Category: English

  • He Broke My Wings to Keep Me

    On our fifth wedding anniversary, I came out of hiding behind Holden’s back to make my comeback. I wanted to surprise him. But on the massive billboard at Lincoln Center, my spot had been given to Serena Miles, the woman who destroyed my voice with corrosive chemicals three years ago. Through the half-open dressing room door, I heard her saccharine voice. “Darling, you gave me your wife’s most precious stage. What if she makes a scene?” Then came Holden’s low, familiar voice. “She will never know. She is a broken has-been now who can’t even hit the high notes. Where else would she go except stay home and wait for me?” I stood outside the door, trembling all over. So the “psychiatric facility” was a lie. He had been keeping my lifelong enemy as his mistress for three years. All my desperate rehabilitation, and all I got was. “Only by breaking her wings will she stay obediently by my side.” Lily’s POV On our fifth wedding anniversary, I went to Lincoln Center without telling Holden. Three years ago, my vocal cords were severely burned by a corrosive chemical. I could never sing soprano again. After more than a thousand days and nights of agonizing rehabilitation, from being completely unable to make a sound to finally speaking full sentences, the top medical team in England finally told me my voice had recovered. I could sing again. I wanted to reclaim my principal position at tonight’s fifth anniversary special performance and surprise Holden. But when I walked up to the theater entrance full of anticipation, I froze in place. On the massive electronic billboard outside, the spot that should have been mine now showed a face both familiar and nauseating. Serena Miles. My breath caught instantly. I felt like I’d plunged into ice water. How could Serena be here? How dare she show her face here! Three years ago, Serena had been jealous of my status in the opera world. She put a corrosive agent in my throat spray and personally destroyed my voice, broke my wings. The day we learned the truth, Holden’s eyes were bloodshot. He grabbed Serena by the throat and said he’d make her wish she were dead. To avenge me, Holden said he’d sent Serena to the most remote underground psychiatric facility in New York, where she’d endure inhuman torture every day. He said anyone who dared harm his woman would pay a price worse than death. For three years, whenever I had nightmares, Holden would hold me gently, kiss the scar on my neck, and repeat: “Don’t be afraid. The person who hurt you is atoning in hell.” But now, the woman who was supposed to be atoning in hell was wearing a gorgeous haute couture gown, appearing on a billboard at New York’s most prestigious theater! What the hell was going on?! I trembled all over as I rushed into the theater in my heels. Using my familiarity with the place, I avoided the staff and walked straight to the principal’s dressing room backstage. The door was ajar. Muffled voices came from inside. “Holden, is this dress too tight? I’m afraid I won’t be able to hit the high notes tonight.” It was Serena’s saccharine voice. My footsteps stopped abruptly. My nails dug into my palms. Holden? In all of New York, who else would dare call the cold, ruthless heir to the Chase fortune by his first name so intimately? No one but me. Then came Holden’s low, familiar voice, the voice that used to be gentle only for me. “Tight looks good. If you can’t hit the high notes, it’s fine. The sound engineer will adjust it for you. Tonight you just need to stand on stage looking beautiful and enjoy everyone’s applause.” “But…” Serena sounded uncertain. “Tonight is your fifth anniversary with Lily. You gave me the stage she cares about most. What if she finds out and makes a scene?” “She won’t know.” Holden’s tone was certain and cold. “She’s a broken has-been who can’t even hit the high notes anymore. Where else would she go except stay home and wait for me?” My mind went completely blank. So this was how he saw me. I’d fought desperately through rehabilitation, breaking into cold sweats from pain every day, just to be worthy of him again. And all I was to him was a has-been. “Darling, you’re so good to me.” Serena giggled, her voice dripping with smugness. “Three years ago I destroyed her voice, and not only didn’t you send me to a psychiatric facility, you hid me in a villa in LA to live in luxury. Now you’re letting me take her place for a comeback. Have you grown tired of her?” The dressing room went quiet for a few seconds. I pressed my hand over my mouth, tears streaming down my face. My heart felt like it was being sawed back and forth with a dull knife. The pain nearly knocked me off my feet. So the psychiatric facility, the suffering worse than death, it was all lies. He had kept the enemy who destroyed my life as his mistress for three years. “Don’t talk nonsense.” Holden’s voice was emotionless. “I love her. But she used to be too dazzling, flying all over the world, never coming home. Only by breaking her wings would she stay obediently by my side and be a Mrs. Chase who depends entirely on me.” “As for you, you helped me keep her. This is your reward.” I staggered back a step. My heel accidentally knocked against a prop box, making a dull thud. “Who’s out there?!” Holden’s sharp voice instantly pierced through the door. I didn’t run. I stood there rigidly, watching the dressing room door get yanked open. Holden wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his posture straight, his eyes still carrying their usual coldness. But when he saw it was me outside the door, panic flashed in his eyes, though he quickly masked it perfectly. “Lily? What are you doing here? You didn’t hear anything just now, did you?” He strode toward me, instinctively reaching to pull me close, his tone gentle but unable to hide his tension. I stepped back, dodging his hand. I looked at this man I had loved for five years, at his seemingly devoted face, and felt nothing but disgust.

    Lily’s POV I laughed coldly and asked instead of answering. “What do you hope I heard?” Holden’s hand froze in mid-air. His brow furrowed. “This isn’t a place you should be. We’ll talk at home.” I ignored him and looked past his shoulder into the dressing room. Serena wore a midnight blue velvet gown that had originally belonged to me, a custom piece from a top British designer made for my comeback performance. Now it was on the body of the woman who destroyed my voice. Serena looked at me, her eyes full of provocation. Her smugness stung me. Fighting back the ache, I demanded: “Holden, why is she wearing my dress? Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?” Holden saw my reddened eyes and sighed, stepping forward to forcibly take my hand. “Lily, you’re misunderstanding. I put her on that stage to humiliate her.” I laughed bitterly. “Humiliate?” “Yes.” Holden’s expression didn’t change, his eyes terrifyingly sincere. “She destroyed your dream years ago, so I’m going to make her humiliate herself in front of everyone. She doesn’t have your talent. Tonight during the performance, I’ll have the sound engineer cut her microphone and let her lose face in front of all of New York’s elite. That’s worse than locking her in a psychiatric facility. It’ll make her wish she were dead.” He said it so matter-of-factly, so devotedly. If I hadn’t just heard him promise the sound engineer would help adjust her audio, I might have actually believed this bullshit. “Really?” I pulled my hand away and looked at him coldly. “Fine. Then I’ll watch from the audience and see how you make her wish she were dead.” With that, I turned and walked away, spine straight. At eight PM, the performance officially began. I sat in the most secluded box on the second floor, watching the glittering stage lights. Serena made her entrance. She wore that midnight blue gown and a diamond necklace worth a fortune, looking like a noble queen. The music started. Serena began to sing. The microphone wasn’t cut. Not only that, but the sound engineer used top-tier equipment to embellish her mediocre voice, making it sound ethereal and graceful. The entire hall erupted in applause. My gaze cut through the crowd, fixed on the man in the center of the front row VIP section. Holden sat there, posture lazy and refined. He watched Serena on stage, the corners of his mouth curving in appreciation. When the song ended, Serena took an elegant bow. Holden stood up and, under everyone’s envious gazes, personally walked onto the stage and handed Serena a bouquet of vibrant blue roses. Blue roses. Those were my signature. Holden had once reserved an entire flower field just to cultivate the purest blue roses. He’d said: “Lily, only this one-of-a-kind blue is worthy of you.” But now, he’d personally given that uniqueness to Serena. Serena accepted the flowers and lowered her head shyly. The two smiled at each other on stage like a loving couple. I sat in the dark box watching this scene, suddenly finding it a bit funny. I laughed out loud. As I laughed, tears fell in large drops onto the back of my hand. I used to think Holden was my only salvation when I fell into the abyss. After my voice was destroyed, I developed severe depression and attempted suicide several times. Each time, it was Holden who held me all night, eyes red, begging me to live. He’d said: “Lily, you still have me. Even if you can never sing again, you’re still my life.” Turns out, he never wanted a brilliant opera singer. He wanted a broken thing that could only cling to him, unable to leave him. He personally built a cage called love, locked me inside, then turned around and gave the stage and glory I craved most to another woman. After the performance, I didn’t wait for Holden. I took a cab back to the villa alone. In the empty living room, I didn’t turn on the lights. I sat on the sofa like a soulless puppet. I don’t know how much time passed before I heard the fingerprint lock at the front door. Holden walked in carrying a faint smell of alcohol. He turned on the light and saw me sitting on the sofa. He paused for a moment, then walked over and pulled me into his arms. “Lily, why didn’t you turn on the lights? Were you waiting for me?” He lowered his head to kiss my cheek, but I smelled Serena’s perfume on him. “Didn’t you say you were going to humiliate her on stage?” I didn’t dodge, just spoke woodenly. Holden’s movements froze. His eyes darkened, his tone apologetic. “Lily, I’m sorry. There was a change of plans. The organizers had some issues. If I’d let her humiliate herself on the spot, it would have damaged the theater’s reputation. Don’t worry, I’ll have plenty of ways to torture her later.” “Really?” I turned my head and looked straight into his eyes. “And the blue roses? Were those to torture her too?”

    Lily’s POV Holden’s eyes turned cold. His face showed impatience, but he still placated me. “I was just respecting the organizers and helping them complete tonight’s performance. No matter who was on that stage, I would have done the same thing.” “Lily, stop being upset with me. Today is our fifth anniversary. Let’s not waste it…” As Holden spoke, his hands began wandering restlessly over my body, his breath hot against my neck, his tone suggestive. My heart grew colder. “Holden, you disgust me. You put the woman who destroyed my voice on that stage, gave her my flowers, and now you think a few words can brush it all aside.” Holden’s movements stopped abruptly. His tone turned cold: “Lily, since when did you become so petty?” “Fine. You want the truth? I’ll tell you. Serena has depression. Her doctor said she needs the stage to build her confidence, or she’ll die! Lily, you’ve always been kind. Are you really going to watch someone die?” I froze. I looked at the man in front of me as if I were looking at a complete stranger, a monster. “She has depression?” My voice shook badly. “Holden, when my voice was destroyed and I couldn’t sleep for three years, when I was losing handfuls of hair, when I was slitting my wrists, why didn’t you say I might die? Now you’re accusing me of not being kind enough for the sake of a criminal?” Holden took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, trying to take my hand. “Lily, don’t be so angry. I just don’t want you living in hatred forever. Aren’t you fine now? You have me with you. We have a whole lifetime together.” I yanked my hand back forcefully, finding the hand that had touched Serena unbearably filthy. “I’m tired. I want to rest.” I stood up and walked upstairs without looking back. The next morning when I came downstairs, Holden had already left for the office. A maid was putting away the suit he’d changed out of. I walked over. My eyes fell on the jacket pocket, where a corner of white card stock peeked out. I don’t even know why, but I reached out and pulled out the card. It was an access card. It had the One57 logo on it. That was New York’s most exclusive luxury high-rise, with only one unit per floor. Non-residents couldn’t get in at all. Holden owned many properties, but he never stayed in them. I gripped the card tightly, my knuckles turning white. That afternoon, I put on sunglasses and a mask and took a cab to One57. I swiped the card at the main entrance and took the private elevator straight to the top floor. When the elevator doors opened, I saw a solid white oak door. I took a deep breath and used the access card to unlock it. The lock beeped softly. I pushed the door open. When I saw what was inside, I felt like I’d been struck by lightning. The decoration style, the furniture layout, even the custom shoe cabinet by the entrance, everything was identical to the home Holden and I shared. The only difference was that these walls were covered with photos of Serena. Serena on stage. Serena on vacation at the beach. And… photos of Serena with Holden. In the photos, Holden wore casual clothes, looking down at Serena with an expression of relaxation and affection I’d never seen! I couldn’t breathe. It felt like an invisible hand was choking my throat. I walked step by step into the living room. On the table sat two overlapping wine glasses. On the sofa lay a carelessly tossed men’s shirt. It was the shirt Holden had worn last night. So when he said the company had an emergency and left in the middle of the night, he’d come here. I felt ice cold all over as I walked into the bedroom. The bedroom layout nearly broke me completely. The sheets were champagne-colored silk, my favorite. The vanity was covered with expensive skincare products. And the walk-in closet was hung with row after row of haute couture. Half of them were pieces I’d admired but been told by the brands had already been purchased by a mysterious buyer. Turns out that mysterious buyer was my husband, and these clothes were worn by the woman who destroyed me. Click. The sound of a lock opening suddenly came from outside. I snapped back to attention, my heart pounding. I quickly looked around and hid in the spacious walk-in closet, peering out through the slats of the louvered door. Footsteps grew closer. “Holden, why did you come over so early today?” Serena’s sweet voice rang out. “I missed you.” Holden’s voice was low and husky, carrying obvious warmth. The two walked into the bedroom embracing, falling onto that champagne silk bed. I pressed my hand hard over my mouth, tears flowing uncontrollably, my body shaking violently beyond my control. I watched my husband of five years, in this house that was a complete replica of our marital home, making love to another woman with total abandon. Overwhelming nausea crashed over me! Their every gasp and moan was like a sharp awl drilling viciously into my skull!

    Lily’s POV I don’t know how much time passed before the commotion outside finally quieted. “Holden…” Serena’s voice carried satisfied laziness. “You ran out in the middle of the night to be with me. Didn’t Lily make a scene?” “What would she make a scene about?” Holden lit a cigarette. The lighter made a crisp click. “She can’t live without me now. As long as I sweet-talk her a little, she’ll obediently do what I say.” “Aren’t you afraid she’ll discover the truth?” Serena laughed lightly, her tone full of undisguised malice. “What if she finds out that I deliberately put that stuff in her water years ago, and you not only knew all along but helped me destroy the security footage and even used it as an excuse to keep her caged… Do you think she’d go insane?” In the closet, my eyes flew wide open. Even my breathing stopped completely in that moment. What did I just hear? Holden knew all along? He helped Serena destroy the surveillance footage?! “Shut up.” Holden’s voice instantly turned cold, carrying a warning. “Take that to your grave. If she ever finds out, I won’t forgive you.” “Oh, I’m just talking.” Seeing him angry, Serena quickly pressed herself against him coquettishly. “I just think you’re too cruel to her. You knew how much she loved that stage, but you personally broke her wings.” “Cruel?” Holden laughed coldly and exhaled a smoke ring. “She was too proud. If I didn’t pull her down from her pedestal, she’d never stay obediently by my side. I gave her the identity of Mrs. Chase and more money than she could spend in a lifetime. What more could she want?” “Right, right, you love her most.” Serena’s tone carried a hint of jealousy. “What about me? I did such a huge thing for you. Are you planning to keep me hidden here forever?” “What’s the rush.” Holden stubbed out his cigarette. “When the time is right, I’ll arrange for you to enter the most famous opera house. The fame and fortune you want, I’ll give it all to you.” “Thank you, darling!” Serena cheered and kissed him again. I leaned against the cold wall, gasping for breath. My tears had run dry. All that remained was desolation and death in my heart. So that’s how it was. It had all been an elaborate, carefully planned deception. What I thought was an accident was Serena’s deliberate sabotage. What I thought was salvation was a cage Holden built with his own hands. The love I treasured was, in Holden’s eyes, nothing more than a game to satisfy his twisted need for control. He enjoyed my dependence and pain while having his fun with the real culprit. How terrifying. This man I’d shared a bed with for five years was a complete monster… I escaped from that penthouse while they went to shower together. I wandered the bustling streets of New York like a corpse. The early autumn wind cut into my skin, bone-chillingly cold. I didn’t go back to the villa. Instead, I went to an inconspicuous café and used a public phone to dial an international number. “Hello, Dr. Bennett? This is Lily Hart.” A delighted voice came through from the renowned British vocal specialist: “Ms. Hart! Your voice has recovered beautifully. As long as you continue with the final medication regimen, you can absolutely return to your peak! Have you decided about auditioning for the Royal Opera House?” “I’ve decided.” My voice carried the calm that comes after complete despair. “Please arrange an audition for next month. Also, I’m running low on my medication. Could you send me another treatment cycle?” “No problem! Looking forward to seeing you in England!” I hung up and watched people come and go outside the window, my eyes gradually turning cold. I wouldn’t make a scene. I wouldn’t confront Holden. Reasoning with a monster would only get me killed more miserably. I had to escape. I had to completely leave this nauseating cage and take back everything that belonged to me. At ten PM, I returned to the villa. Holden wasn’t home yet. I took a shower, changed into clean pajamas, and sat at my vanity, slowly covering my pale face with makeup. At 11:30, I heard a car engine downstairs. Soon after, the bedroom door opened. Holden walked in holding an exquisite velvet gift box. He saw me sitting on the bed. His eyes softened. He walked over and pulled me into his arms. “Lily, still awake?” I suppressed my nausea and didn’t push him away, just hummed softly. “Still angry about last night?” Holden opened the gift box. Inside was a pink diamond necklace worth a fortune. “I specially had someone buy this from England. It’s my fifth anniversary gift to you. Do you like it?” I looked at that dazzling necklace, but what flashed through my mind was the equally expensive diamond around Serena’s neck. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.” I forced out a stiff smile. Holden personally fastened the necklace around my neck, his fingertips deliberately or not grazing the shallow scar where my vocal cords were. “Lily, I’m taking vacation next week. How about I take you to England to relax? You’ve always wanted to see the scenery there, haven’t you?” I lowered my eyes, hiding the coldness in them. “Sure,” I said softly. Going to England. Perfect.

