bloodfang slowly pushed Nayi aside and sat up straight. He raised his right hand and slid the heavy ring off his thumb. Cast from black iron, set with a blood-red wolf-eye gem. The totem of the Great Ancestor Wolf was engraved on the band. “I, the Alpha King, will cover her stake.”

“This is the Alpha King’s Signet, a relic of past Kings. It commands three thousand Grey Wolf warriors.” He slammed the ring hard onto the throne’s armrest. It landed with a dull thud. “Enough to cover that worthless crown of yours, Luna?” My pupils shrank. Every elder in the tent sucked in a sharp breath. Elder Whitemane shot to his feet. “Your Highness, reconsider! The ring must not…” Bloodfang shot him a cold look. His golden slit pupils flared. The elder went silent immediately. Nayi pressed against Bloodfang’s chest and flashed me a provocative smile. A cheerful pup’s voice echoed in my ears. [The Alpha King Ring! We hit the jackpot, Mom. Grab the bow! Your son will guide your arrow!] I watched that bastard pair in silence and smiled. There was a touch of pity in it. “Since Your Majesty is wagering for her, I shall gladly play along.” Bloodfang’s lips curled slightly. “Round two. Change the targets!” For years, I stood by his side at every hunt and archery match. Yet he only ever let me cheer from inside the tent. He forbade me from touching weapons, saying iron was too rough for my delicate hands. So earlier, I could barely draw. I barely scored a five. Nayi grew up on the wild plains and easily scored a perfect ten. Bloodfang knew all of this perfectly well. Iron-spine slaves moved on command. The first-round targets were wheeled away. Two taller iron racks were brought forward. Two copper bells hung from iron chains, suspended a full two hundred paces out. “Change bows,” Bloodfang ordered. His voice was cold as ice shards. Attendants presented two bows. Nayi took hers. Rosewood frame, wolf teeth inlaid on the arms. One of the strongest bows in the pack. She drew it easily into a full moon. The attendant set my bow at Nayi’s feet. It was no ordinary bow. The frame was jet black, heavy as iron. Three cords of ox tendon twisted into a string thick as a pinky. Stood upright, it nearly reached my chest. Hushed voices murmured across the hall. “That is the first Alpha’s Stone-Crusher Bow. Without godly strength, no one can draw it. The Luna is pregnant. The Alpha really is trying to finish her off.” Bloodfang sat high above it all. “You’ve never had a bow of your own, so I’m lending you one worthy of your title.” I said nothing and bent down to pick it up.

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The day it went viral online that I’d cheated on my husband, everyone assumed Ethan Vance would divorce me. Yet, he calmly went on a trip with his mistress. When asked about it, he spoke nonchalantly. “Ten years ago, I jumped from the third story of the school building to pursue Anastasia Reed, and broke a leg. She called me a pathetic simp, unworthy of love.” “Ten years later, I’ve ruined her. I’ve trapped her in the marital prison she hates most, making her life a living hell.” “I don’t love her anymore, so how could I care if she cheats?” His words were recorded and sent to me. A thirty-million dollar wager was placed, betting I’d beg for forgiveness within a day. Instead, I calmly dialed the hospital’s body donation program. Ethan didn’t know that on the day he confessed his love to me ten years ago, I dropped out of school and vanished because I’d been diagnosed with a rare disease. Doctors had given me countless death sentences, but my love for him pulled me through time and again. Now, I no longer loved him. A marital prison couldn’t hold a dead woman.

A month after Ethan went traveling with his mistress, I signed the body donation agreement. I calmly packed all my belongings and called the cemetery manager. “Ms. Davies, please buy me that plot.” “Yes, I won’t be burying a body, just some old things.” “Could you please pick up the packed items from Ethan’s villa?” With everything arranged, I transferred the last of my money via PayPal. The moment my account balance hit zero, there was no fear or confusion. Only a sense of peace and release from death. A year ago, I thought my illness was cured. With a mix of hope and trepidation, I returned to New York, hoping to win Ethan back. But I found everything had changed. Ethan hated me. He wished I was dead. He trapped me in the marriage I despised most. Reminding me again and again how much I’d hurt him back then. For a year, I quietly endured it, trying to melt away the hatred between us with love. But I failed. The consequence of that failure was my disease relapsing. This time, Ethan got what he wished for. His screams in bed, asking why I didn’t just die, had finally come true. Forcing myself to ship out the packed items, I swallowed a handful of painkillers. Just as the pain began to subside, my phone rang. Ethan’s Ins feed had updated again. He’d posted countless photos of him and Serena on their trip. They kissed under romantic snow-capped mountains. They planted a pine tree named after them in a vast, endless desert. They went deep-sea diving and took photos with sharks… All the things I had once written in my diary. All the things Ethan had promised to do with me. He had done them, one by one, with Serena. A sharp, stabbing pain pulsed in my chest, and I endured it numbly. Just as I was about to turn off my phone, Ethan’s call came directly through. “Ana Reed, send ten boxes of condoms to the Hilton Hotel.” “Serena is allergic to strawberry-flavored ones. If you mess up again, I’ll tell the vet to stop treating your precious sick dog!” Ethan’s voice was slightly breathless, and if I listened closely, I could hear a woman’s seductive voice. I gripped my phone, it took me a long moment to find my voice. “Ethan, Buddy is already dead…” “Poisoned by your mistress…” A month ago, Ethan held a welcome-home party for Serena. That night, he threw the games in front of me, deliberately losing to her multiple times. The first time, Serena demanded he French-kiss her for three minutes. Before the kiss, he drank the soup I’d spent three hours making for him, then locked lips with Serena, deliberately humiliating me.

The second time, Serena demanded he take off his shirt and leave seven hickeys on his abs, to commemorate their seven years apart. He stood before me, his voice cold, and ordered me to take off the shirt I’d ironed for him that morning. The third time, Serena leaned limply against him, pulling out a hotel key card, and wanted to go to bed with him. He tossed me a black card and told me to personally go buy condoms. I threw the strawberry-flavored condoms from my bag onto the table and walked away. In the middle of the night, Serena had an allergic reaction to strawberry-flavored condoms, went into anaphylactic shock, and was hospitalized. To punish me, he brought a critically ill Buddy home. When I found out, the doctor was telling me the news of my relapse, and Serena called me on FaceTime, laughing. “Ana Reed, I’m so sorry. I accidentally fed your dog rat poison. It died, foaming at the mouth.” My fingers gripping the phone turned white, and a sharp, continuous throbbing pain shot through my chest. Buddy was the dog we’d promised to raise together. Its warm yellow fur was the first color I saw after countless resuscitations. It had accompanied me through the most painful ten years, only to be poisoned to death. Tears streamed down my face. I didn’t wait for Ethan to speak again, hanging up the call immediately. Numbly, I returned to my bed, curling up, trying to draw warmth from around me. Just then, my phone started buzzing with texts, one after another. **[Ana Reed, do you know who orchestrated your affair??]** **[It was Ethan Vance!]** **[He knew you hated cheating most, but for Serena’s amusement, he still did it!]** The anonymous texts. I froze. My eyes were glued to the words: “Ethan orchestrated your affair.” Emotions churned within me, and a metallic taste of blood filled my throat. I once had a happy family. But because my dad cheated, my mom drove us away. The car collided with a semi-truck. My mom shielded me, her body crushed into pieces. That night, my mouth, eyes, and nostrils were all filled with the taste of my mother’s blood. I had once laid bare my deepest vulnerability. Ethan had protected it carefully, treasured it. Now, for Serena’s amusement, he’d used infidelity against me. My whole body spasmed with pain. I didn’t take any more painkillers and finally passed out. The next day when I woke up again, I signed for the euthanasia pills the doctor had sent. I unwrapped the pills and had just put them into my bag. When the villa door was suddenly kicked wide open. “Ana Reed, who told you to send Serena so many strawberry-flavored things!” “Don’t you know her allergy is so severe she couldn’t even stand the smell of strawberries?!” Ethan radiated cold fury, his eyes filled with intense disgust. I froze, then saw Serena, behind him, covering her face, smiling a knowing, meaningful smile. “Ethan, my face is ruined!” “I have to get my revenge…” Before she finished speaking, Serena strode forward. She slapped me, hard, across the face, again and again. “Smack!” “Smack, smack, smack!” My face stung and swelled from the slaps. I leaned against the wall. After collecting myself, I picked up a nearby vase and smashed it over her head. “Crash!” The vase shattered on Serena’s head. I stared intently at Ethan, and asked the question. “Ethan Vance, was that affair, was that all your doing?!” “It was my doing.” “I knew you hated cheating most, I did it on purpose!” “Ana Reed, do you know what I regret most?” “Saving you in sophomore year of high school! I should have let your dad and his mistress beat you to death!”

He spoke each word slowly. Ethan’s eyes harbored deep hatred. He gave me a look of disgust, then stepped back, calling a doctor to bandage Serena up. I slid down the wall to the floor. My heart felt like it was being chiseled open with an axe. In my agony, I finally realized that perhaps I had been wrong ten years ago. My perceived “good intentions” were actually slow poison. Ten years later, the poison took effect. Neither Ethan nor I could escape it. “Ethan, actually ten years ago, I…” Lying on the floor, I forced the metallic taste of blood down and began to speak. The next second, a delicate, fearful voice sounded. “Ethan, my head hurts so much! Come over and look at me!” Serena’s voice cut me off. Ethan walked past me, a sneer on his face as he spoke. “Ana Reed, you want to say you had a hidden reason back then? Do you think I’d believe it?” “Or, to put it another way, can the leg I broke for you just magically reappear?” His cold, mocking words were like a sledgehammer striking my soul. I bit down hard on my lip, looking down at Ethan’s left leg, which moved with an unnatural limp. All strength left my body. Without another word, I slowly stood up to return to the bedroom. But Ethan mocked me again. “Ana Reed, wrongdoers must be punished, didn’t you say that?” “How will you apologize this time?” “I’ll apologize with my death…” I said calmly, my fingers resting on the doorknob. I noticed my fingers, once slender and strong, were now dry and brittle like wood. “Ana Reed, what did you say?!” Ethan grabbed my hand tightly, his voice trembling with anger. “Death? You want to use death to escape your guilt towards me?” “I’m telling you, no way! In this world, as long as I don’t want you dead, you can’t die!” Ethan spoke through gritted teeth, his eyes blazing with fury. I didn’t say a word, calmly letting him hold my arm. Ethan didn’t know that everyone is subject to the natural cycle of life and death; he couldn’t stop it. “Ethan, I remember you broke a leg falling from the third story of the school building trying to pursue Ana Reed. How about we make Ana Reed jump from the third floor of the villa?” “There’s a pool below anyway, she’ll be fine.” After a few seconds of silent stalemate, Serena, her wounds bandaged and her eyes filled with hatred, walked over. She gently tugged Ethan’s arm, whining. “Ethan, just agree! Ana Reed hit my head so hard, she has to apologize to me!” “Plus, I have a photography exhibition soon, and I still need a dramatic diving photo!” Ethan’s grip on my arm tightened, and hatred churned in his eyes. In that moment, I thought he would just strangle me. But a few seconds later, he let out a cold laugh. “Fine!” “Let’s do it!” “I also want to see if our little scaredy-cat, who used to be terrified of heights and water, has overcome it yet?” That familiar nickname echoed in my ears. I clenched my fists and bit down hard on my lip, remaining silent. Ethan, however, smiled and had the bodyguards take me to the third floor of the villa. “Ana Reed, I’ll be waiting for you on the first floor. Don’t disappoint me with your apology…” Forced by the bodyguards to stand by the third-floor window, my whole body trembled. The long-suppressed metallic taste of blood seemed ready to burst forth. “Ana Reed, hurry up! Ethan and I are getting tired of waiting!”

