Category: English

My mother’s OCD was a physical weight in our house. Once, when I was ten, I walked barefoot across the hardwood floor. She took the green motherboard of a broken computer and whipped the soles of my feet until they bled. “Do you have any idea how many germs are on that floor? Are you trying to track them into every single room?” So when Thanksgiving came around, and my little sister Naomi was walking around the kitchen, eating a slice of the greasy meat pie Mom had spent hours baking, and dropped it face down on the hardwood, my heart leaped straight into my throat. Panic-stricken, I ran to the cabinet and grabbed the heavy-duty industrial disinfectant. But just as I sprayed the harsh chemical directly onto the pie to neutralize the grease and bacteria, the front door clicked open. Mom walked in. The moment her eyes fell on the greasy smudge on her pristine floor, her face contorted in absolute fury. “Maeve! What did I tell you before I left? Why is this floor filthy?!” I held up my hands, desperate to explain, but Naomi beat me to it. “Maeve said your pie tasted like cardboard, Mom! She threw it on the floor on purpose!” I stared at my sister, my stomach dropping in sheer disbelief. But Mom didn’t hesitate. She believed her instantly. Her hand clamped down on my forearm like a steel vice. I thrashed wildly, trying to break free. “It wasn’t me! Naomi dropped it—” But Mom wasn’t listening. Slipping on a rubber cleaning glove, she scooped up the grease-soaked, chemically drenched pie slice from the floor and shoved it violently into my mouth. “You’ve learned how to lie now, have you? How dare you throw dirt on your little sister!” But Mom… that pie was dripping with concentrated disinfectant. Were you trying to sanitize the germs inside my stomach, too? 1 I collapsed onto the floor, coughing violently, dry-heaving as I tried to purge the toxic pie from my throat. Beside me, Mom’s voice was chillingly calm. “Go ahead. Throw it up. See what happens.” My entire body froze. I didn’t dare move an inch. “Mom…” I choked out, my throat already starting to sear. “There was… there was disinfectant on it…” Mom’s expression flickered slightly. “Disinfectant?” A tiny spark of hope flared in my chest, and I nodded frantically, tears streaming down my face. She turned her head toward Naomi. “Naomi, is that true?” Naomi put on a look of wide-eyed, innocent confusion. My heart hammered against my ribs. Please, not this time. Don’t lie this time. “I don’t think so,” Naomi mumbled softly. “I thought Maeve just grabbed the spray bottle and hadn’t even used it yet.” My heart plunged into a bottomless abyss. A violent shudder ran through my entire body—whether from pure terror or the agonizing heat already blooming in my stomach, I couldn’t tell. The irritation on Mom’s face hardened into cold disgust. “Maeve, how many times have I told you? Honesty is the only thing that matters. How did you turn out like this? I have worked myself to the bone raising the two of you alone, and you can’t even maintain a shred of basic decency? You are a profound disappointment.” It felt as though my chest were packed with hot cotton. The concentrated chemical was burning its way down my esophagus; I couldn’t breathe, let alone speak. All I could do was shake my head frantically. Mom, please. I’m not lying. But once Mom made up her mind, nothing on earth could change it. She stared down at me with deep pity and shook her head. “I thought that when confronted with the truth, you’d at least have the grace to admit your mistake. Instead, you double down. You don’t possess a single fraction of your sister’s character.” Tears blurred my vision, spilling over my cheeks. But Naomi was the one lying. She always did. Since we were kids, Mom had always favored Naomi, harboring some stubborn belief that the younger child was inherently more innocent, more truthful. Last year, when Naomi stole a chocolate bar from the grocery store and blamed it on me, Mom cornered me in the parking lot, demanding I empty my pockets. I sobbed, begging her to believe me. But she only looked at Naomi. “Your sister saw you do it. Why are you still lying?” It was only after the store manager checked the security footage that my name was cleared. I had felt a brief surge of triumph, expecting Mom to force Naomi to apologize and finally stand up for me. Instead, she had merely brushed it off. “Naomi is younger. She didn’t know any better. You’re the older sister—you should be more accommodating. Demanding an apology like that only damages her self-esteem.” My world had dimmed in that moment. It damages her self-esteem? But Mom, what about mine? Did you ever consider how much it hurt to be publicly humiliated in front of a crowded store? Mom’s sharp voice snapped me back to the present. “Maeve. Since you refuse to apologize, I’m done dealing with you. I was planning on taking both of you to the Winter Wonderland resort tonight. But now? Naomi and I are leaving without you. Go to your room. I don’t want to look at your face.” Winter Wonderland. The one place I had begged Mom to take me a thousand times, always to be met with excuses. I wanted so desperately to go. But my throat was screaming, my stomach was a pit of acid, and Mom would never let me join them anyway. From behind Mom’s back, Naomi poked her tongue out at me, a silent, mocking smirk plastered across her face. I kept my head down, swallowing the rising tide of heat in my chest, and limped back to my bedroom. After all, in Mom’s eyes, I was nothing but a nuisance. As I closed the door, I heard her scoff. “Look at her, still playing the victim. Naomi, sweetie, promise me you’ll never end up like your sister. A liar through and through.” “Don’t worry, Mom,” Naomi replied, her voice sweet and compliant. “I’ll never be as bad as Maeve.” 2 By 2:00 AM, the fire inside me had grown into an absolute inferno. It felt as though someone had poured hot coals down my throat. Drenched in a cold sweat, I struggled to reach for my smartwatch charging on the nightstand. Mom. I have to call Mom. She won’t ignore me if she knows I’m really sick. With trembling fingers, I tapped her contact. It rang once, twice… seven times before a groggy, hushed voice finally answered. “Hello? What do you want at this hour?” Hearing her voice, a sob tore from my throat. I thought I was saved. “Mom… the disinfectant… it burns so bad… Mom, please help me…” I waited for her to panic, to tell me she was calling 911. But her voice only hardened. “Are you still playing this game? We literally just boarded the sleeper train. Stop throwing a tantrum, Maeve! You’re going to wake up your sister. I know you’re upset about being left behind, but this is the consequence of your own lies and making a mess of my kitchen!” “No… Mom, please…” I rasped, my vocal cords raw and failing. But before I could finish, the line went dead. I stared at the dark screen of my watch, tears slipping silently into my hair. Mom, why couldn’t you just love me a little bit more? Why did you have so much warmth for Naomi, but only cold suspicion for me? I hate you. I really do. Why couldn’t you just love me? The wave of raw emotion triggered a violent spasm in my chest. I sat up, choking, and vomited a thick, dark pool of blood onto the floor. Panic set in. No, no, no. I have to clean it. If Mom comes back and sees this, she’ll hate me forever. I dragged myself out of bed, grabbing a handful of tissues, frantically dabbing at the dark stain. But the moment my knees hit the hardwood, another wave hit me. I threw up again. More blood. Dark and hot. No matter how much I wiped, the smear only spread. Terror seized me. My hands shook so violently I could barely navigate the screen of my watch. I dialed her again. It rang and rang, eventually shifting to voicemail. Mom, why? Why have you abandoned me? Do you really hate me that much? I coughed, a wet, rattling sound, tears of pain and betrayal leaking from my eyes. I don’t know how many hours passed, but eventually, the coughing stopped. The fiery pain in my gut began to fade, replaced by a deep, hollow coldness that crept up from my toes. 3 When awareness finally returned to me, I was standing in front of the glittering neon gates of Winter Wonderland. I looked around, confused. How had I gotten here? And then panic flared—Mom hadn’t bought me a ticket. I wouldn’t be allowed in. I reached out to tap her shoulder, but my fingers passed straight through her wool coat, meeting only empty air. I stared at my hands. They were translucent, shimmering like frost. Am I… dead? Strangely, my first instinct wasn’t fear, but a profound sense of relief. At least now I won’t burden Mom by asking for a ticket. But then, a cold dread settled over me. The floor. I didn’t finish cleaning the blood off the floor. She’s going to be so angry. She’s going to hate me even more. Mom was holding Naomi’s hand, looking slightly distracted as they stood in the ticket line. “Naomi,” she murmured, a faint crease forming between her brows. “When Maeve called last night… her voice sounded so raspy. You don’t think something is actually wrong, do you?” Hearing the worry in her voice, a tiny spark of warmth bloomed in my spectral chest. She does care. She was thinking about me. 4 Naomi kicked a loose pebble with her boot, her tone entirely dismissive. “Oh, come on, Mom. You know what she’s like. Maeve is a drama queen. She’s just trying to ruin our trip.” Mom’s tense shoulders relaxed, and she nodded in agreement. “You’re right. That girl always knows exactly how to manipulate me. She’s probably just throwing a fit because I didn’t bring her along. Heaven knows what she did to make herself sound like that just to get attention.” Naomi wrapped her arms around Mom’s waist, looking up with a sweet smile. “Let’s not talk about her, Mom. It’ll spoil our trip. We’re here to have fun!” Mom’s expression softened completely, and she pinched Naomi’s nose affectionately. “You’re right, sweetie. You always know how to make me feel better.” I hovered a few feet away, nervously twisting the hem of my shirt. I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to be a dark cloud over your day. I really didn’t. It’s just… I was hurting so badly. They spent the entire day riding rollercoasters and drinking hot cocoa. It wasn’t until nine that evening, while waiting in the hotel lobby, that Mom finally remembered me. “Oh, I forgot to arrange any grocery delivery for your sister. Let me call and see if she’s eaten.” She pulled out her phone and dialed my number. It rang out. She tried again. Still nothing. Of course it wouldn’t connect. I was dead. There was no one left to answer. “Why isn’t she picking up?” Mom muttered, frustrated. Naomi snatched the phone from her hand and opened YouTube to watch My Little Pony. “She’s obviously throwing a silent treatment, Mom. She does this every time she doesn’t get her way.” Instantly, the worry vanished from Mom’s face, replaced by a familiar flare of anger. “Maeve is getting entirely out of hand. How dare she ignore my calls? This was a minor punishment—she committed a wrong, and she was disciplined for it! I haven’t even begun to lecture her, and she has the audacity to go cold on me? I was trying to check on her, and she treats me like this? Ungrateful brat. Just wait until I get home. She’s going to get a piece of my mind.” I hovered around her, desperate to explain, trying to grab her hand only to pass right through her arm again and again. No, Mom! I’m not ignoring you! I want to answer, I really do… but I can’t anymore. By noon the next day, Mom and Naomi arrived back at our suburban house. The moment Mom unlocked the front door, she slammed her keys on the console and shouted into the quiet house. “Maeve! Get out here right now! Why did you ignore my calls yesterday?” Her voice carried the weight of a storm that had been brewing all morning. Even as a spirit, I flinched, instinctively retreating a step. My bedroom door remained tightly shut, yielding nothing but silence. Mom dropped her bags and marched down the hallway. “Are you deaf? I told you to come out here!” Silence. How could there be anything else? She grabbed the brass doorknob and twisted. My breath hitched—or rather, the memory of my breath did. If she opens it, she’ll see the blood. She’ll see the mess. But the knob resisted. It was locked. I felt a strange wave of relief. Thank god I had remembered to lock it before the dark crept in. But the locked door only fueled Mom’s rage. Her chest rose and fell sharply. “Oh, locking me out now, are we? Fine! If you want to play that game, you can stay in there for the rest of your life for all I care!” Standing beside her, I let out a soft, bitter laugh. The rest of my life… I guess that’s exactly what I’m doing. Mom turned on her heel and went to the kitchen to prepare lunch. But when she pulled open the refrigerator door, she froze. The shelves were practically bare. “Wait… there’s nothing in here? Then how did Maeve…” Naomi quickly hid a box of cookies behind her back and pointed an accusing finger at the empty fridge. “Mom! The fridge is totally empty! I left so many snacks in here before we left. Maeve must have eaten everything while we were gone!” The faint flicker of concern on Mom’s face vanished instantly, replaced by irritation and a sense of vindicated relief. “Of course,” Mom muttered, letting out a sharp breath. “I should have known. Maeve would never let herself starve. She probably pigged out on junk food just to spite us. I was foolish to even worry about her.” I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. No, Mom! Naomi packed almost all of those snacks in her backpack before you left! And she just ate the rest of them right now! Mom, please stop misunderstanding me. During lunch, there was a knock at the front door. It was our next-door neighbor, Evelyn. “Hey, Diane!” Evelyn smiled, leaning against the doorframe. “Where have you guys been? I’ve been stopping by to see if you wanted to sit on the porch and catch up, but the house was dark.” Mom smiled back, her demeanor shifting instantly to polite warmth. “Oh, Naomi and I took a quick trip up to Winter Wonderland. We just got back.” Evelyn’s smile widened. “Oh, you’re such a wonderful mother to Naomi! But wait, did Maeve not go with you?” The moment my name was mentioned, Mom’s face darkened, and she sighed heavily, eager to unload her grievances. “Don’t even get me started on Maeve. She’s getting more difficult by the day—nothing like Naomi. She lied to my face a couple of days ago, so as a lesson, I left her behind. Now she’s throwing a massive tantrum. Refusing to answer my calls, and now she’s locked herself in her room and won’t even come out to eat.” I stood in the corner of the entryway, keeping my eyes on the floor. To her, I will always be the broken child. Evelyn’s brow furrowed, her expression turning puzzled. “That’s strange… I knocked on the door several times over the weekend, but no one ever answered. If Maeve was home, she surely would have heard me.” Mom waved her hand dismissively. “She’s probably in her rebellious phase. Just trying to ignore everyone.” Evelyn didn’t look convinced. She slowly backed out of the doorway, murmuring to herself, “That doesn’t sound like Maeve at all. She’s always been such a sweet, polite girl…” Warmth pricked my eyes. Even if it was just our neighbor, someone remembered who I actually was. Someone didn’t think I was a monster. That was enough. After finishing her lunch, Mom marched back to my door. This time, she held the spare key in her hand, her eyes flashing with determination. “Alright, young lady. You’ve had your little tantrum. Now let’s see what kind of mess you’re hiding in there!” She shoved the key into the lock, turned it, and threw the door open. A second later, the anger drained from her face, and she collapsed hard onto her knees.

