Category: English

That New Year’s Eve, I received a mysterious blind box gift. When I opened it, I found Barry’s assistant lying inside. She wore a nearly transparent dress, pointing at me and snapping: “You ignorant housekeeper! Who told you to open Barry’s gift? Where is Barry?” Turns out, she mistook me for Barry’s maid. I was about to kick her out when Barry rushed in and slapped me. He took off his jacket and draped it over Scarlett, then accused me: “Anya, who gave you permission to open my gift? And you dared to hit Scarlett?” I didn’t hesitate to slap him right back. “Barry! This is my house! How dare you bring your mistress here?” Barry then pulled Scarlett into his arms and said: “Scarlett is pregnant. She’s moving in with us, so don’t make a fuss.” I laughed, a bitter, hollow sound. “Then give me back my company shares. I don’t want this home anymore!” The assistant, huddled in his arms, stared at me with incredulous wide eyes. “Barry, who is she? You told me you only had a housekeeper here!” Barry gently kissed her forehead. “She’s just a business partner. I’ll handle it.” He then set her down and ordered someone to take her back. I scoffed, my heart bleeding. “Is that what you tell everyone at the company? That I’m your housekeeper?” Barry stepped forward with a sigh, reaching for my hand, but I pulled away. “Anya, when we got married, you said you wouldn’t interfere. My wife will always be you, no matter what.” I looked at his unreasonable face and closed my eyes. He was right. When the company first went public, He said he didn’t want me to work too hard, so I quit my job and let him take all the credit. I never imagined it would become his excuse for brazen infidelity. I took a deep breath. “I don’t want to discuss anything else. Just give me back my company shares.” Barry froze for a moment, then sneered. “Give them back? I’ve been running the company top to bottom for years, and all the people are mine . Anya, don’t be foolish.” I saw the undisguised contempt in his eyes, And the frozen crack in my heart rapidly spread. For years, Barry had poured all his energy into the company. I knew that trying to get the shares back now was utterly delusional. I had to find another way. Seeing my silence, Barry sighed softly and stepped closer again. “Scarlett will be moving in in a couple of days. If you keep being so paranoid, I’ll have no choice but to send you away.” He then turned and walked upstairs without another glance at me. I leaned against the cold wall alone, my heart aching to the point of suffocation. Why? Why had Barry and I become like this? Was it all because of that one incident…? The day Scarlett moved into the villa was our eighth wedding anniversary. She was wrapped in a new white fur coat Barry had bought her, Carefully cradling her stomach, Her face radiating thinly veiled triumph. “Anya, I’m so sorry about last time,” Her voice was sickly sweet, but her eyes held not a hint of apology. “I was a little startled that day and spoke without thinking. Please don’t take it to heart.” I stood at the top of the stairs, watching her walk in, supported by Barry, my fingernails digging into my palms. Scarlett changed into slippers, Then walked over, reaching out to grasp my hand intimately, but I shifted, avoiding her. She wasn’t offended, instead smiling even more sweetly. “Honestly, you don’t need to be so petty. For a man like Barry, isn’t it normal to have a few flings outside? We women, we need to be more generous.” She caressed her still-flat abdomen, her tone dismissive. “Anyway, when this baby is born, won’t they still call you ‘Mom’? You’ll get a child for free. What a bargain!” Each word was like a poisoned needle, pricking the most painful spot in my heart. Just then, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Barry. “The groceries have been delivered. Scarlett has severe morning sickness, so please make something light and nutritious. I’ll be home early to be with her.” I stared at the screen, suddenly remembering this day last year. I had spent a week planning the menu, Then started cooking in the kitchen from the afternoon, Making his favorite red wine braised oxtail and pan-seared foie gras. Candlesticks, fresh flowers, music – everything was perfect. I waited until midnight, Only to receive a cold message from him: “Meeting. Won’t be back.” Now, for another woman, He was practically itching to stay home all day. “Anya, did you see the message?” Scarlett had approached at some point, glimpsing my phone screen, her face flushing with happiness. “Barry is just so worried about me. You really don’t have to go through all this trouble.”

The next few days, I lived like a true housekeeper. Time quickly passed, bringing the anniversary of my father’s passing. In the early morning, I held a bouquet of pristine white chrysanthemums, my fingertips icy. Every year on this day, no matter how busy Barry was, he would accompany me to the cemetery. He would hold my trembling hand and whisper to my father’s stern photo on the tombstone, “Dad, I’ll take good care of Anya.” But now… My phone vibrated. It was Barry. “Scarlett woke up feeling dizzy this morning. Stay home and keep her company. I don’t trust leaving her alone.” I clutched the flower stems, my knuckles white. “Barry, today is the anniversary of my father’s passing.” There was a second of silence on the other end, only the faint rustle of papers. “I know. I’ll go to the cemetery myself. You just stay home.” “Barry!” My voice trembled. “That’s my father!” “Anya,” His tone held a warning edge of impatience. “Scarlett is pregnant and needs looking after. Can’t you be more understanding? Don’t make things difficult for me.” The call disconnected. I stood in the empty living room, Still clutching the flowers I’d prepared for my father, Shivering with cold. Finally, I gently placed the bouquet on the console table by the entrance and turned towards the study. I needed to do something, To distract myself from this pain that was tearing me apart. I opened my laptop and logged into a dormant account, stripped of its original access. I began to review years of financial records, page by page. I don’t know how much time passed, When a faint, sharp sound of shattering porcelain came from upstairs. My heart leaped, and I rushed out of the study. The sound came from my bedroom. Pushing open the door, the sight before me sent my blood rushing to my head, then freezing solid. Scarlett was half-reclining on my bed, wearing my silk nightgown. On the floor, my sky-blue crackle-glazed porcelain vase, which used to sit on my bedside table, lay in shattered pieces. Amidst the shards, Several torn old letters were scattered – letters my father had written to me a week before he passed. I had carefully folded them and hidden them at the bottom of the vase. They were my last precious mementos of him. Scarlett still clutched half a letter in her hand, Reading with interest: “Anya, the only thing I’m truly worried about in this life is you. Barry is cunning, and you are too honest. You must be more careful.” Seeing me, she didn’t panic. Instead, she flashed a smile that was both innocent and cruel. “Anya, oh, I’m so sorry, I just wanted to lie on your bed for a bit, and I accidentally knocked over this vase. This letter is so touching, your dad was really good to you.” She wiggled the half-sheet of paper in her hand, Then, the moment I lunged to snatch it, “Rip!” The paper was easily torn in half, and she casually tossed it to the floor. I had never dared to even wrinkle that letter. Now, this mistress had torn it to shreds so easily. “Scarlett!” I lunged and gripped her throat tightly! “Ah! You… let go…” Her eyes widened in terror, her hands clawing wildly at my forearms. “How dare you…” My eyes were bloodshot, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably as I squeezed with all my might. “How dare you touch my father’s things! How dare you tear up his letter!” “Stop!” A furious roar erupted, and a tremendous force slammed into my side. Barry had kicked me, And I fell hard onto the cold floor, My back hitting the vanity table, sending bottles and jars crashing down. “Barry! She’s trying to kill me! She’s trying to kill our baby!” Scarlett immediately threw herself into Barry’s arms, crying uncontrollably, Red marks starkly visible on her neck from my grip. Barry held her tightly, His eyes fixed on me, filled with undisguised rage and disgust. “Anya! You’re insane!” he bellowed. “Look at yourself! You look like a lunatic! A shrew!” I tried to push myself up, The searing pain in my side was nothing compared to the agony in my heart. I looked at Scarlett, nestled in his arms, and suddenly began to laugh softly. My laughter grew, tinged with desperate madness. “Lunatic? Yes, I’m a lunatic.” I looked up, staring intently at Barry. “Barry, why didn’t you tell your little mistress why you’re allowing her to have this illegitimate child?” Barry’s body stiffened abruptly. Scarlett’s crying also stopped, and she looked at him with confusion. I laughed until tears streamed down my face. “Because you know perfectly well that I can never have children again!” “Barry, do I need to remind you? Back when we just started our business, how I was pushed down the stairs by creditors while protecting your ‘core documents’, miscarrying our four-month-old child, and becoming unable to be a mother ever again?!” Barry’s face instantly turned incredibly ugly, a mix of green and white. A flicker of guilt and shame crossed his eyes, but it was immediately replaced by deeper fury and humiliation. “Shut up!” he sharply cut me off. “What’s the point of bringing up ancient history?” He pulled Scarlett closer, speaking in a cold voice. “Tomorrow, I’ll contact a private clinic. You need a period of quiet recuperation.” With that, he didn’t look at me again, Carefully helping the sobbing Scarlett out of my bedroom. The door slammed shut. I collapsed onto the cold floor, tears soaking my collar. He had begged my father to marry me, kneeling for three days and three nights. He cried and held me, promising he’d never let me suffer. When we first started the company, we were so poor we could barely afford food, but he still bought me a ring. When my father passed away, I was heartbroken, and Barry stayed with me every moment. In those first few years, we had a warm and loving little home. But I don’t know when it started, he frequently didn’t come home, grew impatient with me, and even cheated. The young man who swore to love me for a lifetime, Now, for an assistant, wanted to send me to a psychiatric facility.

Before dawn, I crawled off the cold floor. The bruise on my waist made me gasp in pain. I quickly got up and pulled a light carry-on suitcase from the walk-in closet. I only packed a few simple clothes and a necklace my father had given me. As I passed the master bedroom, I heard Scarlett’s petulant murmuring and Barry’s low, soothing voice. I didn’t stop, walking straight downstairs and into the kitchen. The refrigerator was filled with expensive ingredients Barry had ordered. I took out a few items and made a simple mushroom soup. Then, I took a small packet of light yellow powder from my pocket and poured it into the soup. I then carried the soup and some bread to Barry’s bedroom door. Barry quickly opened the door, dressed in a robe, his face showing irritation at being disturbed. Seeing it was me, his frown deepened. “Breakfast,” I said, handing over the tray, my voice devoid of emotion. “Scarlett needs nutrition.” He looked at me with some surprise, taking the tray. “Thank you.” I lowered my gaze, said nothing, Turned around, and quietly pushed open the back door leading to the garage. The morning air was sharp and piercing. I drove out of the garage in the most inconspicuous old commuter car, After driving a sufficient distance, I parked the car in a secluded public parking lot. Using a new SIM card I’d prepared, I dialed a number. “Hello, Mr. Davies, it’s Anya.” Mr. Davies was my father’s most capable deputy during his lifetime, and an elder who had watched me grow up. After my father passed, he stayed with the company and was now the Vice President of Finance. Mr. Davies was my father’s most trusted person; he would surely help me. Mr. Davies’s concerned voice came through the phone: “Anya? Why are you using this number? Are you alright?” Hearing the familiar voice, my nose stung, and I fought back a sob. “Mr. Davies, I need your help. Barry… he’s trying to send me to a psychiatric facility.” “What?!” Mr. Davies’s voice suddenly rose, filled with shock and anger. “How dare he! That ungrateful Asshole! Anya, where are you now? Are you safe?” “I’m safe for now.” I spoke quickly. “Mr. Davies, please keep an eye on Barry’s movements at the company for me, especially regarding shares and funds.” “Also… if anyone from a ‘private clinic’ or ‘care facility’ comes to the house or company looking for me today, please say I’ve gone away to clear my head and can’t be reached for now.”

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Jason, my wife Vivian’s assistant, shared the exact same birthday as I did. Vivian gave Jason a designer watch worth a fortune. “Your performance has been outstanding. I’ll promote you to VP next month.” Then, without even looking at me, she tossed a cheap gift box in my direction. I opened it. Inside lay a pregnancy test stick. Vivian’s voice was cold, utterly devoid of warmth. “I’m pregnant. You’re going to be a father. This birthday gift should make you happy, right? Resign by the end of the month and give your VP position to Jason. From now on, you’ll stay home and take care of the baby.” I let out a hollow laugh. I’d been diagnosed as sterile six months ago. How could she possibly be pregnant with my child? As for the VP position, I didn’t even care about it. But even if I handed the role to Jason, he didn’t have what it took to keep it. In Vivian’s office, I stared at the pregnancy test stick, a bitter irony twisting inside me. Jason was diligently massaging Vivian’s shoulders, shooting me a smug, challenging smirk. I took a slow breath and looked at Vivian. “Could the test be wrong? Are you really pregnant?” Vivian sounded impatient. “Why would I fake something like this?” “I’m going to the hospital for another check later. Jason will accompany me. You just finish up here and draft your resignation!” Jason offered me a thin, counterfeit smile. “Ryan, I know a stay-at-home dad. He’s quite experienced. Should I introduce you? You could pick up some baby care tips in advance.” As he spoke, he made a point of adjusting the expensive watch on his wrist-the one Vivian had given him. I forced down my rising anger. “I’m overseeing two key projects right now. All the groundwork is laid. If I leave abruptly, the clients might object-” Vivian cut me off, slamming her palm on the desk. “Ryan, what are you implying? That this company can’t run without you?” Looking at her furious face, I sighed inwardly. For years, I had given everything to Vivian Corp., all to protect Vivian’s legacy. Years ago, after her parents died in that crash, she had clung to me, shaking and sobbing, saying I was the only one she could lean on. From that day on, I gave everything to help her. Now, Vivian Corp. was thriving, stronger than ever. And most of that was because of me. The two projects I led were critical to the company’s future. It had taken me six months to secure the clients and clear every initial obstacle. Now, just as we were on the verge of reaping the rewards, Vivian ordered Jason to take over. Wasn’t this just a blatant grab for my success? Jason had joined the company six months ago. He was Vivian’s junior from college, which instantly earned him the role of her assistant. Vivian was excessively generous with him. She brought him to galas and high profile events, saying it was to broaden his perspective and build his network. All so he could help the company prosper later on. In reality, their flirtatious behavior had long crossed the line between a professional superior and subordinate. To any outsider, Jason looked every bit like Vivian’s husband! I had argued with Vivian about Jason before, and each time, I was the one who ended up apologizing. The Vivian standing before me was nothing like the woman I had married. took a slow breath and spoke to Vivian with deliberate calm. “Those two projects are critical to the company. The clients trust my judgment-” Before I could finish, Jason cut in, his voice slick with sarcasm. “Ryan, you’re always talking about your ‘abilities.’ But let’s be real. If the company hadn’t given you a chance, what would any of that even be worth?” I opened my mouth to respond, but Vivian spoke over me, her voice sharp with impatience. “Enough. Stop acting like the company can’t survive without you. Jason is just as capable. He simply needs the opportunity to prove it. Hand everything over to him. That’s all.” Looking at Vivian’s dismissive expression and Jason’s smug, mocking face, I simply nodded. “No need to wait until month’s end. I resign now. I’ll also have the divorce papers drawn up. Please be ready to sign!”

My words left Vivian utterly speechless. Jason’s eyes, however, gleamed with surprise and delight. He feigned distress. “Ryan, what are you doing?” “I know you’ve never liked me. If you don’t want me taking your VP role, just say so. Do you really have to use divorce to threaten Vivian?” Vivian clearly took the bait. Her expression darkened as she glared at me, her voice turning sharp. “You’ve grown bold, Ryan.” “Trying to play mind games with me? Threatening me with divorce? Do you really think a cheap trick like that could ever control me?” “Ryan, you underestimate me!” “Go ahead. Draw up the papers now. Let’s see if I’m afraid to sign!” Vivian had completely lost control! She was absolutely convinced that I couldn’t leave her, that I’d never give up my status as the ‘trophy husband’ of the Vivian family, so she acted with such impunity. Without a moment’s hesitation, I walked out of the office and quickly prepared my resignation letter and the divorce papers. When Jason saw the clause in the divorce papers stating I would leave empty-handed, his eyes betrayed an even greater, barely concealed excitement. He continued his phony act, saying to me, “Ryan, don’t be ridiculous.” “Vivian is already pregnant. How can you threaten her with such tactics at a time like this? What if she gets upset and it affects the baby? That would be terrible.” “Besides, you love Vivian so much, how could you bear to divorce her!” “If you don’t want me to take your position, I’ll just continue being Vivian’s assistant.” “In fact, if you’re sick of seeing me, I’ll resign right now! Wouldn’t that be enough?” “You and Vivian absolutely can’t let your marriage fall apart because of me, or I’ll be to blame.” As Jason spoke, he put on a show of being wronged, his eyes slightly red as if he might burst into tears at any moment. Jason’s theatrical performance disgusted me. But Vivian, ironically, fell for his act completely. Vivian shot me a fierce glare, then signed the divorce papers without hesitation. She said coldly, “Your resignation is approved. I’ve signed the divorce papers. You can go!” “Ryan, without me, all your glory will vanish instantly.” “You’ll regret this. I’ll wait for the day you come back begging me!” I looked at her deeply, said nothing, and turned to leave. I already regretted it! Regretted the day we met, fell in love, and walked down the aisle! The moment I stepped out of the company’s main entrance, I let out a long breath. Though a part of me still felt sad, my whole being felt like a heavy burden had been lifted. Back then, Vivian saw me as her only anchor, and I wholeheartedly devoted myself to safeguarding her. For years, I had poured every ounce of my energy into ensuring Vivian Corp flourished. At the same time, Vivian and Jason’s flirtatious behavior had filled me with anger and helplessness, and I’d been indecisive, dragging my feet. Now, after cutting ties cleanly, it was time for a good rest. In the company parking lot downstairs, as I pulled out my car keys to drive away, Linda, the company accountant, jogged over. She gave me a strange look, then cautiously spoke. “Ryan, Ms. Vivian just instructed me that since you’ve resigned, the car you’re driving is company property, so-” She didn’t finish, but I understood perfectly. I gave a bitter laugh, tossed her the car keys, and walked away without a word. When I took a taxi back to the gated community, the security guard at the gate stopped me. The property manager, Mr. Peterson, was standing there too, wearing an awkward smile. “Mr. Ryan, Ms. Vivian just called. She’s revoked your access card and facial recognition. You’re no longer permitted entry!” “Did you two have a…disagreement?” “Perhaps you could give Ms. Vivian a call now and sort it out? This puts us in a rather difficult position.” What else could I say? How much money I’d earned for Vivian Corp over the years, others might not know, but Vivian certainly did. And I hadn’t received any commensurate compensation. In Vivian’s words, what was hers was mine; we were a married couple, no need to distinguish things too clearly. So, to this day, I owned no property. The luxury car and villa were all in Vivian’s name. Even my bank account had less than a hundred dollars! As I stood blocked at the entrance of the villa community, I let out a self-deprecating laugh. Laughing at how foolish I had been.

That evening, Vivian brought Jason home. On the way, Vivian told Jason, “I know Ryan well. He absolutely can’t leave me.” “He’s definitely waiting at the villa entrance right now!” “When we get there, you mock him a bit first. I won’t even acknowledge him. We’ll leave him out there all night.” “Tomorrow, I’ll make him beg for my forgiveness.” A flicker of something close to dissatisfaction passed through Jason’s eyes, but he kept his voice carefully concerned. “Ryan is stubborn. What if he refuses to apologize?” “Vivian, you’ve already signed the divorce papers and accepted his resignation. What if he-” Before Jason could stoke the doubt further, Vivian cut him off with absolute certainty. “There is no ‘what if.’ He will apologize.” “This time, I’ll teach him a proper lesson. I’ll make sure he puts me first in everything from now on, and never dares to question my word again.” “You just follow my lead when the time comes.” A chilling glint flashed in Jason’s eyes, but outwardly, he nodded respectfully. Upon arriving at the gated community entrance, the property manager, Mr. Peterson, was still waiting. Vivian didn’t get out of the car. She rolled down the window and said blandly to Mr. Peterson, “Mr. Peterson, good job!” “Keep it up. Without my permission, Ryan is not allowed back into this community.” Mr. Peterson’s expression grew even stranger; he seemed hesitant to speak. Vivian didn’t notice Mr. Peterson’s odd look, but Jason did. Jason’s face darkened, and he snapped at Mr. Peterson. “You didn’t let Ryan in, did you?” “Don’t forget, Ms. Vivian is the owner here. If you dare violate her orders, do you not want to be property manager anymore?” Vivian’s face stiffened, her gaze icy as she looked at Mr. Peterson, her voice low. “What exactly happened?” Mr. Peterson’s forehead broke out in a light sweat. He gave Vivian a forced smile. “Ms. Vivian, Mr. Ryan did indeed enter the community.” “However, it wasn’t due to lax security on our part. He was invited in!” Both Vivian and Jason froze. Vivian instinctively asked, “Who invited him in?” Mr. Peterson cast a strange glance at Vivian, then cautiously explained, “It was Ms. Vivian’s former best friend, the heiress of the Chloe family. She’s also an owner here, and she invited Mr. Ryan to her house. We had no reason to stop them!” The property manager’s words immediately made Vivian’s face turn dark. She yelled at Jason, “Drive in! To Chloe’s house!” “I want to see what she’s up to!”

At that moment, I was enjoying tea at Chloe’s house. Her parents had chatted with me for most of the day, looking at me as if I were their prospective son-in-law, and growing increasingly pleased with what they saw. Earlier that morning, when I was blocked at the villa community gate, Chloe happened to be driving home. After she understood the situation, she didn’t say a word and brought me straight to her place. To be precise, she practically dragged me into her house. Chloe and Vivian were classmates and best friends, and their families were in similar financial situations. When Vivian’s parents died in the car accident, Chloe had also lent a helping hand. Otherwise, even with my efforts, Vivian Corp wouldn’t have stabilized so quickly. Chloe and Vivian used to be inseparable, sharing everything. When did their friendship fall apart? It must have been about six months ago. At that time, I was working day and night on those two critical transformation projects for Vivian Corp and didn’t have much time to spend with Vivian. Coincidentally, Jason joined Vivian Corp and became Vivian’s assistant. Their flirtatious behavior became obvious to many. Chloe stood up for me and argued with Vivian, who, in her anger, accused Chloe of having ulterior motives for me. After that, the two best friends who had been inseparable for years cut ties! Thinking back, it was all quite poignant. Chloe’s parents tactfully left us after dinner. I was about to excuse myself, but Chloe insisted I stay for tea. She smiled playfully. “What’s the rush? Afraid I’ll eat you alive?” “You’ve already divorced Vivian, and you have nowhere to go. What’s wrong with staying here and chatting with me?” I shot Chloe an exasperated look. She didn’t want me to stay and chat. She just wanted Vivian to come knocking on her door so she could enjoy the show. Before I could speak, Chloe softly said, “My parents want you to consider becoming the CEO of our Chloe Industries! You should really think about it.” “My parents haven’t been in the best health these past few years, and they’ve been looking for a capable assistant for me.” “If you hadn’t married Vivian back then, my family would have poached you years ago…” Before she could finish, a dull roar came from outside the villa. Both Chloe and I jumped. Looking through the French windows towards the gate, we saw Vivian’s car had crashed right through Chloe’s garden gate. Watching Jason and Vivian storm out of the car, Chloe smiled sweetly at me. “Looks like your ex-wife is pretty mad, huh?” Chloe’s smile left me speechless. How could she still smile at a time like this? Soon, Jason and Vivian walked into the villa. Seeing Chloe and me sitting calmly over tea, Vivian’s fury only burned hotter. She turned on me first. “Ryan, I told you not to contact her. Have you forgotten already?” “You-” Before she could finish, Chloe cut in, her voice cool. “Vivian, you’ve already signed the divorce papers with Ryan, haven’t you?” “Where he goes and who he sees is no longer any of your concern, is it?” Vivian’s expression stiffened, and the words died in her throat. Jason quickly stepped in. “Chloe, it’s not that simple. Vivian and Ryan haven’t filed the divorce papers officially yet…” Chloe tossed her teacup directly at him. Jason, unable to dodge, was hit, and tea splattered all over him. Chloe glared at Jason, her face devoid of emotion. “Do I know you? Do you have the right to speak here? You parasitic leech, your little act only fools an idiot like Vivian!” “Bastard! Who do you think you are? Say one more word, and you won’t live to regret it!” Chloe’s outburst turned Jason’s face green. However, he dared not retort. After all, Chloe’s status and connections were far beyond his. If Chloe truly wanted to target him with malicious intent, even with Vivian’s protection, his life wouldn’t be easy. Vivian, however, snapped at Chloe, “Chloe, you’ve gone too far! Jason is our schoolmate, how can you humiliate him like that?” Chloe let out a cold laugh. “Vivian, I really can’t tell if you’re actually this foolish, or just playing the part. ” “What is Jason, really, to you?” “For him, you cut off our friendship of nearly ten years.” “For him, you divorced Ryan without a second thought and handed his VP position straight over.” “Did he put some kind of spell on you? Or have you finally found your soulmate, planning to spend the rest of your life with this…boy toy?” “I’m just baffled. Since you chose that freeloading pretty boy, why are you so furious when you find out Ryan is at my house?” “I get it. You want to have your cake and eat it too?” “That’s just shameless!” I had to admit, Chloe’s tongue was sharp, leaving Vivian trembling with rage. Vivian, knowing she couldn’t win the argument, glared at me furiously. “Ryan, don’t play dumb!” “You’re coming with me right now, or I’ll never forgive you!” I calmly replied, “You’ve already signed the divorce papers, and I’ve already walked away with nothing. We have no relationship anymore!” The moment I finished speaking, Vivian erupted. “I don’t care! You’re coming with me! You can’t stay here!” “Ryan, I’m carrying your child! If you don’t listen to me, I’ll go to the hospital right now and end this pregnancy!” Hearing her use the child as leverage, I smiled. But there was no warmth in it. I held her gaze and spoke, each word slow and clear. “Are you sure the child you’re carrying is mine?”

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I traded five years of my youth for a cold contract: five years of companionship for five million dollars. He taught me the ways of high society, taking me to exclusive parties and galas. But the day his first love returned, he stood before a crowd and forced me to declare, “I am despicable. I seduced James.” His first love never stopped plotting against me. Her schemes led to my brother’s innocent death from an illness. I returned home, clutching his ashes, only to hear them having sex in our bedroom. I no longer loved James. I chose to fake my death and leave. Yet James clung to what he believed were my bones, weeping as he slowly realized what he had lost. Later, the police told him the truth: it wasn’t me. James tracked me to Paris. All he got was my cold reply. “We’re over.” Six months later, he was diagnosed with cancer. He jumped from a building, leaving behind a video that said, “Next life, let us never meet again.” I donated his vast inheritance to orphanages. Then I pushed open the door of a quiet bookstore, intertwined my fingers with my new love, and walked into the sunlight. The cruelest revenge is not to make him suffer endlessly. It is to let him watch, helpless, as I live a life brighter than before, while he can no longer touch any part of my future.

Emily POV “I’m despicable. I seduced James.” “I’m a slut. I lured him into my bed.” … My fingers clenched, eyes burning, as I stood center-stage in the banquet hall. I recited every line Grace had written for me, yet my gaze kept drifting toward the crowd. There sat James, peeling an orange with a slow, deliberate care. His sculpted fingers stripped away every thread of white pith before he gently lifted a segment to Grace’s lips. It was as if everything around him had absolutely nothing to do with him. “No matter how spoiled his kept woman was, she could never compare to a first love lost and found.” “Poor girl. James once gave her the world. Now he lets her be humiliated in public without lifting a finger.” “I heard she was just his mistress to begin with.” The whispers swirled around me. My lips went numb, but the words wouldn’t stop. The moment I closed my eyes, the surveillance footage Grace had shown me flashed through my mind. A little boy from the orphanage was tied tightly to a post. Above his head, a sharpened knife gleamed, suspended by a rope. “Four years ago, when you climbed into James’s bed, you should have seen this day coming. If you refuse to say the words, I can’t guarantee your brother’s safety.” Grace’s threat hit me like ice. My eyes burned as I grabbed my phone and found James’s number. But I stopped. The terms of our contract came back to me then. “Five million dollars a year, for five years of my companionship.” “For these five years, your only duty is to sate my lust. When the term ends, this arrangement expires.” I steadied myself, lowered my head, and wiped away my tears. For four years, he funded my education, polished my manners, and opened doors to rooms I never knew existed. Without me even noticing, feelings I had no right to feel took root. So much so that, just now, I actually let myself believe he would choose me. Over the one person he had spent years longing for. “Emily, what are you doing?” Grace’s feigned concern pulled me back to reality. The light from the crystal chandelier reflected off James’s prominent brow bone, and I couldn’t discern the emotions in his eyes. “First love is first love. Beautiful, great figure, and so graceful.” “If it were me, I absolutely wouldn’t be able to let go of those four years. I’d make her kneel and beg for forgiveness.” “But she’s not really wrong. Even though she looks a bit like Grace, she was nothing back then. James was the one who was interested in her…” “Enough.” Two simple words, and the entire room fell silent instantly. No one dared to speak. James’s thumb slowly traced the rim of his glass, the surging anger in his eyes chilling everyone present. He quickly walked over and pulled me off the stage. “After four years with me, is this how I taught you?” His face was grim as he draped his jacket over my trembling body, then called someone over. “Deal with those with loose tongues.” I looked up at him, a fragile hope flickering in my chest. I felt the warmth of his hand on my arm, and then I heard his usual cool voice say: “Wait for me outside. Grace can’t hold her liquor. I need to stay with her.” At his words, I slowly closed my eyes, forcing a bitter smile as I let my arm fall back to my side. So that was it. I was only ever a body to warm his bed. Now that his beloved had returned, it was time for me to disappear. I opened my phone and dialed Anna, my best friend. “I’m leaving James.”

Emily POV After sending the message, I crouched in the corner. Through the glass, I watched James thoughtfully intercept drink after drink for Grace, and my heart felt like a piece had been brutally torn out. A few minutes later, the sounds from inside gradually faded. From behind me, Grace’s voice spoke. “Can’t bear to leave?” I looked up, meeting her mocking gaze. Seeing my lack of response, Grace scoffed. “As expected, human hearts are truly greedy. If you knew you couldn’t bear to leave, then how did you dare to climb into James’s bed in the first place?” Her words grew more agitated, and she suddenly grabbed a fistful of my collar, her eyes blazing with triumphant malice. “This time it’s him; next time, it might be your orphanage director.” “You wouldn’t dare!” My eyes widened instantly, and I grabbed Grace’s arm. “I’m already leaving. If you dare lay a finger on them, I’ll…” Before I could finish, Grace shoved me away and deliberately slumped backward onto the floor. The red liquid from her glass splattered across her white dress, vibrant and seductive like a poppy in full bloom. “James, I just wanted to comfort Emily.” She fragilely clutched at James’s trousers, her trembling body conveying an image of vulnerability and innocence. I looked at the man before me, my nails digging into my flesh, instinctively wanting to explain, but his single sentence cut me off. “Grace might be a bit spoiled, but she has no malicious intent. You’ve been by my side for four years; you know very well I hate people who play manipulative games behind others’ backs.” The man bent slightly, lifted his arm, and carried Grace out of the door, walking swiftly. As he passed me, he didn’t even spare me a glance. So, all these years, I had been deluding myself. Before, if I so much as pricked my finger, he would call the family doctor to give me a full examination. Now, I sat sprawled on the ground, glass shards from the broken cup digging into my thigh, yet he only noticed a tiny red mark on Grace’s knee. Watching the red blood slowly spread across the floor, I slowly came to my senses. Something in my heart was quietly fading away. When I next woke, I was in a hospital bed. “You’re awake? Still hurting?” Seeing James by the bed, I turned slightly, avoiding his gaze. “Last night, the light was too dim; I didn’t see the cut on your leg clearly.” “What temper tantrum are you throwing now?” With just one sentence, the tears I had just managed to hold back instantly fell. I desperately pinched my fingers, trying to control my emotions. “I’m not throwing a tantrum.” “Before, I failed to put myself in my proper place and allowed myself to have too many inappropriate fantasies. Now, I’ve recognized reality, and naturally, I won’t cause you any more trouble, Mr. James.” I wasn’t wrong, nor was I lying, but when he heard the address “Mr. James” again, his chest tightened slightly. His face darkened, and he frowned slightly. “Grace hasn’t found a place yet. Clear out the master bedroom; she’ll stay here for a while.” “After this period passes, I’ll take you away for a trip.” As his words fell, I turned my face, hiding my tears. “Okay.”

Emily POV That night, I went home. I thought, since I had to clear out the master bedroom, I might as well pack up all of James’s and my things from these past four years. His slippers by the door, his mug on the table, our framed photos in the master bedroom, the sand art from our trips together… It turned out that before I even realized it, James had already moved into my heart. Now, pulling him out would undoubtedly be difficult. After retrieving the first-aid kit from the cabinet, I tried to change my own dressing. The bloody wound on my thigh hurt so much it made me cry uncontrollably. Next to me, my phone rang. It was a message from Grace. “Leave space in the master bedroom for our photos. The living room sofa cover needs to be pink Hello Kitty. There should be matching cups on the table, matching slippers by the door, and a SpongeBob night light by the bed.” “Also, I want extra spicy Mexican tacos.” I continued to dress my wound, maintaining an extreme silence. In the blink of an eye, a tear fell onto the still-healing wound, making me gasp sharply. I looked around at everything-the pink Hello Kitty sofa cover, the photos in the master bedroom, the matching cups on the table, the SpongeBob nightlight beside the bed… It turned out James had only allowed me to decorate the house because Grace loved all these things. I loved spicy food, too. But in the four years I was with him, he never once let me eat it. Not a single time. The gauze slowly absorbed my tears, and my phone vibrated again. “I told James my knee was just a little red and nothing serious, but he was still worried and called in the top specialists from every department to examine me.” Over the next few days, Grace’s messages kept coming. “It turns out James kept up his habit of writing me letters every day for those four years. Four years, 1460 days, 1460 letters in total.” “James even remembered I loved SpongeBob! He kept a limited-edition SpongeBob figurine carefully preserved, waiting for me to return and unwrap it.” … The room was dim. I lay curled on the sofa, my eyes stinging. When I lifted a hand to wipe them, my fingers came away wet. A dull ache filled my chest. I remembered staying up with James every night until dawn, believing he was working. I had even learned to make his coffee. The limited edition SpongeBob figurines in his study, each kept in a glass case. Every time I tried to touch one, he would scold me sharply. The door opened from outside. James and Grace walked in together. The moment he entered, James noticed the room seemed much emptier. “Why is it so empty?” I stood up, quickly wiping away my tears, finding an excuse. “Some things got old, so I threw them out.” James, naturally changing Grace’s shoes, replied, “Then we’ll buy new ones.”

Emily POV Watching them so intimate, I retreated to my room. Half an hour later, I heard something shatter. I went to check and found the sculpture I had placed in the study broken on the floor. Beside it, Grace curved her lips into a cunning smile. “My hand slipped; it broke. How much? I’ll pay you back.” Looking at the fragments on the ground, I rushed forward, glaring fiercely at Grace. “You did that on purpose.” The woman raised her hand, her eyes blazing with defiance like two fiery embers. “So what?” Slap! I slapped Grace across the face. “I told you, if you touched my things, I would only leave one day later.” I knelt down, piecing together the fragments on the ground, feeling a crushing weight on my chest that made it hard to breathe. I was an orphan from birth. When Mr. Harrison, the orphanage director, found me, all I had in my swaddling clothes was a small figure carved from stone. Behind me, James’s footsteps grew closer. Seeing him, Grace quickly changed her expression, covering her face with her hands. Her eyes, just moments ago defiant, were now filled with tears. “James, I just wanted to look, but Emily…” I gathered the fragments from the floor into my arms, then slowly stood up. “You just wanted to look?” My single question made Grace cower behind James, pretending to be afraid. “James, I’m scared…” Grace leaned further into James’s embrace, covering her face with her hands, sobbing softly, appearing utterly pitiable. “Scared of what? You weren’t scared when you shattered the sculpture a moment ago, were you?” The more I spoke, the angrier I became, my voice unconsciously rising. “Enough.” “Grace was just curious. Besides, you’ve already slapped her.” “She’s a model; her face is everything to her.” James stood in front of Grace, his expression cold and his deep voice edged with a hidden displeasure. Seeing him shield her like that, my shoulders slumped. My lashes trembled as I whispered, “But this was my only clue to finding my birth parents. My only clue.” … I sank to the floor, clutching those fragments, the coldness from the ground reaching deep into my heart. Even though it was a scorching June, I felt as if I had fallen into an ice cellar. I remembered the first time I came to this house, carrying this stone carving. After James learned the story behind it, he personally placed it in his study and promised me that within those five years, he would help me find my birth parents. Now, the sculpture was shattered, and he didn’t even remember his promise. I wasn’t an insensitive person. The agreement was for five years, but now that his unattainable first love had reappeared, I knew that no matter how much I couldn’t bear to, I had to leave. Since I had already decided to stop loving him, I could find my birth parents on my own.

Emily POV Waking early the next morning, I packed my belongings, but as I prepared to send them off, Grace blocked me at the door. “Go make me a bowl of extra-spicy ramen.” I couldn’t refuse, so I agreed. Twenty minutes later, the ramen was cooked and placed on the table. Grace picked up her forks and began to eat. Behind me, James walked downstairs, still seemingly half-asleep, his voice a little languid. “What are these boxes for?” I froze briefly before replying quickly, “They’re for school. I’m preparing to send them.” Perhaps because my reaction seemed ordinary, he dropped his usual aloofness. He took my arm and drew me into the kitchen. “Still angry?” Though a little surprised, I answered coolly, “No. Mr. James has treated me well these past four years. One should be content.” Hearing me call him “Mr. James” again, his chest tightened. He pulled me into his arms. “Don’t worry, your birth parents-” Before he could finish, Grace shrieked. “Ah!” Instantly, the man released me and hurried toward the dining room. I retracted my hand, which had been suspended in mid-air, steadied myself, and let out a bitter laugh. Since Grace returned, I had slowly grown accustomed to being abandoned by James again and again. I touched my heart; it didn’t ache much anymore. “James, you know I’m allergic to chili; I can’t eat spicy food. When I asked Emily to make me ramen today, I specifically told her that.” Hearing Grace’s words, I rushed over. By the dining table, Grace leaned back in her chair, her tear-filled eyes making her look like a bullied rabbit. Her neck, arms, and thighs were covered in varying degrees of red rashes. Seeing me approach, she bit her lip slightly, looking at me timidly, and cried even more fiercely. “James, I’m so scared. Am I bothering you and Emily’s life? Is that why she’s doing this to me?” “I didn’t! Grace herself told me to add a lot of chili! If you don’t believe me, ask the kitchen staff; they all heard it!” I instinctively started to explain, but the man before me had lost patience. He irritably pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice sharp. “Enough! Are you implying Grace intentionally harmed herself?” “She’s a model. Her skin is everything to her.” My stomach full of grievances was brutally choked back. Before me, James had already brought over the first-aid kit, carefully applying medicine to Grace’s skin, his tone a tenderness I had never heard from him before. “Don’t be afraid. The medicine might sting a little, but if it’s too much, you can bite my arm.” Watching his devoted attention, my nose stung, and my heart felt as if it had been carved out. “James, I think I’ll find my own place to stay. Living here, for one, makes Emily unhappy, and for another, it’s not a long-term solution…” “You stay right here. I bought this house because you loved it. You can stay here as long as you want, without worrying about anyone’s attitude.” “I will handle today’s incident. You’ll get an explanation.” “Lock Emily in the basement. I want to see if she’ll finally admit she’s wrong.” As his words fell, my whole body trembled uncontrollably. The basement? When I was little, the former orphanage director had locked me in a dark room and beaten me. That’s why I developed claustrophobia. After I started with James, I had even seen people, beaten half to death, carried out of his basement. Now, James was going to lock me in there too. I looked up, staring at the man before me in disbelief, wanting to speak, but my throat felt as if it were clogged with stones. I couldn’t utter a word, only whimpering pleas. The moment my entire body was dragged into the basement, I suddenly felt: if only I had never met James. Then, the sculpture my birth parents left me would still be intact, my little siblings at the orphanage wouldn’t have to endure such baseless pain, and I would still be me.

Emily POV The darkness swallowed me whole. My childhood fears surged, and I desperately pounded on the door. Cold sweat mingled with my tears, soaking my forehead, and my steps grew increasingly unsteady. The second before I lost consciousness, I heard voices from outside the door. “James said no food, no water for three days, until she admits she’s wrong.” When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed. James was gently caressing my hair. “You’re awake?” Remembering what had just happened, I didn’t speak, turning slightly away from him. His hand, stroking my hair, paused in mid-air, then slowly retreated. “You never told me you had claustrophobia.” I didn’t respond. He sighed deeply, then took out the thermos of soup. “I had the chef make this especially for you. You haven’t eaten all day; have some.” As he spoke, he carefully blew on the spoonful of soup, then slowly brought it to my lips. As the soup slid down my throat, my phone vibrated. “Since you’re not behaving, your brother won’t live either.” Seeing Grace’s message, I sat up abruptly, terrified. Then, my phone vibrated violently. I answered. “Emily, the oldest child at our orphanage has contracted a severe virus. The doctors said he needs a kidney transplant, and everyone is lining up for compatibility tests.” Just one sentence, and my mind buzzed. I ripped out my IV and started to leave, but James pulled me back. “What’s wrong?” I turned, meeting his concerned eyes. “My brother at the orphanage needs a kidney transplant. I need to go get tested for compatibility.” Just as the words left my lips, Grace’s voice came from outside the door. She wore a look of feigned concern. “Emily, why did you pull out your IV? You’re not well, you-” Before she could finish, I grabbed her by the throat. “Don’t pretend to care! Didn’t you do this to my brother?” “Emily!” The next second, James rushed over, violently yanked my wrist, throwing me to the ground. Grace collapsed into his arms. “James.” She cried, her eyes red, a picture of pathetic vulnerability, and James immediately pulled her protectively into his arms. “Emily, have I indulged you too much, making you forget your place?” “Last time, you deliberately used spicy soup to cause Grace’s allergy, and I let it go. Now, you dare to directly grab her by the throat? Is this how I taught you these four years?” James looked at me, his lips a thin, hard line. A fathomless fury churned in the depths of his dark gray eyes. I stood rooted, stunned. A tidal wave of suffocation crashed over me. Steadying myself, I forced my spine straight. “I never dared to forget my place. I am, after all, just the one who warms your bed. For these four years, thank you for your care, James. I am eternally grateful. From now on, please don’t trouble yourself on my account. I’ll manage my own affairs.” Leaving James was my plan, long made. Yet hearing those words from his lips still carved a hollow ache inside me. So, for all these four years, that was all I had been to him. A body for his bed. It was me who crossed the line. With nothing more to say, I turned and walked away.

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After one trip to the pool with my best friend, I found out I was pregnant. Even though I had a boyfriend, my family were conservative Christians, and sex before marriage was absolutely off-limits for us. So, whose baby was in my belly? Luckily, my boyfriend promised me that no matter whose child it was, he would marry me and love my baby. But on the day I gave birth, lying utterly weak in the delivery room, my boyfriend savagely ripped off my oxygen mask. “You dirty slut, did you really think I’d raise you and your bastard child? This is your punishment for cheating!” I died before I could even get a glimpse of my baby. When I woke up, I was back to the moment I’d just discovered my pregnancy. This time, I had to find out whose baby I was really carrying! I stared blankly at the two pink lines on the pregnancy test in the bathroom. Outside, my best friend kept urging, “Sarah, did you test yet? You’re not really pregnant, are you?!” My hand trembled, and seeing those two vivid lines, I felt an uncontrollable wave of nausea. In my last life, because of this baby, I was forced to drop out of school to await childbirth, and ultimately, I was suffocated to death. Until my last breath, I never knew how I got pregnant, nor whose baby it was. Alex grew impatient and simply pushed the door open. But I was quicker, hiding the pregnancy test stick behind my back. She looked around suspiciously. “Where’s the test? Are you pregnant or not?” I shook my head. “How could I be pregnant? I haven’t even had sex.” Alex was such a blabbermouth. Last time, the moment I found out I was pregnant, she told my boyfriend, leading everyone to know about my out-of-wedlock pregnancy. This time, I wasn’t going to tell her anything right away. Alex sounded a little disappointed. “I thought you might be! I heard Brandon was planning to propose to you. How amazing would it be to get married and start a family all at once!” A strange feeling stirred in me. Why hadn’t I noticed before how much Alex seemed to love children? I clutched the pregnancy test stick in my hand, carefully replaying everything that had happened since my last period. My boyfriend and I had only gone shopping twice, we hadn’t even kissed. The baby definitely wasn’t his. And I hadn’t had any one-on-one contact with other men. Usually, Alex was the only person I was close to. But she was a girl, so it was impossible, right? I furrowed my brows, a sudden thought striking me. A month ago, Alex and I went to a swimming pool. At that pool, I was harassed. That man deliberately swam too close to me, even making really lewd gestures. I was furious at the time, and Alex even yelled at him for me. Later, I didn’t feel like showering, so I went to the changing room to wait for her. I must have fallen asleep without realizing it. When I woke up, my whole body ached. At the time, I thought it was just fatigue from swimming. Now that I thought about it, could it be that I was assaulted then? The possibility sent a shiver down my spine. I immediately headed to the hospital. I needed to check if I was truly pregnant, but there was something even more important. If I had been assaulted, there would surely be physical evidence. I had to find that person! The ultrasound results came back, and my hopes plummeted. It showed the fetus was already a month old. The doctor mumbled softly, “Girls these days really don’t protect themselves, getting pregnant so young.” My face burned with shame, but I couldn’t find a way to retort. Was I supposed to say I had no idea how I got pregnant? I turned and booked a gynecological exam, as well as an STD screening. Who knew if the person who assaulted me had any diseases. The doctor put on her gloves and told me to lie on the examination bed. A moment later, she frowned deeply. “How is this possible? Your hymen is completely intact. How did you get pregnant then?”

I was stunned. I had already planned to report it to the police with the evidence after the examination. But this result was completely unexpected. My hymen wasn’t even broken, so how did I get pregnant? “Don’t worry,” the doctor reassured me, “it’s possible that the penile size was too small, preventing the hymen from tearing. While rare, your situation isn’t unheard of.” I walked out of the examination room, completely lost. A month had passed since we went to the pool. Now all evidence was gone. Was I really going to have to abort this baby and suffer for nothing? My boyfriend’s call suddenly rang. I answered, and his anxious voice came through the receiver. “Sarah, where are you? Alex can’t find you and keeps calling me. Did something happen?” Only then did I notice Alex had called me several times, but my phone was on silent in the exam room, so I hadn’t heard it. Brandon’s gentle words made my nose sting, but I immediately remembered him suffocating me to death in my last life. He clearly hated me, yet he waited for me to give birth before killing me. Could this child have something to do with him? Before I could figure it out, Alex’s call came through. Without a word, she started scolding me. “Why aren’t you answering your phone? Do you know how worried I’ve been?!” I completely lost control, tears streaming down my face. Now, the only person I could trust was Alex. I told her I was pregnant and at the hospital. Less than five minutes later, Alex rushed over. Seeing me, she hugged me tightly. “Pregnancy is good news! Don’t cry, I’ll call Brandon right away!” I shook my head, grabbing her wrist. “The baby might not be his.” Alex froze for a moment. “You’re playing a big game, huh? Whose baby is it then?” “Honestly, I don’t know either. Right now, I just want to abort it.” Alex stood by my side, promising, “You’ve always loved kids, haven’t you? Since you’re pregnant, just have it.” I thought of my previous life, being killed by my boyfriend after giving birth. This time, I couldn’t risk it. Although I loved children, I had to survive first. The next day, Alex accompanied me to the abortion clinic. But before I even entered the operating room, Brandon rushed over. “Wait, Sarah! No matter whose baby it is, I’m willing to support you and the child!” My hand, clutching the medical report, tightened. How did he know I was here? I had only told Alex! I turned to look at her, and Alex also looked genuinely bewildered. “How did he get here?” Brandon sat down beside me, out of breath, and took my hand. “I overheard you talking to Alex on the phone yesterday.” He lowered his head bitterly. “I never imagined you were pregnant. I know the baby isn’t mine, since we’ve never been intimate. But Sarah, this is a life, after all.” I slowly pulled my hand away. “No, I can’t keep this baby.” Brandon flinched, then frowned. “Why? I don’t even care, what are you still worried about?” Alex couldn’t help but whisper, “Yeah, Sarah, an abortion can be really harmful.” Brandon snatched the medical report from my hand and, without explanation, pulled me to my feet. “I forbid you from harming your body! We’re getting married next month! Don’t worry, I won’t ever look down on you, and even if the baby isn’t mine, I don’t care!” His words drew stares from others. A nurse remarked enviously, “What a good man. Why wouldn’t she have the baby?” Brandon’s words weren’t sincere at all. He just wanted me to have the baby so he could get revenge on me and the child. I scoffed. “Let’s break up. My business is none of yours!” With that, I got up and walked away, leaving Brandon utterly shocked. I had to figure out what Brandon really had to do with the baby in my belly!

Although Brandon had hinted at getting a room before, I’d firmly rejected him, and he hadn’t brought it up again. My hand instinctively went to my lower abdomen. This child couldn’t have appeared out of thin air. Could it really be, as the doctor said, that the man who assaulted me had a very small anatomy? After much thought, I decided to go back to the swimming pool. I slipped some cash to the security guard for the surveillance footage from a month ago. There were no cameras in the changing rooms, so I could only see people entering and exiting. But no matter how many times I watched, I couldn’t find anyone suspicious. I felt deflated. Was I wrong? Was it not what happened that day? Alex bought me a coffee and excitedly asked, “Sarah, I sent Brandon away. Now you can tell me, whose baby is it?” I bit my lip and shook my head. “I wish I knew. I only remember that day we went to the pool, and then I mysteriously got pregnant.” Alex froze for a moment, then, with a snap of her fingers, “Oh! Could someone have… done something in the pool?” “I saw a news report once about a guy who intentionally ejaculated in the pool, and then a lot of girls got pregnant!” I almost laughed at her. How was that possible? Sperm survival time is very short, and they lose activity quickly in chlorinated pool water. But her suggestion reminded me of the man who harassed me that day. I pulled up the surveillance footage for the pool area again. This time, I saw an unexpected person. How could it be Brandon?! He wore a face mask, lurking furtively at the entrance to the pool. Soon, he walked out of the camera’s view, disappearing into the restroom. I clenched my fists. He was definitely not as simple as he seemed! Before I could confront him, there was a violent banging on the door. Alex went to open it, but she was shoved aside. It was my dad who barged in, with my mom trailing behind him. The moment I stood up, he slapped me hard across the face. I instinctively covered my cheek, hearing my dad roar, “Sarah Harrison! How could I have raised such a reckless, shameless girl? Getting pregnant before marriage, what an embarrassment!” I looked over his shoulder and saw Brandon behind him, a smug expression on his face. He feigned a sigh, saying pitifully, “Sarah, I didn’t want to do this, but I’m truly afraid you’ll abort the baby.” “I asked the doctor, and she said your uterine lining is very thin. If you abort this time, it’ll be hard to get pregnant again.” He used the same excuse in my last life. To make me have the baby, he even rushed into a shotgun marriage with me. In my last life, I felt indebted to him, working hard even in my late pregnancy to compensate him. Now, thinking back, I was such a fool. What the hell did I do wrong? I don’t even know how I got pregnant. My dad gritted his teeth, his face beet red. “I’m telling you, go drop out of school and get married immediately! What will people say when your belly gets big?!” Brandon tried to mediate, “Mr. Harrison, please don’t rush. Sarah can take a leave of absence and marry me first. My mother can take care of the baby later, so she won’t be too tired.” Alex handed me an ice pack for my face. I sat down deliberately, my voice icy. “Who said I’m getting married? I’m not.” My dad’s eyes widened, his finger trembling as he pointed at me. “What else do you want to do? Do you still want an abortion?!” My mom cried beside him, “What sin have we committed in this family? How could you get pregnant before marriage? Who else will marry you now if not him?” I was seething, but couldn’t help a sarcastic laugh. “I’ll marry the baby’s father, of course! Who told you I’m carrying Brandon’s baby?” My mom stopped crying, and my dad stopped fuming. I continued, “Brandon is impotent. He can’t possibly get me pregnant.” Brandon’s face turned foul, and he glared at me. “Are you crazy? You haven’t even seen it, how can you say I’m impotent?” My mom couldn’t help but ask, “So the baby really isn’t yours?” Brandon’s mouth opened, realizing I had outmaneuvered him. He quickly said, “Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, even if the baby isn’t mine, I’m willing to marry Sarah. I won’t look down on her or the child.” I rolled my eyes. “I broke up with you ages ago, don’t you get it? If I marry anyone, it’ll be the baby’s biological father!” Brandon gritted his teeth, furious. “Then go on, tell us whose baby you’re carrying?! Do you dare?!” I faltered for a moment. Alex quickly stepped in to smooth things over. She patted my shoulder, comforting me, “Everyone, calm down. Let’s talk this out.” My gaze rested on her hand, and I froze. Then, my eyes widened in disbelief. I knew whose baby I was carrying.

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After the college reunion, my ex and I, both completely wasted, ended up sleeping together. Waking up, a wave of guilt washed over me, and I decided to confess everything to my husband. But when I got home, he wasn’t there. His laptop screen was still lit, though. I saw a new message pop up on his Ins account: [That drug was potent last night. Your wife didn’t have a clue. She’s already left the hotel, looking utterly devastated. You can draft the divorce papers now.] I recognized the sender: my ex-boyfriend. And my husband quickly replied: [Once Eleanor and I divorce, and she leaves with nothing, I’ll give you half a million dollars as payment.] Before I could even react, Liam’s Ins account logged out. Panic seized me, and I slammed the laptop shut. A sharp pain stabbed my chest, and tears streamed down my face. I buried my face in my hands, sobbing uncontrollably. I couldn’t believe it. I never imagined my husband and my ex-boyfriend would conspire to set me up! Yesterday was our college reunion, and I hadn’t planned on going. Liam had convinced me, “The company’s in an expansion phase right now. Go check it out. You might find some potential clients.” Ever since I started trying to conceive, I’d handed over the company my parents left me to Liam to manage. I thought he was under a lot of pressure, so I agreed. At the reunion, I ran into my ex-boyfriend, Jason. Our classmates started teasing, urging us to sit together. It had been ten years since we broke up, and I was married, so I sat with him casually. Throughout the dinner, Jason maintained a respectful distance, only helping me pour wine and get food. After a few rounds of drinks, I started feeling woozy and then completely blacked out. I woke up the next morning, naked in a hotel bed with Jason. The soreness and discomfort in my body confirmed what had happened. Jason smacked himself, apologizing and confessing non-stop, pleading for my forgiveness. I pulled on my clothes in a frantic mess and ran out. I felt so guilty toward Liam, and I didn’t want to lie to him. A mistake was a mistake. I was ready to confess and face the consequences of my infidelity. But I never expected it was all Liam’s twisted scheme! Now that I knew the truth, I absolutely couldn’t let them succeed. I wiped away my tears, picked up my phone, and with trembling fingers, dialed 911: “I want to report a crime. I believe I was drugged and assaulted.” After my examination at the hospital, the accompanying female officer drove me home: “Once the lab results confirm the evidence, we’ll arrest the suspects immediately.” “Thank you!”

I dragged my exhausted body back home. Liam rushed to greet me. “Eleanor, what took you so long?” Seeing his concerned face, my heart involuntarily flinched. I looked into his eyes. “I didn’t come home last night. Didn’t you wonder where I was?” Liam smiled gently. “I called you yesterday, and Chloe Reed answered. She said you’d had too much to drink and were staying at her place. “I remembered you two were close in college, so I didn’t want to bother you.” Chloe had indeed been at the reunion yesterday. But we were sitting far apart, barely exchanged a few words, let alone caught up. How could she be involved? Liam, Jason, Chloe… what was their connection? My mind reeled with questions when my stomach suddenly churned, and I rushed to the bathroom to throw up. Liam gently patted my back. “Rough night, huh? You’re making your husband worry sick.” After I finished, Liam handed me a glass of warm water. As I reached for it, our fingertips brushed, and a flicker of disgust crossed Liam’s eyes. My heart sank completely. After washing up, I went to lie down in the bedroom. Liam followed, casually probing, “Eleanor, you seem down. Did something happen last night?” I didn’t reply. He continued, “Loyalty and trust are everything in a marriage. I trust you completely, so don’t carry any guilt.” I closed my eyes, scoffing inwardly. Liam knew me so well. He knew the more he said this, the more self-blame I’d feel. If I hadn’t uncovered the truth, I would have confessed everything, racked with guilt, and left with nothing. Seeing I still didn’t respond, Liam tucked the blankets around me. “Well, you should get some rest. We can talk about it later if something’s bothering you.” The next day, I woke up very late. Liam had already left for the office. On the nightstand, there was a glass of water and a white pill. The folic acid I’d been taking for three years. I’d never gotten pregnant, despite all my check-ups coming back clear. I’d blamed myself relentlessly, feeling like I was failing Liam. Now, it seemed, maybe it wasn’t my fault at all. I put the pill back in the bottle and took the bottle with me as I left. The doctor took one look and said, “This is a long-term contraceptive pill. It only works if taken daily.” I let out a bitter laugh, feeling like I’d been doused in ice water. I went home, changed into a business suit I hadn’t worn in years, put on some light makeup, and drove to the company. Having not been to the office for three years, the receptionist blocked me. “Ma’am, who are you here to see?” I frowned. “I’m here for my own company. I’m not looking for anyone.” With that, I walked inside. The receptionist ran forward, blocking my path with her arm. “Excuse me, who are you here to see? I can help you inquire.” I took a deep breath. “I need to see Liam Fitzgerald.” The receptionist explained, “Mr. Fitzgerald requires an appointment. No appointment, no entry.” I scoffed. “Look closely. I am the legal owner of this company. Liam is just managing it on my behalf. Don’t receptionists usually know this stuff?” The receptionist looked at me in surprise. “You must be mistaken, Ma’am. We only know Mr. Fitzgerald as the CEO.” Classic Liam! He’s trying to cut me out completely. I was about to explain further when an old employee passing by recognized me and immediately told the receptionist, “Don’t you have any sense? That’s Mrs. Fitzgerald!” The receptionist gasped, quickly stepping aside. I looked at the old employee. “I think ‘Ms. Hayes’ would be more appropriate.” The old employee paused. “Yes, yes, my mistake! Ms. Hayes!” I walked directly to the CEO’s office, pushed open the door, and saw a familiar face.

“Chloe?” “Eleanor!” Chloe stood up calmly. I frowned. “What are you doing here? Where’s Liam?” Chloe smiled. “Mr. Fitzgerald just stepped out. I’m his executive assistant now. Didn’t he tell you?” Seeing the subtle defiance in Chloe’s eyes, I could pretty much guess their relationship. No wonder Chloe helped Liam set me up! But I wasn’t here today to catch them in the act. I said calmly, “Ms. Reed, please call a meeting for all department managers. I’m holding a meeting.” Chloe froze for a moment, then let out a disdainful laugh. “Eleanor, have you lost your mind? While you may be Mrs. Fitzgerald, this company belongs to Liam. And…” She dragged out the last word, scrutinizing me with malicious intent. “Given your current situation, you might not be Mrs. Fitzgerald for much longer!” I narrowed my eyes at her. “The night before last, you told Liam I was at your place.” Chloe raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you be thanking me? I helped you and Jason rekindle things. “There are no secrets that stay hidden forever. You should confess to Liam as soon as possible. It’ll make the divorce less messy.” I sneered. “My personal affairs are none of your concern. I’ll ask you again: are you going to call the department managers for a meeting, or not?” Chloe pouted. “Sorry, I only work for Mr. Fitzgerald.” With that, she clicked out of the office on her heels. I said nothing, simply picked up the phone and dialed the HR department. The HR manager was also a new face. He looked at me, perplexed. “Mrs. Fitzgerald, calling a meeting without Mr. Fitzgerald’s approval might not be appropriate.” I said nothing, taking the business license from the safe. “Look closely. I am the legal owner of this company. This company has always been mine, and Liam has merely been managing it on my behalf these past few years.” The HR manager’s eyes darted, then he quickly caught on. “Ms. Hayes!” I breathed a sigh of relief. “Call a meeting for all department managers. Starting today, I will personally manage the company. “Oh, and Ms. Reed said she only serves Liam. Please find me a new assistant. As for her, terminate her employment!” “Yes, Ms. Hayes!” An hour later, I was sitting at the head of the conference table. Liam had replaced many of the staff, but some familiar faces remained. Hearing me announce my return to the company, everyone’s expressions varied—some hopeful, some confused, but most of them worried. I looked at them. “I haven’t told many of you this, but ‘Hayes Inc.’ shares a common lineage with the powerful Hayes Group. My grandmother is the current Chairwoman of Hayes Group.” As soon as I finished speaking, the conference room erupted. “No wonder when I went to Hayes Group for a partnership, they specifically asked about Ms. Hayes’ recent situation!” “If we align ourselves with a powerhouse like the Hayes Group, our company’s future is limitless!” “We fully support Ms. Hayes’ leadership!” The head of the Hayes Group was indeed my grandmother. But my father, to be with my mother, had long ago severed ties with my grandmother. However, in this situation, only by invoking Grandma’s name could I secure their support. I was about to say more when the conference room door suddenly burst open. Chloe, her face red with anger, stormed in. “You’ve got some nerve, Eleanor! Firing me the minute Liam is out of the office! “Just you wait. I’ve already told Liam what you’re doing. He’ll be here any minute, and then we’ll see how you explain yourself!” Before I could speak, Mr. Thompson, the HR manager, stepped forward. “Chloe, you’ve been terminated. Please leave immediately and stop disrupting our meeting.” Chloe stared at him in disbelief. “Mr. Thompson, have you gone mad? You’re listening to her? She says ‘terminated,’ and you just agree? What right does she have to fire me?” The HR manager’s gaze was cold. “She has every right. She is the CEO of this company.” Chloe let out an incredulous laugh. “Hahaha, what kind of joke is this? I’ve been here for two years! I know who the CEO is! Don’t let her trick you!” Ms. Davies, the Admin Manager, picked up the phone. “Get security to the conference room. We have a terminated employee causing a scene.” Soon, two security guards arrived and began dragging Chloe out. Chloe clung to the doorknob, screaming, “Eleanor, you witch! You lay a hand on me, and Liam will make you regret it!” The company employees curiously gathered around. I pressed my throbbing temples. I was about to call the police when Liam’s voice cut through the noise. “What are you all staring at? Get back to work!” The employees scattered, and the department managers unanimously stood up. Chloe’s face crumpled, and she threw herself at Liam, sobbing, “Liam, you have to help me! Eleanor just fired me the second she walked in! We’re innocent, she can’t just accuse us like this!” Liam’s expression, to my surprise, turned displeased as he looked over. He saw me sitting at the head of the conference table. Liam froze. “Eleanor, what are you doing in that chair?”

I spread my hands. “Is there a problem? Hasn’t this always been my company?” Liam irritably tugged at his tie. “Yes, you’re the legal owner, but for years you’ve been at home trying to conceive. I’ve been managing the company…” I cut him off. “My parents left this company to me. You’ve simply been managing it for three years on my behalf. Now I’m back. Why wouldn’t I sit here?” Liam sneered, looking at the department managers. “Then ask everyone here. Do they recognize me, the CEO who’s actually been running things, or you, the housewife who’s been home for three years?” Chloe leaned against Liam, crossing her arms and looking at me with a triumphant smirk. I nervously looked at everyone present. The department managers exchanged uncertain glances, unsure how to respond. Finally, Mr. Thompson, the HR Manager, gritted his teeth and stood up. “The HR department fully supports Ms. Hayes’ leadership!” “The Admin department fully supports Ms. Hayes’ leadership!” “The Projects department fully supports Ms. Hayes’ leadership!” “…” As each declaration of support rang out, I quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Liam’s face grew progressively darker. Beyond the shock, confusion clouded his eyes. Right! Liam had no idea about my connection to the Hayes Group. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so foolish. All the department managers had declared their allegiance; not a single person supported Liam. A flicker of panic finally crossed Liam’s eyes, and he subtly distanced himself from Chloe. “Eleanor, what’s with ‘yours’ and ‘mine’? We’re family. This company belongs to both of us.” True. For years, Liam had managed the company. If we were to divide it, he’d genuinely be entitled to a share. The lab results weren’t back yet; it wasn’t time to completely sever ties. I nodded gently. “Yes! You can continue as Vice President.” “Vice… President…” Liam’s eyes widened, his face etched with blatant resentment. Chloe looked from Liam to me, then tugged desperately at Liam’s sleeve. “Liam, Eleanor is firing me! You have to stand up for me! I just helped you!” “Shut up!” Liam shot her a glare but still spoke up. “Eleanor, Chloe didn’t know the company situation. She didn’t mean to offend you. A month’s pay deduction would be enough, wouldn’t it? No need to fire her!” My face hardened. “Mr. Fitzgerald, do I need your permission to fire an assistant?” Liam hadn’t expected me to so openly defy him and was speechless. I gave Ms. Davies a look, and the security guards rushed forward, dragging Chloe out. Chloe erupted in curses, “Eleanor, you whore! You won’t be gloating for long! Everyone will know what you did!” Hearing this, Liam’s face, to my disgust, softened. A slight smirk played on his lips, as if he held all the cards. Seeing his expression, I felt a wave of nausea and waved for everyone to dismiss the meeting. Having neglected company affairs for years, I worked late into the night before finally heading home. Liam was waiting for me, his face grim, on the sofa. The moment I walked in, he looked at me, his eyes red. “Eleanor, where exactly were you the night before last?”

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On my birthday, a sudden brain tumor episode left me disoriented. The doctor, while trying to stabilize me, picked up my phone to call my family. My husband, Victor Sterling, answered, clearly annoyed: “Are you kidding me? Seraphina and I were just about to leave for Florence. Don’t bother me unless it’s an emergency!” My son, Leo Sterling, chimed in: “Good riddance if she kicks the bucket. Just transfer the insurance payout to my card. My girlfriend wants a new bag.” Well, perfect timing. It was time for me to exit this cursed game world. When I opened my eyes again, the doctor handed me my phone, his expression grave: “Elara, your brain tumor is pressing on your nerves. You need surgery. Please discuss this with your family.” My mind was still hazy, my grip on the phone weak and uncertain. In the ER, everyone looked at me with pity. Some emotional family members even turned away, wiping their eyes. I glanced at my phone and saw that Victor and Leo had both blocked me. Feeling helpless, I messaged Seraphina Hayes, Victor’s first love: “Could you please tell Victor to come home soon?” Worried she’d think I was trying to start drama, I added: “I need to talk to Victor about getting a divorce. It’s urgent.” After resting at the hospital, I went home with the medication the doctor prescribed. Victor was already sitting on the couch when I arrived. He was wearing a sharp, tailored suit, an expensive watch glinting coldly on his wrist. A carry-on bag sat at his feet, clearly indicating he was about to go on vacation. When he saw me, he scoffed, loosened his tie, and said sharply: “Spit it out. What drama are you trying to stir up now? Seraphina and I were already at the airport, and you made us come all the way back. It’s so annoying; no wonder Leo can’t stand you!” At forty-five, Victor Sterling had fine lines around his eyes, but he kept in good shape. His slicked-back hair was immaculate, and his face was stern. Seraphina stood behind him, rubbing his shoulders in a fawning manner, leaning in to whisper intimately in his ear: “Victor, don’t be angry. Let’s hear what Elara has to say. Maybe it really is an emergency.” Seraphina was well-preserved, wearing an elegant dress and flawless makeup, looking very attractive. My gaze wandered. I remembered Leo’s third birthday. Victor forgot to buy a present for the first time because Seraphina had returned to the country, and he was distracted. Later, when I went to pick up a drunk Victor, I accidentally overheard his conversation with a friend and realized I was just a placeholder. Now, my temples were streaked with gray, and I looked nothing like Seraphina. Snapping back to reality, I took out the divorce papers and handed them to Victor, saying calmly: “Victor, let’s get divorced.” Victor, who had been enjoying Seraphina’s massage with his eyes closed, snapped them open, looking completely confused. He frowned, looking impatient: “First, you fake being sick at the hospital, and now you’re demanding a divorce? Elara, you’re almost fifty! What are you doing?” At his accusation, I just sighed inwardly. Yes, almost fifty. Today was my forty-ninth birthday. If Victor went into the kitchen, he’d see the ingredients I’d just started prepping – all his and Leo’s favorite dishes. But when I collapsed mid-prep from the brain tumor episode, in this huge house, there wasn’t a soul around to help. No need to voice these grievances. Saying them would only make Victor more annoyed. I wasn’t looking for a fight. I just gave a slight smile: “It’s nothing. I just suddenly realized it’s better not to hold you and Seraphina back anymore.” “Last month, when you and Seraphina were chasing the Northern Lights, you probably missed the news about my mother’s funeral.” “My father died saving your life. My mother then pressured you into marrying me. I get it, that was unfair to you.” “I’ve worked tirelessly at your company all these years, even helping it go public. Doesn’t that count for something?” “Now that my mother is gone, you don’t have to worry about her bothering you anymore.” After this long speech, I paused to catch my breath, then softly added: “From now on, I won’t bother you either. It’s been over ten years. You and Seraphina should live happily together.” Finally, after all these years, the words I’d held inside came pouring out. I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. Victor, however, crumpled the divorce papers in his hand, his voice tight: “I’ve put up with you for over twenty years, what’s a little more time…” He paused, then asked: “What about Leo? What will he say?” My son’s casual “Good riddance if she kicks the bucket” still rang in my ears. I gave a faint smile, nodding towards Seraphina: “It’s fine. He doesn’t like me; he prefers Seraphina. Let Seraphina take care of him from now on.” His face was a mask of displeasure, his lips pressed into a thin line. His chest rose and fell a few times, his eyes suddenly locking onto me, as if searching for the familiar sadness or jealousy he was used to seeing on my face. But this time, he saw only indifference. His thin lips moved, he took a deep breath, then stated firmly: “Divorce, fine. But you get nothing!” He looked at me with confident certainty, as if he expected me to back down because of money. But I simply nodded in agreement. “I don’t want anything. Not the money, not the house, not even custody of my son.”

Victor hadn’t even spoken yet. Seraphina, who had been silent, was already smiling, her eyes crinkling, and eagerly agreed: “Elara, I’m surprised you’re being so generous now. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Victor and Leo!” Victor seemed not to hear her, gripping the pen so hard his knuckles turned white. He suddenly snapped: “Twenty years! Why are you pulling this now? After the divorce, do you think I’ll keep you at the company? What company would hire a fifty-year-old woman?” His rapid-fire questions didn’t even faze me. I just gave a self-deprecating smile. Yes, my son’s old enough to get married. What am I even fighting for anymore? But I still felt suppressed, restless. Unhappy. This brain tumor incident, I had to thank their callousness for finally giving me the resolve to leave. Snapping back to reality, I calmly said: “Victor, my future life has nothing to do with you.” I knew Victor hated it most when I was presumptuous. Just as expected, Victor showed a disgusted expression and quickly signed the papers: “Elara, you better not regret this!” With that, he grabbed Seraphina and turned to leave. Inside, silence returned to the room. I sat numbly on the couch, looking at the home I’d lived in for twenty-one years. Every piece of furniture, its placement seemed etched into my memory. Yet, I still felt like an outsider. After a long while, hunger brought me back to my senses. I went into the kitchen and threw away the half-prepped beef, lamb, and salmon. Then, I put a pot of water on to boil and made myself a plain bowl of instant noodles. The noodles in my mouth had only a faint taste of oil and salt. I remembered when Victor and I first got together. He once tried to cook noodles for me. A germaphobe like him, yet he didn’t care that his shirt was covered in flour, or that his hand got scalded by the boiling water. But he didn’t mind, smiling and urging me to eat. The noodles were terrible, but I ate every single strand. I once believed Victor was my entire future. But now, his youthful face grew increasingly blurry in my memory. My head suddenly throbbed. I shakily took out the medicine the doctor prescribed and swallowed it whole. After the sharp pain subsided, I washed the dishes and pulled out a suitcase to pack my things. I didn’t have much. Most of the house belonged to Victor and Leo, so I packed quickly. I straightened up, surveyed the room, and found a box I’d cherished for years. Opening it, it held the things I once treasured most. Ticket stubs and photos from when Victor and I dated, our wedding picture. Letters Victor had written to me, gifts he’d given me. And all of Leo’s childhood photos and artwork. But now, I carried the box to the backyard and set it on fire. In the firelight, my face remained expressionless. Unfortunately, it suddenly started to rain, putting out the flames. Only ashes remained in the box, and I didn’t bother to check it again. After that, I deactivated all my online accounts and changed my contact information. Since I decided to leave, I might as well tie up all loose ends. After packing, I drove to the company, handed over my work, and cleared out my office. Everyone at the company, however, thought I was retiring, looking envious: “Elara, retiring already? Victor must really be spoiling you!” I held my files, silent. Snapping back to reality, I noticed Mr. Jenkins, the HR manager, wasn’t surprised at all by my departure. He immediately called in a team to renovate my former office. Everyone was a bit surprised and asked: “Elara’s retiring, why are you renovating her office?” Mr. Jenkins said sternly: “Victor is bringing in a new manager, so everyone needs to be careful what they say and do from now on!” With that, he placed a nameplate on the desk. On it, clearly written: “Vice President Seraphina Hayes”

Everyone present looked bewildered, but I merely curled my lips into a self-deprecating smile. All these years, I had always used the company’s oldest equipment. The company’s equipment had been updated so many times, yet Victor repeatedly denied my requests for upgrades. He would frown and call me vain, saying the old computer worked fine. But for Seraphina, he always provided the best. The current me wouldn’t get angry anymore. I just nodded, then turned and left the company I had worked at my entire life. After that, I went to a store to buy my last outfit. Even if I was going to die, I should do it with some dignity. But I didn’t have much cash left. Most of it was for the funeral expenses, so I just grabbed the cheapest outfit they had. Holding the clothes, I stepped out of the store. A young man on a motorcycle zoomed past me. The exhaust fumes made me choke and cough. A few seconds later, the motorcycle came back. A boy with permed hair, dressed in punk style, hopped off the back seat and said sarcastically: “Oh, look, still alive, huh? Fork over a hundred thousand, I need to buy my girlfriend a new designer bag!” I merely frowned and said coldly: “Leo, I don’t have any money.” “You don’t have money? Who are you kidding? My dad is so generous, why wouldn’t he give you money?” Leo didn’t believe me, his face filled with disdain. Yes, who would believe that a wealthy wife like me was actually living paycheck to paycheck?” Victor claimed I was after his fortune, so my salary was directly deposited into his account, and every expense required his approval. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor, I had gone to Victor with my medical bills, asking for money. But he blew up at me, screaming I was scamming him, and locked me in the house to “think about what I’d done.” Locked inside, I missed saying goodbye to my dying mother. My heart trembled, and I snapped back to the present. Before me, Leo smirked, humming as if he had me all figured out: “Fine, if you won’t give it to me, I’ll go to Seraphina. She’s beautiful and rich, a hundred times better than you!” I stared steadily at my eighteen-year-old son. How did the sweet child he once was turn into this? Ever since Seraphina returned, Victor was rarely home. I raised Leo by myself. He used to be very understanding, often speaking coldly to Victor and Seraphina. But at seventeen, Leo suddenly became rebellious, dropped out of school, and constantly demanded money from me. Heart-weary, I tried to reason with him. Instead, his then-girlfriend and her friends beat me up. I was old, and as I was being hit, Leo stood by, shouting for me to learn my lesson. After that, half my heart turned cold, and I stopped interfering. Later, I recovered from my injuries for a month. Leo apologized and acted remorseful, promising to celebrate my birthday properly and spend the whole day with me. I waited and waited, only to see Seraphina’s post on Instagram. In the video, Leo smiled intimately at Seraphina at a dinner party. “Hope you and Dad have a blast in Florence.” Then he happily took the large cash gift Seraphina gave him. When I saw that post, my head buzzed, then slammed me to the floor. I collapsed while washing vegetables. Now, facing the child I had raised with my own hands, my heart felt nothing. I simply said, relieved: “Alright, go ask her for money. Oh, and your dad and I are divorced. You can openly call Seraphina ‘Mom’ now.”

Leo stared at me, dumbfounded, his face turning red as he said: “How did you know… It’s all your fault for being such a cheapskate! Seraphina gets me, she knows what real love is!” Then, he eyed me up and down, mocking: “Divorced from my dad? You think I’d believe that? Stop faking it!” His gaze fell on the clothes in my hand, and he asked, confused: “What’s that you’re holding?” His girlfriend wondered: “Isn’t that a funeral outfit? Did someone in your family die?” Leo immediately stepped forward, wanting to snatch the bag from my hand. “I wanna see what you’re up to!” I frowned and pushed him away casually. Unprepared, he plopped onto the ground. I clutched my head. My vision suddenly went black, like someone had flipped a switch. The doctor had said the brain tumor would eventually affect my nerves, leading to blindness. I really was pathetic now. I squeezed my eyes shut, then, hazily, I could see again. Before me, Leo was panicking, stammering: “What’s wrong with you? Now you’re gonna pretend you’re blind? Again? No wonder Dad can’t stand you. Still faking illnesses at your age.” I shook my head and pushed him away. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately didn’t follow. Once I was further away, my throbbing head finally cleared a little. I took the bus ticket I’d bought and went back to my old house. It wasn’t far, just in the suburbs. The house was an old, run-down apartment building. After my father saved Victor from drowning, Victor brought our family to live with him as a form of gratitude. I hadn’t been back here in a long time. Now, dust was sifting down inside. I cleaned the dusty bed, sealed the windows and doors, trapping all the gas inside. Then I twisted open the propane tank I’d had delivered earlier. Immediately, a sickly sweet odor filled the air. I calmly changed my clothes and lay quietly on the bed. Just then, my phone rang. It was Victor. I didn’t intend to answer, but instinctively tapped to connect. On the other end, his voice was annoyed, urging: “Elara, where are you? There’s a gala tonight that needs you there. You have half an hour to get ready.” I said frankly: “I can’t go. I’m about to die.” I heard a loud crash from Victor’s end, like something had been knocked over. His voice was sharp, angry: “Elara, are you crazy? Why would you say something like that?!” Before I could reply, Seraphina’s voice, subtly fanning the flames, drifted from the phone: “Elara, are you really losing the will to live just because you divorced Victor? Then you two should get back together. I don’t mind.” Hearing this, Victor became even angrier: “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Elara. If they hadn’t specifically asked for you, do you think I’d be calling?” “Fine, come or don’t. But don’t ever come home again, and don’t ever think of seeing Leo again!” As Victor hung up, I, having inhaled too much carbon monoxide, lost strength in my hand, and my phone clattered to the floor. I don’t know how long passed. My body grew limp from lack of oxygen, and my consciousness gradually blurred. Death, like a cool summer night, felt strangely peaceful. I thought I could hear the faint hiss of the propane tank. But the next moment, the front door was kicked open, and an uninvited guest barged in.

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I’d spent my entire life living in the shadow of my “it girl” sister, Ava Hayes. Everyone saw me as the odd one out—the black sheep of the wealthy Hayes family. On my eighteenth birthday, one of Ava’s admirers locked me in a walk-in freezer. Only Brandon Blackwood was willing to save me. I thought I’d finally found the love of my life—the kind Mom always talked about. Three years later, at a party thrown by my tormentors, I overheard Brandon say: “Ava said her sister Skylar’s ugly and bitter, but I never expected her to be so desperate in bed. Total trash.” “She doesn’t know that it’s been Julian Thorne sleeping with her all these years, does she?” Brandon’s friend, Leo, asked. “That idiot will never find out. In seven days, once the bet’s up, I’m shipping her off to a cruise ship auction. You guys can have her. Starting bid: one dollar.” “Skylar Hayes has been your girlfriend for three years, Brandon. Can you really be so cruel to her?” “Feeling sorry for her? How about I give her to you then?” Brandon’s voice drifted from the private room—deep, casual, and dripping with that familiar disdain. It was like a rusty blade finally cutting through three years of denial, leaving my chest throbbing with a dull, hollow ache. “Nah, pass. Skylar’s way uglier than any girl I’ve ever dated.” My fists clenched tight. In three years, Brandon had only slept with me three times. Always in the same hotel suite. Always with the lights off. I’d convinced myself he just wasn’t ready to see me fully. Even with his coldness, I’d still begged for his attention. Turns out, his silence wasn’t about me—it was because the guy in bed with me was never him. I thought about last night and nearly gagged. Just then, my sister, Ava Hayes, appeared behind me. “Long time no see, Skylar.” “Enjoying my fiancé while I was studying abroad these past three years?” Ava shoved me into the private room. I stumbled and hit the floor hard. The chatter in the banquet hall died instantly. My thick glasses flew off, revealing my face—bangs matted with sweat, makeup smudged. “I thought this was Ava’s welcome party. Who’s the mess?” Brandon sat at the head of the table, his face twisted in disgust. He had no idea I’d been listening—or what I’d heard. But when he saw Ava behind me, his cold stare melted. Real love can’t be faked. Brandon lost his cool for the first time in front of me. He rushed past me to get to Ava. He brushed a nonexistent raindrop from her cheek. “You’re always so fragile. Why come back in this storm without letting me pick you up? You’ll get sick again.” Ava coughed softly, then pouted at Brandon. She kicked my fallen bag aside like it was trash. Brandon finally noticed me again—but he didn’t see my soaked clothes or my hand, burned red from spilled soup. All he saw was the condom under Ava’s shoe. “Skylar, we just saw each other yesterday. Are you that desperate? You know today’s Ava’s homecoming. Trying to ruin her first night back at the Hayes mansion?” Brandon’s voice turned icy as he glowered down at me. His accusation sent a chill through me—my stomach twisted into knots. The Hayes family had cut off my allowance months ago, diverting every cent to Ava’s account. I worked three part-time jobs just to get by, skipping meals to save money. When Brandon texted asking to meet, I ran through the rain across town just to see him. But he’d forgotten our anniversary again. “Brandon, don’t be harsh. I left for treatment overseas. What happened at the birthday party was an accident—I never blamed her.” Ava was Brandon’s peacemaker. Her words instantly defused his anger. Last month, I collapsed from exhaustion at work and ended up in the ER. Brandon yelled at me for missing his gala. He said we should sleep separately—made me camp on the couch for a month. But the truth? As soon as I was admitted, he booked a flight to Paris to see Ava that same night. “I thought you’d never speak to me again. I’m so glad she could make it. Let’s toast to her return!” Ava’s eyes glinted as she held out a shot glass of vodka. I stared at her face—so like her mother’s, cold and cruel. Before I could grab the glass to smash it, Ava let go. The shards sliced my palm open, blood pooling around my fingers. Ava gasped, clutching Brandon like she’d just seen a ghost. Brandon’s eyes darted to her hand—concern etched on his face as he opened his mouth to yell. “Skylar, three years and you’re still this cruel? Ava’s trying to be nice, and you hurt her? Do you even see her as family?” Family? I laughed bitterly. Ava was the illegitimate child he’d always hated. Brandon looked like he’d rather take the cut himself. He called for a doctor—for Ava. Once, he’d panic if I so much as burned my finger cooking. He’d bandage it with such care, like it was a precious wound. Now, he didn’t even glance at the blood dripping from my hand. “Skylar, chug this bottle and we’ll call it even.” It was Cole—one of Brandon’s lackeys, trying to impress him. Brandon knew I was deathly allergic to alcohol. My mom’s face flashed in my mind—her body lying in a pool of liquor, eyes wide open. A memory I’d never escape. I looked to Brandon for help, but he just held Ava closer, avoiding my gaze. “Skylar, finish it, and I’ll let you off the hook for hurting Ava.”

My palm throbbed, but I couldn’t feel it. I could barely hold the bottle steady. The doctor arrived minutes later, rushing Brandon and Ava to the ER. Brandon gave me a strange look—like he was surprised I hadn’t fought back. Someone pulled out a phone to record the scene. “The Hayes’ ugly duckling is just like her mom—a drunk.” Only Brandon knew about my mom’s forced alcoholism. That night, he held me and said he understood. Then he smashed every bottle in his bar, swearing he’d never touch alcohol again. The liquor burned my throat like acid—three years of poison finally taking its toll. It felt like Brandon was being ripped from my chest, piece by piece. “Enough!” Brandon snatched the bottle from my hand and slammed the phone to the ground. “Skylar, how long are you going to keep pulling this self-destructive crap?” My stomach twisted. My vision blurred. I could barely stand. His blazer fell over me—warm, familiar. He wrapped it around my shoulders. “Skylar, go home. We’ll talk when I get back.” He started to say more, but Ava coughed from the stretcher. Brandon’s face paled. He jumped into the ambulance without a second glance. He stepped right over the ring I’d saved a year to buy—our anniversary ring. My legs gave out. I hit the floor hard. It was just like my eighteenth birthday—me on the ground, frozen, helpless, picking up my mom’s torn photo from the freezer. I’d planned to tell Brandon everything today. I don’t know how long I was out. My phone lit up in the middle of the night. A Snap from Brandon. The photo showed two hands intertwined, with an open condom packet beside them. [Thanks for keeping Brandon warm for three years. I’m back now.] [We’re getting engaged in seven days.] The conversation from the private room flooded back. The bet: the loser had to date me and make me fall in love with him. Brandon lost that bet on my eighteenth birthday. They all praised him for staying “faithful”—for saving himself for Ava. But as soon as she was back, he couldn’t wait to break that promise. Ava had used Brandon’s phone to lure me to the party. I should have been furious, but that bottle of liquor had burned away every last bit of my love. “Mr. Sterling, I told Grandpa I’d come back after the competition ends in seven days.” I slid into the Bentley parked at the end of the alley. I grabbed a hair clip to pin back my bangs, then wiped my face clean with a makeup remover wipe. The car window reflected a face I barely recognized—sharp, beautiful, and dangerous. “Skylar, you look just like your mother now.” Mr. Sterling stared at me, stunned. After a moment, he tossed my wet clothes into the trash. “It can’t have been easy, living with the Hayes all these years.”

I didn’t go home to wait for Brandon. I went back to my apartment. That night, I came down with a fever. Someone had left medicine for me. It helped bring my fever down. As soon as I could stand, I buried myself in my competition project. I didn’t even blink when I saw the news—Brandon had rented out an entire mall for Ava. Three days later, I went back to school. Ava was sitting in my seat. She was curled up next to Brandon, laughing like she owned the place. I looked away, ignoring the dull ache in my chest. I handed Brandon his dry-cleaned suit. But he snapped. His fingers dug into my wrist, keeping me from leaving. “Skylar, what’s your problem now? I took care of the guy who made you drink. Where’ve you been? Who’ve you been with?” He was the one who made me drink. Now he was taking credit for fixing it. I frowned, confused. His grip was cutting off my circulation. Gasps filled the room. “Is that Skylar? The one who gets picked up by old men in fancy cars?” “She’s not even that hot. What’s she got on him?” “She’s been MIA for three days. When she got out of the car, she could barely walk—and she was wearing a different dress.” The classroom screen lit up with photos: me being forced to drink, my uncle helping me into the car… And finally, a photo of me in a hotel bed—naked, blurred, but recognizable. “Like mother, like daughter. Skylar drinks and sleeps around just like her mom.” Room 1206 was Brandon’s suite. Those photos couldn’t have been taken without his permission. Had he been watching me this whole time? Taking photos while I slept? Brandon looked just as shocked. He yelled for someone to turn off the screen. But it was too late. The photos were already all over the school’s social media. My ears rang. I remembered my dad slamming fake nude photos of my mom into her face. “Skylar, stop!” Brandon slapped me. The force turned my head to the side. Blood trickled from my lip—I’d bitten it raw during the panic. Brandon stared at my cheek. He tried to touch it, but pulled back. His voice was rough. “Skylar, who was that man? Tell me, and I’ll forget about you disappearing.” My chest ached—not for him, but for the girl I used to be. With Brandon, I’d never had even a shred of trust. “Brandon, that was my uncle. He came to tell me Grandpa is dying. He wants me to come home for the funeral.” “Happy now?” I held up the only photo Grandpa had ever given me, staring Brandon down. It was a family photo—my uncle, Grandpa, and Mom. Brandon froze. His fingers trembled as he held the photo. Ava looped her arm through his, her voice sweet and innocent. “Skylar’s always been with the Hayes. Where would she get an uncle or grandpa? I’ve never seen them.” “This photo’s fake. The faces are all blurry.” Brandon’s phone buzzed. His assistant’s message erased any doubt. Grandpa’s family had hidden our relationship to protect me. “Skylar, you’re still lying? Using a fake photo to trick me?” His words were cold, sharp. He met my eyes—and tore the photo in half. The pieces fluttered to the floor. I dropped to my knees to pick them up, scraping my skin raw. “Skylar, you’re such a liar. I should’ve left you in that freezer.” But he didn’t know the truth. When I was twelve, I saved a boy from drowning. He’d been pushed into the lake by Brandon’s half-brother.

Brandon walked over the photo, his shoe pressing down on my hand. He wanted me to beg. Like I always did. He threw the bracelet I’d made him into the trash. But he didn’t move out of our apartment. And he never mentioned the engagement. I was in a taxi on my way to the competition. I didn’t have time to care about Brandon—and I didn’t want to. Their engagement was all over the news. The photos showed Brandon and Ava looking perfect together. Brandon once said he’d marry into the Hayes family for business. He kept his promise. Just not with me. I traced the taped photo, smiling sadly. After today, it would all be over. I’d go back to A City and never see Brandon again. The taxi hit a patch of ice. The driver slammed on the brakes. I hit the seat hard. Then everything went black. When I woke up, the world was spinning. I felt sick to my stomach. A hand grabbed my hair, yanking my head back. “This is the one? She’s not even worth the trouble. Is this really Skylar Hayes?” “Brandon said to scare her—not actually sell her. Just teach her a lesson.” When they threw me onto the deck, I realized where I was—a cruise ship. A party boat for rich kids to drink and hook up. I bit my lip until it bleed, forcing myself to stay awake. People were being paraded onto the stage, auctioned off like prizes. “Is that Brandon? He’s engaged to Ava today. Who’s this girl?” The guard stared at his phone, frowning. To them, the Hayes family only had one daughter. At the engagement party, Ava wore a white gown. She looked like a princess. Brandon stood beside her in a silver suit. He looked older, colder. They kissed as the crowd cheered.

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At a family dinner, Lila suddenly announced, “I’m pregnant. The baby is Chase’s.” Chase was my fiancé. Lila was the widow of his deceased older brother. I stared at Chase, dumbfounded, but he just nodded. “That’s right, the baby is mine.” “My brother died saving me; I owe him my life. It’s only right that I give him a child.” Chase turned to me. “Lila and I never slept together. This baby is from IVF.” “Our wedding will be postponed. We’ll have it after she gives birth.” Later, I found him lying in Lila’s bed late at night… My heart died instantly. Chase, I don’t have to love you. Numbly, I dialed my dad’s number. “Dad, that thing you mentioned last time? I agree to it.” After hanging up, I turned to find Lila standing right behind me. One hand caressed her still-flat stomach, the other rested on her hip. She raised an eyebrow, her voice taking on a demanding tone. “Jade, go get me a glass of warm milk.” She acted utterly imperious. I scoffed. “Do you really think you deserve that?” She’d always disliked me, constantly badmouthing me to Chase. But for Chase’s sake, I’d always just ignored her. Now that I’d agreed to Dad’s plan, I didn’t need to tolerate her anymore. Lila’s face lit up with triumph. “I’m carrying the Sterling family’s precious heir! How dare you talk to me like that?” The ‘Sterling family,’ huh? Do they think they’re royalty or something? The next second, she grabbed my hand, then deliberately tumbled to the ground. Thud! Suddenly, a strong shove sent me sprawling. An icy surge of pain shot through my old ankle injury. That was six months ago, when Chase and I went hiking. He’d been bitten by a venomous snake, falling unconscious. My petite frame struggled to carry his much taller, muscular build down the mountain, and I twisted my ankle on the way. The doctor was amazed I had the strength to literally carry my muscular boyfriend down that mountain. Back then, Chase had cried, overwhelmed with gratitude. “Jade, I swear I’ll love you with my life!” But now? The moment something involved Lila, he completely lost it. He rushed over, not even bothering to ask whose fault it was, and roughly pushed me down. He meticulously checked if Lila was hurt, completely ignoring me. Lila burrowed into his arms, sniffling dramatically, then guided his hand to her stomach. She started her accusations. “The baby wants milk, I just asked Jade to warm some for me, and she pushed me…” Chase turned, his eyes blazing with fury at me. “Do you have any idea how much Lila has suffered to give my brother a child? How difficult IVF is? How can you be so cruel? If anything happens to this baby, then there’s no point in us getting married!” I gritted my teeth against the searing pain in my ankle. “Why bother with IVF? You could have just slept with her directly, gotten it over with. You both would have had your fun, and a baby.” Chase’s face turned beet red with rage. “Jade, when did you become such a shrew? This is my brother’s widow; I won’t allow you to insult her.” “Apologize to her!!” Lila sobbed harder, buried in Chase’s arms. I forced a bitter smile. “Let’s break up.” Lila cried even louder, clutching her waist as if trying to get up from Chase’s lap, but he held her tighter. Her voice was delicate and weak. “Chase, don’t blame Jade. I just felt dizzy and lost my balance. I’m fine, really. You should go comfort Jade.” Chase patted her back soothingly. Then, in a cold voice, he told me, “Jade, when will you ever be as sensible as Lila?” Lila suddenly let out a small gasp, whimpering, “Chase, my tummy hurts a little. Will you carry me back to the bedroom to rest?” As soon as she finished speaking, Chase immediately scooped Lila up and rushed away. I couldn’t hold back any longer. “Chase, are you blind? My old ankle injury is acting up again, can’t you see?!” He only paused for a single second, then his footsteps, firm and decisive, carried Lila away. My throat tightened, tears streaming down my face. I limped alone to the guest room to find some pain relief. Chase didn’t show his face the entire night. Well, of course not. Every time we argued, I was the one who always apologized first, who always tried to win him back. Not this time.

In the middle of the night, I woke up to use the bathroom. The light in Chase’s bedroom was still on. I didn’t care, but as I passed his room, I heard voices from inside. “Lila, I promised you a child, and now you’re pregnant. Let’s go back to how we were, just family. Jade has a bad temper; I’ll apologize for her. I hope you won’t hold it against her.” Lila was dressed in something very light, a sexy lace nightgown accentuating her figure. Her voice was soft and gentle. “Chase, don’t worry, I won’t ruin your relationship. I just miss your brother so much.” “Your brother always wanted a child before he died; you’re just making his dream come true. Jade loves you so much, she won’t blame you.” “Chase, just let me hold you, okay? Let this baby feel a little bit of a father’s love. After all, he is your child.” Chase and I had been together for five years. We’d done everything couples do, except go all the way. He said he wanted us to save our first time for our wedding night. I believed in his willpower, I believed he’d always respect that boundary. But my fiancé having a child with another woman? I still couldn’t accept it. I’d fallen for him at first sight in freshman year. He was clean-cut handsome, with a lot of girls chasing him. I knew his family wasn’t well-off, so to avoid making him feel insecure, I hid my identity as an heiress to billions, pretending to be a simple girl from a humble background. It took me six months to finally win him over. The day my true identity was revealed, he was angry with me for two weeks straight. It took me ages to win him back. My whole world revolved around him; I agreed to everything he said. He told me not to give him expensive gifts, so I’d tell him they were fakes. I bought him a Hermes outfit, and he’d take me to a street stall to buy a cheap dress. I gave him a Rolex watch, and he’d hand-braid a bracelet for me. He never took advantage of me, except for one thing: after graduation, I begged my dad to pull some strings and get him into a top law firm in New York. Chase proved himself capable too; a year later, he partnered with a colleague to open a new law firm. Now, Lila threw herself into Chase’s arms, her chest pressed tightly against his, gently rubbing against him. Lila’s chest was already ample, and pregnancy had made it even fuller. Her soft curves strained against the thin fabric, almost spilling out. Chase’s hand, which had initially been about to push her away, slowly lowered, then rested on her shoulder. His Adam’s apple bobbed distinctly. I could see his struggle, his raw desire. A passionate, unrestrained night was about to begin. I didn’t want to watch the live show. I fled to the bathroom as fast as I could. Lila was constantly seducing him like this; they must be together every single night. Chase was a man, after all. What man doesn’t have those desires? Guess men only behave when they’re dead. Whatever. Since I was leaving, whatever he did with Lila wouldn’t be my business anymore. But my heart still ached, like being pricked with needles. Five years of my love, wasted on a dog.

In the bathroom, the more I thought, the more wronged I felt. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I wiped my eyes and splashed cold water on my face. Just then, Lila came in to use the bathroom. She deliberately tugged at the neckline of her nightgown. It revealed a bright red hickey, a clear sign of how intense things had just been. “You saw it all, didn’t you? Oh, and let me tell you a secret: this baby isn’t from IVF.” She leaned close to my ear. “Chase and I slept together without protection so many times. The first time, his hands were even shaking from nerves~” “Jade, aren’t you disgusted by a man who’s slept with me…?” If it were my old fiery temper, I would have slapped her across the face multiple times. These past few years dating Chase had definitely mellowed me out. Instead of getting angry, I laughed. “You two are messed up! If Spencer knew what you two were doing, he’d be so furious he’d crawl out of his grave and strangle both of you bitches!” “And that baby in your belly is pretty unlucky. Will it call Chase ‘Dad’ later, or ‘Uncle’?” “Jade, you!” Lila stamped her foot in frustration, too angry to speak. “You two jerks are perfect for each other!” Unable to argue back, she grabbed the perfume bottle from the sink and hurled it at my head. The bottle whizzed past my scalp and shattered on the floor. Chase, hearing the commotion, assumed I had started it. He rushed in, his hands like vises around my neck, pinning me hard against the wall. My back felt icy cold. His eyes blazed with fury; he looked like he wanted to kill me. “I’m the one who postponed the wedding, so why are you still bothering Lila?” “She’s pregnant, can’t you just give her a break? How many times do I have to tell you, there’s nothing inappropriate between us.” Just then, Lila cried out, “Chase, I have a piece of glass in my leg, and it’s bleeding!” Chase immediately let go of my neck. The glass in Lila’s leg was from the shattered perfume bottle. Chase scooped her up anxiously. “I’m taking you to the hospital.” A large shard of glass was embedded in my arm, oozing blood. He didn’t even notice. I clenched my jaw against the pain, pulled out my phone, called a car, and limped into the taxi. I went to the hospital alone to get my wound bandaged. Outside the emergency room. Chase looked at me with annoyance. “Are you stalking us?” “Jade, can you stop being so selfish? She’s my brother’s widow. My brother died saving me, and it’s my responsibility to take care of her and her baby. If you keep acting so unreasonable, then forget about us getting married!” I said coldly, “I’m not that bored to stalk you, and I’m certainly not bored enough to bother Lila.” Only then did Chase notice my injured arm. He explained apologetically, “Jade, Lila’s pregnant with Spencer’s posthumous child. Our whole family hopes she can safely deliver this baby. I was too impulsive just now. I’ll go with you to register.” Did Spencer know his wife was carrying his brother’s child? The irony! The next second, Lila’s voice came from the consultation room. “Chase, the doctor is going to remove the glass. I’m scared.” Chase turned to me. “Jade, you go see the doctor by yourself. Lila’s timid; I need to stay with her.” This scumbag, I absolutely had to break up with him as soon as possible!

Saturday was a classmate’s birthday party. I accepted the invitation, hoping to clear my head. Who knew I’d see Chase there with Lila? Chase, Lila, and I were all college classmates. Lila had chased after Chase just like I had. Under my relentless pursuit, I finally won Chase’s heart. Lila, meanwhile, married Chase’s older brother, Spencer. At the party, during dinner, Chase peeled a big bowl of shrimp and placed it in front of Lila. He carefully reminded her, “Don’t be picky, eat more shrimp; it’s good for the baby’s development.” A classmate teased, “Chase is so good to his brother’s widow! You peeled all the shrimp on this table for Lila. Aren’t you afraid Jade will get mad?” He smiled and said, “Jade doesn’t like shrimp.” The classmate noticed my displeasure and cleverly changed the subject. “Are we going to Jade and Chase’s wedding soon?” “Back in college, I was always so envious of Chase for getting such a beautiful girlfriend. Chase, you really need to cherish Jade.” I couldn’t stand to hear any more. “Hold it, hold it, everyone! You’re all welcome at my wedding, but it won’t be with Chase. We’re done. The groom will be someone else. My actual future husband wouldn’t appreciate hearing you talk like this!” “Jade!” Chase called my name, his voice tight with anger. He explained to our classmates, “Excuse me, everyone, we just had a bit of a disagreement. Jade is saying things out of anger. Our wedding will still happen, it’s just postponed for a few months. My brother passed away last month, my parents are still grieving, and Lila is pregnant, so we simply don’t have the emotional energy to arrange our wedding right now.” Our classmates all expressed understanding, urging me to be more forgiving. “The wedding is just a few months later. You and Chase have been together for so many years; a few more months won’t hurt.” As if I was the unreasonable one. Using a trip to the restroom as an excuse, I left the private room to get some fresh air. The back lounge of the venue had an infinity pool with a beautiful view. I was completely lost in thought, admiring the scenery. Lila’s voice broke the silence. “If I were you, I would have told them the truth just now.” I looked up at her, about to speak. The woman suddenly grabbed me and yanked me into the water. I’d had a fear of water ever since I was a child. Chase knew this too. He’d suggested we go to the beach multiple times, but I always refused. He said the best way to conquer fear was to face it. But I was just terrified. Today, I was just too angry, which was why I was standing so close to the pool’s edge. Chase jumped into the pool without a moment’s hesitation. He brushed right past me. He was saving Lila. It was so clear who he loved and who he didn’t. My heart froze solid in that moment. I slowly sank deeper into the water. Just as despair consumed me, a pair of strong hands reached out and pulled me.

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My sight returned, and I immediately went looking for my husband, Caleb Sterling. But instead, I overheard one of his friends say to him: “Caleb, Iris has been blind for two years. To be with Scarlett, you had Leo impersonate you. Aren’t you worried he might actually sleep with Iris?” “No way,” Caleb said confidently. “Leo would never betray me!” Catching a glimpse of Caleb’s indifferent expression, my heart turned cold. If you want a different wife, then fine. As you wish, I’ll get myself a new husband too. 1 Looking back, I should have seen the signs much earlier. During the two years I was blind, my husband had grown increasingly distant, almost cold. Blind and vulnerable, even when suspicions gnawed at me, my insecurity kept my lips sealed. Lost in thought, the front door clicked open. Behind me, Leo’s voice, deliberately hushed, spoke: “Iris, I’m home.” Leo’s voice was already so similar to Caleb’s, and with his deliberate imitation, it’s no wonder I never caught on for two whole years. I lifted my gaze, my eyes sweeping over the handsome man before me. I couldn’t fathom why he’d be willing to cooperate with Caleb, playing this charade with me for two years. But if they wanted to play, I’d play along to the very end. I pretended not to see, groping my way to Leo, and wrapped my arms around his waist. “Honey, you’re home.” I squeezed his waist tightly, my hand lingering, almost provocatively, on his hard abs. For two years, Leo had been incredibly restrained. Even sharing the same bed, he meticulously maintained his distance, never once touching me intimately. Startled by my sudden forwardness, he stiffened for a moment, his voice tight. “Iris… what’s gotten into you today?” I squeezed out a few fake tears, feigning a wronged tone as I asked him, “Caleb, ever since I lost my sight, you haven’t touched me. Are you… disgusted by me?” Leo’s expression faltered. He lowered his voice, trying to comfort me. “No, you’re overthinking it… You were in a car accident two years ago. Your eyes were injured, and you had multiple fractures. It took you a year and a half to recover. I was just worried about your health.” “I’m perfectly fine now.” I groped around, reaching out to unbutton his shirt, my hand sliding over his firm chest. “Two years. You must have been struggling to hold back, huh?” Leo’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice turning husky. “It’s… fine.” I leaned in and blew gently on his throat. “I want you right now.” Before I could finish, his phone rang. “I need to take this.” Leo let out a subtle sigh of relief, taking the phone to the balcony. I hid by the window, catching Caleb’s lazy voice from Leo’s phone speaker: “Leo, it’s Grandfather Sterling’s birthday tomorrow. I need to bring Iris with me.” Leo paused for two seconds. “Alright.” “I haven’t seen him in months. Fill me in on Iris’s situation so we don’t accidentally give ourselves away.” I listened, stunned, a wave of bitter self-mockery washing over me. Ten years ago, I was the one who relentlessly pursued Caleb. I thought he’d eventually fall in love with me after we got married, but perhaps love shouldn’t be forced after all. 2 That night, I initiated, holding Leo close as we slept. I could distinctly feel the tension in Leo’s body. The next morning, Leo was already gone. Instead, Caleb, dressed formally, appeared by the bed, smiling. “Awake? Get up and get ready. We’re going to Grandfather’s birthday party.” I stretched languidly, feigning a playful whine. “Honey, you were so wild last night, my back still aches a little.” Caleb’s smile instantly froze, replaced by an ugly scowl. On the way to the Sterling family mansion, he remained silent the entire ride. At the birthday party, I not only saw Leo but also Caleb’s mistress, Scarlett. Scarlett’s face was a mask of disdain and mockery. I pretended not to see a thing, outright ignoring her. Midway through the party, I went to the restroom. Emerging from the stall, I saw Scarlett walking towards me. As she brushed past me, *splash!* Scarlett emptied her glass of red wine right over my head. “Oh, dear, my apologies. My hand just… slipped.” Calmly, I grabbed the mop leaning by the bathroom door, lifted it, and swung it hard across her face. “Ah!” Scarlett shrieked, utterly distraught. “Iris, what the hell are you doing?!” I feigned a belated apology. “Oh, I’m so sorry, my eyes just don’t see anything.” Scarlett, covered in filth, shrieked, her hand raised to slap me. I swung the mop at her face again. “Stop it!” Two voices simultaneously rang out from behind me. Caleb and Leo strode towards us, faces grim, followed by several staff members. Scarlett, tear-streaked and looking utterly distraught, threw herself into Caleb’s arms, whimpering out her accusations. “Caleb, your wife just hit me with a mop! I didn’t even provoke her, why does she keep doing this? You have to defend me!” “Iris, apologize!” Caleb’s voice was frigid. I groped blindly, stumbling into Leo’s arms. “Honey, I’m so sorry. My eyes just don’t see. I didn’t mean it, please don’t be angry with me, okay?” Caleb stood rigid, his face a thunderous mask as he glared at me, absolutely fuming. Leo patted my back, his voice a low whisper. “I’m not angry. You don’t need to blame yourself.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Caleb’s face darken to an inky black. A flicker of dark satisfaction shot through me. I deliberately leaned into Leo’s chest, sniffing. “Sweetheart, I’m all wet and uncomfortable. Could you help me take a shower? And maybe give me a back rub…” Leo’s hand, which had been patting my back, stiffened. His voice was strained. “Okay!” “Where are the housekeepers?” A flicker of dark displeasure and raw fury crossed Caleb’s brow as he cut us off, his voice sharp. “Take Mrs. Sterling to the bathroom!” 3 After changing, I unexpectedly stumbled upon Caleb and Leo chatting in the hallway. Caleb’s face was grim as he demanded, his voice frigid, from Leo, “Leo, didn’t you used to say you weren’t interested in women?” Leo lit a cigarette, taking a slow drag. “That was before. I’m a normal man. When a woman with a body like hers keeps practically throwing herself at me, of course I’m going to react.” Caleb looked utterly disbelieving, his face paling with anger. “But Iris is blind! Leo, you have to promise me, no matter how tempting it gets, you absolutely cannot touch Iris! No matter how much you play along, she’s still my wife.” “You still remember she’s your wife?” Leo nonchalantly puffed out a smoke ring, his expression mocking. “For the past two years, you’ve only cared about Scarlett. Have you shown your wife any concern, even for a single day?” Caleb fell silent. Leo scoffed, “If you’re so infatuated with Scarlett, why don’t you just divorce Iris already?” “I can’t divorce her!” Caleb’s reaction was agitated. “Iris and I grew up together; I still have feelings for her… But I’ve pursued Scarlett for so many years, and she’s finally accepted me. I don’t want to let her go either…” “Hmph,” Leo snuffed out his cigarette, letting out a disdainful scoff. “Scumbag.” I didn’t listen any further, turning and walking away. Caleb Sterling, you want to keep your mistress, but you don’t want to abandon your wife. But in this world, you can’t have your cake and eat it too, can you? The party ended, and Caleb drove me home. As we neared the house, I saw Leo waiting at the doorstep. After handing me over to Leo, Caleb left without a single backward glance, as if he couldn’t care less. Once home, I went straight into the bathroom. A few minutes later, I called out from the bathroom. “Honey, I just slipped and bumped my shoulder. Could you come in and help me put some medicine on it?” Soon, the bathroom door clicked open. Leo walked in, holding a tube of ointment. I was loosely wrapped in a bath towel, my hair damp, water still dripping onto my skin. Leo stared at me, frozen for two seconds, then hastily averted his gaze, fumbling self-consciously to squeeze the ointment from the tube. I feigned another slip, *plop*, falling straight into his arms. The towel slipped with a *swish*, pooling at my feet. Our bodies, hot and charged, pressed together. Leo’s ears flushed crimson, and he awkwardly tried to push me away. “Iris…” I directly covered his lips with mine. Leo stiffened for a moment, then finally gave up struggling, holding the back of my head as he returned the kiss with a fiery passion. Between gasps, I reached for his belt, my voice a husky whisper. “Sweetheart, we’ve been married for so long. It’s time we had a baby.” His Adam’s apple bobbed convulsively, his voice rough with desire. “Okay, whatever you want.” With that, he lifted me into the bedroom. His phone rang then. Leo simply hung up. “Aren’t you going to answer…” Before I could finish, he silenced me with another kiss, then parted my legs. From afternoon until late into the night, Leo was like a beast unleashed, tirelessly, relentlessly claiming me. I was so exhausted I fell straight into a deep sleep. In a haze of sleep, I vaguely heard Leo answer a phone call, his voice hushed. “I know. I won’t touch her. If you don’t believe me, then fine.” After hanging up, Leo must have thought I was asleep. He leaned in, whispering softly in my ear: “Iris, why is it always Caleb Sterling you want?” I wanted to tell him that I wouldn’t want him anymore. But I was utterly exhausted, drifting into a heavy sleep.

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My husband had what I thought was bipolar disorder. Every time he hit me, he’d remorsefully transfer ten thousand dollars to my account. I never fought back. I just quietly accepted the money, covering the bruises with foundation. My best friend called me pathetic, urging me to divorce him. I counted the balance in my account, a cold, calculated smile playing on my lips. “Not yet,” I’d tell her. “I’m not done making a fortune!” Until one day, he punched me in the stomach, and I had a miscarriage. “Cha-ching! One thousand four hundred dollars received.” A mechanical female voice echoed through the empty living room, jarringly loud. I spat out a mouthful of blood, metallic and coppery, like rust. Damian sat across from me on the sofa, hands clasped over his head, despair clawing at him. His hair was a mess, tangled from when he’d been frantically raking his fingers through it during his fit. “I’m so sorry… Cassie, I’m so sorry… I just couldn’t control myself…” His voice was choked with tears, trembling like a leaf caught in a storm. I didn’t say anything. I just quietly picked myself up off the floor. My knee had hit the table earlier, and the pain was excruciating. It was probably already purple. I walked to the mirror. My left cheek was swollen. Five distinct finger marks, angry red, almost purple. Damian hadn’t held back his strength in that slap. He genuinely wanted to kill me, or rather, his “episode-self” wanted to kill me. I picked up the concealer, layering it on, coat after coat. The liquid foundation was cold, a stark contrast against the burning wound. The temperature difference jolted me, pulling me back to a grim reality. Damian’s heavy footsteps sounded behind me. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, burying his face in the crook of my neck. His tears streamed down, scalding my skin through my shirt, making me flinch. “Cassie, hit me back, yell at me… I’m a monster…” “It’s okay.” I looked at my reflection in the mirror, my lips curving into a perfectly composed, forgiving—almost saintly—smile. “I know you’re sick. I don’t blame you.” Damian cried harder, like a child who had done something terribly wrong. He pulled out his phone again. “Cha-ching! One thousand four hundred dollars received.” With the previous one, that made twenty thousand. One slap, twenty thousand dollars. Pretty good deal. My monthly salary was only two thousand, and I had to endure my boss’s verbal assaults and demanding clients. Here, taking a beating for a few minutes of pain could earn me ten months of wages. No matter how I crunched the numbers, it was a profitable trade. Damian was born with a silver spoon, his family owned a chain of factories. Money was just a number to him. To me, it was survival.

Damian fell asleep. Assaulting someone was physically draining, especially with his kind of hysterical rage. I covered him with the blanket, looking at his sleeping face, which still held a hint of gloom. When he wasn’t having an episode, Damian was actually quite handsome. High cheekbones, a straight nose, and eyes that held a deceptive allure, hinting at profound affection. Who would have thought that beneath that attractive exterior lurked a beast? I closed the bedroom door, walked to the balcony, and lit a cigarette. I wasn’t much of a smoker; I only lit one when the pain kept me from sleeping. My phone screen lit up. It was a SnapChat from Chloe, my best friend. “Still alive?” I took a screenshot of my balance and sent it to her. Silence for a moment, then a long voice message came through. “Cassie, are you out of your mind? Do you have some kind of masochistic complex? Twenty thousand dollars is all it takes to buy you off? Don’t you know domestic abuse never stops once it starts? What if he kills you one day? Are you going to take those hundreds of thousands to spend in the afterlife?” Chloe’s scolding was harsh, but I knew she meant well. She was the only one who knew Damian hit me. I blew out a smoke ring, watching the smoke dissipate into the night. I typed back: “Almost.” “Almost what?” “The pig is getting fat.” Chloe sent a string of ellipses, probably thinking I was beyond saving. Of course, I wasn’t crazy. I was perfectly lucid. More lucid than anyone. I touched my stomach. It was flat, soft, with no sign of life. But I needed it to have one. Damian’s bipolar disorder was getting worse. It started with throwing things, then pushing, and now it was full-on fists. The frequency also increased from once a month to once a week. I knew the breaking point was coming. Once we crossed that line, I might actually die. But I couldn’t leave yet. Damian, though remorseful, wasn’t remorseful enough. His guilt levels hadn’t reached the sum I desired. I wanted more than just twenty or thirty thousand in pocket money. I wanted his entire fortune. Or perhaps, his life.

The preparations were almost complete. The blood pack I’d ordered online was film-grade special effects, disturbingly realistic, even carrying a sickly sweet, metallic scent. As for the “fetal model.” I’d acquired it through some discreet channels. It was tiny, palm-sized, an unformed mass that sent shivers down my spine. I hid it in the bottom freezer drawer, wrapped in three layers of black plastic bags. Every time I opened the fridge for milk, I felt that thing silently watching me, radiating an unnatural cold. It was insane, I knew. But to hunt a beast, the hunter must be even crazier. This Friday was Damian’s birthday. As was customary, he would have some wine. Alcohol was a lethal combination with bipolar medication, especially when mixed. But I still bought him the best red wine, a Romanée-Conti, which cost me half of what I’d saved from a year of enduring his beatings. An investment, after all, always came with a cost. At seven in the evening, Damian returned. He seemed in a good mood, carrying an Hermès bag. “Happy Birthday, darling.” I blinked, surprised. “But it’s your birthday.” Damian smiled, walking over to kiss my forehead. “I know, but I wanted to give you a gift. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.” For a moment, I almost wavered. If you ignored those violent nights, Damian truly was a perfect husband. Wealthy, romantic, gentle. Too bad he was a lunatic. I unwrapped the gift; it was a limited-edition Birkin bag. “Do you like it?” he looked at me expectantly. “I love it,” I said, smiling and nodding. “Let’s eat. I made your favorite roasted lamb with rosemary.” At the dining table, candlelight flickered. Damian drank one glass, then two, then three. His eyes started to glaze over, his cheeks flushed, and his voice grew louder. I knew the medication was taking effect. Not the alcohol, but my special “ingredient” I’d added to the wine. It was a potent neuro-stimulant designed to amplify emotions and trigger aggressive outbursts. Damian had been taking the lithium prescribed by his doctor, but I’d swapped out his meds. I’d replaced them with identical-looking vitamin supplements. The real heavy-hitters were all in the wine. “Cassie…” Damian suddenly slammed his wine glass onto the table. Red wine splashed onto the white tablecloth, exploding into a blood-red stain. “Do you look down on me?” His eyes had changed. That familiar, violent, murderous glint was back. The show was about to begin.

I feigned panic, shrinking back. “Damian, what’s wrong? Why would I look down on you?” “You do look down on me! You think I’m crazy! You think I live off my family’s money!” Damian abruptly stood up, knocking over his chair. He rounded the table, stepping closer to me with each stride. Instead of retreating, I moved forward, clutching my stomach tightly. This action provoked him immensely. “What’s in your stomach? Huh? Is it a bastard?” That was a step I hadn’t anticipated. His delusions were worse than I’d imagined. But it was precisely what I wanted. “Damian! Are you insane? That’s your child! I’m three months pregnant!” I shrieked, my voice raw with terror. “My child? Hahahaha! I can’t even have children! I’m sick! I’m a lunatic! How could a lunatic have a child?!” Damian roared, like a rabid beast. He lunged, grabbing my hair and slamming my head against the wall. Thud! It hurt. But I held it in. I collapsed to the floor, curling into a ball. “Don’t hit me… please… don’t hurt the baby…” I cried out, my voice growing weaker. But this didn’t awaken his conscience; instead, it acted as a catalyst, driving him further into madness. “Die! All of you, just die!” Damian raised his foot and brutally kicked my stomach. Once. Twice. I felt the phantom snap of a rib. But I had to wait for the most vicious blow. Now! I violently crushed the blood pack hidden in my clothes. Warm, viscous liquid gushed out, soaking my dress and streaming down my thighs, pooling on the floor. Bright red blood spread across the white tiles, a horrifying sight. I let out one last scream, then pushed the already prepared “fetal model” from beneath my dress. It lay in the pool of blood, a small, purplish-black mass, grotesque and terrifying. The world went silent. Damian stopped moving. He gasped for breath, his eyes fixated on the puddle of blood on the floor and the mass of flesh within it. His pupils constricted violently, and he froze, as if struck by lightning. I “fainted.” But in the instant before I closed my eyes, I saw the look of utter breakdown on Damian’s face. It was terror. Not because he had hit me, but because—he had killed.

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