On the ground floor, Ethan and Serena stood side-by-side. I didn’t know what Serena said, but Ethan bent down and kissed her. A sharp pain pierced my heart. I took out the euthanasia pills from my bag, remembering the doctor’s instructions. “Ms. Reed, if you want to go quickly, take this new pill.” “But after taking it, you mustn’t touch water for an hour, or your body will…” The doctor’s horrified expression reappeared in my mind. I held the euthanasia pills, turned, and had a bodyguard call Ethan. “Ethan, can I not jump?” I asked quietly, and Ethan’s sarcastic voice immediately came through. “Ana Reed, are you scared? Want me to give you a push?” “With your fake ashes.” Ethan’s words made my heart clench. Just then, the bodyguard came out carrying the box I’d sent to the cemetery for burial. “Shipping things to be buried in a cemetery?” “Ana Reed, you’re a real comedian.” “And this urn, it looks so convincing. If Serena hadn’t told me your dog was still alive, I would’ve been fooled.” “I’ll give you ten seconds. Jump now, or all these things are going straight into the pool!” His cold words came through the phone. I bit down so hard on my lip, I tasted blood, and was about to speak. But Ethan was already counting down. “Ten!” “Nine!” “Eight!” … Each count, one after another, was like the anesthetist’s countdown before surgery. I smiled through my tears, and agreed, my voice hoarse. “Okay…” The countdown on the phone stopped. Without hesitation, I swallowed the euthanasia pill. I stood on the windowsill. Just as I spread my arms, I heard a startled cry from below. “Ah! I didn’t mean to!” “I just wanted to see what was inside…” Serena’s surprised voice floated up. The small dog urn in Ethan’s hand was knocked over. A gust of wind blew, and the ashes inside scattered into the pool. Gray ashes floated on the surface of the water. Tears rolled down my eyes, blurring my vision. I spoke to Ethan on the phone one last time. “Ethan, after this apology with my death, I’ll owe you nothing anymore…” With that, I leaped from the third floor of the villa. My body plummeted rapidly. The wind whistled past. Memories flashed through my mind. I saw Ethan when we first met, his face radiating a bright, righteous energy, shielding me behind him. I saw Ethan bringing me tampons for the first time, his face flushed, but still asking if I was in pain. I saw Ethan, having written ninety-nine love letters, his eyes filled with love, swearing to love me forever. In the final flicker of my life, I saw the only sweetness in my short life. As my consciousness faded and I hit the pool, I saw twenty-eight-year-old Ethan, his face filled with shock and panic. … By the swimming pool, Ethan’s face was splashed by the water. The icy cold water snapped him back to reality. He looked at the ashes floating in the pool. My words echoed in his mind. For a moment, his mind went blank. “Ethan, Ana Reed’s expression when she jumped was so funny. When I put it in my exhibition, it’s going to go viral!” Serena held her camera, laughing carelessly. “Oh, why isn’t Ana Reed coming up yet? It’s so cold out, we should go back inside!” Serena pulled Ethan, heading towards the villa. But Ethan remained rooted to the spot. His eyes were fixed on the pool.

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After the fake heiress slandered me for the ninety-ninth time, my family sold me to the most sadistic tycoon in Los Angeles. I lay on the ground, crying and banging my head until it bled, begging them to let me go. But my father, George, slapped me hard across the face. “You wanted to fight for attention and bully Audrey? Go to the tycoon, learn your place, and how to behave.” My brother, Holt, chimed in from the side, “Exactly! Audrey is the same age as you, so how is she so much more thoughtful and caring? If you can’t learn the rules, don’t ever come back!” My mother, Mason, who once loved me the most, looked at me with a stranger’s eyes. She held Audrey in her arms, and her gaze was like an icy arrow. “Only by suffering can the lesson be etched into your bones. Only then can you understand Audrey’s hardships and pain.” So I was sent away. I carried three pregnancies for the tycoon that never came to term, was handed to his rivals for humiliation, took the fall for his crimes and went to prison, had three fingers severed, was forced to crawl through crotches and bark like a dog… In the third winter, I escaped, and died alone under a frozen bridge. Two years later, my family wanted to draw my Rh-negative blood to save the fake heiress, but I had already been dead for five years.

I died. My soul drifted into the pitch-black night sky, staring down at my ghastly, inhuman, pale corpse. Following my faded memories, I drifted back to the Rasmus family home. The house was so lively, hosting Audrey’s birthday party. I stared at Audrey, who was the center of attention, like a princess among her subjects. She wore a designer haute couture dress, diamond-encrusted high heels, and jewelry worth a fortune, smiling a stunning, show-stopping smile. I thought of myself, frozen to death under the cold bridge. Dressed in a filthy, ragged cloth, my face so disfigured from inhuman torture it no longer looked human. My left hand was a disgusting sight, three fingers chopped off from my escape attempt. Yet, I was clearly the child of my parents, Holt’s biological sister, and I had died a miserable death in the ice and snow, with a grievance I could never let go. Amidst the laughter and chatter, a noblewoman mentioned me. “Where’s Carol? Why isn’t she out? Isn’t it her birthday too?” Mason’s face darkened, and George and Holt’s faces looked like they could drip water. Audrey paused, her eyes darting around, and said with a smile, trying to smooth things over. “Mom and Dad punished her, and she got upset and ran away from home. It can’t be helped; Carol has always been more delicate than me.” The noblewoman nodded, tactfully not mentioning me again. George snorted, sneering. “Audrey, you don’t need to make excuses for that scoundrel. A degenerate who frames her sisters and harms her own family—the Rasmus family has no such daughter!” The noblewoman gasped, covering her mouth. I knew she was a gossip. Without a doubt, my reputation would be dragged through the mud by those few words tonight. Holt’s face was full of disgust as he clenched his fist. “Dad’s right. Rest assured, Audrey, as long as I’m alive, and as long as she hasn’t repented, I won’t let her set foot through the Rasmus family’s door again.” Mason also nodded, her face expressionless. “On such a joyous day, why bring up that unlucky person?” I thought about the past. When I first returned to the Rasmus family as the true heiress, they all treated me like a treasure. Audrey always said she saw me as her dearest and best sister, but whenever we were together, she was always having some kind of “accident.” She fell and scraped her knee, saying I pushed her, deliberately making her look bad at a business banquet. She said I poisoned her drink, making her throat hoarse so she couldn’t sing, causing them to get last place in a choir competition. Slowly, George stopped smiling at me, Holt stopped calling me his sister, the gifts they prepared never included me, and Mason stopped holding me or making me delicious food. The only things I received were endless distrust and punishment. Finally, one day, when Audrey cut her own face and said I did it, they sold me to the most ruthless “sugar daddy” in all of Los Angeles. “If you don’t learn your place, don’t ever come back!” I was sold to be molested in a casino, forced into bed with greasy men. I was beaten until I miscarried, carried three pregnancies for my abuser that never came to term. I was handed to his rivals for humiliation, took the fall for his crimes and went to prison. I had three fingers severed, was forced to crawl through crotches and bark like a dog… Thinking about this, my eyes turned red. Dad, Mom, Holt, if you knew the torture I endured and that I was already dead, what would you do? Just then, George’s phone rang. He patted Audrey’s shoulder affectionately and walked aside to answer it. “Hello, this is the LAPD. Carol’s body was discovered by a passerby tonight. Please come to claim the body as soon as possible.”

I waited for George’s reaction, but he just let out a cold smirk. “Carol, what kind of trick are you playing now? You want to come home? Dream on!” “Did you think we’d let you come back and bully Audrey?” A pang of pain shot through my heart. It was true. Over the years, I never stopped hoping my family would get me out. Even when the result of trying to contact them was a broken right leg, ten fingernails being pried off, or being beaten unconscious again and again. Over the years, I tried everything. Sending messages through people, calling, texting, even going to find them myself, but it was always like a stone sinking into the ocean. The day after I was beaten into a miscarriage, I chewed through the ropes and jumped from a fourth-story window, running barefoot straight to the Rasmus Group headquarters. The security guard was shocked by my pale face and horrific injuries, hurriedly helping me call the police and running to find my family. But in the end, I didn’t see any of my family members. The security guard was fired by Audrey. I was sent back to my abuser’s house by the Rasmus Group’s bodyguards, awaiting me was pepper spray, a waterboarding cell, and being tied up under the sun while the flesh on my back was sliced off piece by piece… The tycoon picked his teeth with a sadistic grin, spat his phlegm on my face. “Miss your family, huh? Here, let me let you hear their voices.” He played a recording on his phone. It had my dad, mom, Holt, and Audrey. “Dad, I heard someone calling herself Carol is at the gate. Shouldn’t you go check it out?” It was Audrey, feigning concern for me. Holt sounded impatient. “What? She ran out? Then just send her back. Is this little thing worth bothering Dad over?” “That’s right, Audrey. You’re just too kind. After all the bullying she did to you back then, a little suffering is good for her.” George echoed. “I bought you a carload of new clothes. Go see if you like them.” From then on, I lost all will to live, only wanting to die. Back to the present. Holt furrowed his brow, his face hesitant. “Dad, the police wouldn’t mess around with someone like this, would they? Should we send someone to check?” Audrey’s face was grim. She picked up her phone and went off to the side, fiddling with it. George scoffed, his face full of disdain. “Silly boy. With AI so prevalent now, who can’t fake an audio clip?” “Don’t let family ties blind you to the truth. A mistake deserves punishment. Why should Audrey be the one to suffer?” Mason, who had been a bit suspicious, immediately lost most of her doubt and turned angry again. “That kid is really something else, deliberately using our concern for her to threaten us!” Holt shook his head, his brow furrowed, expression grave. “Is it real or not?” Just then, Audrey ran over with her phone in hand. “Look! Carol’s Twitter account just followed a celebrity and liked her favorite celebrity’s posts!” Holt grabbed the phone and looked; his face flushed red, he clenched his fist, and the veins on his forehead throbbed. “Great! She fools us and still has the nerve to be on Twitter! It seems the tycoon’s punishment was too light.” Saying this, he walked aside and called the tycoon. “Hey, Mr. Brooks. Yeah, you need to step up the punishment for Carol. Don’t let her have any more of these ridiculous, strange ideas.” I floated in mid-air, shivering in fear at the sound of the tycoon’s voice. But Holt, that Twitter account that belonged to me had long been taken by Audrey to boost her favorite celebrities. And the so-called usage record was clearly staged by her. The truth was, I was already dead, long ago.

After the party ended, the Rasmus family home returned to silence. But that phone call about me was like a needle lodged in everyone’s heart. The usually fastidious George sat on the couch, chain-smoking one cigarette after another, ashes falling all over the floor. Mason held a teacup, the tea long gone, but she mechanically sipped from it, her gaze drifting towards the door. Holt paced back and forth irritably, unlocking and locking his phone, finally slamming his fist against the wall. “What the hell is Carol trying to do now?!” Nobody answered. I just looked at them sorrowfully. Then, the housekeeper came down from upstairs carrying a cardboard box, asking cautiously. “Sir, should I still keep these?” I looked down, and my heart clenched violently. Those were my things. The teddy bear I slept with as a child, the trophy from my first competition, a photo with my parents, the birthday gift Holt bought me, and a diary worn ragged at the edges. George’s face instantly darkened. “Throw it all away.” Mason’s fingers paused slightly, and she said subconsciously, “Maybe we should keep it for now.” A flicker of panic flashed in Audrey’s eyes. She quickly hugged Mason’s arm, her eyes reddening. “Are you still reluctant to let go of Carol?” “It’s actually okay. After all, she’s your biological daughter, and I’m just an outsider…” She lowered her head as she spoke, tears streaming down her face. Holt’s expression changed immediately. He rushed to her and pulled her into his arms. “Nonsense! How can she compare to you!” George was even more furious. “That beast isn’t even fit to lick your boots!” He stood up abruptly, kicking the cardboard box over. “Burn it! Burn every last bit of it!” The contents scattered all over the floor. I watched helplessly as the scarf Mason had knitted for me as a child was trampled into the mud, and the music box Holt gave me shattered into pieces. Finally, the housekeeper took everything to the backyard. The fire burned fiercely, the flames lighting up half the sky. I stood by the fire, staring blankly as those things slowly turned to ash. Mason suddenly spoke. “Carol used to really love that bear.” Holt paused for a moment. George’s face was grim as he snorted. “Love it? Then she shouldn’t have done such shameless things!” But after he finished, the surrounding area fell silent, and nobody spoke. Audrey clenched her hands, her nails digging deep into her palms. George irritably stubbed out his cigarette. The next day, the Rasmus family went to dine at the most exclusive private club in Los Angeles. From the hallway came the loud, drunken laughter of a few men. “I’m telling you, that crippled chick at Mr. Brooks’ place, tsk, an absolute delicacy.” “Not only does she crawl like a dog, but she wiggles her ass. I heard she used to be some Miss Carol or something!” The wine glass in Holt’s hand shattered on the floor. Mason’s face turned ashen, and George froze instantly. I hovered in mid-air, shaking all over. Those men, they were the ones who had brutalized me. Holt suddenly stood up and rushed over, his voice trembling. “Who did you just say?” The men were startled. One of them said drunkenly. “Mr. Brooks’ little plaything. What was her name…” “Oh, yeah. Carol.” A dead silence filled the air. Mason’s legs went weak, almost collapsing to the floor. George’s face was ashen, veins bulging on his forehead. “Say that again?” The man was frightened by them, his drunkenness fading by half. “Just that woman Mr. Brooks keeps. Everyone knows about her.” “I heard she was pregnant several times, all aborted. She even did time for Mr. Brooks…” “Later, she ran away and got caught. Three fingers were chopped off. It’s even more thrilling with a broken body!” Holt’s breathing grew more and more rapid, his eyes bloodshot. “What did she look like?” The man tried hard to remember. “Pretty skinny. Her face was ruined, couldn’t really see clearly. But I heard she used to be really beautiful…” “Her name was something like Carol?” The knife and fork in Mason’s hands clattered to the ground. She began to tremble all over. George’s face was terrifyingly grim, his lips turning white. At that moment, Audrey suddenly stood up, forcing a smile to interrupt. “It definitely wasn’t Carol!” “Lots of people in LA are named Carol. And isn’t she still active on Twitter?” “How could she be as miserable as they say?” She deliberately clung to Mason’s arm, saying softly. “Mom, don’t overthink things. Carol is so smart, she wouldn’t let herself be taken advantage of.” Holt was stunned for a moment. The wavering in George’s face slowly subsided. Right. If it was really me, how could there be no news at all? If it was really me, why would the police only call once? If it was really me, why wouldn’t I come home? They desperately convinced themselves, but once the seed of doubt was planted, it would eventually take root and sprout. I was willing to wait, wait for the day the truth came to light. I could afford to wait. After all, I was already a spirit.