    Lily’s POV Over the next few days, I was unusually obedient. I stopped mentioning the theater. I stopped asking why Holden came home late. I took the medication Dr. Bennett sent on schedule every day. When Holden wasn’t home, I’d lock myself in the soundproof practice room, slowly recovering my vocal techniques. Holden was very satisfied with my transformation. He thought I’d finally accepted reality and fully embraced my fate of being kept. To reward my compliance, Holden cancelled many business commitments and came home early every day to have dinner with me. He even cooked my favorite dishes himself. Watching him bustle around in the kitchen, I only felt irony. If I hadn’t heard those words with my own ears, I really would have been fooled by his performance as a devoted husband for the rest of my life. Two days until the England trip. I’d secretly packed my important documents and Dr. Bennett’s letter of recommendation, hiding them in the lining of an inconspicuous old suitcase. Once I got on that plane to England, I’d find a way to break free. However, the night before departure, Holden took a phone call and his expression changed slightly. He walked onto the balcony and said a few things in a low voice, then returned to the bedroom and looked at me apologetically. “Lily, I’m sorry.” He came over and took my hand. “One of the company’s major overseas projects suddenly hit a snag. I have to fly to LA tomorrow to handle it personally. The England trip might have to be postponed a few days.” I looked into his deep eyes and laughed coldly inside. LA? Just this afternoon, I’d seen a post on Serena’s unblocked private social media account: “Looking forward to tomorrow’s birthday party. Having the person I love most by my side is the greatest happiness.” Tomorrow was Serena’s birthday. Holden wasn’t going to LA on business at all. He was going to celebrate his precious mistress’s birthday. “Is it serious?” I withdrew my hand and asked with feigned concern. “Yeah, a bit tricky.” Holden smoothly stroked my hair, his tone gentle but unable to hide his tension. “Just stay home and wait for me. I’ll come back to be with you as soon as I’m done.” “Okay.” I lowered my eyes. “Work comes first.” Early the next morning, Holden left with his suitcase. I stood at the second-floor window, watching his car drive out through the villa gates, my eyes turning completely cold. That afternoon, Serena’s private account started updating frantically. The photos showed an extremely luxurious private club suite. Flowers, balloons, champagne towers, and mountains of expensive gifts. One photo showed Serena wearing a birthday crown, hands clasped in a wish. At the edge of the photo, a man’s hand accidentally appeared. That hand wore a limited edition Patek Philippe watch. It was the birthday gift I’d given Holden last year. I stared at that photo for a long time, then suddenly picked up my phone and called Holden. The phone rang for a while before being answered. The background noise was somewhat chaotic. I could faintly hear music. “Lily? What’s wrong?” Holden’s voice sounded tense. “Where are you?” I asked. “In LA, about to start a meeting.” Holden lied without even pausing. “It’s a bit noisy here. Can I call you back later?” “Okay.” I hung up directly. I changed into a simple black trench coat, put on sunglasses, and took a cab to the high-end private club from the photo background, Eclipse. The club operated on a strict membership system, but I used to be a top-tier VIP here. I used facial recognition to get through the main entrance and walked straight to the luxury suite on the top floor where Serena was. The suite door wasn’t fully closed. Laughter and chatter came from inside. “Serena, Holden is so good to you. This is such an elaborate setup!” a woman’s voice said flatteringly. “Of course.” Serena’s tone was smug. “He said that woman is useless now. He’s going to divorce her sooner or later. When the time comes, I’ll be the real Mrs. Chase.” I stood outside the door listening to these grating words, then pushed the door open. Bang. The suite instantly went silent. Everyone’s eyes focused on me in the doorway. Holden sat in the center of the sofa holding a glass of red wine. The moment he saw me, his wine glass shook violently, red liquid spilling onto his expensive suit pants. “Lily?” He shot to his feet, his face instantly darkening. “What are you doing here?” I ignored him and walked straight up to Serena. Seeing me, Serena showed no panic. Instead, emboldened by Holden’s presence, she thrust out her chest deliberately. “Lily, what are you doing here? You’re not welcome.” I looked at her meticulously made-up face and suddenly raised my hand. Smack! A resounding slap landed hard across Serena’s face.

    Lily’s POV I put all my strength into that slap. Serena’s head snapped to the side. Five clear red finger marks instantly appeared on her pale face. She covered her cheek, eyes wide with disbelief, then tears immediately welled up and spilled over. “Holden…” She turned to look at Holden, her voice trembling with grievance. The suite fell deathly silent. Holden’s expression was dark enough to freeze over. He strode forward, yanked Serena behind him, and stared at me with piercing eyes. “Lily, have you lost your mind?!” I watched him protect Serena and felt the last warmth in my heart go completely cold. “I’ve lost my mind?” I laughed coldly, pointing at Serena. “Holden, didn’t you say you were in LA for a meeting? Your meeting is at this woman’s birthday party?” “This is my private business. It’s not your place to interfere! Apologize to Serena right now.” “Apologize?” I sounded like I’d heard the world’s biggest joke. “She destroyed my voice, stole my stage, and now wants to take my place. You want me to apologize to her?” “Lily!Holden suddenly raised his voice, his eyes terrifyingly cold. “I’ll say this one last time. Apologize. Otherwise, you’ll never see Dr. Bennett again for the rest of your life.” My whole body shook. I looked at him in disbelief. Dr. Bennett was my only hope for rehabilitation. Holden was actually using this to threaten me? “You’ve been investigating me?” My voice trembled slightly. “You think you could contact a doctor privately without me knowing?” Holden looked down at me from above, his eyes full of cruel possessiveness. “Lily, I gave you a chance. You chose not to be obedient. Since you want so badly to fix your voice and leave me, I’ll personally cut off all your hope.” I felt like I’d fallen into hell. I finally understood that I had no secrets from this man. He was like an airtight net, trapping me inside, watching me struggle, watching me despair. I saw Serena hiding behind Holden, a smug, cold smile at the corner of her mouth. She suddenly stepped forward and reached out to grab my sleeve. “Miss Hart, don’t be angry. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have let Holden come celebrate my birthday. You can hit me or yell at me, just please don’t fight with Holden…” As she spoke, she deliberately stepped backward. The instant her hand touched my sleeve, Serena suddenly screamed and fell straight backward. “Ah!” Serena hit the floor hard. Her forehead struck the edge of the table, instantly drawing blood. “Serena!” Holden’s expression changed drastically. He immediately crouched down and pulled her into his arms. “Holden, it hurts…” Serena leaned weakly against him, looking at me with tearful eyes. “Lily, I just wanted to apologize. Why did you push me?” I stood there, coldly watching Serena’s poor acting. “I didn’t push you.” “Enough!” Holden suddenly looked up. “Lily, you’ve disappointed me so much. I always thought you were just willful. I never imagined you’d become so vicious!” Vicious? I looked at this husband who was accusing me for the sake of his mistress and suddenly felt utterly exhausted. “Think whatever you want.” I turned around, ready to leave this suffocating place. “Stop!” Holden’s cold voice rang out behind me. “Escort Mrs. Chase back to the villa. Without my permission, she’s not allowed to step one foot outside!” The bodyguards outside immediately rushed in, blocking my path on both sides. I didn’t struggle. I knew that in New York, as long as Holden didn’t want me to leave, I couldn’t. I looked back at Holden. For the first time, my eyes held no emotion, just desolate, deathly calm. When Holden met my gaze, he said nothing. He just picked up the injured Serena and strode out of the suite.

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  • The Affair Never Ended

    The night before our wedding, I caught Dan Thompson cheating with a stranger. Proud as he was, for the first time, tears streamed down his face. He stammered, “I was drunk, I mistook her for you. It will never happen again.” The woman, blushing, admitted, “I’ve secretly loved Dan for years. I bribed the hotel staff to get a spare room key.” She knelt and apologized to me, swearing she’d stay far away from us. I chose to forgive Dan. After we got married, he truly seemed to love me. Until Dan’s thirtieth birthday. I specifically took time off work and flew eleven hours on an international flight to surprise him. On my way, I stopped at a convenience store for water. The woman next to me was on the phone. “You’re so clingy! It’s only been an hour, and my phone’s practically exploded with your calls. Just wait, I’m going to drain you dry in bed tonight.” The voice was hauntingly familiar. I turned around and froze. It was that woman—the one Dan had cheated with eight years ago. After so many years, she didn’t seem to recognize me. She turned towards the checkout. I couldn’t hear what the person on the other end said, but she playfully retorted, “I’m not cold, I’m wearing plenty, don’t believe me? You can check later.” “You can reach your hand in, slide it along my waist, all the way to…” On an impulse, I pulled out my phone and sent Dan a SnapChat. “Dan, are you off work yet?” No reply. The woman reached for the shelf and picked up two boxes of condoms. The same brand, scent, and size—the ones I knew, the ones Dan always used. Her voice was sickly sweet. “Since it’s your birthday, you get to decide how many times tonight.” I glanced down at my phone. Still nothing. After paying, I followed the woman out of the store. She purred into the phone, “Don’t rush me, I see your car.” The London rain hit my face, cold as ice. I pulled my jacket tighter, my hands trembling as I pressed the call button for Dan. A cold, robotic female voice replied, “The person you are calling is currently unavailable.” I understood. He had activated ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode. This year, he’d told me his overseas branch was incredibly busy, and he couldn’t answer calls once he was in the office. Not being able to reach him wasn’t new. A Bentley pulled up at a nearby street corner. “Dan!” The woman hurried forward, opening the passenger door. I turned my head slightly to look. One glance, and I was rooted to the spot. The car window was half-open. The man in the driver’s seat looked calm and distinguished. The woman swayed her hips and planted a soft kiss on his lips. He gave a helpless smile. “Still so demanding.” The streetlights were dim, but I saw his face clearly. The owner of that face had been with me for my entire thirty years of life. At three, we held hands and walked into kindergarten together. He secretly slipped me the candy the teacher gave him. “I’ll protect you, don’t cry.” At sixteen, he imitated a scene from a movie, hiding my portrait inside a book. When I found it, his ears turned crimson. “So what? I like you.” At nineteen, our first love, our first kiss—he was so thrilled he paid for the entire restaurant bill. “I can’t wait to tell everyone I’m the happiest man alive.” At twenty-two, when he proposed, he swore in front of both our families that he would only ever love me. Everything stopped the night before our wedding. When I opened the hotel room door, he was tangled naked with a stranger. That day was a blur of chaos. Everyone said he was just drunk and mistook her for me. As his childhood sweetheart, I should give him another chance. Even the girl knelt and apologized, claiming it was all her fault, that she’d bribed the staff for the room key, just to fulfill a long-held secret crush. Dan, who had always been so proud and strong since childhood, teared up for the first time. Seeing my silent tears, he picked up a fruit knife and pointed it at his own heart. “Ellie, it’s come to this. I’m sorry for what I did to you.” “If you don’t believe me, I’ll tear my heart out and show you! You’re truly the only one in there!” Tears blurred his face. His voice trembled. “Don’t leave me, Ellie, I’m begging you. You know I’ve loved you for so many years.” “If you leave me, I’ll die, I really will die…” Later, I sealed away that memory. After all these years intertwined, I thought we were inseparable, that we’d go from childhood sweethearts to growing old together. But in this moment. Our thirty years. Finally crumbled.

    Dazed, I returned to his apartment. My mom texted me: “So, did Dan freak out when he heard you’re pregnant?” I took a deep breath, swallowed the bitterness in my throat, and calmly replied: “Not yet, I just got to his apartment, haven’t told him.” The apartment door opened from the outside. It was Dan, who had returned. Our eyes met. His expression faltered for a few seconds, then quickly regained composure. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I would’ve picked you up at the airport.” My expression was flat. “Wanted to surprise you.” He smiled, walking over and gently rubbing my hair. “I would never let you do that.” “Flying must be exhausting, right? It’s just a birthday, you shouldn’t have to deal with jet lag.” Dan was about to say more, but his phone rang. As he looked down to reply, his eyes held the familiar tenderness and patience I knew so well. Then he looked apologetic. “Too bad I have a client meeting tonight. My darling will have to be lonely.” Before I could say anything, he pulled a piece of clothing from the closet. I instantly understood. He’d come back for the personal item the other woman had forgotten. This apartment, which he temporarily used for overseas business trips, was a place I had decorated for him little by little, whenever I had a spare moment. I’d taken a week off work for it, even losing a major client. But now, the vase I’d spent half an afternoon finding, and then personally brought from home, was gone. Even the photo of us stuck on the fridge had disappeared. A sharp, damp chill seeped into my core, just like the rain soaking my clothes. I abruptly stood up, dragging my suitcase towards the door. Dan followed me. “Are you mad?” He put his arm around my shoulder from behind. “The apartment isn’t cleaned up. I’ll book you a five-star hotel nearby.” “I promise, I’ll spend the entire day with you tomorrow, okay?” As usual, he leaned in to kiss me. A strange citrus scent, unfamiliar to me, filled my nostrils. It was her scent. I turned my face away. Dan didn’t seem to notice, and rushed off. By the elevator, a creep whistled at me, his gaze sticky. “How much? If he doesn’t want you, I’ll take you.” “He has a girlfriend, I’ve seen her. You’re so beautiful, why stoop so low?” “All the neighbors know them. He was so head-over-heels, he wouldn’t even let his girlfriend walk a step, often carrying her home from the parking garage sometimes. She always looked so happy.” He suddenly grabbed my waist, grinning, and leaned in to kiss me. By instinct, I stomped hard on his foot. While he cried out in pain, I pulled my suitcase and escaped through the emergency exit. Even when I stumbled and fell, I didn’t dare stop to check for scraped knees. I scrambled up and ran down the stairs. I headed straight to the airport, sitting numbly in the departure lounge. I couldn’t understand. Why was Dan cheating again? For the first two years of our marriage, I often had nightmares. In them, Dan was naked, embracing a stranger. I always woke up crying. He would hold me, soothing me over and over. “It’s all my fault, I made my darling sad.” He changed all his electronic device passwords to my birthday and introduced me as his wife at every public event. He always told me what he did and who he met every day. Even when he had to stay overnight for a business trip, he would leave FaceTime on all night, falling asleep to the sound of my breathing. We were both carefully rebuilding that trust. When did it all start to unravel? Vaguely remembering the woman’s name, I opened Ins and searched. It took only a minute to find her among the many accounts with the same name. Only because her profile picture was taken in Dan’s office back home.

    The painting hanging behind her was one I’d custom-commissioned from a celebrated artist. Just because Dan had once said he liked it, I had made a special visit, standing outside the artist’s studio in high heels for an entire afternoon before finally persuading them. Serena was a somewhat well-known travel blogger with a decent following. I scrolled down. The posts related to Dan first appeared three years ago. Serena was holding hands with a man, the background our high school track. “With my high school crush, finally!” It was the same spot where, at eighteen, we had first held hands. The night breeze was cool, and Dan’s palms were sweaty from nervousness. “When we’re old and grey, let’s come back here together.” In mid-August two years ago, on our wedding anniversary, Dan claimed he had to miss it because of work. Yet his posts showed him eating street food with Serena. Last New Year’s Eve, I was hospitalized with a high fever from the flu. Dan appeared in Serena’s TikTok, meticulously disinfecting a cut on her fingertip. My hand, holding the phone, trembled. Dan’s face didn’t appear in any of the photos. But the familiar cufflink, the lines on his palm, made it impossible for me to keep lying to myself. Serena’s latest post refreshed. The lace maid outfit in the picture was so revealing it made me sick to look at it. “Bought it but forgot to pick it up. Good thing someone remembered. Tonight, I’m rewarding him.” So, that’s what Dan had gone back to the apartment to get. In the comments, a fan joked: “You’re living well! Your partner must adore you.” Serena replied: “I know, right? Today I asked him when he first fell for me.” “He said it was eight years ago, the day I first bravely confessed my feelings for him. He complimented my ‘startlingly bright’ eyes, said he could never forget them.” “Thinking he’d been thinking about me all these years just melts my heart.” Eight years ago was the day I caught them in bed. I pressed my lips together tightly. But the tears, disobedient, silently streamed down my face. Serena posted another video. The camera focused on a large bed strewn with rose petals. A woman’s voice giggled, “My fans want me to ask you, at thirty, do you have any new plans for our relationship?” A man’s low chuckle. “Plans?” “I do want a baby, will you have one for me?” The camera wobbled, and the sound of fabric violently rubbing together filled the air. My fingertips went numb. I dialed Dan’s number, pressing the wrong buttons several times. The phone rang three times before it finally connected. My voice trembling, I asked, “Dan, am I still in your future plans?” He was silent for a few seconds, then casually replied, “Of course, why wouldn’t you be?” “Oh, by the way, my parents mentioned you had some big news for me. They’ve asked me about it several times, what is it?” Serena’s soft urging came from his end. “Dan, if you don’t focus, I’ll have to punish you, you know.” If I hadn’t seen the video, I would have been foolish enough to believe it was his assistant. My gaze fell on the shredded pregnancy test report in the trash can. I whispered, “Nothing.” The surprise was gone. The past love, the future we’d envisioned together. All gone. Dan’s voice took on a hint of anger. “What’s with the attitude?” “I’ve turned down dozens of overseas collaboration opportunities for you, all because you’re always so suspicious!” “My meeting with a client tonight is also for our future. Can’t you let me breathe for a moment?” Tears streamed down again. I let out a soft laugh. “Dan, you’re right.” “I am being difficult.” “When you get back home, we’re getting a divorce.”

    Dan hung up first. He scoffed, “Fine, throw your fit if you want.” The dial tone echoed like a drumbeat in my chest. For the twelve-hour return flight, I didn’t sleep a wink. Only when I lay on the operating table, and the anesthetic coursed through my veins, did I find release from the relentless pain. The day I found out I was pregnant, I was overjoyed. I thought this would be a new beginning for our little family, Dan’s and mine. Just a few more months, and the baby would have been born. Happiness was within reach. But now, everything was lost. After a day of rest, I received another SnapChat from Dan. “I’m back. Family dinner tonight, don’t give my parents attitude.” “Ellie Miller, you’re not a little girl anymore. There’s a time and a place for tantrums.” I replied, agreeing to attend. When I had composed myself and arrived at the Thompson family home, both our families were already there. Dan sat next to me. He looked at my averted face, his voice resigned. “Are you still mad?” He pulled out a necklace and placed it in my hand. “It’s my fault, okay?” “An apology gift for you. Smile for me, hmm?” My palm was icy cold. Just yesterday, before I went into surgery, Serena had posted an Ins update. On a messy bed, gifts were scattered everywhere. She unwrapped them one by one: a limited-edition alligator skin bag, custom-made luxury perfume, a diamond-encrusted bracelet… Only this gold necklace, she sniffed, wrinkling her nose, “It’s so dated, I don’t want it.” The person filming laughed dotingly, “It’s my birthday, and you’re receiving gifts, and you still complain? Should I just throw it away?” I loosened my grip, letting the necklace fall to the floor. Dan frowned. “What more do you want from me? Take it or leave it.” Mrs. Thompson smiled kindly, trying to ease the tension. “I heard you went all the way to London for Dan’s birthday, but he didn’t spend time with you because of work. That was wrong of him.” My mom chimed in, trying to smooth things over. “Ellie, you’re going to be a mother soon, you can’t be throwing tantrums, it’s not good for your health.” “Going to be… a mother?” Dan froze, turning to me in disbelief. “Ellie, you’re pregnant?!” He shot up, a smile he couldn’t control spreading across his face. “I’m going to be a dad, aren’t I?!” The coldness in his eyes melted, replaced by undeniable excitement. I didn’t avert my gaze, seeing every flicker of emotion clearly. But this time, was it real, or fake? I couldn’t tell anymore. And I didn’t care. Both sets of parents chuckled. “Look at this silly boy.” I spoke softly, “No.” “That baby, I aborted it.” The atmosphere froze. Dan’s excitement solidified on his face. His eyes darted around for a few seconds, then he forced a laugh. “Ellie, don’t joke around.” I didn’t reply. I pulled the pre-prepared divorce papers from my bag. Then I gave a faint smile. “Dan, I’ve seen Serena. If we don’t divorce, do you expect her to be a mistress forever?”