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My sister and I both had leukemia. Mine was worse. There was only enough money in our parents’ savings to treat one of us, so they decided to draw straws. I thought it was just a cruel twist of fate, an unbiased hand of destiny. But then I heard them arguing through the thin bedroom door, their voices raw and strained: “The longer straw went to Norah! She’s the eldest, and she’s the sicker one. We have to treat her first!” my father argued, his voice thick with a desperate logic. My mother’s voice broke, a jagged, agonizing sound. “We have to treat Grace first! Think about how many times Norah has been sick since she was a little girl!” “But Norah’s body… she’s always hovered right on the edge of death. We can’t let her drag Grace down with her!” I froze in the hallway. My mother wasn’t wrong. I had been fragile my entire life, constantly slipping from one medical crisis into the next. We used to be a comfortable, middle-class family, but my illness had stripped them of everything, leaving them buried under a mountain of medical debt. To keep us afloat, my parents each worked three jobs. They pushed themselves to the point of collapse, both of them ending up hospitalized from sheer exhaustion more than once. Through the crack in the door, I saw my mother cover her face, her shoulders shaking violently as she wept. “If we don’t save Grace first, I swear I’ll end my own life! I have to save at least one of my girls!” My father’s voice cracked, a heavy, choked sob. “Helen, you’re putting a knife to my throat.” I didn’t want to be the knife anymore. To save them from making an impossible choice, I spent weeks hoarding my sleeping pills. … 1 My parents didn’t know that even without the straws, I would have stepped aside for Grace. Though she was my younger sister, Grace had always felt like the older one. She accommodated me in everything, always putting my needs before her own. Whenever I was hospitalized, she was the one who stayed by my bedside, tending to my worst moments, cleaning up after me without a single complaint. Because of me, she turned down her hard-won acceptance letter to Boston University. A girl with a brilliant future ahead of her chose to stay home, working as a remote customer service representative just so she could be near to care for me. During the dark nights when the pain became too much and I tried to end it, Grace was always there to pull me back from the edge. She would kneel at my feet, clutching the fabric of my sweatpants, crying until she couldn’t breathe. “Norah, please. I’m begging you, don’t do this.” “If you go, what happens to Mom and Dad? What happens to me?” “As long as you’re here, this family has something to fight for. If you leave, we have nothing left.” My parents, too, would weep at my bedside, their tears hot and heavy on my skin, pleading with me to hold on. They told me to trust that medicine was advancing. They begged me to believe I would get better. If those tears hadn’t burned themselves into my heart, I would have surrendered a long time ago. From the hallway, I heard the front door click open. My mother called out toward my room, her voice carrying its usual weary edge: “Norah, your father and I are heading out to work. Dinner is on the table.” I opened my bedroom door just as they walked out into the humid summer evening. Standing on the threshold, I managed a soft smile and called out after them, “Okay. Stay safe out there, Mom, Dad.” That was my last look at them. My last time calling them Mom and Dad. My last smile. My last goodbye. After tonight, I would no longer be a burden. I walked over to the dining table, holding the small amber bottle of sleeping pills tightly in my palm. On the table sat pan-seared salmon—Grace’s favorite—and garlic green beans, which I loved. I emptied the pills, crushing them into the warm rice. I ate. I forced down every bite, swallowing the bitter residue of the medication along with the food. When I couldn’t eat another bite, I dragged myself to my bed and lay down. I didn’t even have the strength left to write a note. I simply closed my eyes, and let the darkness take me. I didn’t know how much time had passed when the sound of the front door unlocking woke me—or rather, woke whatever was left of me. My father’s heavy, exhausted breathing and my mother’s familiar, fretful sigh breathed life back into the quiet house. Then, my mother saw my empty plate and unwashed fork sitting on the table. Instantly, her irritation flared. She marched toward my bedroom door, her voice sharp with exhaustion: “You can’t even rinse your own plate? Having leukemia doesn’t make you royalty, Norah!” “Your sister is sick too, and she’s online working all day, yet you can’t bother to wash a single dish!” “You don’t think about anyone but yourself. Sometimes I think you’re trying to drive me to an early grave.” She muttered as she clattered the dishes in the sink, her movements loud and deliberate, radiating resentment. I sat up, reaching out to open my bedroom door, only to find my hand passing straight through the wood. My vision blurred as I drifted through the paneling, standing suddenly in the middle of the living room. That was when I realized I was dead. “I’m sorry, Mom,” I whispered. But the apology was nothing more than a vapor, leaving no trace in the air. Grace walked in just then, her face pale but her expression gentle as she tried to soothe our mother. “Mom, Norah probably just wasn’t feeling well. You know she usually helps out when she has the strength.” 2 She managed to coax a small, weary smile onto our mother’s face. “You’re the only one who understands,” my mother murmured, lowering her voice as she pulled a warm, foil-wrapped burrito from her purse—the cheap, greasy kind from the truck down the street that Grace loved. “Eat this before your sister sees. Go on, eat it outside.” She gently nudged Grace toward the door. A dull ache bloomed in my chest. Normally, my mother never showed favoritism. Poverty had stripped our home of any luxury, and on the rare occasions my parents could afford a treat, they bought two of the exact same thing to ensure everything was perfectly equal. They had never let me see even a shadow of bias. I reached out, trying to touch my mother’s cheek. You don’t have to hide it anymore, Mom, I thought. You can love her openly now. Grace smiled, though her eyes remained tired, and she stepped out onto the porch. My spirit drifted out after her. She tore into the burrito, eating with a desperate, ravenous hunger, as if she hadn’t eaten in days. I reached out, trying to pat her back. “Slow down, Gracie. Slow down, no one’s going to take it from you.” But as she chewed, fat tears began to spill over her eyelashes, dripping onto the foil. She kept eating, swallowing her tears along with the food, her throat working hard. Panic seized me. “Gracie? What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” She heard nothing. She finished the food, wiped her eyes quickly, and took a deep, stabilizing breath. Forcing her face into a neutral mask, she opened the door and walked back inside. My parents had set the table with a simple dinner of broth and bread. “Dinner’s ready, Your Highness!” my mother called toward my room, her tone laced with bitterness. Three minutes passed. No movement. My father rubbed his lower back, wincing at the chronic ache, and walked over to knock on my door. “Norah? Come eat, sweetheart.” Still, silence. Grace tried next, her voice playful. “Hey, sleeping beauty, dinner’s on the table!” Nothing. My mother’s patience snapped. She yanked off her apron, marching toward my room, her voice rising to a crescendo of anger: “Are you giving us the silent treatment because we’re treating your sister first? You drew the short straw, Norah! It was luck, pure luck!” “Your sister has sacrificed everything for you! How can you be selfish enough to punish this entire family over a drawing?” She reached for the doorknob, her posture tense, ready for a confrontation. My father stood behind her, assuming I was throwing a tantrum, and called through the wood: “Norah, we don’t have the money. If we did, we would have put both of you in the hospital tomorrow. You know that.” Grace quickly stepped between them, trying to calm them down. Even though I knew they couldn’t see or hear me, I cried out, defending myself to the empty air: “I’m not angry! I swear I’m not!” Grace opened the door, slipping inside to mediate. On the bed, my body lay beneath the heavy quilt, curled on my side, my face turned toward the drywall. Grace sat on the edge of the mattress, glancing over at the still form. My spirit tensed, terrified she would realize the truth and be traumatized—yet equally terrified that if they didn’t find me soon, the summer heat would do unspeakable things to my remains. “Come on, Norah. Don’t be mad at us,” Grace coaxed, keeping her voice light. She only looked at the blanket for a brief second before looking away. She didn’t notice the absolute stillness of my chest. Instead, she smiled, her voice taking on a forced, bright quality. “I have great news. I bought a scratch-off ticket today and won fifty thousand dollars!” “Norah, we can go to the hospital together now. We can both get the treatment.” She was smiling, but her eyes were hollow, filled with a quiet, devastating grief. My heart hammered in my chest. She hadn’t won any lottery. At that moment, the screen of her phone lit up in her hand. A text message banner popped up: We’re getting the marriage license tomorrow. The check will clear the second we sign. The text was from Brody Harrington. I screamed, throwing myself in front of Grace, trying to block her view of the screen. “What are you doing? Are you insane? You can’t marry Brody!” Brody Harrington was dying of pancreatic cancer. The doctors had given him six months. Before his diagnosis, he had been a notorious playboy, his reputation dragged through every gutter in the city. He was the Harringtons’ only son, and his wealthy family was desperate. They had put up flyers all over town, offering fifty thousand dollars to any young woman willing to marry him and try to conceive an heir before he passed. The flyers had stayed up for three months; no respectable girl would sell her life to a dying, cruel man for any amount of money. 3 “Gracie, please! I’m already dead! You don’t have to ruin your life for me!” I wept, my voice tearing in my throat, but she sat there, her painted-on smile never wavering. I fell to my knees, grabbing at the fabric of her jeans, shaking her legs with all the strength my spectral form could muster. She felt nothing. “The doctor said if we start early, the survival rate is really high,” Grace whispered to the silent room. “We’re going to be okay, Norah.” She reached out and gave my arm a gentle shake through the heavy quilt. “I won fifty thousand dollars. Aren’t you happy for me?” My parents walked into the room, seeing Grace practically begging for a response while I remained silent beneath the blankets. My mother’s anger flared instantly. “Norah! Your sister is practically on her knees, and you’re still ignoring her?” “You are unbelievable! Grace does nothing but think of you, and this is how you treat her?” “Do you even have a heart? Throwing a fit over a stupid drawing!” Grace stood up, gently pulling our mother back, begging her to stop. But my mother stood in the doorway, her face flushed with anger, pointing a trembling finger at the shape under the blanket. “I am asking you one last time. Are you coming out to eat or not?” My father, wanting to keep the peace, reached over and patted my shoulder through the quilt. “Norah, you’re usually so sensible. Your mother and I have to get to work soon. Just get up and eat. Don’t make her worry.” To pay for my treatments, they lived on barely four hours of sleep a night. During the day, my father worked construction while my mother cleaned houses. Late at night, they packaged wholesale goods at a local warehouse. Except for the days of my major surgeries, they worked every single day of the year, even holidays. I stood beside them, my face drenched in tears, suffocated by guilt. When the blanket didn’t move, my mother threw her hands up. “Fine! Starve then! I work myself to the bone every day just to come home to this attitude!” Grace gently led her out into the living room. “Let her cool down, Mom. I’ll bring some food in for her later.” Because they were running late for their shift, my parents didn’t push any further. At the dinner table, Grace lied to them, spinning the story of the fifty-thousand-dollar lottery win. My parents believed her. For the first time in years, a genuine, breathless joy filled the room. They held each other, weeping, thinking that maybe, just maybe, God had finally looked down on us with mercy. After dinner, they got ready to leave for the night shift. My father groaned as he stood up, his spine popping with a sickening sound. Grace winced, begging him to stay home for just one night to rest his back. Years of heavy labor had bent his six-foot frame, and at forty-five, his hair was entirely white. He looked twenty years older than his age, and the dust from the construction sites had given him a chronic, hacking cough. Seeing him ruined like this because of my illness made me feel like an anchor dragging them into the depths. Above the couch hung their old wedding photo. My father had been so handsome, his posture straight and proud; my mother had been radiant, her eyes bright with hope. Now, they were grey-faced, wearing faded, thrift-store clothes. My father ignored Grace’s pleas, offering a weak smile. “It’s fine, Gracie. Just a little stiff.” My mother called out loudly, making sure her voice carried into my bedroom: “We were supposed to have tonight off, but your father insisted on picking up an extra shift so we can buy Norah that winter coat she needed. We are killing ourselves for you girls!” 4 I threw myself against the front door, spreading my arms as if I could physically block them. “I’m dead! I’m already dead! You don’t have to work tonight!” I screamed until my throat burned. They walked right through my chest, their hurried footsteps fading down the stairwell. Grace’s laptop chimed from her room—her supervisor reminding her to log on. She quickly set a plate of food on my nightstand. “Norah, I have to log on for my shift. Here’s your dinner. Please eat.” Then, she hurried into the tiny, windowless closet she called her bedroom. It was barely wide enough for a twin mattress, but she had moved in there years ago so I could have the larger bedroom to accommodate my medical equipment. My spirit sat beside her as her fingers flew across the keyboard, answering customer inquiries like a machine. She didn’t even take a break to drink water. She was only a year younger than me, but she had carried the weight of an entire family on her shoulders. By the time her shift ended in the early hours of the morning, our parents had dragged themselves home. They were too tired to speak, collapsing onto their bed with their boots still on. My mother, half-asleep, mumbled to my father, “Did Norah ever eat?” My father was already asleep and didn’t answer. Within seconds, my mother fell silent too. I hovered over them, sobbing quietly. No matter how angry she was, she still worried about whether I had eaten. The next morning, my cousin was getting married in the suburbs, and my parents were expected to attend the afternoon reception. Grace woke up early and put on a simple white sundress. I recognized it instantly—it was the dress Luke had bought her years ago. She kept it wrapped in tissue paper like a holy relic. My mother came into my room to say goodbye. “We’re heading to the wedding now. Your father and I will be back tonight.” Then she saw the untouched plate of food on the nightstand, the film of grease cold and congealed. Her face hardened. She stepped over to the bed and slapped my thigh hard through the blanket. “What is wrong with you! Who are you trying to punish by starving yourself? We told you both of you are getting treated! What more do you want from us?” Grace ran in, pulling her away. My mother, furious, reached over and unplugged the window AC unit. “Running the AC all day—do you think electricity is free? You’ve let this illness turn you into a spoiled brat!” I never kept the AC on to save money. I had only turned it on that last night because I wanted to go quietly, comfortably. Grace quickly ushered our mother out of the apartment. My spirit followed them to the reception hall. When the wedding ended, my Aunt Diane pulled my parents into a quiet corner of the venue. She took my mother’s hand, her face tight with a solemn, practical concern. “Helen, we’re sisters, so I’m going to speak plainly. I talked to a specialist. Norah’s prognosis is terminal. Instead of letting her slip away and leaving you with nothing but debt, you should consider putting her on the organ donor registry. If you sign the papers, the hospital network offers a massive stipend. It would pay for Grace’s treatment and secure your retirement.” I froze beside my mother. Part of me expected her to consider it. It made sense. But my mother violently yanked her hand away, her face turning crimson with rage. “How dare you!” she screamed, her voice echoing in the small room. “She is my daughter! What did she ever do to you that you would stand there and pray for her death?” “I have never asked you for a single dime, and you’re standing here trying to sell my child’s body?” She pointed a shaking finger at her sister’s face. “How much did they offer you to pitch this to me? You are a monster! Don’t you ever call yourself my sister again!” She didn’t just scream; she severed the relationship right then and there. She and my father walked all the way back to the city to save the four dollars on subway fare, my mother crying the entire three-hour walk. My spirit walked between them, holding my mother’s trembling hand on one side and my father’s on the other. The weight of their grief and love was suffocating. When we finally got back to the apartment, Grace was in her tiny room, crying silently as she typed a message. Brody’s mother had gone back on her word. She was only giving Grace twenty-five thousand dollars now; the remaining twenty-five thousand wouldn’t be paid until Grace was confirmed pregnant. This meant Grace couldn’t afford to start her own treatments alongside mine. Hearing the front door, Grace quickly dried her eyes and went out to greet our parents. She brought a basin of warm water for my father’s feet, and as she knelt to massage my mother’s swollen calves, she spoke softly: “Mom, let’s have Norah go first. Dr. Shepherd is the lead oncologist, and if we both go in at the same time, he won’t be able to oversee both of our surgeries. I want Norah to have the best doctor. I can wait a few weeks.” The lie was seamless, delivered with a gentle, reassuring smile. My mother pulled Grace into her arms, weeping with a mixture of relief and guilt. “My sweet Gracie. You are always so good.” Grace smiled, her white teeth showing in the dim light. “I’m your girl, Mom. I’ve got us.” I stood in the corner, the waves of grief and helplessness crashing over me until I felt like I was drowning. The next morning, my parents packed our worn duffel bags for the hospital. Grace and my mother walked to my bedroom door to wake me. As the door swung open, a heavy, sweet odor drifted into the hallway. They both frowned slightly, but assumed it was just the summer heat trapping the stuffy air in the room. “Rise and shine, big sister!” Grace called out, her voice bright. “Today’s the day!” My mother stepped in, her voice softening. “Come on, Norah. Don’t be mad anymore.” Grace smiled and pulled back the heavy quilt. The stench of decay hit them like a physical blow. Grace’s smile froze. Her face drained of all color, turning a horrifying, translucent white.