Ever since returning from the club that day, everyone in the Rasmus family had been acting a little strange. Especially Mason, who started having sleepless nights. Sometimes she would wake up in the middle of the night, drenched in a cold sweat, grabbing George and asking. “Hey, you don’t think something really happened to Carol, do you?” George would turn over irritably. “Don’t be so paranoid!” But after he said it, he couldn’t sleep anymore either. On the internet, news about me started popping up out of nowhere. At first, it was just some gossip accounts posting comparison videos. “‘Fake Heiress Audrey is the True Socialite,’ ‘Carol is Evil, Bullies Poor Audrey.’” In the videos, Audrey was gentle, kind, elegant, and noble. And I was edited to look like a vicious, scheming, jealous true heiress. The comment sections were flooded with abuse. “I heard she got kicked out of the house. Serves her right.” “Audrey is so pitiful, being bullied by someone like that for so many years.” Audrey held her phone, unable to suppress the smile at the corner of her mouth. She pretended to be worried. “Mom, Dad, should we clarify? I’m afraid Carol will be sad if she sees this…” Holt sneered. “She has the nerve to be sad?” George even directly told his assistant to fuel the trending topic, pushing the hashtag #Carol The Evil Heiress# to the top. I floated in mid-air, watching those filthy words, my heart felt like it was being carved by a thousand cuts. But slowly, the tide began to turn. Someone anonymously posted a few photos. In a dim basement, a woman covered in blood was kneeling on the ground. She was barely clothed, her left hand was empty, missing three fingers, and her back was covered in crisscrossing wounds. There was also a blurry video clip. In the video, a woman was being forced to crawl through a man’s crotch and bark like a dog. The men around her roared with laughter. And that woman, curled up on the ground like a dying dog. Although her face was mostly hidden by blood and matted hair, anyone familiar with her could still recognize it was me. The internet exploded instantly. “WTF! Is that Carol?” “For real? That’s so brutal.” “I thought it was just running away from home?” “This is a crime!” When Mason scrolled to the video, her face went white as a sheet. Her phone fell to the ground, shattering. Holt stared intently at the screen, his breath ragged. “How is this possible…” George, for the first time, fell silent. The entire living room was deathly quiet. Just then, Audrey suddenly cried out. “Look! There are already people online analyzing it, saying the video was deliberately faked to smear the Rasmus family!” Sure enough, a massive number of accounts started posting like crazy. “‘Secret of the Rich! The Rasmus Family’s True Heiress Suspected of Being Sacrificed’” “‘The Rasmus Family Made Their Fortune Through Dark Arts, Their Biological Daughter Was Used to Ward Off Disaster’” “‘Carol is Dead, Her Vengeful Spirit Appears at the Rasmus Family Home for Revenge.’” The rumors got more and more absurd, and someone even Photoshopped a picture of me, covered in blood, standing in front of the Rasmus family home. For a moment, the entire internet was buzzing, and the Rasmus family actually felt a sense of relief. Yes. With things this ridiculous, it must be fake. Holt irritably turned off his phone. “A bunch of psychos.” George sneered. “I told you someone was deliberately messing with us.” Although Mason’s face still didn’t look good, she reluctantly nodded. Only I was desperately shaking my head. It wasn’t fake. Those wounds were real. That blood was real. Audrey suddenly let out a little “ah!” “Carol’s online on Twitter!”

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On the day of my pregnancy checkup, my boyfriend William and my best friend Heather came with me. Everyone said I was lucky, blessed with both love and friendship. I held Heather’s hand and joked with William, “Heather is my best friend. You better not neglect her.” William gave a helpless smile, but didn’t exactly give Heather a warm look. Seeing William maintain such clear boundaries filled me with happiness as I went in for my exam, but when the checkup was over, William and Heather were nowhere to be found. I immediately called William on my phone, but heard a familiar ringtone coming from the stairwell. I followed the sound toward the stairwell door. Separated by just that one door, I heard the most devastating words of my life. “Darling, you smell so good~” “Stop it, we’re in a hospital.” The normally gentle and respectable William was now shamelessly tangled up with Heather. I watched them flirt as if no one else existed, their vulgar and suggestive words spilling out nonstop. The massive shock made my head spin instantly, a sharp pain twisting in my abdomen, and I let out a groan of pain before blacking out. When I woke up again, I saw the worried expressions on William and Heather’s faces…

“Lisa, are you okay?” William reached out to help me up, but I instinctively pulled back. The filthy, disgusting scene in the stairwell flashed through my mind again. “Don’t touch me.” William met my eyes and his face stiffened. He knew I must have seen everything. Just then, the doctor walked over and said, “The patient fainted due to emotional shock. Luckily, her body is fine, but your wife is about to give birth. Be a little more considerate.” The doctor looked at William with a hint of displeasure. William quickly nodded and apologized, unsure of how to face me. After the doctor left, Heather, who had been silent the whole time, finally stepped forward. “Lisa, since you know, there’s no need for William and me to hide it from you anymore.” William shot Heather a glare, but she didn’t care at all. “Lisa is my best friend. What’s there to hide between us? We’re together now.” She said it with such self-righteousness, like it was just some kind of announcement. My face was pale. William had been watching my expression closely and immediately snapped at Heather. “Enough! Don’t you know Lisa is pregnant?” Heather pouted. William came over to soothe me. “Don’t upset the baby. I’ll explain this whole thing to you later.” “Get away from me!” I shoved William away with disgust, a sharp pain twisting in my chest. The truth was slapping me right in the face. What was there left to explain? Heather quickly steadied the stumbling William and glared at me angrily. “Lisa, don’t be so unreasonable. Don’t use your pregnancy as an excuse to scream at William.” “He’s not just your man anymore. Even if you don’t care about him, I do.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My eyes red, I demanded, “How long has this… been going on?” Just asking that question took every ounce of my strength. The pain in my chest was so fierce I could barely breathe. “Let it go, Lisa. Please, just listen to me, okay? The most important thing right now is your health,” William said, unable to bear seeing me like this. But I screamed, my heart shattering, “Answer me!” The scream made Heather’s face twist with anger. She shot back, a hint of revenge in her tone, without any hesitation. “I’ll be honest with you. The day I introduced William to you… no, even earlier than that, we were already together.” My whole body trembled. Three years. Three whole years. And even longer. The first year, Heather introduced William to me. The second year, William and I officially started dating. And this year, the third year, I got pregnant. Yet in some corner I never saw, William and Heather were inseparable. The thought that we had shared a man for these three years made me violently nauseous. Heather, however, put on understanding act and smiled at me. “Lisa, we’re friends who tell each other everything. You’ll understand, right?” Looking at my once cheerful best friend holding onto my man, I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I bent over and retched violently. William was terrified. He rushed to my side in a flash. “Lisa, what’s wrong? Let me get a doctor.” I used all my remaining strength to back away, refusing to let him near me. Gasping for air, I said, “William, I don’t want this baby anymore.”

William’s face instantly turned ashen. He grabbed my hands tightly and forced me back down onto the bed. “Lisa, don’t joke around.” William was usually mild-mannered and never lost his temper with me. This was the first time I’d seen him like this. I was stunned, but when I came to my senses, I was more confused than anything. I didn’t understand why William, who was so clearly entangled with Heather, had purposely gotten me pregnant with his child. William seemed to realize how frightening he looked. He took a deep breath and returned to his usual gentleness, coaxing me softly. “This is my fault. It has nothing to do with the baby. If you’re angry, take it all out on me.” I couldn’t speak. It all felt so absurd. Seeing I was still upset, William turned to Heather and scolded her, “This is all because of your big mouth! Get over here and apologize to Lisa right now!” He was defending me, just like he always did. And that was exactly why I had never suspected anything between them before. Heather was clearly unhappy after being yelled at by William, but she obediently walked over to me, looking wronged. “Lisa, don’t be mad anymore. The baby in your belly is what’s important.” The nausea washed over me again. Heather pouted. “You saw it yourself. William cares about you. Besides, we’ve been friends for so many years. I’m not here to steal your man.” I was so shocked by Heather’s shamelessness that I couldn’t even speak. Was what I saw in the stairwell just some kind of illusion? “You’re the baby’s mother. William can’t bear to lose you, and I care about you too. Can we just focus on having a healthy pregnancy, okay?” “Get out!” It was like I was seeing Heather for the first time. I grabbed the teacup from the nightstand and hurled it at her with all my might. “Ah!” Heather let out a pitiful scream. I looked up and saw the teacup shattered in the corner, with Heather on the floor. I stared at my own hand, momentarily at a loss. Then I looked up and met William’s furious gaze. “Lisa!” It was almost a roar, but the accusing words were forced back down when he saw my pale face. William silently rushed to Heather, carefully checking her body. “I’m fine. Lisa is mad at me, and I deserve it.” William helped her up to go see a doctor, but before leaving, he made a point of saying to me. “Don’t go anywhere. The baby you’re carrying is also my child. If anything happens to the baby…” He stopped there, his expression extremely complicated. Then he took Heather and finally left the hospital room. I sucked in a sharp breath, tears streaming down my face at the same time. The tears I had been holding back for so long, alone now in that hospital room, finally burst forth like a flood.

