Category: English

By the new intern’s second week, I kept a dark blazer at my desk out of habit. It was necessary. Whenever I wore a dress, she’d conveniently pass by and “compliment” me loud enough for the whole office: “So brave, Summer! Wearing a princess dress with skin that dark.” Nathaniel—my boyfriend and my boss—just watched, sometimes chuckling with the guys. If I stumbled with files, she’d clap and say I was faking it. If I drank strawberry milk, she’d clutch plain milk and ask if I was trying to act like a kid. I endured it, over and over. Until yesterday’s presentation. She glared at a typo on my slide and remarked, dripping with meaning: “Some people dress to get attention, but can’t even do their work right.” Every eye turned to me and Nathaniel. All the anger I’d held in finally snapped. I threw my half-full water glass in her face. Before I could process it, Nathaniel stood and threw his coffee at me, in front of everyone. That night, I resigned. 1 When Nathaniel threw the coffee, I didn’t flinch. The scalding liquid streamed down, soaking into my blouse. He’d thrown it with such force that the cup made a dull thud against my cheek before clattering to the floor. A fiery, stinging pain shot through my nerves as my skin instantly turned a blotchy red. I looked up at him, stunned. His hand was still frozen in the air, as if he, too, was shocked for a moment. But that flicker of surprise was immediately replaced by a deeper, more profound annoyance. “Summer, did you have to make a scene? Right here, right now?” The blue glow of the projector highlighted the sharp, tense line of his jaw, making him look like a stranger. Whispers broke out around the conference table. Some people ducked their heads, pretending to be absorbed in their documents. Amber Jones, the intern, slowly closed her laptop, a small, triumphant smile playing on her lips. “Easy there, Mr. Shaw. Don’t be so harsh. Look, you’ve scared the poor girl speechless.” Her words were like gasoline on a fire. Nathaniel snatched a folder and slammed it onto the table. The loud bang made everyone jump. He glared at me, his face a cold mask. “This is a professional office, not your living room. Anyone who can’t separate their personal drama from their work has no place on this team. This is your only warning. One more time, and you’re out.” The room was deathly silent. I touched my dripping face and felt a hysterical laugh bubble up inside me. Twelve years. I had known Nathaniel since we were kids. I had been in love with him for twelve years. He always said I was immature, too emotional. But this was the first time he had ever publicly humiliated me. My eyes burned. The suppressed snickers in the room felt like a tidal wave, washing over me as colleagues whispered to each other. Amber leaned against Nathaniel’s side, her red lips curved into a victorious smile. I couldn’t take it anymore. I turned and walked out of the conference room. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew I couldn’t stay there, facing them. Outside, the sunlight was blinding. The glass doors of the office building reflected my pathetic image: makeup streaked and ruined by the brown liquid. I went to a convenience store and bought a pack of wet wipes and a face mask. The young cashier girl looked at my sorry state and quietly slipped two extra strawberry candies into my bag. Clutching the candy wrappers, I stood by a trash can, and was suddenly thrown back to my first day of kindergarten. Nathaniel had done the same thing then, pressing a strawberry candy into my palm and promising he’d always be there for me. 2 Nathaniel and I went way back—back to sharing a playpen and wearing matching onesies. Our families were next-door neighbors, and our moms had joked about arranging our marriage while they were still pregnant. When I started middle school, a group of girls decided to make my life hell. They’d hide my homework, splash ink on my skirts, and “accidentally” hit me with the ball during gym class. The worst of them was the class president, Liz. She once threw a meticulously crafted art project of mine into the trash, then smirked and said, “It was so ugly, the teacher wouldn’t have looked at it anyway.” I went to our homeroom teacher, my eyes red with tears. She just patted my head. “Liz is the class president, Summer. She’s just trying to motivate you to do better.” That night at dinner, I silently pushed rice around my bowl, trying not to cry. My dad noticed something was wrong, and was about to slam his chopsticks down and march to the school. Just then, Nathaniel’s dad stopped by to ask my dad to go fishing. He heard the story and turned, yelling into his living room: “Nathaniel! Starting tomorrow, you walk your sister to and from school!” The next day after school, Nathaniel kicked open the back door of our classroom. He grabbed Liz by the collar, dragged her to the front of the class, and said in a low, dangerous voice, “You’re the one who’s been bullying my sister?” At fourteen, he was already taller than most of the teachers, with a glare that could make a high school thug run for the hills. Liz was shaking like a leaf. Her little gang of followers shrank in their seats, silent. Before he left, Nathaniel tapped the chalkboard with an eraser, sending a cloud of chalk dust into the afternoon sun. “Let’s get this straight. Summer Lane is with me. You got a problem with her, you got a problem with me. Got it?” After that, no one ever bothered me again. And I, in turn, stuck to Nathaniel like glue. When he played basketball, I held his jacket on the sidelines. When he went to the internet cafe with his friends, I sat on a stool beside him, doing my homework. Nathaniel would always scowl at me. “Summer, can you please stop following me everywhere? My friends are making fun of me because of you.” But I didn’t care. Day after day, year after year, his gruff dismissals softened into resigned sighs. At the university freshman orientation party, I performed a dance in a white dress. When I came off stage, I saw him clutching my jacket, his eyes darting away, a suspicious blush creeping up his neck. “Seen enough?” I teased, poking his chest. He was so flustered he dropped his phone, fumbling three times before he could pick it up. “Who—who was looking at you? I was watching the host…” Later, at a family New Year’s dinner, our parents started teasing us. “So, when are we making this childhood engagement official?” Nathaniel didn’t say anything. He just quietly peeled a shrimp and dropped it into my bowl. I ducked my head to hide my smile. The idiot’s ears were so red they looked like they were about to bleed. 3 Life was moving along predictably until Amber Jones showed up. Amber was the new intern, and on her first day, she made the rounds with a tray of Starbucks, handing out coffees to everyone. “Please take good care of me, everyone!” As she passed my desk, the ends of her chestnut curls brushed against my keyboard, and the cloying scent of her perfume made me sneeze. She stopped, her eyes widening in mock surprise as she took in my pink computer, pink thermos, and pink mousepad. “Oh. My. God,” she gasped, taking a dramatic step back and covering her mouth. A peal of laughter erupted from her. “It’s the 21st century. Are there really girls who are still obsessed with pink?” The entire office looked up. My ears burned. The stares of my colleagues felt like needles on my back. Amber wasn’t done. “Wow, you even have a pink mouse! And is that a Lolita-style dress you’re wearing?!” A buzzing filled my ears. I’ve always loved cute, pink things and frilly dresses. It was a preference that had always drawn comments—some boys in elementary school had called me a poser, some girls thought I was being extra. But most people were kind, telling me the style suited me. This was the first time I had been so maliciously mocked in public. The shame was suffocating, as if I’d been stripped naked in front of everyone. I froze, my cheeks on fire, my fingers twisting the hem of my dress. “Oh, sweetie, I’m just kidding! You’re not actually mad, are you?” Amber leaned in conspiratorially. “Honestly, the pink Lolita thing is cute on you. It makes you look so… young.” “That’s enough,” a sharp voice cut in. I turned to see Nathaniel, his brow furrowed, his gaze like daggers aimed at Amber. “You’re a new intern. Is this really how you want to spend your first day? This isn’t a comedy club. One more stunt like this and you’re out.” But Amber’s eyes just lit up. She tilted her head, sizing him up, and bit her lip with a playful smile. “I’m so sorry. I was just trying to be friendly with my new colleague. I promise it won’t happen again.” HR eventually intervened and, in a stroke of cosmic irony, assigned Amber to the desk diagonally across from Nathaniel. From then on, she paraded around the office every day in flawless “no-makeup” makeup and four-inch heels. Sometimes, she would “accidentally” spill coffee on Nathaniel’s reports, then apologize with a pout. Other times, she would lean over his desk to ask for help, “unintentionally” flashing her lace bra and cooing, “Nate, can you help me check these numbers?” And I never wore one of my Lolita-style dresses to the office again. Two months later, I realized with a jolt that Nathaniel and Amber had actually become friends. That morning, he brought me breakfast as usual. But instead of my favorite strawberry yogurt drink, it was a carton of plain milk. “Milk makes me break out, remember?” I asked, holding the carton. Nathaniel was busy adjusting Amber’s monitor. “Don’t be so dramatic,” he said without turning around. “You’re twenty-five, not five. Stop drinking that sugary kids’ stuff.” Amber turned around, twirling the carton of milk she was drinking between her fingers. “Sorry, sweetie! I was the one who wanted milk. But honestly, what kind of adult still drinks that syrupy-sweet stuff?” She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “You’re not trying to act younger than you are, are you?” Smack. I slapped the milk carton down on her keyboard. White liquid splattered across her brand-new designer blouse. “Do you just love telling other people what they should like?” The office fell silent. Amber’s eyes instantly welled with tears. “I… I just thought milk was healthier. Summer, please don’t be mad. It’s my fault.” “Summer!” Nathaniel grabbed my wrist. “It’s not like you’re lactose intolerant. What’s the big deal? And Amber’s not wrong. You need to grow up and act your age.” I looked at the impatience in his eyes and suddenly lost the will to argue. 4 Amber’s attacks became a slow-drip poison in my professional life. At lunch, if I used a sanitary wipe to clean my utensils, she’d tap her bowl with her chopsticks and announce, “Attention everyone! Her Royal Highness is about to dine!” Her clique would perform exaggerated bows, and someone even started filming. When the department rearranged the seating chart, I was carrying a heavy box and stumbled. Amber started laughing and clapping. “Look, everyone! The Disney princess can’t carry her box! Where’s Prince Charming to come to the rescue?” She’d playfully shove a male colleague toward me. “Go on, it’s an honor to help a princess in distress!” At first, Nathaniel would frown and say, “This is an office, not a playground.” Amber would just sway his arm and pout. “Oh, you’re no fun! It’s just a joke. Summer doesn’t mind, right?” But lately, Nathaniel had started just watching in silence. Amber would lean in close to him, whispering just loud enough for me to hear, “Don’t you think she’s just so… fake? That whole innocent act doesn’t really fit in with the rest of us. I’m just trying to help her fit in, you know? For the team.” I saw Nathaniel’s eyelashes flutter. After a moment, he gave a quiet, “Hmm.” In that moment, I understood. In his eyes, my love for frilly dresses was just an affectation. My preferences were childish. So when I saw Amber toying with Nathaniel’s tie clip later that day, shooting me a triumphant smirk, for the first time, I didn’t feel a pang of jealousy. On the first day back after the New Year, I had just settled at my desk when Amber’s cheerful taunt cut through the morning quiet. “Summer, if I had your confidence, I could do anything! Look at you, wearing a dress like that even when you’re so dark-skinned. If I were you, I’d never dare. Is this look supposed to be Snow White, or more like… African tribal princess?” Nathaniel was sipping his coffee. I saw his shoulders shake with a suppressed laugh, the latte in his mug rippling. Amber, encouraged, pressed on. “And honey, at your age, isn’t it a little late to be playing dress-up…?” The water in my glass flew before my reason could catch up. Her carefully tattooed eyebrows began to melt. The glue on her eyelash extensions turned milky white. Her foundation streaked, carving pale yellow rivers down her cheeks. She looked like a cheap oil painting caught in a downpour. “Summer!” Nathaniel seized my wrist, his grip like iron. “Where are your manners? Apologize to Amber. Now.” His nails dug into my skin. The pain made my vision swim. I stared at his cold, furious face and laughed. “Why should I apologize? For what?” “For throwing water on her!” he snarled, his voice low and menacing. My eyes burned. “Didn’t you hear her? She’s been mocking me for months! If anyone should apologize, it’s her.” “You could have told her to stop. You could have argued back. You don’t get to resort to violence,” he said, his tone infuriatingly self-righteous. “This is a workplace. No one is going to coddle you. Apologize.” I let out a cold laugh. “No. I did nothing wrong, and she doesn’t deserve an apology.” Nathaniel looked at me with an expression of profound disappointment. “How did you become like this? Summer, I’m so disappointed in you.” “Funny. The feeling is mutual.” He opened his mouth to say more, but I cut him off. “Are you done? I said I’m not apologizing. What are you going to do, call the cops?” A bitter, angry smile twisted his lips. He grabbed the cup of coffee from his desk and, without a moment’s hesitation, threw it straight at my face. I froze. For a second, he seemed to freeze too. I took a deep breath, fighting to keep my voice steady. “Nathaniel, we’re done.”

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1 The day my family went bankrupt, I dragged my father back from the rooftop. Turning around, I accepted Lucien’s proposal, but for the dowry, I demanded two million dollars. He was silent for three seconds, then chuckled, “Deal.” Yet, barely half a year into our marriage, he brought his young mistress home. Before I could even react, he tossed our prenuptial agreement in my face. “Don’t get confused about your place. Didn’t you already sell yourself to me back then? That price, it should be enough to buy your subservience for a lifetime, shouldn’t it?” I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my flesh, but I was powerless to retort. It wasn’t until I had a threatened miscarriage, and the medical bill was short by exactly fourteen dollars, that I truly broke. Over the phone, his voice was dismissive: “Didn’t I already pay you what I owed before we got married? What, did you get addicted to being a gold-digger?” He then turned around and spent fourteen million dollars on a necklace for his new lover, a gift for her first night with him. Facing the nurse’s urgent prompt, I forced a smile through my tears. “Forget the medicine. Please schedule me for an abortion.” A marriage bought for two million dollars, it was time for it to end. … No sooner had the words left my lips than a bank transfer notification popped up on my phone. Not a cent more, not a cent less—exactly fourteen dollars. The transfer note contained just a few simple words: “Buy your medicine. Don’t disgrace the Reed name.” I tugged at my lips, a bitter, lifeless smile. Fourteen dollars was enough to cover that specific medical bill, but not enough for the abortion procedure. I knew Lucien wouldn’t give me any more money. I had no choice but to swallow my pride and reach out to old friends, hoping to borrow three hundred and seventeen dollars. With that, combined with the money I had and Lucien’s fourteen dollars, it would just cover the cost of a standard abortion. But when the messages were sent, replies quickly came in. “Oh, is the great Ms. Evans short on cash? Did two million dollars run out that fast?” “Tsk, tsk, if you hadn’t haggled like that back then and broken Lucien’s heart, you wouldn’t be shamelessly begging for a few hundred dollars now!” A torrent of mocking messages flooded my screen. But they no longer stung my heart as they once did. In a way, I had become numb, accustomed to it. Accustomed to Lucien treating our marriage as a transaction, and me as an item he’d purchased for two million. Accustomed to his friends’ sneers and sarcastic remarks, finding new ways to call me a gold-digger. Accustomed to the embarrassment of an empty wallet, repeatedly trampling my dignity to beg Lucien for charity. In truth, at first, I thought I had hands and feet, I could surely cover my normal expenses. I might even save two million to repay the money I’d borrowed from Lucien under the guise of a dowry. But Lucien had cut off every path for me to earn money. “I’ve already paid two million to buy out the rest of your life. From now on, your time, your freedom, are mine.” He used the tactic of forcing me to beg him for money to vent his resentment towards me. He hated me for treating our love as a bargaining chip for money, believing I had deceived him for three years, only to reveal my true colors for cash. I had explained many times, but he never had the patience to listen. “What’s the point of so many excuses?” he’d say. “You asked for the money. We’ve become this way, and you only have yourself to blame.” My phone suddenly chimed. Someone had transferred me three hundred and seventy-one dollars, saying it was a “reward” for how satisfying it was to insult me. I wiped the coldness from my face, smiled at the nurse, and said, “I can pay now. Please arrange the procedure for me as soon as possible.” But I didn’t have enough money for a pain pump. I could only lie wide awake on the cold operating table, feeling cold sweat slowly soak my hair and back. I could even clearly feel the instruments entering my body, scraping repeatedly inside. As the tearing pain hit, I thought of Lucien again. He once held me in his arms, gently stroking my head. “After we get married, we can have a child. Boy or girl, I’ll love you both with my life.” But when I actually became pregnant, he said: “Alright, how much money are you going to demand for the child this time?” No more, Lucien. I want nothing more. Money, love, and you—I want none of it. After an unbearable amount of time, the surgery finally ended. As the instruments withdrew, the surrounding sounds gradually returned. The nurse unfastened the restraints on my legs and helped me to an observation bed for half an hour. I stared blankly at the dark sky outside the window, tears falling one by one. Suddenly, a solitary firework shot up, bursting into bloom in the sky. Then, a city-wide display of brilliant fireworks followed. I watched the night sky, bright as day, in a daze. I overheard the envious whispers of a few young nurses: “Did you hear? CEO Reed specially arranged this for his sweetheart! His girlfriend is so lucky!” “Oh, what girlfriend? CEO Reed has a wife! But I heard she’s a gold-digger. She’s doing worse than his household staff now!” On the way home, I dragged my aching lower body, each step a struggle. An empty taxi pulled up in front of me, rolling down its window to ask where I was going. I waved my hand with difficulty. “No need.” I couldn’t afford the fare. So, step by step, I walked towards the house, ten miles away. Along the way, many people were reminiscing and marveling at tonight’s grand firework display. “It was so beautiful! If someone could set off fireworks like that for me, my life would be complete, boohoohoo!” “What are you dreaming about? Do you think everyone is CEO Reed’s girlfriend? Look at that woman, her face is so pale, and no one cares for her either!” I instinctively looked up at the two young girls whispering. They instantly blushed, quickly saying they didn’t mean anything, and asked if I needed help. I shook my head with a smile. What I wanted to say was, I once had fireworks like that too. Once, I had someone who cared. That was the day Lucien proposed to me. He knelt before me, holding a ring in one hand, his eyes red. “Clara, you’re the most special girl I’ve ever met. I’m willing to spend my life cherishing and loving you.” “Will you marry me?” Behind him, fireworks more dazzling than today’s erupted. But at that moment, I had just pulled my despairing father back from the rooftop. Creditors were still besieging my house, threatening my mother and seven-year-old sister if I didn’t pay them back immediately. I had no choice. So I could only say to him, “Lucien, can you… lend me two million dollars?” His expression instantly turned cold, the deep affection in his eyes slowly receding. He slowly stood up, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips. “Everyone says you’re with me to climb the social ladder. At first, I didn’t believe it.” “Clara Evans, you’re truly patient. You waited until I proposed to you, until it was public knowledge, to show your true colors.” He scoffed, raising his hand to stop the fireworks. He pulled a check from his pocket and threw it at my face. “Fine, you’re quite cheap, too.” From that day on, our relationship soured. No matter how much I explained, I couldn’t shed the label of “gold-digger.” With Lucien’s tacit approval, I became the most pathetic joke in the entire city’s elite circles. Even his housekeeper earned thirty thousand dollars a month, while I had to beg him for even three dollars. I kept enduring, hoping that one day his anger would subside, and he would listen to my explanation. Until the first time he brought another woman home, I completely lost it. But he merely looked at me indifferently, asking what right I had to be angry with him. He said he had already paid to buy our marriage, and even if he brought a hundred women home, it was my own doing. In that moment, my heart was shredded, yet I couldn’t utter a single word in my own defense. Against the bitter wind of early winter, I walked for six hours, finally arriving home at one AM. Pushing open the front door, the house was filled with comfortable warmth. Just as I was about to use my last bit of strength to walk to the bedroom, I heard a girl’s sweet voice from the sofa. “Sister’s back! Where’s my candy apple?” I looked at the delicate girl in Lucien’s arms, startled, and instinctively asked, “What candy apple?” “Stop playing dumb! Didn’t I message you to buy a candy apple for Maya when you came back?” Lucien sneered, sizing me up. “I spent so much money, and you can’t even fulfill such a small request?” My phone had already died. I bit my lip, forcing out a reply. “Buy your own.” Perhaps my cold attitude angered Lucien. He sprang up from the sofa, looking at me testily. “What, you want money again? Didn’t I just give you fourteen dollars? That’s enough for a candy apple, isn’t it?” “Go buy it right now! If you can’t get one, don’t come back!” I looked at him, incredulous. In the past six months, this wasn’t the first time Lucien had spoken to me in such a tone. I thought I was already numb. But a dull ache spread through my chest, even more devastating than the cramping in my abdomen. Outside, it was only a few degrees, and even through the window, I could hear the howling wind. It was past one AM. Where was I supposed to buy a candy apple? Seeing me frozen in place, Lucien scoffed. “What, still not moving? You want more money?” Lucien mockingly pulled a red bill from his wallet and threw it on the floor without looking. “Is this enough?” He paused, sizing me up as if searching for something. “You asked me for money tonight, saying you needed medicine. Where’s the medicine?” “Clara Evans, you’re truly unscrupulous for money now. Are you lying even about fourteen dollars?” Medicine? The baby was gone, what use was medicine? Before I could speak, Lucien waved over a bodyguard, who roughly pushed me out the door. Through the door, his voice sounded even colder. “If you can’t buy a candy apple, you can stay outside all night.” Then, I heard a light, coquettish female voice, followed by intimate, suggestive sounds. I instinctively wanted to get away from that sound, but I didn’t even have the strength to walk. I could only lean against the door and slowly squat down, sitting on the steps outside. The biting cold wind seeped in through my collar, thoroughly chilling my already lifeless heart. In a daze, I heard the door open behind me. The next second, Lucien’s anxious curse: “Clara Evans, are you crazy?! Can’t you find somewhere warm?!” “What’s the point of playing the victim?!” Then, I seemed to fall into a warm embrace. I thought it must be a hallucination. Lucien hated me so much now, he wouldn’t worry about me. I don’t know how long I slept, but when I opened my eyes, I saw Lucien’s ashen face. “Finally stopped pretending? It’s just a candy apple. Do you have to put on a show for me?” “What, do you want the world to know you were pregnant and almost froze to death at the Reed’s doorstep, so you can demand more money?” I opened my mouth, wanting to retort. But my throat was dry and painfully scratchy. Lucien looked away, no longer at me, and shouted out the door, “Where’s the family doctor? Why isn’t he here yet?!” “Don’t let her die in my house!” Tears silently streamed from the corners of my eyes. Lucien, what exactly do you want? You’re the one who hated me so much you wished me dead, and now you’re the one who’s afraid I’ll die. I closed my eyes, my voice hoarse and unpleasant: “Lucien, let’s get a divorce.” He spun around, as if he’d heard a joke. “Divorce? Fine. You give me back two million, and I’ll agree to a divorce.” He seemed to remember something suddenly, paused, then scoffed. “I know what it is. You think you can extort more money now that you’re pregnant with my child, don’t you?” “Tell me, how much do you want this time? Two million? Or five million?” I couldn’t hold back the injustice any longer, blurting out, “Our baby is already gone—” However, before I could finish, Maya’s exaggerated retching suddenly came from outside the door. Just then, the family doctor rushed in. After a series of examinations, the doctor hesitated before speaking: “Mr. Reed, Ms. Maya Sterling appears to be pregnant.” Boom! Something seemed to collapse completely at that moment.