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At the dinner table, my wife Maya’s guy best friend Derek was flushed red from drinking. He threw his arm around Maya’s shoulders, his eyes hazy with alcohol as he reminisced about the past. “Maya, do you ever think about it? If we hadn’t broken up back then, our kid would probably be in school by now, right?” My fingers tightened around my glass. Derek noticed the change in my expression. Not only did he not back off, he actually made a “tsk” sound and pulled Maya even closer. He looked at me provocatively. “Oh, Ethan, bet you didn’t know Maya and I used to date, huh?” “Look at her being all secretive about it. Could it be… she still has feelings for me?” Before Maya could explain, I laughed. I cut off his drunken rambling, my voice not loud, but clear enough to carry through the entire private room. “How about we wait until Maya and I finalize our divorce, then you can shoot your shot?” “After all, jumping straight from one relationship to another looks pretty bad.” **[Chapter One]** The air in the private room instantly froze. The music, the laughter, the drinking games—everything stopped abruptly. All eyes turned to me, filled with shock, confusion, and a trace of excitement at the drama. Maya’s face turned deathly pale in an instant. She shoved Derek away violently, staring at me in disbelief. “Ethan, have you lost your mind? Do you even know what you’re saying?” Derek was stunned too, sobering up considerably. He dropped his arm, his eyes full of bewilderment. I smirked, drained the rest of my drink in one gulp. The liquor burned like fire from my throat down to my stomach. I stood up, looking down at them. “Was I not clear enough?” “Divorce.” “Tomorrow morning, nine o’clock. Meet me at the courthouse.” With that, I grabbed my jacket from the back of my chair and walked out without another glance at her. Maya’s shrill voice followed me. “Ethan! Stop right there! Explain yourself!” “It was just a joke! Are you seriously overreacting like this?!” I didn’t stop. Didn’t turn around. Overreacting? When she said she wanted “our own place in the city,” I worked myself to the bone, juggling three jobs until I landed in the hospital with a bleeding ulcer. When she said she wanted “a wedding to remember,” I took every penny my parents had saved for retirement and gave her the ceremony she called “the day of my dreams.” Because of this so-called “guy best friend” of hers, we’d fought countless times. I compromised again and again, believing her every time she said, “We’re just friends.” Now I could see—I’d been lying to myself all along. Outside the restaurant, the evening breeze hit me, and that burning sensation in my chest finally started to fade. My phone began vibrating frantically. It was Maya. I declined the call. She called again. I declined again. After several rounds, my phone went quiet. A SnapChat message popped up. Maya: “Ethan, what the hell is wrong with you? All because of Derek’s drunk comment? Since when did you become so petty?” I stared at those words and let out a cold laugh. A drunk comment? If I hadn’t installed that hidden camera in the private room beforehand, if I hadn’t received those photos from the private investigator this afternoon, I might actually have believed it was just a “drunk comment.” I opened my photo album, looking at picture after picture of the two of them kissing outside a hotel, making out in a car. My eyes stung. I sent her a message back. “Tomorrow. Nine o’clock. Court-house.” “Don’t be late.” “Oh, and here’s a little something for you.” I selected all those photos, packaged them up, and sent them at full resolution. On the other end, complete silence. **[Chapter Two]** The next morning at 8:50, I arrived at the courthouse right on time. The sunlight was a bit harsh. I lit a cigarette and waited quietly. At exactly nine o’clock, a taxi pulled up by the curb. Maya got out, her eyes red and swollen, her face heavy with exhaustion and haggardness that even her carefully applied makeup couldn’t hide. She rushed up to me, her voice hoarse. “Ethan, we need to talk.” “The photos… the photos are photoshopped! Derek was just messing around with me!” I exhaled a smoke ring, watching her pathetic performance. “Oh? Really?” “So the hotel booking records were also a joke? And the $5,200 he transfers to your bank account every month—that’s a joke too?” Maya’s face went ashen. Her lips trembled, unable to form a single word. I crushed the cigarette butt in the trash bin and pulled out the documents I’d prepared from my briefcase. “Divorce agreement. I had a lawyer draft it.” “You committed adultery during our marriage and misappropriated marital assets. By law, you should leave with nothing.” I paused, looking at that face that once made my heart race. “But for old times’ sake, I’ll be fair. The condo we bought after marriage is worth $300,000. I paid the down payment, we split the mortgage. The condo goes to me, but I’ll reimburse you for your portion of the mortgage payments in cash.” “You keep the car. We split the savings fifty-fifty.” “Pretty generous of me, don’t you think?” Tears immediately streamed down Maya’s face. She grabbed my arm, crying and begging. “No! I don’t want a divorce! Ethan, I was wrong, I was so wrong!” “It was a moment of weakness! You’re the one I love!” “Give me one more chance, please? I’ll cut Derek off completely!” Gently but firmly, I pried her fingers off one by one. “Maya, it’s too late.” “When I found out you used the money we’d been saving for a car to buy him the latest phone—it was already too late.” “When I found out you lied about working overtime but were actually celebrating his birthday—it was already too late.” “When I saw that hickey on your neck and you told me it was a mosquito bite allergy—it was already too late.” With each statement, her face grew paler. By the end, she was trembling all over, as if all the strength had been drained from her body. “Sign it.” I handed her the pen. “Don’t make me make this any uglier than it needs to be.” Her gaze fixed on the words “marital infidelity” in the divorce agreement. Her body swayed, nearly collapsing. Maya eventually signed. She knew that what I had on her was enough to destroy her reputation completely. Walking out of the courthouse, our marriage certificate replaced by divorce papers, I felt an indescribable mix of emotions. Relief, but also a hint of emptiness. Three years of my life, all fed to the dogs. I’d just gotten in my car when an unknown number called. I answered. An arrogant male voice came through. “Is this Ethan? It’s Derek.” I said nothing, waiting for him to continue. “So you and Maya got divorced?” “Well, well. Got some balls, I’ll give you that. But hey, you actually did us a favor.” “Maya’s at my place right now, crying her eyes out. Breaks my heart to see her like this.” “Come on, man, why be so petty? She just made a mistake that all women make, you know?” Listening to his twisted logic, I was so angry I laughed. “Done?” Derek paused. “Huh?” “If you’re done, I’m hanging up. I don’t have time to listen to dogs bark.” With that, I hung up and blocked the number. I hit the gas, merging into traffic. This wasn’t the time for wallowing in self-pity. The revenge had only just begun. Did Maya think that once we divorced and split the assets, this was over? How naive. **[Chapter Three]** I pulled out another phone and dialed a number. “Hey Ryan, how’s that thing I asked you to look into coming along?” Ryan was a private investigator I’d met while working on a project. The guy had connections everywhere. “Ethan, my man, it’s all handled. That Derek guy—looks all respectable on the outside, manager at some investment firm, but his ass is dirty as hell.” “He’s been using his position for insider trading. Made about two hundred grand illegally. I’ve compiled all the evidence and emailed it to you.” “Oh, and he’s not just messing around with Maya. He’s got several girls on the hook, including one who’s his boss’s daughter.” My eyes went cold. “Thanks, Ryan. I’ll transfer the money to you right away.” I hung up and opened my email. An encrypted file sat there waiting. Derek. Maya. Your “good days” are just beginning. I didn’t release the evidence right away. Bullets should be saved for the most critical moment. First, I called Maya’s parents. The phone had barely connected when my mother-in-law—well, former mother-in-law now—blasted through with her familiar booming voice. “Ethan? What’s going on with you and Maya? Why aren’t you answering her calls? Are you bullying her?” I spoke calmly. “Ma’am, Maya and I are divorced.”Silence on the other end for a full ten seconds. “Di… divorced? Why?! Weren’t you two doing fine?” “You’ll have to ask your wonderful daughter about that.” “You can also ask her who Derek is.” With that, I hung up. I could imagine the chaos erupting in the household right now. Next, I printed out hundreds of copies of the intimate photos of Derek and Maya, along with screenshots of their hotel booking records. All anonymous. Then I drove to the school where Maya worked. She was a dance teacher at a private elementary school. She’d always been most concerned about her “gentle and refined” image. I didn’t go inside. I just stood at the school entrance, distributing these printed “evidence” copies to the parents picking up their kids. “Free entertainment. No need to thank me.” The parent chat groups exploded. “Oh my God! Isn’t this Miss Maya who teaches our kids?” “Holy crap, she looks so innocent, but she’s playing these games?” “Who’s this guy? He doesn’t look like her husband!” “Tsk tsk tsk, you really can’t judge a book by its cover. How can someone like this be a teacher? Don’t want her corrupting my kid!” Public opinion can be a knife that kills. I wanted her most precious reputation to rot completely. After finishing all this, I drove away, my mission accomplished. Halfway there, I got a call from my mom. “Son, you and Maya… you really divorced?” I made an affirmative sound. On the other end, my mom sighed. “It’s for the best. That kind of woman doesn’t deserve my son.” “I always felt something was off about the way she looked at you, like she had ulterior motives. But you wouldn’t listen.” “Come home. Mom will make you your favorite dishes.” Warmth flooded through me, my eyes getting a bit hot. “Okay.” **[Chapter Four]** When I got home, my mom had indeed prepared a whole table full of my favorite foods. My dad sat to the side. Though he didn’t say a word, the concern in his eyes was impossible to hide. “Mom, Dad, I’m fine.” I pushed the rice around in my bowl, my voice a bit muffled. My mom served me some braised pork. “Good that you’re fine. There are plenty of good girls in the world. We’re not worried.” “Do you have enough money? If not, Mom has some.” I shook my head. “I’m good. The company has a project coming up. If it goes well, I’ll get a nice bonus.” After dinner, I shut myself in my room and opened my computer. I divided the evidence Ryan had sent about Derek’s insider trading into several portions. One portion, I anonymously sent to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s reporting email. One portion, I anonymously sent to Derek’s company compliance department’s reporting email. And the most explosive portion—the chat records and photos of him with his boss’s daughter and several other women—I sent directly to his boss’s private email. Also anonymous. For the email subject line, I made it bold and enlarged. **[A cuckold’s crown for Mr. Williams. Please accept delivery.]** After finishing all this, I let out a long breath. Now, time to sit back and watch the show. Early the next morning, I got a call from my childhood friend Kyle. “Ethan! Holy shit! Dude, you’re a legend!” “That whole thing with your ex-wife is blowing up at her school! I heard she’s been suspended!” I smiled. “That’s just the appetizer.” “There’s more?!” Kyle’s voice was bursting with excitement. “Wait for the news.” I hung up and scrolled through the local financial news. Sure enough, one story had shot to the top of the headlines. **[XX Investment Company Executive Derek S. Suspected of Insider Trading, Taken by Police for Questioning]** The accompanying photo showed Derek being escorted out of the company by two police officers, his face ashen with despair. The comments section was already exploding. “Holy crap, isn’t this my classmate? He always seemed so successful!” “You never really know people. He’d do anything for money.” “I heard he was also two-timing multiple women and even cheated with his boss’s daughter. Is that true?” I read these comments, feeling a surge of satisfaction. Derek, this is just the beginning. Prison time—that’s your true destination. With Derek arrested, Maya completely fell apart. The private school where she worked valued teacher ethics and reputation above all else. After such a huge scandal, her termination was guaranteed. She called and texted me frantically. The content went from cursing at first to desperate pleading later. “Ethan, I’m begging you, please let me go!” “I know I was wrong, I really know I was wrong!” “Can you please delete those photos? The school is going to fire me! I can’t lose this job!” “As long as you help me, I’ll do anything you want!” Looking at these messages, I only felt the irony. If you knew this day would come, why did you do it in the first place? I didn’t reply to a single message. Mercy to your enemies is cruelty to yourself. Two days later, an unexpected person found me outside my company building. My former mother-in-law. She wasn’t as arrogant as she’d been on the phone last time. Her face was plastered with an ingratiating smile, and she carried a basket of fruit. “Ethan, look at you, acting like we’re strangers.” “Even if you and Maya are divorced, we’re still family, aren’t we?” I leaned against the wall, looking at her with a half-smile. “Ma’am, if you have something to say, say it.” Her smile stiffened for a moment, then she continued. “Well… about Maya’s job situation… do you think you could talk to the principal? Didn’t you have dinner with them before?” “If she loses her job, it doesn’t look good for you either, does it?” I was almost amused by her twisted logic. “First, Maya and I have no relationship anymore. Her affairs have nothing to do with me.” “Second, you know exactly why she’s being fired, don’t you? She did something wrong. I didn’t make her lose her job.” “Third, whether it looks good for me or not isn’t your concern.” “If there’s nothing else, please leave. I have work to do.” My former mother-in-law’s expression immediately soured. “Ethan! Don’t be so ungrateful!” “So what if she cheated? It’s not that big a deal! Maya’s young and didn’t know better. What’s wrong with making a mistake?” “Can’t you be the bigger person? Do you have to push her to the edge like this?” I looked at her coldly. “Be the bigger person?” “When she despised me for being poor and ran off with Derek, why didn’t you tell her to be the bigger person?” “When she used my card to buy things for Derek, why didn’t you tell her to be the bigger person?” “Now that she’s in trouble, you want ME to be the bigger person? Too late!” “Get lost!” That last word, I practically shouted. My former mother-in-law was so frightened by my intensity that she stepped back twice, pointing at me and sputtering “you, you, you” for a while before slinking away in defeat.

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The night my father died. I grabbed some food and headed downstairs to bring it to my husband, who was keeping watch at the funeral home tonight. But at the service, I walked in on two bodies tightly intertwined. The moment Ethan saw me, after a brief flash of surprise, he pulled the woman closer with obvious reluctance to let go, pressing her head against his chest. “Sophia, you’re five months pregnant. Why aren’t you resting?” “Be good. Go back upstairs. I’ll explain later.” Despite his attempts to hide her face, I recognized her immediately. The woman in his arms was Lorelei Hart, my father’s former mistress. She was only seven years older than me. He didn’t want me to see her face. He was afraid I’d make a scene, stress the baby, and end up dead on a cold operating table like my mother. But what he didn’t know was this: when someone’s heart turns cold enough, they don’t make scenes. **1** “Ugh, stop pressing me like that. I can’t breathe~” Lorelei twisted out of his embrace, playfully hitting his chest with a coy pout. “What are you worried about? It’s not like Sophia hasn’t seen this before.” “She didn’t make a fuss when she was a kid. Now that she’s grown up, she definitely won’t.” Yeah. I’d seen this scene before. Except back then, the man tangled up with her was my father. And the photo hanging in the memorial hall? That was my mother, who died from complications during labor after discovering Dad’s affair. Ethan knew all of this. Every detail. Seeing that I truly showed no major emotional reaction, Ethan hesitantly released Lorelei’s hand. Lorelei skipped over and grabbed my hand. “Don’t blame Ethan. You’ve been pregnant for months now, and he’s been so pent up, the poor thing.” Her cheeks flushed pink as she thought of something. “Besides… we fell in love at first sight. The chemistry was so intense we just couldn’t help ourselves.” Nausea rose in my throat. I yanked my hand away and turned to Ethan with an accusing stare. He gazed at Lorelei with tender eyes. No explanation came. His silence confirmed everything Lorelei had said. Love at first sight. Love at first goddamn sight! My clenched fists trembled uncontrollably. Before I could say the word “divorce,” a sharp, twisting pain tore through my belly. I slumped against the wall and slid to the floor. Ethan rushed over in a panic, pulling me into his arms, his voice shaking. “Sophia, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me.” Lorelei crouched down, pushing him aside to hold me instead, her eyes full of concern. “Leave this to me. Call 911! And grab the hospital bag—I think she’s going into labor.” Ethan frantically pulled out his phone and stumbled away. The moment his back disappeared from view, Lorelei’s gentle, caring expression vanished. Her face twisted into something cruel as she leaned close to my ear. “You look just like your mom did back then. Like mother, like daughter.” “Think you’ll end up dead like her too? Killed by anger, just like she was?” “If I can reunite your whole family of three, wouldn’t that make me practically a saint?” I stared at her coldly, forcing out a single word through the pain. “Get. Lost.” She covered her mouth, laughing, triumph written all over her face. “You don’t know this yet, but your dad? I killed him too. That day at the hospital, we did it right in front of him.” “Come to think of it, I basically avenged your mother for you. You could at least be nicer to me.” I struggled to control my body, to get away from her. “Revenge? You don’t deserve to say that word.” She reached out, brushing away the hair plastered to my face with cold sweat, laughing softly. “They say judge people by their actions, not their hearts. So tell me—didn’t I make your dad experience exactly what your mom went through?” “Your mom just couldn’t handle it back then. If she’d lived till now, she’d probably thank me.” My dad got what he deserved! But she had no right to talk about my mother. No right to claim my mother would thank her! “Lorelei Hart, you’re delusional!” Looking at her smug expression, I couldn’t take it anymore. I raised my hand to slap her. But the searing pain in my belly left me with no strength. Then, the next second, a loud slap rang out. Lorelei’s face instantly swelled red. “Sophia, I was trying to help you! Why did you hit me?” She clutched her face, tears welling in her eyes, looking at me pitifully. “Sophia! What are you doing?” Ethan dropped the hospital bag and rushed to her, pulling her into his arms with both concern and anger. “She was trying to help you. How could you hit her?” **2** Cold sweat poured down my face from the pain in my belly. I didn’t even have the strength to speak. Seeing my condition, a flicker of sympathy crossed Ethan’s eyes. He held Lorelei, gently stroking her in comfort, while saying to me in a soft voice: “Hang in there. The ambulance is almost here.” He helped Lorelei sit down nearby to rest, then just stood there watching me suffer on the floor, waiting for the ambulance. The moment the paramedics arrived, he rushed over in two or three steps, frantically pulling the doctor toward Lorelei. “Doctor, check her face! It looks serious!” The doctor glanced at Lorelei sitting in the chair, then at me on the floor. He brushed off Ethan’s hand and came toward me. “She’s fine. Let’s see to the pregnant woman first.” Ethan grabbed the doctor’s sleeve desperately, blocking his path to me. “How can she be fine? Her face is so swollen!” Seeing my ashen face, the doctor had no choice but to call a nurse to check on Lorelei. Even as they loaded me into the ambulance, Ethan never looked at me once. When I woke up again, I was in the hospital. Ethan sat by the bed, stirring a bowl of soup he’d brought for me. Our eyes met. He reached out to help me sit up. “Don’t worry. The baby’s fine.” I dodged his hand and turned away, refusing to look at him. “Since you and her are in love at first sight, I’ll make it easy for you both.” Ethan withdrew his hand with a sigh. “Sophia, yes, I slept with her. But I’m not a heartless bastard.” “I married you. We have a child together. How could I just abandon you?” “Besides, I’m all you have left now. I won’t divorce you.” A knock came at the door. Lorelei walked in carrying a fruit basket, draping her hand over Ethan’s shoulder. “I’ll take it from here. Your assistant is outside—says it’s urgent.” Ethan grasped Lorelei’s hand, looking at her still slightly reddened face with heartache. “I’m sorry you have to deal with this.” After Ethan left, Lorelei sat by the bed and started peeling an apple. “You’re lucky to be alive.” “I was hoping once you died, I’d get your inheritance too.” A flash of resentment crossed her eyes. “That old bastard screwed me over one last time before he died. I was barely twenty when I hooked up with him, and he left you ninety-nine percent of everything.” Watching her resentment, I found it almost laughable. “If he developed feelings based on how long you were together, he never would’ve cheated on my mother with you in the first place.” And my mother never would’ve discovered Dad’s affair and gone into premature labor. I never wanted anything to do with him again. But when his people found me and made that offer, saying half of it had belonged to my mother anyway, I agreed to meet him. Lorelei bit into the apple and suddenly laughed. “You’re right. But it doesn’t matter now. I’ve latched onto another meal ticket, haven’t I?” “You and your mom have the same taste in men. Both so easy to make fall in love with me.” She leaned down, raising her eyebrows in mock gratitude. “Thanks for that.” As she spoke, she forcefully grabbed my hand and pressed it against her lower abdomen. “I’ve got good news for you. I’m pregnant too.” “Should my baby call your mom Grandma? Or Mom?” I yanked my hand away forcefully, disgusted. “Your baby has no right to have anything to do with my mother!” She clutched her belly, suddenly showing an expression of pain. “Sophia, what did you do?!” Ethan rushed into the room, grabbing me by the collar. “I didn’t do any—” Before I could finish, Lorelei cut me off. She crouched on the floor, grabbing his pant leg with a pained expression. “Ethan, it’s okay. She’s just upset that we’re having a wedding. I don’t blame her.” “After all, the island wedding was what she always wanted most.” “It’s just… my belly…” She suddenly collapsed on the floor. **3** “Lorelei!” Ethan panicked, scooping her up and rushing toward the door. At the doorway, he turned back with cold eyes. “Sophia, I won’t divorce you, but what you did yesterday and today crossed the line.” “I was planning to bring you to the wedding, but now I don’t think that’s necessary.” “I’ll continue handling your father’s funeral arrangements. Just stay in the hospital and behave.” After he left, security guards quickly appeared outside my hospital room. They confiscated my phone, and someone followed me everywhere, even when I went downstairs. I thought he just didn’t want me following them to ruin his wedding with Lorelei. But I was wrong. Three days later, on the wedding day, they locked my door early in the morning, preventing me from leaving. Then two people came in carrying a tablet streaming the wedding live, and positioned it in my hospital room. The wedding setup in the video was exactly what I’d always dreamed of. I found it absurd, but I didn’t feel sad. Until after their grand wedding ceremony ended, Ethan publicly announced he was going to bury my father in my mother’s grave! “Mr. Blackwell is such a good man, thinking of everything!” “I know, right? How many sons-in-law would consider something like this?” … Watching the crowd’s enthusiastic praise in the video, and Lorelei’s deliberately provocative look toward the camera, I trembled with rage and lunged for the phone like a madwoman. But they grabbed me, pinned me to the bed, and I couldn’t move. A day after the wedding ended, Ethan called specifically to ask, his voice dripping with superiority. “Are you satisfied with my arrangements?” On the screen, he stood on the balcony of an island villa, wearing a white suit, his posture upright and utterly cold. He knew how much I resented my father. He absolutely did this on purpose! I screamed in fury. “Ethan Blackwell! If you actually do this, I’ll kill you!” Ethan raised his wine glass and swirled it, his voice merciless. “Sophia, you should’ve known when to quit. Do you understand that concept?” A familiar female voice came from nearby, giggling. “You’re so ungrateful. Your mom and dad haven’t seen each other in years. Now they can finally be reunited. Shouldn’t you be happy for them?” She draped herself over Ethan’s arm, leaning on his shoulder. “Forget it, honey. Let’s ignore her. She’s killing the mood.” Ethan glanced carelessly at the camera, stroking her head gently. “Mm.” The call ended abruptly. Massive rage clogged my chest. I felt like I was going to explode. After taking two deep breaths, a thread of rationality briefly returned, and I suddenly felt something was terribly wrong. “The baby!” I frantically touched my belly. “My baby isn’t moving! She’s not moving!” Tears poured uncontrollably down my face. I sobbed, screaming at the guards: “Get a doctor! Get a doctor now!” The whole group panicked and scattered. In the chaos, one of the guards quietly approached from behind and whispered. “Don’t worry. Everything’s arranged.”After being pushed into the operating room, the doctor my people had arranged asked me again. “Miss, your baby is quite far along. Are you sure you want to induce labor?” I struggled to control my trembling hands and touched my belly, nodding. “Yes. I’m sure.” I’m sorry, baby. This time, Mommy has to choose herself. Mommy doesn’t want to be tied to your father who doesn’t love you, and Mommy doesn’t want you growing up in a loveless environment. If you can forgive Mommy, come find her again in the next life. During the surgery, Ethan called me countless times, but no one answered. He frowned, scrolling through his phone, growing increasingly irritated. Threatening to bury my father with my mother was my breaking point. I shouldn’t be this calm. After another call went to voicemail, he laughed coldly. So… she’s trying to manipulate me with this tactic? He tossed the phone aside and picked up company documents to review, but couldn’t concentrate. Something felt unsettled in his chest, restless. Even during company meetings, he kept spacing out, his mind uncontrollably conjuring the look in my eyes that day. It felt like more than just hatred. “Ethan? Ethan?” Lorelei came over with freshly made soup, tapping his shoulder lightly before sitting beside him, reaching to massage his temples. “Have you been working too hard lately?” Ethan raised his hand, blocking hers, sounding tired. “Any news from there?” Lorelei froze, quickly realizing he meant news about me at the hospital. Her nails dug into her palm as she swallowed her anger and spoke softly. “What news would there be? Same as before. She’s still making a fuss, refusing to agree.” She turned and tugged at Ethan’s sleeve, shaking it playfully. “Come on, don’t keep talking about her when you’re with me. I’ll tell you if there’s any news.” “Will you take me to that restaurant later? The food there is amazing!” Ethan took her hand, gently caressing it. “Alright. Once I finish work, we’ll go.” Hearing this, Lorelei smiled and held the soup out to him. “You won’t be done for a while. Eat something first.” Looking at the greasy chicken soup, Ethan took a perfunctory sip. “Not bad.” Then he made an excuse about another meeting and sent Lorelei away. A few hours later, the surgery ended. I was wheeled out of the operating room. Lorelei happened to be holding Ethan’s arm, about to leave for dinner. Ethan had just gotten into the car with a smile when he received a message. **[Mr. Blackwell, something’s wrong. Mrs. Blackwell was so stressed that the baby stopped moving. She’s already gone in for induced labor.]**

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On the third day of our silent treatment, my fiancé deliberately agreed to his assistant’s suggestion for a road trip. He thought I’d get jealous and make a scene, like always. But when he came back a month later, he found I’d changed. He helped his assistant steal my project, but instead of quitting in a huff, I eagerly helped her write the proposal. He ruined my carefully crafted design so his assistant could win the year-end bonus, but I no longer tried to prove myself. Instead, I took all the blame and accepted his punishment. He even wanted to promote his assistant to company general manager, skipping all the usual steps. I didn’t get angry; I even offered to give up all my shares for him to freely distribute. The assistant was smug. “See? I told you. You can’t be tough with Alice’s personality. You have to give her the cold shoulder. This trip definitely worked. She’s scared of losing you, that’s why she’s being so good.” My fiancé believed her completely, praising his assistant’s intelligence. Later, he found me alone, promising me a promotion, a raise, and an unforgettable wedding, something he’d never offered before. But he seemed to have forgotten that during his trip, he’d already signed my resignation. And I had already broken up with him. From then on, we were completely done, no longer connected.