Heather and I had been friends for six years. Three years ago, she introduced me to her childhood friend. William, an independent game developer. Handsome and rich. In Heather’s words, he was a high-quality man. But I hadn’t really had any strong feelings for William. I knew he was Heather’s childhood friend, and because of that connection, I kept turning him down. I didn’t want a man to ruin my friendship with Heather. But Heather kept pushing for us to be together, saying her biggest wish was for me to be happy. So, with Heather cheering us on, William chased me for an entire year. And just like Heather said, William was a great guy. He was gentle and caring, never once losing his temper with me. In the years I was with William, I felt incredibly happy. We would all go out together like usual. I didn’t mind Heather joining us, but William seemed quite annoyed by it. Taking advantage of a moment when Heather went to the bathroom, he grabbed my waist and whispered a kiss near my ear. “Lisa, I was hoping our dates could be just the two of us. Heather always tagging along… what is this?” “During the movie just now, I didn’t even get a chance to steal a kiss.” William’s words made my heart tingle. Just as I was about to soothe him, Heather popped up again. Embarrassed, I pushed William away. “Oh, William, stop it.” Heather took the opportunity to wedge herself between us, naturally looping her arm through mine and saying sourly. “Lisa, you’re so blinded by love. Now that you have a boyfriend, you’ve forgotten all about me!” I quickly denied it jokingly, moving to placate Heather. “You’re the one who set us up. When we get married, I’ll have to thank you properly.” But just as the words left my mouth, Heather froze. Maybe it was my imagination, but I caught a flicker of shock in Heather’s eyes. I didn’t think too much of it at the time. Heather laughed dryly and said, a little strangely, “You two are getting married?” As she spoke, her eyes darted toward William. William looked at me and was silent for a long time before finally murmuring, “Yeah.” But after that outing, year after year, I brought up my wish to get married countless times. William’s answer was always the same: wait a little longer, there’s no rush. Now that I think about it, I realize he wasn’t against marriage. It was just that I was never the one he wanted to marry. Thinking this, my tears had already run dry. I was like an empty shell drained of all strength, my heart filled with nothing but endless grief and helplessness. The door clicked softly, and Heather walked into the room, perfectly fine. She came closer and sat on the edge of my bed, saying softly, “Don’t worry, I’m not hurt at all.” I stared silently at this incredibly familiar face, trying to see through her and figure out what she was thinking. “Pretty good act, right?” She smiled, a look of provocation on her face. “William really does still care about me.” My brow furrowed, and I ground my teeth. “Why?” Heather let out a sigh and answered casually, “Because I love him.” “You bitch!” Heather’s shamelessness made me furious all over again. I raised my hand to slap her. But I was too weak. Heather easily overpowered me in a second. She grabbed my wrist and slammed it down hard against the bed. Her face flushed with anger, clearly offended by what I called her. “Lisa, watch your mouth! You’re the one who stole William from me!” I let out a humorless laugh. She was the one who pushed me towards William, and now she was the one betraying me! How dare she accuse me of stealing her man?! If she loved William, why did she go out of her way to set us up, over and over? More than William’s betrayal, being played by Heather hurt me so much more. I ground my teeth, threw all dignity out the window, and spat out the most hurtful words I could find. “I’m pregnant with William’s child. We’re going to get married. So aren’t you the one rushing to be the other woman right now?” 　　 Heather’s face darkened with humiliation. “So what if you two were sneaking around behind my back? Did he give you any real status? Did he promise you anything?” “Am I wrong to call you a whore? Sharing my husband with me?” I glared at her fiercely, my voice a low growl through gritted teeth. “Heather, you are a goddamn whore!” “Shut up!” Heather was furious. She raised her hand and suddenly grabbed my throat. This time, I understood. There was hatred in her eyes. She hated me. “Who do you think you are? Let me tell you something. The only reason I let William go to you was because I wanted to use your body to get a child!” “You bitch, you actually dared to seduce William. If it weren’t for his baby in your belly, I’d strangle you right now!” “What do you have to be so smug about? You think William loves you? He has never loved you! I’m the only one he loves!” “If it weren’t for me, he wouldn’t even want to touch you! You call me the other woman? Let me tell you, you’re the other woman!” “The one who isn’t loved is the other woman!” My heart shuddered violently. My eyes red, I asked her one more time, “Then why? Why do this to me? Wasn’t I your best friend?” Heather glared at me, grinding her teeth. “I never considered you my friend.” Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. So it was all one-sided. I was the one who foolishly thought Heather was my friend. I was the one who foolishly fell in love with William. 　　 Whether it was William or Heather, this disgustingly twisted three-way relationship, I wanted nothing to do with any of it anymore! “Fine. I’ll give him back to you.” I climbed out of bed in a daze. “I’m going to get rid of this baby right now. You and William, and that… child that can never see the light of day. I don’t want any of it.”

“No!” Heather’s face stiffened as she grabbed my wrist. I froze, my brow furrowing, and just then, there was a noise from outside the door. I tried to pull my wrist free from Heather’s grip, but she was terrified I’d rush out to get an abortion, so she held on even tighter. I was in serious pain. “Let go!” So I struggled even harder, and right at that moment, William pushed the door open. Heather immediately slapped herself across the face. I was stunned. William stormed over impatiently, couldn’t help but roughly shove me aside, and shielded Heather behind him. “Lisa, are you done causing trouble yet? Heather’s already admitted she was wrong. Is there any point in you constantly going after her?” I stared at William in disbelief. Heather, seeing this, immediately pressed closer to William, looking utterly wronged. “Lisa thinks I’m the other woman who broke you two up. In the end, it’s all my fault. But I really never meant to steal your man.” “I love William, and William loves me. Isn’t that just two people who love each other?” I looked at William, hoping he would deny it. William looked at the red slap mark on Heather’s cheek, his expression complicated. After a moment of silence, he spoke. “Heather is not the other woman. We truly do love each other.” Heather raised an eyebrow, unable to hide the provocation in her eyes, as if she was proving something. In that moment, my heart died completely. A doctor knocked on the door from outside, reminding us about the medical bill. Heather said smugly, “I’ll go pay it. Gotta do my duty for the baby.” The hospital room was left with just me and William. William looked conflicted. He reached out to take my hand, but I subtly avoided him and walked over to the window alone. “Lisa, please don’t be mad anymore, okay?” I stared blankly out the window. In William’s memory, I was always bright and radiant, but right now, I looked like a deflated, empty shell. “Lisa, I know I shouldn’t have kept this from you, but aren’t you and Heather friends? This little thing isn’t worth all this drama, right?” A little thing? I scoffed bitterly. “William, these past three years… did you ever love me?” A sharp pain twisted in William’s chest. He didn’t know how to answer. After a long while, he said hesitantly, “Of course I love you, but I also love Heather.” I was silent. Seeing me not say a word, the unease in William’s heart grew more intense, a primal intuition of loss. He was terrified I didn’t want to keep the baby, even more terrified I’d say the word ‘breakup’. So he launched into a string of explanations on his own, but I couldn’t listen to any of it. Suddenly, as if he’d thought of something, he looked up hopefully. “Lisa, haven’t you always wanted to marry me? Once you have the baby, let’s get married, okay… Lisa!” The proposal wasn’t even finished when William’s hopeful face turned deathly pale in an instant. Time seemed to stretch out in that moment. William lunged toward the window. But it was all too late.

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The day I collapsed from heart failure, I lay alone in our large house during a power outage. My husband and son were outside, setting off fireworks across the city for another woman. After what felt like an endless night, my son finally came home. He kicked my emergency medication, which lay by my foot, with disgust. “Mom, can you please stop faking illnesses for sympathy? Bella is so upset because of you, she can’t even eat!” My husband, Daniel, shielded our son, his voice laced with annoyance. “Eleanor, have you made enough of a scene? Bella just got back from overseas, and she’s emotionally fragile. As the lady of the house, can’t you be more generous and accommodating?” I looked up at the man whose face once swore to protect me from any grievance. I didn’t argue. I just quietly signed the “Organ Donation Consent Form” I’d hidden at the bottom of a drawer. Eight years ago, Daniel had written on a greeting card: “My heart beats only for Eleanor.” Our eight-year-old son had awkwardly drawn a heart on it, adding: “I’ll protect Mommy forever too.” They seemed to have forgotten. It’s fine. They’ll remember the day my heart stops beating for good.

The pen scratched across the paper, and the moment my name was signed, a dull, heavy ache pulsed in my chest again. I pressed my hand to my left side, cold sweat tracing paths down my cheeks. It took a while for the pain to subside slightly. I folded the organ donation consent form and tucked it into the deepest part of the drawer. The lock clicked as I turned the key, just as the front door downstairs swung open. “Watch your step, don’t twist your ankle.” That was Daniel’s voice, hushed and unusually gentle and patient — a tone he rarely used with me. I held onto the banister as I walked downstairs. Daniel was carefully escorting a woman inside. It was Bella Rivera, his college sweetheart, the woman who once made him smoke an entire pack of cigarettes alone late at night. Now, she was brazenly walking into my home. Bella scanned the living room after entering, her gaze finally landing on me. A smile played on her lips, but her body subtly snuggled closer to Daniel. “Eleanor, I’m so sorry. I just got back to the country and haven’t found a place yet. I’ll have to bother you for a few days. You don’t mind, do you?” I gripped the banister tightly, my failing heart pounding even harder in my chest. What good would minding do? Last night, Daniel hadn’t even discussed it with me; he’d simply informed me she was moving in. Before I could answer, eight-year-old Leo, clutching a new pair of slippers, ran up to Bella. “Bella, wear these. They’re super soft.” My vision blurred as I looked down. Those were the slippers I’d trekked to three different stores under the scorching sun to buy just two days ago. When I first brought them home, Leo had clung to my leg, playfully begging, saying I would look the prettiest wearing them. Now, he didn’t hesitate to give them away to impress another woman. Bella smiled and ruffled Leo’s hair as she put on the slippers. They were a bit too big, and she frowned prettily. Seeing this, Daniel immediately glared at me, his brows furrowed in displeasure. “Eleanor, you’re usually just idling around at home. Why can’t you even manage basic preparations for a guest? Bella has small feet. Giving her such big slippers, are you deliberately trying to embarrass her?” My stomach churned with acid. I took a deep, nauseous breath. They were bought for me, of course they wouldn’t fit her. I didn’t argue. I just turned and walked towards the sofa. My body swayed as I moved too quickly, and I had to grab the back of the sofa to steady myself. Daniel didn’t notice anything amiss. He pulled Bella to sit opposite me. “You’ve been busy all morning, Bella must be hungry. Go to the kitchen now and prepare something light. Bella has a sensitive stomach and can’t eat greasy food.” He leaned back on the sofa, issuing orders. In the past, I would have rushed into the kitchen, eager to earn a word of praise. But today, I was simply too exhausted. The sharp pain in my chest had drained all my strength, let alone the energy to cater to his first love. I took off my apron and draped it over the back of the sofa. “I’m a bit tired. I don’t feel like cooking. You guys can order takeout or go out.” Daniel froze, apparently not expecting his usually obedient wife to dare to refuse him in front of an outsider. A cold, angry sneer quickly appeared on his face. “Eleanor, you’ve grown a temper, have you? Bella just arrived today, and you’re already putting on airs as the lady of the house, even haggling over a single meal? This little game you’re playing, it just makes me sick.” Even my refusal to serve them was seen as a tactic to gain his attention. Before I could speak, Leo pouted and pointed at me. “Mom is so selfish. She never does anything around the house, and she won’t even cook something for us. Bella just got back and worked so hard, you don’t even care about her. Bella is much gentler than you.” Each word from my eight-year-old son pierced my heart. This was the home I’d sacrificed my career to care for, for eight years. This was also the consequence of the heart condition I developed after risking my life to give birth to him. In the end, I couldn’t even compare to a stranger. My heart began to beat erratically, and my vision blurred again. I knew I couldn’t stay. I calmly turned, dragging my heavy steps towards the guest room on the first floor, leaving the master bedroom and living room to the three of them. “Stop right there. Who are you putting on this ‘poor me’ act for?” Daniel demanded from behind me, his voice simmering with rage. I didn’t pause until I reached the guest room and closed the door behind me. Soon, Bella’s soft, comforting voice could be heard outside. “Daniel, don’t blame Eleanor. She’s probably upset that I’m here. Let’s just go out to eat.” Leo chimed in, eager to take her out for a fancy meal, and then the front door slammed shut. The house fell silent instantly, leaving only my labored breathing. I slid down the door to the floor, fumbled for my emergency medication, and dry-swallowed a few pills. Once my breathing steadied, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number. “Dr. Miller, it’s Eleanor Vance. I’ve already signed the organ donation confirmation form. How long does the process usually take?” The voice on the other end sounded heavy, sighing just before I heard the sound of a key turning in the lock outside the door.