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“Babe, did the bonus hit your account yet?” Ryan’s text message arrived five seconds before the notification from my bank. $120,000. After taxes, it was a clean $87,300. Before I could even screenshot it for him, another message buzzed through. “Perfect timing. I’ve got a sure-fire investment lined up, 18% annual return. Can you wire over $80,000?” I stared at the screen, a sudden chill creeping over me. In five years of marriage, this was the third time he’d asked me for a large sum of money. The first time, for a “startup.” $20,000. The second, to “pay off a debt.” $15,000. And now, this. I didn’t reply. Instead, I opened my banking app and transferred the entire $87,300 into a savings account he knew nothing about. Then, I texted him back. “The company’s tightening its belt this year. They’ve delayed the bonuses.” Three minutes later, Ryan called. I declined it. Two hours after that, I walked into our apartment. His side of the closet was empty. The small cash box we kept in the nightstand was gone. Even the heirloom gold bracelet my mother had given me was missing. I stood in the center of our bedroom and, to my own surprise, I laughed. Five years. It took five years for the fox to finally show its tail. 1 I didn’t call the police. And I didn’t call Ryan. I just stood there, in the middle of our ransacked bedroom, and methodically took a picture of every drawer pulled open, every item disturbed. All his clothes from the closet were gone. But my cashmere coat, the one he’d told me was “too expensive, don’t buy it,” was crumpled on the floor with two muddy footprints ground into the fabric. The nightstand had been pried open. It used to hold two things of value: my emergency cash fund of $12,000, and my mother’s savings bonds, worth another $8,000. She’d given them to me before she passed. All gone. I knelt, my hand sweeping under the bed, and my fingers brushed against a crumpled piece of paper. A receipt. From three days ago. Airline tickets. Two of them. To Miami. I stared at the two names printed in stark black ink: Ryan Peterson, and Zoe Reed. Zoe Reed. I’d seen that name before. It was on his phone once, a notification that flashed on the screen. Can’t wait, Ry. He told me she was just a new intern at his firm who’d added the wrong person. I believed him. Looking back now, I must have been blind. My phone rang, shattering the silence. It was Sarah. “Anna, where are you? It’s your birthday! The girls are all waiting for you at the bar!” I glanced at the calendar on my phone. January 18th. My 32nd birthday. “I…” I started, but the words caught in my throat. I didn’t know what to say. Sarah’s tone shifted instantly. “What’s wrong? What happened? Don’t move, I’m on my way.” Thirty minutes later, Sarah stood in my doorway, her face turning to stone as she took in the chaos of the apartment. “He ran?” she asked, her voice low and dangerous. “Yeah.” “How much did he take?” “The $20,000 from the nightstand, my mom’s gold bracelet, and…” I hesitated. “Whatever was left in his own checking account, maybe five or six thousand.” Sarah stomped her foot in fury. “I told you that man was a snake! I told you not to marry him, but you wouldn’t listen! And now look!” I stayed silent. Then a sudden thought struck her. “Wait, what about your bonus? The $87,000?” I pulled out my phone, opened the banking app, and showed her the balance. $87,300. “It’s safe,” I said. Sarah let out a huge sigh of relief. “Oh, thank God for that.” I sank onto the sofa, my mind a tangled mess. “What was his endgame? For just twenty grand?” Sarah sat beside me, a bitter scoff escaping her lips. “You really think it was just about the twenty grand? Anna, think about how much you’ve spent on him over the last five years.” I froze. When I actually did the math, the numbers were staggering. The down payment on our apartment: $80,000 from my savings. The renovations: another $40,000, all me. His two “business ventures” and “debts”: a combined $35,000. And that didn’t even include the five years of groceries, bills, and vacations. “He’s drained you for hundreds of thousands, at least,” Sarah said, her voice softening as she watched my face. “Anna, you’re just too trusting.” I didn’t argue. She was right. My dad died when I was young, and my mom raised me on her own. Before she passed, she told me the thing she worried about most was me. She said I was too soft, my heart too easily swayed. When Ryan was trying to win me over, he was the perfect gentleman. He’d wait outside my office every day, bring me an umbrella when it rained, and cook soup for me when I was sick. My mom met him once and said, “He seems like such a steady, honest guy. You won’t get hurt with him.” Honest? I glanced at the plane ticket receipt on the floor. The irony was a physical ache in my chest. My phone rang again. It was him. Ryan. I answered, and his voice was as warm and gentle as always. “Hey, babe. Are you off work yet?” “Yeah.” “Okay, well, you’ll have to grab dinner on your own tonight. The office sent me on a last-minute business trip. It’s urgent, I’ll probably be gone for a week.” A business trip? For a week? I looked at his empty half of the closet and felt a hysterical laugh bubbling up inside me. “Okay. You take care of your work.” “You get some rest. Love you.” “You too.” I hung up. Sarah, who had heard the whole conversation, was staring at me, utterly aghast. “He still has the nerve to call you? And lie about a business trip?!” “He doesn’t know I came home early.” My voice was eerily calm as I placed the phone on the coffee table. My mind had never felt clearer. “He thinks I’m out with you guys celebrating my birthday, that I’ll be home late.” “So he timed this…” Sarah’s face grew darker. “He must think the bonus already hit your account, and by the time you found out he was gone, the money would be gone too.” I nodded slowly. If I hadn’t felt that sudden flicker of suspicion and moved the $87,300. If my office hadn’t let everyone leave two hours early today. If I hadn’t canceled my own birthday drinks. I would have come home to an apartment stripped bare, without a single dollar left to my name. I stood up and walked to the window, looking down at the glittering city lights below. On my 32nd birthday, my husband had taken my life savings and run off to Miami with another woman. And I didn’t even have the energy to cry. There was only one thought, growing sharper and colder in my mind: Ryan, you think this is over? This is just the beginning. 2 I didn’t sleep. Sarah stayed with me all night. She helped me document everything that was missing, confirming the final tally. $20,000 in cash and bonds. My mother’s bracelet, which had been appraised at over $6,000. And about $3,000 in cash I kept in a drawer. Nearly $30,000 in total. “That bastard,” Sarah seethed, grinding her teeth. I sat on the sofa, scrolling through Ryan’s Instagram feed from the last two years. It was a highlight reel of our perfect marriage. A picture of a steak dinner: Best meal ever, cooked by my amazing wife! A smiling selfie of us: Happy four-year anniversary to the love of my life. Forever and always. A candid shot of me working on my laptop: My wife works so hard. Can’t wait to spoil her with her bonus! The pictures featured me, our home, the watch I bought him for his birthday, the $800 down jacket I’d splurged on for him. The comments were a chorus of admiration. “Ryan, you’re one lucky guy!” “Anna is the definition of a perfect wife!” “Couple goals right here!” Looking at it now made me want to vomit. Sarah leaned over my shoulder. “He’s a hell of an actor,” she said with a sneer. I kept scrolling down, then stopped abruptly. A post from three months ago. The caption read: Company retreat. The views are incredible. The photo was of him in the mountains, the location vague. But I recognized the blue button-down shirt I’d bought him last year. I zoomed in on the picture, my eyes scanning every detail. And there, in the bottom corner, was a hand. A woman’s hand, with perfectly manicured red nails, holding out a drink to him. I hadn’t noticed it at the time. Now, I knew. That hand had to belong to Zoe. “Do you know this Zoe Reed?” Sarah asked. “Never met her.” I shook my head, my mind racing. Ryan didn’t have a real job. He always told me he was an “independent investor,” but he never seemed to make any actual money. He’d contribute a few hundred dollars to our joint account each month, claiming it was his “income.” The rest of our lifestyle was funded entirely by me. So how did he meet this Zoe? He never let me touch his phone, but I knew his passcode—our wedding anniversary. He hadn’t changed it. He probably thought I’d never bother to check. I opened his texts and started scrolling back, all the way to the beginning of his conversation with Zoe. The first message was from eight months ago. “Hey, Ryan. It’s Zoe. Mark from the club gave me your number, said you could help me with some investments.” Investments? Ryan, giving financial advice? I kept reading, and with every message, the sick feeling in my stomach grew stronger. Two months later, the tone of their chats shifted. “Ry, I miss you so much.” “I know, baby. Just wait till I get through this.” “Is your wife good to you?” “She’s fine. Just too busy with work all the time. Doesn’t really have time for me.” “Poor you. I’ll take care of you from now on.” By the time I reached that message, my hands were shaking. Beside me, Sarah’s face had gone pale with rage. “Those two absolute pieces of trash!” I ignored her, my eyes glued to the screen as I scrolled further. A month ago, the conversation turned to money. “Zoe, how are the preparations going over there?” “Apartment is all set. Rent is cheap in Miami, only $2,000 a month for a year.” “Perfect. Once I get things sorted on my end, we can finally be together.” “What about her money?” “It’s coming. Her bonus lands at the end of the month. I’ll think of a way to get it from her then.” “You’re amazing, Ry.” “After five years, I know exactly how she thinks. All I have to do is ask, and she’ll give it to me.” I stared at those last few lines for a long, long time. Five years. From the very beginning, I was nothing more than his personal ATM. Suddenly, Sarah jabbed a finger at the screen. “Look at this one!” I followed her finger to a message from yesterday. “Babe, did the bonus hit your account yet?” That was the text he’d sent to me. Immediately after, he’d sent one to Zoe. “Should be any time now. Once it lands, I’ll tell her about the investment.” “What if she says no?” “No way. I’ve been playing this part for five years. What’s she going to do?” “But what if she gets suspicious?” “Her? She’s a fool. She believes anything I tell her.” A fool. He called me a fool. A strange, sharp laugh escaped my lips. Sarah jumped. “Anna? Don’t scare me. What are you laughing at?” I closed the phone and stood up. “I’m laughing at myself.” “What?” “Ryan was right.” I walked to the window and watched the sky slowly lighten from charcoal gray to a bruised purple. “I was a fool.” “But not anymore.” 3 The next morning, I took a personal day from work. Sarah insisted on staying with me, but I waved her off. “I don’t need a babysitter. I have things to do.” “What kind of things?” “I’m going to find out exactly what Ryan has been doing for the last five years.” Sarah hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. Call me if you need anything.” After she left, I walked out of the apartment with a purpose. First stop: the bank. I bought our apartment before we were married, but we’d been paying the mortgage together since. Or so I thought. I requested a full statement of the mortgage payments. Over the past five years, I had paid $87,000 toward the principal. Ryan had paid… $3,000. And that was only in the first two years. For the last three, he hadn’t contributed a single cent. The bank teller looked at my face, her expression sympathetic. “Ma’am, is there anything else I can help you with?” “I need to see the transaction history for my husband’s accounts.” “I’m sorry, but for that, we’ll need authorization from the account holder himself.” “He’s missing,” I said flatly. The teller froze. I took a deep breath and slid my ID and our marriage certificate across the counter. “I suspect he’s been involved in fraudulent activity. I need your cooperation to investigate.” Her professional demeanor changed instantly. She consulted her supervisor, who then consulted the branch manager. Finally, the manager came over. “Ms. Peterson, based on the circumstances, we can provide you with a partial statement of his primary checking account.” “Thank you.” Half an hour later, I walked out of the bank with a thick stack of papers. Ryan had one main account, the one I transferred money into every month for his “expenses” and “investments.” Over the past five years, nearly $150,000 had been deposited into that account. All of it from me. And the withdrawals? Seventy percent was transferred to an account under the name “Zoe Reed.” Twenty percent was withdrawn as cash. Only a meager ten percent was used for actual daily expenses. I stared at Zoe’s name, a cold certainty settling in my gut. Second stop: the IRS service center. Ryan claimed to be an “investor,” but he had no registered company. I filed a request for our joint tax transcripts, and what I found was interesting. He hadn’t had any official W-2 or 1099 income reported for the last three years. He had no job. So where did the few hundred dollars he gave me each month come from? It must have been my own money, cycled back to me to keep up the illusion. My last stop was the county records office. I ran a property search under Ryan’s name. Nothing. But then, on a hunch, I ran one for Zoe Reed. Bingo. A one-bedroom condo, purchased two years ago, right here in the city. The down payment was $18,000. The mortgage was for $400,000. And the name listed as the primary payer on the mortgage application: Ryan Peterson. I stood on the steps of the records office, clutching the printout, the paper trembling in my hand. Two years ago. That was when Ryan had asked me for $20,000 for his “startup.” He used my money to buy his mistress a home. I took a deep, shuddering breath and pulled out my phone. I sent a text to Sarah. Find me the best divorce lawyer you know. Her reply was instant. What happened? What did you find? He used my money to buy his mistress a condo. I’m on it. 4 The lawyer’s name was Mark Davies. He was a college friend of Sarah’s and specialized in messy divorces and asset recovery. After reviewing the documents I’d brought, his brow furrowed. “Anna, your situation is… complex,” he said, his tone serious. “How so?” “First, the marital infidelity is clear. You have the text messages as proof, so that’s straightforward. Second, he illegally transferred marital assets to a third party. The amount is substantial, and you have grounds to demand it all back.” He paused, leaning forward. “The problem is, your husband has disappeared, and he’s likely drained his accounts. The money is probably gone.” “So what are my options?” “We file a police report for fraud and theft. Then we sue him.” “Is it enough for jail time?” “Based on the amount, absolutely. Fraud over thirty thousand dollars is a felony. He could face three to ten years.” I was silent for a moment, processing that. “Are there other ways?” Mark studied me, seeming to understand what I was really asking. “If you want to get the money back, the most effective way is to find him, or to find his assets.” “Assets?” “Property, vehicles, large bank accounts…” “I know about the condo,” I said, my voice hard. “It’s in her name, but he’s the one paying the mortgage.” Mark’s eyes lit up. “If you can prove the down payment and the mortgage payments came from your marital funds, we can argue that the condo is a marital asset.” “How do I prove that?” “Bank statements, transfer records, and…” He looked at me expectantly. “Any communication about the purchase.” I thought for a second, then opened my phone and scrolled through the screenshots of Ryan and Zoe’s texts. I found the one I was looking for. “Babe, I transferred the down payment. We finally have a place of our own.” “Oh, Ry, you’re the best!” “Anything for you. As soon as I get the rest of the money sorted out, it’s all yours.” I handed the phone to Mark. He read the exchange, a slow nod of approval on his face. “This text is crucial. It’s solid evidence.” “So what’s the next step?” “First, we file a police report. Second, we file a motion to freeze her assets, specifically that condo. Third, we file for divorce, demanding full return of assets and punitive damages for emotional distress.” I stood up, my mind set. “Okay. I’m going to the police station right now.” As I reached the door, Mark called out, “Anna.” “Yes?” “Prepare yourself,” he said, his voice dropping slightly. “I’ve seen a lot of cases like this. The husband runs off with the money, and even after a long fight, the wife only gets a fraction of it back.” “I know,” I said, turning to face him. My voice was steady, without a trace of a waver. “But I’m not doing this just to get the money back.” “Then what are you doing it for?” “To make him pay.”