“Alice, Mr. O’Malley needs this project proposal urgently. I know it’s a lot, but please make sure it’s done before you leave the office today.” Liam’s assistant, Chloe Williams, smiled sweetly as she dumped a thick stack of files onto my desk. I took them, used to it by now. “Okay.” Chloe, seemingly not satisfied, chuckled again. “Liam and I have an engagement later. Just finish it and put it on Liam’s desk, Alice. Oh, and remember to clean Liam’s office before you leave.” With that, she clicked away in her high heels, in a great mood. My colleagues looked at me with pity, not even knowing how to comfort me. Everyone knew that our CEO, Liam O’Malley, was my fiancé, but he was incredibly biased towards his assistant, Chloe Williams. He hadn’t just gone out of his way to poach Chloe from another company and promote her to Project Department Director. He’d even given her a multi-million dollar project that I had spent a month securing and another month staying up late to almost finish. I protested, so Liam decided to settle the project ownership with a public vote. He thought everyone would back him, but the results showed everyone voted for me. Chloe only had his single, pathetic vote. Liam immediately blew up, accusing me of forming cliques in the company. He didn’t give the project back to me. Instead, he publicly announced my dismissal and docked the pay of all my colleagues who supported me. Everyone was furious but dared not speak out. Afterward, Liam apologized, explaining he wanted to avoid suspicion and prevent Chloe from being ostracized. At first, I believed him. Now, I just find it laughable. Chloe’s professional skills are worse than our newest intern. Whether it was avoiding suspicion or pure favoritism was clear to all our colleagues. Only he refused to admit it. Noise came from upstairs. I looked up and saw Liam’s tall figure appear at the stairwell. He merely glanced in our direction, then walked out without looking back. He had changed into a casual suit, and I could faintly smell his cedar cologne from here. Liam didn’t like wearing cologne, but this bottle was a gift from Chloe. I knew he was doing it on purpose. It had been like this for years. It started when I found his SnapChat messages with Chloe, where they were exchanging goodnight texts, and I couldn’t help but question him. Liam thought I was petty. In a fit of anger, he used the excuse, “Since you’re already suspicious, why not just make it official?” and brought Chloe to work directly by his side. The angrier I got, the more he deliberately favored Chloe. He took her to various social events, and even publicly wiped her mouth at company dinners. If I argued with him, he’d give me the silent treatment. If I apologized, he’d use it as an opportunity to team up with friends to lecture and reprimand me. Because of this, I often reflected on whether I was not magnanimous enough, leading us to this point. But it wasn’t until the third day of our silent treatment, when I was too sick to get out of bed, and he ignored me, deliberately packing his bags to go on a trip with his assistant, that I completely gave up. I finally understood. He was just using my “jealousy” as an excuse for “desensitization therapy” to shamelessly justify his immoral behavior. Even if I hadn’t seen his messages, Liam would have found another excuse to be with Chloe. After they returned from a business trip together a while ago, even though they still went out for dinner, drinks, and played sports frequently, I could sense their relationship had become subtly different. But thankfully, I didn’t care anymore. Five years of dating were ending. This farce had to stop. After I finished the proposal, I was the only one left in the office. I checked my phone and saw Chloe had posted several updates on Ins. The background was a fancy restaurant, with a romantic candlelit dinner on the table in front of them. Liam was elegantly cutting Chloe’s steak with a knife and fork. The caption read: “Steak cut by the CEO himself, it must taste extra delicious.” Many partners commented, praising how sweet they were. Those who didn’t know our relationship asked when they could attend their wedding. Liam replied with three dots, while Chloe sent a “playful” emoji. As usual, no clarification. But this time, I wasn’t angry about their ambiguous relationship like before, nor did I call Liam only to be scolded by him for “losing it over someone else’s comment.” I sent him a message telling him the proposal was done. Then I placed the file in his office, refilled the water cooler as requested, and drove home. Just as I arrived, Liam’s call came in. “Alice, it’s Chloe. Thanks so much for the project. I’ll treat you to dinner sometime.” As soon as I picked up, Chloe’s gentle voice came through. Before I could react, Liam’s voice chimed in from the background, “What’s there to thank her for? It’s her job.” “Liam, Alice is your fiancée, you should be nicer when you talk to her,” Chloe chided playfully. Their familiar interaction made it seem like they were the couple. I scoffed. Liam, who always had his phone glued to his hand and would get angry if I even checked the time on it, accusing me of invading his privacy, was now handing his phone to Chloe without a second thought. The closeness between them was obvious. But at that moment, my heart was unusually calm. What once felt like the end of the world now seemed trivial. After a few more playful exchanges with Chloe, Liam must have realized I was still listening. He said dismissively, “I’ll be home soon. Don’t wait up, get some rest.” Then he hung up. His “soon” meant at least four or five hours. In the past, I would get agitated and anxiously wait for him. But this time, I ignored him and calmly went to my study. I looked at the calendar on my desk. Not long ago, Liam and Chloe went on a trip under the guise of a business trip. I used that opportunity to submit my resignation. As expected, with Chloe around, Liam’s attention was entirely on her. He approved it without even looking. Now, there were three days left. Just three more days until my work handover was complete, and I could leave for good. Thinking about it, I made a FaceTime call to my former mentor at the research institute abroad. After graduation, I joined the institute as an outstanding student, enjoying a top-tier position. But when Liam said he needed help starting his company, I didn’t hesitate to quit. My mentor tried to dissuade me repeatedly, but I still resolutely returned to the country to help him build his business from the ground up. Looking back now, I was truly foolish. Emotions are always fleeting. Only hard work never betrays you. When the call connected, I explained my intentions. I expected a scolding, but instead, my mentor sighed, telling me he had actually known about my situation for a while and had already considered having me return. “But, have you truly thought it through this time?” I nodded. “I have. All my resignation matters are sorted.” “Resignation? What resignation?” A startled voice came from behind. I turned around to see Liam pushing the door open and walking in.

I looked down and saw that my mentor’s call had already disconnected. I calmly turned off my phone. As I was wondering how to explain, his phone suddenly buzzed. It was a message from Chloe, saying she’d found a stray kitten on her way home and had gone to a store specifically to buy some ham for it. “So cute,” Liam said. Chloe replied instantly: “Is the kitten cute, or am I cute?” A selfie of Chloe holding the kitten and pouting with a peace sign followed. Liam’s lips curved into an involuntary smile. “The kitten is cute, but you’re cuter.” Perhaps sensing I was still there, Liam suppressed his smile, frowned, and looked at me. “Didn’t I tell you to get some rest? Why are you still standing here?” His cold tone was completely different from when he spoke to Chloe, and he had entirely forgotten my mention of resigning. I let out a small laugh, saving myself the explanation. “I still have some things to finish.” “It’s so late, what chores haven’t you finished yet? Why can’t you arrange your time better? Alice, I don’t want to criticize you, but your procrastination is really bad.” Liam frowned deeply, complaining a few times. I didn’t explain that my procrastination was due to his frequent sudden demands, nor did I argue with him until I was red in the face, explaining my helplessness. Seeing my silence, Liam didn’t say much more and walked straight into the bedroom. Soon after, his joyful laughter came from the room. I rarely saw him laugh like that; only when he was with Chloe did he seem so genuinely happy. Ignoring it, I sat at my desk and pulled out the English study materials I hadn’t finished. After five years, the research institute’s focus had changed. To go back, even with my mentor’s help, I needed to be strong. But thankfully, my fundamentals were solid, and picking it back up wouldn’t take too long. “Are you reading an English magazine?” As I was concentrating on my studies, Liam suddenly walked in, I hadn’t even heard him. He reached out, took the magazine, casually flipped through a couple of pages, and then tossed it back. He scoffed lightly, “Why are you reading these? Do you even understand them?” “Just casually looking.” I put away the materials, my tone indifferent. “Did you come for something?” In the past, when Liam actively came to chat, I would be incredibly flattered. Perhaps he didn’t expect me to be so cold, and he paused for a moment. His expression was a bit unnatural. “Yes, there’s something.” “Chloe just completed a big project. I’m planning to promote her, and it’s also a good way to encourage other employees. What do you think?” Liam looked at me. He asked for my opinion, but I knew this was just an announcement, not a genuine request for my input. I still nodded. “I have no objection.” “But there should be punishment alongside rewards; otherwise, it’s hard to manage a team.” “You haven’t completed a project in so long, so I want you to temporarily transfer to a junior position. I’ll transfer you back later.” “Don’t worry, it won’t be for too long. I’m doing this for the overall good. You’re my fiancée, you should support me, right?” I scoffed internally. So, he still didn’t know I had resigned. He could interpret Chloe’s mood from tiny clues and know what she liked from small details. Yet, here I was, his fiancée, and he had personally signed my resignation letter, completely oblivious. Indeed, whether one cares or not can be seen in just a few words. Seeing my silence, Liam assumed I was going to argue with him as before, and his face immediately darkened. “Even if you don’t agree, it’s no use. I’ve already sent out the documents, and your office has already been given to Chloe.” “Either you accept the transfer, or you leave.” He threatened, “But I advise you, the company is preparing to go public. You should think carefully before you leave.” His tone was confident that I wouldn’t leave. This had happened too many times. In just one year, my position in the company had dropped repeatedly because of a few words from Chloe. I had endured it then, and Liam was sure I’d be even more reluctant to leave now. I gave a bitter smile. “I didn’t say I disagree.” “Alright, then it’s settled.” Liam’s mood lightened. I didn’t say no, which meant yes. Just as he was about to leave, he sensed something and walked back. “I remember you used to have our photo on your desk. Why is it gone now?” That’s when I realized. In fact, it wasn’t just on my desk. My phone wallpaper, the wall in my room, my wallet—they all had our photos. Liam used to complain that my head was full of these silly little thoughts, unaware that I was constantly reminding myself that no matter what Liam did to me, he loved me. But later, I realized how ridiculous I was. Each of these photos mocked me, showing what a clown I had been. I didn’t want to explain much, so I said flatly, “The photo frame accidentally broke, so I put it away.” “Why are you so clumsy with everything you do?” Liam frowned in disgust, immediately looking down to check if there were any glass shards under his feet. “Remember to clean up thoroughly sometime so no one gets hurt.” Perhaps seeing that I was no longer tense, his tone softened slightly. He finished speaking and then got up and left the study. Watching his retreating back, I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. He certainly wasn’t concerned about me. His comment was clearly about not hurting Chloe. This was our home, and I managed everything in it. It wasn’t until a few months ago, when I found a small hair tie on the floor of his study and noticed the pillow in the bedroom had been moved, that I realized he had brought Chloe home many times. I couldn’t help but question him. He seemed to guess what I would ask and immediately produced evidence, proving they were only there for work. He then seized the opportunity to accuse me of being jealous and small-minded. To spite me for my suspicions, he defiantly and openly brought Chloe home. I could vaguely sense Chloe’s provocation and hostility towards me. But their interactions seemed normal, with no obvious crossing of lines. Over time, I fell into self-doubt. Every day, I’d reflect on whether I was wrong. Looking back now, with that much time spent dwelling, I could have succeeded at anything. The next morning, Liam announced Chloe’s promotion and my demotion to the lowest level. When he made the announcement, he was a bit wary, but when he saw that I remained unfazed, as if nothing had happened, he finally believed I had truly accepted it. He was in high spirits, and so was I. In the following days, while Liam held a celebration party for Chloe, I was processing my visa. While they went to an amusement park to relax, I was clearing out my belongings. In the end, what I needed to take with me barely filled one suitcase. While they attended a social event at a club, being egged on to drink “cross-armed” (intertwining arms) drinks, I was completing all my work handovers. … Two days later, on my last day at the company, I finished the final procedures with HR. “Go to the CEO’s office before you leave, Mr. O’Malley wants to see you.” HR said without looking up. I was about to refuse, but then I thought, I’m leaving tonight. If Liam goes out with Chloe as usual and doesn’t come home, this will be the last time we see each other. After all, we’d been together for five years; a farewell should have some kind of ceremony, right? Thinking this, I went upstairs to the CEO’s office. Just as I was about to push the door open, I saw Liam leaning back on the sofa through the glass wall. Chloe, wearing a long dress, was lying with her head on his lap, their posture intimate. Liam said something, and Chloe covered her mouth, laughing non-stop.

I paused. Just as I was wondering if I should step away, Chloe saw me first, letting out a surprised gasp, and quickly sat up. “Alice, what are you doing here?” A trace of nervousness flashed across Liam’s face. He hastily tugged at his slightly disheveled suit, then snapped at me, “Alice, who allowed you to come in?!” “Didn’t I say not to disturb me upstairs without my permission?” Liam had made that rule before. But the original rule was that *everyone except Alice* was forbidden from going upstairs to disturb him without permission. Before, I just thought Liam treated Alice specially. Now I understood what he really meant. But anyway, since I was leaving, I wasn’t surprised. I said calmly, “HR said you needed me.” Liam scoffed, strode to his desk, and angrily pressed the intercom. Less than two minutes later, HR came upstairs. “Did you tell Alice I needed her?” Liam asked coldly. HR sensed the tense atmosphere. Looking at Liam’s icy face, and then at a seemingly wronged Chloe, they were so nervous they couldn’t speak for a moment. After a pause, they finally said, “I don’t remember.” “Ha.” Hearing this, Liam, like a general who’d won a battle, cast a cold glance at me, speaking sarcastically. “Is this fun, Alice?” “I thought you’d finally matured, but I guess you’re still playing games. If you’re so worried about me, why don’t you move upstairs and watch me all the time?” “Or put a camera on me, to satisfy your curiosity.” I was speechless. “Liam, don’t be angry. I believe Alice is just worried because she cares, not doing it on purpose.” Chloe gently patted Liam’s back, then looked at me and said, “Alice, don’t misunderstand. I was just tired earlier and had a headache. Liam was just trying to help me relax so I could keep working.” “We’re doing everything for the company. Don’t overthink it.” I looked at her triumphant eyes, which seemed to wish I would overthink it. Although I didn’t know the full story, I was sure Chloe was behind this. HR was savvy and knew Chloe was Liam’s favorite. So, sensing the awkward atmosphere, they didn’t dare tell the truth. However, even if they had, Liam probably wouldn’t have believed it. I remained silent, but Liam’s anger hadn’t subsided. He fumed. “No need to explain to her.” “Personal matters are personal, company matters are company matters. Since we’re at the company, we follow company rules!” “Alice didn’t follow company regulations. Her bonus for this month is completely docked, and half her salary is also docked.” HR hastily said, “Liam, Alice, she already…” They probably wanted to say I had resigned, but before they could finish, Liam glared coldly. “I don’t want to hear any of her excuses! Do as I say!” HR didn’t dare say another word and turned to go downstairs. I thought for a moment, then also prepared to leave. But just then, Liam suddenly called out to me. Perhaps having vented his anger, he seemed much calmer now. He said earnestly, “Alice, I’m not deliberately targeting you, but these are the rules I set. If I don’t punish you, it’ll be hard to command respect in the future.” Chloe, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. “That’s right, Alice. Next time, if you’re unsure about something, you should ask Liam. If not, you can ask me, too!” Liam nodded approvingly. “Chloe is entirely dedicated to the company. She knows company matters better than anyone.” Then he glared at me again. “Unlike you, what do you do all day besides getting jealous? Can’t you learn from Chloe?” Learn what? Learn how she deliberately interfered in someone else’s relationship, how she provoked me subtly and overtly? Or how she intentionally stole others’ credit and tripped them up? I scoffed, but was too lazy to call him out. Seeing my silence, Liam thought I realized my mistake. He took two steps towards me, adjusted my collar which wasn’t even messy, and said earnestly. “I know why you’re causing all this trouble, and I am indeed very disappointed in you.” “But I have to say, since you came back this time, you’ve certainly matured a lot. To commend you, we’ll go take wedding photos tomorrow and get the wedding plans underway. But don’t get too carried away, marriage is just…” “Marriage?” Before he could finish, I let out a light laugh. I brushed his hand away. And handed him the prepared resignation letter. “Liam, we’re over.” “Also, I’ve resigned. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other.”