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  • He Took Me to His Son’s Birthday Party

    My boyfriend, Eduardo, suddenly changed direction halfway through our drive. We’d been together for five years. “We’re not seeing my parents today.” I looked at him, confused. We’d been planning this meeting for ages. He grabbed a beautifully wrapped teddy bear from the back seat and handed it to me. “It’s my son’s first birthday party later. As my girlfriend, it wouldn’t be right for you to show up empty-handed.” My mind went blank. “Your… son?” “Yeah, a mistake I made a year ago. His mom has a bad temper, and I couldn’t let my son grow up without a complete family.” He spoke as if discussing the weather. “You always wanted to move to this city, right? Now you’re here; it’s like your dream has come true.” I clutched the resignation letter I’d written for him, my nails digging into my palms. Yes, I was here. But it seemed like I was completely superfluous. Eduardo didn’t seem to notice my frozen posture. He simply started the car. He even smiled, ruffling my hair. “Ellis, I know you’re upset, but Susan is just a straight shooter; she doesn’t mean any harm.” “You know, it’s not easy for a single mom raising a child. I have to take responsibility.” “She and I are just co-parenting for Ronald. You’re the only one I truly love.” I looked at him, my throat feeling like it was stuffed with cotton. Susan, that was the name he’d saved as “Client S” on his phone. For the past year, that name always lit up his screen late at night. He always said it was a demanding client, and for our future, he had to tolerate them. I believed him. Only now did I realize it wasn’t a client. It was his other family. I looked at the teddy bear he’d given me, with cute cartoon characters printed on the wrapping paper. The irony hit me like a physical slap. “So, for this past year, while you were planning a future with me, you were also playing husband and father to another woman?” My voice trembled uncontrollably. He frowned, a hint of impatience in his tone. “What are you talking about? We’re not legally married.” “If she hadn’t threatened me with Ronald, I wouldn’t have bothered with her at all.” “Ellis, you’ve always been so sensible, and you understood the hardships of my startup. Don’t throw a tantrum over this.” “Our five years together, can it really be less significant than an accident?” I stared at him. Five years ago, we were crammed into a tiny rented apartment. He held my research manuscript, his eyes burning with excitement. “Ellis, believe me, this cardiac intervention repair technology will change the world!” “When the company goes public, the first thing I’ll do is marry you and make you the happiest woman in the world.” For that promise, I gave up the opportunity to study abroad. I invested all the inheritance my parents left me, along with myself, into him. I became his shadow, helping him overcome one technical challenge after another. And he, standing in the spotlight, became a successful young tech entrepreneur. Now, the company was finally on track, and our marital home was about to be ready. I had even written my resignation letter for him, preparing to completely become a stay-at-home partner. But he told me he had a son. I slowly crumpled the resignation letter into a ball. “Eduardo, we’re over.” He paused, then laughed as if he’d heard the funniest joke. “Had enough drama yet?” “You’ve been with me since you were twenty; you gave your best years to me. Who else would want you besides me?” “Ellis, you have no family name, no connections. The job you have was thanks to me. How would you survive without me?” He parked the car in front of a lavish hotel. “Go think about it carefully. Don’t be so childish.” “I’m going up first. Adjust your mood before you come up. Don’t embarrass me.” The car door closed, cutting off his retreating figure. I leaned on the steering wheel, a wave of nausea churning in my stomach. Eduardo was wrong. I wasn’t the one who couldn’t leave him. I gazed at the dazzling neon lights outside the window for a long time before picking up my phone. I dialed a number I hadn’t touched in five years.

    I sat in the car for a long time until Eduardo impatiently called me. “Ellis, how long do you plan to make a scene? Everyone’s watching, hurry up and come in!” I pushed open the car door and walked into the banquet hall. The entire hall was decorated like a fairytale castle. On the large screen in the center, intimate family photos of the three of them scrolled by. Eduardo held an infant who shared some of his features, smiling tenderly. A pure-looking woman leaned against him, her face radiating happiness. That woman was Susan. Seeing me enter, Susan immediately clung to Eduardo’s arm, her eyes welling up instantly. “Eduardo, why is she here?” “Didn’t you say today was Ronald’s first birthday party, our family affair?” “I told you long ago, I don’t want a title, and I don’t want to ruin your relationship. But I can’t let my son be pointed at!” Eduardo quickly pulled her into his embrace, soothing her gently. “Don’t overthink it. Ellis is here to wish Ronald well.” He looked at me, his eyes carrying both command and warning. “Ellis, quickly give Ronald his gift, then apologize to Susan. This whole thing will be over.” My mind went blank. More potent than anger was the profound absurdity that chilled me to the bone. Five years ago, he held me and said, “Ellis, when we have our own home, I’ll give you the best of everything in the world.” But now, for the “family” he formed with another woman and child, he wanted me to bow my head and apologize. “Eduardo, why should I apologize?” His face darkened, and he lowered his voice. “Ellis, I don’t want to lose my temper today. Don’t push me.” “Susan has been worried about Ronald’s future because of you. Bringing you here today is to reassure her.” After a long standoff, I saw the blatant protectiveness and veiled threat in his eyes, and a bitter laugh escaped me. I spoke hoarsely, “Fine, I’ll apologize.” Eduardo’s expression softened, carrying a hint of “I knew you’d be sensible” smugness. He pulled me in front of Susan. “Ellis, hurry up.” Just as I was about to speak, Susan cut me off first. “Eduardo, I don’t need her apology.” She took the teddy bear from my hand and tossed it directly into a nearby trash can. “Something from a shameful other woman is bad luck. My Ronald can’t touch it.” She looked me up and down, her gaze scornful and cutting. “Ellis, right? Eduardo mentioned you. He said you were a loner, didn’t have many friends, and he was supporting you completely.” “Honestly, I pity you. At your age, with no family name, no qualifications, nothing but a man. Your life is such a failure.” “How about this, for Eduardo’s sake, I’ll have him arrange a cushy job for you cleaning toilets at the company. It’s better than clinging to him like this, barely scraping by, wouldn’t you say?” The surrounding guests erupted in laughter. Their mocking stares felt like needles, pricking me all over. I trembled with anger, a familiar dull ache spreading in my chest. “Eduardo, is that how you introduced me to her?” He avoided my gaze, his brows furrowed. “Alright, keep it down. Today is just about Ronald being happy.” He turned and picked up a glass of red wine from a waiter’s tray, offering it to me. “Ellis, Susan speaks her mind. Don’t take it to heart.” “Drink this glass, just for me.”

    I stared at the crimson liquid, my hands and feet freezing cold. I had a congenital heart condition. Although it had stabilized after treatment, the doctor had strictly warned me against alcohol. Only Eduardo knew about this. Years ago, to celebrate the success of his first project, I took a drink for him and ended up having an attack, rushed to the ER. Eduardo waited outside, so terrified he almost knelt down. Since then, he had never let me touch a drop of alcohol. But now, he was handing me a drink himself. I looked at him, searching for even a hint of hesitation on his face. Nothing. Only impatience. As if my refusal would be an insult. I slowly raised my hand and took the wine glass. Eduardo sighed in relief, put his arm around Susan’s shoulders, and said dotingly, “See? I told you Ellis is the most understanding.” But Susan wasn’t satisfied. She gave him a playful shove, pouting. “What’s the point of just drinking? That’s not sincere enough.” She looked at me, her smile innocent yet malicious. “Miss Ellis, weren’t you the lead scientist for Eduardo’s company? I heard that cardiac repair technology, you were the one who spearheaded it?” “Why don’t you kneel down and wish Ronald a long life? Then I’ll believe you’re truly here to celebrate.” “After all, to have snagged such an amazing guy like Eduardo, you must be quite skilled at groveling, wouldn’t you say?” The entire room fell silent. Then, stifled laughter broke out. My fingers, gripping the wine glass, turned white from the force, and a sharp pain spread from my chest. “Eduardo!” I almost bit out his name. He finally frowned, seeming to think Susan’s words were a bit much. “Susan, stop messing around.” Susan immediately teared up, looking wronged. “Me, messing around? Eduardo, get this straight, she’s the shameless other woman!” “The moment she showed up, she stole all the attention from Ronald’s first birthday party! Everyone was pointing at me. What’s wrong with asking her to kneel for a second?” As she spoke, she actually started to cry, tears streaming down her face. “I knew it, you still have feelings for her! You never intended to give Ronald and me a complete family!” “What am I to you? Just a free surrogate? Used and then discarded?” Eduardo instantly panicked, clumsily wiping away her tears. “What nonsense are you talking about? You and Ronald are the only ones in my heart.” He turned to me, his face grim. “Ellis, apologize, then kneel.” “Susan’s still delicate; she can’t handle stress. If you upset her, what if it causes lasting damage to her health?” “Aren’t you a doctor? Don’t you understand something so basic?” It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over me; I was chilled to the bone. Turns out, he hadn’t forgotten that I couldn’t drink; he simply didn’t care anymore. I futilely opened my mouth, but not a single word came out. The disappointment in his eyes grew deeper. “Ellis, you’re the one making this so ugly.” “I’m giving you one last chance.” He paused, his voice like ice. “Kneel, or get out and never show your face to me again.”

    I laughed. Tears welled up uncontrollably, blurring my vision. I looked at this man, both familiar and strange, my heart gripped by an invisible hand, aching so much I couldn’t breathe. I drained the red wine in the glass. The harsh liquid burned my throat, scorching a path to my stomach, and the pain in my chest intensified. I stumbled, steadying myself on a nearby table. “Eduardo, to inject capital into your company, did you touch the money we saved for our marital home?” That money was the last inheritance my parents left me. Eduardo’s face instantly changed. He took a step forward, trying to grab me, but Susan held him back tightly. “What nonsense are you talking about! That money was clearly given voluntarily to support Eduardo’s career!” I ignored her, my gaze fixed on Eduardo. “Answer me.” His eyes darted away, his voice dry. “The company had some cash flow issues. I just temporarily borrowed it. It’ll be paid back soon.” “Temporarily borrowed?” I laughed, tears streaming down my face. “You used my money to bail out your mistress’s company. How ‘temporary’ of you.” Susan’s face cycled through shades of green and white, then she shrieked, “You’re slandering me! Eduardo loves me; everything he does is for me and Ronald!” “To make you completely give up, he already transferred that rundown old house of yours into my name!” “That’s the only thing I had left from my parents!” My vision swam, and I nearly lost my footing. That old house held all my memories of home. Eduardo had once sworn he would protect it with me. But now, he had given it to another woman. “Ellis, you forced my hand!” Eduardo finally exploded in anger, shaking off Susan’s hand and rushing towards me. “I told you long ago, if you just listened, everything would be fine!” “Why do you have to make such a scene? Why do you have to ruin today?” He grabbed my shoulders, shaking me hard. “It’s just a house! I can buy you ten, a hundred houses later!” “What are you even arguing about!” The searing pain in my chest nearly suffocated me. I grabbed his shirt, using every last bit of my strength. “Eduardo… my medication… I need my medication…” He paused, then seemed to understand something, a cynical, cold smile twisting his lips. “Playing this card again?” “Ellis, do you think I’ll believe you’re faking illness every time?” “I’m telling you, that trick won’t work anymore.” He pried my fingers away, one by one. “Since you love to act so much, you can do it alone here.” He steadied the wobbling Susan and walked towards the door without looking back. “Ronald’s tired. Let’s go home.” My body hit the cold floor with a heavy thud. I watched their embracing figures walk away, my vision gradually blurring. Before my consciousness faded into darkness, I thought I saw the hall doors burst open. A familiar, aged figure, raging with fury, rushed towards me. “Ellis!”

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  • I Gave Birth Alone. Then I Left Him.

    Eight months pregnant, I went into premature labor. As they wheeled me into the delivery room, I frantically called my husband, Owen. The call connected, and I heard the loud, thumping music of a bar in the background. His new colleague, Eve, answered the phone. “Karen, Owen’s had too much to drink. I’m taking care of him, so don’t worry.” Before I could even speak, Owen’s voice drifted over, clearly unaware the call was connected. “Text my wife back. Tell her I’m working late on a project tonight and she shouldn’t wait up.” Eve chuckled, her hand over the phone. “Got it, Owen.” I spent an agonizing, heart-wrenching night alone in the delivery room. After our baby was born, Owen sent a message: “Project’s finally wrapped up. I’ll be back tomorrow to be with you.” I stared at the words for a long time. At 4 AM, I replied: “Owen, don’t bother coming.” “Stop looking at your phone. If he really wanted to come, he would’ve been here by now.” My mom, Brenda, sat by my hospital bed, her eyes red-rimmed from exhaustion. She held a cup of warm water, moistening my chapped lips with a cotton swab, bit by bit. The anesthesia was just wearing off, and sharp pains shot through my abdominal incision. I stared at the fluorescent light on the ceiling, my vision still a little blurry. A nurse pushed a medication cart in and checked the name tag above my bed. “The patient’s awake? How are you feeling?” I parted my lips slightly. “The baby?” The nurse took my blood pressure, her voice softening. “The baby was premature and underweight. We sent them straight to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit right after birth.” “They’re currently in an incubator for observation. You’re not strong enough to hold them yet.” Brenda turned her back, secretly wiping away tears. When she turned back around, her voice was still trembling. “You had a massive hemorrhage last night. When the doctors handed me the critical condition waiver, my hands were shaking so bad I could barely sign it.” “I called him over a dozen times, but he hung up every single one.” I didn’t speak, just slowly shifted my gaze to the phone on my pillow. The screen was lit, showing a few unread messages on Ins. All from Owen. “Still mad? Last night really was a client dinner for the project.” “The client added another round at the last minute, and I couldn’t say no. The whole team was depending on that deal.” “Eve said you called. Don’t get the wrong idea, she’s just a fresh grad who was kind enough to answer when I was too drunk.” “You’re pregnant, don’t be so paranoid. It’s not good for the baby.” I stared at that last sentence, a heavy feeling in my chest. Yesterday afternoon, at my prenatal check-up, the doctor said the baby’s heartbeat was abnormal and recommended immediate hospitalization. I called him, but he said he was in a meeting. That night, my stomach pains were so bad I couldn’t stand straight. My water broke right there on the living room floor. Brenda helped me wait for the ambulance, and I dialed his number with trembling hands. But it was Eve who answered. Her lighthearted voice mingled with the music from the private room. And then Owen’s casual words: “Use my phone, you know the password.” A nurse approached my bed with a stack of papers. “Karen, here are the baby’s admission forms and your visitor wristband. Please review the information and sign.” Brenda reached for them, but the nurse pointed to one line. “Here, the father’s information section is blank. No contact number either.” “If there’s any emergency with the baby, we need to be able to contact both parents immediately.”

    Brenda froze, then turned to look at me. I braced myself on the bed rail, trying to sit up a little. The pulling pain from my incision made me gasp. “No need to fill in his name.” I took the pen and signed my name under ‘Mother.’ “Leave the father’s section blank. My mom is the only emergency contact.” The nurse looked at me hesitantly. “But hospital policy states that only immediate family members registered on the visitor list can enter the NICU. If the father isn’t registered, he won’t be allowed in.” “He doesn’t need to go in.” I handed the pen back to the nurse, my voice so calm it surprised even myself. “He won’t come anyway.” The nurse didn’t ask anything else, gathered the forms, and left. My phone vibrated again. A voice message from Owen popped up. “I have an investor meeting this morning, then I’m heading back to the office this afternoon.” “You stay home and rest, I’ll bring home those western desserts you love tonight.” “Don’t be mad anymore. Once the baby’s born, you’ll be too tired to cause trouble.” He didn’t even know I wasn’t home. He had no idea that the child he thought “still had two months to go” was currently lying in an incubator, hooked up to tubes. I didn’t reply, simply turned off the screen. Brenda tied the visitor wristband on my wrist. It read: “Karen’s Baby.” In my early pregnancy, when Owen first heard the baby’s heartbeat, his eyes were red-rimmed. He held my hand, pressing it against his face. He said, “Karen, from now on, you and our child are the most important people to me.” He even bought a thick “New Dad’s Guidebook” and solemnly wrote “Baby Countdown” on the cover. But now, the countdown had ended early. And the man who vowed to be the first to hold our child had given his private password and time to another woman. I closed my eyes, but no tears fell. I only had one instruction for the nurse. “Please set my room number to private. Don’t tell anyone.” “The baby can’t be held yet, Mama can only look for five minutes.” The nurse pushed my wheelchair, stopping me outside the NICU’s glass window. The corridor reeked of disinfectant, and the cold air seeped through my oversized hospital gown, chilling me to the bone. I gripped the armrests of the wheelchair, trying to straighten up and peer inside. In the incubator, a tiny body was curled up. Its skin was reddish-purple, and a thin IV was taped to its arm. So small, even breathing seemed incredibly strenuous. A transparent identification band was tied to its wrist. It clearly read in black marker: “Karen’s Baby”. The father’s section remained blank. I reached out through the glass, my fingertips pressed against the cold surface, as if I could feel its warmth. My phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket. I pulled my hand back and took out the phone. It was a voice message from Eve. “Karen, Owen’s got a bad headache today. He fell asleep in the office.” “I gave him a hangover pill. Don’t blame him, the client was really difficult last night.” “He’s just trying to earn money for your baby’s formula, you know.” In the background, Owen’s slightly hoarse mumble could be heard. “Eve, get me some water.” “Coming right up, Owen.” The voice message ended abruptly there. I stared at the green bar on the screen, feeling a wave of nausea. I had just fought my way back from the brink of death, and I couldn’t even turn over without Brenda’s help.

    My baby was in an incubator, hooked up to tubes, too weak to even cry. And my husband was sleeping soundly, being cared for by another woman. He even tacitly allowed her to update me on his whereabouts, in the tone of a partial mistress. The nurse came over and handed me a sheet. “Karen, this is the bill for the baby’s first two days in the NICU.” “Premature babies in incubators are quite expensive. You’ll need to go to the cashier to pay an additional deposit.” I nodded and took the sheet. The amount on the bill was substantial. I opened my mobile banking app and efficiently transferred money from my account to the hospital’s. Before, during prenatal check-ups, Owen always insisted on paying. He accompanied me for the 4D ultrasound, staring intently at the baby’s fuzzy outline on the screen. “Look at his tiny hands, so strong.” “When he’s born, I’m going to buy him the best crib, use the best of everything.” Those words still echoed in my ears. But now, when it was time to truly bear responsibility, he was completely absent. No sooner had I paid than another message from Owen popped up. “Honey, I’m awake.” “Still a bit dizzy. I might be back late tonight.” “Eat dinner by yourself, don’t wait for me.” He was still calling me “honey.” The term now felt like a joke. He thought I was still at home, that I was just sulking because he hadn’t answered my call. He had no idea that I no longer planned to wait for him. I put my phone on silent and slipped it back into my pocket. “Nurse, please take me back to my room.” As the wheelchair turned around, the urgent beeping of instruments suddenly rang out from the NICU. A doctor in a sterile gown hurried out, holding a document. “Karen’s family present?” Brenda rushed forward. “Yes, I’m the patient’s mother.” The doctor’s expression was grave. “The baby just experienced a brief respiratory arrest and a drop in heart rate. We’re performing emergency interventions.” “This is the emergency treatment consent form. Family needs to sign immediately.” Brenda’s face went ashen, her hands shaking so much she couldn’t hold the pen. I struggled to lean forward from the wheelchair and snatched the pen. “I’ll sign it.” The pen scraped across the paper with an awful sound. I signed my name, putting all my strength into each stroke. Just as I handed the consent form to the doctor, my screen lit up. Owen had sent a photo. It was a cake with candles. The caption read: “It’s Eve’s birthday tonight, team dinner. I’ll be back late.” “Respiratory arrest is common in premature babies, but we can’t take any chances each time.” The doctor held the signed consent form, his tone serious. “The baby’s lungs are not fully developed yet. The next 24 hours are critical.” “The family should be prepared. Resuscitation might be needed again at any time.” I leaned back against the wheelchair, my nails digging deep into my palms. “I understand. Please do your best.” The red light on the emergency room door glowed, blindingly bright. The corridor was so quiet I could only hear the hum of the ventilation fan. Brenda sat on a nearby bench, hands clasped, muttering prayers. I looked down at my phone screen. Owen’s cake photo was still at the bottom of our chat. An exquisite fondant cake, with “Happy Birthday, Eve” written on it. I didn’t reply. A few minutes later, his call came through.