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Watching Rupert finish his tenth pineapple, I coldly presented the divorce papers. “Rupert, we’re getting a divorce.” Rupert paused, his hand still reaching for a napkin to wipe his fingers. “Darling, what’s this about now?” “You’ve eaten ten pineapples in three days,” I stated. Rupert chuckled, reaching out to stroke my hair as he always did. “These past few days, the pineapples haven’t been that good, so I didn’t save you any. How about this, to make amends with my princess, I’ll take you shopping for a designer bag tomorrow? What do you say?” I lowered my eyes, a bitter taste in my mouth. In three years of marriage, he had never once lost his temper with me. Even when I threw petty tantrums, he would patiently buy me gifts, apologize, and make amends. But this time, I stepped back, calmly avoiding his hand. “No need. I’m just tired of it.” “Please sign quickly. If we get the divorce papers finalized now, you’ll still make it for your business trip tonight.” After all, the person who made him eat ten pineapples in three days was about to arrive at our doorstep. 1 Rupert’s smile froze. He looked at me, incredulous. “You’re divorcing me because I ate ten pineapples?” I turned and stared at him intently. “Yes, exactly because of that.” Rupert tugged irritably at his tie. “Alice Grey, stop fooling around. This business trip is important. Be a good girl and wait for me to come home.” I looked at him coldly. “I’m not fooling around.” Rupert frowned, about to say something, when the front door beeped with a password entry. Chelsea’s voice drifted in. “Rupert, the car’s downstairs. The CEO for this acquisition is very particular, we need to get there early to prepare the documents… Oh, Alice, you’re home too.” She slipped off her shoes, a pair of matching pink slippers that belonged to Rupert and me, and greeted me with a smile. Seeing Chelsea, Rupert’s brows instantly relaxed. He glanced at me, his tone softening slightly. “Chelsea’s here to pick me up. Alice, let’s talk about whatever it is when I get back from my trip. Don’t let outsiders laugh at us.” Chelsea naturally walked over to Rupert, reaching up to straighten his slightly crooked tie. Her movements were intimate, as practiced as if they were the true owners of this house. “Alice, don’t be mad at Rupert.” Chelsea smiled at me as she adjusted his tie. “Rupert’s been pulling all-nighters for days to rush this project. His appetite hasn’t been good, so he just wanted something sweet and sour.” “I specially arranged for those pineapples to be flown in from the south. I didn’t expect Rupert to like them so much.” She paused, her voice playful. “I accidentally overheard you arguing at the door. Alice, you’re not angry over such a small thing, are you?” I watched Rupert let her fuss over him, showing no intention of maintaining distance. I had brought it up before—Chelsea was the daughter of his grandfather’s war buddy, and his assistant, but there was still a clear line between men and women. What had Rupert said then? He said, “Chelsea lost her parents when she was young. She’s innocent and sees me as a big brother. If I push her away, how heartbroken would she be? Alice, you’re the most generous. Don’t fuss over a young girl.” I was generous for three years. In return, he gave all his patience and boundaries to another woman. “I’m not angry,” I said, looking at them, my voice very soft. “So, let’s get a divorce.” Chelsea’s hand froze. She gasped, covering her mouth. “Divorce? Alice, you’re not serious, are you? Rupert is so good to you. How can you treat marriage as a joke?” Rupert’s face completely darkened. He ripped off his tie, throwing it heavily onto the sofa. “Alice Grey, are you ever going to be done with this?” “In front of Chelsea, you just have to make me lose face, don’t you? I’ve explained it. The pineapples are because my appetite isn’t good, and Chelsea is doing her job. Can’t you be sensible?” The disappointment in his eyes stung my heart. In these three years, the word I heard most often was “sensible.” When Chelsea got a minor cut in the middle of the night, he abandoned me on my birthday to rush to the hospital, telling me to be sensible. When Chelsea had a breakup, he canceled our wedding anniversary trip to comfort her, telling me to be sensible. Now, even when I brought up divorce, he expected me to be sensible for his sake. “Sign the papers, and I’ll be sensible,” I said, handing him the pen. Rupert stared at me for a few seconds, then let out a cold laugh. “Fine, Alice Grey, you’ve really grown up.” He walked away without even glancing at the agreement. “Since that’s how it is, let’s both cool down. I’ll stay at the office for a while. When you’re done with your tantrum, I’ll come back.” Chelsea hurried after him. As she passed me, she paused, whispering in a voice only we could hear, “Alice, some things, if they’re not yours, holding onto them is useless. Pineapples are like that, and people are too.” Then, her heels clicking, she caught up with Rupert. “Rupert, wait for me, you forgot your stomach medicine…” The front door slammed shut. The house fell back into a deathly silence. I looked at the unsigned divorce papers on the coffee table. I didn’t take anything else. I left the house alone. This time, I wanted nothing. And I truly wouldn’t be coming back. I moved back to my parents’ house. In the past three years, I had rarely stayed here, busy taking care of Rupert’s every need. My parents’ expressions shifted from surprise to alarm when they saw me walk in with my suitcase. “Alice, what’s wrong? Did you argue with Rupert?” My mother took my suitcase, cautiously probing. I shook my head, tiredly changing my shoes. “No argument. I just wanted to come back and stay for a few days.” “Did Rupert bully you?” My father slammed down his newspaper. “If that boy dared to treat you badly, I wouldn’t let him get away with it!” “No,” I forced a smile. “He’s on a business trip. I was just bored at home by myself.” I hadn’t figured out how to tell them about the divorce. In my parents’ eyes, Rupert was the ideal son-in-law, a rare gem. Young, accomplished, gentle, and utterly devoted to me. Even during holidays, Rupert was unfailingly polite, charming all our relatives. In everyone’s eyes, marrying him was a step up, a fall into a life of good fortune. I was too tired to explain. I just wanted a good night’s sleep. But even that wish was a luxury. Less than half an hour after lying down, Rupert called. I didn’t want to answer, so I hung up. He called again. I hung up again. By the fifth time, I sighed and answered. “Alice Grey, where are you?” Rupert’s voice on the other end was choked with anger, the background noisy, like a social gathering. “I’m at my parents’ house,” I replied calmly. “Who told you to go back there?” Rupert’s voice rose a few octaves. “I’m only gone for two days on a business trip, and you run back to your parents to complain? How old are you, don’t you have any self-respect?” My fingers tightened slightly around the phone. “I didn’t complain. I just moved out.” “Moved out? What do you mean?” Rupert seemed startled, then his tone became even more impatient. “Are you really going to separate from me over a few measly pineapples? Alice Grey, my patience has limits.” “Mr. King!” Chelsea’s sweet voice came from the other end. “Mr. Thompson is toasting you. Please come over quickly.” Followed by a burst of cheers. “Mr. King is such a busy man, checking in with home even during a business dinner?” “Is the wife checking up on him? Let Assistant Chelsea explain to the wife.” Rupert covered the mouthpiece, his voice lowering slightly. “I’m entertaining right now. I don’t have time for your nonsense. There’s a charity gala tomorrow night. Dress appropriately, and I’ll pick you up. Don’t give me any attitude. This is important.” With that, he hung up without giving me a chance to refuse. Looking at the darkened screen, I felt no ripple of emotion. In the past, even a slightly harsh tone from him would have left me sad for half a day, making me wonder if I had truly done something wrong. Now, I just found it amusing. In his eyes, my departure, my divorce papers, were all just petty attempts to gain attention. All he had to do was offer a small olive branch, and I would gratefully crawl back. Unfortunately, this time he was wrong. The next evening, I didn’t go to the charity gala as he expected. I turned off my phone and went to the cinema alone to watch a film I had long wanted to see. Rupert never liked these art-house films, finding them boring. Every time I wanted to go, I’d end up compromising and watching a commercial blockbuster with him. Or, sometimes, I’d be stood up entirely because of a call from Chelsea. It was already 10 PM when the movie let out. I turned on my phone, and a barrage of missed calls and messages flooded in. Not just from Rupert, but from my parents, and even from Chelsea. Rupert: [Where are you? I’m downstairs at your parents’ house, and no one’s home?] [Alice Grey, are you doing this on purpose? Are you happy to embarrass me in front of my business partners?] [Call me back immediately!] Chelsea: [Alice, you’re too willful. So many CEOs brought their wives tonight. Rupert was all alone and kept getting asked questions. My heart went out to him.] [Luckily, I wore a gown today, so I temporarily filled in as his female companion. Otherwise, Rupert would have been completely humiliated tonight.] [Photo.jpg] In the photo, Rupert, in a black suit, looked handsome and distinguished. Chelsea, arm in arm with him, wore a light blue mermaid gown, her smile radiant. That gown was a custom design I had admired last month, but Rupert had said it was too revealing for me. Now, Chelsea wore it. They stood together, a perfect couple, like a pair made for each other. I looked at the photo, feeling my stomach churn, utterly disgusted. Without replying to any messages, I blocked both of them.