Liam’s body stiffened slightly. Chloe’s eyes, however, lit up. A triumphant smile immediately curved her lips. Although she quickly regained her composure, I saw it clearly. “Alice, those words are a bit much. You two are, after all…” “Alright, Chloe, you can go out now.” Before Chloe could finish, Liam calmly interrupted her. Chloe’s remaining words caught in her throat. She then feigned concern, advising Liam not to be angry and to talk things through, before leaving downstairs, satisfied. After she left, Liam glared coldly at me. “Alice, are you pushing your luck? I’ve already agreed to marry you, what else are you stirring up?” “Take back what you said about breaking up. And I won’t sign your resignation letter. Tear it up now, and I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything.” Seeing Liam’s confident expression, I just found it amusing. But also pathetic. I knew he had become this way largely due to my past indulgence. This kind of thing had happened many times before. But each time, Liam would offer an olive branch, and I would obediently take it, continuing our pretense of an affectionate relationship. I wanted to maintain our relationship peacefully, but I forgot that constantly backing down would only make him push his boundaries further. He cared about Chloe’s every move, but ignored everything about me. To this day, he didn’t know he had already signed my resignation letter. I let out a soft laugh and handed the resignation letter to him. “But you already signed it.” “All the procedures and handovers are done. I can leave today.” Liam was initially dismissive, but when he saw his signature on the resignation letter, his face changed. “Alice, did you forge my signature?” His words made me laugh. “You signed it yourself.” “Impossible! I don’t remember signing this!” “Alice, do you know that forging a signature is against the law? If I wanted to pursue it, I could call the police.” He took out his phone, pretending to dial the police. This was his trump card. In the past, whether it was because of Chloe or other reasons, whenever things got out of hand at the company, he would threaten me with calling the police. He thought I was afraid of the police. But he didn’t know that when the company was small and morale was low, I was afraid that calling the police would make everyone overthink and lose faith in the company. And at that time, I loved him, and didn’t want to get into a big fight with him over it, so I always thought it was better to compromise. But now, I was leaving soon. And we had already broken up. What did I have to be afraid of? “Fine, then call the police.” Seeing that my expression was calm, and I wasn’t pleading with him as he expected, Liam’s hand, poised to dial, paused. “You’re really not afraid?” “What’s there to be afraid of?” Hearing me say that, Liam moved his lips, and couldn’t help but examine his name on the resignation letter again. I kindly reminded him. “This resignation was approved while you were on a business trip.” Liam’s shoulders stiffened, as if he finally remembered, his face instantly turning pale. His thin lips trembled, and it took him a long time to squeeze out a sentence: “Is this why you’re making a fuss and threatening to resign?” “Well, I’m telling you, I was busy then, and I didn’t pay attention when I signed this. It doesn’t count.” I was amused. “Why not? I followed all the proper procedures, every step was fine. Why shouldn’t it count?” “Because I said so.” He tried to smooth things over, just like before. This time, I wasn’t speechless with anger. Instead, I took out my phone. “Then you can tell that to the police.”

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Ten years ago, in a terrible car accident, I donated my corneas to save my brother, leaving me completely blind. Ethan knelt by my hospital bed, vowing to be my eyes forever, to protect me my entire life. But when he achieved success and married the heiress of a prominent family, he stood by and watched as his fiancée snapped my cane — my lifeline — and then threw me, dressed in only a thin shirt, into a blizzard with temperatures dropping to twenty below zero. “A blind girl like you is just bad luck. Die out there, and good riddance!” Later, I truly “died” in that blizzard. Yet, my brother went insane. He gouged out his own eyes and knelt before my tombstone, banging his head until it bled. But he never knew that I had long since changed my name, walking hand-in-hand with Lucas Thorne, the scion of the city’s most powerful family, watching Ethan coldly as he begged like a dog. The shattering sound of a champagne tower toppling was jarringly loud in the luxurious ballroom. A powerful force shoved me to the ground. My knees slammed hard against the marble floor, and shards of glass instantly pierced my dress, digging into my flesh. The excruciating pain made me gasp. Before I could even grope my way up, a sharp, aggrieved female voice exploded above me: “Elara! Are you insane? No matter how much you resent me, you can’t deliberately push me at my engagement party with Ethan!” It was Briar Stone, my brother Ethan’s fiancée, the heiress of the powerful Stone family. The previously noisy chatter in the room instantly died down. Countless contemptuous gazes seemed to solidify, pinning me, the blind girl, to the spot. “I didn’t…” I shook my head frantically, my hands fumbling on the glass-strewn floor. “Briar, I was just standing in the corner. You’re the one who suddenly walked into me…” “Are you implying I’d fake an accident in a multi-million dollar designer gown just to frame a blind person like you?” Briar sneered, her high heel grinding down hard on the back of my fumbling hand, pressing with all her weight. I cried out in pain, cold sweat instantly soaking my back. “Briar, what’s wrong?” A familiar, deep male voice cut through the crowd. Hearing that voice, I felt like I’d found a lifeline. Enduring the searing pain in my hand, I looked up towards the sound and called out, “Ethan! Ethan, I didn’t push Briar, I really didn’t…” Ethan’s footsteps stopped in front of me. The air was eerily silent. After a long while, I didn’t receive the embrace of the brother who used to shield me from all harm and malice. Instead, I only heard Ethan tenderly pulling Briar into his arms, his voice dripping with affection: “Briar, are you hurt anywhere?” “Ethan, my wrist hurts so much, and my dress is ruined,” Briar whimpered, feigning tears. “I know Elara doesn’t like me, that she feels I stole you away. But today is our engagement, how could she humiliate me in front of so many guests…” “Elara.” Ethan’s voice turned cold, carrying an unfamiliar disgust and distance. “Apologize to Briar.” My body stiffened, and I stared wide-eyed with my unfocused gaze, unable to believe it. “Ethan, you’d rather believe her than me?” My voice trembled. “I can’t see. I can’t even tell directions. How could I have pushed her?” “Enough!” Ethan cut me off sharply. “Haven’t you made enough of a scene? Briar comes from a distinguished family; if you hadn’t deliberately caused trouble, why would she fall? You’ve always been willful since childhood, have you forgotten even your basic manners now?” The word “manners” struck my heart like two sharp knives. Ten years ago, to drag him out of the mangled car, I missed the critical rescue time and lost my sight. Later, to save his eyes from festering, I secretly donated my corneas to him. The day he regained his sight, he held me, crying hysterically, swearing that even if he had to beg on the streets for food, he would treat me like a princess for the rest of his life. But now, this man, who was seeing the world through *my* eyes, was trampling my dignity underfoot, in front of everyone, all for another woman. “Ethan, let it go. After all, she’s disabled. People who don’t know might think I, a normal person, am bullying her.” Briar feigned generosity with a sigh, but her tone was full of condescension. “No, mistakes must be punished.” Ethan looked at me coldly. “Elara, kneel down and apologize to Briar. Otherwise, you won’t leave this door today.” Whispers of mockery spread among the guests. “That blind girl is so ungrateful. Mr. Hayes has supported her for so many years, and she still dares to cause trouble at the engagement party.” “Exactly, she’s just a dead weight, does she really think she’s the Hayes family heiress?” I knelt on the floor covered in glass shards. Blood flowed from my knees and the back of my hand, staining my cheap white dress. My eyes burned with a raw ache, but I bit my lip hard, refusing to let the tears fall. Because Ethan once told me he hated it when I cried, saying it was like I was using my disability to manipulate him. I fumbled, slowly bending down, pressing my forehead against the cold, biting marble floor. “I’m sorry, Briar. It was my fault.” Every word, laced with blood and tears, shattered my decade of sacrifice and illusion into a million pieces. I heard Briar’s triumphant chuckle. And Ethan, he just coldly dismissed me with a single line: “Someone, take her back to her room and lock her up. Don’t let her embarrass us again.” Two security guards roughly grabbed my arms, dragging me out of the ballroom like a sack of potatoes. The moment the doors closed, I heard the cheerful music resume inside, along with Ethan’s gentle toasting voice. The brother who used to hold me all night, singing to me when I had nightmares, was truly dead on this glamorous, perfumed night. The Ethan now was the high and mighty CEO of Hayes Industries, a rising star who needed the Stone family’s investment to solidify his position. And I was merely the ugliest blemish on his perfect life.

The next morning, I was woken by a furious argument. Even through the soundproof walls of the master bedroom, Briar’s sharp voice pierced through the door, stinging my eardrums. “Ethan! What do you mean by this? Yesterday at the engagement party, even though you made her kneel, look what the media is writing? They’re saying I, Briar Stone, am cruel and abusive, tormenting my disabled sister-in-law!” “Briar, don’t be angry, the media just loves to sensationalize…” Ethan’s voice was tired and placating. “I don’t care! Ethan, I’m telling you right now: this house isn’t big enough for both of us! It’s either her or me!” Briar’s voice suddenly rose, followed by the sound of something being violently smashed. “If you want to marry me, you have to get rid of that blind girl! Do you know, every time I see her vacant eyes, I feel sick, disgusted! My friends are all laughing behind my back, saying that if I marry into the Hayes family, I’ll also be signing up for a lifelong caretaker position!” “Briar, Elara is my sister…” “So what if she’s your sister? She’s blind! She’s a useless burden who might even make a mess when she goes to the bathroom! Are you seriously going to support her for life? Are you going to make me live with a disabled person forever?” “If you don’t get rid of her today, then tomorrow, I’ll tell my father to withdraw all investments from Hayes Industries! Then, with the company’s funding cut off, you can look forward to bankruptcy and going back to the slums!” The air fell into a deathly silence. I huddled in the cold covers, my hands clamped over my ears, trembling uncontrollably. So, my existence had become so unbearable for him? After an unknown amount of time, heavy footsteps sounded outside the door. With a click, my bedroom door opened. Ethan walked in, bringing with him a heavy scent of cigarette smoke. He never used to smoke, saying it bothered me. He sat on the edge of my bed, the mattress sinking slightly. I kept my eyes closed, pretending to sleep, but I felt his gaze, like a cold snake, crawling across my face. “Elara, are you awake?” I slowly opened my lifeless eyes, forcing a smile that was uglier than a cry. “Good morning, Ethan.” Ethan was silent for a long time, so long that the muscles in my face started to ache. “Elara, the company has encountered some serious difficulties recently, and we need the Stone family’s help.” His voice was dry, with a hint of undetectable guilt. “I’m too busy, and I really don’t have the energy to take care of you. There’s a new specialized care facility on the outskirts of the city. The environment there is good, and there are many people like you. You can make friends.” “I’ll help you pack a few things. This afternoon… you can move there for a while. Once I’m done with this busy period, I’ll come pick you up, okay?” My hands, hidden beneath the covers, clenched tightly, my nails digging deep into my flesh, yet I felt no pain. A specialized care facility. That was just a nicer way of putting it. I knew that place. It was an institution specifically for abandoned severely disabled individuals. I’d heard the caretakers there were abusive, and they didn’t even bother to turn on the heat in winter. He wasn’t sending me for care; he was abandoning me completely. “Okay.” I heard my voice, frighteningly calm. “As long as you’re well, Ethan, I’ll go anywhere.” Ethan seemed to sigh in relief. He reached out as if to pat my head, but his hand froze in mid-air, finally settling for a stiff pat on my shoulder. “Elara is the most understanding. Don’t worry, I’ll pay your fees on time.” He stood up and fled the room as if escaping. I sat in the darkness, tears finally silently overflowing. Ethan, you forgot. Ten years ago, when you lay in that hospital bed, despairing and attempting self-harm because of the possibility of blindness, it was I who held your hand and said, “Ethan, don’t be afraid. I’ll give you my eyes.” Then, you cried and said that if you ever scorned me, may lightning strike you down, and may you never find peace. Turns out, vows really do have an expiration date. When the stakes of profit are high enough, family bonds become thinner than paper.

In the afternoon, Ethan didn’t return. He sent a text message, saying he had an emergency company meeting and asked Briar to arrange a driver for me. Briar didn’t even call a driver. She walked into my room wearing a luxurious fur coat, pinching her nose in disgust. “Stop dawdling, grab your junk and get out! This air is already polluted by you!” I fumbled for the old canvas bag I had already packed, which contained only a few changes of clothes and a family photo of us. I picked up the cane leaning against the wall and walked out step by step. “Wait.” Briar suddenly stuck out her foot and tripped me hard. I stumbled and fell, my cane flying from my hand and sliding away. “Oh dear, I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you.” She smiled insincerely, then walked over and stepped on my cane. With a sharp crack, the cane that had accompanied me for years was forcibly snapped into two pieces by her. “A useless person like you, what do you need a cane for anyway? You’re just going to lie in a bed waiting to die in that kind of place.” Briar kicked the broken cane away, looking down at me from her superior height. “Elara, don’t blame me for being heartless. Blame yourself for being blind, for being a burden. Your brother was tired of you a long time ago; he just couldn’t bring himself to kick you out. I’m just doing him a favor.” I lay on the ground, fumbling to pick up the two broken pieces of my cane, hugging them tightly. “Briar, I’m leaving. I wish you both… a long and happy life together.” I gritted my teeth, struggling to stand. Without the guidance of my cane, I was like a headless chicken, my hands groping wildly in the air, stumbling out the villa’s front door. Outside, a historic blizzard raged. Gale-force winds whipped stinging ice shards, cutting at my face and body like blades. I was only wearing a thin, old sweater, one Ethan had bought me three years ago, its cuffs already frayed. Cold. Bone-chilling cold. The cold seeped up from my feet directly into my heart, as if my blood itself was about to freeze. I didn’t know where to go. The care facility was miles away, on the outskirts of the city. I had no money, no phone, no cane. I had been abandoned by the entire world. I walked aimlessly through the snow, falling, getting up, falling again. The wounds on my knees reopened, blood staining the snow, only to be quickly covered by ice. I don’t know how long I walked until the distant car horns faded, replaced by the howling wind and the sound of river water crashing against the banks. I had reached the edge of the bridge that spanned the river. My stomach was cramping in spasms, my energy completely depleted. I leaned against the icy bridge railing, slowly sliding down to sit in the snow. From a pocket close to my body, I pulled out a voice recorder. This was the gift I had planned to give Ethan on his wedding day, containing my thoughts from the past month. My frozen fingers fumbled to press the record button, and facing the howling wind and snow, I left my last message. “Ethan, it’s so cold out here.” “I can’t find the way to the specialized care facility. Briar broke my cane.” “You used to say that if I ever got lost, if I just stayed put, you would always come find me. But this time, I know you won’t.” “Ethan, getting the cornea transplant back then, it really hurt. But I didn’t cry, because I wanted you to see this beautiful world.” “Now, I’m tired. Your world is too crowded, there’s no room for me anymore.” “Keep these eyes. Use them to look at your new bride. I don’t want them anymore. I don’t want anything anymore.” I turned off the recorder, tucked it into my canvas bag, and then took off my worn sweater, covering the bag with it. Wearing only my thin shirt, I leaned on the railing and slowly stood up. The river wind was like a giant hand, pushing my swaying body. “Ethan, if there’s a next life, I never want to be your sister again.” I closed my eyes and jumped. The moment the sensation of falling hit me, I thought I would plunge into the icy river, finally ending this miserable life. However, just as my body dropped, a strong hand firmly gripped my wrist. “If you’re going to kill yourself, find somewhere that’s not in my way!” A cold, deep voice, tinged with a hint of violence, sounded above me. Immediately after, I was violently pulled back by a powerful force, landing hard against a broad, warm chest. The familiar scent of cedar and a faint hint of tobacco wafted towards me, but it wasn’t Ethan’s scent. I was shivering from the cold, and my consciousness began to blur. Before I completely fell into darkness, I only heard the man coldly ordering his bodyguard: “Get her in the car. And throw her stuff into the river. Make it look like a suicide jump.” “Yes, Mr. Thorne.”

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Just as I finalized the three-hundred-million-dollar M&A deal, I heard Charlotte tell her assistant, Sarah, from outside my office: “Tomorrow’s presentation? Change the lead for the M&A project to Michael.” My hand, poised to open the door, froze. Sarah hesitated, “But Richard has been crunching data all night for the past two weeks, and clients are specifically coming for him…” Charlotte didn’t miss a beat, her tone dismissive: “Michael just graduated; he needs to build his network and establish himself in the industry. Richard is already the boss; what’s the use of these empty titles?” “Once this commission comes through, I’ll buy him that race car. It’ll be his compensation.” The next day, at the big meeting, Charlotte pressed my hand, explaining, “Let Michael take credit for this one. I’ll privately transfer your compensation later.” I pulled my hand away, listening in silence through the entire presentation. Seven years of marriage, and all I got was her using my hard work and dedication to pave someone else’s way. That race car and the boss’s position? Whoever wants them can have them. I’m done with this.

The presentation had just ended. Mr. Stevenson, the partner’s representative, looked at the slightly green Michael on stage, a slight frown on his face. “Ms. Charlotte, Mr. Richard has been our primary contact for the past two weeks. Why has the lead for this proposal changed to… this gentleman today?” Charlotte didn’t bat an eye, explaining with a polite smile: “Michael certainly did create this proposal. He’s just graduated, but he’s full of fresh ideas.” “Of course, Richard supervised the entire process, ensuring everything was perfect, which is why he was your initial contact.” “As long as you’re satisfied with the proposal, who gets the credit shouldn’t really affect our deep partnership.” Mr. Stevenson listened, his confusion only partially resolved, but he nodded approvingly: “I see. Young talent indeed has potential. The proposal is very solid; we are extremely satisfied.” The contract was signed smoothly. People in the conference room gradually dispersed, leaving only Charlotte and me. I stopped what I was doing, asking in a calm voice, “Why didn’t you discuss any of that with me beforehand?” For this three-hundred-million-dollar deal, I’d slept only three hours a night for fifteen consecutive days. Those model codes, I refined them countless times to ensure there were no errors. Now, all that credit went to a newbie who hadn’t done a single thing. Charlotte rubbed her temples, seemingly annoyed by my questioning. “Richard, Michael just graduated. He needs a high-profile start to build his network and get a foothold in the industry.” “In that situation, we couldn’t exactly correct him in front of everyone and make the partner suspicious, could we? We had no choice but to play along.” It was the same old excuse. I looked at her matter-of-fact expression and didn’t argue further. I had only wanted to see her attitude, and now I knew. Seeing my silence, Charlotte noticed my uncharacteristic quietness. She softened her voice: “Alright, don’t be mad. Once this commission comes through, I’ll buy you that race car you’ve been talking about for ages.” “Consider it compensation, okay?” I glanced at her, silently gathered my files, and turned back to my desk. She watched my retreating back, seemingly convinced that the race car had successfully appeased me. Soon after I sat down, Michael approached my desk with a cup of coffee. He put on an innocent, wronged expression, “Richard, I’m so sorry… I honestly didn’t know admin would mess up the name.” “I was so nervous earlier. Should I go explain everything to Mr. Stevenson? I can’t take your credit…” I stared at my computer screen, not sparing him a single glance. Seeing me ignore him, Michael bit his lip, his voice suddenly a little louder, tinged with a sniffle: “Richard, are you mad at me…?” The commotion was perfectly audible to Charlotte, who had just walked out of her office. She strode over quickly, her brows furrowed as she looked at me. “Richard, Michael has apologized to you. Why are you still scowling?” “As a senior, it’s only right for you to pave the way for a junior. Don’t be so petty. Anyway, I’ll give you the full commission from this deal.” Watching her defend another man so fiercely, I found it laughable. For the past seven years, no matter how difficult the opponent, she had always stood by me. We were partners, fully invested, with everything to gain or lose together, and a loving married couple. But now, for Michael, she judged me as “petty” and “narrow-minded.” Since she had said so, there was no need for me to argue anymore.