I quickly hung up and flipped my phone face down, struggling to stand upright. Leo ran in, clutching an old notebook with yellowed edges, heading straight for the living room. That was my journal from when I was pregnant with him, documenting the three hundred-plus shots I’d taken to protect the pregnancy and the joy of counting his fetal movements. I’d always kept that journal cherished in the living room’s glass display cabinet. I walked out of the guest room and saw Leo placing the journal directly under the plate Bella was holding. “Bella, the table is a bit wobbly. I’ll use this to prop it up so your food won’t spill.” Blood rushed to my head. I strode over, intending to pull the journal out, but Bella deliberately pressed down on its edge. She looked up, feigning innocence, but a subtle smile played on her lips. “Eleanor, I’m so sorry. Leo said this was just an old, worthless notebook, so I used it as a coaster. Don’t be angry with the boy. I’ll just help you wipe it clean later.” The bottom of the plate scratched deep marks into the cover. The moment my fingers touched the journal’s edge, Leo forcefully shoved me. Unprepared, I stumbled backward and hit the wall. A dull pain shot through my back. “Why are you scaring Bella? What’s a few old notebooks worth anyway? Dad can just buy you new ones.” Leo stood in front of Bella, glaring at me with open hostility. Daniel walked out of the kitchen, carrying a cup of hot milk. Without asking for an explanation, he frowned and reprimanded me. “Eleanor, what’s gotten into you first thing in the morning? You’ve completely ruined the atmosphere. What’s the big deal if an old journal is used as a coaster? Is it worth laying hands on a child over?” My fingernails dug deeply into my palms, blood seeping from my skin. “That was my journal from when I lay in the hospital for half a year, fighting to give birth to Leo.” My voice was dry and tight. Daniel’s eyes flickered with an unnatural expression, but he quickly hardened his face. He pulled out his black credit card from his wallet and tossed it onto the dining table, sliding it towards Bella. “Bella, after you eat, let Leo take you shopping. Use this card for whatever you want. Consider it compensation for the trouble you went through today.” He was using my money to please another woman, to compensate her for the ‘shock’ of using my journal as a coaster. A metallic taste of blood rose in my throat. My legs gave out, and I slid down the wall, clutching my chest. Cold sweat trickled down my forehead. I gasped for air, but it felt like I couldn’t breathe. Leo, standing by, rolled his eyes and snorted. “Dad, look, she’s acting again. Every time she can’t win an argument, she pretends to be sick. That trick is so old. Bella, let’s ignore her. We’ll go buy a big Transformer.” Daniel looked at my pale face and trembling body, his brow furrowing. He took a step forward, but Bella grabbed his sleeve. “Daniel, I feel a bit dizzy. Maybe I haven’t adjusted to the time difference yet…” Daniel immediately turned to steady Bella, not sparing me another glance. I gritted my teeth, swallowed the metallic taste in my throat, and used the wall to slowly push myself up. I walked to the dining table. Right in front of them, I forcefully pulled out the crumpled journal. The cover was already stained with grease. I didn’t look at it again, simply lifted my hand and tossed it into the nearby trash can. Daniel’s face changed as he saw the journal in the trash. He opened his mouth to speak but forced himself to remain firm, scolding me. “Absolutely illogical, your temper is getting stranger and stranger.” Then he put his arm around Bella’s shoulders and left with Leo. Hearing the car drive away, I retreated to the guest room and collapsed onto the bed. Only after the dreadful palpitations subsided did I pick up my phone. I dialed a number I hadn’t called in a long time. “Mr. Davies, it’s Eleanor. I want to divest all my indirect shares in Vance Corporation.” When Daniel started his business, I sold my house and borrowed money to raise capital for him. The shares had always been registered under his name. Mr. Davies quickly agreed, scheduling a meeting for tomorrow afternoon. Just as I hung up, a new message arrived from my attending physician at the Central Hospital. “Ms. Vance, your test results are in. Your heart failure has worsened significantly. Conservatively, you have less than three days. Please come to the hospital for admission immediately.” Three days. I stared at the numbers on the screen, my dry lips curling into a bleak smile. Good. Divesting the shares and completing the donation procedures would be enough.

Only two days remained until the final deadline. Daniel pushed open the guest room door. Without even looking at my pale face, he held out his hand for the keys to the Ocean Bay Beach House. That was the house he bought with his first big money, registered in my name, and the place where he proposed to me. I lay against the headboard, unmoving, and looked at his expectant face, asking what he wanted the keys for. He impatiently tugged at his tie, his face full of displeasure. “Bella is feeling down and wants to clear her head by the sea. I’m taking her and Leo to stay at the Ocean Bay for two nights. She just got back and has nothing. As the lady of the house, can’t you be generous enough to lend her the house for a few days?” To take another woman to the place he proposed, for a vacation, and expect me to hand him the keys myself. I pulled open the drawer, found the keys, and the access card, and tossed them onto the duvet. “Take them. You can use everything inside however you like.” My straightforward attitude surprised Daniel a little. He took the keys, looking uncomfortable as he explained they were just going to relax. I didn’t respond, turning my back to him, and picked up my phone to text Mr. Davies. “Also, please draft a divorce agreement for me. I don’t want anything. Send it to me as soon as possible.” Seeing that I ignored him, Daniel snorted, took the keys, and slammed the door shut as he left. In the evening, I heated the doctor’s prescribed medicine in the kitchen. The bitter smell made me cough uncontrollably. Laughter and playful shouts from Bella and Leo came from the living room as they packed their bags. Suddenly, a gasp was followed by the sound of something heavy falling. Bella had fallen down the last three steps of the staircase. She sat on the floor, clutching her ankle, tears streaming down her face. Hearing the commotion, Daniel rushed downstairs. He picked Bella up tenderly, then spun around, glaring fiercely at me as I emerged from the kitchen. “Eleanor, look what you’ve done! So what if I borrowed the keys to your old beach house? Do you really have to be so malicious as to push someone down the stairs?” My hand, holding the medicine bowl, trembled. A few drops of scalding medicine splattered onto my hand, leaving a red mark. “I was in the kitchen the whole time. I wasn’t even near the stairs.” Bella, nestled in Daniel’s arms, shook her head tearfully. “Daniel, don’t blame Eleanor. I just lost my footing. Maybe she accidentally bumped me as she passed.” Daniel completely exploded. He strode over and kicked the bowl of medicine out of my hand. The ceramic bowl shattered on the floor, and the life-saving medicine I had just spent three hours brewing splashed everywhere, soaking my pants. I looked at the mess on the floor. The stabbing pain in my chest returned, and I lost the strength to even stand upright. My knees gave out, and I sank to the floor, reaching out with a trembling hand to pick up the pills that were still usable. The moment my fingertips touched a pill, Leo stepped on my hand, grinding his heel into it. He gritted his teeth, glaring at me with intense disgust. His small face was full of loathing. “You wicked woman, not only do you bully Bella, but you also cook this stinky stuff at home. I don’t deserve a mom like you, you make me so ashamed!” My finger bones were throbbing, and my skin scraped against the broken ceramic, starting to bleed. Hearing my own son utter such words, I didn’t cry; my eyes didn’t even well up. I pulled away my bloody, bruised hand, looked at the clear shoe print on its back, and forced a smile. A smile at the eight years of devotion that had led to this outcome. Daniel, seeing me still smiling, looked even more disgusted. He picked up Bella and walked out without a backward glance. “Come on, Leo. Let’s take Bella to the hospital for a check-up. This crazy woman can stay home and reflect.” The three of them left. Thunder rumbled outside the house, and a few minutes later, the rain began to pour. All the lights in the house suddenly went out, plunging the surroundings into darkness. The throbbing in my chest turned into a continuous, excruciating pain. I fumbled for my phone, only to find it dead. I could only crawl along the wall towards the landline in the living room. A mere few meters felt like twenty minutes. Finally, I reached the receiver and pressed it to my ear, but there was no sound. I traced the telephone line down and found a smooth cut. The phone line had been severed. Leo had been messing with craft scissors just before they left. He had personally blocked his own mother’s last chance at life. The intense pain completely overwhelmed me. I curled up on the cold floor, my consciousness beginning to fade. I didn’t even have the strength to breathe. I could only lie there, silently waiting in the dark, powerless house. I don’t know how much time passed. The rain stopped. The faint light of dawn filtered through the window, and faintly, the wail of an ambulance siren could be heard outside.

The mansion’s front door was forcibly smashed open. A team of people in uniforms rushed in, their flashlights sweeping across my face. This was the private emergency medical team I had prepaid a high price to hire two days ago. The lead doctor knelt, checking my pupils, and urgently directed them to put me on a stretcher. “Patient is in deep shock, heartbeat extremely weak. Immediate stretcher transfer, quickly!” My body was numb. They carried me onto a stretcher and rushed me into the emergency room at Central Hospital. With the jolt of the defibrillator, I briefly regained a sliver of consciousness. The attending physician stood by the bed, holding a report, his face grim. “Ms. Vance, your heart function is completely lost. You can’t undergo a transplant surgery. The machines can only maintain your vital signs for the last two hours. Do you have any family members you need to speak to?” A layer of mist clouded the oxygen mask. I used my remaining strength to weakly shake my head. No family left. The nurse looked distressed. According to regulations, she had to call my immediate family for confirmation. She dialed Daniel’s number, which was on file, and put the phone on speaker by my pillow. It rang for a long time before someone picked up. From the other end, cheerful music and the sounds of fireworks played. “Daniel, look at that firework, it’s so pretty! Leo, come take a picture!” Bella’s joyful laughter echoed into the emergency room. The nurse paused for a moment before raising her voice. “Hello, is this Mr. Daniel Vance? This is the Central Hospital emergency room. Your wife, Ms. Eleanor Vance, is in extremely critical condition and could pass away at any moment. Please come immediately to sign some papers.” There was a brief silence on the other end, then Daniel’s extremely impatient shout. “Eleanor, are you done yet?! Bella finally got to the amusement park to clear her head. Why do you have to pick this moment to fake your death and ruin the mood?! I’m telling you, even if you die at home today, I won’t come back to see you!” After the noise, the phone seemed to be snatched away, and Leo’s shrill voice came through. “Exactly! Stop lying, you always use this trick. If you’re really sick, then get on your knees and beg Bella for forgiveness, or we’re absolutely not coming back!” The medical staff in the emergency room exchanged glances, their eyes full of shock and sorrow. The ventilator hissed rhythmically. I raised my bloody and bruised hand, trembling. The nurse quickly brought the phone closer to my ear. I swallowed a final mouthful of bloody saliva and parted my dry lips. “No need to come back. I hope you… have fun.” My voice was soft, without a ripple of emotion. After speaking, I used my last ounce of strength to press the end call button. The nurse, with reddened eyes, handed me the confirmation form for refusing resuscitation and consenting to organ donation. I didn’t hesitate. I held the pen and shakily signed my name at the bottom. The pen slipped from my grasp and fell onto the bedsheet. The breath that had been trapped in my chest for eight years finally dissipated. The lights above me blurred, and the alarms from the instruments faded into the distance. I was finally free. The monitor let out a steady, long beep, and only a flat line remained on the screen. Dozens of miles away at the amusement park, fireworks lit up the sky one after another. Daniel shoved his phone back into his pocket, his brows deeply furrowed, and muttered a curse under his breath. Bella, linked arm-in-arm with him, pointed at the fireworks in the sky and laughed. He forced a smile, but his phone in his pocket vibrated violently again. Annoyed, he pulled out his phone. It was the same number from before. He answered, about to unleash a tirade. A cold female voice came from the other end. “Mr. Vance, this is the Organ Donation Department at Central Hospital. Your wife, Ms. Eleanor Vance, has been confirmed deceased, and organ procurement has been completed. Please come to the morgue as soon as possible to claim her remaining belongings.”

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For five years, I was with Scarlett. Her latest movie became a blockbuster, raking in hundreds of millions at the box office. I used my five years of savings to secretly order an engagement ring, believing that the day we’d finally start a family was just around the corner. But the night before the wedding, she leaned back on the couch and casually dropped the bomb. “The inspiration for this movie was Ethan, my first love.” “Back then, I was afraid he’d have to endure hardships with me, so I sent him abroad.” “And you, you were just a stand-in.” My hand, which was ironing my shirt, froze. “Why are you telling me this today?” Her tone was as nonchalant as if she were discussing dinner, so entitled it was absurd. “Ethan has suffered a lot abroad over the years. I want to make it up to him, so I already married him yesterday. But don’t worry, I’ll divorce him in a year, and then I’ll definitely marry you.” “I haven’t treated you badly all these years. I’ve taken care of you, supported you. You haven’t lost out.” It was as if she thought giving me a hidden, unofficial position was some grand favor.