    The screen showed “My Husband.” I pressed the answer button but didn’t speak immediately. Loud cheers and clinking glasses came from the other end. Owen’s voice held a hint of impatience. “Karen, how long are you going to keep this up?” “You don’t reply to my messages, and you won’t answer my calls.” “It’s Eve’s birthday, the whole project team is here. Is it appropriate for me not to show up?” He paused, his tone softening slightly, adopting his usual coaxing manner. “I know it was wrong of me not to answer your call last night.” “But you’re an adult. Don’t always act like a little girl, being passive-aggressive.” “How about this? Tomorrow, I’ll cancel my morning meeting and specifically go to your prenatal check-up with you, okay?” Listening to his matter-of-fact arrangements, I found it absurd. “Tomorrow, he’ll accompany me to my prenatal check-up.” He had no idea that the child he thought still needed prenatal check-ups was currently fighting for its life in the emergency room just through that wall. I looked at the closed emergency room door, my voice very soft. “Owen.” “What if something really happened to me last night?” The other end of the line went silent for a moment. The background noise seemed to fade a little; he must have stepped outside the private room. “What are you talking about?” His tone was clearly reproachful. “You’re pregnant, can you stop trying to scare me with talk like that?” “So I didn’t answer your call? Do you really have to bring yourself into it?” “The baby still has two months until birth, we have time to prepare everything.” “You’re being so sensitive and paranoid right now, it’s really giving me a headache.” Suddenly, I felt incredibly tired. I didn’t even have the energy to argue back. He attributed all his screw-ups and absences to my “pregnancy sensitivity.” He used his supposed logic to shut down my pleas for help completely. “Okay.” I responded calmly. “I’m not going to cause trouble anymore.” Owen seemed to let out a sigh of relief. “That’s right. You stay home and get some good rest.” “I’ll bring dessert back later.” The call disconnected. I tapped his profile picture and went into settings. I changed his contact name from “My Husband” to “Owen.” Then I opened the hospital app and, on the emergency contact page for the delivery room, I completely deleted his name. Brenda watched my actions, hesitant to speak. “Karen, are you really not going to tell him?” “He is the baby’s biological father, after all.” I looked at Eve’s latest SnapChat story. She had posted a photo of herself holding a cake, with Owen’s profile partially visible in the background. The caption read: “Thanks, Owen! Wish granted.” I closed SnapChat, opened my contacts, and dialed a number. “John, my lawyer, it’s me.” “Please draft a divorce settlement agreement for me.” “As quickly as possible.” “You’re pregnant, running off to the hospital without telling me?” Owen’s voice echoed down the outpatient clinic hallway. I was leaning against the wall, about to go to the front desk to pay the past two days’ hospital fees. The oversized hospital gown made me look pale and weak. I stopped and turned to the source of the voice. Owen, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, looked at me with a frown. His right arm was tightly linked with Eve’s. Eve was standing on one foot, leaning most of her weight against him. She was wearing a white dress today, the hem just reaching her knees, revealing a small red and swollen area on her ankle. “Karen, why are you at the hospital?”

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  • The Fat Girl Was the Real Beauty

    I was born with stunning beauty. When I was born, doctors and nurses were instantly speechless. Every day, long lines formed outside the nursery, with people craning their necks to catch a glimpse. The media reported on it for three days straight, and I trended online for a month. In preschool, kids would fight over the spot next to me during naptime. My parents, frustrated, moved me from one school to another. Until I turned five, and my inner foodie awakened. In just a few years, I ate myself into a little ball. Looking at my chubby face, my parents smiled with relief. “A little chubby is fine, as long as Summer is happy.” From then on, my life was peaceful and calm. Until a class dinner after the SATs, when Scarlett Lane, the prettiest girl in class, chuckled: “They say every chubby person is a diamond in the rough. Summer Reed would probably be gorgeous if she lost weight.” One of the boys even chimed in: “If Summer loses weight and is half as pretty as Scarlett, I’ll ask her out!” “Oh, just losing weight won’t be enough, Summer would have to go under the knife…” Their words didn’t stir a single emotion in me. I just looked down, bothered by a message from my mom. [The doctor said being overweight isn’t good for your health, Summer. You have to start dieting today! Otherwise, Mom’s taking away all your dolls!] I sighed. For the sake of my precious dolls, this weight had to go.

    Snickers kept ringing out in the restaurant. Everyone saw me with my head down, not speaking, and assumed I’d been hit where it hurt, too ashamed to utter a sound. A few classmates exchanged glances, a playful look flashing across their faces, and continued: “I heard Scarlett and Summer both got into NYU’s Fine Arts department, right? So you’ll be classmates in college too.” “NYU is lucky; it’s about to welcome a super beauty. Scarlett’s definitely going to be the school queen for the next four years.” “Summer, don’t you dare say you were high school classmates with Scarlett when college starts, you’ll embarrass her.” Scarlett was sitting across from me, a smug smirk on her lips, but she said humbly: “Oh, don’t say that, guys. NYU’s Fine Arts department is known for its beautiful students, and who knows, maybe Summer will be even prettier than me when she slims down.” As soon as she finished speaking, the table erupted in a chorus of snickers. Maya Green, my deskmate and friend, couldn’t take it anymore and nudged my arm under the table. I finally pulled my attention away from my phone, looking blankly at everyone. “Huh? What’s up?” Just then, the waiter pushed the door open. I sniffed, my eyes lighting up. “Steak! My favorite!” As soon as the dish was on the table, I couldn’t wait to grab a large piece and happily started munching. The dining table fell silent for a moment, then everyone burst into laughter. “Scarlett, you overestimated her. Summer? She’ll never lose weight in her life!” “And that whole ‘every chubby person is a diamond in the rough’ thing? It’s just a load of crap. An ugly duckling is just an ugly duckling, no matter how much weight they lose.” “Summer, maybe eat a little less. You might never find a boyfriend, you know.” Maya fumed, clenching her fists, about to retort on my behalf. I grabbed her hand and put a piece of rib in her bowl. “Maya, try this. It’s super delicious!” Seeing my calm face, completely unfazed by their words, a flicker of resentment flashed in Scarlett’s eyes. Her gaze landed on a certain face, and she smiled as if by accident. “Summer won’t be looking for a boyfriend, otherwise, Dylan will get mad.” I looked at her strangely. What does my dating life have to do with Dylan Hayes? But as soon as she said that, a few classmates instantly caught on and started cheering loudly: “Oh yeah, didn’t Dylan often discuss problems with Summer?” “Summer’s not good at math, and Dylan even tutored her.” “I heard they’re neighbors! Aren’t they practically childhood sweethearts!” “Hehe, is our class about to have a new couple?” Mocking glances fell on Dylan, who was seated diagonally from me. He lowered his head, his fair face turning a little red. Everyone kept cheering, asking if he was shy. I frowned slightly. After moving to this city in middle school, Dylan became our neighbor. Dylan’s parents were busy with work and no one cooked at home. So my parents would often invite him over for dinner. He was very grateful to us, and when he learned I wasn’t good at math, he offered to tutor me. But all that was just out of neighborly and classmate kindness. How did it sound so trashy coming out of their mouths? I was about to protest when Dylan suddenly slammed his fork down, his face flushing with furious embarrassment. “I just felt sorry for her! Who would ever like that pig, Summer!” As his words hung in the air, the entire private room fell into a dead silence. The words I was about to say to explain for him caught in my throat, and I silently swallowed them back down.

    The silence lasted for about ten seconds. Everyone exchanged bewildered glances. Suddenly, someone snickered. “We were just kidding, Dylan. Don’t take it seriously.” They said it was a joke, but their faces showed a satisfied expression. “Yeah, our Dylan is so handsome, he can get any girlfriend he wants. Why would he ever be with Summer?” Someone even pretended to comfort me, patting my shoulder. “Don’t be sad, Summer.” Scarlett concealed the satisfaction in her eyes, feigning annoyance at Dylan for a few words. Then she picked up a piece of fried chicken and put it in my bowl. “Summer, don’t worry about it so much. Eat more.” But I put down my fork and started wiping my mouth. “I’m done. You guys carry on. I’m leaving.” Actually, I was only five-parts full. But due to my mother’s threat, I had to painfully give it up. As I walked towards the door, I passed Dylan’s seat. Brushing past him, I said flatly: “Dylan, you’re pretty spineless.” His face instantly went pale. He wanted to distance himself from me. I understood. After all, in this class, anyone who was friends with me would be maliciously targeted by Scarlett and her clique. But what truly angered me was that not long before college entrance exams, he had sworn to me. He hated Scarlett’s crew. He would firmly stand by me and would never do anything to hurt a classmate like them. But in that moment, I realized how much he hated being associated with me. Forget it. Just consider it seeing a friend’s true colors. As soon as I left the private room, my friend Maya Green ran after me. She hooked her arm through mine and said: “I don’t want to eat with them either. You didn’t get enough to eat, did you, Summer? Come on, let’s go to the food truck park!” “I heard some new food trucks opened, and their loaded fries are to die for!” I wiped away the drool that was about to escape, and reluctantly refused: “No more eating! I’m starting my diet.” Maya’s eyes widened. This was the first time I’d ever refused her food invitation. She thought of something and said anxiously: “Summer, don’t listen to them. I really always thought you were beautiful, you…” I smiled and cut her off, explaining that my mother had issued the threat. When she learned it was my own decision, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, patting my shoulder and saying: “Go for it! I’ll be supporting you from the sidelines!” I’m 5’7″, and my current weight is 170 pounds. According to international BMI, if I lose weight down to around 120-130 pounds, I’ll be in the healthy range. I spent a day creating a diet plan. Mom reviewed it and nodded in satisfaction. “Don’t worry, Summer. Mom will strictly follow the meal plan and make your diet food!” Dad, however, looked pained. “Just a few vegetable leaves, will that be enough to eat? Summer, maybe we shouldn’t lose weight after all…” Unfortunately, he didn’t finish before Mom pinched his arm. “Did you forget what the doctor said? Summer is already mildly obese. It’ll affect her health if this continues!” Dad, however, looked worried. “Did you forget about Summer when she was little? What if she really loses weight and then…” Mom recalled those days. She had to leave an hour early every day to pick me up from preschool. Otherwise, I might very well be taken home by other parents. Our phone was set to block unknown numbers. Otherwise, from morning till night, it would be ringing off the hook with strangers trying to get close to our family. But I was still too young back then to remember much. My parents exchanged glances, and finally, they both agreed to let me lose weight first. They say girls change a lot as they grow up. What if she grows up… not beautiful? They just hoped I could live a normal life. The next morning at five, I went for a run. An hour later, I reached a park and was about to stop and rest. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice, filled with disbelief. “Summer?”

    Walking towards me was Scarlett, dressed in a workout outfit, her hair slightly damp, clearly having just finished a run herself. She looked me up and down, suspiciously asking, “You’re not on a diet, are you?” I ignored her. After resting for a few minutes, I started running again. She stared at my retreating back, a dark current swirling in her eyes. A few days later. Someone in the high school SnapChat group suddenly posted a video. In the clip, I was running by the river. Sweat drenched my top, and the fat on my body jiggled slightly with each stride. I was so tired my lips were pale, and my bangs stuck to my forehead, looking quite disheveled. Soon, someone turned the video into a GIF, and then someone else made it into a meme. [What is Summer doing?!] [Isn’t it obvious? Summer’s obviously dieting!] [OMG, I never saw her diet for three years in high school. Now that college entrance exams are over, she’s dieting? Did our words get to her?] [Summer, sorry! We really didn’t mean to say you were fat!] After sending that message, the person followed it with another meme of me, captioned, “I truly regret it.” Then, the screen was filled with “hahahahas.” Suddenly, someone posted: [What else could she be dieting for at this crucial moment? To find a boyfriend in college, duh.] [I thought Summer only cared about food! Turns out she actually listened to our advice!] I knew immediately that Scarlett had told everyone about my morning run. And then a bunch of bored guys came to stake me out. No wonder I felt like someone was watching me this morning. I was unaffected by their mockery. Instead, I felt a little grateful for the motivation they gave me to keep going. Although I didn’t know what I would look like when I lost weight. But based on what my parents occasionally said about my childhood, I thought I was… not ugly. For a while after that, whenever I passed that park during my morning runs, I would always see a few classmates. They would shout at me: “Go, Summer! Believe in yourself, you’re a diamond in the rough!” If you ignored the mockery in their eyes, you might actually think they were cheering me on. But their interest came and went quickly; they were soon distracted by other things and stopped appearing. After consistently doing this for a month, I successfully lost ten pounds. Although my face was still chubby, my features and contours looked much smoother than before. My body also felt lighter. Sometimes, my parents would stare at my face, a worried expression inexplicably appearing. I scratched my head. Were they worried I was taking diet pills? In mid-July, I got a gym membership. I would go there to work out for three hours every day. One day, as I left the house, I unexpectedly ran into Dylan, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time. He was just coming out to take out the trash, and he paused when he saw me, blurting out: “Summer, you’ve lost some weight.” I gave him a distant nod. And walked towards the bus stop. He hesitated, then followed me. “Summer, I’ve been wanting to apologize to you about that day. I’m sorry… I really wasn’t thinking.” I hummed in acknowledgment. His words hadn’t actually hurt me much. I had just used them to see someone’s true colors. He continued to follow me. “My school is right next to NYU. We can still hang out during college, right?” Seeing his face full of guilt and his sincere attitude, I suddenly remembered what my mom had told me. Dylan’s family situation wasn’t just that his parents were busy with work. His parents had divorced a long time ago, and neither of them really wanted to take care of him. He had an aloof personality and few friends; I was one of the few people he could talk to. I sighed and didn’t stop him from continuing to follow me. He followed me to the gym and watched me expertly turn on the treadmill, surprised. “Summer, it looks like you’re really determined.” Then he also turned on the treadmill next to mine and smiled. “I’ve been wanting to work out lately too. I’ll join you.” I didn’t refuse. He paid for his own membership, so it wasn’t my business. After that, he chatted with me intermittently. I occasionally responded with a few bland words. I had only been working out for a while when I heard several “click-click” sounds nearby. I turned my head and saw a few familiar faces – Scarlett’s crew.

    Scarlett stood nearby, watching us with a sweet smile. The person taking photos teased: “Look what I caught! Dylan and Summer! Are you guys on a date?” Dylan fell silent. He got off the treadmill and walked towards the group. I thought he was going to grab their phones. But to my surprise, he walked straight up to Scarlett, saying helplessly yet dotingly: “Didn’t you tell me to get close to her first? Why are you here?” Scarlett wrapped her arms around his arm and smirked: “Because I was jealous! Who could stand seeing their boyfriend working out with another girl?” The others burst into laughter, seeing my stunned expression. “How did you get exposed so quickly? We wanted to watch the show for a bit longer.” “Yeah, don’t just shatter Summer’s beautiful fantasy like that! She probably just thought Dylan liked her.” Dylan looked at me coldly and said: “Summer, don’t misunderstand. The person I like is Scarlett. I hope you don’t harbor any unrealistic ideas about me.” My mouth twitched. I started to wonder if they were missing a few brain cells. Not wanting to deal with them, I decided to leave. Scarlett suddenly walked over and grabbed my hand, saying guiltily: “Summer, I’m so sorry! We didn’t mean to!” I pulled my hand away. The next second, she wailed and fell to the ground. Her eyes reddened as she said, “It hurts so much…” Dylan angrily rushed forward and pushed me away. “Summer, what are you doing?!” Everyone in the gym stopped, looking over in surprise. When they saw the pretty girl on the floor, seemingly pushed by me, a chorus of indignant voices rose: “Ugly people always cause trouble. She’s just jealous that Scarlett’s prettier than her.” “She’s trying to lose weight, but she won’t ever be half as pretty as Scarlett.” Scarlett was helped up, looking at me with a mocking smirk. I stared at her expressionlessly. “Scarlett, is this fun?” Scarlett leaned closer, whispering in my ear with a smile: “Oh, it’s a blast. You didn’t know? Being pretty means you can get away with anything.” “Too bad you’ll never get to experience it.” With that, she walked away triumphantly, surrounded by her adoring group. She had once led the class in isolating a freckled girl, even bullying her in the girls’ restroom. I had stopped her. After that girl transferred, Scarlett turned her animosity towards me. There were still over two months until school started. Scarlett would definitely find ways to cause me trouble. I was afraid I’d eventually lose my temper and actually get into a fight with her. I thought, maybe I should suggest to Mom that we go live at Grandma’s in the countryside. There was no gym there. But there were natural lakes that could be used as swimming pools. And all sorts of winding mountain paths for exercise. The food was fresh fruits and vegetables Grandma picked from the garden, with no additives. Nutritious and healthy. For the next two months, I began intensive training. The fat on my body shed at a visible rate. Almost every so often, Grandma and Grandpa would stare at my face in a daze. When I reached 140 pounds, Grandma held my hand, sounding a little panicked: “Summer, that’s enough. Any more and it’ll be dangerous.” But I was already enjoying it, smiling, “Don’t worry, Grandma, I won’t get too thin. My goal is 125 pounds!” Grandma sighed. She wasn’t worried about me being too thin. In a flash, it was enrollment day. Scarlett confidently walked through the school gates, pulling her suitcase and flipping her hair. As soon as she appeared, many upperclassmen eagerly rushed over to help her with her luggage. She handed all her bags to them, idly scrolling through her phone. Suddenly, a message popped up in the high school SnapChat group. [OMG! Is this even Summer anymore?!] Then someone posted a photo. The moment she saw the picture, Scarlett froze.