I looked up and calmly spoke, echoing Charlotte’s words: “Fine, I forgive him.” Charlotte’s expression softened, and she led Michael back to her office. After work, I went straight to HR and handed in my resignation. The HR Director was stunned: “Mr. Richard, what are you doing?” “Just process it,” I said calmly. “But your position is so crucial! Handoff will take at least three days, and Ms. Charlotte needs to be notified first!” “Charlotte already knows about this. There’s no need to inform her again. Someone will take over my position in three days.” With that, I turned and left. I held absolute controlling power in this company. If I said someone would take over in three days, then someone certainly would. Leaving the company, I drove to the racetrack in the hills. My chest felt tight and heavy; I desperately needed a high-speed thrill to vent my emotions. Because I loved racing, Charlotte had invested a lot of the company’s money into this track back then, and I was a VIP here. As I entered the lobby, the receptionist saw me, and her composure visibly faltered. She stammered, blocking my path, “Mr. Richard, I’m so sorry, but the track is undergoing maintenance today and isn’t open to the public…” I saw her evasive eyes and had a hunch. I probed, “Is Charlotte inside?” The receptionist’s eyes widened suddenly, and she blurted out in surprise, “You… you knew?” Sure enough, I ignored her attempts to stop me and walked directly into the inner track area. As soon as I pushed open the door, the roar of engines reached me. A red Aston Martin was parked at the starting line, its window rolled down. I stood not far away, clearly seeing Charlotte in the passenger seat. Half her body was leaned over, her hands guiding Michael’s hands, teaching him how to use the clutch, how to turn the steering wheel, and where to place his feet. They were very close, their posture intimately casual. Watching this scene, memories suddenly stung my nerves. I used to be obsessed with racing. Back then, Charlotte was still very young, and she’d wait for me at the finish line with a bouquet of sunflowers after every race. At the time, I didn’t want to hold her back and refused her many times. But she persisted; she was at almost every one of my races. Until one time, I had an accident on the winding track, and the car rolled and caught fire. I was trapped in the deformed driver’s seat. It was Charlotte who tore at the car door with her bare hands. When I was rescued, I saw her hands covered in blood and scalding blisters. Later, we got together. With her, I found a desire for a normal life and the motivation to make money. Even though my family had more money than we could ever spend, I chose to strike out on my own. Back then, I was the one in the passenger seat, holding her hand and slowly teaching her how to race. Now, she was doing the opposite, teaching another man in the exact same intimate way. It was like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over me; I suddenly lost all desire for racing. Charlotte heard the movement and turned around. The moment she saw me, a clear flicker of panic crossed her eyes. But Michael, sitting in the driver’s seat, had an undisguised look of triumph in his eyes. I took one look, then turned and walked away.

Charlotte hastily pushed open the car door and chased after me, grabbing my arm. “Richard, don’t misunderstand! Didn’t I say I was going to buy you a race car? I came specifically to test drive it today, to try out the feel!” Before I could speak, Michael also walked over, smiling innocently: “Richard, I heard Charlotte talking about buying a car, and I’m really interested in racing, so I wanted to learn a bit.” “Charlotte thought I had some credit in this contract too, so she planned to buy me one as well, and teach me while she was at it.” I looked at them and couldn’t help but let out a sarcastic laugh. “What does this contract have to do with you? What exactly is your credit?” I didn’t hold back. Michael’s face paled, and he looked at Charlotte, wronged. I couldn’t stand to watch their charade, so I shook off Charlotte’s hand and continued to walk out. Charlotte panicked, just about to chase me again, when Michael’s pained voice came from behind her: “Charlotte, I think I sprained my ankle, it hurts so bad…” Charlotte’s steps stopped abruptly. When I got home, the house was dark. After showering, I lay in bed and casually scrolled through Twitter. The first post was a recent update from Michael. The caption: [Thanks to the boss for the reward of a race car, hands-on lessons, even the wind tastes sweet.] Below it was a picture, a selfie of the two of them in racing suits, sitting in the car. After muting Twitter, I opened my phone and sent the drafted divorce agreement to Charlotte. Half an hour passed. No reply. It seemed my messages had completely lost their value to her. This seven-year marriage, through her silent treatment and outright disregard, had completely lost the need for communication. I put down my phone, turned off the light, and went to sleep. The next morning, I was woken by an urgent phone call. I answered, and Sarah’s voice was anxious: “Richard, you need to get to the office right away, something’s happened!” The call disconnected, and I threw off the covers. My gaze swept over the spot beside me; the bed was neatly made and cold, with no sign of being slept in. Meaning, Charlotte hadn’t come home all night. Even in the dull period of our marriage, when we occasionally worked late on different projects, we would silently avoid disturbing each other’s sleep when we came home at night. But we both knew the other had returned home. Now, she wasn’t even coming home. I didn’t dwell on it for long. I got dressed and headed straight for the company. When I arrived at the office, I found out it was an old client I had been managing, who came to discuss a follow-up partnership. Michael had handled the negotiation privately and messed up the deal. Now the client was furious and demanded we fix it immediately. Hearing this news, my head pounded. Drawing on my deep understanding of the project, I immediately organized the work, and we went back and forth on the details during a video conference with the client. Only after finally getting the client to relent and resolving the first crisis did I have a moment to spare. I walked to the office area, looking at Michael sitting at his desk, and asked in a cold voice: “Who gave you permission to privately handle my client?”

Michael flinched, stood up, his eyes red and brimming with tears, utterly wronged. “I’m so sorry, Richard… I just wanted to do more for the company. I really didn’t mean to…” Seeing a man in his twenties respond to a crisis by simply whimpering and crying, I couldn’t stand it. Charlotte’s taste had apparently deteriorated to this extent. Charlotte, having heard the news, rushed over and immediately came to his defense: “Richard, don’t blame Michael. I gave him permission to take on this task.” “He needs experience, and I gave him the client to practice with. Do you really need to scold him in front of so many people?” At that, a bitter laugh escaped me, and I reprimanded her mercilessly: “Charlotte, do you completely disregard my clients, and the company’s reputation as well?” Charlotte froze for a moment. Normally at the company, I gave her all the decision-making power. No matter how outlandish her decisions, I would always cover for her privately and ensured she maintained her authority as CEO publicly. She hadn’t expected me to blame her so mercilessly in front of so many employees. “Richard, watch your tone! I’m the CEO!” she warned in a low voice. “You know about ‘tone’?” I retorted, my voice exceptionally clear in the quiet office area. “With everyone in the company watching, you’re openly favoring him?” Charlotte was instantly speechless, her face turning green then pale. I didn’t stop, staring into her eyes and continuing: “You put his name on the proposal I stayed up all night to create, claiming he did it.” “You’re taking the client relationships I worked so hard to build and letting him practice, just to ruin them.” “Are you planning to train him to be the next company boss, or the next husband?” At that, colleagues bowed their heads, not daring to breathe. Charlotte’s eyes widened: “Richard! How can you say that?!” Seeing her composure crumbling, and our seven years of relationship reaching this point, I couldn’t even bother to feel angry anymore. All my disappointment had been spent; only clarity and indifference remained. I adjusted my cuff, my voice returning to complete calm. “That’s enough. We’re getting a divorce. I sent you the divorce agreement last night.” “Since you don’t like checking messages, I’ll tell you clearly to your face today.” Charlotte stood rigid, her face filled with disbelief. I glanced at Michael, then calmly added the last sentence: “Oh, and someone will be taking over this company tomorrow. You and he should both prepare to pack your things and leave.”

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After my sister came back from her fiancé’s place, we went out for a steak dinner. She wasn’t just devouring arugula, something she’d never dared to touch before, but she was also dipping her food into a generous bowl of cashew cream sauce. But she’s severely allergic to cashews; one bite and she could go into anaphylactic shock and end up in the emergency room! I forced down the rising panic in my chest and cautiously clinked my beer glass against hers, tapping the bottom twice with my finger. She didn’t react at all, just smiled and chugged her beer. In that moment, an icy dread washed over me. The woman sitting across from me, wearing my sister’s face, wasn’t Eleanor at all! So, where was the real Eleanor? The sizzling steak platter steamed, its white smoke blurring the view of the person across from me. This old-school steakhouse was our absolute favorite. It had been days since I’d seen my sister, Eleanor, as she’d been at her fiancé Ethan’s house for the past week, discussing their wedding plans. Today, the moment she returned, I couldn’t wait to drag her here for a treat. “Lily, what are you spacing out for? The steak’s getting cold.” The woman across from me chided playfully, expertly using a fork to cut a piece of steak and dip it into her sauce bowl. My gaze was fixed on her dipping sauce bowl, my brain freezing for a split second, all the blood in my veins turning to ice. Her dipping sauce bowl had a thick layer of arugula, generously drizzled with rich cashew cream sauce. She picked up that piece of steak, coated in cashew cream and arugula, and without a moment’s hesitation, popped it into her mouth, chewing heartily, a satisfied expression on her face. “This place still tastes so authentic,” she mumbled. My hand, resting under the table, began to tremble uncontrollably. Eleanor had always detested the smell of arugula since she was a kid, saying it smelled like soap. Even more critically, she was severely allergic to cashews! Once, when she was little, she accidentally ate a cookie with cashew crumbs, and within five minutes, she broke out in hives, struggled to breathe, and nearly went into shock. She spent an entire night fighting for her life in the emergency room that time. Ever since, the word “cashew” had been an absolute taboo in our family. But now, this “Eleanor” sitting across from me wasn’t just eating arugula, but a huge mouthful of cashew cream sauce too! And she wasn’t showing any allergic reaction. No hives, no wheezing; her face was rosy, and she was laughing and chatting animatedly. “Ellie…” I heard my voice come out raspy, like sandpaper. “You… you can’t eat cashews, can you?” The hand holding her fork paused briefly, a flicker of almost imperceptible panic in her eyes, but it was quickly masked by a perfect smile. “Oh, did you forget? I went to see that doctor, remember? He gave me some treatments to balance my system. A few days ago, at Ethan’s place, his mom didn’t know about my allergy and made cashew brittle. I tried a bite and realized I was fine. Guess I got desensitized.” As she spoke, she picked up another piece of steak with her fork. “Besides, arugula used to taste awful, but now it suddenly smells quite good. People’s tastes change, you know.” Desensitized? Such a severe, life-threatening allergy, cured by a few treatments? That’s a complete farce! I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to flip the table, took a deep breath, and picked up my beer glass. “Oh, I see. That’s fantastic! Now we can eat so many more things together. Come on, Ellie, let’s toast.” I held out my glass. She smiled, picked up her glass, and clinked it against mine. Clink. A crisp sound. I stared intently at her hand. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Eleanor and I had a secret ritual we’d had since we were kids. Because we grew up together in the orphanage, whenever we got a delicious bowl of soup, we would always gently tap the bottom of our bowls twice with our fingers when we clinked them. This habit continued to this day. Whenever it was just the two of us toasting, whether with water or alcohol, we’d always tap the bottom of our glasses twice. It was our private code, known only to us, not even to Robert, Sarah, or Ethan. But just now, she had simply clinked her glass normally, then tilted her head back and took a big gulp. I gripped the cold glass, my knuckles turning white from the force. My heart hammered so fast it felt like it would burst through my chest. The exact same appearance, the exact same voice, even the same style of dress and tone of speaking. But, she wasn’t Eleanor. Absolutely not! So where was the real Eleanor? And who was this monster wearing my sister’s skin?

That steak dinner tasted like ash in my mouth. I fought desperately to suppress my inner fear and nausea, pretending to chat with her as if nothing was wrong. I couldn’t alert her to my suspicions. If she wasn’t Eleanor, then Eleanor’s situation must be extremely dangerous, perhaps even… I didn’t dare to imagine. We finished dinner and got home; it was already nine in the evening. Pushing open the door, the living room was filled with warm light. My adoptive father, Robert Davis, sat on the sofa watching the news, and my adoptive mother, Sarah Davis, was in the kitchen cutting fruit. Twenty years ago, they adopted Eleanor and me together from the orphanage. They had no children of their own, and over the years, they treated us like their own, supported our education, bought us pretty clothes, and gave us a complete home. In my heart, they were my real parents. “Hey, we’re home.” I changed my shoes, trying to make my voice sound normal. “You’re back? Was the steak good? You smell like it, go wash up quickly.” Sarah Davis came out with a fruit platter, smiling kindly. The “Eleanor” naturally walked over, linked her arm through Sarah Davis’s, and cooed, “I’m stuffed! Lily just had to order so much steak.” “You silly girl, you’re about to wear a wedding dress, yet you still can’t control yourself,” Sarah Davis said, dotingly tapping her forehead. Robert Davis also put down the remote control, smiling as he looked at us. The scene was so warm, so normal. But I felt a chill run down my spine. I took a deep breath and walked over to sit on the sofa. “Something really strange happened,” I began, feigning casualness. “Today at dinner, Ellie actually ate cashew cream, and she was totally fine.” The air in the living room seemed to freeze instantly. Only the news anchor’s voice echoed from the TV. I stared intently at Robert and Sarah’s faces, not missing a single subtle change in their expressions. Sarah Davis’s hand, cutting an apple, paused for a moment, the knife blade clinking against the glass plate. Robert Davis’s smile also stiffened for a second. But soon, Sarah Davis regained her composure. She popped a piece of apple into “Eleanor’s” mouth, then turned to me, smiling. “Oh, that’s what you’re fussing about. Didn’t your sister take those treatments a while back? That doctor I took her to see was amazing; he said he could cure allergies. Looks like it really worked.” Robert Davis nodded in agreement. “That’s right, Lily, you’re just making a big deal out of nothing. Your sister is getting married soon, it’s good that her health is better.” My heart plummeted into a bottomless pit. They were lying. Eleanor had never gone to see any doctor! Her allergy was caused by a genetic defect and was fundamentally incurable; top specialists at the hospital said so years ago, and Robert and Sarah were there! Why were they helping this imposter cover up the lie? Could it be… A chilling thought exploded in my mind, making my scalp tingle. Could Robert and Sarah also know she isn’t Eleanor? And worse, what if they’re in on it?! Suddenly, this home I’d lived in for twenty years felt utterly strange and terrifying. The air around me felt like thick, viscous swamp water, choking me. “Maybe I’m overthinking it. I’ll just go wash up.” I abruptly stood up, lowered my head, and quickly walked to my bedroom. I closed the door and locked it. Leaning against the door, my legs gave out, and I slid straight to the floor. Cold sweat drenched my back. I was completely alone. In this house, everyone but me was a monster. Where was the real Eleanor? Had she already… No, she couldn’t be! Eleanor is so smart; if she sensed danger, she would definitely leave me a clue! I had to calm down. I couldn’t panic; Eleanor was waiting for me to save her.

I got up from the floor, not even daring to turn on the light. Using the moonlight from the window, I frantically searched my room. Eleanor and I had separate rooms, but we shared many things. If she wanted to leave me a message, where would she put it? Her phone? Impossible; the imposter must have control of it already. A diary? Too obvious. My eyes landed on an old metal box tucked away on the bottom shelf of the bookcase. It was the sketchbook we used together in high school. I’m a freelance illustrator, and although Eleanor didn’t pursue that path, she used to love doodling all over my sketchbooks. We had made a pact that if one day either of us encountered a problem we couldn’t voice, we would draw a distress signal on the last page of the sketchbook. My hands trembling, I pulled out the metal box and opened it. Inside, the faded, yellowed sketchbook lay quietly. I flipped to the last page. In the faint moonlight, I saw a simple drawing made with a black carbon pencil. It was drawn hastily, the lines a bit messy. It was a huge Ferris wheel, and beneath the Ferris wheel, a crooked cross was drawn. A Ferris wheel… My mind raced. There was only one place in our city with a Ferris wheel: the abandoned amusement park on the outskirts! And right next to that amusement park was Sunnyvale Orphanage, where we were adopted! The orphanage had been demolished years ago; now it was just a patch of overgrown land, usually deserted. A cross… did it mean death, or something buried? Eleanor wanted me to go there! She had left a clue, or herself, there! I checked the time on my phone: 11:30 PM. Going out now was too dangerous. If I alerted those three outside, I might not even make it out the door. I needed help. I opened Snapchat and found Ethan’s profile. Ethan was Eleanor’s fiancé; they had known each other since college, and their relationship had always been strong. If there was anyone else in this world who cared about Eleanor as much as I did, it was him. But I dared not be too explicit in my message; what if his phone was being monitored too? I deliberated, then sent a message: [Ethan, Ellie ate cashew cream at dinner today and didn’t react at all. I think she’s been acting weird lately. Please keep an eye on her.] After sending the message, I put my phone on silent, lay down in bed with my clothes on, staring at the ceiling, and didn’t sleep a wink all night. The next morning, I heard the sound of the front door closing. Robert and Sarah Davis had gone to the morning market to buy groceries. The imposter said she was going to try on wedding dresses and also left. This was my chance! I immediately jumped out of bed, threw on a jacket, grabbed my backpack, and rushed out the door. In the taxi, I received a reply from Ethan. Just a few short words, but they brought tears to my eyes. [I think she’s acting strange too. Where are you?] I immediately sent him the address of the abandoned amusement park, adding: [Don’t tell anyone. Come alone.] The taxi stopped in front of the overgrown land on the outskirts of the city. The amusement park, once filled with laughter, was now just a pile of rusted scrap metal. The giant Ferris wheel stood silently among the weeds, like a dead steel beast. I took a deep breath and trudged towards the Ferris wheel, pushing through knee-high dried grass. A deathly silence hung in the air, broken only by the rustling of the wind through the tall grass. I reached the base of the Ferris wheel and began searching the surrounding area for the “cross” mark. After about fifteen minutes of searching, at the bottom of a thick, rusted iron pillar, I saw a patch of earth that looked like it had been recently disturbed. On the soil, two tree branches were crossed, forming a cross shape. This was it! I knelt on the ground, disregarding the dirt, and frantically began to dig with my bare hands. The soil was very loose, clearly having been buried recently. After digging about six inches deep, my fingers brushed against something hard. It was a sealed plastic bag. I yanked it out, hastily wiping off the dirt. Inside the bag were a USB drive and an old black and white photograph. My hands trembling, I took out the photo. It showed a young couple holding a little girl, perhaps a year old. Although it was an old photo, I recognized at a glance that the couple was none other than a younger Robert and Sarah Davis! And the little girl’s eyes and features were identical to Eleanor’s — or rather, to the imposter’s! On the back of the photo, written in blue ink, was a single line: [Vivian’s First Birthday.] Vivian? Vivian Davis? My mind buzzed, as if a bolt of lightning had suddenly cleared all the fog. Robert and Sarah Davis actually had a biological daughter! And this biological daughter looked exactly like Eleanor! No, that’s not right. Eleanor looked like her! When they went to the orphanage to adopt children, it wasn’t out of kindness at all, but because Eleanor resembled their lost biological daughter! So the imposter in our house now… was Vivian! She was back! She had replaced Eleanor! Just as I was reeling in disbelief, I heard an extremely faint rustling of footsteps behind me. “Rustle… rustle…” The sound of dry grass being trampled was amplified infinitely in the dead silence of the wilderness. I spun around. Robert Davis stood less than five yards behind me, holding a rusted shovel, his face expressionless. His eyes were as cold as if he was looking at a corpse.