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1 I found myself in the legendary Soul Exchange. I pawned my capacity for love in exchange for another chance at life. When my parents brought my adoptive sister home again, I finally wasn’t consumed by the same hysteria as in my previous life. This time, my parents’ indifference, my brother’s disdain, my fiancé’s betrayal—I wouldn’t care about any of it. But then, why… why were they holding me, crying so heartbrokenly again? “Audrey, why are you spacing out? Your new sister will be here soon, let’s go downstairs to greet her!” Hearing that name again, I paused for a moment. I hadn’t been called “Audrey” for six or seven years. I turned to look at Arthur standing beside me, and sure enough, he was twelve again. The gangly pre-teen, dressed in a fitted suit, was eagerly looking towards the staircase. One hand still clutched my arm. I stared at his long, clean hand. Yet, what flashed in my mind was the imprint of his hand, grown-up, slapping my face. I frowned, instantly shaking him off. Arthur’s expression froze; he looked at me, bewildered. “Audrey, what’s wrong?” The next moment, the villa’s front door slowly pushed open. My parents’ voices drifted in: “Arthur, Audrey, come down, we’ve brought your sister home!” Arthur’s eyes lit up. He immediately abandoned me and ran downstairs. I stood at the top of the stairs, watching the harmonious scene of the family of four below. I reached up and pressed a hand over my heart. It was a strange sensation. A tingling warmth. But the tearing pain that used to accompany it was gone. 2 Arthur and I were twins. For the first twelve years, the Fosters only had us two children. And with the auspicious symbolism of having a boy and a girl twin, our parents and the elders of the family doted on us like precious jewels. Arthur, though only two hours older than me, acted like a true older brother, always letting me have my way, spoiling me into a veritable little princess. Someone once joked with my dad, “With your eldest daughter’s temper, it’s a good thing she was engaged to Ethan early, otherwise no one would dare marry her when she grows up.” My dad’s face immediately darkened. “My daughter wasn’t born to be married off. If no one marries her, she’ll stay home her whole life! I can afford to keep her!” Mom and Arthur didn’t say anything, they just kept showering me with good things, spoiling me even more recklessly. A jade bracelet worth over three hundred thousand dollars was the most ordinary birthday gift I received back then. It was also the last birthday gift I ever received. When I was twelve, one of my father’s old comrades passed away from an illness. On his deathbed, he entrusted his only daughter to my dad. That girl, named Seraphina, became my nominal sister. From then on, my family’s affection, trust, and attention slowly, little by little, drifted away from me. I admit, I hated her. I envied her! I envied how two tears from her could send the whole family into a frantic frenzy. I envied how she slowly stole everything I owned. I grew increasingly obsessive. My temper became more volatile, more erratic. Finally, on my eighteenth birthday, I witnessed her and my fiancé Ethan kissing in the garden. I completely lost my mind. I confronted my parents, my brother, my beloved… “Why are you doing this to me?” But they just looked at me with almost identical expressions of disappointment: “Do you even know what you look like right now? You’re a lunatic!” I laughed, tears streaming down my face. The pain in my heart made my whole body tremble. I lunged at Seraphina with a knife, only to be kicked into a rose bush full of thorns by Arthur. Everyone nervously rushed to protect Seraphina, comforting her and coaxing her to stop crying. No one cared that the knife I held was just a plastic one, meant for cutting cake. My parents, claiming I had mental issues, had me committed to a mental institution. I think Arthur’s kick must have injured me badly. I coughed up blood day and night, begging the doctors to call my parents repeatedly. But they never picked up. Finally, after another round of electroshock therapy, I took my last breath. And then I saw it—the rumored Soul Exchange. I traded all my emotions, my capacity to love, for a chance to be reborn. 3 “Audrey, come on! Weren’t you always looking forward to having a little sister?” Mom, holding Seraphina’s hand, stood at the doorway, smiling and waving at me. Seraphina, with her clean, pale face, sweetly called me “Sister.” But I showed no reaction. I simply turned and went back to my room, leaving them all in the living room, exchanging puzzled glances. My dad sighed, “This child, who upset her now?” Mom’s voice was awkward: “Maybe she’s not used to having a little sister yet, it’s fine, I’ll go coax her in a bit.” Seraphina’s voice was tearful: “Mommy, Daddy, does Sister not like me?” Before my parents could speak, Arthur eagerly cut in: “No, no, Audrey just has a bit of a temper, her heart isn’t bad. Don’t cry, don’t be sad, I’ll go tell her off for you later!” My parents beamed, “Arthur’s so sensible! Make sure you take good care of your sister!” Their laughter kept drifting into my room. Again, I thought how terrible the soundproofing in this mansion truly was. I hated it. It was deafening. I simply stood up and started inventorying my valuables. So much time had passed, I couldn’t remember what my twelve-year-old self owned anymore. Now, looking closely, I was astonished by the sheer wealth. No wonder Seraphina loved taking my things so much. Even my grown-up self couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. I picked up the jewelry from my vanity and stuffed it all into my backpack. Anyway, if I didn’t take it now, Seraphina would soon claim it for various reasons. I held a beautifully crafted jade bracelet, remembering how Seraphina had shattered it in my previous life. That was the first time I slapped her. The small girl, red-eyed, hid behind the door, her voice filled with such injustice, as if I had broken something that belonged to her. “Sister, I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to… I’ve never had anything like this, I just wanted to look, I, I didn’t hold it steady…” She burst into tears, which brought my parents and Arthur running. That was the first time I went “crazy” and hit someone, and the first time my dad confined me. Seraphina cried into my mom’s leg until she almost fainted, yet still managed to glance up and stick her tongue out at me. I pointed at her, accusing, but the next second, Arthur violently shoved me into my room. “Audrey! Can’t you show some sympathy? Seraphina is so pathetic, how can you still bully her? It’s just a bracelet, you have countless others! What’s wrong with giving it to her?” I gritted my teeth, forcing down the sobs that rose in my throat. Just a bracelet? No! That was the birthday gift Arthur bought me with his first prize money from a creative competition! But he had forgotten… From that year on, I never received another birthday gift. Even the dolls, clothes, and jewelry that used to flow into my room like a stream were all redirected to Seraphina’s room. All because she said: “The kids at school laugh at me, they say I’m so skinny and small, and I have no taste, not as bright and shiny as Sister, like a little mud monkey…” She was lying! It was Arthur who helped her ostracize me with the entire class! He knew. He clearly knew everything. But he didn’t defend me. Watching as my parents grew increasingly disappointed in me, increasingly favoring their pitiful adopted daughter… 4 By the time I’d packed all my belongings, there was a gentle knock on my door. “Audrey? Sweetheart, dinner’s ready.” Mom’s voice was incredibly patient, unbelievably gentle. I didn’t respond. I just opened the door, allowing her to lead me to the living room. In my usual spot, Seraphina sat, looking constrained. My dad and Arthur were both helping her dish out food. I turned to Mom. “Should I eat on the floor?” Everyone froze. Mom’s grip on my hand unconsciously tightened. “Of course not! It’s my fault, I forgot to get you a chair. Ms. Davies, quickly get Audrey a chair.” Seraphina hesitantly stood up, her innocent big eyes instantly welling with tears. “Sister, I’m sorry, I didn’t know this was your seat, I, I’ll give it to you!” Arthur quickly got up and restrained her, looking at me with reproach. “Audrey, it’s all the same where you sit, don’t scare Seraphina, she just got here! At the very least, you can sit to my left! Brother will sit between the two of you, how about that?” My parents remained silent, instead watching for my reaction. …Isn’t this tacit approval? I sneered inwardly. Truly, so childish. The whole family was putting on a show, but their acting was unusually terrible. It was truly off-putting. I took the chair from the housekeeper and dragged it directly to the farthest corner of the dining table, away from all of them. Arthur’s hand, dishing food for Seraphina, paused. He looked at me, wanting to speak several times, but ultimately said nothing. The meal finished in this strange atmosphere. As I stood to go upstairs, my dad called out to me. He seemed a little troubled, clearing his throat before smiling and speaking: “Audrey, Seraphina is a year younger than you and Arthur. You are her older brother and sister, you should be more accommodating to her. She just lost her biological parents, and she’s been through a lot emotionally. We are her family, we should take good care of her.” My mom chimed in, “Yes, Mom knows you might not be used to having a sister yet, but look how sweet Seraphina is. If you try to spend more time together, you’ll definitely grow close.” The two of them exchanged frantic glances across the table. Clearly, they both wanted the other to speak first about what was coming. I was getting impatient. My tone was cold. “So?” Mom was taken aback by my question. Perhaps she had never heard me speak to her with such a cold tone before, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to respond. My dad took a sip of tea, then smiled and began, “Audrey, Seraphina just transferred here, and her physical and mental condition aren’t very good. We’re really worried about her, so… how about you and Arthur both stay down a grade, and go to school with her? How does that sound?” As if to be more convincing, he hastily added, “Arthur has already agreed, we’re just waiting for you.” I looked at Arthur. He had his head down, not daring to meet my gaze. 5 Here we go again. It was the same in my previous life. They made me, and Arthur, who was already in seventh grade, go back to sixth grade to “keep her company.” A year later, Ethan, who had grown very close to Seraphina, also transferred to our class, claiming he wanted to look after me… From then on, the three of them staged various little dramas in class every day, falsely accusing me of bullying Seraphina, which led to me being ostracized by the entire class. Bravo. Too bad I wasn’t in the mood to play such boring games with elementary schoolers anymore. It was a complete waste of life. I tilted my head, my eyes full of confusion. “She needs two servants to attend her just to go to school?” My dad was so shocked he dropped his chopsticks. “Aud-Audrey, what did you say?” “I said, since Arthur is already willing to cater to her, there’s no need to force me, is there?” Mom grabbed my arm, her face filled with horror. “Audrey, what are you talking about? What ‘cater’? Your dad and I just want you all to spend more time together, to bond earlier!” “I have no obligation to bond with her. Whoever wants to bond with her can go cater to her.” I stared at Arthur, who had been dumbfounded since earlier, and delivered my final words: “So it’s settled. From now on, you two go to elementary school, and I’ll continue my seventh grade. We won’t bother each other.” I turned and went upstairs, leaving behind a group of people comforting the incessantly sobbing Seraphina. Around nine that evening, Arthur knocked on my door. “Audrey, are you asleep?” “Something wrong?” “Uh… can you open the door?” “No.” Silence outside the door for a long time. Just when I thought he had left, Arthur’s voice came again: “Audrey, you’re unhappy, aren’t you?” My hands paused as I packed my clothes. I frowned, my voice indifferent. “No.” “You are! Audrey, is it because I was only paying attention to our new sister today and ignored you?” I was a little speechless. I really wasn’t unhappy. I just didn’t care. Dealing with them was so boring it made me want to throw up. The Audrey who would be so heartbroken by neglect that she’d fall into severe depression had already died alone in a mental asylum. I sighed. “Really, I’m not. Arthur, you can do whatever you want, you’re free to get close to anyone you like, I don’t care, as long as you don’t bother me.” Silence fell outside the door again. After a while, his voice carried a hint of resignation. “Audrey, Seraphina is truly pitiful. Look how small and frail she is, and she has such a sweet, soft heart. I’m really afraid she’ll be bullied… Audrey, I’ll go back and stay with her for a year, and once she’s settled, I’ll transfer to your school, okay?” Fine, fine, fine. The school is your family’s investment, you can do whatever you want. I rolled my eyes, packed the last piece of clothing. Put on my noise-canceling headphones, and lay directly on the bed. The next morning, I walked into the living room, pulling my suitcase and backpack. Everyone froze again. I looked up and saw Ethan, sitting next to Seraphina. The boy, my age, was already strikingly tall, even half a head taller than Arthur. The moment he saw me, he quickly stood up, his gentle, almond-shaped eyes curving slightly, his voice joyful: “Audrey! I’m here to pick you up for school!” I lowered my eyes, seeing Seraphina’s hand clutching his arm. “You won’t need to pick me up anymore.” “Of course, if you want to pick someone else up, that’s up to you.” 6 Ethan’s smile froze on his face. “Why?” I pointed my chin, indicating the suitcase behind me. Screech— Chairs scraping the floor. Not just Ethan, but my parents and Arthur too, all wore confused expressions. “Audrey? What’s that?” Arthur’s red-rimmed eyes were fixed on my suitcase. “Clothes, and some toiletries.” And my jewelry. “I forgot to tell you, starting today, I’m boarding at school.” “What?!” Several voices spoke in unison. My dad walked over, his face cold, and half-knelt to look at me. “Audrey? You’re boarding?” “Yes.” “Why? Isn’t it good at home? Did your mom and dad make you unhappy?” I remained silent, my eyes devoid of any emotion. My dad’s hand, resting on my hair, trembled slightly. He hesitated, then looked back at Seraphina. “Is it because… Seraphina?” At his words, before I could react, Seraphina bit her lip and let out a suppressed whimper. My mom quickly walked over and hugged her, then glared at my dad reproachfully. “What are you saying? How could it be? Audrey, you tell us, why do you want to board? It’s definitely not because of your sister, you like your sister, right?” Everyone waited expectantly for my answer. They were waiting for me to say, Yes, I like her. Boarding is my own reckless choice. I’m not upset. But I was especially good at disappointing people. “No, I don’t like her. I hate her. And it’s not just her.” “I also hate Mom and Dad, I hate Arthur, I hate Ethan! I hate all of you!” In an instant, my parents’ and Arthur’s faces turned ashen. Ethan, surprisingly, showed little reaction. He seemed to think I was just jealous and throwing a tantrum, his eyes full of tolerance and helplessness. As I walked past him with my suitcase, he even reached out, trying to take it from me. I dodged him. He didn’t get angry, still shamelessly following behind me. My parents tried to follow, but were interrupted by Seraphina’s cries. She cried more and more pitifully, her small face buried in my mom’s arms, her whole body trembling. “Waaah, Mom and Dad, please send me to an orphanage! Sister doesn’t like me… I don’t deserve to be home!” My parents, of course, launched into another round of comforting words, but Arthur, for some reason, was unusually silent. Ethan was still clinging to me, forcing his way into the car I got into. “Go ride in your family’s car.” “Why? I don’t want to! I want to be with you!” He tilted his head, showing his two front teeth, looking utterly unconcerned, like a pig not afraid of boiling water. My fingertips trembled slightly. I suddenly remembered, it was just like this in my previous life. When everyone else ostracized me, the only one who didn’t side with Seraphina was Ethan. He would stand firmly behind me when Seraphina framed me. He’d talk back to Arthur when he yelled at me. When my parents grew more and more disappointed in me, he’d hold me and whisper comforting words: “Audrey, don’t be afraid. You still have me. Ethan’s with you. If they like your sister more, that’s their business. I’ll only ever like my Audrey!” I was like a drowning person clutching the only piece of driftwood, depending on him more completely, trusting him fully. Until Arthur and I turned fourteen. Seraphina suddenly fainted for no reason. Ethan paused, and before anyone else could react, he pushed me aside and caught her steadily in his arms. The “master” he personally brought, in front of everyone at the birthday party, declared that my name was ill-omened, suppressing Seraphina’s destiny and causing her health to decline. How conveniently that “master” appeared! What a clumsy excuse! I still remembered the shock and embarrassment on the faces of all our relatives and friends. Everyone could see it was an act of bullying and humiliation directed at me. But my parents still took me to change my name without a word. From that day on, the name that had been mine for fourteen years – Audrey Foster – became a forbidden word in our house. They called me – Amelia Foster. Amelia… A name changed for Seraphina. It sounded beautiful, but I hated it. I hated it until the day I died! 7 I ignored Ethan. Anyway, it wouldn’t be long before he transferred to Seraphina’s class. I went directly to the dorm advisor with my paperwork and accommodation fees. Ethan saw me actually hand over the money. He finally shed his casual demeanor. He seemed to finally realize that I wasn’t throwing a tantrum. I wasn’t kidding with them. I wasn’t waiting for them to coax me. I truly just wanted to be as far away from them as possible. “Audrey?” His confusion was like thick, swirling ink in his eyes. “Why do you hate even me? Did I do something wrong?” His fingers gently tugged at my sleeve, his voice cautious. He didn’t sound at all like someone who would eventually choke my neck with his bare hands. But those vivid images were still burned into my memory… I violently slapped his hand away. My eyes filled with disgust, I vigorously wiped my sleeve with a tissue. Ethan, pushed away by me, stared blankly at my face. His voice seemed muffled in his throat. “Audrey…” Meeting my look of revulsion, he finally fell silent. I quickly walked away from the hallway. And before class, I submitted a request to change classes. Even after the first period, Ethan didn’t show up in class. When I was walking through the familiar hallway, carrying a stack of books, I finally saw him, his eyes red-rimmed. Ethan looked at the books in my arms, his expression even more wronged. He rushed towards me in two strides. “Audrey, don’t change classes, okay?” But the next moment, a basketball flew from Class 2, hitting him squarely on the head. I, with my books, nimbly dodged, then turned and entered my classroom. Ethan, having hit the floor of the hallway, caused a stir. A boy in my class still held the posture of throwing a basketball. His school uniform hung loosely on him, a wide, exaggerated grin on his lips. “Oops, accidentally hit someone. Are you alright, pal?” I glanced at him. Carrying my books, I walked past him. Whether it was my imagination or not, his movements seemed to freeze for a moment. Then, he propped himself against the edge of a desk with one hand, casually pointed to the seat beside him, his voice full of swagger. “Any further back is the trash can. How about you sit next to me?” 8 I looked at him, but he quickly averted his gaze. “Ahem, well, the homeroom teacher said last class that a new student would be joining, and for me, the class president, to take good care of them.” As he spoke, he rubbed his face, turning his ears red. Class 2 president… Jason. Notorious as the class troublemaker. The students around me were either laughing at Ethan, who had fallen, or secretly glancing our way. I sighed. Class 2’s bad reputation wasn’t unfounded, after all… But I really didn’t want to sit next to Ethan! I pursed my lips. “Thanks, but I prefer to sit alone.” I placed my books on the desk in the last row, by the corner. Jason looked a bit annoyed, his tone urgent. “Hey, you… don’t sit there, I’ll swap with you! I’m taller, I’ll block your view of the blackboard.” Before I could refuse, Ethan, covered in dirt, rushed in. He slammed his hand on my books. “Audrey, come back with me!” “Let go.” “No!” … “Seriously, dude… are you performing a soap opera here?” Jason’s face looked like he’d bitten into something disgusting. “She wants to stay in our class, is it any of your business?” Someone at the door, I don’t know who, threw the basketball back to him. Jason balanced the spinning ball on one finger, looking at Ethan with an expression full of challenge. Ethan gritted his teeth, looking down at me. But he saw I had already started tidying my desk. Jason tutted, “Still not leaving! The bell has rung for class!” Ethan unconsciously clenched his hands. “Audrey…” I frowned, saying nothing. He finally gave up. He shot Jason a furious look, then walked away, turning back to me every few steps. I sighed in relief. “Thank you.” “Huh? Are you talking to me?” Jason pointed to himself. I nodded. He suddenly stood up straight, throwing the basketball into the trash can behind me, almost like muscle memory. I stared at him, bewildered, not understanding what that move was. But I noticed his face was redder now. “Force of habit… N-no problem!” I couldn’t help but smile faintly. His movements grew even stiffer.