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  • The Alpha They Sold Me To Was My Father

    My fiancé and best friend drugged me with banned hallucinogens, planning to send me to Alpha Alaric of the Sunridge Pack in exchange for development rights to the entire Red Pine Forest. They stood outside the door, laughing arrogantly: “An orphan with no parents—she should be grateful Alpha Alaric even looked at her!” “Once we get the development rights, we’ll get married and let her spend her life as Alpha Alaric’s plaything!” What they didn’t know: the Alpha Alaric they were desperately trying to please is my father. I’m the precious daughter he’s been searching for these past three years. Tonight, they personally delivered their prey into the wolf king’s den. Tomorrow, every werewolf in North America will know the price of crossing me, Lyra Voss. 0The drug spread through my bloodstream to every limb, making my bones ache. Even my ability to shift was completely suppressed. I forced my eyes open, my vision landing on the silver moon and white wolf emblem carved into the headboard. Outside the door, my fiancé Caleb’s voice dripped with greed: “Lila, is the information reliable? Will Alpha Alaric really come to this suite tonight?” My omega best friend Lila’s voice was syrupy sweet with excitement: “I paid five thousand dollars for insider information—he’ll be here at eleven sharp. Think about it: his mate died years ago, and he’s remained faithful to her memory ever since. If he opens the door to find a woman who resembles his late wife…” She laughed coldly. “Why would he refuse meat delivered to his mouth? Once he’s pleased, those development rights for the northern Red Pine Forest will be ours!” Listening to their scheming whispers outside, I bit down hard on my tongue, barely suppressing the waves of dizziness. I’d spent three months developing proposals for Caleb’s failing pack project. I’d treated Lila as my only friend, even lending her the silver jewelry my mother left me. In return, they had sex in my rented apartment. And now they were using me as a bargaining chip, pricing me out to another Alpha’s bed. My stomach cramped. My nails dug deep into my palms, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the ice spreading through my heart. But they didn’t know—Alaric Voss is my father. His dead “white moonlight” was my mother. Three years ago, I mistakenly believed my mother’s death was connected to his affairs. In rage, I ran away from home and cut all contact. He never forced me to come back these three years, but someone kept secretly depositing money into my account. Even the apartment I rented belonged to Sunridge Pack. Caleb and Lila thought I was just an ordinary werewolf orphan living off a meager inheritance. That’s why they dared to be so reckless. But they forgot—Alaric Voss is famously protective. Years ago, when some noble family’s son publicly mocked me for having impure bloodlines, he was expelled from his pack the next day. His entire family ended up at the border. If Alaric sees his precious daughter drugged, stripped naked, and delivered to his bed as a gift by these scumbags… I could already envision their fate—unable to live, unable to die. “Oh!” Lila deliberately raised her voice. “Once we secure the forest project, we should finally have our wedding. Let’s get those silver wolf rings Lyra wanted but couldn’t afford as our wedding bands.” Caleb laughed indulgently. “Sure, we’ll use the money from selling her to buy you the best.” I stared at the silver moon carving on the headboard, my eyes cold as ice. The information was correct—my father would come tonight. Because today was his wedding anniversary with my mother. My mother died in this very hotel suite. Every year on this day, he spent the entire night here alone. Every year, ambitious packs sent women to his room. But this year’s “gift” was especially absurd. The next second, the door burst open. Caleb strode over, grabbed my hair, and yanked me up from the couch. My scalp screamed with tearing pain. “Lyra, don’t blame me. Blame yourself for having no background, no pack. You deserve to be a stepping stone. Even if you’re tortured to death tonight, you’d better keep Alpha Alaric happy!” No background? No pack? I looked at his smug face and smiled faintly. “Caleb, you’d better pray that after tonight, you can die with some dignity.” 0

    “Still talking back!” Lila stepped forward and slapped me hard across the face. My ears rang instantly. “Get her changed! Alpha Alaric will be here any minute!” She smiled viciously as she tore off my jacket and forced me into a black nightgown with barely any fabric. “You really look like a cheap whore.” Lila patted my face with satisfaction. I lay against the cold marble surface, enduring the ultimate humiliation, but my fingers slowly clenched into fists. They’d stripped the Sunridge Pack Alpha’s own daughter naked and sent her to her father’s bed. I would settle this account with interest. Caleb and Lila dragged me out of the room toward the master bedroom at the end of the hall. A dozen black-suited guards lined both sides of the corridor—all Sunridge Pack enforcers. The man leading them strode forward, tall and broad with a faint scar on his face. I squinted and recognized him—Rowan. Three years ago, he was just an outer guard who needed advance clearance to enter my home. Now he’d become Sunridge Pack’s head of security in Chicago. Caleb and Lila’s arrogance instantly evaporated. They bent nearly double, faces full of flattering smiles: “Rowan, we’ve brought the girl for you.” Rowan glanced down at them with eyes like ice-dipped blades, finally settling coldly on me. “You know Alpha Alaric’s rules? Anyone sent here must be completely clean, no ulterior motives.” Caleb nodded frantically. “Yes, yes! Absolutely clean, absolutely obedient!” Rowan snorted coldly, looking me up and down: “Alpha Alaric is in a foul mood tonight. He needs something to take his mind off things. If you don’t serve him well, you two will share the consequences.” Caleb shuddered and shoved me forward. “Are you mute? Answer Rowan!” I steadied myself and laughed coldly. “You’re all really asking for death.” Caleb flew into a rage and raised his hand to slap me again. I dodged. His slap met air and he nearly lost his balance. Rowan watched this farce coldly, his gaze pausing on my face with a flash of confusion. He felt like he’d seen this face before but couldn’t remember where. “You’ve got nerve,” he said slowly. “Other women would be weak in the knees hearing about consequences.” He scanned me again, his tone playful: “Alpha Alaric’s temper is running hot tonight. He needs someone with a hard spine to grind down. Your fearless attitude might just be what he likes. If you can make Alpha Alaric happy, there’ll be rewards for you all.” Caleb’s eyes lit up at these words. Thinking my half-dead appearance had actually impressed them, he grew bolder, grabbing my hair and forcing my head back. “Look, Rowan! This face, this body—guaranteed to satisfy Alpha Alaric!” His eyes darted, and he lowered his voice to build connections: “Rowan, if I may ask—why is Alpha Alaric in a bad mood tonight? Give us a hint so we know what we’re dealing with.” Before he finished, Rowan’s eyes sharpened, looking at him like a corpse. “Alpha Alaric’s private affairs are something a minor branch character like you can ask about?” Caleb’s face turned liver-colored as he apologized repeatedly: “Yes, yes, it’s my fault! I talked too much!” To cover his fear, he took all his anger out on me, kicking me hard in the stomach. “Bitch! Get in there and serve him! Once you’re inside, even if you have to wag your tail like a dog, you’d better make Alpha Alaric comfortable!” The kick sent me stumbling forward, my abdomen churning with pain. I supported myself against the cold doorframe and slowly straightened. Caleb just asked why Alaric was in a bad mood? I laughed silently to myself. Probably because his dead wife’s anniversary was approaching and his only daughter had been missing for three years. Who wouldn’t be in a bad mood? And to cheer him up, they were sending in his own daughter as a gift. Alaric—I really want to see your expression when that door opens. 0

    I pushed open the heavy wooden door. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead, a full North American gray wolf pelt carpeted the floor, and the air carried the scent of cedar—luxurious yet solemn. Caleb’s eyes went wide. “Fuck… how many land shares is that oil painting on the wall worth?” Lila’s eyes filled with greed. “Just one silver ornament would be enough to buy us half a small pack!” Caleb laughed lewdly: “Once this bitch serves Alpha Alaric well, maybe he’ll reward us with some hunting grounds to play with!” I leaned against the door, expressionless. My gaze swept over the giant oil painting on the center wall. The woman in it stood in a cedar forest, her eyes gentle—my mother. On the black ebony table beside it sat a family photo. The little girl in the picture rode on her father’s shoulders, smiling brilliantly. Seeing me stare at the painting, Rowan frowned and warned coldly: “Keep your inappropriate thoughts to yourself. Your type only gets through this door because you somewhat resemble Luna Lilwen.” When I showed no reaction to his mockery, he lost patience and grabbed my wrist, his eyes brazenly scanning the thin nightgown I wore. “If Alpha Alaric weren’t such a clean freak, I’d teach you the rules right now myself.” I smiled mockingly: “Is this how Sunridge Pack manages its subordinates? Looks like you really should be exiled to the northern border.” Rowan exploded with rage and raised his hand to strike. Just then, a sharp female voice rang out from behind: “Stop!” A woman in a red dress walked in on high heels, her makeup immaculate, her aura haughty. It was Serena, Sunridge Pack’s Beta. She’d made advances to Alaric multiple times, only to be coldly rejected, but she never gave up. Her gaze landed on my face, instantly filling with the poison of jealousy. “That face…” She walked over and gripped my chin with her fingertips, so hard it felt like she wanted to crush my bones. “A lowly plaything dares to have a face similar to Luna Lilwen’s? Kneel!” I yanked her hand away, my eyes cold as ice: “Take your filthy hands off me. What makes you think you can make me kneel? Before you touch me, you’d better think carefully whether Alaric will throw you to the wild wolves in the forest.” Serena laughed in fury, her face twisting. “Courting death!” She swung her hand to slap me hard. I jerked my head aside. Her slap met air and she stumbled awkwardly. “Who do you think you are?!” Serena shrieked hysterically. I smiled faintly. “What if I told you I’m the one person Alaric wants most in this life but can’t have? Would you believe me?” After all, he’d sent countless people to find me these past three years, and I never appeared once. So technically, I was indeed unattainable. As my words fell, the room went dead silent. Serena froze for a moment, then her malice exploded completely: “Let’s see—after I carve up your face, how you’ll keep up this act! Hold her down!” Caleb immediately lunged forward, pinning me to the cold floor. “Beta Serena, please calm down! This bitch just doesn’t know her place! She’s got cheap bones—do whatever you want with her. Even if you cripple her, it’s on me!” Lila quickly followed, stomping hard on my hand pressed against the floor. The pain shot through my fingers straight to my heart. Cold sweat instantly soaked my back. Serena smiled coldly as she picked up a silver letter opener from the table, slowly crouching down and using the cold blade to lift my chin. “‘Unattainable’—you’re just relying on that face to seduce.” The blade’s edge slid along my skin, bringing the tremor of death. A drop of crimson blood slid slowly down the silver blade and splattered on the gray wolf pelt carpet. “If I carve the word ‘whore’ into your face, do you think Alpha Alaric will even look at you?” Serena raised the letter opener high, about to stab down viciously. As extreme danger closed in, I jerked my head back and screamed that name with all my strength: “Alaric Voss! Get out here! If anything happens to me, you’ll never see me again for the rest of your life!” 0

    My words were followed by eerie silence. Then Serena burst into shrill laughter: “What a lunatic! You dare call Alpha Alaric by his full name! You must be tired of living!” Her eyes grew more vicious, the blade’s tip pressing deeper into my face. Searing pain exploded like an electric current. “Hold her down! Hold her tight!” Caleb didn’t hesitate, increasing the pressure and grinding my entire face into the cold floor. My finger bones made a sickening crack. The pain made my vision go black. Cold sweat instantly soaked my back. The man I’d poured my heart into helping was now personally holding me on the chopping block, serving as the executioner’s most loyal accomplice. A burning line of blood spread from the corner of my eye to my temple. Blood instantly blurred my vision. Serena let out a sick laugh. “Once I ruin this face, let’s see what you have left to be arrogant about!” Caleb flattered her: “Beta Serena is right! If you’re still not satisfied, carve the word and take some nude photos. Let’s see how she shows her face in the werewolf community after this!” Lila mocked: “Just scarring her face is too easy on her. Why not strip her naked and throw her in the snow outside the hotel entrance? Let everyone see what happens when you offend Beta Serena!” I listened to their celebration, a coppery sweetness rising in my throat. Every wound they left on me would become an epitaph carved on their pack’s tombstone. My father’s methods would teach them what it means to be unable to live, unable to die. The next second, Caleb reached out toward the neckline of my nightgown. I struggled violently, the remnants of my wolf strength exploding in this moment. But his knee ground more viciously into my spine. My bones made a dull sound. “Stop struggling. You’re just a piece of rotten meat for the slaughter.” Ultimate humiliation swallowed me whole. Serena laughed even more cruelly, grabbing the last bit of fabric on me and yanking hard. Her other hand pulled out her phone, quickly opening a private werewolf forum, about to start a livestream. “Throwing her out isn’t enough. I want the entire werewolf community to see just how cheap this bitch really is!” At this critical moment! With an deafening crash, that hundred-pound solid wood door was kicked open from outside. A towering figure wrapped in monstrous rage walked in against the light. “Who gave you permission to run wild in my territory!” The madness on Serena’s face instantly transformed to delight. She held up her phone, her voice cloying: “Alpha Alaric! Perfect timing! I was just disciplining a new toy who doesn’t know her place!” Caleb quickly looked up, wagging his tail like a lap dog: “Alpha Alaric! We specifically found you a woman who looks exactly like Luna Lilwen, absolutely clean! We only ask that in recognition of our sincerity, you grant us development rights to the northern forest!” The man’s footsteps stopped abruptly. His gaze pierced through the crowd, landing hard on me lying in a pool of blood. Seeing my blood-covered face clearly. Seeing my torn clothing clearly. Seeing the defiance and mockery in my eyes clearly. His commanding Alpha presence crumbled instantly.

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  • She Took Over My Apartment and Made Me Pay