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Three years after my death, my sister Daisy was finally marrying my boyfriend, Jason. My mom, for Daisy’s sake, had kept my death a secret from Jason for three long years. The day before the wedding. Jason received a commission for an estate clearing service. Daisy reminded him to come back early. But she didn’t know, this order, it was placed by me, three years ago. “Jason, does this wedding dress look good?” Jason, sitting on the couch, gazed at the wedding dress, lost in thought. He unconsciously murmured, “Anne?” Daisy froze for a moment, then asked, “What did you say?” Jason snapped back to reality, giving her a faint smile. “Yeah, it looks good.” Daisy turned away, her expression immediately turning sinister. She clutched the brand-new wedding dress, wrinkling it. “Anne, even after three years, he still can’t forget you. You really had a knack for it.” My mom stepped forward and patted her shoulder, signaling her to mind her image. She yanked the dressing room curtain shut and whispered, “She’s dead, why do you care about any of that? Anyway, Jason’s marrying “you” now.” I stood behind them, imagining myself in a wedding dress. This wedding, it should have been mine.

Daisy and I were half-sisters, sharing a mother but having different fathers. My mom hated my dad, and that hatred extended to me. When I found out I was sick, I once begged my mom to lend me money for treatment. But what did my mom say? “If you’re going to die, go die far away. Don’t be an eyesore.” “I wish you’d just drop dead already, you’re as shameless as your father.” She claimed she had no money for my medical care, yet Daisy just had to pout a little, and my mom immediately bought her an expensive piano that very night. When she learned I was dead, she wouldn’t even claim my body. She hired a courier to scatter my ashes in the river. Jason thought I’d run off because I didn’t want to get married, so he hated me too. “Jason, we’re getting married in a few days. Don’t you want to tell Anne?” Jason frowned, a hint of impatience on his face. “She left three years ago and never came back. Why bother looking for her?” I tried to wave at him, “No, no, Jason, I’ve always been right here beside you, always.” But he couldn’t hear me. Daisy leaned her head on Jason’s shoulder, one hand stroking her stomach, happiness radiating from her. “Thank you, Jason. I love the wedding dress, and the baby does too.” She was pregnant, and the baby was Jason’s. A wave of sadness I couldn’t suppress washed over me. He loved kids, I always knew that. He used to say he wanted me to give him a strong little man, so they could both spoil me. But now he had a child, and the one he spoiled, wasn’t me. Jason’s phone rang. He let out a sigh, gently pushed Daisy away, and answered. It was a commission for an estate clearing service. The customer service agent said the order had been placed three years ago. Jason just mumbled “Oh” and hung up. It wasn’t unusual for clients to pre-order an estate clearing for themselves. I once asked Jason why he, a computer science whiz kid, chose this profession. He said that when his mother died as a child, while organizing her belongings, he discovered those items could reveal things the eye couldn’t see. He said that an estate clearer helps the departed mark their final chapter in this world. So Jason, I chose for you to write my final period on this world too. “What’s wrong, Jason? Is it an order?” Daisy asked softly, coming closer. Jason nodded. “Yeah, a last-minute job. I can’t go to the rehearsal with you. You go ahead, I’ll be back as soon as I’m done.” Daisy was understanding. She put her purse in Jason’s hand, then kissed him lightly on the corner of his lips. “Okay, then come back early.” She didn’t know, this order, I had placed it for myself three years ago.

The unique nature of his profession meant Jason had few friends. He took only one assistant to the address for the estate clearing. He offered a silent homage at the door, put on his mask and gloves, and entered the house. I looked at the messy room, my soul trembling. Three years had passed, but the pain seemed to have not lessened at all. The assistant noticed the scratches on the door and was surprised. “Jason, these scratches on the door…” Jason knelt down to examine them. “These scratches are so deep. The deceased must have suffered inhumane treatment before death.” “Never mind. Let’s just clear out the stuff. That’s not our business.” His assistant nodded and began working. Jason looked around, found a box, opened it, and picked up a card. It read: “Happy Birthday to Myself.” I hadn’t been back here in a long time. I floated over to him and looked. When was this from? Probably when I was twelve. My parents’ divorce turned into a messy legal battle. I stood in the large courtroom, and the judge asked me, “Who do you want to live with?” My dad turned away, refusing to look at me, and my mom glared, threatening me not to choose her. I was so scared I cried. I ran over and cautiously pulled at my mom’s skirt, asking, “Mom, can I stay with you?” Ultimately, the judge honored my wish and awarded custody to my mom. She rushed off to buy Daisy a cake, leaving me alone at the courthouse entrance. That day, it was pouring rain. When I got home, my mom was softly cooing Daisy to sleep because she was afraid of thunder. But she forgot, that day was also my birthday. I picked up the cake card, licked off the leftover frosting, and wished myself “Happy Birthday” in the mirror. Such a distant memory. So distant it made my head ache to recall. Jason caressed the card, then picked up another small plushie. Underneath it was a torn diary page. Seeing that plushie, I instinctively recoiled, screaming at Jason. Don’t touch it! Don’t touch it! I stared at the plushie, my soul forced to relive that terrifying memory. I got first place in my exam, I was so happy! Mom had said whoever got first place could make one wish. I’d wanted that little plushie at the supermarket entrance for a long time. When I smiled and said I wanted it, she crumpled my test paper and threw it in the trash. My mom’s eyes were icy: “Daisy improved a lot this test. That one’s already bought for her. Maybe next time.” I turned to see Daisy smugly twirling the plushie at me. For the first time, I couldn’t hold it in and ran outside. My mom’s furious voice followed me: “Get out and don’t come back!” I cried my heart out. Lance, the supermarket owner, asked me what was wrong. He told me to go to the back room and pick one. Oh God! The back room of that store was a devil’s lair. He pinned me down and brutally violated me. I cried and screamed, but he wouldn’t let go. When I finally managed to run out, I tore that plushie to shreds. Do you believe that a soul can cry? I stood before Jason, watching him frown as he read that diary page. Tears streamed down, passing through the diary page and landing on Jason’s hand. “Phew—” Milo heard Jason sigh and turned to ask him, “Jason, what’s wrong?” Jason thought for a moment, then spoke, disbelievingly, “She… she seems… to have been assaulted.” Jason continued to pick up the remaining diary pages. “My sister brought many people to beat me. I was so scared. She said I deserved it.” “My sister told Mom I was messing around instead of studying. Mom called me shameless, but that was actually her boyfriend.” “Mom got a new boyfriend. I was taking a nap when he came in and touched me inappropriately, but Mom called me a slut and said I was trying to seduce men at such a young age.” Jason’s hands trembled as he held the diary. Several times, he had to take deep breaths to suppress his emotions. He continued to go through my past, despite his discomfort. When he picked up the next item, he couldn’t hold back anymore.

A diagnosis for severe depression, with my name on it. The moment Jason saw my name, his eyes widened in shock. His hand trembled uncontrollably, failing to pick it up several times. “Milo, come here, look. Am I… seeing things?” His assistant, Milo, heard him and put down what he was holding, coming over. “Anne? How could it be…?” He was equally disbelieving. Jason quickly pulled out his phone and asked his office for the order’s contact number. Only when they read out a number he knew like the back of his hand did he confirm that the person was me. Jason, you finally found out. I didn’t abandon you and run. I didn’t not want to marry you. I just, died! Jason looked as if all the strength had been drained from him. He slumped to the floor, squatting. Milo tried to help him up, but he refused. He murmured, “Milo, you can go. I’ll finish the rest.” “Jason…” “Go!” Milo had no choice but to leave. I sat beside Jason, suddenly remembering that summer we sat like this on the school field. I was quiet, and so was Jason. When two reserved people were together, most of the time was spent lost in thought and silence. Our teacher said we were a perfect match, always in sync. That was the first time Jason ever smiled at me. “You’re amazing!” I replied, “You are too.” There were no epic romances between us, but in all our important moments, we chose to be by each other’s side. Jason buried his head between his knees, and I began to hear choked sobs. “Why? Why? Why did this happen?” I floated beside him and gently stroked his head. “Jason, don’t cry. It breaks my heart.” Jason’s profession wasn’t very popular, so his studio had always struggled. When I found out I was sick, I placed an order for myself. It wouldn’t do much, but I still wanted to boost his business a bit. I had never seen Jason cry like this before. Half an hour later, he composed himself, stood up, and continued to look through the items. Jason locked himself in the house for two full days. He spent those two days coming to terms with the fact that I was dead. Jason, pale-faced, was curled up on the floor when his phone buzzed. “Hello? Jason, where are you?” Hearing Daisy’s anxious voice on the phone, Jason’s eyes suddenly cleared. He pushed himself up from the floor, his voice icy. “I’m coming now. Wait for me.” Jason left the rental with my pile of belongings. He held the box with one hand, constantly stroking it with the other, mumbling as he walked, “Anne, they owe you, and I’ll make sure they pay.” I sighed, trailing behind Jason. I was already dead, what was there left to settle? You were the only one I couldn’t let go of, Jason. Perhaps, that’s why I always lingered by his side. Tomorrow was Jason’s wedding. Daisy wrapped her arms around Jason’s neck, trying to kiss him. “Jason, I’m so happy, so incredibly blessed.” Whether intentional or not, Jason avoided her kiss. He gently pushed her away, using the excuse that he had a busy day tomorrow, and went to bed. Daisy frowned, thinking he was just tired, so she didn’t dwell on it. It was true they had to get up early tomorrow, so she lay down on her side and went to sleep. The wedding proceeded as scheduled. Jason wore his custom-made suit. I floated in front of him, gushing about how handsome he looked. When I was alive, I didn’t realize how precious it was to be able to speak. Now that I was dead, I found myself talking more. Jason picked a bracelet from my box and put it on. He said, “Anne, this way, it’s like we’re married, okay?” I turned my face away. “Who wants to marry you, Jason? You haven’t even proposed to me yet!” But why did my face feel warm? Daisy wore a loose-fitting wedding dress; she looked beautiful. My mom escorted her to the altar. Jason lingered, and the officiant started to look anxious before he finally forced a smile and stepped forward to take Daisy’s hand. Daisy was so nervous she almost shed tears. The officiant asked, “Do you take this woman, Daisy, to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Jason suddenly looked in my direction. He slowly said, “I don’t.” The entire venue fell silent instantly. Even I was startled. Daisy’s hand, gripping Jason’s, began to tremble. “Jason… you…” But Jason suddenly smirked. “Just kidding. I do.” He said “I do,” but for some reason, I saw coldness in his smile. After the wedding, Jason got completely drunk. On their wedding night, Daisy slept alone. Not only that, the next day, rumors even spread that Jason had slept with one of the bridesmaids. I was always with Jason, so I knew best: he was just drunk and slept at a hotel for the night. But Daisy didn’t believe it. She angrily confronted her bridesmaid and, without a word, slapped her. “I made you my bridesmaid, and you? You tried to seduce my husband, didn’t you?” Her friend was stunned by the slap. “I didn’t! What are you talking about?” Daisy didn’t want to hear her explanations. She took another step forward, about to slap her again, but this time, someone grabbed her arm. Daisy looked at Jason in disbelief. Her husband, who should have been home, was here, helping another woman. “What in the world are you doing, going crazy here?” Daisy saw the coldness in Jason’s eyes; she couldn’t quite believe it. “Jason, where were you last night? Were you with this slut?” Jason flung Daisy’s arm away, nearly sending her to the ground. “Don’t act like a lunatic here. Go home.” Before Daisy could react, Jason turned and walked away. It was the first time Daisy had ever been abandoned like that. That day, just like the day I was abandoned, it was pouring rain. I sat in Jason’s passenger seat, watching him with a strange amusement. “Thank you, Jason. I know you’re getting revenge for me.” Jason suddenly turned his head in my direction, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Anne, are you feeling a little better now?” I was stunned. Could he see me? I waved my hand in front of him, but he just slowly rolled up the car window. Oh, he was just looking outside. You scared me! From that day on, Jason was no longer gentle with Daisy. He started drinking heavily, smoking, giving Daisy the silent treatment, and sometimes even hitting her. He wanted Daisy to experience my pain, but Jason, you shouldn’t be like this. You shouldn’t fall apart because of me. At first, Daisy thought she had upset Jason in some way, so she tried to please him, enduring everything. But gradually, she sensed something was wrong. It wasn’t until Jason, once drunk, called out my name in his sleep that she finally understood. Jason still couldn’t let me go. She saw Jason constantly staring at that box. While he was asleep, she opened it. As she looked at the contents, Jason stood behind her, staring at her with an eerie intensity. “Put those things down!” Daisy was startled, and with a clatter, the items fell to the floor, scattering everywhere.

“Jason, how did you wake up?” Jason looked at the scattered items on the floor, his fists clenching. “Who told you to touch those things?” Daisy suddenly panicked. She rushed to hug Jason. “Jason, listen to me…” Jason, his eyes red, violently pushed Daisy to the ground. Daisy’s stomach hit the corner of the table. It took her a while to recover, a thin layer of sweat breaking out on her forehead. Jason had lost all reason. I wanted to stop him, but I couldn’t. I could only watch helplessly. Jason advanced, grabbing Daisy by the throat, and snarled, “Why? Why did you all hide it from me? She’s been dead for three years, three years! I thought… I thought…” Daisy was being choked, her eyes starting to roll back. Beneath her white nightgown, a crimson stain began to spread. I floated up and down frantically. “Ring, ring!” Daisy’s phone ringing brought Jason back to his senses. But he just calmly walked away, picking up a towel to wipe his hands. Daisy crawled to her phone and called 911. When my mom arrived, Daisy was already unconscious. She had lost the baby. My mom slapped Jason. “How could you let this happen to Daisy? She’s so afraid of pain! What did you do to her?” My heart ached for the red half of Jason’s face where she’d hit him. My mom had a heavy hand, I knew that. My face would often be swollen and red for hours after she hit me. Jason didn’t turn around. He let out a soft laugh. “Your slaps, they really hurt.” My mom frowned at him. “Jason, look at me. I’m your mother. Are you cursed? You’ve been acting so strange lately.” “The ones who are cursed, that would be you.” Jason said, seemingly out of nowhere. Jason didn’t want to stay there any longer. He turned and strode away. I wanted to follow him, but for some reason, I wanted to see if my mom would feel heartbroken for her eldest daughter. Daisy woke up, and my mom brought her a glass of water, gently moistening her lips little by little. I suddenly wanted to laugh. So, she knew to give water to someone who’s thirsty. Daisy always had milk to drink; I never did. One year, I had a fever of 104 degrees, and my lips were so dry they felt like they were on fire. I saw less than half a glass of milk left on the table and couldn’t resist secretly taking a sip. My mom came out, saw me, and started violently kicking me. “Who told you to drink that? What will Daisy drink if you finish it? So young and already stealing things, you ungrateful brat.” Stealing? Mom, I never understood. Just a sip of milk. How much did you truly hate me? “Mom, my baby, my baby!” Daisy cried out, throwing herself into my mom’s arms in pain. My mom patted her back, just like she used to comfort her when she was scared as a child. Daisy sobbed, “Mom, Jason… he seems to know Anne is dead. What do we do? Will he never want to come home again?” My mom’s hand, holding the water, paused. She seemed a little nervous. “He just knows she’s dead? What about the other things?” Daisy shook her head. “He doesn’t seem to have discovered anything else.” My mom sighed in relief. “That’s good, that’s good.” What “other things” was Daisy referring to? I imagine, it must be the truth about my death. “It’s all that slut’s fault, even dead, she still comes back to ruin my family!” Daisy gnashed her teeth, cursing me, wishing she could pulverize me to dust. My mom said she’d hire a spiritual master another day to suppress my spirit, so I wouldn’t haunt them. But I hadn’t done anything, had I? I couldn’t stand to watch their mother-daughter bonding, so I turned and floated away. If you didn’t love me, why did you give birth to me?