I stood there, motionless for a long time. I didn’t even notice my arm getting burned until the skin blistered. It was Scarlett who frowned, pulled me to the couch, and applied medicine. Her voice was full of concern, as if she hadn’t just said those words. “How can you be so clumsy? You can even hurt yourself ironing clothes.” I got injured often over the past five years. Scarlett had done this many times. Each time, a warmth spread through my chest. Only this time, my chest felt heavy, as if something was lodged there. I pulled my arm back, my voice low. “Scarlett, don’t you find it pointless, living with a fake for five years?” Scarlett’s face darkened. “Alex, don’t talk about yourself like that.” She was too calm. I couldn’t help but smash the first-aid kit. “Didn’t you turn me into this?!” My chest heaved uncontrollably. Scarlett sighed, gathered the scattered medicines, and spoke softly. “I know it’s hard for you to accept right now, but we’ve been together for five years. There’s no need to deny everything over such a small matter.” As she spoke, Scarlett reached out to touch my shoulder. I moved aside, avoiding her. Suddenly, I felt like I was back on the day she confessed to me. My mom had a heart attack and was hospitalized. To earn money, I worked as a server at a club. One accidental spill soaked the guest’s shoes, and the people behind them started jeering. “Designer shoes! So, handsome, are you going to pay up, or spend a few nights with Tiffany?” “I recommend the latter, it’s a better deal.” “Yeah, Tiffany has high standards.” I clutched the tray, caught between a rock and a hard place. That’s when Scarlett appeared. Seeing me, she paused for a moment, then came to my rescue. “Didn’t you say this was for my birthday? Come on in, don’t bother him.” She was a close friend of Tiffany’s, so no one dared to say anything when she intervened. The group left. Before long, someone brought me a band-aid. It was Scarlett’s doing. After that, I often saw Scarlett at the club. She’d watch where I went, and she’d have her friends order from me. One evening, a few drunk guests blocked her in the hallway, making crude comments. She ignored them, her face cold, but one of them reached out to grab her purse. My blood boiled, and I grabbed a bottle nearby, smashing it. The scene descended into chaos. I was surrounded and kicked several times. Eventually, security rushed in and pulled everyone apart. I leaned against the wall to stand, blood oozing from the corner of my mouth, my back covered in bruises. Scarlett pulled me into the break room, got a first-aid kit, and treated my wounds. Her movements were gentle, and she didn’t speak for a long time. Finally, she asked in a low voice, “Why are you so good to me?” I leaned back in the chair, wincing from the pain, and casually replied, “If you don’t know how to repay me, how about you just give yourself to me?” Scarlett stopped what she was doing, looking up at me. “Alex, I’m serious.” “Will you be my boyfriend?” It would be a lie to say I wasn’t moved. Because of that, all these years, I’d always felt Scarlett was a stroke of luck from above. I never imagined it was all a deception from the very beginning. I turned my head away, not looking at her, my voice unusually firm. “Scarlett, let’s break up.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, Scarlett’s phone rang. She glanced at it, her tone casual, as if she didn’t care at all. “I’ll just assume you’re angry and speaking out of emotion. As long as you’re good this year, you won’t miss out on what’s yours.” “I’m going to Ethan’s welcome party first. You stay home and think about it.” The moment the door closed, I smashed the only photo I had with Scarlett. My phone suddenly lit up, grabbing my attention. It was a link from my friend. Scarlett’s book had become popular, bringing her into the public eye. These past few days, he’d sent me plenty of videos related to Scarlett. But this time, seeing his text, I froze for a moment. [Your early photos with Scarlett have been dug up.] In fact, Scarlett had never publicly acknowledged my existence. Whenever I brought it up, she’d use the excuse of not wanting her private life to be overly scrutinized. Because of this, I had been with Scarlett for five years without any official status. Even though I already had a suspicion, when I clicked on the link, my heart felt a sharp prick. The link contained a Google Maps screenshot from five years ago. And the main characters in the picture were Scarlett and “me.” The same height, similar backs. If I hadn’t learned the truth about being a stand-in today. I might have thought I’d lost a memory. But Scarlett would never squat down to tie my shoelaces. In the five years we were together, Scarlett and I did everything couples do. Except for her bending down to tie my shoelaces. I can’t count how many times I wanted Scarlett to tie them for me. But each time, it was fruitless. Even when my stomach pain made my face turn pale, Scarlett was indifferent to my request to tie my shoes. What I got was annoyance. “I don’t like tying people’s shoelaces. Can you please stop forcing me?” I remember that day, I didn’t speak all evening. Later, Scarlett tried to coax me for a long time. I thought I had forgotten, but three years later, that memory was still vivid. So vivid that seeing that scene, my chest felt like it was crushed by a heavy stone. So it wasn’t that she didn’t like to, it was just that the person wasn’t me.

I don’t know how long I stared at that photo. It wasn’t until Scarlett came in with a drunken Ethan that I snapped back to reality. Seeing me still awake, Scarlett paused, then explained. “Ethan’s drunk, and he lives alone, so there’s no one to take care of him.” I should have exploded in anger. But I knew clearly, it was useless. Scarlett didn’t love me. Thinking this, I moved aside to let Scarlett pass. Scarlett raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Good, it seems you’ve thought it through. I haven’t treated you badly, after all.” “Besides, if you leave me, you won’t be able to afford your mom’s medical expenses.” I didn’t reply, letting Scarlett help Ethan upstairs. I also deliberately ignored the faint smirk on Ethan’s lips as he looked at me. It was only when I returned to the bedroom and saw the clothes Ethan was wearing that I clenched my fists. I rushed forward, wanting to tear the clothes off him. The moment I touched Ethan, he cried out, “Ah, you’re hurting me!” The next second, Scarlett, coming out of the bathroom, shoved me away. The force was too much, and I hit the corner of the table. In my ear was Scarlett’s accusation, “Alex, are you out of your mind?!” I braced myself against the table corner and stood up straight, responding for once. “Shouldn’t you be asking yourself that?!” “You know this jacket was handmade by my mom, and she’s barely clinging to life with medical equipment. How can you let another man wear it?!” Scarlett’s movements paused, as if she finally realized. But she didn’t lower her head, shielding Ethan behind her, and said in a deep voice, “Even so, you shouldn’t lay a hand on him! Apologize to Ethan!” My voice tightened. “He’s the one who was wrong. Why should I apologize?” Scarlett scoffed. “Fine, let’s see how long you can keep this up. Don’t regret it!” With that, she turned to Ethan, her tone softening. “Change back into your clothes. I’ll take you to the hospital.” Ethan nodded, casting a glance at me before he left. I hadn’t meant to lose control. But the emotional disparity was too great; it was suffocating me. Blood from the cut on my forehead trickled down my brow, and a familiar message popped up on my phone. [My offer still stands. As long as you’re willing, I’ll marry you.] I didn’t want to wait for Scarlett anymore. I’d waited for her for five years for this marriage. How many five-year periods does one life have? I finally made up my mind to reply. [I agree. Get ready.]

But I didn’t expect Scarlett’s methods to be so swift. The next day, as I went downstairs, two bodyguards forced me into a chair. In front of me were countless bottles of liquor. My heart tightened, and I looked at Scarlett, who was sitting on the couch. “What are you doing?” Scarlett smiled, pointing to Ethan beside her. “I told you, let’s see how long you can keep this up.” The consequence of not apologizing. The realization hit me like a thunderclap, as if something exploded in my mind. I stared intently at her. “Scarlett, you can’t do this to me, I can’t drink alcohol!” A flicker of hesitation crossed Scarlett’s eyes. Ethan saw it. He frowned, looking at Scarlett. “If he doesn’t want to apologize, just let it go. I’m fine.” Scarlett’s face darkened. “I said I wouldn’t let you be wronged.” With that, Scarlett looked back at me and smiled. “Didn’t you used to work at a bar? How can you not drink now?” “Since you won’t apologize, then you’ll have to endure this.” My heart sank. Scarlett seemed to have truly forgotten that my stomach was ruined drinking for her. Back then, Scarlett’s family sent people to the bar to make things difficult for her. Knowing she was allergic to alcohol, they still demanded she drink ten bottles of liquor before she could leave. It was me who drank bottle after bottle for her. By the end, I lost consciousness and was rushed to the hospital. When I woke up, Scarlett was there, watching over me. She apologized again and again. “The doctor said you can’t touch alcohol anymore. Let’s quit this job, okay?” “I’ll take care of you from now on, and I’ll take good care of your stomach.” Scarlett spoke earnestly, and I was happy that she could continue doing what she loved. Time passed, and in just four years, Scarlett had forgotten. I suddenly felt that my four-year-old self wasn’t worth it. The bodyguards forcing the liquor down my throat brought my thoughts back. I struggled, but no matter how much I resisted, the alcohol still went down my throat. It made me cough. Scarlett’s hands clenched at her sides, and she reminded me, “As long as you apologize to Ethan, I can let you go.”

I didn’t bow my head, struggling to speak. “What did I do wrong?” “You’re the one who’s wrong, both of you!” Seeing that I still wouldn’t give in, Scarlett waved her hand to continue. The alcohol entered my stomach, causing a burning pain. I gritted my teeth, trying not to make a sound. But the next second, my phone rang. It was a call from Ms. Miller, my mom’s caregiver. Ms. Miller never called for no reason; every time it was because Mom had been rushed to the operating room. Thinking of this, my heart suddenly sank. I yelled hoarsely, “Scarlett, I apologize, I know I was wrong.” “I was wrong, I won’t ever lay a hand on Ethan again, please let me go.” Scarlett was a little surprised, but she still sneered, “Alex, an apology needs some sincerity. I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.” The bodyguards, perceptive, released me. I didn’t care about anything else, and I walked a few steps to Ethan’s front. To his surprised expression, I bowed my head again and again. “Ethan, I know I was wrong, I shouldn’t have laid a hand on you.” “I beg your forgiveness, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” I don’t know how many times I said it, but Scarlett still didn’t give in. It wasn’t until the wound on my forehead split open and started bleeding that Scarlett frowned. She had a bodyguard bring the first-aid kit and tried to pull me up. “I told you, as long as you’re good, I’ll give you anything you want.” “Let’s just forget about this time, just be good in the future.” But I ignored Scarlett, pushing her away and stumbling out. Scarlett chased after me, her voice laced with panic, “Alex, where are you going?!” I didn’t respond, flagged down a car, and went to the hospital. Throughout the journey, I prayed incessantly. As I arrived at the operating room, the doors opened. The doctor looked at me and shook his head, giving a different result for the first time. “I’m sorry, we did everything we could.” I stood at the operating room door, my mind buzzing. Scarlett, who had rushed after me, also heard those words. Her face instantly turned ashen. Remembering what she had just done, Scarlett felt a wave of panic. She walked forward, wanting to say something. A hand suddenly blocked her. “Get away! Don’t touch him!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “418999”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