    1 I paid three thousand dollars for a live-in housekeeper to look after my cat and my apartment while I spent eighteen days traveling abroad. The night I returned, I stood outside my own front door, dragging two heavy suitcases, and entered the passcode three times. The keypad screen flashed red every single time: Access Denied. I thought my brain had turned to mush after a fifteen-hour flight. I looked down and double-checked the memo on my phone. It was correct. 0529. That was the temporary passcode I had set for Brenda, the housekeeper, before I left the country. I tried entering it again. Still incorrect. Suddenly, a woman’s voice drifted through the door. “Who is it? Stop pressing the button, the baby is trying to sleep.” I stood there, completely dumbfounded. This was my apartment. I was standing outside my own home, being treated like an annoyance by a total stranger inside. I pressed the doorbell. After about ten seconds, the door cracked open a few inches. A woman in her thirties poked her head out. Her hair was a messy nest, and on her feet, she wore the gray slippers I usually kept in my entryway. She eyed me up and down. “Who are you looking for?” I stared at the slippers on her feet. “I should be asking you that question.” The woman frowned. “Who even are you?” “I am the owner of this apartment.” The woman’s face stiffened. She turned back toward the living room and yelled, “Mom! The landlord is back!” Landlord? An instant wave of fury rushed up my throat. She pushed the door wide open. Through the doorway, I saw a young boy sitting on my living room sofa, holding my iPad and watching cartoons. Greasy takeout boxes littered the coffee table, and several children’s shirts were strewn across the cushions. The balcony door was half-open, letting a heavy wave of cigarette smoke and cheap cooking oil drift into the room. Right in the middle of my plush white rug, there was a nasty, dark brown liquid stain. In the kitchen, a short-haired man walked out holding a pot. When he saw me, he froze. That enamel Dutch oven in his hands had cost me four hundred dollars. Before I could say a word, the master bedroom door swung open. Brenda stepped out. She was wearing my silk robe, the one I had carefully washed and tucked into the deepest corner of my closet before leaving. “Oh, Ed, why are you back so early today?” She spoke so casually, as if she were simply asking why I had gotten off work early. I stared at her. “This is my home. Am I not allowed to come back to it?” Brenda looked a little uncomfortable, but she quickly forced a smile. “I didn’t mean it like that. Didn’t you say you’d be back on the second?” “I changed my flight. I came back two days early.” I pointed at the crowd in the living room. “Who are these people?” Before Brenda could answer, the younger woman spoke up. “I’m her daughter, Fiona.” The man in the kitchen added, “I’m her son-in-law, Greg.” The little boy on the sofa waved the iPad. “Grandma, I want some yogurt!” I let out a dry laugh. “So I paid three thousand dollars for a housekeeper, went on a trip, and your entire family decided to move in?” Brenda’s face darkened. “Ed, that is a very unpleasant way to put it. I’m an old woman, and staying in such a large apartment by myself makes me nervous. I just had my family come over to keep me company. What is wrong with that?” “Keep you company?” I took a step inside. Fiona blocked my path. “Hey, don’t just barge in. The baby just fell asleep.” I looked her dead in the eye. “Get out of my way.” She didn’t budge. Brenda hurried over. “Fiona, don’t argue with him. Ed, everyone has had a long day. Let’s talk about this tomorrow.” “We are talking about this right now.” I dropped my suitcases by the door, pulled out my phone, and opened the photo of our contract. “I signed an eighteen-day agreement with Aegis Home Care for three thousand dollars. The contract clearly states that the only person permitted to stay here is you, Brenda Gable. You were supposed to sleep in the guest room, you were not allowed to have guests overnight, you were not allowed to use the master bedroom, and you were strictly forbidden from touching my personal belongings.” I looked up at the silk robe she was wearing. “Explain this to me.” Brenda’s face flushed with embarrassment. She pulled the robe tighter around herself. “My clothes were in the wash and weren’t dry yet. I just borrowed it for a bit. It is not like I ruined it.” Her son-in-law, Greg, set the Dutch oven down on the counter. “Look, Mr. Cole, this place was sitting empty anyway. Is our staying here for a few days going to make the building collapse?” I looked at him. “You used my kitchen, slept in my bed, wore my clothes, and now you are telling me it is just a few days?” Greg rolled his eyes. “Rich people are always so dramatic.” Fiona leaned against the shoe cabinet, her tone incredibly aggressive. “My mother has been watching your place and taking care of your cat, working herself to the bone. You walk in the door and start throwing a tantrum. Is that really necessary?” That was when I remembered my cat. “Where is Milkshake?” Brenda’s eyes darted away. “Out on the balcony.” I pushed past Fiona and headed straight for the balcony. She reached out to stop me. “What do you think you’re doing?” “Checking on my cat.” In the far corner of the balcony, Milkshake was curled up tight inside his little dome bed. His white fur was badly matted. His water bowl was bone dry. The litter box was so full it was practically overflowing. I knelt down and called his name. He looked up at me, letting out a raspy, weak meow that barely carried any sound. The anger inside me boiled over completely. “Brenda.” I turned back to face her. “Where did those daily photos you sent me actually come from?” She stammered, “I took them myself, of course.” “The water bowl is empty, the litter box is disgusting, and you have the nerve to tell me you’ve been taking care of him?” Brenda knitted her brows. “Cats are naturally fussy creatures. I’m a housekeeper, not a vet.” I stood up. “All of you, pack your things and get out of my apartment right now.” Fiona let out a sharp laugh. “Where are we supposed to go in the middle of the night? Besides, my mother’s contract isn’t even over yet.” I glared at her. “The contract was to hire her for work, not to hand my home over to your entire family.” Brenda plopped herself down on the sofa, slapping her thighs dramatically. “Oh, listen to this young man! He changes his mind faster than the weather! Before he left, he was all smiles, telling me to treat the place like my own and take whatever I needed. Now he comes back and kicks us out onto the street.” She pulled out her phone. “I have the voice message right here!” I watched her coldly. She pressed play on the message. It was a clip I had sent the day I departed. “Brenda, thanks for watching the place. The cat food is in the cabinet, feel free to use the food in the fridge, and let me know if you need anything else.” Brenda held the phone up high. “You all heard it. He said it himself, to treat the place like my own.” I looked at her face. In that moment, I realized something. This woman wasn’t confused. She knew exactly what she was doing. I dialed the number for Mr. Dale, the manager at Aegis Home Care. Once the call connected, I said only one thing: “The housekeeper you sent me moved her entire family into my home.” There was a long silence on the other end. “Mr. Cole, please calm down. I’ll be over right away.” Next, I called the building management office. Twenty minutes later, Mr. Gould, the building manager, arrived with two security guards. Ten minutes after that, Mr. Dale arrived. When he stepped through the door and saw the crowd in the living room, he froze. But he quickly forced a professional smile. “Mr. Cole, I’m sure there has been a misunderstanding here.” I pointed at the slippers on Fiona’s feet. “A misunderstanding that involves wearing my personal shoes?” I pointed toward the master bedroom. “A misunderstanding that involves sleeping in my bed?” Finally, I pointed to the balcony. “A misunderstanding that leaves my cat severely neglected?” Mr. Dale’s smile faltered. Brenda stood up immediately. “Mr. Dale, you have to be fair here. I was terrified staying in this huge place alone. I just had my daughter and her husband come over to keep me safe. What is wrong with that?” Mr. Dale nodded slowly. “Brenda is older, and working in an unfamiliar environment can be stressful.” I looked at him. “Does your contract state that stress justifies moving an entire family in?” Mr. Dale cleared his throat. “A contract is just paper. In reality, we have to show a little human decency.” “Decency?” I scrolled to section six of the digital contract and shoved the screen in front of his face. “The service provider shall not bring any unauthorized individuals into the client’s residence. Any violation of this clause gives the client the right to terminate the contract immediately and seek full damages.” Mr. Dale glanced at it and gave a strained laugh. “Mr. Cole, let’s not get bogged down in the fine print. The most important thing is finding a solution.” “And what is your solution?” He said, “It is very late. How about we let Brenda’s family stay just for tonight, and I will personally oversee their departure tomorrow morning?” I laughed, utterly incredulous. “I return to my own home, and I am the one who has to accommodate them for the night?” Fiona chimed in from the side. “You can stay here too if you want. There are plenty of rooms.” I looked at her. “Where are you sleeping?” “The master bedroom.” “And where am I supposed to sleep?” Fiona shrugged. “The guest room is perfectly fine.” I turned to Mr. Dale. “Did you hear that?” Mr. Dale quickly hissed, “Fiona, keep your mouth shut.” Brenda added, “Ed, you’re just one person. What difference does it make? We have a child with us. You can’t expect us to sleep on the floor.” I asked her, “Did you ask for my permission before you slept in my bed?” She grumbled, “I kept it clean for you.” I walked over to the master bedroom door. The bed was covered in their rummaged blankets, and Brenda’s reading glasses lay on the nightstand next to a half-empty mug of tea with dried stains. My closet doors were wide open. My clothes were hung haphazardly, completely out of order. My robes, coats, and cashmere scarves had all been moved. On the vanity, my expensive skincare jars had deep finger gouges in them, and several replacement blades for my razor were missing. I turned around to face Greg. He avoided my gaze. “What are you looking at me for?” “Who used my things?” Greg crossed his arms. “You have so much stuff. Are you really going to accuse us of stealing just because a few minor things are missing? Do you have any proof?” Just then, the little boy ran over, holding my iPad. “Dad, it died!” I snatched the iPad from his hands. There was a fresh, jagged crack running down the edge of the screen. I took a deep breath. A quiet voice in my head kept reminding me to stay calm, not to do anything stupid, and not to escalate things physically. I turned to Mr. Gould, the building manager. “You are witnessing this. As the homeowner, I am demanding that these unauthorized people leave immediately.” Mr. Gould looked at Brenda, then at me, looking deeply uncomfortable. “Mr. Cole, technically, this is your property, and they have no right to stay here. However, since you let the housekeeper in yourself, we as building management cannot physically force her family out.” “If you can’t force them out, I’m calling the police.” When Fiona heard this, her voice shrilled. “Go ahead and call them! My mother worked herself to the bone for you, and now you’re trying to intimidate us?” Brenda started to sob, wiping her dry eyes. “I worked like a dog for him, and the moment he gets back, he calls the police on me. Mr. Dale, look at this! Who would ever want to work for a client like this?” I said, “I hired you for eighteen days. Today is day sixteen. I paid you over a hundred and fifty dollars a day. Did you take care of the cat? Did you clean the apartment? You moved your family in and now you’re playing the victim?” Mr. Dale stepped between us. “Mr. Cole, let’s not make things so extreme. Brenda didn’t mean any harm. Her family is just going through a bit of a rough patch.” “What kind of rough patch?” Fiona sneered. “Our apartment is being renovated, and we had nowhere to stay. This place was sitting empty, and since my mom was working here anyway, what is the big deal?” I stared at her. “So you planned this from the very beginning.” Fiona realized she had let too much slip and shut her mouth. But Greg remained arrogant. “It is not like we stayed for free. My mother was working for you.” I pulled out my phone and dialed the emergency line. Mr. Dale’s expression finally crumbled. “Mr. Cole, please, there is no need to involve the police.” I looked at him. “Actually, there is.” Two officers arrived fifteen minutes later. One was a seasoned officer in his late forties, and the other was a younger deputy. I showed them the contract, the payment receipts, and my chat history with Brenda. Then, I guided them through the apartment, showing them the state of the rooms. The older officer listened quietly, then turned to Brenda. “Are you the hired housekeeper?” Brenda wiped her face, sniffled, and said, “Yes, I am. I came here to work. Before he left, he told me to treat the place like my own, so I thought it would be fine to have my daughter stay with me for a couple of days. I didn’t mean anything by it.” The officer asked, “How long have your daughter, son-in-law, and grandson been living here?” Brenda went silent. Fiona mumbled, “Just a couple of days.” I interrupted. “My smart lock logs show they entered the second night after I left. Today is day sixteen.” Fiona glared at me. “You actually tracked that?” “It is my lock, on my door. Why wouldn’t I track it?” The officer turned back to Fiona. “The homeowner does not consent to your presence. You need to pack your things and leave.” Fiona grumbled, “It is too late to find a place tonight.” The officer checked his watch. “It is nine-forty. It is not that late.” Greg, holding the crying child, tried to push back. “Our kid has preschool tomorrow morning. Where are we supposed to go?” I had tried to hold back, but I couldn’t help myself. “Is his preschool located inside my master bedroom?” Greg’s face flushed red. “Why are you so incredibly petty?” Suddenly, Brenda grabbed her chest. “Oh, my head. I feel dizzy.” Mr. Dale immediately supported her. “Brenda! Are you okay?” Brenda collapsed onto the sofa, her voice suddenly weak. “My blood pressure is spiking. I can’t take this kind of stress.” I watched her dramatic display, my heart turning completely cold. This wasn’t her first time putting on a show. She was far too practiced at it. The older officer frowned. “If you are unwell, we can call an ambulance.” Brenda waved her hands frantically. “No, no need. Just let me rest for a moment.” Mr. Dale turned to me. “Mr. Cole, look at her. Forcing them to move out tonight is simply unrealistic. Tomorrow morning. Tomorrow morning at ten, I will personally come back and make sure they leave.” I asked the officer, “Can we put that in writing?” The older officer nodded. “We can write up an official incident report. The family must vacate the premises by ten tomorrow morning, the housekeeping services are terminated, and any further disputes regarding fees or damages must be resolved through civil channels or legal proceedings.” Fiona muttered under her breath, “Unbelievable. What a drama queen.” The officer shot her a sharp look. “Do you have something else to say?” Fiona shut her mouth. Once the report was signed, Brenda reluctantly gave me the new passcode she had set. I stood at the door and tested it. The lock clicked open. “Why did you change the code in the first place?” I asked. Brenda’s eyes darted around. “The kid was playing with it and locked us out. My son-in-law had to reset it.” I looked at Greg. He kept his head down, pretending to be absorbed in his phone. I went inside and immediately put Milkshake into his carrier. Brenda panicked. “If you’re taking the cat, how are we supposed to settle the remaining service fee?” I looked back at her. “You actually think you deserve to be paid?” Her face went pale. I went into the study to grab my passport and laptop. I noticed fresh scratches around the handle of the study door. I pulled open the desk drawer. My passport was there, and the property deed was untouched. The black metal security cabinet in the corner of the room appeared undisturbed. Inside that cabinet were several high-end camera lenses, two luxury watches, and a designer leather bag. These were professional equipment and display samples left over from a photography project I had worked on with my friend, Marcus. They were fully insured, complete with invoices and serial numbers, and I kept them in the locked cabinet for safekeeping. I had made sure to double-lock the cabinet before leaving. I touched the lock, feeling a small sense of relief that it was still secure. However, I noticed that the two security cameras in the living room had been unplugged. I turned to Brenda. “Who unplugged the cameras?” She said defensively, “Those little red lights keep blinking. It is creepy.” “The contract clearly states that there are active security cameras in the common areas, including the living room and the study.” She replied righteously, “I’m an old woman. Being watched like a prisoner in a house where I work is simply too much to ask.” I didn’t bother arguing. But what she didn’t know was that there was a third camera hidden inside a dummy smoke detector on the study ceiling. It had been installed a couple of years ago after a pipe burst, and it ran on an independent battery. Its lens pointed directly at the study entrance and the metal security cabinet. It was listed in the contract’s technical disclosures, but they clearly hadn’t bothered to read it. Holding Milkshake’s carrier in one hand and dragging my suitcase with the other, I left my own apartment. Behind me, Brenda called out, “Ed, we’ll be gone by ten tomorrow. Don’t worry.” I didn’t look back. I checked into a hotel right outside the residential complex. At the veterinary clinic, the doctor took one look at Milkshake and diagnosed him with severe dehydration and mild gastroenteritis. “Has his water intake and litter box usage been abnormal lately?” the vet asked. I nodded. “Who was watching him?” “Someone I paid a lot of money to,” I said quietly. The vet sighed. “We need to put him on an IV immediately.” I sat in the clinic corridor, watching Milkshake curl up inside the metal cage with a needle in his tiny paw. I had paid three thousand dollars for peace of mind. Instead, I got a house full of freeloaders and a sick cat. The next morning, I arrived at my apartment building at nine-fifty. Mr. Gould, the building manager, was already waiting for me. Mr. Dale, the agency manager, was nowhere to be seen. I called him. He took a long time to answer. “Mr. Cole, I’m stuck in an emergency meeting. Why don’t you talk to Brenda first? I’ll be there as soon as I can.” I didn’t waste my breath. I hung up. At exactly ten o’clock, I entered the passcode Brenda had given me the night before. Access Denied. I tried it again. Still incorrect. Mr. Gould frowned. “They changed it again?” I called Brenda. No answer. I called Fiona. She picked up, her voice sounding lazy and unbothered. “What do you want?” “Open the door.” “My mother is feeling unwell today. We can’t move out.” “The police report signed last night clearly states you must vacate by ten o’clock.” “Then go complain to the police,” she sneered. “Open the door,” I repeated, my voice dropping. Fiona chuckled. “Mr. Cole, don’t be so aggressive. We are willing to leave, but you need to settle my mother’s outstanding fees first.” “I paid the agency in full before I left.” “That is between you and the agency. My mother watched your apartment, and the rest of us helped out. We are charging for overnight house-sitting, moving expenses, and lost wages. It comes out to twenty-five hundred dollars.” I almost laughed out loud. “You occupied my apartment, and now you want me to pay for your moving expenses?” Fiona said smoothly, “You live in such a massive apartment, surely you can afford a little pocket change.” I glanced at Mr. Gould. He was staring at his shoes, pretending he was invisible. I spoke into the phone. “I am giving you ten minutes. If that door isn’t open, I am calling the police again.” Fiona’s tone turned ice-cold. “Calling the police won’t do anything. This is a labor dispute. Do you really think the cops are going to physically throw us out?” She hung up. I stood outside the door, my hands turning cold. Just then, Mr. Dale sent me a text message: Mr. Cole, Brenda really is quite ill today. Please show some understanding. They aren’t trying to steal your apartment. As soon as she feels better, they will leave. I replied: If they are not out by noon, I am taking legal action. He waited several minutes before replying: Escalating things like this will only make it harder for everyone. I stared at his message. Surprisingly, a strange calm washed over me. Harder for everyone? They had locked me out of my own home and changed my passcodes. How much worse could it possibly get? By noon, they still hadn’t left. At three in the afternoon, I went back up with Mr. Gould. Inside, I could hear the television blaring and the sound of the little boy laughing. I pressed the doorbell. No one answered. I banged on the door. Fiona’s voice came from inside. “Stop knocking! The baby is taking a nap!” “Open the door,” I demanded. The door opened just a crack, held in place by the security chain. Fiona showed half of her face. “I told you, we can’t move today.” “Did you touch any of my belongings?” I asked. She laughed mockingly. “Who cares about your expensive junk?” “If a single item inside the study cabinet is missing, I will file a grand theft report with the police.” Her expression flickered for a fraction of a second, but she quickly recovered. “Who are you trying to scare?” The door slammed shut. I didn’t leave. I walked down one flight of stairs using the emergency exit, then doubled back quietly through the fire escape stairwell. The fire door on the twenty-third floor had poor sound insulation. They must have assumed I had left because they hadn’t closed their door all the way. Muffled voices drifted down the concrete hallway. “I listed those watches on a resale platform,” Greg was saying. “Someone already messaged asking if they can meet in person to inspect them.” “Don’t sell the watches first,” Fiona replied. “They’re too obvious. There are two jade pendants in the study cabinet that look expensive. Take those to a pawn shop first, it is faster.” Brenda’s voice was hushed. “He looked at that cabinet yesterday. Don’t touch things too recklessly.” Fiona sighed impatiently. “He is just a kid, what can he do? A few threats and he folds like paper.” Then, I heard Mr. Dale’s voice. “Just don’t make it too obvious. If he files a complaint, I can stall things on my end. I’ll just say the service contract hasn’t officially concluded and there is a dispute over the fees.” Brenda spoke up. “And what if he calls the cops again? What can the cops do? I’m over sixty. If I collapse on the floor, who would dare touch me?” Greg laughed. “Mom, your act yesterday was brilliant.” The group chuckled together. Fiona added, “We might as well stay until the end of the month. He has plenty of money to stay in hotels. Let him sweat.” Mr. Dale warned them, “If you’re going to sell those things, find a local buyer who deals in cash. Don’t leave a digital trail.” “Don’t worry,” Greg said. “I’m using a burner account.” I stood behind the fire door, my fingertips turning completely numb as I listened. They had never intended to leave. The sudden illness, the child’s preschool, the lack of options, it was all a coordinated lie. I held my phone up, recording every single word until their laughter faded into the concrete. A burning, white-hot anger flared in my chest. I had tried to be civil. I had given them warnings, involved building management, brought in the police, and tried to reason with them through our contract. And they thought I was a pushover. They called me a weak kid. They thought they had all the cards, and that I was the one who would crack first. I turned around, walked down the stairs, and dialed Marcus’s number as soon as I reached the courtyard. “Marcus, I need a favor.” “Name it,” he said, his voice instantly alert. “Send me everything you have on that studio gear, the sales contracts, the receipts, the serial numbers, and the insurance policies. And get your lawyer on the phone. I want him to go over the evidence with me tonight.” Marcus paused. “Did something happen?” I looked up at the warm light glowing from the twenty-third floor. My voice was barely a whisper. “Some people moved into my home, and I am going to make them regret the day they were born.” Marcus swore under his breath. “Don’t worry,” I said, a cold, quiet anger settling deep in my chest. “If they think I’m soft, let’s see how far they stretch their hands.”

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  • I’ll Find a Way This Time