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My savings were gone. It had been three days since Olivia’s accident, and she was still in a coma. Desperate, I tried to use her debit card, punching in every anniversary I could remember. Each attempt met with a frustrating ‘incorrect password’ message. “My partner’s parents are out of the country and unreachable,” I pleaded with the bank teller, a young woman with kind eyes. “Is there any other way?” The customer service manager, after checking her system, looked at me with a puzzled expression. “It’s not that complicated, Mr. Reed. You’re Ms. Chen’s legal husband. Just bring your marriage certificate and we can process a guardianship.” The solution was clear, simple. But I froze. Reed wasn’t my name. My girlfriend of eight years, Olivia – when had she gotten married to someone else? 1 I clutched the application form, the unfamiliar name “Ethan Reed” staring back at me, and stumbled out of the bank in a daze. The afternoon sun was blinding, yet a chill ran through me. Back at the hospital, I found Olivia’s phone. The battery was dead. I plugged it in, and soon the screen flickered to life. A local number, unsaved, illuminated the display. Taking a deep breath, I answered. “Olivia! What’s going on? Your phone’s been off for days, no replies to my texts. You’re going to give me a heart attack!” A young man’s voice, thick with tears, spilled from the speaker. My grip tightened on the phone, my fingers icy. “Hello? Say something! Where are you?” “Hello,” I managed, forcing my voice steady. “May I ask who you are to Ms. Chen?” The line went silent for a beat. Then, without hesitation, “I’m her husband. Who are you? Why do you have her phone?” His words pierced through my last shred of hope. My heart plummeted. “This is St. Jude’s Hospital ICU.” My throat ached, a burning lump, as I fought back the overwhelming heat in my eyes. “Your wife, Ms. Olivia Chen, was in a severe car accident three days ago. She’s still in critical condition. Please come to the hospital as soon as possible.” Before he could respond, I hung up. Not long after, a handsome man in a rumpled shirt, stumbled out of the elevator, his eyes wide with panic. He rushed to the ICU observation window. “Honey, what happened to you?! Look at me and our baby!” He pressed his hands against the glass, sobbing uncontrollably. “Wake up! You can’t leave us… You can’t abandon us…” I stood a short distance away, watching another man cry out “honey” to the woman I had loved for eight years. The last flicker of hope in my heart finally died. 2 I wanted to rush over, to shove that bank application form in his face and demand answers. But my gaze fell on the dark circles under his eyes, the visible exhaustion etched on his features. The accusation caught in my throat. He hadn’t slept. If anything happened to him, I couldn’t bear the responsibility. Clutching my phone and that flimsy piece of paper in my pocket, I turned and left the hospital. Like a defeated soldier retreating from battle. Back in the apartment we’d shared for five years, her presence was everywhere. I sat on the sofa, staring at the birthday on Ethan’s application form: 03/15. I typed it into Olivia’s phone. It unlocked. My heart felt like it was being twisted and wrung out. I opened her messaging app and searched for the number that had called earlier. An account labeled “Mobile Customer Service Manager” popped up. I clicked on his profile, scrolling through his posts. Last year, on my birthday, she’d said she had to work late, sending me a gift card to buy whatever I liked. I’d gleefully posted about it. On the same day, Ethan’s social media showed a table laden with homemade food. The caption read: “Someone said they were tired of eating out, insisted on coming home for my pasta.” In a corner of the photo, there was a blurry glimpse of her, head bent, eating. This year, for Valentine’s Day, she’d given me an elegant watch. I loved it so much I wanted to wear it even to sleep. But that very day, Ethan had posted a grid of nine photos: rings, a necklace, shoes, clothes. A complete set of dazzling jewelry and apparel, sparkling in velvet boxes. His caption: “Thanks to Ms. Chen for still spoiling me like a young man.” There were countless other moments. Her back as she made breakfast in the kitchen. Their hands intertwined as she drove. Her sleeping profile. Even the dog we adopted together, the one she told me had run away, now appeared in his photos, curled at his feet. My hands trembled as I scrolled further. My breath hitched when I saw a series of luxurious wedding photos from two years ago. A wedding gown, a toast dress, golden confetti showering down. Olivia, wearing the custom-made gown I’d gifted her, smiled radiantly, arm in arm with the gentle Ethan. Her bridesmaids, clustered around her… Their faces were glaringly familiar. They were Olivia’s closest friends since childhood. Sarah had just eaten dinner at our place last month, even taking home some of the pickled vegetables I’d made. Jessica, two months ago, was short on money for a house, and I’d lent her ten thousand dollars without a second thought. And Michael, Laura’s boyfriend, had just invited me for a game of golf and afternoon tea last weekend. But in the photos, they wore matching bridesmaid dresses, arms slung around each other, smiling into the camera without a trace of shadow. They all knew. And they had all, silently, conspired to keep her secret. Even earlier, Ethan had announced their marriage with a post: “Officially off the market! To the rest of our lives, please advise, @Liv.” I remembered that day vividly. Olivia had told me her company was holding a mandatory training retreat. Turns out, she was with another man, promising him her future. I kept looking, and then, suddenly, I laughed. A low chuckle at first, then my shoulders started to shake, and tears streamed down my face. Eight years. From the innocence of college to the grind of professional life. Every single blueprint for my future included her. Everyone around us had already assumed we were married, just missing the certificate. But that certificate, it turns out, was an insurmountable chasm. She had given it to someone else. I spent eight years of my youth building what I thought was a love nest. Unbeknownst to me, I was merely laying bricks for someone else’s marriage. How utterly ridiculous. How tragic. 3 Three days later, I received a message from a colleague at the hospital: Olivia had woken up. Her vital signs were stable, and she had been moved to a regular room. When I pushed open the door to her room, she was propped up in bed. Ethan sat on the edge of the mattress, his fingers intertwined with hers, his other hand carefully helping her drink water. A picture of deep affection, a couple reunited after facing death. The sound of my footsteps startled them. Olivia’s tender expression froze the moment she saw me. Her hand tightened around Ethan’s. Ethan winced, looking at me suspiciously. “You are…” “Olivia,” I stared at her, “we’ve known each other for eight years. How could I not know you got married and became a mother?” Ethan’s gaze became wary. “Liv, who is he?” Olivia’s face turned from pale to green. She forced a stiff smile. “Ethan, let me introduce you. This is Arthur Hayes, a college acquaintance. He… he works at this hospital. He heard about my accident and just dropped by to check on me.” She spoke quickly, desperately, sending me warning glances. “Acquaintance?” Ethan’s brow didn’t unfurrow. He turned to Olivia, his tone laced with a touch of petulance. “What kind of acquaintance cares this much about you? Besides, what does our marriage have to do with him? Why is he acting like he’s prosecuting you?” Olivia immediately turned to soothe him. “Arthur just has a quick temper. He… well, there might have been some misunderstandings in the past. He’s probably just a bit upset that I’m married now.” Then she turned back to me, her eyes pleading with me to leave. “Arthur, the past is the past. I have my own life now, and I have Ethan. My health isn’t good right now, and I can’t handle stress. You should go do your rounds, don’t neglect your work.” As she spoke, she kept her eyes, once filled with affection, now only with panic and annoyance, fixed on me. She subtly shook her head. I watched the fine sheen of sweat on her forehead. I watched her grip Ethan’s hand, looking as if she faced an enemy. The last spark of warmth in my heart died out. I said nothing, simply turned and pulled open the door, leaving with no hesitation. The door closed behind me, and I vaguely heard Olivia’s sigh of relief, followed by her sickeningly sweet voice telling Ethan, “It’s nothing. Just an insignificant person. Are you tired? Do you want to go rest? The doctor just said you need more quiet time…” The hallway lights were harsh, stinging my eyes. Eight years. Countless days and nights of companionship and support. In her words, it had all been reduced to an “insignificant person.” I knew she wanted to force me into a humiliating retreat. But I would not allow myself to be pushed into such a contemptible position. I tightened my grip on Olivia’s phone in my pocket. It held countless of her secrets. If this was how it would be, then it was time for a complete reckoning. 4 Late that night, during my overnight shift, the office door was quietly pushed open. Olivia slipped in, locking it behind her, and without a word, fell to her knees at my feet. “Arthur, I was wrong.” Her voice was hoarse, her eyes bloodshot. “Please don’t be angry. Let me explain…” “Don’t bother,” I interrupted. “I saw the marriage certificate.” I looked down at her, asking the question that had gnawed at me for days. “Olivia, between him and me, who is the real interloper?” She flinched, her eyes darting away. “He was forced on me by my family.” Olivia swallowed, then spoke with difficulty. “Arthur, I never dared tell you… My mom, she never approved of us being together. She said you, as a doctor, would be too busy to take care of me… And then there’s your mom’s situation. She heard your mom has mental health issues and worried you might inherit something…” My breath hitched, blood rushing to my head. “Don’t you know why my mother became that way?” I was trembling, not from sadness, but from extreme absurdity and fury. “Wasn’t it because my father constantly had other women, driving her to madness?” “You know what I hate most! You know how much I despise people who cheat! Why… why would you do this to me?!” “I know! I know all of it!” She shuffled forward on her knees, desperately gripping my clothes. Tears streamed down her upturned face. “You’re the one I love, Arthur! He’s just a way to appease my family, an act for my mother. I swear! He won’t affect us. You’re the only one in my heart! Everything I have is yours! We can go back to how things were… You two can just stay out of each other’s lives!” Stay out of each other’s lives? I let out a bitter laugh, raising my hand and striking her across the face. “You mean you expect me to live in the shadows forever, to always endure, waiting for you to fulfill your duties as a wife and mother in another home, just to give me a sliver of your time? Olivia, you must be dreaming!” The plea faded from Olivia’s face, replaced by a grim determination. “Arthur Hayes, think carefully.” She stood up, lowering her voice, a subtle threat in her tone. “You and I have eight years. All our friends, colleagues, even your parents, know that you’re mine.” “Our shared plans, the promises we made, the path we walked… don’t these tangible eight years mean more than that piece of paper? As long as you stay quiet and don’t make a scene, I’ll always be yours. That paper, it’s just a formality…” I looked at her, so self-righteous, and suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of unfamiliarity. This face, compared to the nervous, sweaty-palmed girl who awkwardly handed me a hot tea outside the library eight years ago… How could they be the same person? Back then, she had said, “Arthur, I’ll be good to you my whole life.” But now? She had not only cheated, secretly married someone else, but even… I remembered the photos Ethan had posted online. At first, I thought she brought him back to our home when I was away. But on closer inspection, it was clearly their wedding home, a mirror image of ours, replicated detail for detail! All to deceive me when we video-called during my night shifts. None of this deception was spontaneous. It was a calculated, years-long fabrication. I opened the door to the on-call room with disgust, pushing her out with all my strength. “Get out!” Olivia stumbled out the door, then stood outside, softly knocking and pleading. “Arthur, don’t be rash! I really do love you… Please think about it.” A moment later, her phone rang. “Arthur, Ethan woke up. I have to go back quickly. He’s home taking care of the baby…” Her footsteps faded into the distance. I sank to the floor, drained. Tears streamed silently down my face. Eight years, heavy on my heart, suffocating me with pain. How could it not hurt when you’ve loved someone with all your being? But I knew, some paths, you couldn’t take a single wrong step on. The next day, I stopped Ethan outside Olivia’s room. “Ethan, there are some things about Olivia I think you need to know…” I had barely started when he chuckled, his gaze knowing. “Dr. Hayes, don’t bother pretending. I know you and she are more than just old acquaintances, right?” He took a small step closer, leaning in to whisper in my ear. “I’ve seen the private photo album on her phone. It’s full of your pictures. From college until now—” He paused, savoring my stunned expression. “You’re her boyfriend of eight years, just shy of a marriage certificate.” “And I,” he straightened, a triumphant smirk on his face, “am her legitimate husband.”

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The third floor of this mall was a ghost town when it first opened. I was the first to sign a lease. I toughed it out for two years and built up the entire floor’s traffic. On weekends, the lines stretched all the way to the elevator. When it came time to renew, the property manager handed me the contract with a smile. The rent had gone up forty percent. I said it was too high. Could we negotiate? He leaned back in his chair. “Think it’s expensive? The bubble tea chain next door is offering double what you pay.” “If you weren’t sitting on this spot, they would’ve signed already.” I said my contract still had three months left. He flicked cigarette ash onto my contract. “When those three months are up, you’re out. Move early and I’ll waive the penalty fee. Consider it a favor to an old tenant.” I stared at that ash for five seconds, then stood up and smiled. “Fine. I’ll move tomorrow.” He froze. I grabbed my bag, walked to the door, and turned back. “By the way, my mom’s jewelry store on the first floor, my husband，Richard’s gym on the fourth floor, my brother，Brennan’s cinema on the fifth floor—we’re all moving together.”

“You’re moving tomorrow? Who are you trying to scare?” Marshall leaned back in his swivel chair, his belly shaking with laughter. “Ms. Leon, we’re all adults here. Stop playing these games.” “That crappy shop of yours on the third floor—you sank almost three hundred thousand into the renovations, didn’t you?” “Move tomorrow? You don’t even have another location lined up. Where are you moving to, the street?” I didn’t answer. I pushed open the glass door of his office. Two of the motion sensor lights in the hallway had been broken for two months. No one had bothered to fix them. I walked through the dim lighting toward the elevator. My phone buzzed. A voice message from my shop manager, Carla. Her voice was tearful. “Leon, the power just went out in the store! All the cream in the freezer melted, and customers are demanding refunds!” My hand froze halfway to the elevator button. “How did it go out?” “The property said it’s line maintenance. But I checked—we’re the only shop on the entire third floor without power! Even the empty unit next door has lights on!” I turned and glanced down the hallway toward Marshall’s office. Behind the glass door, he was watching me, raising his thermos in a mock toast. His smile was full of smugness. “Calm the customers down. Double refunds for anyone who wants them.” “But the losses are too big…” “Just do it. I’ll be right there.” I hung up and stepped into the elevator. I pressed the button for the first floor. When the doors opened, the brilliant golden light was blinding. Directly across from the central atrium was the city’s largest gold and jewelry boutique. My mom was sitting behind the glass counter wearing her reading glasses, doing the books. Hearing footsteps, she looked up. “Weren’t you supposed to renew the lease today? Why the long face?” “Didn’t sign.” I pulled over a chair and sat down, pouring myself a glass of warm water. “Marshall raised the rent forty percent.” My mom closed her ledger and took off her glasses. “Is he insane? Who brought the foot traffic to the third floor these past two years? Doesn’t he know?” “He says a new bubble tea brand next door is offering double.” My mom let out a cold laugh. “Burning bridges. So what do you want to do?” “I told him I’m moving tomorrow.” My mom stared at me for a few seconds. The wrinkles around her eyes smoothed out. She picked up her phone and dialed a number. “Chris? Yeah, that new SKY Mall across the street—the double-door shop on the northeast corner of the first floor, is it still available?” “Yes, I’ll take it.” “No need to look. I’ll sign tonight.” She hung up and turned to me. “Richard and Brennan—have you told them yet?” “Not yet.” “Go on then. I’ll handle the first floor.” I stood up and set down my glass. “Mom, the penalty fee on your end might be pretty steep.” “So what?” My mom pulled a black card from her drawer and slapped it on the glass counter. “I was selling gold when Marshall was still in diapers.” I smiled slightly and headed back to the elevator. I pressed the button for the fourth floor. The elevator doors opened to a wall of deafening bass. The two-thousand-square-foot chain gym was packed, the equipment area full of people. My husband Richard, shirtless, was spotting a personal training client doing deadlifts, his back gleaming with sweat. When he saw me, he set down the barbell, wiped his face with a towel, and walked over. “What brings you here? Checking up on me?” “Marshall cut the power to my store.” Richard’s hand stopped mid-wipe. The towel was clenched in his fist, his knuckles slightly white. “I’ll go deal with him.” “Don’t bother.” I grabbed his arm. “I’ve decided not to renew. We’re moving tomorrow.” Richard looked down at me. There was no surprise in his eyes. Only a calm, fierce determination. “Know where you’re going yet?” “SKY Mall across the street. Mom already booked the first floor.” Richard tossed the towel onto a nearby bench. “I’ll call SKY Mall’s leasing office. I want the entire fourth floor.” “What about your members?” “I’ll bring them over. SKY Mall is just across the street—five-minute walk.” Richard turned to grab his phone. “I’ll have people come dismantle the equipment tonight.” I nodded and continued upstairs. The fifth floor was entirely occupied by a private cinema and esports lounge. My brother Brennan was sitting at the front desk with a lollipop in his mouth, hammering away at his keyboard. The clacking was deafening. “Brennan.” He jerked, and his character died on screen. “Leon? How do you walk without making any noise?” “Pack up. We’re moving tomorrow.” Brennan bit down on the lollipop with a crunch. “Moving? Where to?” “SKY Mall across the street.” His eyes lit up. “Holy crap, I’ve been wanting to move there forever! This dump’s internet is slow as hell, and that idiot Marshall keeps charging us equipment management fees!” “I’ll cover the penalty fee.” “Don’t worry about it!” Brennan pulled a cardboard box out from under the counter. “I’ve collected almost a million in membership prepayments these past few months. The penalty fee is nothing.” “I’ll pull an all-nighter dismantling the machines. Need help moving your stuff? I can call some friends.” “No need. Take care of your own shop.” I returned to the third floor. The store was pitch black. Carla and several staff members were using their phone flashlights to clean up melted cream. When she saw me, Carla’s eyes turned red. “Leon, Marshall came by with some people.” “What did he say?” “He said the cables burned out. It’ll take three days to repair. He told us not to open for three days.” I looked at the disaster zone that was the back kitchen. “Lock the door.” Carla froze. “Lock up?” “Yes. Take your personal belongings. You’re off early today.” “But everything in the store…” “A professional moving company will come collect it tomorrow.” I pulled out my phone and sent a message to the staff group chat. “Paid leave for three days. In three days, I’ll take you to the new store.” Carla looked at her phone, tears streaming down her face. “Are we really leaving? We built this store from nothing…” “Staying here, we’ll just get trampled like dogs.” I patted her shoulder. “Go on. Lock up tight.” At eight that evening, I stood outside the mall. The first-floor jewelry store had already pulled down its rolling shutter. The fourth-floor gym echoed with the metallic clanging of heavy equipment being dismantled. On the fifth floor, dozens of computer monitors were being loaded onto trucks. My phone rang. It was Marshall. “Leon, why is your store locked?” “Weren’t you the one who told me not to open?” “I’m telling you, the owner of the bubble tea shop next door is bringing a designer to measure the space tomorrow.” He laughed smugly on the other end. “Get your junk cleaned out fast. Don’t delay a major brand moving in.” “Sure.” I looked at the glittering neon lights of SKY Mall across the street. “I’ll definitely have it cleared out for you tomorrow.”

The next morning at ten. I brought two movers from the moving company and pushed open the door to the third-floor shop. There was still no power. The air was thick with the sour smell of fermenting cream. I directed the workers to dismantle the display cases. The crisp clicking of high heels echoed from outside the door. “This smell is absolutely disgusting.” A nasally voice came from the doorway. I turned. Marshall was bowing and scraping behind a woman in a Chanel suit. The woman wore sunglasses and carried a Hermès bag, looking around my store with disdain. “This is the store?” She took off her sunglasses and waved her hand dismissively. “This decor is so tacky. Marshall, are you sure this location is good?” “Absolutely! Ms. Santos, look—this spot is right across from the escalator. All the foot traffic flows right here.” Marshall pointed at me. “It was just wasted on this low-end shop before. But with your ‘Star Tea,’ it’ll absolutely blow up.” Santos glanced at me, looking me up and down in my casual clothes. “You’re the tenant?” I ignored her and continued speaking to the workers. “Be careful with that coffee machine. Don’t damage it.” Santos, now being ignored, darkened. “Hey, I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?” She clicked into the store on her heels, leaving white marks on the hardwood floor. “This floor needs to be completely torn up too. What awful taste.” She kicked a packing box I hadn’t gotten into storage yet. “Hurry up and get lost. Don’t delay my designer measuring the space.” I turned and looked at her. “This store’s lease has three months left. Currently, this is still my private business premises.” “Please leave.” Santos looked like she’d heard a joke. She turned to Marshall. “Marshall, what did she say? She’s telling me to leave?” Marshall’s face immediately hardened as he walked toward me. “Leon, don’t push your luck. Ms. Santos choosing this location is a blessing for you.” “Didn’t you say you’re moving today? Why are you still dragging your feet?” “Moving takes time, doesn’t it?” “Or is Marshall so impatient he can’t even wait half a day? Want to help me move personally?” “You!” Marshall pointed at my nose, but Santos stopped him. “Forget it, Marshall. Why argue with someone from the bottom rung?” Santos pulled a business card from her purse and tossed it on my table. “Looking at your pathetic state, you probably have nowhere to go.” “Come be a janitor at my new store. Considering you’re giving up this spot for me, I’ll give you three thousand base salary.” She covered her mouth and laughed. “Though you’ll need to wash off that poverty stench first.” The movers couldn’t take it anymore. “How can you talk like that? Ms. Leon has always been so polite to us. Who the hell do you think you are?” “Oh, you brought bodyguards too?” Santos rolled her eyes. “A bunch of manual laborers, and you think you can raise your voice at me?” I held back the movers who wanted to rush forward. “Get back to work. When a dog bites, you don’t bite back.” Santos’s face twisted instantly. “Who are you calling a dog?!” “Whoever responds, I guess.” I swept her business card into the trash. “Marshall, take your distinguished guest and leave. Otherwise I’m calling the police for trespassing.” Marshall’s jaw clenched as he pointed at me. “Fine. Leon, keep acting tough. Let’s see how long you last.” He turned to Santos with an apologetic smile. “Ms. Santos, let’s go to my office for some tea. Once she’s cleared out, we’ll come back.” Santos snorted coldly and clicked away on her heels. On her way out, she deliberately knocked over an advertising board by the door. It crashed against the glass door with a tremendous bang. “What a piece of junk.” The hallway went quiet again. One of the movers sighed. “Ms. Leon, this property management is way too much. Your store does such good business—how can they just kick you out like this?” “It’s fine. Out with the old, in with the new.” I pulled out my phone and sent Richard a message. “How’s your progress?” “Equipment’s dismantled, loading it now. SKY Mall cleared space overnight. We can move in tonight.” “Good.” I put away my phone and looked at the shop being emptied bit by bit. On the wall was still the group photo from our opening day. Back then this place was barren—there wasn’t even a janitor. I’d brought Carla and the others, and we’d wiped it clean ourselves with rags. Now, there was nothing left. At two in the afternoon, most of the stuff was packed. I had the workers push the largest commercial oven toward the freight elevator. I pressed the button repeatedly. The freight elevator door didn’t budge. A white notice was posted next to it. “Freight elevator under maintenance, temporarily out of service.” Signed by Property Management. I looked at that notice and smiled. Marshall was deliberately messing with me. Moving a several-hundred-pound oven down three floors via the stairs was impossible. And it wouldn’t fit in the passenger elevator. I pulled out my phone and called Marshall. “What’s going on with the freight elevator?” Marshall yawned on the other end. “Maintenance. Didn’t you see the notice? The cables are worn out. For everyone’s safety, we had to shut it down.” “When will it be fixed?” “Hard to say. Could be three days, could be two weeks. Parts have to be shipped from out of town.” He lowered his voice, his tone full of mockery. “Leon, I told you—you can’t move that junk. Why not just leave it here? Let Santos sell it as scrap.” “Or, you could come to my office right now and apologize to me and Santos.” “If I’m in a good mood, maybe the freight elevator will magically get fixed.” I hung up and turned to the movers. “Leave the oven.” The workers froze. “Leave it? But this is imported—it’s worth at least tens of thousands!” “Leave it. Just put it here.” I pointed to the middle of the hallway, right in front of the empty unit next door. “Right here.” The workers didn’t understand but did as told. The massive oven sat like an iron tower, blocking the hallway solidly. I dusted off my hands. “Let’s go downstairs.”