Julian Thorne’s first love was back. He not only settled her in the most secluded mansion in the hills overlooking New York, but he also played the piano for her. That very piano he had sworn he would never touch again. As he indulged her, letting her drink from his personal mug, I suddenly understood. He wasn’t born cold-hearted. He just wasn’t warm to me. Today was our fifth wedding anniversary. I had canceled all my appointments and spent the day cooking all his favorite dishes. At eight that evening, Julian called. His voice was as distant and cool as ever. “There’s an urgent merger and acquisition deal at the office. I won’t be home tonight. You should get some sleep.” He had chronic stomach issues, relying on medication to manage it. I poured the warm soup, which I had kept simmering on the stove, into an insulated container and drove to Thorne Corp. The lights in his executive office were off. The assistant on duty saw me, his eyes darting away, stammering, unable to offer any coherent explanation. I didn’t press him. I turned and went downstairs, pulling up Julian’s car’s GPS location. The red dot was stationary at a hillside estate outside New York. It was one of Julian’s private properties, one I’d never even visited. The night wind was chilly. It took half an hour of driving winding roads to reach the destination. The villa’s front gate was ajar, spilling warm yellow light. I pushed the door open, walked through the entryway, and the scene in the living room hit me, completely unprepared. In front of the massive floor-to-ceiling windows stood a black Steinway grand piano. Julian sat on the piano bench, his long fingers dancing across the black and white keys, producing a light, gentle melody. I froze. His right hand had been injured, once making it difficult even to hold a pen. I’d spent a full year seeking out top doctors, massaging his hand with warm towels every night, painstakingly helping him with physical therapy. He recovered, but afterwards, he refused to touch the piano again. “Audrey,” he’d said, “my hand hurts. I won’t play anymore.” My heart ached for him, so I had the piano at home moved out and never brought it up again. But now, his hand didn’t seem to hurt at all. Because the woman sitting beside him was watching him, a radiant smile on her face. Serena Bell wore a silk slip dress, leaning lazily against the edge of the piano. She casually picked up a glass of water from the piano and took a sip. It was Julian’s mug. He was an extreme germaphobe, with territorial instincts that bordered on obsessive. At home, if I accidentally used his cutlery, he would toss it directly into the trash. Yet at this moment, not only was he not angry, but he stopped playing, naturally lifted his hand, and gently wiped the water from Serena’s lip with his thumb. “Drink slowly. No one is going to snatch it from you.” His voice was incredibly soft, filled with a level of indulgence and affection I had never heard directed at me. The scene was blinding, stinging my eyes. Julian and I had been married for five years. He was always polite, distant, and restrained with me. I thought he was just that kind of person, like a block of ice that couldn’t be melted. I believed that with enough patience, I could eventually warm him. Now it seemed the ice had long melted, but it had turned into water in someone else’s mug. I took a deep breath, raised my hand, and knocked twice on the open doorframe. “Excuse me.” The piano music stopped abruptly. The two people near the sofa turned to look at me simultaneously. Serena gasped, flinching back like a startled fawn. Julian’s face instantly darkened. He instinctively stood up, shielding Serena behind him. That protective posture, so practiced, sent a chill through me. “How did you find this place?” He frowned, his tone full of accusation and displeasure. I walked in, carrying the insulated container, and placed it on the coffee table. “I came to bring you your stomach medicine. But it seems, Mr. Thorne, your appetite is doing quite well right now; you don’t need this.” Julian’s gaze swept over the container, a flicker of discomfort in his eyes, but it quickly returned to cold rigidity. “Company matters finished early. Serena just got back to the country and is a bit unstable emotionally. I came to check on her.” “Emotionally unstable?” I tugged at the corner of my mouth, my gaze moving past him to Serena. “Does it require drinking from the same mug to cure? Which hospital prescribes that kind of remedy? I’d love to learn.” Serena bit her lower lip, her eyes instantly welling up. “Audrey, please don’t misunderstand. I was just thirsty and didn’t realize I grabbed the wrong mug. There’s nothing going on between Julian and me; it’s completely innocent.” Her aggrieved, innocent act made me look like an irrational shrew. I let out a cold laugh. “Completely innocent? A man and a woman, alone in a secluded villa late at night, playing piano and sharing drinks? You call that innocent? Ms. Bell, your definition of ‘innocent’ seems a little too flexible.” “Audrey Hayes!” Julian cut me off sharply. “Watch your tone. Serena has severe depression and can’t handle stress.” “She can’t handle stress, but I can?” I met Julian’s eyes, asking each word distinctly. “Today is our fifth wedding anniversary. You lied to me, saying you were working late at the office, only to be here playing therapist for her?” Julian was silent for two seconds, then softened his tone slightly. “It’s just an anniversary. We can celebrate later. Go home first; don’t make a scene here.” A scene? In his eyes, my coming to find my husband was “making a scene.” I looked at the piano, and suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of absurdity. “Your hand wasn’t able to play the piano anymore, was it?” Julian’s body stiffened, his fingers at his side curling slightly. “Understood.” I nodded, then swept the insulated container directly into the nearby trash can. With a dull thud, the soup spilled all over the floor. “It wasn’t that you couldn’t play; it’s that you didn’t want to play for me. Julian Thorne, you disgust me.” With that, I turned and walked away. Julian strode after me, grabbing my wrist. His grip was strong, squeezing my bones painfully. “What’s wrong with you?” he growled, suppressing his anger. I violently shook off his hand, stepping back in disgust. “Don’t touch me. You’re dirty.”

I walked out of the villa without looking back. The mountain wind blew against me, carrying the chill of late autumn, instantly piercing my thin coat. I pulled open the car door and got in, gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. My stomach churned. I pushed the car door open and squatted by the roadside, dry heaving. Nothing came up but bitter stomach acid burning my throat. Five years of marriage, over eighteen hundred days and nights, had turned into a complete joke tonight. I’d always thought Julian was an emotionless person. He didn’t laugh loudly, didn’t get angry, and even in bed, he maintained a precise rhythm and restraint. I tolerated his aloofness, grew accustomed to his rules, and even changed my style of dress and daily habits to cater to his preferences. I believed this was our way of being together. It wasn’t until tonight that I saw a vibrant side of him. He would lie for a woman, play the piano for her, and glare at me because of a single tear from her. The difference between love and indifference was so stark. I didn’t return to the house filled with Julian’s presence. Instead, I drove to my small, older apartment, a bit run-down, that I’d bought in college. It wasn’t large, but every piece of furniture was hand-picked by me, filling it with a cozy and lived-in vibe. As I opened the door, the scent of dust greeted me. I didn’t even turn on the lights, collapsing onto the sofa fully clothed, my eyes open until dawn. The next morning, the sound of the lock turning echoed through the apartment. Julian walked in. He was wearing the same custom-tailored suit from yesterday, the creases still in the same place; clearly, he hadn’t slept at home. He carried a cake from my favorite bakery in the South End, his expression normal as he walked to the dining table and set it down. “Get up and eat something.” His tone was so calm, as if nothing had happened last night. I sat up, watching him coldly. “How did you get in?” “The password hasn’t changed, so of course, I could get in.” Julian unbuttoned his suit jacket, sat on the single armchair, and frowned slightly. “I can explain what happened last night.” “No need,” I interrupted him. “I don’t want to hear it.” Julian’s face hardened a few shades. “Audrey Hayes, can’t you stop being so stubborn? Serena went through something overseas years ago; she has severe psychological trauma. She has no family or friends in this city. As a friend, it’s perfectly reasonable for me to look after her.” “Friend?” I chewed on the word, finding it utterly ridiculous. “What kind of friend needs you to lie to your wife in the middle of the night to spend time with them? What kind of friend gets to drink from your mug? Julian, do you take me for a fool?” “I already said, it was an accident!” His voice rose, tinged with irritation. “Do you have to cling to this trivial matter?” Trivial matter. In his eyes, deception and betrayal were just “trivial matters.” I suddenly felt exhausted, lacking the energy even to argue. “Say whatever you want,” I stood up, walked to the window, and pulled back the curtains, letting the glaring sunlight stream in. “Julian, let’s get a divorce.” The room fell into an instant, heavy silence. Julian stared at me, his gaze gradually turning sharp and icy. “What did you say?” “I said, divorce.” I turned to face him, calmly meeting his eyes. “Let’s end things amicably before it gets too ugly.” Julian abruptly stood up, his tall frame looming over me with an oppressive presence. “Audrey Hayes, don’t throw around the word ‘divorce.’ It’s not funny.” “I’m not joking.” I looked at his tense jawline. “I’ll grant you your freedom. You can openly care for your severely depressed patient without needing to make excuses to lie to me anymore.” “Impossible!” Julian gritted his teeth. He grabbed my shoulders, his grip so tight it felt like he might crush my bones. “You want to divorce me over this misunderstanding? Audrey Hayes, what kind of tantrum are you throwing?” I forcefully broke free from his grasp, stepping back two paces to create distance. “Misunderstanding? Julian, can you look me in the eye and say you only have platonic feelings for Serena Bell?” His thin lips were pressed tight; he said nothing. Silence was the best answer. I managed a sarcastic laugh. “See? You can’t even be bothered to lie to me anymore. If your heart belongs to someone else, why keep me tied to your side? Let me go, and let yourself go.” “I said, divorce is not an option.” Julian took a deep breath, forcing down his anger. “Stay here for a while to cool down. I’ll come pick you up when you’ve thought things through.” With that, he turned and strode out, his retreating figure exuding an undeniable forcefulness. The loud bang of the door closing plunged the room back into silence. I looked at the cake on the table and unhesitatingly threw it into the trash. Cool down? I was perfectly calm. Calmer than any moment in the past five years.

The silent treatment had officially begun. I didn’t return to the villa, and Julian didn’t come looking for me again. He probably assumed that if he just ignored me for a few days, I’d be the one to back down and make peace, dutifully returning to his side, just like before. After all, for five years, I was always the one to compromise first. But not this time. I poured all my energy into my company. Apex Tech, a startup, was founded by me and a few seniors after college. Years ago, our funding dried up, and we were on the brink of bankruptcy. It was Julian who stepped in with an investment, bringing the company back from the dead. Now, Apex Tech was back on track and preparing for a new round of financing. I was swamped with work every day, trying to numb myself with endless tasks. Until Friday afternoon, when my assistant, Sarah, knocked on my office door. “Ms. Hayes, have you seen the news?” Sarah handed me her tablet, her expression complicated. The screen displayed an entertainment gossip headline. “Thorne Corp. CEO Splurges on ‘Tears of the Ocean’ for a Mystery Woman.” The accompanying image was a blurred profile shot. Julian, dressed in a custom black tuxedo, was leaning down to fasten a sparkling sapphire necklace around the woman’s neck. I’d recognize that woman’s figure anywhere. It was Serena Bell. And that “Tears of the Ocean” necklace was an exhibit I’d looked at for a moment too long at a gala Julian and I attended last month. I’d casually remarked that it was beautiful. Julian, however, had coolly commented, “It’s too flashy. It doesn’t suit you.” It wasn’t that it didn’t suit me; it was that it didn’t suit him to buy it for me. Now, that flashy necklace adorned the neck of his long-cherished first love. “Ms. Hayes, this…” Sarah looked at me cautiously. “It’s fine. You can go.” I pushed the tablet back, my voice so calm it surprised even myself. Did it hurt? It felt like the pain had numbed me. I opened my laptop, pulled up a divorce agreement I’d drafted long ago, filled in the date, and printed two copies. If he wouldn’t end things amicably, I’d make him. At 3 PM, I took the agreement to Thorne Corp. This time, I wasn’t stopped downstairs. The receptionist respectfully called me “Mrs. Thorne” and let me pass directly. I pushed open the door to the executive office. Julian was listening to an executive report. Seeing me enter, he raised a hand, signaling the executive to leave. Only the two of us remained in the office. Julian leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on my face, seemingly assessing my state over the past few days. “Have you come to your senses?” he asked nonchalantly, his tone carrying an arrogant certainty that he was in control. I walked to his desk and slapped the divorce agreement down in front of him. “Sign it. Let’s get a divorce.” Julian’s gaze landed on the bold black letters “DIVORCE AGREEMENT,” and his face instantly darkened. Without even looking at the contents, he picked it up and tore it in half right in front of me. “I told you, no divorce.” The shredded paper was casually tossed into the wastebasket. I expressionlessly opened my bag, took out another copy, and placed it before him. “It’s alright. I printed plenty.” Julian’s eye twitched, and he tore it up again. I kept taking them out. He kept tearing them. Until I produced the twelfth copy of the agreement. Julian finally lost his patience, abruptly stood up, braced his hands on the desk, and glared at me. “Audrey Hayes, are you ever going to stop? It’s just a necklace; do you really need to make such a scene?” “A necklace?” I laughed. “Julian, do you really think if you toss me a crumb of your patience, I should be grateful and continue being your perfect wife? You use my affection to fawn over another woman, and you expect me to applaud magnanimously?” “I bought that necklace because Serena needs it for an important gala she’s attending! She needs to make a good impression!” “She needs to make a good impression, so you use something I admire to boost her image?” I met his gaze without backing down. “Julian, stop making excuses for your favoritism. Just sign it. It’ll be better for everyone.” Julian clenched his jaw tightly, his chest heaving. He looked at my resolute eyes, seemingly finally realizing that I wasn’t playing hard to get. I followed him, neither of us speaking, as we drove separately to the courthouse. There weren’t many people applying for divorce in the afternoon. Soon, it was our turn. The clerk checked our documents and, as per routine, asked, “Irreconcilable differences, confirm you want to divorce?” “Confirmed,” I answered without hesitation. The clerk turned to Julian. “And you, sir? Are you sure?” Julian sat in the chair, his jaw as rigid as iron. He stared at the divorce petition in front of him, his pen hovering, never quite touching the paper. Time ticked by, second by second. The clerk grew a bit impatient. “Sir, if you haven’t made up your mind, you can always go back and reconsider.” Julian suddenly flung his pen down and abruptly stood up. The chair scraped against the floor with a harsh sound. “I won’t divorce.” He dropped those three cold words, then turned and walked out.