    1 Before I was born, my family had a beautiful life. Dad had a respectable management job. Mom was a gentle stay-at-home mother. My older sister was smart, bright, the kind of kid adults loved to brag about. Then I came along. Moderate cerebral palsy. Severe damage to both movement and cognition. I was ten before I could barely walk with crutches. My words never came out right. I could not even write my own name. Mom’s pretty face grew duller by the day. Dad and my sister stayed away from home longer and longer. One day, when I was fifteen, I sat on the couch staring blankly at the TV. A child on the screen climbed over a railing and fell. People screamed. Red spread across the pavement. I only watched the child who no longer moved, thoughtful in a way I did not understand. “Andrew Parker, do you even have a heart? She’s our daughter!” “Grace, I know she’s my daughter. But we can’t throw away our whole lives for her. Please. Put her in a care home. It’ll be better for everyone.” “That would ruin her life. She’d never have another chance to recover.” “Her life was ruined a long time ago, wasn’t it?” Something shattered. I knew their fight was over, just like all the others. Dad yanked the door open. The moment he saw me, he forced a smile onto his face. He came to the couch and sat beside me as if nothing had happened, wiping the drool from the corner of my mouth with a gentle hand. “Sophie, Daddy doesn’t want this either. Daddy’s sorry. It’s just… you don’t understand any of it.” I did not know what he was sorry for. I only leaned into his arms and let out a clumsy little laugh. Dad’s chest was broad and warm. I could barely remember the last time he had held me like that. Maybe I was five. We were in a place that smelled sharp and awful. A man in a white coat kept shaking his head at me. “Mr. and Mrs. Parker, you’ve taken her to the best hospitals here and overseas. But I still have to say this. Leave money for her care. Find a reliable person or institution to look after her for life. That matters more than anything now.” After he said that, Mom broke down sobbing. “It’s my fault. I gave birth to Sophie. I ruined her whole life.” Dad reached out as if he wanted to hold her, then pulled his hand back. In the end, all he did was sigh. I watched them, confused, suddenly scared for no reason. I curled tightly into Dad’s arms. After we went home that day, Mom and Dad had their first real fight. Warm drops touched my shoulder and pulled me out of the memory. I looked up. Then I laughed, drool slipping down my chin. “Daddy… cry… crying.” Dad’s face changed at once. He turned toward Mom, who had just come out of the bedroom, and shouted. “Look at her! She’s fifteen and still like this. She’ll never be cured. Never!” Then he slammed the door and left without looking back. Mom’s tears started falling again as she watched him go. But my attention had already been caught by the slam. I limped over and copied the motion again and again. The door banged so many times that white dust drifted down from the wall. “Fun… fun… Mommy…” I tried to share my joy with her in my slurred voice. But she rushed over like a storm and dragged me back to the couch. It was the first time Mom had ever been so harsh with me. I was terrified. My mouth opened wide, and I burst into tears. “Mommy… Sophie hurt… scared…” Mom did not answer. She found a clothes hanger and struck me with it again and again. It was the first time she had ever hit me. I was scared and in pain. I wanted to run, but my legs would not obey me. I could only grab her pant leg and beg. Then I looked up and saw that Mom was crying harder than I was. “Why? Why? Why did it turn out like this?” She collapsed onto the floor like her bones had melted, staring straight into my eyes. “Sophie, what am I supposed to do? With you like this, what can I possibly do?” I stopped crying. I wanted to copy my sister and gently wipe Mom’s tears away. But my hand spasmed at that exact moment, and I accidentally jabbed Mom in the eye. Blood appeared at once. Mom screamed and shoved me away. By the time I understood what had happened, Mom was already gone. Only the child on the TV remained, lying there quietly. 2 The house stayed quiet for a long, long time. I waited until my stomach growled, but no one came home. Before, Mom always made food that smelled wonderful, then fed me one careful bite at a time. Those smells circled inside my head now, making me restless. I crawled around the house, dragging myself from room to room. Furniture scraped across the floor. Mom’s favorite prints fell. A beautiful wooden photo frame broke into pieces. Worse than all of that was the wet, heavy feeling in my pants. I could feel something leaving my body. A sour stink followed me wherever I crawled. I knew I was uncomfortable, so I began to cry out. “Mommy… Sophie wants… Mommy.” I called for a long time. No one answered. Fear came over me all at once. Mom had left. Mom did not want me anymore. That fear prickled across my scalp, but I could do nothing. I sat on the floor, lost and sobbing. At dawn the next day, a sharp cry woke me. “Mom, look! Sophie messed herself again. It’s everywhere!” It was my sister’s voice. Lily held Mom’s arm. Her pretty face was full of anger. A white bandage covered Mom’s injured eye. She looked weak, as if even standing took effort. She looked at me, then at the ruined prints she had treasured so much. She walked straight over, her hand lifting. But it never came down. She only closed her eyes, then opened them again, as if she could not believe what she was seeing. “Mommy, hurt? Sophie… missed you.” At those words, her eyes suddenly lit up. “Sophie, you said a whole sentence.” Then she looked at Lily, her voice trembling. “Lily, your sister will get better. Did you hear that? She said a whole sentence.” Lily did not answer. She acted as if she had heard nothing. She went to the bathroom, brought out a mop, and began cleaning the mess I had made with practiced movements. I said again, “Sister… Mommy… hungry…” Mom’s smile froze. I wanted to touch her, but she covered her eye and moved back several steps. The corner of her face twitched. After a long while, she opened her eyes and carried me into the bathroom with tears in her own. Mom had always bathed me gently. Today her hands were rougher. She did not talk the way she used to. She scrubbed until it hurt, and my body twisted without meaning to. She pressed me down. “Sophie Parker, can’t you give me one quiet minute?” “Do you know this family is falling apart? And it’s all because of you.” I heard the grief and anger in her voice. So I went still, obediently letting her finish. But my cerebral palsy meant my body did not always listen to me. A spasm seized me. I slipped sideways into the tub. Water covered me. I could not breathe. Everything hurt in a way I had no words for. I wanted to scream, but water rushed in whenever I opened my mouth. Before the world went black, I saw Mom standing beside the tub, frozen. There was a strange light in her eye. Almost as if she did not want me to struggle. Then my hands lost their strength. My mind went empty. 3 Through the haze, that familiar bitter hospital smell came back. Men and women in white coats moved around in front of me. “Her vital signs are stable. She took in some water, but she should be fine after rest.” “As for the cerebral palsy, I need to speak with the family…” After that, everything around me stayed quiet for a long time. Then Lily spoke. “Mom, this study-abroad program… my professor finally recommended me. I really want to go. Dad said the money is with you.” “But Lily, this is all we have left. We need it for Sophie’s treatment. The doctor just said if we stop, she may not make it.” Lily suddenly shouted. “Mom, I’m your child too! Why does everything have to come after Sophie? Is her illness my fault?” Mom went still. She opened her mouth but said nothing. Lily seemed to have finally found the crack in herself, and all the hurt of the past years poured out. “After Sophie was born, I was only five years older than her, but overnight I had to become the ‘good big sister.’ I learned to cook for myself before I was eight. Other kids had parents waiting after school. I walked home alone. “When I got my first period, I was scared to death. But you were with Sophie. You didn’t even know. “When girls at school picked on me, Dad was busy working to pay Sophie’s medical bills. I could only tell you. But you forgot the next day because you were taking Sophie somewhere again. I still have scars.” Her sobs grew louder. “To save money for Sophie’s treatment, she’s already eaten through all our savings. The money I made working during breaks went to her supplements and toys. “Mom, I’m tired. This chance is rare. “I’m Sophie’s sister, but I’m also me. I’m also your daughter. Please, just this once, think about me.” Lily wiped her tears and said the last words in a drained voice. “Mom, in twenty years, this is the only selfish thing I’ve asked for. I’ll treat the money as a loan. I can write an IOU. I’ll pay it back.” Silence followed. I tried hard to open my eyes. I wanted to wipe their tears away. I could not. At last, Mom sighed. “Lily, don’t worry. I’ll figure something out. I won’t let you down.” After Lily left, Mom stroked my forehead. “Sophie. My Sophie. If only you could always be as quiet and sweet as you are now.” A warm drop fell on the corner of my mouth. Salty and bitter. Then Mom made a call to Dad. “Andrew Parker, let’s get divorced. The only thing left is the house. I don’t want it. Leave it to you and Lily.” The other end of the line went silent for a beat. Dad sounded unsure when he spoke. “I don’t want the house. You and Sophie will need money.” “I already prepared the divorce papers. They’re in the drawer at home. Just sign them.” Then he hung up, as if he was afraid Mom might change her mind. Mom laughed several times. It sounded worse than crying. When I finally opened my eyes, it was the next morning. Mom was pressing and stretching my stiff limbs with practiced hands. When she saw I was awake, she quickly poured porridge from a thermos, blew on it, and brought the spoon to my lips. I ate contentedly and gave her a huge smile. “Mommy, smells… good.” But she did not smile. Tears only gathered thicker at the corners of her eyes. 4 I had never seen Mom suffer like that. It made me restless too. I kept wanting to scream for no reason. A woman in the same hospital room finally snapped. “Mrs. Parker, can you please control Sophie? She keeps making noise every day. None of us can get any peace.” Mom bowed and apologized again and again, pressing my head down with force. “Sophie, say sorry. It’s three simple words. Say it.” But I only made broken sounds and giggled. That day, Mom took my hand and brought me home. This time, she did not take a cab or a bus. She forced me to walk, pushing me forward as she shouted. “Sophie, walk. Walk!” I fell again and again. Her voice turned hoarse from shouting, but she still would not give up. It was as if she were clinging to the last thread inside her. Only after I was too exhausted to move, after I collapsed on the pavement and scared several passing children into tears, did Mom suddenly laugh. “Sophie, after all these years… maybe I should stop trying. Maybe I really can’t do this anymore.” Over the next few days, many strangers came to our home. In the end, Mom spoke for a long time with a kind-looking woman. Before leaving, the woman hesitated. “Grace, are you sure you want to sell such a good house?” Mom nodded firmly. Then she pushed a note into the woman’s hand. “This is my daughter Lily’s account. Send the money directly there. This is… what I owe her.” The woman nodded and left. Mom sat with me inside the emptied house, gently stroking my hair. “Sophie, from now on, Mommy will stay with you forever, okay?” I understood that sentence. It meant Mom and I would never be apart. I hurried to smile at her, bouncing clumsily with my unsteady hands and feet. My reflection in the glass looked like something frightening from TV. Then I suddenly remembered something. “Daddy. Lily…” Mom’s eyes went hollow. She stared at the shadows of trees outside the window and murmured to herself. “No Daddy. No Lily. Sophie, there’s nothing left.” She gripped my hand stiffly and walked with me for a long time. We went past all the places our family used to visit. The bakery where they bought my birthday cakes. The clothing store where Lily bought new outfits for college. The restaurant where Mom and Dad once celebrated their anniversary. At last, Mom carried me up to the roof of a building. It was the first time I had ever seen her smoke. She coughed until her throat sounded raw, but she did not stop. I grew too tired to stay awake, so Mom sang me a lullaby. Her voice drifted with the night wind, as if it had come from another world, heavy with a sadness I could not name. When dawn was close, Mom woke me and handed me a bottle of soda. “Sophie, cheers with Mommy.” I loved that gesture most. I knocked my bottle against hers hard and laughed. Then I saw a white pill bottle. The cap was open. Nothing was left inside. When Dad could not sleep, he always took things from that bottle. He had said many times that no one was allowed to touch it, or they might never wake up again. I looked at the powdery stuff settled at the bottom of Mom’s drink. Suddenly, I understood something. No. Mom could not never wake up. If she did, I would never talk to her again. Without thinking, I grabbed the bottle from Mom’s hand and drank it all myself. The moment it went down, a bitter taste pierced through me. And somehow, some part of me became clear. The child from the TV appeared in my mind. I staggered to the edge of the roof and copied her. Before she fell, she had said one line. “Without me, you’ll be happy.” Now those words came out of my mouth. “Mommy, without me, you’ll be happy.” I fell backward into the pale morning air. Above me was Mom’s scream, torn from the deepest part of her. I tried to lift my hand to wipe her tears. I had no strength. So I only whispered. “Mommy, don’t cry. You don’t have to ask what to do anymore. “Because Sophie figured it out.”

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  • He’s Just Putting On an Act

    After my confession to my childhood best friend was rejected, I cried my eyes out at Aunt Gwen’s place. But then, by some stroke of absolute luck, I caught him through the crack of his bedroom door, staring at a photo of me, completely lost in his own feverish world. “I can’t… give in too easily…” he muttered, his voice strained. “…God, I love her… Daisy…” I peeked through the gap. He was half-reclining on his bed, his head tilted back against the headboard, his neck stretched tense, a deep, feverish flush creeping up his collar and staining his cheeks. I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to quiet my frantically pounding heart. A slow, amused smile curled my lips. Unbelievable. Who knew this idiot had a completely different side to him? 1 When Danny finally stepped out of his bedroom, he caught me with my arms wrapped around his mother, looking like the most miserable girl on earth. “Aunt Gwen, I think it’s time I moved out,” I sniffled, playing the part of the heartbroken victim. Gwen gently wiped away my tears, her heart breaking for me. “Don’t listen to that foolish boy. This will always be your home.” I gently pulled back from her embrace. “But I’ve already packed my bags. I’m leaving tonight.” Danny, who had been pretending to fetch a glass of water, froze. His gaze locked onto the bright red suitcase sitting by the front door, his expression blank with shock. “Daisy, what is the meaning of this? No one is kicking you out,” he said, his voice tight. “Can’t a girl just want to go back to her own apartment?” “Your place is miles away from your office. How are you even going to commute?” I ignored him, walking over to grab the handle of my suitcase. Panic flared in Danny’s eyes. In a flash, he stepped in front of me, blocking the door. “My mom loves having you here. Besides, I drive you to work every single day and look after you. Are you seriously telling me you’re just going to leave?” “Yes.” I finally looked up, meeting his eyes. “You said it yourself, Danny. You said my feelings for you are just a habit because we’ve never been apart. You said if we put some distance between us, I’d probably fall for someone else.” I paused, letting the words sink in. “I thought about it all night, and you’re right. So, I’m going to go out there and see what else the world has to offer.” Danny went completely rigid. “I…” He opened his mouth to explain, to plead, but the words seemed to choke him. Behind his back, Gwen covertly gave me a subtle thumbs-up. With a knowing nod, I rolled my suitcase past him and stepped out into the hallway. The moment the door clicked shut behind me, I heard Gwen’s hand smack hard against Danny’s back. “You idiot! What are you doing? Go after her!” “Mom, I only see her as a sis…” “Cut the crap! Do you honestly think your own mother can’t see right through you? Stop playing stupid!” “You don’t understand, Mom! It’s not like that, I…” I didn’t look back, but a triumphant smile was already spreading across my face. Danny, if you love playing hard to get this much… I’m going to drag you down and make you my absolute puppy. 2 Back in my own apartment, I sat on my bed and scrolled through my chat history with Danny. We had texted every single day, from our school years right up to our corporate lives. He had never missed a beat when it came to taking care of me. He would bring me late-night snacks when I worked overtime. He would show up with an umbrella outside my office building before the rain even started. Even when I casually mentioned craving a dessert from a bakery across town, he would drive forty minutes just to get it for me. Yet, when I confessed to him yesterday, his immediate reaction was to push me away. “Daisy, can you actually tell the difference between love and habit?” he had asked, sounding so clinical. “Do you even know what real love is before you throw a confession at me?” I had been so angry and humiliated in that moment. But thinking back on it now… When he asked those questions, his eyes were darting around, his posture incredibly stiff. Pff. What a total fraud. I tossed my phone onto the bed. On my first day back at my place, I didn’t send him a single message. Determined to play his little game, he didn’t text me either. The chat screen remained dead silent. The second day, still nothing. On the afternoon of the third day, a notification finally popped up from Danny. [Daisy, are you seriously not coming back to stay?] Looking at the screen, my lips curved into a smug smile. Oh, Danny. Only three days and you’re already losing your cool? You have absolutely no game, yet you tried to play me. Hilarious. I flipped my phone face down on the desk and went back to my work, leaving him on read. 3 On the fourth day, he managed to hold back and didn’t send any more messages. I wasn’t in any rush. After clocking out, I happily joined my colleagues for a dinner party. A few drinks in, I took a group photo and posted it to my social media. In the photo, my cheeks were flushed a pretty pink from the alcohol, flanked by handsome guys and beautiful girls laughing and talking. Within ten minutes of posting, a text from Danny flashed across my screen. [Are you out drinking? How much did you have? When are you coming home?] Of course, I didn’t reply. A second later, my phone began to ring. I answered it, keeping my voice airy. “Send me your location,” his voice demanded, rough and urgent. “I’m coming to pick you up right now.” “No need, Danny. Someone is already driving me home.” Silence stretched over the line for a few agonizing seconds before his voice spiked. “You’re drunk and you’re just going to get into a stranger’s car? Daisy, do you have a single brain cell left in that head?” I smirked silently. He was practically dying of anxiety, yet his mouth was still as stubborn as ever. I decided to push his buttons a little harder. “He’s not a stranger. Actually, he’s my new crush.” I let out a soft sigh. “You were right, Danny. My feelings for you weren’t real love. I’m so glad you rejected me and made me realize it. Thanks for the wake-up call!” Without giving him a chance to speak, I hung up. He tried calling back several times, but I ignored every single one. A delicious thrill of excitement rushed through my veins. 4 When the dinner ended, I walked out of the restaurant side-by-side with Gavin. Gavin was a new designer at our firm. He was tall, handsome, had a great personality, and most importantly, he genuinely liked me. He was the one who had offered to drive me home. The moment we stepped outside, a familiar car caught my eye. Danny was leaning against the hood, hands shoved deep into his pockets, his gaze locked onto the restaurant exit. A split second later, his eyes found me with laser-focused precision. Impressive. He found me so fast. He really didn’t disappoint. Pretending to be startled, I widened my eyes. “Danny? What are you doing here?” He didn’t answer. His eyes swept over my flushed face before landing coldly on Gavin beside me. I introduced Danny to Gavin with a sweet, overly familiar tone, calling him my “childhood friend.” Gavin offered a polite greeting and reached out, about to guide me to his car. Suddenly, Danny grabbed my wrist. “No need to trouble yourself,” Danny said, his voice clipped. “She’s with me. She lives at my place.” Before Gavin could even process the words, Danny pulled me toward his passenger side, ignoring Gavin who was trying to call after us. He slammed the door, got into the driver’s seat, and hit the gas, the tires screeching as we sped away. I sat in the passenger seat in complete silence, my face darkened to look like he had just ruined my perfect night. Danny glanced at me several times, opening his mouth as if to speak, but closing it each time. I knew exactly what he was doing. He was waiting for me to break the ice first, just like I always did. Even now, he was still holding onto his stupid pride. He clearly hadn’t realized the power dynamics had shifted. Fine. I closed my eyes and pretended to fall asleep, keeping the silence absolute all the way back. When the car stopped, I opened my eyes and looked out the window. Of course, he had brought me back to his house. “You’re staying here tonight,” he murmured. For once, I didn’t argue. I silently walked to my old room, went inside, and shut the door behind me with a firm click. I knew that silence was the ultimate torture for him. Enjoy it, Danny. 5 After a relaxing hot shower, I threw myself onto the bed. Just as I was about to drift off, a soft knock sounded at the door. Danny stood on the other side, his voice muffled and low. “Daisy? Are you asleep?” I remained quiet. He lingered outside for a long moment before his heavy footsteps slowly faded down the hallway. I rolled over and buried my face in the pillow. The fabric smelled of fresh laundry and sunshine. I had noticed it the moment I walked in: the bedsheets weren’t the ones I left behind. They were brand new, featuring my favorite cartoon character. Since Aunt Gwen was away on a business trip, Danny had to have changed them himself. Even the framed photo of me on the nightstand had been moved slightly. An image automatically popped into my mind. After I left, Danny must have wandered into this room countless times, staring at my picture and aching with regret. If he knew it would hurt this much, why did he have to be such a fool and reject my confession in the first place? Oh well. This was the perfect opportunity to train him. The next morning, I made sure to slip out of the house before Danny even woke up. As I reached the kitchen, I noticed breakfast already waiting on the dining table. Of course. We grew up together. He knew my routine like the back of his hand. The sandwich was sliced into perfect triangles, sitting next to a glass of warm milk and a sticky note. [Daisy, make sure you eat before you leave.] I took a bite of the delicious sandwich, crumpled the note into a tight ball, and tossed it into the trash. It tasted amazing. But I didn’t care about his notes. I wanted to see him on his knees, begging for me. 6 For the next week, my routine was like clockwork. I left the house at seven in the morning and didn’t return to Danny’s place until ten at night. I didn’t know what Danny had told my parents, but my mom had actually sent my suitcases back to his house, likely using Gwen’s name as an excuse. But Danny didn’t dare show up at my office to pick me up. I had warned him: if he ruined my chances with Gavin, I would go sleep at Gavin’s place instead. That terrified him. So he changed his strategy, sending tentative texts asking if I’d be home for dinner. Sometimes I texted back a flat “no,” and sometimes I just ignored him completely. However, I still ate the breakfast he prepared every morning. And occasionally, I’d throw him a bone and let him drive me to work. You can’t keep the leash too tight when you’re training someone; you have to pull and release. On the eighth night, I came home particularly late. Danny was sitting on the living room sofa. The television was on, but his eyes were completely vacant. On the dining table, several dishes sat untouched, cold. When he saw me walk in, he stood up, his voice slightly hoarse. “You’re back.” “Yeah. I already ate with Gavin. You should eat your dinner.” I kicked off my shoes and immediately headed toward my room. “Daisy,” he called out from behind me. “Are you planning to keep this up forever?” 7 I stopped in my tracks and turned to look at him. “Keep what up?” “You’ve changed. You’re so cold to me.” Danny took a step forward, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. “You’re angry with me because I rejected your confession, aren’t you? Daisy, the truth is…” “Angry?” I tilted my head, putting on a look of pure innocence. “Why would I be angry? I told you last time, your words actually helped me clear my head. Gavin and I have been getting along incredibly well lately.” Danny’s fingers twitched, curling slightly into his palms. “…Is that so?” “Absolutely. Gavin is sweet, attentive, and always treats me like a princess. It feels amazing being with him.” I deliberately let my eyes drift down to his tightening fists, a slight smirk playing on my lips. “Wait, Danny. You aren’t jealous, are you?” His expression froze for a split second before he let out a harsh, defensive laugh. “Jealous of you? In your dreams.” Perfect. I almost laughed out loud. It was time to bring out the heavy artillery. I smiled warmly, my eyes crinkling. “Actually, Gavin and I are official now. He’s throwing a dinner party the day after tomorrow to introduce me to everyone. You should come.” The moment the words left my mouth, all the color drained from Danny’s face. “Daisy! Are you out of your mind? How could you…” “How could I confess to you one day and start dating someone else the next?” I interrupted, letting out a soft, amused chuckle. “You were the one who rejected me. What, did you expect me to stay single and mourn a relationship we never even had?” Danny’s face turned utterly pale. His lips parted, but no sound came out. I spun around gracefully and walked back into my room. As the door clicked shut, I heard him draw a sharp, ragged breath outside, as if trying to hold back a flood of emotions. I leaned against the door, my smile widening. Come on, Danny. Let’s see how much longer you can last. 8 The dinner party was set for Friday night. I specifically chose a stunning red dress that made my fair skin pop. When Gavin came to pick me up, his eyes went completely wide. “Daisy, you look absolutely breathtaking tonight.” “Thank you,” I smiled, slipping my hand through his arm. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a slight movement of the curtains on the second floor. At the restaurant, a dozen colleagues and friends had already gathered. As I walked in arm-in-arm with Gavin, the room erupted into cheers and teasing. “Look at you two! What a gorgeous couple!” “Nice job, Gavin! You actually snatched our Daisy!” I laughed and mingled, my eyes casually sweeping the room. Danny wasn’t there yet. Just as the thought crossed my mind, the heavy wooden door of the private dining room swung open. Danny walked in. For this celebratory occasion, he had dressed in a stark black shirt, making his sharp features look cold and unyielding. His eyes immediately locked onto my hand wrapped around Gavin’s arm. His gaze was intense enough to burn a hole right through Gavin’s skin. “This is my childhood friend,” I introduced him with a bright smile. “Hey, man! Good to see you again,” Gavin said warmly, extending his hand. Danny looked down at the hand, then looked up to meet Gavin’s eyes. “Hello.” The single word was cold enough to freeze the room. Ignoring the outstretched hand entirely, Danny walked straight past Gavin and took a seat at the far end of the table, as far away from me as possible. I whispered to Gavin not to mind him, joking that my childhood friend was just having a bad day. Throughout the entire dinner, Danny barely touched his food, only downing glass after glass of whiskey. He didn’t speak to anyone. He just sat there, staring at me. Like a predator waiting in the shadows. I deliberately put food on Gavin’s plate, rested my head on his shoulder, and let him gently wipe a speck of sauce from the corner of my mouth. Every single time I did, Danny’s grip on his glass tightened, his knuckles turning white. Midway through the dinner, I excused myself to go to the restroom. The moment I stepped into the dimly lit hallway, a hand clamped around my wrist. The grip was so strong it made me stumble. Before I could react, I was pulled into the quiet stairwell. 9 “Danny! What do you think you’re—” My words were cut off as he pressed me flat against the concrete wall. He pinned his hands on either side of my head, trapping me in the narrow space between his arms. The faint light from the hallway seeped through the crack of the door, illuminating the fierce, bloodshot glaze in his eyes. “Daisy,” his voice was incredibly raw, trembling slightly. “Are you really with him?” I tilted my head back, looking at him defiantly. “Of course. Did you think the dinner party was a joke?” I scoffed. “Danny, since when do you care so much about my love life?” His breath caught. “No. You wouldn’t be with him. I don’t believe it.” “Why wouldn’t you believe it? Gavin is handsome, sweet, and he treats me—” “What about me!” He suddenly roared, the raw emotion he had been bottling up finally bursting through. “Daisy, what the hell am I to you!” The stairwell fell dead silent. Only the sound of our ragged, heavy breathing echoed against the concrete. Looking at his bloodshot eyes, his trembling lips, and the prominent veins bulging on his clenched fists, a sudden wave of dark satisfaction washed over me. “You?” I let out a soft, mocking laugh. “You’re like a brother to me.” I smiled up at him. “Didn’t you say so yourself? You only see me as a sister.” He flinched violently, as if he had been struck across the face. “I…” “You what?” I took a step forward, forcing him to lean back. “You sounded so righteous when you rejected me, Danny.” “So who are you putting on this pathetic display for now?” “Are you regretting it?” “Are you jealous?” “Does it tear you apart inside to see me with someone else?” With every question I threw at him, his face grew paler. Finally, his back hit the cold brick wall. He had nowhere left to retreat. I stood on my tiptoes, leaning in close to his ear, my lips curling into a cruel whisper. “It’s too late, Danny.” “The way you’re acting right now… honestly makes me sick.” 10 When we got back that night, Danny locked himself in his room. As I walked past his door, I heard the muffled, crashing sound of something being hurled against the wall and shattering. Aunt Gwen wasn’t home to keep him in check. In an excellent mood, I took a warm shower, changed into my silk pajamas, and crawled into bed to scroll through my phone. A message from Gavin popped up: [How was my performance tonight?] [Brilliant, Oscar-worthy,] I texted back. [Is your childhood friend going to be okay? The way he looked at me, I thought he was going to murder me on the spot.] [Don’t worry about him. He brought this on himself.] As I typed the words, a smug smile played on my lips. Serves him right. That’s what he gets for playing hard to get. For holding onto his ridiculous pride. Now he finally knows how much it hurts. My phone vibrated again: [Daisy, please think about my offer seriously. I wasn’t entirely acting.] Well, great. Now I had a genuine heart to deal with. Gavin was a great guy, but we had simply met too late. As you grow up, you realize that timing in life is everything. It was late. I switched off the bedside lamp and closed my eyes. Just as I was drifting off to sleep, the bedroom door was pushed open with a soft click. A tall, dark silhouette slipped silently into the room. Instantly, my mind snapped awake. It was Danny. He walked over and stopped right beside my bed. In the dark, I kept my eyes closed, pretending to be fast asleep. I couldn’t see his face, but I could feel his gaze on me, burning hot like fire. 11 Danny stood by the bed for what felt like an eternity. Then, he suddenly leaned down, his finger gently brushing against my cheek. His fingertips, rough with light calluses, were trembling. Slowly, trace by trace, he mapped out the contours of my face. From my brow to the bridge of my nose, from my cheek down to my lips. His touch was incredibly gentle, as if he were touching something made of fragile glass. “Daisy…” His voice was barely a whisper, a soft, aching sigh. “What am I supposed to do with you?” I didn’t open my eyes, keeping my breathing slow and steady. He fell silent again for a long time. Then, I felt a warm, soft pressure press against my forehead. It was his lips. My heart skipped a beat. Did he finally break? Just as the thought crossed my mind, his lips slowly parted from my skin. “Please don’t hate me, Daisy,” Danny whispered, his voice cracking so badly it was barely audible. “I’m so in love with you, it’s driving me insane.” “But I was terrified.” “I was terrified you were just looking for a temporary thrill.” “Terrified you’d regret it later.” He drew in a sharp, painful breath. “But right now… I’m so much more terrified…” “Terrified that you really don’t want me anymore.” With that, he straightened up and turned to walk out. Just as his hand touched the doorknob— [ THE ULTIMATE TRUTH HAS BEEN EXPOSED. WILL DAISY FINALLY REVEAL HER SECRET GAME, OR WILL DANNY ESCAPE INTO THE NIGHT? CHOOSE TO UNLOCK THE HEART-STOPPING CLIMAX NOW! ] “Stop right there.” 12 I opened my eyes and sat up in bed. Click. I switched on the bedside lamp. The warm, amber glow instantly filled the room. Danny froze by the door, his back to me, looking like a statue. “Turn around.” His shoulders shook slightly. Then, slowly, he turned to face me. Under the warm light, I could see his eyes were red. His long eyelashes were still wet with unshed tears. My proud, arrogant childhood friend. In this moment, he looked like a child who had done something terribly wrong, standing there completely lost and helpless. “Creeping into my room in the middle of the night?” I threw off the covers, my bare feet hitting the hardwood floor as I walked slowly toward him. “Touching me?” “Kissing me?” I stopped right in front of him, forcing him to look down at me. “Danny, do you realize I have a boyfriend now?” His Adam’s apple bobbed convulsively. “I know.” “You know, and yet you still do this?” I stared into his eyes, demanding an answer. He lowered his gaze, his dark lashes trembling. “I couldn’t help myself. I’m sorry.” “Couldn’t help what?” His voice dropped even lower. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” “I wanted to see you. I wanted to touch you. I wanted to…” He cut himself off, the tips of his ears turning a bright, burning red. I narrowed my eyes. “Wanted to what? Finish the sentence.” He bit his lip, refusing to speak. I raised my hand. Smack. A sharp slap landed on his cheek. 13 It wasn’t a hard slap, but the sound was crisp in the quiet room. Danny’s head jerked to the side, completely stunned. Slowly, he turned his face back to look at me. There was no anger in his eyes. Instead, there was confusion, vulnerability, and… a faint, barely perceptible trace of satisfaction? I held his gaze, speaking slowly and deliberately. “That was for my boyfriend.” “Remember this. If you ever sneak into my room again, a slap will be the least of your worries.” Danny swallowed hard once more. “Then hit me again,” he whispered. He reached out and grabbed my wrist, pulling my palm back to press against his cheek. His gaze was burning with a desperate intensity. “Beat me, Daisy. If it makes you feel better, you can hit me as much as you want.” With my hand pressed flat against his face, I could feel the feverish heat of his skin, the slight tremble of his jaw, and the rapid, shallow rise and fall of his chest. I coldly pulled my hand away. “You think a beating solves everything?” “Then what do you want me to do?” His voice carried a raw, desperate rasp that had been pushed to its absolute limit. “Tell me, Daisy. What do I have to do to make you leave Gavin? What do I have to do to get you to look at me again?” “What do I have to do…” He choked up, his eyes welling with fresh tears. “…to make you want me?” My heart pinched. But I kept my face entirely neutral, cold as ice. “Let’s get one thing straight, Danny.” “You were the one who rejected me. What is this sudden display of tragic devotion supposed to prove?” “I only did that because…” “Because what? Cat got your tongue again?” I let out a cold laugh and took a step back. “If you have nothing to say, get the hell out of my room. I want to sleep.” He stood there like a statue, refusing to budge. “Get out,” I pointed toward the door.