In the first-floor lobby, my mom’s jewelry store had been emptied out. Several security guards stood at the entrance, arguing with my mom. “Ms. Vesca, you haven’t paid the penalty fee yet. You can’t take everything.” The head of security held a walkie-talkie, blocking the truck. My mom sat in a wheelchair. Yes, a wheelchair. She’d deliberately gone to the hospital this morning to get a fake medical note claiming her herniated disc had flared up, then rented a wheelchair and rolled over. “Penalty fee? I still have five hundred thousand in deposit with your property management!” My mom’s voice was vigorous as she pointed at the security chief’s nose. “Deduct the penalty from that, and you still owe me two hundred thousand! Now get out of the way and stop delaying my medical appointment!” “Marshall said the deposit process takes three months. The penalty fee must be paid in cash today.” The security chief stood firm. I walked over and pushed him aside. “Three months? The contract says deposits are refunded within fifteen business days after termination.” “That’s for normal terminations. This is malicious breach!” Marshall’s voice came from behind. He approached with several property staff, strolling over leisurely. “Ms. Vesca, Leon, did your whole family plan this together?” Marshall glanced at the emptied jewelry store. “First floor termination, third floor termination. What, trying to pressure me by banding together?” He laughed coldly. “Let me tell you, this mall doesn’t need you small-time tenants. You want to leave? Fine. But the penalty fee won’t be reduced by a cent. The deposit? Wait for the process.” I looked at him. “Marshall, do you think you’ve got us cornered?” “Yes. What else?” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I’ll tell you the truth. Santos doesn’t just want the third floor. She wants to use this first-floor spot for her flagship store.” “You leaving is perfect. Saves me the trouble of kicking you out.” “But if you want to leave smoothly, it won’t be that easy.” He pointed at the truck outside. “That truck isn’t leaving the mall gates today without my authorization.” Richard emerged from the stairwell. He wore a tight black T-shirt that stretched over his muscles, followed by a dozen equally muscular gym trainers. “Who says it’s not leaving?” Richard walked to my side, staring coldly at Marshall. Marshall instinctively stepped back and swallowed. “Richard, don’t do anything rash. This is a society of law. If you dare use force, I’ll call the police immediately.” “Call the police?” Richard smiled. He pulled a stack of photos from his pocket and threw them in Marshall’s face. “Take a look at these.” The photos scattered on the floor—all billing statements from property management. “Over the past two years, you’ve charged us equipment maintenance fees, hallway cleaning fees, even air purification fees under various pretenses.” Richard pointed at the photos on the ground. “Which of these went into the mall’s corporate account? They all went into your wife Mary’s private card, didn’t they?” Marshall’s face changed instantly. “You… you’re making this up! These are forged!” “Whether they’re forged or not, let’s call the police and find out.” The fifth-floor elevator opened. Brennan came out with several subordinates, pushing the last batch of computer towers. “I recorded everything.” Brennan waved his phone. “Marshall just blocked us from leaving and extorted cash. That’s blackmail, right?” Marshall completely panicked. He looked at Richard’s muscles, then at the phone in Brennan’s hand. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. “Misunderstanding… it’s all a misunderstanding.” He quickly bent down to pick up the photos from the floor. “We’re all old acquaintances. No need to make this so ugly.” “I’ll waive the penalty fee from the deposit. I’ll have accounting transfer the rest to you tomorrow.” I looked at his pathetic face. “No need to wait until tomorrow. Do it now.” “Now? Accounting is off work…” “Then use your personal money to advance it. You’ve embezzled plenty anyway.” Richard took a step forward. Marshall flinched and quickly pulled out his phone. “I’ll transfer! I’ll transfer right now!” Ten minutes later, two hundred thousand arrived in the account. My mom stood up from the wheelchair and dusted off her pants. “If you’d been this cooperative from the start, we wouldn’t have wasted all this time.” She pushed the wheelchair and swaggered out of the mall. The security guards looked at each other. No one dared stop her. The truck started and slowly drove out of the parking lot. I looked at Marshall. “Marshall, that oven on the third-floor hallway—it’s yours now.” “Keep it to bake Santos some brains to eat.” Marshall gritted his teeth, glaring at my back. “Leon, don’t get cocky. Once you leave here, I’ll watch your whole family crash and burn!”

SKY Mall, a brand-new commercial complex that had just begun trial operations a week ago. The old mall across the street might occupy the prime location, but its facilities were outdated and the property management was terrible. SKY Mall’s leasing director was a woman in her thirties named Rodriguez, sharp and efficient. “Ms. Leon, first-floor jewelry store, third-floor bakery, fourth-floor gym, fifth-floor esports lounge. Your family just delivered me quite a gift.” Rodriguez handed me a cup of coffee. “Rent as we discussed—six months free, then twenty percent off going forward. Property management fees waived.” “Thank you, Ms. Rodriguez.” “Don’t thank me. The traffic you bring is worth that price.” Rodriguez pointed out the floor-to-ceiling window. “At least half the weekend foot traffic at the old mall across the street comes for you. Once you leave, that place becomes an empty shell.” “Though I heard that Santos woman has some serious backing?” I took a sip of coffee. “Just an internet celebrity who slept her way to the top. She really thinks opening a bubble tea shop makes her a real businesswoman.” “She’s been handing out flyers at your old store entrance today.” Rodriguez handed me a tablet. In the video, Santos wore a revealing tank dress, holding a megaphone and shouting at my empty storefront. “The third-floor bakery has closed due to poor management! At the end of this month, Star Tea flagship store grand opening! Buy one get one free on everything!” Next to her was a sign reading: “Drink Star Tea, be high-class. Reject low-end bakeries.” Though my sign had been removed, the outline was still clearly visible on the wall. She’d even had someone splash red paint on the wall, drawing a big X. “This woman is truly disgusting.” Rodriguez frowned. “Let her shout.” I set down the tablet. “The higher they climb, the harder they fall.” I pulled out my phone and opened my store’s VIP member group chat. The group had over five thousand people—all loyal fans built up over two years. I typed a message. “To all our supporters: Due to the original property’s malicious rent increase and power cutoff to force us out, our store has officially relocated. The new store is on the third floor of SKY Mall across the street. To compensate for the wait, for the first month of the new store’s opening, all existing member credits will double, and everything is fifty percent off.” I attached location maps and photos of the renovation progress. The moment I sent it, the group exploded. “Holy crap! No wonder it was closed when I went to buy cake yesterday! The property management is disgusting!” “Raised rent AND cut power? What kind of mafia behavior is this!” “Support Leon! SKY Mall’s environment is way better—I’ve been thinking the other place was a dump anyway!” “I passed by yesterday and saw some Star Tea handing out flyers and trashing Leon’s store. Made me sick. I’ll never drink there!” I watched the messages scroll across the screen and smiled slightly. This was only the first step. I turned to Rodriguez. “Ms. Rodriguez, that huge LED screen on SKY Mall’s exterior wall—can I borrow it for a day?” “What are you planning?” “A relocation countdown.” Rodriguez smiled. “No problem. Use it for free.” The next day, directly across from the old mall. On SKY Mall’s massive several-hundred-square-meter LED screen, a poster lit up. Black background, white text. “3 days until [Leon’s Bakery], [Vesca Jewelry], [Richard’s Fitness], [Brennan’s Esports] all move into SKY Mall.” At the very bottom of the poster, in extremely small font: “Thanks to our former landlord’s mercy in not killing us, allowing us to find a better home.” This street was the busiest section downtown. Once the poster went up, everyone passing by could see it. When Marshall saw the poster, he was drinking tea in his office. According to security, he sprayed a mouthful of tea all over his computer screen. Then he rushed out of his office like a madman.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “382318”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

At the wedding, I recognized at a glance that the bride in the wedding dress standing before me wasn’t Leah—it was someone impersonating her. But I still went through with the ceremony as planned. Because in my previous life, when I publicly exposed the fake bride, Leah reluctantly came crawling back to marry me. Meanwhile, Michael, who had been kicked out by my parents, jumped to his death from our building on our wedding night. When Leah heard the news of his death, she showed not a trace of sadness. After our marriage, we grew increasingly affectionate. I continuously funneled money from my family to save her company from bankruptcy. But on our first anniversary, she personally tied me up in a helicopter. She dropped her disguise, her eyes filled with madness: “If you hadn’t forced me to come back and marry you that day, Michael wouldn’t have died! Wasn’t it enough that your family kicked him out? You had to drive him to his death!” “What right do you have to be so happy? I’m going to make you feel the same pain he felt when he died!” I was thrown from ten thousand meters in the air and turned into a pile of mangled flesh. This time, I’m pretending not to know, going through with the wedding ceremony with the fake bride. I want to see how she’ll save the crumbling Leah Group without my family’s support.

“Do you, the groom, take this beautiful bride standing beside you, for richer or poorer…” “I… I do.” The woman’s voice came through the veil and mask, muffled and carrying a hint of barely perceptible nervousness. The guests below were all praising how deeply Leah loved me—even with a severe cold and wearing a mask, she insisted on completing this wedding of the century. She was practically the epitome of devoted love among the elite. “Wait a moment.” The woman before me had evasive eyes, fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead. I let out a cold laugh and asked, “Leah, you don’t look well. Did you forget to take your medicine because you were too busy with the wedding?” She coughed nervously twice. “Yes, I…” I signaled the officiant to halt the ceremony and pulled the bride into a private lounge. The phone on the table happened to vibrate—over a dozen unread messages, all from Michael. [Gonzalez, you’ve figured out the bride is fake, haven’t you? Surprise! Michael and I are watching your wedding livestream from the Maldives.] There was even an attached photo: Leah intimately leaning against him, both wearing matching beach couple outfits, their faces radiating sweet happiness. [Oh, I forgot to mention—this was my idea. You stole my position, so I’m stealing your woman. This wedding is just a game she’s playing to amuse me.] I remained expressionless, quickly typing out a response. [Is that so? Well, believe it or not, with just one word from me, she’ll come crawling back like a dog begging me to take her.] The “typing…” indicator on the other end flickered for a long time without producing a single word. Perfect. The fish had taken the bait. I pocketed my phone and turned to look at the anxious substitute beside me. She looked at me awkwardly. “Actually, I… I…” I patted her shoulder. “Presley, don’t be nervous.” She instantly relaxed, her pupils dilating in shock. “You already knew?” After a moment of silence, she seemed to make some kind of decision. Taking a deep breath, she looked at me with intense eyes. “Gonzalez, Leah doesn’t deserve you. Today she’s deliberately conspiring with Michael to humiliate you. If you feel degraded, I’ll take you away right now!” After my death in my previous life, I learned that Presley had secretly loved me for years. When she heard about my death, she was the only one who refused to believe I had committed suicide. Later, she discovered Leah was the killer. Unable to find evidence, she dragged Leah to her death on the anniversary of my passing, taking them both down together. Thinking of her tragic end in my previous life, my fists clenched tight, a flash of fierce determination passing through my eyes. Seeing my cold expression, Presley thought I was forcing myself to stay composed. She reached out worriedly to touch me. I grasped her wrist instead, looking at her seriously. “Presley, listen carefully. This wedding must happen today, but I only want to marry you.” When we returned to the ceremony hall, the officiant wiped away cold sweat and announced with a smile, “Now, will the bride and groom please exchange rings.” I picked up the women’s diamond ring and pushed it onto her finger, but it stuck firmly at the knuckle. She tried awkwardly to force it on, but I pressed down on her hand. The guests below began whispering among themselves. “What’s going on? Is the ring the wrong size?” “How could they get something this important wrong? This is Mr. Wilson’s biological son—is the Leah family really this careless?” Below the stage, Leah’s parents’ faces instantly turned extremely ugly. They exchanged glances, filled with panic. It seemed they had known all along about Leah running away from the wedding to be with Michael, but they conspired to hide it from my family. My mother’s brows furrowed tightly, and my father’s face turned even colder. I gave my parents a reassuring look, signaling them to remain calm. Then, under everyone’s shocked gaze, I lifted Presley’s veil and removed her mask. “Oh my God! The bride isn’t Leah!” “Then where’s the real bride?”

Leah’s mother, Tobias, was the first to react. She rushed onto the stage without regard for appearances: “What… what is going on! Who are you!” Leah’s father, Anthony, his face ashen, shouted at the chaotic guests and reporters below: “Everyone quiet down! There’s been a small mishap with the wedding. We’ll resolve it immediately!” How spectacular. In my previous life, I was the one humiliated on stage. Now it was Leah’s parents. My mother also stood up in shock, looking at me with concern. “Gonzalez, what on earth is happening?” I turned to give my parents a reassuring look. Under the entire audience’s astonished gaze, I took Presley’s hand: “Thank you all for coming to attend the wedding between Miss Presley and myself today. Due to a small oversight, the wedding posters and rings were mixed up.” I paused before continuing. “However, it doesn’t matter. The wedding will continue.” Presley beside me gripped my hand back, her gaze firm, as if declaring her claim. Tobias looked at me, trembling with rage. “Gonzalez, have you lost your mind! Do you know what you’re saying?” Anthony also rushed forward, lowering his voice to say to me: “Gonzalez, stop this nonsense! Call off the wedding immediately!” I ignored them and turned to look at Presley. “Presley, tell everyone why you’re standing here.” Presley and I exchanged smiles, her voice cool and steady: “I’m standing here today because Leah gave me twenty dollars to impersonate her at the wedding, while she herself is on vacation abroad with Michael.” As soon as these words left her mouth, the entire room erupted. This was guaranteed to trend. “Holy shit! Paying someone to substitute at your own wedding? What is this!” “For Michael, who got kicked out, she’s offending Mr. Gonzalez? Is Leah under some kind of spell!” With their shameful secret exposed publicly, Anthony and Tobias’s faces completely lost all color. My father Wilson’s anger was finally ignited. Pointing at Anthony’s nose, he cursed: “What a fine Leah family! You begged for this marriage alliance, and now you’re treating my son’s lifelong matter as a joke! You think the Wilson family is easy to bully?!” My mother Kate was even more decisive, directly announcing to the media below: “This marriage is off! From this day forward, the Wilson family and the Leah family have nothing to do with each other!” “As for that Michael, he was kicked out of our home for misconduct. Whoever wants him can have him!” Seeing the marriage alliance collapse, Tobias completely panicked. “Gonzalez, Leah is just immature, bewitched by that Michael! I’ll make her come crawling back to apologize to you right now!” I shrugged, sneering. “Fine, I’ll give her one more chance. As long as you can get through to her on the phone, I’ll pretend nothing happened.” Presley’s grip on my hand tightened. I whispered to her, “Don’t panic. Leah won’t answer.” Tobias grabbed onto this like a lifeline, frantically dialing Leah’s number. Once, twice, three times… What came through the receiver was always that cold voice: “Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently on another call…” My face turned cold. “It seems Miss Leah doesn’t want to come back.” “Security, escort these uninvolved persons out.” Anthony and Tobias were dragged out by security, countless reporters excitedly snapping photos in their faces. My mother held my hand, asking nothing, only repeatedly saying: “Gonzalez, whatever decision you make, your father and I support you.” Father patted my shoulder. Warmth filled my heart. In my previous life, I insisted on marrying Leah and had a terrible falling out with my family. After my death, they turned white-haired overnight. This life, I would never repeat that mistake. And I wouldn’t easily let Leah, the true culprit, get away with it. After the ceremony concluded, I immediately called my assistant. “Terminate all cooperation with the Leah family immediately and withdraw all the capital we’ve invested. Not a single cent remains.”

The news that I had married Presley didn’t spread quickly. To stabilize their stock price, the Leah family paid to suppress the news. Right after the wedding ended, Presley and I rushed to get our marriage certificate. After registering, Presley said she had urgent company business and needed to go abroad for a few days. On the other side, the oblivious Leah accompanied Michael on the island for several days before belatedly realizing something was wrong. Usually by this time, I should have already pressured her to come back. But now there was no movement at all. Leah absent-mindedly scrolled through her phone. Michael handed her a drink, deliberately provoking: “Leah, Gonzalez isn’t angry, is he? It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t suddenly gotten dizzy, you wouldn’t have stayed with me…” Leah scoffed. “What’s he got to be angry about? You’re someone who lost your protection. He has everything. What’s wrong with being considerate of you?” At this thought, her brow suddenly relaxed. Gonzalez must be playing hard to get. A smile curved at the corner of Leah’s lips. She felt she’d been spoiling me too much. I never expected to run into them at my father’s business gala. Leah noticed me immediately, but when she saw me conversing with other female business owners, her face instantly darkened like storm clouds. Michael saw me too and deliberately wrapped his arm around Leah’s waist in front of me, saying loudly: “Leah, you’ve worked hard networking tonight. Let’s go rest over there.” Leah leaned against him naturally, though her gaze seemed to casually drift toward me. She was probably waiting for me to approach first. Unfortunately, I disappointed her. From beginning to end, I didn’t spare her even a sideways glance. She finally couldn’t hold back. Striding over to our table, she set her wine glass down heavily and spoke: “Gonzalez, are you angry because I had someone substitute for me at the wedding?” I didn’t even bother looking at her, standing up to leave. “The last wedding was because Michael was sick—it was an emergency, so I couldn’t attend.” Michael strode over to block my path, his tone full of righteous indignation. “Gonzalez, don’t blame Leah. Blame me for my failing health that delayed your wedding. As a man, don’t be so petty!” Hearing this, Leah looked at me and laughed in anger. “Gonzalez, I never realized you were this petty. It’s just one wedding!” As she spoke, she matter-of-factly reached out to grab my arm. My eyes turned cold as I directly shook off her hand. “Miss Leah, please show some self-respect.” “Regarding the wedding, didn’t your parents tell you?” Leah froze. “Tell me what?” Seeing this, Michael stepped forward and grabbed my shoulder, warning in a low, vicious voice: “Gonzalez, don’t be ungrateful. You should be honored that Leah is willing to humor you!” His grip was extremely strong, making me uncomfortable. I jerked my hand away and forcefully shoved him back. “Get lost!” Michael stumbled backward unsteadily, his waist hitting the table edge hard. Leah’s eyes blazed with fury as she rushed to protect Michael, roaring at me: “You maniac! Apologize to Michael right now!” I laughed coldly and ordered the security guards rushing over. “Security, throw them out!” Leah’s face turned iron-blue with rage: “Don’t think this will get my attention. If you behave yourself, I’ll go register our marriage with you in a few days.” She took it for granted that as long as she was willing to turn back, I would immediately rush over, grateful beyond measure. I smiled. “But I’m already married.”