I froze for a second, then rage shot through me. “Julian, what game are you playing!” I grabbed my bag and chased after him, blocking his path. “Are you insane? You signed the papers, you brought me here, and now, at the finish line, you’re backing out?” Julian looked down at me, his eyes as deep and lifeless as stagnant water. “I changed my mind. Is that not allowed?” His righteous attitude made me laugh in anger. “Why? If you care about Serena so much, why won’t you divorce me to make room for her? Keeping me as your legal wife, forcing her to be a mistress in the shadows her whole life. Is that your love for her?” “Shut up.” Julian roared, a vein throbbing faintly on his temple. “Serena and I don’t have that kind of relationship. I promised to take care of you for life, and I won’t break my word. The position of Mrs. Thorne can only be yours.” Take care of me for life? That declaration, which once moved me to tears, now sounded utterly chilling. “Your ‘care’ is treating me like a trophy wife, then pouring all your emotions and energy into another woman?” I looked at him coldly. “Julian, I don’t need your pity. I’m divorcing you, no matter what.” I didn’t bother with him anymore, turning to walk towards my car. Since an amicable divorce wasn’t possible, I would have to sue. The next morning, I went straight to my lawyer and filed a divorce petition with the court. I thought this would be a long, drawn-out battle. But I underestimated Julian’s methods, and I overestimated my own leverage. On the third day after filing the lawsuit, Apex Tech ran into trouble. The company’s largest supplier suddenly announced a unilateral termination of our contract. Immediately after, two investment firms that had agreed to fund us simultaneously pulled out, and even the bank froze our loan facility. In just one day, the company’s funding completely dried up. My partners were frantic, calling me one after another. “Ms. Hayes, what’s going on? The supplier is even willing to pay the breach of contract penalty; they’re determined to cut ties with us!” “The investors said they received a ‘message from above’ and couldn’t fund us anymore.” I sat in my office, looking at the continually flashing red numbers on my computer screen, feeling a chill run through me. In this industry, only one person had such immense power and could precisely squeeze Apex Tech’s lifeline. Julian. He didn’t even bother to conceal his actions, openly telling me: he could crush me as easily as an ant. I grabbed my car keys and sped all the way to Thorne Corp. This time, I didn’t knock; I pushed open the door to the executive office directly. Julian was sitting behind his large desk, a cup of coffee in his hand, casually reading a document. Seeing me rush in, out of breath, he didn’t even lift an eyelid. “Julian, you’re despicable!” I charged to his desk, slamming my hands on the surface. “How dare you mess with my company?” Julian put down his coffee cup, leaned back slightly, and looked at me calmly. “I merely reclaimed the resources I once provided. You know perfectly well whose help Apex Tech owes its success to.” His voice was devoid of emotion, yet every word stung. Yes, Apex Tech had survived back then because of Thorne Corp.’s investment. Over the years, many partners had given us preferential treatment out of respect for Julian. I thought my career was something I had built through my own hard work and struggle, but it had always been under his wing. He could take it all back at any time. “What do you want?” I asked, gritting my teeth. “Withdraw the lawsuit,” Julian said, his long fingers lightly tapping the desk. “Then move back home. As long as you’re obedient, Apex Tech will be back to normal tomorrow.” He looked at me as if I were a pet throwing a tantrum. Cut off my food supply, and I’d surely return to my cage. I glared at him, my fingernails digging deep into my palms, using the pain to maintain the last shred of my sanity. “What if I don’t?” Julian let out a faint laugh, but his eyes were chillingly cold. “Then Apex Tech won’t survive this week. Your partners, those seniors who started the company with you, will be saddled with massive debts and never recover. Audrey Hayes, can you bear to drag them down with you?” He knew me too well. He knew I was loyal, knew I couldn’t sacrifice others’ hard work for my own marital problems. He had me completely trapped. My chest felt like it was stuffed with waterlogged cotton, making it hard to breathe. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and when I opened them again, only the dead calm of compromise remained. “Fine, I’ll withdraw the lawsuit,” I heard my voice, hoarse and unfamiliar. “I’ll move back today.” A flicker of satisfaction crossed Julian’s eyes. “That’s better, isn’t it?” He stood up, walked over to me, and reached out to touch my hair. I turned my head, avoiding his touch. His hand froze in mid-air, his face slightly darkened. “Don’t touch me,” I said coldly. “Julian, you won. But I’m telling you, you’ve only kept a shell.”

I moved back into the hillside villa. The moment I stepped through the front door, that suffocating sense of oppression washed over me again. The piano in the living room was still in its original spot, silently mocking my helplessness. I didn’t take my luggage into the master bedroom. Instead, I walked directly to the most secluded guest room on the first floor. Julian followed me. Seeing my actions, his brows immediately furrowed. “What are you doing?” “Sleeping,” I pushed my suitcase into a corner, then turned to face him. “Mr. Thorne, you only asked me to move back; you didn’t specify which bed I had to sleep in, did you?” Julian’s face was so dark it looked like it could drip ink. He strode over, grabbed my wrist, and tried to pull me out. “Go back to the master bedroom! What would it look like if a married couple slept in separate rooms?” “Is there any dignity left between us?” I struggled against his grip, glaring at him coldly. “That bed is full of your disgusting lies; I find it repulsive. If you’re unhappy, you’re welcome to bankrupt Apex Tech right now!” Julian’s actions froze. He looked at the undisguised disgust and resolve in my eyes, his jawline clenched to the extreme. They stood there, locked in a stalemate, for a full minute. Finally, he roughly flung my hand away and scoffed. “Suit yourself.” He turned and strode off, his retreating back radiating furious irritation. I locked the guest room door, then slid down the doorframe, collapsing onto the floor, completely drained. First round, I had lost completely. But I knew this was only a temporary compromise. Over the next few days, Julian and I lived under the same roof but existed in two separate worlds. I left early and returned late, trying to avoid him. When we occasionally met in the dining room, I treated him as if he were thin air, not even sparing him a glance. Julian tried to mend things in his usual condescending way. He would have his assistant send expensive jewelry, have the kitchen prepare my favorite dishes, and even knock on the guest room door at night. But my response was always a locked door and icy silence. He was accustomed to my obedience. Faced with my unyielding attitude, his patience was rapidly running out. And I wasn’t idle either. I returned to the company and called a meeting with a few key partners. “I plan to bring in new investment firms, dilute Thorne Corp.’s shares, and gradually strip Thorne Corp. of its control over Apex Tech.” I pushed a detailed financing plan in front of them. The conference room fell silent. The partners exchanged glances; no one reached for the plan. “Audrey,” Michael, the eldest senior, rubbed his hands, looking troubled, “actually, Mr. Thorne has already reinstated the cooperation, and the funds are in place. To provoke him now would be too risky.” “That’s right,” another partner chimed in. “Thorne Corp.’s resources are unparalleled. Besides, husband and wife make up in bed. Since Mr. Thorne is willing to compromise, you shouldn’t be too stubborn.” I looked at their evasive eyes, a wave of sadness washing over me. “He’s not compromising; he’s using you to threaten me.” I took a deep breath, trying to make them understand the gravity of the situation. “As long as Thorne Corp. is involved, Apex Tech will always be his puppet. Today he can cut off our funding; tomorrow he can kick us out!” “It’s not that serious, is it?” Michael forced a dry laugh. “What man doesn’t have a few flings? Mr. Thorne is just playing around. As long as he hasn’t committed a cardinal sin, you can just turn a blind eye. It’s not worth jeopardizing the company over this.” Turn a blind eye. So, in their eyes, my dignity and boundaries were worthless in the face of profit. I looked at this group of comrades who had once stayed up all night coding with me, eaten instant noodles, and vowed to build a great business. Suddenly, they felt utterly foreign. Our paths diverged. I retrieved the plan and stood up. “Since we disagree, I won’t force it.” I looked at them calmly. “I will sell all my shares and withdraw from Apex Tech.” The conference room instantly erupted. “Audrey, are you crazy? This is your life’s work!” “If you leave, what will happen to the company?” I ignored their pleas and accusations, turning to walk out of the conference room. What if it was my life’s work? If this hard-earned achievement became the shackles Julian used to trap me, I’d rather destroy it with my own hands. I would sever all ties to him, leaving him completely and cleanly.

Once the decision to leave Apex Tech was made, I acted quickly. I didn’t contact any industry magnates who had connections with Julian. Instead, I secretly reached out to several out-of-state venture capital firms and competitors. My shares were tempting, but taking them on meant potentially offending Julian, so negotiations were not smooth. To expedite the sale, I proactively lowered the price, seeking only a swift resolution. Half a month later, I finally reached an agreement with a conglomerate from Hong Kong. On the day of signing, the Hong Kong representative looked at me, somewhat puzzled. “Ms. Hayes, Apex Tech’s momentum is excellent right now. You’re cashing out at this price, which is a significant loss.” I signed my name, capped my pen, and smiled faintly. “Some things are more important than money.” Like freedom, like a bottom line that could no longer be manipulated. The moment the funds were transferred, I let out a long sigh of relief. I returned to Apex Tech one last time, placing the share transfer agreement in front of my partners. They looked at the official seals on the document, their faces turning pale. “Audrey Hayes, you actually sold your shares? You sold us out to outsiders!” Michael, the senior partner, angrily pointed at me. “I gave you a choice; you chose Julian,” I said, calmly looking at their angry faces. “Now I’m out. You can rest easy clinging to Thorne Corp.’s leg. I wish you all the best.” I didn’t take a single thing from the company, only my personal laptop. Stepping out of the office building, the sunlight was a bit dazzling. I glanced back at the “Apex Tech” logo atop the building, feeling no regret, only liberation. Now, between Julian and me, only a marriage certificate remained. I found a quiet coffee shop, preparing to call my lawyer to restart the divorce proceedings. Just as my coffee arrived, the chair opposite me was pulled out. A pungent scent of perfume wafted over. I looked up and saw Serena Bell. Today she was dressed in a Chanel haute couture suit, her makeup flawless, completely devoid of the helpless, depressed patient appearance she’d worn that night. “Audrey Hayes, you certainly have a lot of free time on your hands,” Serena said, taking off her sunglasses, looking down at me with blatant provocation in her eyes. I took a sip of my coffee, not even sparing her a direct glance. “Ms. Bell, what can I do for you? If you’re here to discuss your condition, there’s a psychiatric hospital around the corner to your left; it’s more suitable for you.” Serena’s face stiffened for a moment, then she let out a cold laugh. “You don’t need to be so sharp-tongued with me. I came here today to ask you, when exactly are you going to divorce Julian? Don’t you feel ashamed monopolizing the position of Mrs. Thorne?” I put down my coffee cup and looked at her with interest. “No, I don’t feel ashamed. After all, I’m legitimate, protected by law. As for you, running here in broad daylight to make demands, what’s wrong? Did Julian not satisfy you last night, leaving you feeling frustrated?” “You!” Serena’s chest heaved with anger, and she gritted her teeth. “Julian spent the whole night with me! He doesn’t love you at all, so why are you clinging to him so shamelessly?” “Is that so?” I chuckled lightly, my tone full of mockery. “Then you’d better try harder to get him to sign the divorce papers soon, instead of just sitting on it. After all, he’s the one who refused to sign, even threatening my company to make me move back. If you’ve got the guts, get him to come to court with me today.” Serena’s face turned from green to pale as I hit a nerve. She glared at me, then suddenly started laughing, her smile twisted with a cruel triumph. “Audrey Hayes, you’re truly pathetic. Do you really think Julian won’t divorce you because he can’t bear to let you go?” She leaned forward, lowering her voice. “Do you really think a privileged golden boy like him would take an interest in an orphan like you, who had nothing? Do you think your meeting, his salvation of you back then, were all mere coincidences?” I frowned slightly, a bad premonition rising in my gut. “What do you mean?” Serena looked at me, her eyes glinting with malice. “Want to know? Then beg me.” I looked at her smug, petty face, and my disgust reached its peak. “If you don’t want to say, then don’t. It’ll just choke you.” I stood up, picked up my bag, and prepared to leave. “Audrey Hayes, stop right there!” Serena cried out, scrambling up to block me. “Don’t you want to know how your brother, Ryan Hayes, really died?” At the mention of that name, my steps froze. My blood seemed to turn to ice.

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