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  • Departure on the Sweetest Day

    1 I transmigrated into a novel. My mission was to win over a villainous family: a cold, distant father, a maniacal mother, and a deeply broken brother. For twenty long years, I played the devoted daughter and loving sister. Finally, my system returned to active status. While waiting for it to calculate their favorability ratings, I leaned against my brand-new Porsche, lazily spinning the key ring on my finger, a playful smile on my face as I teased the man standing on the porch. “Hey, my birthday is in a few days. What are you getting me this year?” Brian was tall and lean, his handsome features permanently locked in a cool, indifferent expression. He glanced down at me, and I braced myself for him to ignore me, just like he always did. Instead, his dark eyes fixed on mine. “What do you want?” I froze, almost failing to process his words. I looked at him with deep suspicion. “Did the sun rise from the west today?” His gaze remained frigid. “It does not matter anyway. You will not be here next month. You are being married off to the Castillo family. Did you not know?” Suddenly, a crisp chime echoed in my mind. [Favorability calculation complete.] [Theo: 0. Ellie: 0. Brian: 0.] [Mission failed. Forced extraction from this world will commence in three days.] My fingers went limp. The Porsche keys slipped from my hand, hitting the gravel with a sharp, metallic clink. “What did you just say?” “The Castillos demanded a bride to secure the alliance,” Brian said. He bent down, retrieved the keys, and handed them back to me with slow, agonizing deliberation. “Hector Castillo is on his deathbed. They wanted a young bride from our bloodline to seal the merger before the old man passes. Our family needs this contract, and you are the perfect bargaining chip.” I stared at him, desperately searching his face for any sign of a joke. There was none. His face was exactly as it had been every single day for the past twenty years: cold, distant, entirely devoid of warmth. But how could their favorability be zero? How was that even possible? Even though my father was distant, he had always spoken to me with quiet patience, carefully choosing my birthday gifts every year. My mother, during her brief moments of sanity, would hold me so tightly as if she would never let go. And my brother, despite his icy demeanor, had ruthlessly ruined anyone who dared to bully me when we were children. When I was ten, I accidentally overheard my mother on a call with one of her associates. The person on the other end must have said something threatening, because she let out a cold laugh and said, “Naomi is my daughter. If anyone so much as touches a hair on her head, I will bury their entire family.” I had hidden around the corner of the staircase, covering my mouth to muffle my giggles, feeling incredibly safe. And just before my twentieth birthday, they had gifted me this luxury car. I vividly remembered Theo handing me the keys, his voice soft as he said, “My girl deserves only the best.” Was all of it a lie? The warmth, the pampering, the tender care, was it all just an elaborate performance? How pathetic of me. I had actually planned to stay in this world until the very end of their natural lives, even after completing the mission. I truly believed I had found genuine familial love. It turned out I was the only one playing the fool. In my previous missions, even a complete stranger would have more than zero favorability after a single encounter. But these three had absolutely no feelings for me. None at all. The cold wind whipped against my eyes, making them sting. “What is wrong with you?” Brian’s voice broke the silence, his brow furrowing slightly. “You look incredibly pale.” He looked at me with that faint crease between his brows. In the past, such a tiny sign of concern would have made my day, proof that my brother cared about me. Now, it just felt like a cruel joke. Twenty years of living under the same roof, twenty years of walking on eggshells, twenty years of pouring my heart out, and it was nothing but a one-sided delusion. “It is nothing,” I said, my voice shockingly calm. “I understand.” I turned toward the car. “Naomi,” he called out behind me, a strange, unreadable note in his voice. “Did you not want your birthday gift?” I did not look back. [Host, are you alright?] the system asked, its digital voice uncharacteristically gentle. “Never better,” I whispered. I slid into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and slammed my foot on the accelerator. The engine roared as the car tore down the driveway. In the rearview mirror, Brian remained standing on the steps, a motionless silhouette fading into the distance. 2 I had no destination. The Porsche flew along the winding mountain roads. I rolled down all the windows, letting the freezing wind blast my face, hoping the chill would clear the suffocating noise in my head. I had failed missions before. It was part of the job. But none of those failures had ever made my chest ache like this. I kept reciting my mental mantra, telling myself that my kindness to them was merely a calculated move to complete the mission and leave this world. I did not actually view them as my real family. I did not. Yet, my hands were trembling so violently I could barely hold the steering wheel. Memories of their soft smiles and warm words flashed behind my eyelids, completely out of my control. To drown out the thoughts, I floored the gas pedal. The sports car surged forward, the speedometer needle climbing frantically. Sharp curves, metal guardrails, and the dark abyss of the canyon blurred past in a deafening rush of wind. Suddenly, the steering wheel grew incredibly heavy, resisting my grip. I slammed on the brakes, but the pedal sank uselessly to the floor, soft and unresponsive. I twisted the wheel in a desperate attempt to stay on the road. The world spun violently. The airbag deployed with a deafening blast, slamming into my face, and darkness swallowed me whole. When I drifted back to consciousness, the sharp, sterile scent of bleach and rubbing alcohol filled my nose. My right leg was screaming in agony. I tried to shift my weight, but a blinding flash of pain shot up my spine, forcing a ragged gasp from my throat. “Told you not to go street racing,” a voice muttered nearby. It was Brian. He was leaning close to my bedside, and I could smell his familiar, crisp cedar cologne. I kept my eyes shut, pretending to still be asleep. What a hypocrite, I thought bitterly. If he had actually cared, he would have stopped me from driving off in the first place. “How is she?” Theo’s deep voice asked from across the room. “A fractured tibia, two cracked ribs, and a mild concussion,” Brian replied. “Good. She is alive,” Theo sighed, his voice dripping with relief. A bitter ache bloomed in my chest. If his favorability was truly at zero, why did he sound so relieved that I had survived? “I will go fetch the doctor,” Brian said. “Very well.” The sound of his footsteps faded, followed by the soft click of the door closing. I was debating whether to open my eyes when my father’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and laced with anger. “Ellie, what on earth possessed you to tamper with her car? Do you have any idea how important this marriage to the Castillos is? If she had died in that crash, how was I supposed to close the deal?” The blood in my veins turned to ice. What? My mother let out a soft, melodic chuckle. It was a sound I had heard countless times throughout my childhood, sweet and full of playful innocence. “I wanted her dead, Theo,” Ellie said, her tone light, as if she were discussing a trivial parlor game. “I wanted to ruin your precious little empire. You wanted to use her to climb into the Castillo dynasty? I would rather burn everything to the ground than let you succeed.” “Are you completely insane?” Theo hissed, his voice trembling with suppressed fury. “Do you have any concept of the scale of this merger? Do you know what the Castillo alliance would do for our family? All of this wasted because of your petty, miserable spite!” “Spite?” Ellie interrupted, her laughter turning sharp and venomous. “You swore to me when we married that I would be the only one you ever loved. Yet, after she was born, you ran around with half the women in the city. It is all because of that disgusting little parasite. I should have strangled her in her crib.” “Then you should have done it twenty years ago,” Theo snapped. “She has lived under my roof, eaten my food, and enjoyed my protection for two decades. It is time she paid her debt. She marries him next month, and after that, you can lose your mind all you want.” The room fell quiet. I swallowed hard, holding back a sob, and whispered in my mind, No wonder they are the villains. I was never a daughter to them. Just a business asset to my father, and a reminder of betrayal to my mother. I wished the crash had finished the job. 3 Soft footsteps neared the bed. I felt a cool, gentle hand rest on my forehead, stroking my hair with the same tenderness I had known my entire life. “Naomi,” my mother whispered, her voice thick with maternal warmth. “Mommy is here, darling. Do not be afraid.” I opened my eyes. Her face was mere inches from mine, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears, her expression a perfect portrait of motherly devotion. I stared at her for a long time. “Mom,” I rasped, my throat dry. “Oh, Naomi!” she cried out in joy, her hands cup-ping my face. “You terrified me, sweetie. You have no idea how much Mommy was worrying…” “Are you not tired?” I asked. She froze. I shifted my gaze to Theo, who was standing at the foot of the bed. His rigid posture locked up instantly, his face a mask of sudden tension. “What do you mean, darling?” Ellie forced a fragile smile. “Did you hit your head too hard? Let Mommy call the doctor…” “I said,” I interrupted, my voice flat and dead, “are you not tired of pretending to love me for twenty years?” The warmth in the room vanished. Slowly, the tender mask slid off Ellie’s face, revealing a cold, critical sneer. She straightened up, looking down at me with absolute detachment. “So, you heard.” “Every word.” I used my elbows to push myself up, but the movement sent a wave of agony through my cracked ribs. I gagged, dry-heaving from the sheer pain. Ellie’s eyes narrowed. She lunged forward, grabbing my wrist in a crushing grip. “Are you pregnant?” she demanded. “No!” I cried out, trying to pull away. She did not let go. Instead, her fingers dug deeper into my flesh, her nails biting into my skin. “Check her,” Theo ordered, his eyes cold. “If she is carrying another man’s child, the Castillos will ruin us.” Ellie let out an irritated click of her tongue. “This is too risky. I will contact the Castillo estate tonight and have her delivered early, before they can find out anything.” A cold dread washed over me. “I am not pregnant! I swear to you, I am not!” My mother turned back to me, a cruel, mocking smile playing on her lips. She raised her free hand, gently stroking my cheek before her fingers slid down to wrap tightly around my throat. “Do not raise your voice at me, sweetie,” she whispered. “Obedient girls do not have to suffer.” The door flew open, and Brian stepped into the room. He took in the scene, his brow furrowing slightly. “What is going on here?” Ellie released my throat instantly, her face shifting back to its warm, serene expression. “Nothing, dear. Naomi is awake, and we were just having a little chat.” Brian looked at me, then turned his gaze to Theo. “The Castillo representatives have arrived.” Theo nodded. “Tell them to wait. I will be down shortly.” He cast one final, icy look at me. “Recover quickly, and do not think of running. You cannot escape.” When the door clicked shut, only Brian remained by my bedside. “Do not blame them,” he said quietly. I stared at him in utter disbelief. “What did you say?” “In this family, everything comes with a price,” he replied, his face completely blank. I closed my mouth, unable to find any words. This was my brother. The boy I thought would protect me.

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