The smile on Leah’s face instantly froze. She stood there dumbfounded, her brow tightly furrowed: “What nonsense are you talking!” She stepped forward, her tone arrogant. “You say you’re married, so where’s your wife? Why isn’t she here with you?” A mocking curve formed at the corner of my lips. “My wife is on a business trip. Unlike certain idle parasites who just cling to others like vampires.” Before she could explode, Michael beside her immediately darkened his face and accused sharply: “Gonzalez, how can you say that about Leah! You have no idea how hard she works for the company every day!” He deliberately paused, making Leah look at me with eyes full of disappointment and fury. “Gonzalez, look at yourself now, so mean-spirited. Who else would want you besides me?” “Let me tell you, stop playing these hard-to-get tricks. They only make me despise you more!” I completely lost patience. “Security! Are you deaf?” “Throw these two people out!” Security quickly moved forward, flanking them on both sides. Leah struggled frantically, her face contorted as she shrieked at me: “Gonzalez! How dare you treat me like this! You’ll regret it!” That evening, I received a text from an unknown number. [You think this will steal Leah from me? Surprise—she doesn’t care at all. She’s happily taking me ring shopping right now. You think being the Wilson family heir makes you superior? You still can’t even hold onto a woman.] I didn’t need to guess who sent it. I immediately blocked the number. During this time, Anthony and Tobias tried desperately to see me, but I turned them away at the door. A week later, calculating the time of Presley’s flight arrival, I personally drove to the airport to pick her up. Just as I entered the international arrivals hall, I ran straight into Leah and Michael. Both had gotten a bit tanned, wearing sunglasses with the leisurely air of returning from vacation. Seeing me, Leah’s eyes lit up, her smile full of triumph. “I knew you were just being stubborn. You even checked my flight schedule to come pick me up? Fine, I’ll give you a way to save face.” I looked at her like she was an idiot, not stopping my steps. Michael spoke in a sarcastic tone. “Mr. Gonzalez, since you personally came to the airport, and Leah is magnanimous enough not to hold it against you, as her fiancé, you should hurry and transfer the funds back to Leah Group.” Leah seemed pleased, raising her hand to hook my arm, but I nimbly dodged. She wasn’t annoyed, thinking I was still being proud. “Alright, stop playing around. Once we register our marriage, I’ll give you an even more luxurious wedding. Will that work?” I walked right past both of them and strode toward Presley, who had just emerged. “Darling, welcome home!” Presley caught my embrace, her cool eyes instantly softening as she lifted her head and placed a gentle kiss on my chin. Behind us, the triumphant smile on Leah’s face instantly froze. After a brief deadly silence came Leah’s humiliated roar: “Gonzalez! Haven’t you played around enough!” She rushed forward in a few steps, pointing at Presley and shouting: “To spite me, you even hired an actress? Not bad acting skills—how much did it cost?” “Name your price. I’ll pay you ten times that to get lost right now!” Presley moved me protectively to her side, her eyes darkening, the atmospheric pressure around her instantly dropping to freezing. But I pressed down on her hand, leisurely watching Leah’s twisted face. “Leah, didn’t you always want to meet my wife?” I wrapped my arm around Presley’s waist, smiling brilliantly. “Let me formally introduce you—this is my legal wife.” Leah’s face turned deathly pale. “How can it be you?!”

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Everyone in the werewolf circles says I’m the weakest Luna. Alexander, the Alpha of Shadow Fang Pack who I was arranged to marry, cheated on me. His mistress posted a photo of them kissing on social media to provoke me. Not only did I like their post. I even commented: “A perfect match. Congratulations to the newlyweds.” Alexander told me: “Her grandfather is sick. He wants to see her wedding before he dies.” I still smiled and nodded in agreement. Only because in my previous life, unable to bear his infidelity, I ran to the wedding to cause a scene. To punish me, Alexander had a group of Rogues break into Silver Crest Pack and kill my parents. I was also sent to a mental hospital by him, tortured until I became insane. So living again, I no longer hope for his love. Every time he cheats, I transfer a portion of his assets. Soon, he’ll have nothing left. “I trust you.” I looked at Alexander, my tone calm. Hearing this, Alexander scrutinized my expression carefully. Seeing that I truly showed no signs of anger, his furrowed brows finally relaxed. He smiled and pulled me into his arms: “Nina, I’m glad you understand. That human girl just loves to play around, and with her grandfather gravely ill, I really had no choice.” I obediently leaned into his embrace, but inside I sneered. In my previous life, because I didn’t understand his “no choice,” I went and caused a huge scene. To vent Vivian’s anger, he had a group of Rogues break into Silver Crest Pack. My father, the Alpha of Silver Crest Pack, and my mother, the Luna, were both killed in that tragedy. And I was forcibly sent to a mental hospital by him. My wolf was tortured until it was barely alive, and I became a madwoman. Vivian would occasionally visit me, nestling in Alexander’s arms, mocking me like a dog. In the end, I died on a cold winter night. So from the first day of my rebirth, I began planning to transfer the assets under his name. Because my father had long seen that Alexander wasn’t loyal, worried he would betray me. So before marriage, he forced Alexander to sign a prenuptial agreement. As long as Alexander showed any signs of infidelity, I could manage a portion of his assets on his behalf. This agreement was legally recognized. And now, it had already taken effect. Alexander was completely unaware of this, still talking to himself: “Oh right, today is our seventh anniversary.” “I’ll definitely make it up to you. I promise, tonight absolutely no one will disturb us again.” He raised his hand solemnly to swear. I nodded and obediently said: “Okay, I’ll listen to you.” Seeing how understanding I was, Alexander was in a great mood. Over the next few hours, he began preparing intensively. I heard him on the balcony making phone calls, his voice very low. “I want the best seat in the restaurant… yes, one where we can see the city’s night view…” “Is the billboard ready? It must cover the whole city… it’s a surprise for her…” Watching his busy figure, I felt a bit dazed. I almost thought the Alexander from years ago who loved me had returned. Looking away, I took out my computer and opened the operation interface. Because of that social media post, Alexander, you’ve already used up one chance. Within just a few minutes, I received a notification of information changes. All the mansions and vehicles under Alexander’s name. The property rights had all been transferred to the trust fund I had set up in advance. These assets combined were worth over five hundred million dollars. I picked up the coffee on the table that had long gone cold and took a sip. The bitter taste spread through my mouth, yet it made me feel incredibly clear-headed and satisfied.

At seven o’clock in the evening, Alexander brought me right on time to the restaurant he had reserved. The location was indeed excellent. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was the dazzling city night view, with a clear view of the city’s largest billboard. Alexander gentlemanly pulled out a chair for me, smiling as he said: “Nina, eat something first. There’s a big surprise for you later.” I cut a small piece of steak and put it in my mouth. Before I could swallow, his phone rang. Alexander’s expression changed slightly, and he immediately answered. Vivian’s crying voice came from the other end: “Darling, Grandpa suddenly got worse and went into the emergency room. Sob sob sob…” “I’m so scared alone. Can you come keep me company?” Alexander’s hand gripping the phone tightened, and he instinctively glanced at me. I put down my knife and fork, quietly watching him. His eyes flickered, and finally he said into the phone: “Don’t be scared, I’ll come right away.” After hanging up, he stood up, looking apologetic and anxious: “Nina, Vivian’s situation…” “Go ahead.” Before he could finish, I interrupted him. “She’s more important. Don’t keep her waiting.” Alexander was stunned. He had already prepared himself for me to lose my temper and question him. He even furrowed his brow, ready to lecture me. But he didn’t expect me to be this calm, even urging him to leave quickly. He froze for a few seconds, suppressing the slight discomfort and strange feeling in his heart. “I knew my Nina was the kindest.” He leaned down and kissed me hard on the cheek. “You eat first and wait to see tonight’s surprise. It’s specially prepared for you. After you finish eating, I’ll have my assistant drive you home.” With that, he grabbed his coat and left without looking back. I pulled out a wet wipe and expressionlessly wiped the spot he had just kissed. So dirty. I didn’t waste this excellent viewing location and the table full of delicious food. I slowly savored the entire meal, and even ordered another dessert. Eight o’clock sharp. Outside the window, throughout the city, those huge electronic billboards suddenly changed their displays simultaneously. This was the surprise Alexander had prepared for me. All the screens lit up, illuminating half the city’s night sky. However, when the images became clear, the words displayed were: Vivian, I will love you forever. The huge golden words flickered throughout various parts of the city, extravagant and grand in scale. Beta William standing nearby was sweating profusely, sneaking glances at my expression, afraid I would flip the table and explode the next second. But I just clasped my hands together to support my chin, quietly watching the lights outside the window. How beautiful. I remember before, to give me a birthday surprise, he personally designed a whole week’s worth of declarations of love, just so that my eyes could reflect that city lit up for me. Those days he was so busy his feet barely touched the ground, his eyes full of bloodshot veins. Unfortunately, that person no longer exists. Memories flooded in like a tide, accompanied by an indescribable sharp pain. On our seventh wedding anniversary, my mate Alexander was having an affair with a human not far from where I was. No more anger or sadness, not even a ripple. Only relief. Relief that I was reborn and saw this man’s true face. Just then, my phone vibrated. It was a text from Alexander: [Nina, Vivian was overcome with grief because of her grandfather. The girl is innocent and fragile, so I could only temporarily change the billboard message to make her happy.] [Don’t overthink it, and don’t give her any trouble. This was all my idea.] I sneered and didn’t bother replying. I took out my phone. “Second chance.” My finger tapped lightly. “Transferring liquid assets…” “Clearing private investment funds…” At this moment, Alexander, holding his innocent and fragile girl, didn’t know. To make his girl happy, he had just paid ninety million dollars in appearance fees.

Another week passed, and Alexander barely came home. Every time he returned, I was already asleep. On the rare occasions we met, I was gentle and obedient, asking after his well-being, never mentioning Vivian. Recently Vivian had been posting on social media for a whole week, all photos of Alexander accompanying her. I liked every single one and commented blessings underneath. Friends in our social circle were shocked, privately messaging Alexander, saying that the former strong-willed Serena who couldn’t tolerate any betrayal was gone. They congratulated him on finally making his wife docile and obedient, enjoying all the benefits. Looking at those flattering words, Alexander felt extremely uncomfortable. Too obedient. So obedient she didn’t seem like the Serena who loved and hated so clearly. But thinking it over, perhaps this was the power of love. Serena loved him so much that she was willing to be patient for him, willing to understand his difficulties. Thinking this way, he felt at ease again. The next morning, Alexander unusually woke me up. “Nina, get up and get ready. Vivian has something she wants to ask for your help with.” I raised an eyebrow, said nothing, got up, changed clothes, and followed him out. When we arrived, I immediately saw Vivian wearing a crown. That crown, I knew all too well. It was the one that five years ago at our wedding, passed down through Alexander’s family, that he personally placed on my head, symbolizing my status as Luna, the only one of its kind in the world. Now, this “only love” was on another woman’s head. When Vivian saw me, she shyly glanced at Alexander, then walked up to me. “Serena, Alex darling told me you’re especially understanding and supportive of us acting.” “Don’t worry, I promise we’re just acting, there won’t be anything else…” As she spoke, she looked at Alexander, her eyes showing a kind of sorrow. “His heart is still with you.” Hearing this, Alexander clenched his fists, his expression showing restrained discomfort. I didn’t know what to say for a moment. Again, they were treating me as part of their game. Just as I was about to lose my composure, Vivian spoke again: “Because this is sister’s crown, I feel I should ask sister’s opinion, so sister, do you agree to let me have the crown?” The implication was clear. Not just wanting the crown, but wanting to take my position. Before I could speak, Alexander naturally took over: “Of course she won’t mind. After all, this crown just sits in the safe gathering dust, and Serena doesn’t need it anymore.” “Lending it to Vivian to fulfill her grandfather’s wish, you’re doing a good deed. You should be happy too, right Nina?” He turned to look at me, his eyes full of certainty. I sneered silently. I stepped forward, my fingers lightly brushing over the crown’s cold metal and gems. “Of course I don’t mind.” “I heard the wedding is set for next week? I’ll attend on time and definitely give you a generous gift.” “After all, the chance to personally watch my own husband marry someone else doesn’t come often. I’d like to broaden my horizons too.” Vivian was stunned, clearly not expecting me to be this calm. I continued: “But Vivian, this waistline… has it gotten a bit rounder lately?” I looked meaningfully at her lower abdomen. Vivian’s face stiffened, and she instinctively covered her stomach, her eyes showing some panic. My hand reached out and grabbed that crown. Since the heart of the person who gave this crown was no longer there, then this crown was indeed useless. I suddenly yanked it off Vivian’s head and, under everyone’s shocked gazes, threw it hard onto the marble floor! The delicate metal structure instantly deformed, gems scattered everywhere, making a crisp and piercing shattering sound. Vivian screamed, covering her chest and stepping back two steps, tears streaming: “Ah! My crown! Serena, what are you doing? Even if you don’t agree, there’s no need to destroy it publicly and embarrass me!” Alexander also became furious. He rushed over and pushed me aside, protecting Vivian. “Serena! Are you crazy? Bullying even a young girl!” “You’ve already worn this crown, and it would just be wasted sitting there. What’s wrong with letting Vivian use it? How can you be so malicious!” He frowned, impatiently saying: “As punishment, that project your parents’ company is negotiating, suspend the cooperation.” “I won’t be coming home recently either. You reflect on yourself!” With that, he put his arm around the crying Vivian and turned to leave. A sharp pain instantly exploded. I steadied myself against the display case beside me, took a deep breath, and endured the pain from the Mate Bond. Soon everything would be resolved. I took out my phone and performed a series of operations, transferring all assets under Alexander’s name. No cooperation then no cooperation. Anyway, the funds for that project, you can’t come up with them anymore.

The wedding was set at the city’s most solemn cathedral. Although publicly claimed to be acting to fulfill an old man’s dying wish, the grandeur even surpassed my wedding with Alexander back then. Almost all the prominent figures in social circles came. Whether out of curiosity or to watch the drama unfold, in any case, every seat was filled. I wore a black dress, sitting in a front row seat. This outfit didn’t look like attending a wedding, but rather a funeral. The people around me looked at me with eyes full of intrigue and whispered among themselves. “Hey, look at Serena, she actually came.” “Being a wife like this must be so humiliating, right? Her husband is about to marry someone else, and she can still sit here?” “I heard it’s for that woman’s grandfather, supposedly acting.” “Acting? Do you believe that? Look at that jewelry, that grandeur, no less than back then.” “Shh, keep your voice down…” I held my wine glass, gently swirling it, turning a deaf ear to the surrounding gossip. The wedding march began. The doors opened, and Alexander walked down the red carpet with Vivian on his arm. Alexander wore a perfectly tailored black tuxedo, devastatingly handsome. Vivian wore an expensive dress, a white veil on her head, her face beaming with happiness. It seemed they ultimately couldn’t find a more suitable crown. As Alexander passed by me, his steps paused slightly. He glanced at me, his eyes somewhat complex. I raised my glass in a distant toast to him, the corner of my mouth curling into a cold smile. During the vow ceremony, the entire venue quieted down. Alexander looked at Vivian affectionately, his voice loud: “I do.” Thunderous applause erupted below the stage. Vivian was moved to tears, one hand gently caressing her slightly protruding abdomen. “I have one more piece of good news to share with everyone.” “Alex and I already have the fruit of our love. Today is a double celebration.” As soon as she finished speaking, the entire venue erupted. “My God, she’s really pregnant!” “This isn’t acting, this is taking advantage of the situation to rise in status!” “Serena’s face must be completely humiliated now, right?” All eyes instantly focused on me, waiting for me to rush up like a shrew and cause a scene. Alexander on stage was also somewhat flustered. Obviously, Vivian hadn’t consulted him before publicly announcing this. He instinctively looked at me. I stood up, smoothed out my skirt, and calmly walked onto the stage, taking the microphone. “Congratulations, Alexander, Miss Vivian.” I smiled at them: “Since it’s a double celebration, as his legal wife, let me give you a big gift to help celebrate.” Alexander’s face turned pale, lowering his voice: “Serena, don’t do anything rash! Whatever it is, we’ll talk about it when we get home!” “Go home? Which home?” I looked at him mockingly: “The houses under your name now don’t seem to belong to you anymore.” “What do you mean?” Alexander was stunned. I didn’t answer him, just raised my hand and snapped my fingers. The huge LED screen behind me suddenly flickered. The originally playing images of their sweet wedding photos disappeared. Replacing them were densely packed financial statements, bank transaction records, and scanned copies of asset transfer agreements. The entire venue instantly became deathly silent. Everyone stared wide-eyed at the big screen. In the center of the screen, bold red text was particularly glaring: [Alexander, current total assets: zero.] [Current debt: 2.9 billion dollars.]