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On my eighteenth birthday, I discovered that James Carter, the Alpha’s son I had been crushing on for two years, was my Fated Mate. That same day, he rejected me. And told me. “You’re too weak, and you spend all your time hanging around those pups. The thought of you liking me makes me sick.” “I need a stronger wolf to be my mate, to become the Pack’s future Luna. That person could never be you.” In the pouring rain, I decided to leave the Pack and go to college in London. But I never expected I would meet my Second Chance Mate there, a powerful Alpha. And when I returned to my Pack, James had become a Rogue. Stella Stone POV On my eighteenth birthday, I found out that James Carter, the Alpha’s son I had been crushing on for two years, was my Fated Mate. That same day, he rejected me and told me. “You’re too weak, and you spend all your time hanging around the younger wolves. The thought of you liking me makes me sick.” “I need a stronger wolf to be my mate, to become the Pack’s future Luna. That person could never be you.” In the pouring rain, I decided to leave the Pack and go to college in London. But I never expected to meet my Second Chance Mate there, a powerful Alpha. And when I returned to my Pack, James had become a Rogue. “I’ll grow up!” He laughed and said casually: “Sure. When you turn eighteen, if you can awaken your wolf, I’ll give you an answer.” For that answer, I chased after him for two years. My entire youth was written with his name. Today, I finally turned eighteen. I successfully awakened my wolf and went to get that answer that was two years overdue. But just as I reached the Council Hall entrance, I heard voices from inside. I froze. The men’s teasing voices came through clearly. “James, that’s brutal, man.” One guy was laughing. “Straight up choosing Grace as your mate. What if Stella really is your fated mate?” James’s voice rang out with its usual lazy drawl and a hint of impatience. “Even if she really is my fated mate, I wouldn’t choose her. Worst case, I’ll just reject her. She’s too weak, and she’s always clinging to me. It’s annoying.” Another voice chimed in. “True. That girl’s like a sticker, you can’t shake her off. But why Grace?” James chuckled lightly, his tone dripping with arrogant certainty. “Grace has a powerful bloodline. Her grandfather was an Alpha. Marking her will help boost my strength. Plus, this way Stella will finally understand she’s not good enough for me.” “So you’re choosing Stella’s birthday to give her this surprise?” “Killing two birds with one stone.” James’s voice was ice-cold. “I’ll make Stella give up for good, and let Grace know my intentions. I already had someone send her the ceremony notice. Today I’m just giving her a heads-up.” “Damn, James! If Stella actually shows up and makes a scene at the mate ceremony, that’ll be one hell of a show!” “She wouldn’t dare.” Those two words from James hit my ears like stones. So this was it. The answer I’d been waiting for with such hope was a carefully orchestrated humiliation. I was nothing but a weak, ordinary wolf who didn’t deserve his status. The homemade cake I’d been holding dropped to the ground, a pathetic mess. The voices inside stopped abruptly. The door flew open. James stood in the doorway. When he saw me, there wasn’t a trace of surprise in his eyes. I looked at him, this man I had loved for two years. At the same time, I felt the call echoing in my mind: Mine… fated mate… “Bad timing.” His tone was flat. I didn’t say anything, just looked at him. “So you really are… Well, that saves me the trouble.” James pulled something from his pocket and put it away. “I’m going to become mates with Grace. So, Stella, as the Alpha’s son of Silverstream Pack, I reject you as my mate.” I bit my lip, fighting through the pain as I nodded. Then I turned and ran into the rain. I didn’t cry. I didn’t even look back once. The icy rain poured down on me. My mind felt clearer than ever before. So that was all I was to him, a weak wolf he looked down on. My two years of pursuit and devotion were nothing but a clown’s performance. I rushed home. Brian wasn’t there. I grabbed my phone and called him. On the other end, Brian’s voice was full of concern. “Stella? What’s wrong?” I took a deep breath. “Brian, I have made up my mind.” “About what?” “What you mentioned before, about me going abroad for college. I agree.” Silence on the other end for a few seconds, then Brian’s excited voice came through. “Really? That’s great. You finally came around.” “Also…” I looked at the blurry moonlight in the distance. “That friend you wanted to introduce me to last time. Set it up. I want to meet new people.” “No problem! Stella, whatever you do, I support you!” After hanging up, I let out a long breath. I’d given him two years. That was enough. I stripped off my soaked clothes and walked into the bathroom. Hot water poured down from above, washing over my body. My phone dinged. A message from James. “Next month on the eighteenth. Don’t forget to come to my mate ceremony.” I stared at that message for a long time. Then I typed two words and hit send. “Okay.” After doing all this, I stood up and dragged a heavy box out from under my bed. Inside was everything I’d collected related to James over the past two years. Wristbands he had used. I had secretly picked them up and washed them clean. A wooden carving he had casually tossed to me. I had treasured it all this time. Our only photo together, where I stood in a corner of the crowd while he was front and center. I took everything out piece by piece and threw it into a large black garbage bag. Finally, I picked up the photo frame. The boy in the picture was full of spirit and radiance. I had naively thought that if I just tried hard enough, I could get a little closer to that light. Now I understood. Some people are just born to live in the shadows. I let go. The frame dropped into the garbage bag with a dull thud. I knew my two-year crush ended here.

James POV I received her reply while drinking at a bar with friends. Looking at the simple “Okay” on my phone screen, I couldn’t help but frown. She was too calm. Too calm for the Stella who would wait five hours in the snow just to see me. “James, what are you looking at?” A friend leaned over to check, then snorted with laughter. “Yo, Stella replied? What’s her angle? Giving up?” Another friend analyzed: “No way. You know this girl. She’s got a scheming mind. She definitely heard everything!” “Makes sense! She’s probably playing innocent and obedient to make us lower our guard, then she’ll pull something big at the ceremony!” Everyone chattered away, quickly finding a reasonable explanation for Stella’s behavior. I set down my drink and smiled. Of course. I knew Stella wouldn’t give up that easily. Fine. I’d play along. I wanted to see what tricks she could pull. I tossed my phone on the table and told everyone: “Forget about her. Everything goes according to plan.” Everyone laughed knowingly. Just then, the bar’s private room door swung open. Brian walked in, his face stormy. “James, get out here. We need to talk.” Brian’s voice was seething with suppressed fury. I leisurely poured myself another drink without looking at him. “Talk about what? Your sister?” “You know I’m not joking!” “Neither am I.” I swirled my glass. “Brian, control your sister. Stop letting her disgust me.” Brian’s fists clenched instantly, veins bulging on the backs of his hands. I didn’t even bother looking at him again. I grabbed my jacket and stood up. “I have plans with Grace. No time for this.” I walked right past Brian, deliberately slamming my shoulder into his. Leaving Brian standing there alone, trembling with rage. Brian POV Today was the Pack’s assembly day. The Pack’s adult members gathered in the Council Hall to hear the Alpha or the Alpha’s son announce upcoming arrangements. Stella had promised to come, but she still hadn’t shown up. I was worried, constantly glancing toward the Council Hall entrance. The atmosphere among the wolves was lively. Suddenly, there was a commotion at the door. James had arrived. He wore a leather jacket with Grace in a long dress beside him. Grace gently held his arm. The image immediately drew everyone’s attention. James POV I ignored everyone’s stares and walked straight toward a figure in the corner. Stella had arrived at some point. She wore worn jeans and a blue tank top, no makeup, quiet as an outsider. She’d lost weight. Her chin was so sharp it tugged at something in my chest. A strange feeling flashed through me, quickly replaced by disgust. Playing these pathetic games again. We walked over to her. Grace spoke softly. “Stella, I know you’re hurting, but you can’t force feelings. I’ve decided to become mates with James. You should let go.” Stella POV James’s friends immediately surrounded me, chiming in one after another. “Exactly, Stella. You’ve been chasing him for two years. Haven’t you faced reality yet?” “It was one thing when he was single, but now he’s decided to be with Grace. If you keep clinging, you’re just embarrassing yourself.” “You need to know your place. Unless you’re James’s fated mate, you have no right to become the future Luna.” Apparently James hadn’t told them that I was. That damned fated mate. And on the very day I discovered this fact, my mate rejected me. Maybe he thought being connected to me was shameful. Or maybe he just didn’t want people knowing he’d rejected his own fated mate. Usually werewolves didn’t do such things. I didn’t break down or cry like I used to. I just looked up at them. I looked at Grace with her smile, then at James’s friends. Finally, at James’s cold face. I smiled. “Is that so?” “Then I wish you both happiness.” With that, I turned and walked to a cushioned seat on the other side. James’s smile froze. Grace looked stunned. The surrounding friends exchanged glances. No one spoke again.

James POV An indescribable irritation surged up inside me. I hated this feeling of losing control. Stella shouldn’t have reacted this way. She should cry, make a scene, demand to know why I was treating her like this. Then I could smoothly throw all my cutting words in her face and make her leave my world for good. But she didn’t. She just calmly offered her blessing and walked away. “James, this…” The people around me were at a loss. Grace gently tugged my sleeve. “James, did I say something wrong? Stella seems really upset.” I suppressed that strange feeling and snorted coldly. “Upset? She’s faking.” Even as I said this, I couldn’t help watching her. Stella sat in the corner. Brian walked over, his face full of worry as he spoke to her in a low voice. Stella shook her head, even wearing a reassuring smile. That smile made me angry. Brian suddenly looked up, glaring at me furiously. He moved Stella behind him protectively and strode over. “James!” Brian’s voice crackled with towering rage. “What do you mean, saying all that in front of everyone?” I looked at him. “I’m just showing everyone my choice. What’s the problem?” “Cut the act!” Brian was so angry he could barely speak. “The things you have done to Stella, don’t think I don’t know. Are you even human?” “What did I do?” I couldn’t help raising an eyebrow. “I’m just having my mate meet everyone early, so certain people stop clinging to fantasies they shouldn’t have. I’m helping your sister face reality sooner.” “You.” Brian raised his fist to swing at me. “Brian!” …… Stella POV I rushed over and grabbed his arm. Looking at my brother Brian, I gently shook my head. Attacking the Alpha’s son in the Pack wasn’t a smart move. I was leaving the Pack, but I didn’t want my brother to betray it. Seeing this, Grace quickly hugged James’s arm and said softly to Brian: “Brian, don’t be angry. It’s all a misunderstanding. James didn’t mean any harm.” As she spoke, she seemed to lose her balance, her body tilting. The coffee cup in her hand slipped, and the entire contents spilled perfectly onto my clothes. “Ah!” Grace gasped and immediately grabbed a cloth to wipe the stain on my chest. “I’m so sorry, Stella! I didn’t mean to. Please don’t be mad.” I felt her hand seemingly wiping but actually pulling hard at my clothes. My shirt got dirtier with each wipe. I swatted Grace’s hand away. “Don’t touch me.” Grace stumbled back a step. Her eyes instantly reddened as she looked at James with a pitiful expression. “James, I…” James’s anger flared. He pulled Grace protectively behind him and snapped at me. “Stella, what’s your problem! Grace apologized. What more do you want?” I looked at him and found it laughable. Without saying anything, I pushed open the Council Hall door to leave. I saw a dark shadow charging toward the pups playing outside! A rogue! I whipped my head around and shouted at James. “James! Rogue attack! The pups! Go protect them!” You’re the Alpha’s son. You should protect them. But he looked toward the rogue’s direction, then glanced at Grace beside him. Then I saw him move. His action had a clear target. Protecting Grace first. Those pups didn’t matter to him as much as a single hair on Grace’s head. I didn’t have time to think. I lunged straight for the nearest little one. The poor thing was curled up in a trembling ball. The rogue’s claws were already swinging down. Forgive me. I had no combat experience and hadn’t gotten familiar with my wolf yet. All I could do was turn my back toward the attack. “Stella!” Brian’s heart-wrenching shout was drowned out by the massive impact. Searing pain exploded from my back. I was thrown into the air and slammed hard into the ground. The pup in my arms was completely unharmed, lying obediently against me. My consciousness began to blur. The last thing I saw was James, having dealt with the rogue, looking down tenderly and anxiously comforting Grace. I felt a kind of sorrow. Not just for James’s neglect of me. But because, as the Alpha’s son, he was so indifferent to the Pack’s pups. Would someone like him become a better Alpha than his father?

Stella POV When I woke up, I was lying in the Pack’s infirmary. My left arm was covered in thick ointment. “Stella, you’re awake!” Brian’s haggard face appeared before me. “Brian…” As soon as I spoke, I realized how painfully dry my throat was. Brian quickly helped me sit up and handed me a glass of warm water. “The healer said your arm wound is very deep, you have a broken bone, and there’s residual toxin. You’ll need treatment for a while.” His voice was hoarse, full of self-blame. “It’s all my fault. If I’d been faster…” “It’s not your fault.” I interrupted him. I remembered very clearly. This was James’s choice. That was the real source of my injury. In the face of danger, as the Pack’s Alpha heir, he hadn’t prioritized saving those pups. What a failure. “Are the pups okay?” I asked. Brian’s expression instantly darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. “Don’t even mention it!” I immediately tensed. “Were they hurt?” I loved the pups. Being with them made me feel relaxed. Actually, the Pack’s pups should be cared for by the Luna. But the current Alpha was a madman. After his mate died, he refused to let anyone take that position. Fortunately, I had some experience caring for the little ones. He ground his teeth. “No, they’re all fine. I mean James. You protected those pups. You should be praised. But that bastard didn’t even look at you and took Grace back to her place first. He didn’t say a single word to the Alpha about what you did.” I fought hard to keep my tears from falling. Fine. The more cruel he was, the cleaner my break would be. I stayed in the infirmary for three days. James never showed up once. It wasn’t until the fourth afternoon that the door finally opened. James walked in. “You’re awake?” His tone was as casual as if greeting an ordinary friend. I ignored him. He didn’t care and continued on his own. “Grace has been terrified these past few days. She kept asking about you. She’s not feeling well, so she asked me to come check on you.” So it wasn’t that he wanted to come. Grace told him to. “Let me take you outside for a walk. Get some fresh air.” James said this while directly helping me up. I didn’t resist. I wanted to see just how heartless this man could be. Behind the infirmary was a long slope. James walked with me, chatting about things from our childhood. I didn’t say a word. He suddenly stopped and looked down at me arrogantly. “Stella, what game are you playing now? Acting pitiful for sympathy?” Just then, a gentle female voice came from nearby. “James.” Grace had arrived. She wore a long dress, her face somewhat pale, looking quite pitiful. James’s eyes lit up instantly. All his attention was drawn to that figure. He pushed me aside and walked toward her. “Grace, what are you doing here? I told you to rest at home.” His voice held a tenderness I’d never heard before. But he’d forgotten something. We were standing at the top of the slope. That push made me lose my balance instantly, and I fell sideways. “James!” I cried out in alarm. However, James’s eyes and heart were completely focused on Grace. He didn’t hear my shout at all. I could only curl up my body as much as possible to reduce the impact. But when I tumbled into a clump of grass, something suddenly bit into my arm. “Ah!” The piercing pain made my vision go black. I looked closely. It was a silver spike. This seemed to be some kind of specially arranged trap. The commotion finally got their attention. James turned around. Seeing me on the ground in a pathetic state, his brows furrowed tightly. Grace covered her mouth, gasping. “Oh my God, Stella, are you okay? How did you end up here?” She hurried over, crouching down to help me with a concerned expression. “After the Pack was attacked by rogues the other day, they set up these traps around the territory. Didn’t anyone tell you? James, quick, pick Stella up and take her to get bandaged!” James stood there without moving. He looked down at me on the ground, his gaze cold. “I won’t touch any woman besides you.” I lay on the cold ground, hearing those words, and suddenly I laughed. I laughed until my whole body shook, tears streaming from my eyes. I’d loved him for two whole years. In the end, in his eyes, I was just another woman, one who would dirty his hands if he touched me.

Stella POV “James, how can you say that? Stella’s injured.” She crouched beside me, trying to help me up. “Stella, don’t blame James. He just cares about me too much.” I braced myself with my good right hand and slowly climbed up from the ground, pulling out the silver spike from my left arm. The previously healed wound tore open again, starting to burn with pain. I didn’t acknowledge Grace’s outstretched hand and didn’t spare James a single glance. I kept my head down and limped toward the infirmary on my own. As I passed him, I left him with just one sentence. “Putting dangerous things like this in places like that could easily hurt Pack members!” James was furious. “Look at her!” He said coldly to Grace. “Always like this, acting like the whole world owes her something. It was her own carelessness, and she still has to blame me?” Grace sighed softly, leaning into his embrace, her voice weak and aggrieved. “Don’t say that. It’s all my fault. She must hate me now.” James held her tighter, his chin resting on top of her head. “It has nothing to do with you. She’s the one with twisted thoughts. She deserves it.” I hadn’t gone far. Their conversation drifted into my ears, every single word. I didn’t stop walking. I just smiled. They really were a perfect match. One stupid, one cruel. When I got back to the infirmary, Brian saw my disheveled state and exploded. “What happened? Where’s James?” I calmly told him what happened. Brian’s eyes went red with rage. He was about to shift and charge out. “I’m going to kill him today!” “Brian.” I stopped him. “There’s no point.” “Fine. We won’t deal with him.” Brian took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. “Stella, I’ve finished the paperwork for going abroad. The flight is on the eighteenth of next month. Once your arm’s a bit better, we’re leaving. We’re going to Paris, far away from these terrible people.” The eighteenth of next month. I remembered. That was exactly the date of James’s ceremony. I nodded. “Okay.” For the next few days, I focused on healing. James never came again. Grace, however, kept sending food over every few days. I didn’t even look at it. Threw it all away. A week later, the wound on my arm finally healed completely, and I went home. The Pack’s pups came specifically to see me. So I took them to play in the forest. But Grace tracked me down. “Stella, I’m so glad to see you’ve recovered well. That puts my mind at ease.” I couldn’t be bothered with her. Grace didn’t mind and kept talking. “You know what? For our mate ceremony, James had tons of roses flown in. He said he wants to give me the most spectacular ceremony the Pack has ever seen.” I still didn’t respond. I knew about those roses. They cost a fortune. I guessed James had diverted some funds from the Pack’s accounts. This would mess up the Pack’s cash flow, but no one cared. The Alpha didn’t care. James didn’t care either. Grace was losing her patience. She leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice. “Stella, stop pretending. I know you’re not willing to accept this. You followed him around for two years, and in the end, the future Luna position is mine. I’d go crazy too if I were you.” I glanced at her. “Are you done? Then get lost.” Grace’s smile vanished completely. “You!” She bit her lip, then smiled again. “Stella, do you think you’re so noble? You think your love is some precious thing? Let me tell you. In James’s eyes, your two years of pestering disgust him more than wolf shit on the side of the road.” She stood up, looking down at me from above, her eyes full of a victor’s smugness and contempt. “You’ll never win against me. Because you’re too weak. James could never love you.” With that, she turned around, swaying her hips as she prepared to leave. The place where we were playing had a pond. In summer, I’d bring the kids here to swim. Well, they swam. I couldn’t swim at all and could never learn. I was hopeless in water. Grace walked to the pond’s edge and gave me a strange smile. Then her body tilted backward, and she fell straight into the pond behind her. “Help! Stella, why did you push me!” Grace flailed in the water, screaming for help. I didn’t react in time. “I didn’t…” Just then, a tall figure rushed out.

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