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After my miscarriage, I changed all the habits that Pathseekers Pack Alpha Ronan found annoying. I stopped asking about his whereabouts. When he didn’t come home all night, I slept peacefully. Even when I was injured in a Rogue attack and the doctor asked me to notify family, I simply answered calmly: “I don’t have any family.” The nurse recognized me: “You’re Luna Nyla, aren’t you? Alpha Ronan is inspecting the office building next door. Should I go notify him?” I shook my head gently. “No need.” Yet half an hour later, Ronan came anyway. His posture was rigid, his voice cold: “Why didn’t you come to me when you got injured?” I lowered my eyes. “It’s minor. No need to trouble you.” The understated tone inexplicably irritated Ronan. Just as he was about to speak, voices from the Beta guards outside drifted through the door: “Alpha Ronan really cares about Vivian. When she got hurt by Rogues and injured her foot, he called in a helicopter and personally carried her on and off, didn’t even let her feet touch the ground.” Ronan’s heart clenched. From the corner of his eye, he couldn’t help glancing at me, seemingly waiting for me to interrogate and argue like before. But I didn’t even flutter an eyelash. I simply leaned quietly against the bed with my eyes closed, resting.

It wasn’t until I sat in his black SUV that he finally explained in a low voice: “Don’t listen to their nonsense. I was just following protocol. Vivian is the performer I hired for the music festival. Of course I had to take care of her when she got injured.” I murmured a soft “Mm” and said nothing more. Ronan suddenly erupted in anger: “You don’t believe me? Are you still holding a grudge?” “Nyla… I came to the hospital for you. What more do you want?” I looked out the window, didn’t even turn my head. “I just didn’t think it was serious enough to disturb you. Let’s go home.” That phrase again, like an automated response, so dismissive. Ronan slammed his fist on the steering wheel. The harsh honk shattered the silence, startling the music academy faculty and students across the street who had just finished performing at the music festival. One of the girls looked up. The moment moonlight fell on her face, the air in the car froze solid. Ronan couldn’t help but speak: “Vivian… what’s she doing here?” Ronan instinctively looked at me. After all, every time I’d seen her before, I’d lost control emotionally. But I only glanced over indifferently, then withdrew my gaze without a ripple. Ronan gripped the steering wheel tight, but his eyes drifted toward her. In the deep winter night, the girl wore only a thin performance outfit, hugging her arms, her nose tip red from cold. His hand was already on the door handle, concern practically spilling from his eyes. I understood perfectly. I pushed open the door and got out, even giving him an excuse: “If you need to patrol the territory, I can walk home myself.” Before he could respond, I’d already turned and headed for the intersection. Ronan caught up and grabbed my wrist: “I didn’t know she’d be here. Why won’t you believe me?” I nodded. “I believe you. She’s just a girl on her own, it’s not easy. Even if things ended, it’s normal to show concern. I understand.” Ronan stared at my face. No expression, didn’t seem like sulking. He felt something was very wrong. Before, I’d had such a strong need to share and possess him. Even finding a single long hair on his shirt would make me interrogate him until midnight. Now I was truly as he’d wished—no fights, no fuss, understanding and considerate. Yet his heart felt stuffed with soaking wet cotton, so stifling he couldn’t breathe. I pulled my hand back and turned to leave. When I reached the corner, I stopped and looked back. By the SUV, Ronan had already removed his coat and draped it over Vivian’s shoulders. He cupped her face and lowered his head to kiss her deeply. My body and soul felt inevitable pain, but I wasn’t surprised by this scene at all. I should have expected it long ago. And I would never again be like the first time I discovered his affair, questioning him like a madwoman: “Ronan! Have you no shame? I’ve been with you since I was eighteen. When we got married you said you’d love and cherish me forever, and now you’re telling me you fell in love with someone else?” Back then he’d laughed coldly after I drew blood: “You want to talk about shame? If you had any shame, would you have had sex with me the second time we met when you were eighteen? You’re an orphan with no parents. I’m the one who brought you out of the orphanage. You should be grateful to me!” Those words were like a poisoned blade, stabbing our years of sharing hardship together to pieces. My phone vibrated, pulling me from the memory. “Luna Nyla, we’ve confirmed your deceased biological parents were the former Alpha and former Luna of Ashclaw Pack. When would you have time to visit Ashclaw Pack? Your uncle, Ashclaw Pack Alpha Dean, very much wants to see you.” I pulled down my sleeve, covering the scar on my wrist: “Once I sever the mate bond with Ronan, I’ll leave here and go to Ashclaw Pack.” The person on the other end paused: “You and Alpha Ronan have been through so much together all these years. You don’t necessarily have to leave Pathseekers Pack.” I answered calmly: “I don’t love him anymore. I just want to leave here forever.”

When I returned to the residence and opened the door, I saw our wedding photo on the wall. The man in the photo smiled brilliantly, his nose affectionately nuzzling my forehead. That was taken when we loved each other most. I grew up in Pathseekers Pack’s orphanage. When I was eighteen, the director wanted to make me the companion of a violent, widowed old werewolf. While climbing the wall to escape the orphanage, I met Ronan, my fated mate. We fell in love at first sight. Ronan took me away from the orphanage. Back then, he was still the Alpha heir, not yet Pathseekers Pack’s Alpha. But he promised me he’d become Alpha as soon as possible and make me the honored Luna, so no one in Pathseekers Pack would ever dare bully me again. In the first three years after our marriage, Ronan trained desperately. Every time he went on dangerous missions or fought off Rogues, he’d tuck my photo into his breast pocket. I handled the household, being his most reliable support at home. Later, Ronan successfully became Alpha. His prestige grew higher and higher, and all kinds of people started surrounding him. Until I found a lipstick mark that wasn’t mine on the inside of his shirt collar. “A young woman was injured in the leg by Rogues. I helped her to the hospital and it got smudged by accident!” He irritably yanked open his collar. “Nyla, can you stop being so paranoid all the time?” “It’s because I’m afraid of you betraying me! Ronan, we said we’d be together forever, not even one day less!” We began fighting endlessly. I checked his mission records, his communication logs, even secretly followed and monitored him when he went to work. It was as if Ronan did it out of spite—he really started having affairs. He cycled through woman after woman. My body and soul suffered unimaginable torment. At his worst, Ronan deliberately displayed scratch marks left by other women on his back to provoke me. “Satisfied?” he sneered. “Didn’t you want to investigate? Now you’ve found out.” I felt like I was losing my mind. I knew I should let go, but I couldn’t. After all these years with Ronan, we’d already grown into each other’s flesh and blood. Separating would be bloody and raw. Staying together was mutual torture. But a year ago, he suddenly became well-behaved, suddenly changed his attitude, distanced himself from all the women around him, keeping only one young woman. I sent people to investigate. The moment I saw Vivian’s photo, I collapsed. The face in the photo looked exactly like me at eighteen—pure and clear. Ronan would rather love a substitute than love me again. That night, I lay in the bathtub and slit my wrists with a special dagger I’d bought from a witch. When Ronan broke down the door, his fingers were trembling. He held me and rushed to the hospital, his eyes frighteningly red: “Nyla! Have you lost your mind?! We’ll live well together. I promise, from now on it’s only you. I won’t see anyone else!” Lying in the hospital bed, I just felt tired. So tired I couldn’t even cry. And it was that very day that a Beta guard from Ashclaw Pack found me and handed me a yellowed file. “Nyla, we’ve discovered you’re the lost daughter of Ashclaw Pack’s former Alpha and Luna. Years ago, Rogues attacked Ashclaw Pack. Your parents sacrificed themselves protecting the pack. You also went missing in that attack. Later, your uncle became Ashclaw Pack’s Alpha. All these years, he’s never stopped looking for you.” I gripped that file, my fingertips ice cold. After the Beta guard left, I was drawn as if possessed to the window. In the garden below, Ronan was holding Vivian tightly in his arms. “I’m sorry, Vivian. She’s emotionally unstable and has attempted suicide before. She’s been hurt psychologically… I can’t leave her at a time like this.” “But trust me. Once her condition stabilizes, I’ll give you an answer.” The two kissed inseparably, like a pair of star-crossed lovers. In that moment, I felt the connected flesh being torn apart, ripped into a huge hole. The pain was so intense I couldn’t make a sound. On the seventh day lying in that hospital bed, I suddenly understood. I had to leave Ronan and personally sever all of this.

For seven straight days, Ronan didn’t return to the territory residence. I didn’t ask. I just started having someone draft divorce papers and organizing my personal belongings. Ronan and I had several properties. I usually lived in the one on the outskirts. But I had some things stored at the house Ronan and I shared in the city center. I decided to go there to retrieve them, but on the way, I suddenly felt pain. I knew—Ronan was having another affair. When I reached the city center house, I heard a woman’s delicate laughter and a man’s suppressed panting inside. Through the crack in the door, Vivian’s performance outfit was scattered on the floor. Ronan had her pinned against the wall, thrusting violently. The hand gripping her waist still wore our wedding ring on the ring finger. I clenched my palms so hard they ached, slowly exhaled, and closed the door. I didn’t go in. What would be the point of barging in? To tear and claw like a hysterical woman? Or to cry and recount all these years of devotion like a resentful wife? It was meaningless. A man who’d already replaced me in his heart—even if I won him back, it would only be an empty shell. I hurried downstairs, but Ronan, who’d chased after me, grabbed my wrist. His breathing was still unsteady, his collar askew. “What are you doing here?” I pulled my hand back, face calm: “Passing by, wanted to get some things. The door wasn’t open, so I left.” He stiffly made an excuse: “Vivian said she wanted a place to practice piano. I just lent her the key… Don’t overthink it.” I didn’t bother exposing this clumsy excuse and turned to leave. Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass came from inside the house, followed by flames shooting up! Ronan’s expression changed drastically. He clamped my chin, frightening fury burning in his eyes: “You did this?! Nyla, I thought you’d really come to your senses. Didn’t expect you to use this kind of tactic!” “Let me make this clear—I’m the one who let Vivian stay here! If anything happens to her, I absolutely won’t forgive you!” He roughly shoved me aside and rushed into the fire. I was about to leave, but suddenly remembered—the marriage certificate and the belongings of my parents that the Beta secretary had brought me were still locked in the old safe in that house. I grabbed a fire extinguisher from the hallway, smashed the glass, and climbed through the window into the heat wave. Inside, thick smoke billowed. Ronan was carrying Vivian out. Seeing me, his eyes turned cold: “What are you doing adding to the chaos?!” I ignored him and headed straight for the bedroom. Flames had already climbed up the curtains. The safe was next to the burning wardrobe. “Nyla! Are you crazy?! Get out!” Ronan roared from the doorway. I lunged toward the safe and turned the combination. The moment the door popped open, the burning chandelier overhead crashed down with a thunderous crash! Ronan instinctively shielded Vivian beneath him and retreated quickly. I was thrown by the blast. Glass shards cut my skin, blood instantly soaking my clothes. I gritted my teeth and pulled out the document pouch, clutching it tightly to my chest. Smoke choked into my lungs, my vision gradually blurring. Before consciousness sank into darkness, I heard Ronan’s footsteps carrying Vivian out, and the faint sound of sirens in the distance. When I woke again, I was lying in a hospital room. Ronan was opening the document pouch I’d risked my life to protect. Inside was the marriage certificate. “The marriage certificate? You risked your life for this?” I reached out and took the pouch back. Good thing Ronan hadn’t seen my parents’ belongings in the document pouch. As for his question—without the marriage certificate, how could I process the divorce? Ronan looked at me clutching the document pouch tightly, his brows furrowed: “All three of us would have been fine. You had to do this absurd thing to make me choose between you, to prove whether you’re the most important?” “I saved Vivian first because she was closer to me.” I stared at the hospital room’s white ceiling and murmured a faint “Mm.” “Nyla.” His tone softened, trying to explain. “Since I’ve already decided to return to our family, I won’t have any more entanglements with Vivian. Vivian… her family’s struggling. I’m just giving her some help, temporarily arranging housing.” Vivian wasn’t doing well, so he helped her right into bed to have sex. I finally lifted my eyes to look at him. My eyes were like stagnant water, without a ripple, abnormally calm. “I know. I understand.”

This calm was driving him insane. He stood up abruptly, but caught sight of the large burn on my arm. “Nyla, one injury wasn’t enough? You need more injuries to tie me down?” “Not anymore. I won’t be foolish again.” He wanted to say something, but the encrypted communicator rang. He quickly walked to the window to answer. I couldn’t hear the content clearly, only vaguely caught Vivian’s tearful voice. Ronan gave some low instructions, then turned to look at me: “There’s an urgent pack matter. I need to go to work. Rest and recover.” With that, he turned and left. Over the next several days, I stayed quietly in the hospital. Ronan had people send supplements and flowers. The internal phone rang daily too. I always had the duty nurse answer, only saying “Condition stable, no need for visits.” The day I was discharged, I went to settle the bill. Just as I handed over the invoice, an old woman shoved me aside. “My son-in-law is Pathseekers Pack’s Alpha. Let me go first.” I frowned: “Please wait in line.” The old woman shot me a look: “Who are you? My son-in-law is Pathseekers Pack Alpha Ronan! If you delay me getting medicine, can you take responsibility?” Before she finished speaking, Ronan had already rushed over from the other end of the corridor with Vivian. He pulled me aside and lowered his voice: “Vivian’s mother has a bad heart and can’t handle emotional stress. As Luna, you should let her go first. It’s only right.” Vivian supported her gasping mother, eyes reddening: “Nyla, I’m sorry… My mom’s old illness flared up. I was afraid she wouldn’t use expensive medicine, so I said Ronan was my boyfriend… Please don’t blame him. He’s just soft-hearted, can’t stand seeing elderly people suffer.” I quietly looked at the three of them. So because Vivian’s mother was sick, he left me injured and alone in the hospital? Forget it. None of it mattered anymore. I nodded and turned to leave. I’d only taken two steps when I heard Vivian’s tearful whisper: “Ronan, is Nyla angry? Will she do what she did last time again… I’m really afraid of affecting your future…” Ronan’s voice was soft but carried clearly: “Don’t overthink it. She grew up without parents. She can’t understand your feelings.” My fingers clenched suddenly, knuckles white. Step by step, I walked through the hospital corridor. Ronan’s footsteps chased from behind: “Nyla, I’ll take you home.” I didn’t turn back. Instead, I quickened my pace. Suddenly a rushing werewolf burst out and knocked me down. I fell hard to the ground, my arm burn seeping blood again. The fall was brutal. Something in my chest seemed to shatter completely. I bit down hard, nails digging into my palms, but tears rolled down beyond my control. Since childhood, I’d feared Christmas most. Watching the warm light through other families’ windows, hearing the laughter inside—that envy was like a dull knife cutting flesh. Ronan knew better than anyone that this was my deepest wound. But now, to comfort Vivian, he personally tore this scar open again and again. He rushed over and picked me up, voice suppressing anger: “Nyla! Do you have to be so stubborn?!” Before he finished speaking, a thermos flew through the air! Scalding soup splashed across my face. Vivian’s mother stood a few steps away, shaking with rage: “Shameless! Seducing my son-in-law?! I’ll teach you to seduce!” She rushed up and slapped me. I was struck so hard my head turned, falling to the ground. Then the cane came down heavily on my shoulder. A dull thud as bone met impact. Ronan grabbed Vivian’s mother’s cane before she could swing it again: “Calm down! It’s not what you think!” “Then what is it?!” Vivian’s mother shrieked. “This mistress throwing herself at you, you think I’m blind?!” I braced myself against the ground and stood: “Control your daughter! Who’s the mistress is crystal clear!” But Ronan whipped around, using a rapid whisper only we could hear: “She has severe heart disease, she can’t handle stress! Nyla, I’m begging you, don’t make a scene right now!” Then he quickly supported Vivian’s mother: “You’ve misunderstood. Nyla is my friend. She’s had psychological trauma, her emotions aren’t very stable…” He even pulled my medical records from his pocket. Vivian’s mother glanced at them and spat: “Brain problems? No wonder her parents died young, lacks proper upbringing!” Ronan half-supported, half-guided her away. From beginning to end, he never looked back at me once. I sat on the ground, watching their backs, unable to even cry anymore. A kind head nurse helped me back to the ward and rebandaged my wounds. “Luna Nyla,” she asked carefully, “Do you need… to notify the Beta guards?” I shook my head: “No need. Process my discharge.” Back at my home, I started packing. My phone vibrated, the screen lighting up. Vivian had updated her status. In the photo she wore Ronan’s jacket, leaning against his chest, caption: “Meeting you through the smoke of war, worth all the pain.” I calmly swiped past the screen and clicked “Unfollow.” Then I placed the divorce agreement I’d already signed on the table, making sure Ronan would see it the moment he came home. Downstairs, the car the guards had reserved for me had arrived. I got in and gave my destination: “Airport.” The car started, driving out of the residence gates. Just then, a black SUV came from the opposite direction, passing us. The back window was half-down. Ronan was turning his head talking to someone beside him. Vivian leaned on his shoulder, smiling brilliantly. The two cars sped in opposite directions. In the rearview mirror, the home I’d lived in for so many years grew farther and farther away, finally shrinking to a dot. Having sex with him at eighteen, exchanging wedding rings in the marriage hall at twenty, watching woman after woman beside him at twenty-eight… All the scenes flashed before my eyes, then were left far behind. It was all over. Now, I was going to find my parents. I was going to the Ashclaw pack they had protected.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “382321”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster