Category: English

My husband married into my family. But I was more than happy to support him. After all, he had the looks and the build—and most importantly, he had real talent. He could help me take the company to new heights. Until at the corporate year-end gala, I caught sight of the female VP who’d been shadowing him all evening. She leaned in slightly and smoothed down his cuff with practiced ease. That night when we got home, I tossed him a transfer order with a smile. “By next week, she’s being relocated to our European division.” Charlie frowned. “She’s still managing core projects.” I brushed at a non-existent wrinkle on my dress, my voice light and unhurried. “Do you know why I’ve never bothered to interfere with you two?” “Because in my world, people are like projects—I only keep the ones I can control.” He went silent for a long moment before finally speaking. “How long are you planning to send her away for?” I looked up at him, lips curving into a smile. “That depends on your performance.” After all, his first lesson should be: never make your master teach you the meaning of boundaries herself. ……

By the time I arrived, there was already a woman standing next to my husband Charlie. Long wavy hair, crimson lips, dressed in a bold red evening gown—her delicate hand resting naturally in the crook of Charlie’s arm. I raised an eyebrow and walked over to Charlie’s side without changing my expression. When Audrey saw me, she made no move to release Charlie’s arm. Instead, she leaned in slightly, smiling at me. “Miss Laura, you’re here. That dress looks stunning on you tonight—white really brings out your complexion.” Her words were complimentary, but her body pressed even closer to Charlie. She looked down, smoothing her own dress. “Not like me. I’ve been fighting in the trenches with Mr. Charlie for so long, I can’t pull off such an elegant color. I’d only ruin it.” I looked at her with a smile but said nothing. Charlie smoothly extracted his arm and took two steps forward to my side, wrapping his hand around my waist as he said quietly, “Mr. Brown is here today. Let’s go say hello.” Audrey was naturally left standing where she was, head lowered, lost in thought. Halfway through the gala, I stood beside Charlie with a glass of champagne, watching him exchange pleasantries with several directors from headquarters. At some point, Audrey had positioned herself on Charlie’s other side. She jumped into the conversation at just the right moments. She steered the discussion perfectly toward the high-stakes deals she and Charlie had closed together. And then, at just the right moment, she suddenly reached out and brushed something off Charlie’s cuff. “Mr. Charlie, right here.” Charlie glanced at me and shifted away from her hand. Audrey’s hand froze mid-air. She didn’t seem bothered, though. Instead, she turned to look at me, her eyes glistening. “Miss Laura, please don’t take offense. I’ve spent so many years building this empire alongside Mr. Charlie, taking care of him has become second nature.” She paused, her lips curving into a smile as she sighed. “Sometimes I wonder—if I’d been born with Miss Laura’s privileges, maybe I could’ve lived comfortably as a wealthy heiress instead of weathering every storm, grinding myself down into this rough version of who I am now.” Finally, she concluded: “I really envy you. I wasn’t so lucky.” I couldn’t help but laugh, studying her with interest for a few seconds. “Miss Audrey, has the pressure gotten to you? Are you having some kind of breakdown?” Audrey’s smile faltered. She stared at me in shock. I handed my champagne glass to Charlie beside me and straightened his collar. “Have you been putting too much pressure on Miss Audrey? She’s started talking nonsense in broad daylight.” “It’s embarrassing, really.” The area around us gradually fell silent. Several directors exchanged glances and smiled as they echoed my words. “That’s right, Audrey’s worked herself into some kind of delusion.” “Young people, ambition is good. But too much ambition makes you lose touch with reality. Do it long enough and you can’t tell the difference between privilege and fantasy anymore.” Audrey’s smile completely collapsed. “Gentlemen, you’re joking. I was only—” “Only what? Only envying President Laura’s good fortune?” “Young lady, President Laura doesn’t just sit at home drinking coffee. When she was managing billion-dollar investment portfolios, you and Mr. Charlie were probably still scraping by in the dirt.” The comment was cutting enough that it didn’t even spare Charlie. Someone laughed quietly. Audrey’s face went paler and paler. She looked at Charlie helplessly. Charlie rubbed his temples, his tone sharp as he addressed Audrey: “Apologize to Miss Laura. If the pressure’s too much, take some time off. Stop spouting nonsense.” Audrey froze. Her gaze shattered as she looked at me and said hoarsely, “Miss Laura, I’m sorry.” I didn’t look at her. I didn’t even wait for her to finish. Charlie called out softly, “Laura.” I turned the bracelet on my wrist, acting as if I hadn’t heard him, and said goodbye to the gentlemen. “Gentlemen, enjoy yourselves. I have a meeting early tomorrow.” After a few polite exchanges, I’d already taken two steps toward the exit. People around me began stepping aside, nodding in acknowledgment. “Miss Laura, have a good evening.” “Miss Laura, see you at next week’s meeting.” “Miss Laura, please give my regards to your father.” President Laura. Not Charlie’s wife.

When we got home, Charlie opened the car door for me. Under the dim courtyard lights, I studied that handsome face and suddenly remembered the first time he met my father. My father had been drinking coffee, asking him what his plans were. He’d said he wanted to start a business, to help me expand the family empire. My father had smiled and simply said, “Ambitious.” Later, he’d delivered on that promise. The subsidiary company he managed had launched a new brand. In just five years, the brand’s valuation had increased tenfold. The people in our social circle who’d once mocked Charlie for marrying into my family now addressed him respectfully as “Mr. Charlie.” Too bad shortcuts have a way of making you forget how you got to where you are. I looked at Charlie standing before me and brushed an invisible speck off his shoulder. “By next week at the latest, transfer Audrey to the European division.” Charlie frowned. “She’s still managing core projects—” I raised my eyes, my voice calm. “I’m informing you, not asking for your input.” Charlie pressed his lips together. “Laura, you know nothing’s happened between Audrey and me.” I nodded, looking down to smooth the pale fabric of my dress. “Charlie, do you know why I passed over so many excellent strategic matches and chose to marry you?” Charlie’s expression turned uncomfortable. Back then, when we’d gotten together, he’d been the one to push open my bedroom door and offer himself. I smiled, unconcerned. “Because you’re smart. You knew you had no background, no connections—but your ambition and hunger were strong enough that you refused to settle. So you came to me.” “And what I valued was exactly that refusal to settle. People who refuse to settle claw their way up. They treat the family business like their own life, fighting for it with everything they have. I needed someone like that.” He stood in the shadows, his expression dazed. I touched his face. “Charlie, these past five years you’ve exceeded my expectations. I trust you won’t disappoint me going forward, will you?” He stood in the shadows, silent. I couldn’t make out his expression. I smiled and walked past him into the house. If he knew when to advance and when to retreat, I wouldn’t mind helping him climb even higher. The next morning, the butler told me Charlie had stood in the courtyard for half the night. I sipped my coffee and raised an eyebrow at the latest personnel announcement on my phone. Rushed and bare-bones, but apparently effective immediately. Audrey had been transferred to Europe. The matter should have ended there, naturally. But a year later, during the holidays, I found Audrey at Charlie’s parents’ house. She answered the door, then casually took the gift bags from my assistant’s hands with familiar ease. “Miss Laura, long time no see.” She smiled warmly, wearing an apron and the slippers I usually wore when I visited. “Come in, come in. I’m cooking today—don’t be shy, eat as much as you like.” Charlie’s mother stood in the living room, wringing her hands nervously. “Laura’s here… come in, come in…” I lifted my chin slightly, my face cold as I stared at Audrey. “Are you going to leave on your own, or should I have someone help you leave?” Her lips twitched, but she maintained her composure as she spoke. “Miss Laura, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come.” “I’ve always treated Charlie’s mother like my own. I used to visit often to keep her company, go shopping with her.” “This past year I was transferred to Europe, and I felt so empty inside. So the moment I got time off, I wanted to come back to see her, and to see… everyone.” I let out a cold laugh, seizing on her deliberately ambiguous tone. “Audrey, do you think I’m an idiot?” “I let you off once. Did you think that made me soft-hearted and merciful?” “Last time. Are you leaving or not?” I raised my hand slightly. Security guards nearby moved in closer. “Miss Laura!” Audrey’s voice turned sharp and shrill, her face showing undisguised defiance and humiliation. “I know you look down on me. You were born with privilege, with luck, with an amazing husband like Mr. Charlie. But what gives you the right to trample me underfoot?” “People like us aren’t like you. We fight with everything we have just to get a little bit. We cherish every little thing we manage to get. What’s wrong with that?” The living room fell silent. I turned my head toward Charlie, who’d just finished a phone call and walked in. “When she says ‘us,’ does that include you?”

Charlie pressed his lips together and glanced at me before walking over to Audrey, whose eyes were red but chin still raised high in defiance. “You should go.” Audrey’s eyes flushed crimson as she called out, “Mr. Charlie.” Charlie didn’t look at her again. He lowered his eyes, his voice quiet. “I’ll have someone take you home.” Audrey removed the apron and slippers, then walked away in her heels. Charlie’s parents’ house fell into silence. His mother tiptoed upstairs. Charlie walked up to me, his voice gentle as he explained. “I didn’t know she was coming. You know my mom has a soft heart. When Mom had her surgery, Audrey stayed by her bedside for an entire week.” “So when Audrey said she wanted to visit, Mom didn’t think it through and said yes.” I looked quietly into his eyes. He didn’t look away. “Charlie, this is the second time you’ve allowed her in front of me.” Charlie sighed. “Laura, I told you I didn’t invite her here.” “You didn’t invite her. You just allowed it.” “You got here half a day before me. You weren’t blind when you walked in, were you? You saw her bustling around your parents’ house, and you let her stay.” I looked at him. “What were you waiting for?” He said nothing. I smiled, though the smile didn’t reach my eyes. “Charlie, there won’t be a third time.” I didn’t go inside Charlie’s parents’ house that day. As I was leaving, Charlie chased after me and blocked my way. “If you leave now, what will my parents think? You only see them once a year. Do you really have to humiliate them like this?” I didn’t stop walking. His voice finally lost that calm composure. “Fine. I apologize, okay? Is that enough?” I stopped, my voice colder than his. “When you let Audrey through that door, did you think about the consequences?” His face turned ashen as he stared at me. I let out a cold laugh and got into the car without looking back. No one in this world had been born yet who could make me swallow my pride and suffer in silence. He was overestimating himself. Charlie stayed at his parents’ house that night. He didn’t come home for three days straight. It wasn’t until my family’s estate hosted a New Year’s party that he finally showed up. My friend Rosen stood beside me and whistled, his tone full of schadenfreude. “Showing up right when the party’s about to start—looks like President Laura’s lost control of her prize horse. You’ve let him run wild.” I stared coldly at Charlie’s car, though my voice remained calm. “If he’s gone wild, that means he needs to be disciplined.” Rosen raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond. At the dinner party, I held onto Charlie’s arm with a gentle smile, as if there had never been any rift between us. Charlie, on the other hand, seemed uncomfortable. The arm I held was tense with rigid muscles. I turned my head, pretending to adjust his tie, and whispered, “Relax. Smile.” He looked down at me and forced his lips into a curve. It looked terrible. My eyes went completely cold. He hadn’t even reached the top yet, and he already thought he had enough skill and confidence to defy me. I tightened my grip. Just as I was about to threaten him, Rosen’s lazy voice drifted over. “Well, well, well, who do we have here? If it isn’t Mr. Charlie himself.” Charlie turned his head and nodded slightly. “Mr. Rosen, it’s been a while.” Rosen’s smile was absolutely genuine. “My old man’s been singing your praises for years now. Mr. Charlie’s impressive—being able to build up a subsidiary to this level isn’t something just anyone can do.” Charlie smiled but didn’t respond. Rosen winked at me. “But you know, talent sometimes comes down to luck.” “Some people claw their way up for decades and never make it. Others hook up with the right person and reach the top in five years.” The air went still for a moment. Charlie’s jawline went rigid. Rosen acted like he hadn’t noticed and kept talking. “Of course, hooking up with the right person is a talent in itself.” “You’ve got to know how to read the room, when to push forward, when to pull back. And most importantly, you’ve got to remember who you are and whose boat you’re standing on.” He tilted his head, swirling his drink with a smile as he looked at Charlie. “Oh man, was that too harsh? Don’t take it personally, Mr. Charlie. I didn’t mean anything by it. Just making an observation.” “After all, these days it’s pretty rare to see someone ride their wife’s coattails as successfully as you have, Mr. Charlie.” Charlie’s face turned dark. He looked at me.

I let out a soft laugh, slowly raising my glass to take a small sip. I made no move to rescue him. More meaningful glances turned our way. Rosen sighed, putting on a show of sympathy for Charlie. “Don’t blame me for being blunt, Mr. Charlie.” “I feel for you, really. You’ve worked so hard to get where you are today. Some people praise you as a young talent, but behind your back, they say all kinds of things.” He paused, lowering his voice. “They say you got where you are by riding your wife’s success. That without President Laura, you’d be nothing.” “Those words sting, don’t they? I hate hearing them too. But you’ve got to admit, there’s… some truth to what they’re saying.” Charlie was silent for a few seconds before his voice came out tight. “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Rosen. But I don’t need a spoiled rich kid who does nothing all day to worry about me.” The party wasn’t even halfway through when Charlie left abruptly. Rosen stood beside me as we watched Charlie’s car drive away. “So how are you going to thank me?” I withdrew my gaze and smiled at him. “Some of Charlie’s projects can be redirected to you going forward.” Rosen raised an eyebrow. “Decided on divorce?” I texted my assistant to prepare divorce papers. “He’s used up his chances. Time to send him back where he belongs.” He climbed the wall and started tearing down the ladder, thinking he’d grown wings. He forgot who built that ladder in the first place. But I could give him the ladder to heaven, and I could just as easily let him come crashing down. That night at the party, I accompanied my father alone as we saw off the last batch of guests. My father suddenly spoke. “Made up your mind?” I adjusted my shawl and answered softly, “He forgot who he is.” As I walked out of the estate, I glanced back. This was where Charlie had stood at the entrance with a ring, proposing to me. Fine beads of sweat had dotted his forehead, but every word came out steady and firm. “Laura, give me a chance. I’ll prove to you that choosing me was the right decision.” At the time, I’d thought he was interesting. He didn’t want money. Didn’t want shares. He’d even volunteered to sign a prenup. I’d believed in him. Given him a chance. Too bad people’s hearts can change. When I got home, it was already eleven o’clock. The lights by the entrance were on. Charlie sat on the sofa with a bottle of wine, drinking straight from the bottle. This man who was usually steady as a rock and unshakeable looked unusually disheveled. Hearing footsteps, he didn’t get up or turn around. “Miss Laura. You’re back.” I set my purse on the entrance table and walked barefoot across the carpet, sitting down on the armchair across from him. He didn’t look at me. His gaze was unfocused, staring at some point in empty space. “Those things Rosen said—that was your doing, wasn’t it?” I didn’t deny it. He finally raised his eyes, anger that had been building all evening blazing in them. “Laura, are you satisfied?” “Humiliating me in front of all those people, having someone point at my face and call me a freeloader, letting them watch me like I’m some kind of circus act—are you satisfied now?” I propped my chin on my hand and leaned back against the sofa, watching him quietly. Charlie hurled the wine bottle onto the white carpet. “I know that in your eyes, I’ll always be someone who exists only because of you.” “I live in your house, drive the car you assigned me, and everyone knows Mr. Charlie is just a high-level employee. The real boss is you, Miss Laura.” He twisted his lips into a sarcastic smile. “But I’m still a person. I still have dignity.” “You had Rosen humiliate me in public. You just stood there holding your glass, watching me like I was some servant who’d messed up.” He stood up, looking down at me from above. “Laura, people like you will never learn what respect means because you’re always looking down from above!” “You humiliate Audrey, you humiliate me. Will people like us who clawed our way up from the bottom never earn the right to be seen as equals by people like you?!” I couldn’t help but laugh. He frowned. “What are you laughing at?” “I’m laughing at you.” I stood up. I was half a head shorter than him, but my presence was no less commanding. “Charlie, these past five years you’ve been the successful and accomplished Mr. Charlie out in the world, and the thoughtful, caring husband at home. When I worked late you’d bring me food. Everyone said Laura had excellent taste in husbands.” “I thought you truly accepted this marriage. I never held back on giving you resources. When you couldn’t crack tough deals, I visited every uncle one by one, asking them to take care of you.” “But it turns out you’ve resented it all along.” “You should have said something sooner. I don’t need you specifically.” His face showed confusion. He didn’t speak. I took a step forward. He took half a step back. “You say I don’t respect you. So tell me, what does respect look like?” “Should I have pretended not to see when Audrey took your arm? Should I have praised her dedication when she straightened your cuff?” “Or when your mother welcomed her into your house to wear my slippers, sit in my seat, acting like the lady of the house—should I have smiled and accepted it, shaken her hand and welcomed her, for that to count as respecting you?” He opened his mouth. “My mom was just being soft-hearted…” “But you weren’t.” I cut him off. “You were just waiting. Waiting for me to arrive, to see, to get angry.” “What were you testing?” He fell silent. After a long pause, he said hoarsely, “Audrey and I really haven’t done anything.” “She walked this journey with me to get where I am today. She helped me a lot. So sometimes I… I couldn’t bring myself to be harsh with her.” I looked at him quietly. “You can be soft-hearted. But you can’t play dumb.” “Charlie, you’re too smart.” “So smart that from the first time Audrey got close to you, you knew exactly what she was thinking. You didn’t push her away because you needed her. You needed a loyal subordinate, a woman who would give everything for you.” “You allowed her to get close, enjoyed her admiration, and then conveniently used her to train and test me.” His face went pale, bit by bit. “Too bad you miscalculated. I’m Laura. I’m not your accessory wife.” “You want to mold me into the shape you want? Dream on.” I held out the manila envelope I’d been holding. “We’re done.” “The agreement has a detailed property division plan. After you sign it, give it to the lawyer. You can stay in the house until the end of the month.”

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In my hometown, there’s a custom: wedding cars can never go in reverse. Otherwise, the marriage will be cursed with misfortune. But on our wedding day, my groom Ethan Brooks reversed his entire convoy twenty kilometers just to make way for another wedding procession. I was about to roll down the window to ask what was going on when I overheard Ethan talking to his best man. “Going a hundred kilometers out of our way just to see Wendy off on her wedding day—you’re way too good to her.” “Aren’t you afraid Mandy will lose it?” Ethan’s voice was casual, unconcerned. “Relax. Mandy’s waited ten years. No matter how mad she gets, she won’t actually get out of the car and run.” “If my family wasn’t pressuring me so hard, why would I have agreed to marry her so easily?” “Wendy couldn’t marry me, so escorting her to her wedding is my way of making it up to her for all these years.” Wendy is his first love. I let out a bitter laugh. So this is what they call a happy ending after years of hardship. Turns out it was all just my own delusion. I opened my chat and sent my location to someone. “Still want to marry me? Get here fast.”

Twenty-four wedding cars reversed down the winding mountain road. Two of my bridesmaids frowned and complained. “Mandy, we’ve already backed up over twenty kilometers! If we keep going, we’ll be back at your front door!” “Seriously! The road’s wide enough—we could totally squeeze past!” My heart felt like a deflated balloon. The bridesmaids got out of the car to argue on my behalf. “Ethan, don’t you know wedding cars aren’t supposed to go in reverse?” “Yeah, we’ve already backed up over twenty kilometers! How much farther do you want us to go?” Ethan sensed the tension and strode over, leaning against my car window. His face was so close—those trembling eyes and that faint cedarwood scent used to be my weakness. But right now, I felt nothing. “Mandy, just hang in there a bit longer. Once we get to the next turnoff, we’ll stop reversing.” I looked at Wendy in the opposite wedding car, her face glowing with joy. My voice came out flat. “Whatever you want.” Ethan’s smile froze. He clearly hadn’t expected me to respond like that. The groomsmen crowded around. “Mandy, don’t be mad. The road’s too narrow to pass. We have to reverse.” “Yeah, and our convoy is closer to the turnoff anyway. It saves time if we’re the ones to back up.” “Exactly! Mandy, don’t give Ethan attitude. He’s doing his best here.” I let out a cold laugh. “Didn’t we just pass two turnoffs? Why didn’t you reverse onto those side roads?” The groomsmen were speechless, all looking at Ethan. Ethan grabbed my hand. “Mandy, this is my fault. I didn’t plan the route well. When we get home, I’ll make it up to you personally.” Did he really not plan the route well? Or did he deliberately take this detour to see Wendy off? I let out a calm breath and shook my head, not wanting to pursue it further. “No need, Ethan.” The groomsmen, missing my tone entirely, laughed and praised me. “See? Mandy’s so understanding and considerate of Ethan.” “Man, you guys are goals. We don’t even need to explain anything!” The group walked away laughing, taking Ethan with them. They went back to directing the wedding convoy to make way for Wendy’s procession. My phone buzzed repeatedly. “Mandy Foster, I thought you were supposed to be something special. Turns out even on your wedding day, you have to make way for me.” “Ha! I didn’t even have to lift a finger. Ethan cleared every obstacle for me. If you didn’t know better, you’d think I was his bride!” She forwarded me a screenshot. A post Ethan had just made on Instagram. “If I can’t marry you, at least I can pave you a smooth path covered in flowers.” I looked down at the road. It was covered in petals of Damascus roses—Wendy’s favorite. My nose stung, and hot tears slid down my cheeks. Voice nearly breaking, I called Ethan at the back of the convoy. “Ethan, I don’t want to reverse anymore.” The line went silent for two seconds. “Mandy, we’re almost—” I hung up and took a deep breath. Ethan, from this moment on, I’ll never make myself wait for you again.

I tried to open the door, but suddenly the back of the car dropped. My elbow and head slammed hard against the door. Sharp pain made me gasp. Screams erupted all around. Pure chaos. “The back wheel fell into the drainage ditch!” “Someone help! Quick!” “Mandy! Mandy, are you okay? Are you hurt?” The two bridesmaids pounded on the windows, checking on me. I touched my head. Warm liquid trickled from my forehead down my temple. In the rearview mirror, Ethan was rushing frantically toward the wedding car. He got closer and closer. But he didn’t stop at my tilted car. Instead, he ran straight to the car across from us. “Were you not paying attention?! Wendy’s shaking like a leaf!” Ethan pointed his finger right in the other driver’s face and yelled. Friends and family from both sides exchanged glances, smirking and covering their mouths. Laughing at the overturned car. Laughing at me inside it. I closed my eyes, praying for that person to come get me quickly. I didn’t want to stay here another second. The driver tried for ages but couldn’t get the stuck rear wheel out. Everyone discussed lifting the car. “Maybe the bride should get out first? What if she gets hurt again?” “Good idea. Better to be safe on such an important day.” Ethan came back after calming Wendy down, his face stern as he objected. “No. Mandy can only get out at the destination. Getting out midway is bad luck!” Everyone fell silent and used all their strength to lift the car out of the ditch. Ethan brushed the dirt off his hands, smiling brightly. “Mandy, you’re not hurt, are you? Today’s been all my fault.” “After the wedding’s over, I’ll take you to the Maldives for our honeymoon, okay?” He always used this kind of unfair tenderness to soothe my emotions. But right now, I just wanted to get out of here as fast as possible. “Once we get to the next turnoff, I’m going back hom—” “Ethan! Ethan, Wendy twisted her ankle!” The man dropped me and strode toward the other car. As if he were the groom in that wedding convoy. My bridesmaids were shaking with anger. “If her ankle’s twisted, she should rest! Why’s she making a scene?” “And their actual groom—is he useless or what? Something happens and all he does is yell for Ethan!” “Mandy, if you weren’t so dead-set on marrying him, I’d slap him right now and drive you home myself.” I smiled without saying a word. Soon. The person coming to get me was already on the way. A moment later, Ethan walked back from Wendy’s car, where he’d been crouching to check her injury, his brow furrowed. He pushed the bridesmaids aside and yanked the car door open. His voice was urgent, brooking no argument. “Wendy twisted her ankle. You studied medicine—get out and help her!” I grabbed the back of the passenger seat, resisting his pull. The bridesmaids blocked him. “Ethan, you just said yourself that it’s bad luck for the bride to get out midway! Forget already?” “Exactly! A twisted ankle isn’t life-threatening. Just put some ice on it.” “Stop making Mandy sacrifice everything for Wendy, okay?” Hearing my bridesmaids’ words, my eyes welled up with tears. But Ethan ignored them, pulling me even harder. “Mandy Foster, this is an emergency! Can you put aside those outdated superstitions for one second?!” “Ethan, I don’t want to.” My tears fell on the back of his hand. He flinched as if burned. But the next second, his cold voice rang out. “Please. I’m begging you.” “I’ll give you whatever you want, okay?” “Wendy can’t handle pain.” I looked at his anxious, stubborn eyes and laughed bitterly. “Whatever I want?” “Yes.” “Let’s break up.”

Ethan froze, then tilted his head in exasperation. “Mandy, playing hard to get only works on certain people.” “It doesn’t work on me.” I still gripped the seat back tightly, refusing to let go. He let out a cold laugh and shoved his hands into his pockets, releasing me. “You’re really going to be like this?” “Yes. Unless we break up, don’t expect me to do anything for you.” Ethan ran his tongue over his lower lip, glancing at Wendy. After just a moment, he quietly said, “Fine.” I got out of the car and brushed past Ethan. He whispered a warning. “If you take your anger out on Wendy on purpose, don’t blame me for being ruthless and leaving you here.” People from both wedding convoys stood along the roadside. I walked in my wedding dress and heels toward the other car. People whispered to each other, smirks on their faces. In the ten-million-dollar Mercedes SUV, Wendy sat draped in white, filling the entire back seat. She looked pure and elegant beyond words. Leaning back in her seat, she smiled and extended her foot. “Sorry to trouble you, Mandy!” “We studied medicine together in college. Who knew I’d twist my ankle on my wedding day and still get taken care of by a classmate? I’m so lucky!” “Ethan, you’d better treasure such a kind and caring bride.” “If you dare bully her, I’ll beat you up.” Ethan gazed at Wendy, his eyes full of happy smiles. I crouched down and lifted Wendy’s foot to examine the injury. “Ah!” “Mandy Foster! What are you doing?” Ethan yanked me away and cradled Wendy’s foot like it was precious jade. I fell hard onto the asphalt. My palms scraped and bled. “Wendy, Mandy didn’t even touch you yet! What are you screaming about?!” My bridesmaid pointed at Wendy and yelled. “And you, Ethan—what’s your problem? Doctors can’t treat injuries without causing some pain!” “This bitch screams once and you shove Mandy like that?!” “You—!” Ethan’s chest heaved. He knew he was in the wrong and had to swallow his anger. Reluctantly, he grabbed my shoulder and helped me up. “Sorry. I overreacted.” Wendy stuck out her tongue playfully. “Mandy, I’m sorry! You know me—I’m terrified of pain. Sorry about that!” I didn’t want to hear any more of this. I just wanted to bandage her up and get out of here. “Do you have ice? Gauze?” “We have gauze, but no ice. Just frozen bottled water.” “Bring both.” Seeing my complete lack of emotion, Ethan’s heart beat uneasily. He tried to help several times, but I subtly kept my distance. I dampened the gauze and wrapped it around her swollen ankle. “Ah!” Wendy kicked me in the face. I lost my balance and fell again. “Sorry, sorry, Mandy! I really didn’t mean it this time.” I lowered my head and took a deep breath. I didn’t see Ethan’s instinctive move to catch me. “Wendy, Mandy’s been crouching for so long. Stop messing with her.” Wendy pouted and shot Ethan a playful look. “I’ll apologize for Wendy. Let me help you up.” I pushed him away, polite but distant. “No need. Thank you.” I finished the last steps of treatment. “Without ice, you’ll need to pour cold water on the gauze every half hour to reduce the swelling.” “Don’t do strenuous exercise. Don’t stand for long periods.” Wendy examined her foot from different angles. “It’s wrapped so ugly. Thanks, though.” I walked back toward my wedding car without looking back. Ethan bumped shoulders with his groomsmen, speaking quietly. “See? Told you she was playing hard to get. I knew it. All that ‘break up’ stuff—she’s just trying to get a rise out of me.” “Ethan’s got her figured out completely.” “Women, man. You can’t give them too much face or they’ll walk all over you.” I said nothing. I opened the car door, grabbed my purse, and took my two bridesmaids with me. Then I walked toward the person coming to get me.

I brushed past them. The groomsmen and Ethan stood frozen. “Wait, what?” “She’s actually leaving?” Ethan watched my resolute back and caught up, grabbing my hand. His voice held barely detectable panic. “Mandy Foster, what the hell are you doing?!” “We’re breaking up. Exactly what it sounds like.” “Are you done with this tantrum? Don’t you see everyone’s waiting for you?” I looked back at the twenty-four wedding cars. Not a single person was waiting for me. “They’re waiting for you.” “Waiting for you to finish reversing for your precious childhood sweetheart, scatter rose petals for her, and see her off one last time.” Ethan clenched his jaw, too guilty to respond. I pulled my hand free and kept walking. He shouted furiously. “Mandy Foster! If you leave today, you’ll never get another chance to come back to me! Don’t you dare regret this!!” No one answered him. Let him perform this farce alone. That person sent me a shared location. The distance was closing. I walked quickly with my bridesmaids. The groomsmen saw things escalating and kept scratching their heads. “Ethan, you should go after her and smooth things over! Otherwise she really will leave.” Wendy stuck her head out the car window. “Ethan, this is all my fault. I made Mandy angry.” “Should I go apologize to her?” Ethan’s furrowed brow smoothed out instantly. “It’s bad luck for the bride to get out midway. Stay put. Don’t worry about her.” “But what if Mandy really leaves?” Ethan touched the diamond tiara on her head. “Be good. Today’s your most important day. I’ll make sure this road is completely clear for you.” “Don’t worry. She’s been chasing me for years. She won’t go far. She’s probably waiting in some shady spot for me to come apologize!” Wendy smiled and nuzzled his palm like a kitten. “Ethan, the wedding dress you gave me is beautiful. The diamond necklace, earrings, tiara, and bracelet—Wendy loves them all.” “Even though I can’t marry you, you’ll always be in my heart.” Ethan was distracted and didn’t really hear what Wendy said. He suddenly realized—Mandy wasn’t wearing any decent jewelry today. Ethan looked in the direction Mandy had gone. Would her heels hurt if she walked too long? The sun was so strong—did she even put on sunscreen? She’d rather walk away with her bridesmaids than stay. Was she really that angry? He turned around and quickly got the convoys moving. “Wendy, I’ll see you off to here.” Wendy threw open the car door, jumped out, and shouted something at him. He floored the gas pedal. The wind was too loud—he couldn’t hear a thing. “Ethan, look at you! Saying you’ll let go and then actually letting go. Just walking away like that—you’re so flexible!” “This is wild! Let’s go! Time to pick up the bride!” He was grinning ear to ear in the driver’s seat. For the first time, he believed the saying “boys will be boys.” He could already imagine how happy Mandy would look when she saw him catch up to her so quickly. She’d probably cry from happiness. Ethan wore his sunglasses, lips curving up involuntarily. But the mountain road twisted and turned. The further he drove, the less confident he felt. The more anxious he became. Fifteen minutes passed. He didn’t see a single soul. “Ethan, did Mandy hitch a ride and take off?” “Shut up. We were blocking the road. What ride could she hitch?” “Right, right! Don’t talk nonsense! She’s probably hiding somewhere waiting for us to find her!” “Keep driving.” Ethan pulled out his phone, hands shaking slightly. He called Mandy. After a few rings, she hung up mercilessly. He called again. She blocked him. He sent messages, tried SnapChat—everything disappeared into the void. He gripped the steering wheel, furious. “Hey! Ethan, look! There they are!” “They’re at the fifth curve!” Ethan focused and looked. His whole body relaxed. “Whoa! She even called a car and got herself a longer train for her dress!” “So she went to prepare a surprise for Ethan!” “Nice one, Mandy! You know how to make him happy!” Ethan couldn’t suppress the smile spreading across his face. Just then, his business rival of over a decade, Lucas Sterling, called. Ethan was in such a good mood he casually hit accept. With just one sentence from the other end, the phone slipped from his hand. “Ethan, thanks for giving Mandy to me.” Ethan gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles, his foot slamming the gas pedal nearly to the floor. Because he saw me, holding my dress train, climbing into Lucas Sterling’s wedding car.

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“You’re Mr. Hart’s granddaughter?” Four years after our breakup, Ethan Pierce stood at the door asking me this, his tone so distant, as if we had never met. Before I could answer, a bright, cheerful voice came through his phone. “Let’s go set off fireworks together after dinner.” Four years ago, that same voice had forced him to choose. He dumped me on the spot and told me our seven years together were just a way to make Vivian jealous. I gripped the gift bag tighter, my knuckles turning white. Mr. Pierce Senior was Grandpa’s old war buddy and also my secret patient. They did not know that the “worthless woman” they mocked relentlessly, the one they abandoned without a second thought, was actually the only surgeon who could save his life. Then Vivian deliberately kicked over the fireworks. The launch tubes aimed straight at me. Ethan rushed past me and threw himself over Vivian, shielding her with his body. Searing pain exploded in my eyes. “Natalie, Vivian passed out. I’m taking her away first. Find somewhere safe and wait for me.” Fine then. I will hide somewhere he will never find me again.

Natalie’s POV With Thanksgiving approaching, Grandpa’s war buddy returned home due to illness. As the secretly hired specialist surgeon, I accompanied Grandpa on a visit. I never expected to see Ethan Pierce answering the door, my ex-boyfriend who had cut contact four years ago. The moment our eyes met, we both froze. Ethan broke the silence first. “You’re Mr. Hart’s granddaughter?” Before I could respond, his phone rang. Vivian Ross’s bright voice came through. “Let’s go set off fireworks in the suburbs after dinner. We’ll pray for Grandpa and wish him a successful surgery.” My hand clenched around the gift bag. Four years ago, that same voice had demanded hysterically: “Choose! Her or me, Ethan? Natalie Hart or Vivian Ross?” Vivian had pointed at me sitting nearby, her laugh cold. “Ethan, I know you got together with Natalie just to provoke me, to make me see my own heart clearly. Well, I see it now. So what about you? If you want me, break up with her. Right now.” My heart seized. I looked instinctively at Ethan in the booth, hoping he’d deny it. If he just explained, I’d believe him. Because I couldn’t believe that seven years together, three years dating, had only been manipulation. But Ethan just looked at me silently, his eyes showing the relief of truth finally exposed. Clearly dissatisfied with his silence, Vivian grabbed her purse from the table and smiled coldly. “You’re hesitating. Fine. Since this decision is so hard for you, I’ll back out. You and her can stay together.” She turned to leave, but Ethan pulled her into his arms, coaxing gently: “You’ve got to give me some time to process, don’t you? If I’d known that one kiss with another girl in front of you would make you see your feelings clearly, why would I have wasted all that time?” In that moment, I dug my nails into my palm, forcing down the burning sensation in my nose. So he thought being with me was wasting time. But I had truly loved Ethan Pierce for seven years. Seven years. I’d offered him my most precious love. At first he ignored it. Later, when he finally accepted it, it was only to use me as a tool to provoke the woman he actually loved, to make Vivian face her own feelings. So what did that make me? A catalyst for their love? I was about to speak when Ethan, still holding Vivian, cut me off. “Let’s break up, Natalie. We’re done.” Seeing his complete indifference, my heart still couldn’t help but ache. I forced down the tightness in my throat and asked: “Why me?” “Because you liked me.” He tilted his head slightly, his smile carrying a careless arrogance. “You chased me for four years straight. You threw yourself at me. I chose to do you a favor. Shouldn’t you be grateful?” He paused, then laughed softly. “At least be grateful I let you into a world you could never have entered on your own.” In that moment, I finally realized he truly had never liked me. And from the very beginning, he’d looked down on me. He chose me only because I was loyal enough and had no connections, so I’d be easy to dispose of. That day, I don’t remember how I fled the club in humiliation. I only remember the mocking, jeering looks from everyone in that private room, drowning me.

Natalie’s POV I stood by the street and pulled out my phone to call a car. My fingers were shaking, but I accidentally opened Instagram instead. Ethan, who almost never posted on Instagram, had posted something two minutes ago. A photo of him and Vivian kissing, surrounded by their friends, filled my screen. The caption read: “I always thought I couldn’t love someone properly. Being with you taught me I was just saving all that love for you. Hello, girlfriend.” The comments were full of congratulations. Even friends who’d recently praised how well Ethan and I matched had changed their tune. “A real princess looks best standing next to you. Congrats on finally being with the woman you love.” The emotions I’d held in all night finally broke. I cried uncontrollably, mourning the waste of my genuine feelings. I thought Ethan’s devoted attention to me over our three years together came from love. I never imagined he was deliberately performing for Vivian to see. I was just a tool in their emotional tug-of-war. Seven whole years of liking him. Even just thinking about him had made my face flush and my heart race. In that moment, all of it turned to ashes. “Ethan, why are you standing in the doorway like that? Let the guests in!” Mrs. Pierce’s voice pulled me back to the present. I looked away and greeted her politely, then walked past Ethan into the house. Over the years, I’d heard many stories about Mr. Pierce Senior from Grandpa, but I never imagined he was Ethan’s grandfather. And Mr. Pierce Senior was also the patient I’d secretly taken on. The atmosphere at dinner was warm. My phone kept buzzing. I glanced down to see a screenful of messages from my daughter. A smile tugged at my lips as I typed a reply. “Baby, Mommy misses you too. I’ll come home as soon as I finish work.” She replied instantly: “Only miss your daughter? Not me?” My smile deepened. I typed “miss you too” and put down my phone. When I looked up, my gaze collided unexpectedly with Ethan’s dark eyes. Just one glance, and I looked away, returning to my meal. The next second, Mrs. Pierce warmly placed a steamed crab on my plate. I looked up to speak, but Ethan across from me suddenly said casually: “She can’t eat that.” The atmosphere went quiet for a moment. Everyone looked at him questioningly. Ethan cleared his throat and explained: “I’ve heard many people are allergic to seafood. Just mentioning it.” Mrs. Pierce turned to me. “Natalie, can you eat it?” I paused for a second, then shook my head calmly. “Actually, I am allergic.” Ethan’s lips curved almost imperceptibly. Mrs. Pierce kindly replaced it with other food. I thanked her politely, ignoring Ethan’s occasional glances. After dinner, the adults started chatting. Seeing me sitting idly, they asked Ethan, who’d just finished a phone call, to take me to set off fireworks. I started to decline, but Ethan had already grabbed his jacket and walked over. “Come along. It’ll be fun. I’ll drive you back after.” His familiar tone made Mrs. Pierce look over. Not wanting to arouse suspicion, I followed him to the car. “You can drop me at the nearest subway station.” I said politely. Ethan acted like he hadn’t heard, driving on his own. I repeated myself. This time Ethan finally glanced at me. “Why so nervous? You don’t actually think I want to get back together with you, do you?”

Natalie’s POV I looked at him calmly and said quietly: “That’s not what I thought. I just need to video call my daughter later. I can’t get back too late.” At that, Ethan laughed carelessly. “You’re lying to remind me you’ve moved on, aren’t you?” He turned to look at me, his smile deepening. “But don’t you think that tactic is a bit childish?” “Don’t worry. Even if you wanted to get back together, I wouldn’t choose you. So you don’t need to go through all this trouble making up excuses to avoid me. I’m only bringing you because Grandpa said the Pierce family doesn’t neglect guests.” With things at this point, I didn’t want to argue further. That would only make me seem petty and unable to let go. I could only text my daughter to tell her to sleep early tonight. After some time, the car stopped in front of a suburban villa. The moment I pushed open the villa door, everyone inside looked up at me, their faces showing surprise. “Natalie Hart.” Someone spoke first, their voice mocking. “Four years ago when your PhD application failed, Ethan wanted to help you out of past sentiment, but you ran off abroad without a word. We all thought you had such backbone. Guess things didn’t work out overseas, so you came crawling back to him?” Laughter erupted throughout the villa. “Sucking up to Ethan beats working odd jobs abroad. After all, his pocket change could feed her for a lifetime.” “Too bad there is no chance now. Ever since Ethan left medicine to take over the family business, Pierce Group’s market value has multiplied who knows how many times. And our Vivian is now the hospital’s star surgeon. They’re a power couple. Stop your wishful thinking. You weren’t good enough before, and you are even less so now.” “Don’t say that.” Vivian spoke up at the right moment. “If it weren’t for Ethan and me, Natalie wouldn’t have left the country in anger. She is struggling so much now. Ethan and I are responsible.” She walked over to me, her tone condescending. “Tell you what, our hospital is hiring janitors. The job market’s tough right now. If you can’t find work, I’ll mention it to the director and get you in. The pay isn’t high, but it’s still six thousand dollars a month. Should help with expenses.” I looked at her calmly and declined. Someone immediately shouted at me: “Natalie, you came back to the country and showed up in front of Ethan again. Aren’t you just trying to get something out of him? Stop pretending! Vivian’s kind enough to offer you a job and you’re being picky? What, too embarrassing and the money’s too slow?” A man holding a wine glass walked over and grabbed my wrist. “Seeing how pathetic you are now, drink one glass and I’ll transfer you a thousand bucks.” “If you want fast money, come to me. I’ll introduce you around…” The group burst into mocking laughter. Vivian stood to the side as always, watching me with haughty disdain. But this time, I didn’t run. I took the glass, about to throw it in the man’s face, when Ethan, standing nearby, suddenly crushed out his cigarette and grabbed the man’s arm hard. “Behave yourself.” His expression was angry, his eyes cold. The man yelped as Ethan’s grip hurt him. Vivian tugged on Ethan’s sleeve, her tone displeased. “What are you doing?” His face stayed cold. “Today, Natalie Hart is a guest of the Pierce family. Anyone who disrespects her is slapping my face. Understand?” He released the man, who didn’t dare challenge Ethan but glared viciously at me.

Natalie’s POV I looked up at Ethan instinctively, surprised he would actually help me. Vivian was grinding her teeth, but she smiled and changed the subject. “You know Chris always jokes around. Why turn on your friend over an outsider? We came to set off fireworks. I’ll go light them.” Ethan nodded, his tone softening. “I’ll help.” “No need.” Vivian deliberately held his arm tighter. “I told you this fireworks show is my gift to you and Grandpa. You just need to enjoy it.” Ethan smiled and reached up to tap her nose. He glanced unconsciously in my direction, but I wasn’t even looking at them. I was looking down at my phone. I looked up at the same moment and saw the row of fireworks in the yard tip over due to Vivian’s “mistake,” the launch tubes aimed directly at where I stood. “Watch out!” Ethan’s face changed. He rushed forward, but as he passed me, he accidentally knocked me to the ground. Before I could react, I saw Ethan shield Vivian tightly under his body. The next second, exploding fireworks splashed into my eyes. Instantly, searing pain exploded deep in my eyeballs. It hurt so much I couldn’t even scream. I tried instinctively to move away, but waves of flames burned my hair and back, searing through my clothes, scorching my skin. Endless darkness and terror overwhelmed me. All I could do was crawl desperately sideways, my fingers searching blindly for an escape route. Just as I reached my breaking point, my fingers suddenly touched someone’s shoe. Like a drowning person grabbing driftwood, I clutched desperately at their pant leg. Even using all my strength to steady myself, my voice shook terribly. “Please, help me…” But before I finished, the person in front of me pulled away without hesitation. A familiar deep voice hit like a hammer, shattering my last shred of hope. “Natalie, Vivian passed out. I’m taking her out of here first. Find somewhere safe and wait for me. I’ll be right back.” I let go, all hope gone. Then, with my burning, bloodshot eyes, I struggled inch by inch toward the edge. The next second, a pair of hands suddenly helped me up. I was trembling all over, about to thank them, when someone shoved me hard. I fell heavily into the pool. Mocking laughter erupted by the poolside. “Natalie, a drowned rat should look like a drowned rat. How dare you compete with Vivian for a man? Did you go abroad, find out no man wanted you, and decide to come back crawling to Ethan? Give up that idea. Once Mr. Pierce Senior recovers, they’re getting married. So behave yourself, or we’ll make your life hell.” I struggled in the water despite the pain throughout my body. I tried to speak, but my throat made no sound. Finally, exhausted, my body sank uncontrollably toward the deep end. The suffocating feeling made me lose consciousness completely. When I woke up again, the heavy smell of disinfectant filled my nose. The hospital room was empty and quiet. So quiet I could hear doctors talking in the hallway. “The patient’s cornea is severely ruptured and detached. There’s an extremely high probability of blindness…” The doctor’s words stabbed into my heart like blades. I bolted upright. Pain shot through my entire body. In my agitation, I practically rolled out of bed.

Natalie’s POV The room door burst open. Footsteps approached. Following the sound, I grabbed desperately at someone’s sleeve. “Doctor, my eyes can’t go blind!” My voice shook with utter terror. No one understood better than me what a working pair of eyes meant to a surgeon. They were my foundation. The future I’d earned through more than a decade of youth, countless sleepless nights. I was almost begging, my voice hoarse and broken. “Please, whatever surgery, whatever treatment, as long as it can save my eyes, I will cooperate with anything. I’m a doctor too. I can’t lose my eyes.” A soft voice tinged with mockery suddenly came from the doorway. “Natalie, I know you’re upset about your injury, but even now, can you stop lying to save face?” Vivian, wearing a hospital gown, walked slowly into the room. “You didn’t even get your degree before you ran off abroad in disgrace. Where do you get off calling yourself a doctor? Saying this now just makes you look ridiculous.” Her words hit like a slap across my face. Memories I’d buried with time suddenly became sharp again. Years ago, when Vivian and I competed for the school’s only PhD slot, Vivian took my year-long core thesis, changed the author name, and submitted it for evaluation. I lost the position. Afterward, I reported Vivian for plagiarism. But Ethan provided false testimony for her. The professor knew Ethan and I had been in a relationship. Seeing him not only refuse to favor his girlfriend but actually testify for Vivian, plus given the Pierce family’s influence, the scales naturally tipped. I could only continue appealing to the school. But during my appeal, they leaked compromising photos of me and spread rumors. They reported me to the school for academic misconduct and promiscuous behavior. Under public pressure, the school finally voided my thesis and added a mark to my record. I confronted Vivian angrily, but Ethan stood in front of her, his tone carrying condescending judgment. “Natalie, I already explained this. Vivian accidentally deleted her thesis, so she asked for yours to reference. Stop being so relentless.” “As for whoever spread those rumors about you, I already tracked down their IP address. This whole thing has nothing to do with Vivian from start to finish.” He paused, his tone dismissive. “Your grades are good anyway. If you don’t get it this time, there’ll be other chances. But this opportunity is crucial for Vivian. I can’t let her get written up. I can’t let her face any risk.” He couldn’t let Vivian face any risk. So he used my thesis and trampled my reputation to pave her path. If not for my excellent academic record and résumé, the school would have voided my thesis and I would have faced far worse consequences. At that point, forget continuing my PhD. I might not even have graduated. But Ethan never considered any of this for me. Fortunately, I’d long since stopped expecting anything from him. Fortunately, during those years orbiting around him, I never stopped studying. That’s why I had the chance to be recruited by a top global medical university. Everyone thought I went abroad because I was too ashamed to show my face. They didn’t know I went to study advanced medicine. Later, I earned my place in the medical field through solid credentials and skills. But now, my eyes had gone blind. All my efforts and ambitions vanished in an instant.

Natalie’s POV I smiled silently. Before anyone could speak, I raised my head, my gaze locked on Vivian’s direction. “Do you know I’m the visiting specialist surgeon your hospital hired? I came back to the country to…” Before I finished, Vivian suddenly clutched her chest and laughed. “I don’t know where you heard that our hospital secretly hired a specialist surgeon for a large sum, but do you know who they are?” She looked me up and down, contempt practically spilling from her expression. “The internationally renowned doctor we invited is a legend in global cardiac surgery. She earned a lifetime achievement nomination in international medicine at a young age. Top hospitals around the world line up for her to operate. Even the country’s best medical teams rely on her expertise.” She looked down at me with my bandaged eyes and disheveled appearance, her tone dripping with mockery. “Natalie, you think you can impersonate someone like that? Your eyes are blind, fine, but has your brain gone blind too? Are you making up these ridiculous lies?” The medical staff nearby couldn’t help but laugh quietly. Vivian smiled and raised her voice deliberately. “Dr. Wilson, could fireworks possibly damage someone’s brain? Maybe you should examine her head carefully. We were classmates once. Since she’s a patient at our hospital, we should take care of her. Early detection, early treatment, right?” This time the young nurse laughed out loud, clearly thinking I’d lost my mind. I ignored their mockery and turned my head slightly, my voice cold. “Vivian, whether I’m her or not doesn’t matter.” “What matters is that you injured my eyes. As the victim, I have the right to hold you legally responsible.” Vivian’s expression changed, but she quickly laughed, unfazed. “It was just an accident. Why are you making such a big deal out of it? Just because your eyes are damaged, you’re going to pin this on me?” “There are security cameras at the scene.” I wasn’t affected by her arrogant attitude at all. “Whether your actions will be judged as intentional isn’t up to you or me.” “Also, all medical risks, economic losses, and damage to the hospital’s reputation caused by the patient not being able to have surgery on schedule due to my blindness, you should bear full responsibility for all of it.” My words were clear and logical, hitting every weak point. But the next second, she laughed. “Natalie, you’re really committed to this act, aren’t you?” Before she finished, I’d already fumbled for my phone on the bedside table and dialed the police. The mocking smile vanished from Vivian’s face, replaced by a flash of panic. She turned to look at Ethan, her expression turning pitiful. “Ethan, does she know I’m at a critical point in my promotion? Is she using this to get revenge on me?” Ethan stepped forward and snatched the phone from my hand roughly. “Natalie, that’s enough. This was just an accident. What exactly do you want?” He looked down at me. His tone was cold and impatient. “Vivian is about to get promoted. Whether or not the police determine this was intentional, the publicity would damage her reputation. Your eyes are already damaged. Calling the police won’t fix them. Why do you have to be so aggressive?” My hand froze mid-air for a moment, then reached for the phone. “Ethan, give me back my phone. You have no right to make that decision for me.”

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After seven years of marriage, I was finally pregnant. I excitedly told my husband, Damien Cross. His hand froze mid-air, cigarette between his fingers. Then he let out a cold laugh. “Elena Rivers, how many times are you going to play this disgusting trick? Even if you really are pregnant, a vicious woman like you doesn’t deserve to carry my child. Go to the hospital tomorrow and get rid of it.” Three years ago, he was a helpless patient who had lost his sight in a car accident. I dragged him out of a burning building, my voice hoarse from smoke inhalation. Now his sight was restored. He held my “best friend” in his arms while throwing acid on my hands. I wanted to tell him my brother was still in the ICU, fighting for his life. But before I could speak, he threw a document at my feet. It was a Patent Transfer Agreement. The competition piece I had spent two years perfecting would now bear her name. “Sign it,” he said, looking down at me. “Or tomorrow, your brother’s ventilator gets unplugged.” I didn’t want to love this man anymore.

Elena POV I stood alone at the end of the hospital corridor, ultrasound report in hand. Despite the heavy smell of disinfectant, the air felt sweet for once. Eight weeks pregnant. The heartbeat pulsed like a strong, vital seed. I touched my still-flat stomach and couldn’t help smiling. The doctor’s words still echoed in my ears. “Miss Rivers, your body is in poor condition. Long-term exposure to chemical compounds has caused hormonal imbalances. This pregnancy is incredibly precious. You must stay calm and avoid any emotional extremes.” I carefully folded the ultrasound report and tucked it into my coat’s inner pocket, right over my heart. Today was my third wedding anniversary with Damien Cross. I couldn’t wait to tell him this news in person. Maybe for the baby’s sake, he’d be a little nicer to me. Even just a little would be enough. I took a cab to Cross Corporation headquarters. The whole ride, I stared out the window at the passing streets, rehearsing over and over what I’d say when I saw him. When I reached the executive floor, the office door wasn’t fully closed. A thin gap remained. I raised my hand to knock, but froze mid-motion. Through the gap, I saw Lily White. Lily wore a pure white silk dress. She was perched delicately on Damien’s lap. And that man who was always cold and distant with me was now bent over her, carefully applying ointment to her wrist with a medical cotton swab. “Does it hurt?” Damien’s voice was low and husky, so gentle it could melt. We’d been married for three years. Even when he exhausted me in bed, I’d never heard him use that tone. Lily wrapped her arms around Damien’s neck, her voice soft and sweet: “A little. But with you here, it doesn’t hurt so much anymore.” Standing outside the door, I felt my blood run cold. Even my fingertips went numb. I pushed the door open. It made a soft sound. Lily caught sight of me from the corner of her eye. She immediately jumped off Damien’s lap like a startled rabbit and hid behind him. “Damien, Elena’s here… Did she misunderstand something? You should explain. My wrist injury just flared up and I came to get some medicine from you.” Damien looked up. The moment he saw it was me, all the tenderness drained from his face. Only undisguised disgust and coldness remained. “Who gave you permission to come in?” He pulled out a tissue and slowly wiped his hands, as if he’d just touched something dirty. I instinctively hid my hands behind my back and clutched the ultrasound report in my pocket so hard my knuckles turned white. “Today is our wedding anniversary.” “Anniversary?” Damien laughed like I’d told the funniest joke. He picked up a thick document from his desk and threw it at my feet like garbage. Papers scattered across the floor. “Sign it.” I looked down at the top page. In black and white, it read: Patent Transfer and Lifetime Ghostwriting Agreement. “Lily’s olfactory nerves have deteriorated again. The doctor says she might never be able to distinguish complex scent profiles anymore.” Damien lit a cigarette and looked at me through the pale smoke. “Her solo fragrance exhibition is next month. Starting today, every formula you create goes under her name. You’ll be her shadow.”

Elena POV I looked up at him in disbelief. “That’s my entry for the Grasse Master Perfumer Competition. I spent two whole years on it. Countless nights in the lab to create that formula.” “You owe her this.” Damien slammed his hand on the desk and stood up, walking toward me step by step. He grabbed my chin, squeezing so hard I thought my bones would break. “Three years ago, if you hadn’t pushed Lily down the stairs to force me to marry you, would she have lost her sense of smell? She’s a genius perfumer and you destroyed her! Now you’re handing over a few formulas as compensation. That’s nothing!” Tears welled up in my eyes from the pain, but I bit down hard, refusing to let them fall. “I didn’t push her! I’ve explained a thousand, ten thousand times. She lost her footing!” “Shut up!” Damien shoved me away violently. I stumbled backward several steps. My lower back slammed into the hard wooden table. The pain made me gasp. I instinctively covered my stomach. “I don’t have the patience for your lies.” Damien looked down at me like I was worthless trash. “You don’t have to sign. Tomorrow morning, the hospital will disconnect your brother’s ventilator. Go ahead and test me. See if I’m a man of my word.” My whole body went cold. My brother was my only family in this world. My only weakness. Three years ago, a car accident left Jamie in a vegetative state. He was kept alive by expensive imported machines and medications. Damien knew exactly how to control me. Like a venomous snake, he struck precisely at my pressure point. I looked at this man I’d loved for ten years and suddenly felt like I was staring at a stranger. Slowly, I bent down and picked up the papers and pen. My hands shook so badly I could barely hold the pen, but I still signed my name on the last page, stroke by stroke. Each stroke felt like carving into my own heart. Lily hid behind Damien. As she watched me sign, a barely noticeable smirk crossed her lips. I put down the pen and straightened up. I took a deep breath and reached into my pocket, touching the ultrasound report. “Damien, I’m pregnant.” I said it quietly. Damien’s cigarette-holding hand paused for a moment. But quickly, the mockery in his eyes deepened until it was overwhelming. “Pregnant? Elena Rivers, how many times are you going to play this disgusting trick?” He stepped forward, his gaze coldly sweeping over my flat stomach. “Even if you really are pregnant, a vicious woman like you doesn’t deserve to carry my child. Go to the hospital tomorrow and get rid of it.” In that moment, my heart shattered completely into dust. I didn’t argue. I didn’t cry or make a scene. I just looked at Damien one last time, then turned and walked out of the office. Outside, it had started pouring rain. The icy rainwater pelted my body, bone-chillingly cold. I’d barely stepped off the entrance stairs when a sharp, twisting pain tore through my abdomen. My vision went black. My legs gave out and I collapsed into a puddle. The rain instantly soaked through my clothes. Just then, a black Maybach pulled up in front of me. The door opened. Damien’s bodyguard stepped out with an umbrella, looking down at me expressionlessly. “Mrs. Cross, Mr. Cross has instructed that since you’ve signed the agreement, you’re to report immediately to the basement lab. You have three days to complete the new fragrance. Miss White’s launch event can’t wait.” I clutched my stomach, breaking out in a cold sweat from the pain. I couldn’t even form a complete sentence. When the bodyguard saw I wasn’t moving, he stepped forward and dragged me into the car like I was lifeless cargo. The car door slammed shut, blocking out the sound of rain. I curled up in the back seat. I felt something warm slowly trickling down the inside of my thighs.

Elena POV The basement laboratory of the Cross estate never saw daylight. The air reeked of sharp alcohol mixed with various high-concentration synthetic compounds. The bodyguard threw me inside, then locked the heavy metal door from the outside. “Mr. Cross says if you can’t finish the perfume, you don’t need to come out.” The bodyguard’s cold voice came through the door crack. I lay on the ice-cold tile floor, clutching my lower abdomen, gasping for breath. The warmth between my legs continued, but I didn’t dare think about what it meant. I gritted my teeth and used the edge of the lab table to pull myself up, bit by bit. I couldn’t collapse. Jamie’s life was still in Damien’s hands. Even if it killed me, I had to finish this perfume first. For the next three days, I stood at the lab table day and night. To achieve the ultimate olfactory experience, perfumers can’t wear gloves while working. We have to use our fingertips to feel the temperature and texture of the essential oils. High-concentration acidic solvents and volatile chemicals mercilessly corroded my hands. My once slender, fair fingers were now swollen and red. In some places, the skin had started peeling and bleeding. Every time I touched a glass vial, it felt like needles piercing my skin. But I didn’t care about the pain. I just mechanically measured, mixed, shook, and sniffed. The dragging pain in my abdomen grew more intense. I forced myself to keep going with high doses of painkillers. When the medication kicked in, I’d have brief hallucinations. I’d find myself back ten years ago. Back then, Damien had lost his sight in a car accident. His temper was explosive, like a wild animal. He smashed everything in his room. I was the one who stayed by his side every day, using lavender and cedarwood aromatherapy I’d blended myself to slowly calm his rage. I even damaged my vocal cords rescuing him from a fire. For half a year, I couldn’t speak at all. But when he finally removed his bandages and regained his sight, the person standing before him was Lily White. She wore the same clothes as me. She sprayed on perfume I’d created. She effortlessly took credit for everything I’d done. The timer’s beep pulled me back to reality. The last drop of Bulgarian rose essential oil fell into the flask. The liquid turned a mesmerizing pale gold. It was done. I slid to the floor, completely drained. I looked at the bottle of perfume that contained all my heart and blood, and smiled bitterly. A few hours later, the metal door opened. Damien walked in. Without even glancing at me, he grabbed the perfume from the table. “Tonight is Lily’s celebration party.” He tossed out the words. “You’re her assistant. You have to attend.” I didn’t even have the strength to refuse. That evening at eight, the city’s most exclusive hotel. Elegant guests mingled. Champagne flowed. Lily wore a designer gown and priceless jewelry. She looked like a noble princess surrounded by admirers. The captivating scent she wore was the fragrance I’d created with my life’s blood. Camera flashes exploded. Praise filled the air. “Miss White, this perfume is absolutely stunning! You truly are a genius in the perfume world!” Lily leaned sweetly against Damien, her smile radiant. “Thank you, everyone. I really have to thank Damien for all his support.” I stood in the corner wearing a cheap black work suit, invisible. I was even holding Lily’s backup heels for her. My hands were covered in rashes and cuts. Every tiny movement sent sharp pain through them.

Elena POV Halfway through the party, Lily went to the restroom to touch up her makeup. I was required to follow her in. The restroom was empty. No cameras. Lily looked at me in the mirror. Her sweet expression vanished instantly. “Elena Rivers, how does it feel watching someone else dressed to the nines, taking credit for your work while everyone applauds?” She reapplied her lipstick slowly as she spoke. I kept my head down, my voice hoarse. “I already gave you the perfume. What more do you want?” “I don’t want anything.” Lily turned around. She walked toward me in her four-inch heels, staring at my damaged hands. “I just think your hands are an eyesore.” The moment the words left her mouth, Lily pulled a small glass bottle from her purse. It was industrial-strength corrosive acid, normally used to clean stubborn stains from lab equipment. She unscrewed the cap and without hesitation poured the entire bottle onto my right hand.A piercing scream tore through the restroom. The sizzling sound of flesh burning mixed with the searing pain nearly made me pass out. I clutched my right hand and collapsed to the floor, writhing in agony. At that moment, the restroom door was kicked open violently. Damien charged in. The instant the door opened, Lily dropped to the floor, clutching her dress, tears streaming down her face. “Damien! Help me! Elena’s lost her mind. She was jealous I won the award and tried to throw acid on my face. I dodged and it hit her hand instead…” Damien looked at me. His eyes were as cold as ice. He didn’t look at my mangled, bloody hand. Instead, he strode to Lily and carefully helped her up. “Are you hurt anywhere?” “I’m fine. Just my dress got dirty…” Lily sobbed pitifully. Damien turned his head and glared at me. Then he lifted his foot and kicked me hard in the shoulder. “Elena Rivers, you’re absolutely vicious!” The kick sent me sprawling. I landed on my back on the cold tile. I held up my nearly destroyed right hand toward Damien, tears mixing with cold sweat streaming down my face. “It wasn’t me. She did it to herself. Damien, look at my hand. I’m a perfumer!” “Someone like you doesn’t deserve to be called a perfumer.” Damien cut me off. “Security!” Several guards rushed in immediately. “Throw this lunatic out! Don’t let her ruin Lily’s celebration!” The security guards dragged me through the hotel lobby. Outside, snow had started falling. They threw me mercilessly into the snow. The hotel’s heavy revolving glass doors closed, cutting off all the warmth inside. I lay in the knee-deep snow, my right hand numb with pain. But worse than my hand was my stomach. A crushing, twisting agony swept over me like a tidal wave. I struggled to turn over onto my back and stared up at the black sky. Snowflakes landed on my eyelashes and melted into icy water. I felt something warm slowly melting the snow beneath me. Blood spread from under my skirt, blooming across the white snow like crimson flowers. “Baby…” I closed my eyes in despair and lost consciousness completely.

Elena POV When I woke up again, I was staring at a stark white hospital ceiling. The smell of disinfectant filled my nose. I tried to move my fingers. My right hand was wrapped in thick bandages. The slightest movement sent sharp pain through it. But I didn’t care about my hand. Instinctively, I reached with my left hand to touch my stomach. Flat. That feeling of connection, of life growing inside me, was gone. The hospital room door opened. A doctor in a white coat walked in, looking at me with sympathy. “Miss Rivers, you’re awake.” I opened my mouth. My throat was so dry I couldn’t speak. I could only look at the doctor pleadingly. The doctor sighed and shook his head. “I’m sorry. You were brought in too late. We couldn’t save the baby. And…” The doctor hesitated, as if he couldn’t bear to continue. “Because you were frozen in the snow for so long and suffered severe hemorrhaging from the miscarriage, your uterus sustained irreversible damage. You… you may never be able to become a mother again.” Those words hit me like a sledgehammer to the skull. I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. I didn’t even shed a tear. I just stared at the ceiling. I don’t know how much time passed before the door was violently shoved open again. My father, Robert Rivers, stormed in furiously. He didn’t look at my face. He didn’t ask about my condition. He rushed to the bedside and raised his hand, slapping me hard across the face. The sharp crack echoed in the quiet room. My face whipped to the side. Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth. “You useless piece of trash!” He pointed at my nose and cursed. “Do you know Damien Cross just pulled funding from the downtown project? Rivers Corporation is about to go bankrupt! I raised you all these years so you could strengthen our relationship with the Cross family, not so you could offend him!” I slowly turned my head and looked at this man who was my biological father. “I lost my baby.” I said quietly. “So what if you lost it! It was just a clump of cells!” He waved his hand impatiently. “As long as you’re still Mrs. Cross, you can adopt a child later! Right now, the most important thing is for you to get out of this bed and go kowtow to Lily White and apologize! As long as Lily’s happy, Damien will leave Rivers Corporation alone!” I looked at him and laughed. This was my family. In their eyes, I was never a living, breathing person. Just a bargaining chip to trade for profit. “Get out.” I said coldly. “What did you say?” He stared at me, as if he couldn’t believe his ears. “I said get out!” I don’t know where I found the strength, but I grabbed the water cup beside me and hurled it at his feet. “I’m not part of the Rivers family anymore! Whether you live or die has nothing to do with me!” The sound of shattering glass startled him. He looked at me like I was crazy, cursing as he backed out of the room. “Fine! You’re tough! Don’t ever think about coming back to the Rivers family!” The hospital room fell silent again. My throat felt unbearably dry, like it was on fire. I pulled the IV needle from the back of my hand. A bead of blood welled up at the puncture site. I ignored it. Barefoot, dragging my weakened body, I slowly made my way out of the room toward the water dispenser at the end of the hall. When I reached the corner by the stairwell, I heard familiar footsteps. It was Marcus, Damien’s assistant.

Elena POV I instinctively stopped and hid in the shadows by the wall. “Mr. Cross, we recovered the hotel restroom security footage.” Marcus’s voice was low, but in the empty stairwell it was crystal clear. “Miss White was the one who threw the acid on Mrs. Cross’s hand. Also…” Marcus hesitated, seeming to choose his words carefully. “I rechecked the medical records from three years ago. Miss White’s olfactory nerve atrophy is due to a hereditary genetic defect. It wasn’t caused by falling down the stairs at all. Mrs. Cross… she really was wrongly accused.” I froze in place. Even my breathing stopped. I gripped the corner of the wall so tightly my nails bent backward, but I couldn’t feel the pain. Through the crack in the door, I caught the scent of cigarette smoke. Damien leaned against the stairwell wall, a cigarette between his fingers, the ember glowing and fading. Half his face was hidden in shadow. I couldn’t see his expression. After a long silence, he exhaled a stream of smoke. His voice was cold, mechanical. “So what?” Those words stabbed into my heart like a knife. “But Mrs. Cross’s hands are destroyed. She’ll never be able to create perfumes again. And she just miscarried. The doctor says she can never have children…” There was a hint of sympathy in Marcus’s voice. “She brought it on herself.” Damien threw his cigarette on the ground and crushed it viciously with the toe of his expensive leather shoe. “If she hadn’t used her father’s favor to force me into marriage and ruin all my plans, would she be in this situation today? Lily White is just an excuse.” He looked up, his eyes utterly merciless. “I wanted her to know that forcing someone to give her something that doesn’t belong to her comes with a price. Elena Rivers only deserves to rot in the gutter.” The stairwell door swung open. Damien strode away. Marcus sighed and followed. I leaned against the cold wall and slowly slid to the floor. So that was it. He knew everything. He knew I didn’t push Lily. He knew Lily’s sense of smell wasn’t my fault. He knew Lily staged the whole bathroom scene. He just didn’t care. He simply hated me for marrying him. Ten years of secret love. Three years of marriage. Countless days and nights of humble devotion. I’d even sacrificed a child and my own hands. In his eyes, I’d brought it all on myself. I covered my face. I didn’t make a sound, but tears flooded from between my fingers like a bursting dam. I was a complete and utter joke. I once thought that if I tried hard enough, I could eventually warm his cold heart. But I forgot, you cannot warm a stone. It will only freeze you to death. I don’t know how long I sat on the floor. Then my phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket. I numbly pulled out my phone. The screen displayed “City Central Hospital ICU.” That was the hospital where Jamie was. I frantically pressed the answer button, my fingers trembling. “Miss Rivers, you need to come here immediately. Your brother is in heart failure. He needs emergency bypass surgery right now. But Cross Corporation just froze your brother’s medical account. Without payment for the surgery, we can’t operate.” My mind exploded. “I’m coming right now. Please save him. I swear I will get the money.” I hung up and ran downstairs. I wasn’t even wearing shoes. My feet were cut by broken glass in the hallway, leaving a trail of bloody footprints.

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My girlfriend Sophia has a serious sex addiction. Every night, her demands are insatiable. In the eight years we’ve been together, I’ve been tortured to the point of wanting to die. So the moment I learned her first love was coming back to the country, I was so excited I cried tears of joy. Finally, there was light at the end of the tunnel. I’d planned to just slip away quietly. But thinking back on these eight years, Sophia had treated me pretty well. So I decided to cook her one last meal. “Honey, what do you want for dinner?” Sophia’s cold voice came through the phone. “Fish.” I flinched. “Sophia, how about we have something else…” Before I could finish, I heard the dial tone. She’d hung up. This was just bullying. Screw it. It’s the last time anyway. I refuse to believe I can’t handle her. **1.** That night, I was panting heavily, so exhausted I could barely keep my eyes open. Sophia had it worse. She went limp in my arms, her body trembling uncontrollably. Her usual cold detachment had completely melted away. Her eyes and brows were heavy with desire. Looking at the adorable person in my arms, I shamefully got hard again. Sensing my reaction, Sophia struggled to escape from my embrace. After a long while, she asked softly, “Ryan, is something bothering you?” I slapped my thigh. Damn it, I got so caught up I forgot the important thing. I needed to tell her while she was in a good mood. “Honey, I heard Ethan came back from Europe?” Sophia frowned. “What does it matter to you whether he’s back or not?” How could it not matter? He’s the first love you’ve been pining for all these years. I tried to reason with her. “Sophia, I know you’ve never forgotten him all these years.” “Now that he’s back, I’m willing to let you go. I want you two to be happy together.” “If I can’t make you happy, then I’ll give you your freedom back.” The more I spoke, the more emotional I got. I almost moved myself to tears. But Sophia’s face turned cold, a strange chill appearing in her eyes. I knew this was a sign she was getting angry. So I wisely shut my mouth. After a long silence, she sighed, turned over, and lay with her back to me. “Ryan, don’t say things like that anymore.” Seeing her look so helpless, I wanted to curse. ‘What are you pretending for? Everyone knows you’ve never gotten over Ethan.’ ‘I’m voluntarily making room, and you’re still not happy about it.’ Fine. If we can’t talk this through, don’t blame me for running away. Having made up my mind, I closed my eyes and stopped looking at Sophia. Soon, drowsiness overtook me and I drifted off. When I opened my eyes again, it was already bright outside, and the bed beside me was empty. Sophia was a disciplined person and very driven. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have become VP of a publicly traded company just eight years after graduation. I was the complete opposite—pretty laid-back. After graduation, I’d just been coasting at a big tech company. Almost thirty now, and I was still just a department head. After getting up and washing up, I called my boss and took a day off. Then I met up with the real estate agent I’d contacted yesterday and went straight to the new apartment. I’d picked out this place early on. The day I learned Ethan was coming back, I knew it was time for me to leave. So I immediately started looking for apartments online. After viewing it with the agent, I was very satisfied. It had utilities, internet, new furniture, and most importantly, it was very close to work. So I didn’t even haggle on the price—I signed the contract with the agent right away. When he heard I wanted to move in immediately, he enthusiastically helped me contact a moving company. I didn’t have much—my work computer, clothes, and some books. By midmorning, everything was moved out cleanly. Walking out of the building, I looked back at the apartment where I’d lived for eight years, feeling a pang of sadness. This was the place Sophia and I had lived together for eight years. Even after we had more money, we never moved. In my heart, I’d long considered this home. But to survive, I had no choice but to leave. After all, everyone knows the power of a first love. If I moved even a bit too slowly, I might be completely destroyed. **2.** After moving into the new place, I cleaned the whole apartment until it sparkled. That evening, looking at the clean and bright room, I felt much better. Just as I was admiring my handiwork, my phone kept dinging with notifications. I opened it to find that our usually quiet high school class chat had suddenly come alive. The class president had started the conversation. “Everyone, to welcome Ethan back to the country, tomorrow night at 8 PM, my treat—I’m hosting a banquet for everyone at the VIP hall on the sixth floor of the International Grand Hotel. I hope all classmates can make it.” Marcus was Ethan’s best friend, so it made sense he’d throw a welcome-back party for him. Classmates started responding enthusiastically. Some praised Marcus for being generous, others welcomed Ethan home. The chat became quite lively. Ethan also sent a message to the group. “Thanks, everyone, for still remembering me. I hope you can all make it.” Then he sent out ten red envelopes, each worth two hundred dollars. The group exploded. Everyone thanked him profusely. I silently watched without saying anything or grabbing any red envelopes. Tiffany, Ethan’s high school desk mate, suddenly asked, “How come Sophia isn’t saying anything? Is she not in the group?” “Is she coming to the reunion tomorrow?” The group suddenly went quiet. In high school, Ethan and Sophia were the perfect couple in everyone’s eyes. Handsome guy, beautiful girl, both excellent students, constantly occupying the top two spots in our grade. Even our usually strict homeroom teacher turned a blind eye to their relationship. Back then, Sophia was the perfect girlfriend. Cold and distant to other boys, never giving them the time of day. But with Ethan, she was gentle and caring. Every time she looked at him, her eyes were full of admiration. When Ethan played basketball, she’d stand on the sidelines holding his water bottle. When Ethan ate, she’d move the meat and vegetables from her tray to his. All us guys watched with envy, jealousy, and hate. Unfortunately, after high school graduation, Ethan chose to study abroad. The two of them had a big fight about it. Sophia begged him to stay, but Ethan was determined to go. He even asked her to go abroad with him. But Sophia’s family couldn’t afford the cost of studying abroad. In the end, they broke up. In college, Sophia was depressed for a long time. As her high school classmate and secret admirer, I knew my chance had come. She’d just gone through a breakup and was in a new environment—she was at her most vulnerable. So I boldly made my move. During winter break of freshman year, after one drunken night, I finally got what I wanted. I’ll admit, I’m not some noble person. My feelings for Sophia were just instinctive attraction. I never thought about the future. But the next morning, when I saw that spot of red on the sheets, I froze. In that moment, I knew I was in deep. After Sophia and I made it official, I started giving it my all. But Sophia remained lukewarm toward me. I understood. After all, I’d taken advantage of her vulnerability. It was only natural she’d see me as companionship during her lonely, wounded time. I still gave her my whole heart and treated her with everything I had. Back then, I was young and thought that if I was good enough to her, someday she’d see my sincerity. So when she told me not to post on Instagram about our relationship, I didn’t. Every time she had a promotion celebration dinner and told me not to come, I didn’t go. For eight years, she was cold to outsiders and indifferent to me, and I endured it all. After all, that was just her personality. But on those nights when I’d suddenly wake up and see Sophia standing on the balcony with melancholy eyes, I knew what she was doing. She was remembering him. Remembering that person far away who haunted her dreams. **3.** The dinging of my phone pulled me back to reality. The high school group chat was in full swing. “Sophia will definitely come. Has anyone heard about her dating anyone all these years?” “Right, she must be waiting for our Ethan.” “But Ethan, now that you’re back to develop your career here, are you trying to win back a certain someone?” Ethan replied with a smiley face emoji, saying nothing yet saying everything. I’d already decided to let them be together. But my heart inexplicably clenched, sour and painful. I smiled bitterly. It seemed Ethan was determined to win Sophia back. My phone rang. It was Sophia calling. I answered, and her cold voice came through the receiver. “Ryan, I’m working late tonight. Don’t wait up for dinner. Bye.” She clearly hadn’t been home yet—she didn’t even know I’d moved out. As she was about to hang up, I stopped her. “Wait, don’t hang up.” “Sophia, did you see the high school group chat?” Sophia’s voice was calm. “No, I didn’t. I don’t have time.” I took a deep breath and gathered my courage to ask, “Sophia, tomorrow night they’re throwing a welcome-back party for Ethan. Are you going?” There was a long silence on the other end before her icy voice came through. “No. Why, do you want to go?” What kind of question was that? Was she saying she wouldn’t go but also wouldn’t let me go? Besides, who knew if she was lying about not going and planning to sneak off anyway? “Of course I’m going. Why wouldn’t I?” “After all, if we both don’t show up, someone might get the wrong idea.” Sophia caught the implication in my words, and her voice grew even colder. “Ryan, stop with the passive-aggressive tone.” “You’ve called me by my name three times today. I’m not happy.” With that, she hung up. I pursed my lips. You’re not happy? Well, I’m not happy either. For eight years, I’d called Sophia “honey,” but she’d always just called me Ryan. Only when she was in the throes of passion would she call me “honey.” I’d given eight years, and she’d practically drained me dry. Now I was awake. I wasn’t going to keep foolishly giving everything for a term of endearment that would never come. I opened the class group chat again. Everyone was now discussing what it would be like when Ethan and Sophia reunited. Watching their increasingly ridiculous speculation, I put down my phone, my heart aching densely. Even though I was leaving decisively, it didn’t mean I didn’t love Sophia. On the contrary, I loved her very much. But after eight years without reciprocation, no matter how much I loved her, it was time to let go. To keep clinging would just be rude. That night, I was sleeping soundly when the phone rang abruptly. I groggily answered, and Sophia’s ice-cold voice came through. “Ryan, where are you?” I shivered, instantly awake. “Sophia… I moved out.” For some reason, I felt inexplicably guilty saying those words. The person on the other end was grinding her teeth so hard I could hear it. “Give me a reason.” Did I need a reason? Your first love came back to rekindle your romance, and I’m just being tactful. “No particular reason. I don’t like you anymore. Let’s break up.” Silence on the other end. I didn’t say anything more either. We just quietly listened to each other breathe. After a long while, Sophia’s voice softened. “Ryan, I noticed something was off with you these past few days.” “I asked but you wouldn’t tell me.” “We’ve been together for eight years. If you’re facing difficulties, you need to tell me. We’ll face them together.” I laughed coldly. Face them together? How? This was about the first love she’d been pining for all these years. “Sophia, save your fake concern.” “I’m not facing any difficulties. I just don’t like you anymore. Let’s break up.” I hung up before she could respond. Before the call disconnected, I thought I heard soft sobbing on the other end. Impossible. Sophia crying over me? No way. It must be a hallucination. Definitely a hallucination. **4.** When I woke up the next morning, I stretched and felt refreshed. Turns out living alone was pretty great. No more desperately trying to satisfy Sophia’s insatiable appetite. After going downstairs, I enjoyed a nice breakfast. Then I started planning my day. It was Saturday, no work. I was definitely going to the reunion tonight. I had to see whether Sophia, who said she wasn’t going, would secretly show up behind my back. After eating, I went to the barbershop. I got a sharp new haircut. Looking at myself in the mirror, I looked pretty handsome—just dressed a bit frumpy. Plaid shirt, jeans, hiking boots. No wonder Sophia didn’t want to make our relationship public with me looking so sloppy. Thinking about it now, I guess I couldn’t entirely blame her. I turned around and went to the mall, bought a suit, and got a facial at a spa. After getting cleaned up, I looked at myself in the mirror and nodded with satisfaction. Turns out shopping twice a year at decent stores was actually necessary. At 6 PM, I arrived right on time at the VIP hall on the sixth floor of the International Grand Hotel. When I got there, almost everyone had arrived. People were holding wine glasses and catching up. A sharply dressed man stood at the center of the crowd, smiling as he enjoyed everyone’s flattery. “Ethan, I heard you started a private equity fund. Do you guys in private equity all have insider information?” The man smiled without answering, giving off an air of mystery. Seeing he wouldn’t talk, the classmates got anxious. “Ethan, we’re all classmates here. If you’ve got any money-making tips, you can’t keep them to yourself.” Marcus, standing next to Ethan, waved his hand generously. “Don’t worry, Ethan’s not like that.” “I guarantee, if there’s any good opportunity, he won’t forget about us.” Hearing this, everyone finally relaxed and started sucking up to Ethan and Marcus with smiles and bows. Seeing me enter, Marcus raised his glass toward me. “Ryan’s here.” In high school, I wasn’t particularly notable, so I was surprised he remembered me. Ethan followed his gaze and looked at me, nodding politely. But I felt like there was something off about the look in his eyes. I walked over and greeted Marcus. He was a rich kid without much guile. In school, he was always loud and boisterous, but not a bad person. After greeting him, I looked at Ethan. Eight years later, he was even more handsome than before, exuding mature masculine charm. Definitely better than someone like me who’d just thrown myself together at the last minute. Ethan raised his glass to me. “Ryan, I heard you and Sophia went to the same college.” I nodded, waiting for him to continue. Ethan asked naturally, “So are you two still in touch?” Before I could answer, Tiffany, Ethan’s desk mate and fangirl, scoffed. “Sophia’s standards are so high, how could she possibly keep in touch with him?” “I remember in high school, he and Sophia never even talked to each other.” The classmates burst into laughter. I shrugged indifferently. I’d already broken up with Sophia anyway, so they could say whatever they wanted. Besides, I never planned to show off about dating Sophia. Marcus looked at the laughing classmates and frowned. “What are you laughing at? Like any of you ever talked to Sophia either.” Now the guys stopped laughing. True—in high school, except for Ethan, she barely talked to any guys. Tiffany noticed Ethan kept glancing toward the door. She teased with a laugh, “Ethan, your heart’s practically flying out the door.” Ethan smiled warmly. “If you’re so anxious, why don’t you just call Sophia?” “We don’t have her contact info, but you must, right?” Ethan didn’t say whether he had Sophia’s contact information or not. Instead, he changed the subject. “Whether she comes or not is her choice. I don’t want my call to influence her decision.” Tiffany looked at him with adoration. “Ethan, you’re such a gentleman.” I felt sour inside. He was really pulling it off perfectly. But he was right. If he personally called, Sophia would definitely come. Just then, the banquet hall doors slowly opened. Sophia appeared in the doorway wearing business attire. Seeing their high school goddess again, the classmates swarmed around her. I pursed my lips disdainfully. Didn’t she say she wasn’t coming? Why was she making this grand entrance now? Did she need to be the center of attention like this? But I had to admit, the power of a first love was truly unbeatable. Anyone with half a brain could figure out who she came for. Ethan walked slowly up to Sophia, his eyes gentle. “Sophia, you came.” Sophia didn’t look pleased. She radiated an icy aura, like a glacier. She ignored Ethan, her eyes searching around as if looking for something. Ethan asked with concern, “Sophia, your eyes are swollen. Didn’t you sleep well?” Hearing this, I looked up from the edge of the crowd. Sure enough, her beautiful eyes were swollen from crying. I scoffed inwardly. It’s just seeing Ethan—was she so excited she cried? Sophia acted as if she hadn’t heard Ethan at all. Her gaze landed directly on me.

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The day I died, I heard my ex-husband’s laughter echoing outside the hospital room. He was picking out wedding invitations with Vivian Monroe. I lay in the ICU with tubes running through my body, dependent on machines just to breathe. And there he stood, just fifteen feet away in the hallway, planning his future with another woman. During our six years of marriage, I helped him take a failing company and turn it into a business with over a hundred million in annual revenue. His reward? A divorce agreement and five words: “You can leave now.” In my previous life, I didn’t sign. I thought if I just held on, he’d eventually remember all I’d done for him. Instead, he had Vivian cut off every escape route I had. I died alone in a rental apartment. The landlord found me three days later. I was still clutching a family photo. The moment I’m reborn, Ethan Shaw sits in his study, sliding a divorce agreement across the desk toward me. “Sign it, Emma. Vivian’s back. It’s time we ended this.” I look at his cold, perfect face and suddenly laugh. In my previous life, I gave everything for you. This time around, I’m going to live for myself. **Chapter 1** “What are you laughing at?” Ethan frowns, clearly finding my reaction abnormal. In my previous life at this moment, I was on my knees begging him not to divorce me. I cried all night, clinging to his legs, promising I could do better. He shoved me away in disgust and said, “You’re pathetic. It makes me sick.” Looking back now, the pathetic one was me. Six years together, six years of sacrifice, and I couldn’t even get a dignified exit. I stop laughing and pick up the pen from the desk. “How much is the settlement?” Ethan freezes. He clearly didn’t expect me to ask about money so directly. The old Emma never talked about money. The old Emma thought talking about money ruined relationships. “Three hundred thousand.” He pushes a bank card across the desk, his voice flat. “Plus a condo downtown. Enough for you to live on.” Three hundred thousand dollars. Six years of my youth, six years of work, forty million in client relationships, thirty-seven late nights saving his business—all worth three hundred thousand in the end. Cheaper than buying wholesale. I don’t negotiate. Not because I’ve given up. Because I know this three hundred thousand will become three hundred million. “I have one condition.” His guard goes up. “What condition?” “Add two hundred thousand to the settlement. Five hundred total.” “Are you kidding me?” His voice rises half an octave. I set down the pen and look him dead in the eye. “Your company went from bankruptcy to a hundred million in revenue because of whose client relationships? You know the answer.” “Five hundred thousand buys out every connection I have with those clients. From now on, I won’t contact them, and they won’t do you any favors because of me.” “Do the math yourself. Is it worth it?” The study falls silent for ten full seconds. Ethan stares at me like he’s seeing me for the first time. Finally, he opens a drawer, pulls out another card, and slides it over. “Fine. Take the money and don’t show your face around me again.” I pocket both cards and sign “Emma Carter” on the divorce agreement. Quick and decisive, without a second of hesitation. When I walk out the front door of the Shaw residence, his driver is already waiting. “Mrs. Shaw—” “No need.” I cut him off and open Uber on my phone. I’m not a Shaw, and I’m nobody’s Mrs. anymore. Starting today, I’m just Emma. **Chapter 2** The Uber drops me at a budget hotel in the city center. I don’t go see the condo Ethan gave me. In my previous life, I lived there for eight months before Vivian kicked me out, claiming “Ethan got this place ready for our wedding.” This time around, I don’t want that apartment. But the money? I’m not giving her a cent. I sit on the hotel bed and pull up my phone, searching for a name: Morgan Hayes. In my previous life, while dying alone in that rental apartment, I stumbled across a news article— “New retail queen Morgan Hayes breaks into the hundred-billion valuation club, named to Forbes Global Business Leaders list.” The article said her company started as a three-person studio, funded by an initial angel investment of five hundred thousand dollars. Lying on that broken bed, I remember thinking: I wish that investor had been me. Now, I have exactly five hundred thousand in my hands. And right now, Morgan Hayes is just a small brand founder who can barely make payroll. I dial her company number. The woman who answers sounds exhausted. “Hello, Vine Design Studio.” “Is Morgan available?” “Speaking.” “Hi Morgan, my name is Emma Carter. I’d like to learn more about your brand and discuss potential investment opportunities.” Silence on the other end for three seconds. Probably been a while since anyone called to discuss “investment.” “You… want to invest in us?” “Yes. Five hundred thousand, angel round. Can we meet today if you’re available?” The next morning, I’m sitting in Morgan’s studio. Calling it a studio is generous—it’s barely three hundred square feet, tables piled with fabric samples and design sketches. Morgan is younger than I expected, not even thirty, her thin face marked by all-nighters. But her eyes are bright. “I’ll be honest, we don’t get many investors.” She smiles somewhat sheepishly. “We’re too small. We haven’t turned a profit yet.” “But I’m confident about this direction. New retail, live-streaming, democratized designer brands—these three trends are going to explode in the next five years.” I nod. I don’t just know they’ll explode. I know exactly which year and which model will break through. “You don’t need to convince me.” I slide the bank card across the table. “Five hundred thousand for 20% equity. Only one condition: all major decisions get discussed with me first.” Morgan stares at the card for a long moment. “Emma, why do you trust me so much?” “Because I’m not investing in a project. I’m investing in a person.” It’s the truth. In my previous life, I watched too many people give up when they couldn’t see the future. Morgan is the type who’ll grit her teeth and push through no matter how hard it gets. After signing the contract, I do something else— I enroll in an executive business management program. In my previous life, everything I learned working alongside Ethan was fragmented and self-taught. This time, I’m going to learn systematically and properly. I can’t survive just by “knowing the future.” Because someone who knows the future but lacks the ability to seize it will still end up with nothing. **Chapter 3** The program meets in a commercial building on the west side of the city. The instructor is a well-known professor in the industry. Tuition is twenty-eight thousand for a three-month session. I pay the fee, collect my materials, and on day one, I sit in the back row right on time. The content is harder than I expected. Business models, financial statement analysis, equity structure design—I recognize every word individually, but together they might as well be hieroglyphics. But I’m not afraid. In my previous life, when I handled client relationships and negotiated contracts for Ethan, I started from zero too. I learned then. I can learn now. After the first class, I’ve filled eight pages of notes. My hand aches, but my heart feels steady. During the break, I head to the restroom and push open the door to see a familiar face. Vivian Monroe. She’s touching up her lipstick at the sink. She spots me in the mirror and her hand pauses. Then she smiles. “Oh, if it isn’t Emma.” She turns around, looking me up and down, her tone dripping with condescending concern. “Didn’t Ethan give you money? What are you doing taking a class like this?” “This kind of high-end executive program isn’t for people like you. Everyone here is a company executive or investor.” She raises an eyebrow, her smile deepening. “You spent six years as a housewife. What could you possibly understand in here?” I shake the water off my hands and grab a paper towel. “You’re right.” She blinks, surprised. “I was a housewife for six years.” I toss the towel in the trash and look her straight in the eye. “But starting today, I’m not anymore.” As I walk out of the restroom, I hear her laughing loudly behind me. Probably wants everyone in the hallway to hear. “Girls, Emma thinks taking one business class will make her an entrepreneur.” “Six years as a housewife, can’t even read a financial statement, and she’s here learning business management—” “Some people just don’t know their own limits.” A few people in the hallway laugh along. I don’t look back. Plenty of people mocked me in my previous life too. But in that life, they were right—I really did have nothing. This time, I’ll make sure they can’t laugh anymore. Back at my seat, I keep organizing my notes. There are concepts I didn’t understand, so I look up explanations on my phone and copy them down word by word. A woman sitting in front of me turns around, glances at my notebook, and looks surprised. “You take really detailed notes.” “I’m behind, so I have to work twice as hard.” She smiles and hands me a business card. “I’m Caroline Reed. I’m an analyst at a private equity fund. Feel free to ask if you don’t understand something.” I take the card and thank her. She’s the first stranger to show me kindness since I was reborn. I tuck the card into my notebook. Kindness is rare. I’ll remember every bit I receive. **Chapter 4** One month later. Morgan sends me a message: “Emma, our first livestream hit a hundred thousand viewers!” I look at my phone and smile slightly. A hundred thousand is just the beginning. In the news from my previous life, Morgan’s first real breakthrough came four months after getting angel funding—a collaborative livestream with a well-known influencer that brought in five million in sales in a single session. I know exactly who that influencer is. Right now, she’s just a small creator with fewer than fifty thousand followers. Her schedule is wide open, and her collaboration fee is practically nothing. I message Morgan: “I’m recommending an influencer—Vivienne Blake. Try doing a collaboration with her.” Morgan: “She only has a few tens of thousands of followers. Will it work?” Me: “Trust me.” She doesn’t ask again. Over this past month, she’s developed a strange trust in me—every direction I recommend turns out remarkably well after execution. She doesn’t know why. But she’s learned one thing: when Emma says something, execute first, understand later. That same afternoon, while I’m reviewing notes in class, my phone buzzes. A text from an unknown number: “Emma, it’s Robert Williams. Heard you left Ethan’s company? I’ve got a project I’d like to discuss with you. Are you available?” Robert Williams. Ethan’s biggest client. In my previous life, it was Robert’s order that kept Ethan’s company alive through its hardest first year. And I was the one who brought in that order. Before getting married, I worked in event management and got to know Robert. He only works with people he trusts, not companies. When he gave Ethan that order, it was 100% because of me. After the divorce in my previous life, Vivian blacklisted me and I was too ashamed to contact anyone. This life is different. “Robert, I’m always available.” That evening, a café. Robert Williams is in his mid-fifties, gray-haired but energetic. The moment he sees me, he slaps the table laughing. “Emma, I knew you’d eventually strike out on your own! Working for Ethan was a waste of your talent.” “I won’t beat around the bush—I’ve got a batch of cultural tourism projects that need execution. I was working with Ethan’s company before, but ever since you left… let’s just say it’s been rough.” He lowers his voice. “Last proposal went through six revisions and still didn’t pass. You in?” I set down my coffee. “Robert, I haven’t registered a company yet. But I can come in as a consultant first and help you build the proposal framework. Once I’m set up on my end, I’ll take all the follow-up projects.” He slaps the table. “Deal! That’s settled then!” Walking out of the café, the night air is cool. In my previous life, I gave all my connections and resources to Ethan for free. He used the network I built to rise to the top. Meanwhile, I shrank smaller and smaller under that same network until I was completely forgotten. This time, I’m weaving the network myself and using it for myself.

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I had been Mrs. Sterling, living a life of splendor, for thirty years. Our marriage was filled with love, our home bustling with children and grandchildren; I had no regrets. But on my deathbed, my husband gripped my hand and confessed: “Actually, Lucas isn’t your biological son.” “He’s mine and Sophia’s. We swapped the babies back then, and as for our child, yours and mine, he died long ago.” My mind went blank. I stared numbly at the son who was wiping my hands and feet by my side. He didn’t even lift his head, but his cold voice pierced my ears like a knife: “You’re in poor health because I poisoned you.” “I hate you for taking my mother’s place, for preventing our family from being whole.” I grabbed Ethan Sterling’s hand, my blurry, bloodshot eyes wide. “Why… why didn’t you keep lying to me?” “Because Sophia is kind. She said she couldn’t bear to see you die still in the dark.” “Now, you can rest in peace.” His voice was gentle as he closed my eyes. I gagged, coughing up a mouthful of blood, and died in a storm of grief, indignation, and hatred. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I gave birth. The excited voice of the obstetrician reached my ears: “Congratulations, Mrs. Sterling! It’s a boy!”

The air was thick with a foul, humid heat. Soaked in sweat, I gasped for breath, grateful to be alive. In my ears, I could still hear Ethan’s words from before I died in my past life: “Lucas isn’t your biological son, we swapped the babies back then…” Seeing the doctor about to take my baby away, I ignored the searing pain in my body and stumbled off the delivery bed. “Stop! Give me back my baby!” The doctor didn’t stop; she quickened her pace instead. I grabbed an alcohol bottle from the cart and smashed it hard against her head. “I told you to stop!” The doctor collapsed to the ground, clutching her head. I frantically snatched the baby and held him tightly in my arms. The baby’s high-pitched cries tore at my heart. Tears blurred my vision. My hands trembled as I repeatedly stroked the baby’s body. Then, my hands brushed his lower body, and I froze. “It’s a girl. I gave birth to a daughter…” I laughed and cried at the same time, tears streaming down my face. How ridiculous that I was deceived for thirty years in my last life, believing until my death that I had given birth to a son! The doctor picked herself up from the floor, her face full of panic, holding her bleeding forehead: “Mrs. Sterling, you just gave birth, how could you just…” I cut her off with a slap across her face, hitting her with all my strength. “Bitch!” “I clearly gave birth to a daughter, why did you say it was a son and let people be mistaken?” Seeing my rage, a group of nurses exchanged glances, heads bowed, not daring to speak. The doctor quickly slipped out to inform Ethan. Ethan strode in, pointing at me, fuming: “Olivia! The doctor just wanted to show me the baby, what are you doing, acting crazy!” I couldn’t help but sneer, “Ethan, as my husband, and the father of my child, where were you when I was fighting for my life to give birth?” “Now that I’ve just had a baby, you, of all people, start by accusing me!” A look of helplessness flashed across his face. He softened his expression, explaining: “I went to the airport to pick up Sophia.” “She’s only in poor health because she saved me back then, so of course, I have to be attentive to her.” As Ethan spoke, he reached for the baby, but I dodged him. I didn’t spare him a glance: “I need to feed my daughter. You two, please leave.” Ethan’s hand froze in mid-air. His eyes were full of impatience and irritation, and he was about to speak. Suddenly, his phone rang loudly. Sophia’s voice, laced with sobs, came through: “Ethan, my stomach hurts so much, please come be with me!” Ethan immediately turned and left, no longer looking at me. After years of marriage, I had just given birth, and he wouldn’t even offer a word of concern. Holding my baby, my heart felt like it was being twisted by a knife. Memories, like a flood that had broken its dam, surged over me. Sophia was an orphan. She had saved Ethan’s life during a shooting incident overseas and was adopted by my mother-in-law as a foster daughter. I once tried to introduce her to a good man, but Ethan flew into a rage, holding a knife to his own throat to threaten me. “Sophia’s not well, are you trying to force her to marry just to kill her?” “If that’s the case, then I’ll return this life to her!” Because of those words, I let Sophia stay by his side for five years. When my parents passed away, Ethan accompanied Sophia to an art exhibition overseas. Meanwhile, I knelt in the funeral hall, overcome with grief, collapsing and miscarrying. My calls for him to come back went unanswered, one after another, all hung up. All I got was a single reprimand. “Sophia finally agreed to go out. Do you really have to cause a scene now?” And this time, during my pregnancy, Ethan had used the excuse of Sophia going overseas for an exchange program, claiming he needed to personally accompany her, and didn’t return for more than half a year. He used the “debt of a life saved” to silence me for thirty years. In the end, I toiled my entire life, raising another woman’s child, only to pave the way for her happiness. I dialed the number that had been dormant in my phone for years: “Are the words you said back then still true?”

The next day, Ethan came to me holding a baby. “Sophia found this boy when she was volunteering at the orphanage today. He should have been born on the same day as our daughter.” “I feel like it’s fate, so I named him Lucas Sterling and plan to raise him under your name.” I spoke softly, soothing my daughter, and glanced at the baby boy. “Some random kid from who knows where, does he deserve to be raised by me? Send him back to the orphanage.” “Olivia, how can you call Lucas a random kid?” “You’re a mother yourself. How heartbroken would his parents be if they heard that?” Sophia’s eyes welled with tears. She clung weakly to Ethan, feigning fragility, and coughed a few times at just the right moment. Ethan immediately wrapped her in his arms, soothing her, then kicked over a table and roared at me: “Olivia, when did you become so vicious? You can’t even tolerate a child!” I covered my daughter’s ears, casually saying: “If I raise him today, then tomorrow everyone will throw their unwanted pets at me. Am I supposed to raise them all?” Especially since this one was a viper. In my previous life, I devotedly raised and loved him for over twenty years, only to be poisoned to death by him. Sophia’s tears were about to fall. She looked at Ethan despairingly. Ethan immediately took her hand and promised: “The Sterling family is not hers to command. Don’t worry, Sophia, I’ll adopt Lucas and raise him by your side.” I couldn’t be bothered with their little show and went into the room with my daughter. “I need to rest, you two can leave.” Looking at my daughter’s rosy, adorable sleeping face, my heart was full of joy. Just as I was celebrating successfully protecting my daughter in this life, the door was suddenly kicked open. Ethan rushed in, grabbing my neck, his eyes bloodshot as he growled: “Olivia, why did you throw Lucas downstairs?” “He’s just a baby!” I coughed violently, squeezing out broken explanations from my throat: “I, I didn’t…” “Who else but you would harm a newborn baby!” He ignored the fact that I had just given birth and dragged me out by the hand. I couldn’t keep up and fell to the ground. Rough pebbles scraped my calf, leaving a long bloody trail. At the hospital, Sophia was sobbing uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face, holding the unconscious baby. “Olivia, I know you don’t like me, but why would you try to hurt Lucas!” The doctor said anxiously, “This child has a deep cut on his thigh and is losing a lot of blood. The hospital’s blood bank isn’t enough right now… I remember Mrs. Sterling and the child have the same blood type.” Sophia fell to her knees in front of me, tears gushing down her face: “Olivia, please save Lucas, I’ll do anything you want!” Ethan lovingly helped her up, then backhanded me across the face. “Bitch!” A metallic taste spread in my mouth. My postpartum abdomen began to cramp again. I bit my lower lip, my voice barely a whisper: “I didn’t do it, and I won’t admit to something I didn’t do.” Ethan gritted his teeth, kicked my knee, and dragged me in front of the doctor. “Olivia, if you’re unwilling, then we’ll use your daughter’s blood.” He immediately called home: “Mr. Davies, bring the young mistress to the hospital.” All the blood in my body instantly froze. I stared at him in disbelief. There was no tenderness in his sharp eyes, only a ruthless desire to get revenge for Sophia and her son. I scrambled and crawled to my knees in front of the doctor, unhesitatingly rolling up my sleeve to expose my arm. “Don’t touch my daughter, I’ll do it.” I had five bags of blood drawn. When the needle was pulled out, I was close to passing out. A clap of thunder split the sky, and rain poured down. I stumbled out of bed, tried to hail a cab in the street to go home and check on my daughter. But I found my daughter crying uncontrollably, burning with fever. I cried out, calling for an ambulance. But the operator regretfully stated: “I’m sorry, all doctors today have been called to treat the young master of the Sterling family.” “Even the hospital gates have been sealed, and ambulances can’t get out.” Holding my daughter, I ran wildly through the rain. The hospital lobby doors were tightly shut, only the lights were on. I cried as I pounded on the doors, my fingers almost breaking, blood dripping onto the ground, mixing with the rainwater to form a pool of blood.

In the VIP room on the second floor, Ethan watched me from the window. I quickly dialed his number. Before I could speak, I heard Sophia’s sobs: “Olivia is deliberately trying to snatch the doctors away, to keep them from treating my Lucas…” Ethan immediately rushed downstairs, pointing at me and cursing: “Olivia, you would use our daughter to compete for attention, do you even deserve to be a mother!” My hands trembled uncontrollably. I knelt on the ground, clutching Ethan’s pants, sobbing brokenly: “No, it’s not like that… Annie is really sick, please, just let them check on my daughter!” My daughter’s face was flushed, turning purplish, and my heart was breaking. A flicker of reluctance crossed Ethan’s eyes. He was about to give in, but Sophia called: “Lucas! Lucas fainted again!” Ethan immediately shook off my hand. “If you want to kneel, then keep kneeling. You can get up when Lucas wakes up.” My scraped wounds were still bleeding. I tightly held my daughter and stood up, wanting to find a doctor at a clinic. But after just one step, my vision went black, and I collapsed in the rain. In a daze, I saw a church where white doves circled. Ethan slipped a diamond ring onto my ring finger. His eyes red, he kissed my tears: “Olivia, I will only love you in this life.” The scene shifted, he held me in his arms and smiled. “Olivia, have a daughter as beautiful as you for me. I want her to be the happiest young lady in the entire Emerald City.” But then it froze on him, expressionless, holding my hand, his voice as cold as ice: “Actually, our child died long ago.” “The one I love has always been Sophia…” I sat up abruptly, drenched in cold sweat. The bed beside me was empty, only the nurse changing my IV was there. “Mrs. Sterling, you’re finally awake. You’ve been unconscious for three days…” “Annie, where’s my daughter?” I swung my legs off the bed, wanting to find my daughter. But Ethan, who had just opened the door, stopped me. He picked me up and gently placed me back on the bed. “The child has been sent for treatment. There’s a party at home tomorrow, you’ll see her then.” I gripped his hand tightly, almost falling to my knees, tears gushing down my face. “Okay, okay… I’ll listen to you, as long as you don’t hurt my daughter.” He told me many stories about our past. Numb and submissive, I bit my lip, shedding tears, without a word. The next day, the house was brightly lit. In the front hall, Sophia held a baby, surrounded by society wives. “Oh, he’s certainly Mr. Sterling’s child, look how strong his little hands are.” “His eyes resemble Mrs. Sterling, so lively…” I excitedly rushed over, wanting to see my daughter. But the moment I saw the child, I froze. “Why is it him? Where’s my daughter?” A group of wealthy ladies smiled and took my hand, congratulating me: “Congratulations, Mrs. Sterling, on your baby boy!” “A boy for your first child, truly blessed…” “No!” I screamed, backing away, “I gave birth to a daughter, where is my daughter!” But everyone looked at me as if I were insane. Sophia held the child, standing in the crowd, and slowly curled her lips, saying each word clearly: “Olivia is confused again, you clearly gave birth to a boy.” She handed the child to the nanny, then supported my arm, explaining to the other ladies with a show of concern: “My sister-in-law’s mental state has been unstable during her pregnancy. She was diagnosed with severe postpartum depression and keeps saying she gave birth to a daughter, even harming the baby for no reason…” “My brother only let her out today because she seemed a little better, but I didn’t expect her to have another episode.” She then looked at me, comforting softly: “Olivia, everyone in Emerald City knows you gave birth to a son, don’t keep forgetting.” I didn’t miss the fleeting glimpse of triumph in her eyes. I slapped Sophia across the face, then went to the kitchen, grabbed a knife, held it to her throat, and screamed hysterically: “Give me back my daughter, or I’ll kill you!”

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I was the daughter my parents prayed for after three years of bitter medicinal treatments. They once treasured me like a precious jewel. When I casually mentioned wanting to see the ocean, Dad immediately bought plane tickets and flew me to the coast. Mom hand-sewed princess dresses for me, saying I was heaven’s greatest gift to her. Later, Mom unexpectedly gave birth to my little brother. She kissed my forehead and said love wouldn’t diminish—it would only grow, with one more person to protect me. But my brother had severe asthma. He couldn’t tolerate even the slightest irritating smell. That day, I saw my brother sleeping restlessly, so I lit the aromatherapy candle Mom usually used to help her relax. When Mom smelled the fragrance, her eyes filled with rage. She slapped me so hard I fell to the ground, then grabbed my hair and screamed, “Your brother can’t breathe smoke! Are you trying to kill him?!” I was dragged into the basement home theater—a room that had just been soundproofed but didn’t have a ventilation system installed yet. The heavy soundproof door was locked from the outside. “You’re so vicious! Stay in this absolutely quiet place and think about what you’ve done!” Mom and Dad rushed my brother to the hospital in a panic. They both forgot. Once that expensive professional soundproof door closed, not even a wisp of air could get through. In the extreme oxygen deprivation and darkness, I clawed desperately at the door. As my consciousness faded, I could only think: if I apologize, will they love me again? **1** With a loud BANG, the heavy professional soundproof door of the basement home theater slammed shut. Immediately after, I heard the lock turning from outside. The sound was particularly harsh in the dead-silent basement, like a death sentence being pronounced. “Mom! I was wrong! Please let me out!” “Dad! It’s so dark in here, I’m scared! Please, please open the door…” I ignored my swollen cheek from Mom’s slap and the stinging pain where she’d pulled my hair. I crawled to the door and pounded on the cold metal with all my strength. But this home theater had been specially built for the ultimate viewing experience. All four walls were covered with thick sound-absorbing foam, and even the door seams had the tightest seals. My cries, my desperate pounding—everything was greedily swallowed by the foam. Not a sound escaped to the outside. I was surrounded by absolute darkness and deathly silence. I could even hear my own heart pounding violently from fear—thump, thump, thump—so fast it felt like it would jump out of my throat. “Is anyone there? Help me…” I called out hoarsely, but only silence answered. As time passed, the air in the home theater grew thinner and thinner. Without a ventilation system installed, this place was like a completely sealed can. Each breath felt like inhaling burning flames. My lungs were seared with tearing pain. Sweat rolled down my forehead in large drops, hitting the cold floor. My vision blurred, and my oxygen-starved brain grew dizzy. Just when I was about to collapse, I suddenly felt the children’s smartwatch on my wrist. It was the birthday gift Dad had given me last month. “Anna, if you ever encounter danger, just press this button and Daddy will immediately come protect you.” Dad’s gentle words from back then seemed to echo in my ears. I grabbed onto this last lifeline. With trembling fingers, I pressed the speed dial button for Dad. “Ring… ring…” The dialing tone sounded in the silent room. Each pause made my heart skip a beat. Answer the phone, Dad. Please answer the phone… Finally, the call connected. “Hello?” Dad’s impatient voice came through, with the chaotic sounds of a hospital emergency room and my brother’s weak crying in the background. “Dad… save me… I can’t breathe…” I used every ounce of strength to force these words into the watch microphone. “Anna Johnson! You have the nerve to call?!” Dad’s voice instantly shot up, filled with barely suppressed rage. “Your brother is still being treated! Do you know you almost killed him?!” “I didn’t… I just wanted to help him sleep better… Dad, I feel terrible, there’s no air in the basement…” I begged through tears, which fell in large drops onto the watch screen. “Enough! How long are you going to keep pretending? It’s bad enough you compete for attention at home, but now you’ve learned to lie too! The basement is huge—how could there be no air? You stay in there and think about what you’ve done! No one’s letting you out without your mother’s permission!” “Beep, beep, beep…” The call was mercilessly disconnected. I stared blankly at the darkened watch screen as my last shred of hope died. Why? Why didn’t they believe me? Why didn’t Dad, who used to love me so much, even have the patience to hear me out anymore? Scenes from the past flashed uncontrollably through my mind. When I was five, I ran a high fever in the middle of the night. Dad was so panicked he didn’t even put on shoes—he ran two kilometers through the snow carrying me to the hospital. He sat by my bed, gripping my hand tightly, his eyes red as he said, “Don’t be afraid, Anna. Daddy’s here. Daddy will bear all your pain for you.” When I was six, some kids at preschool bullied me. Mom stormed into the school like an enraged lioness, pointed at the boy’s nose and yelled at him, then held me gently and comforted me: “Anna is Mommy’s most precious little princess. No one can bully you.” But after my brother Asher was born, everything changed. They gave all their love and attention to their sickly little boy. I became superfluous—a “dangerous element” who might hurt my brother at any moment. I just saw my brother coughing and unable to sleep. I remembered how Mom would light that aromatherapy candle whenever she had a headache, saying the scent helped her relax. I thought it would help my brother feel better too. I really never meant to hurt him. I don’t want to die… I really don’t want to die… I threw myself at the door again, desperately clawing at the seams, trying to create a gap for air to get through. My fingernails broke off. Blood ran down the door panel. The pain shot through my fingers and made my whole body shake, but I didn’t dare stop. “Mommy… Daddy… Anna was wrong… Anna won’t make brother angry anymore…” “Please… let me out…” My voice grew weaker and weaker until it became meaningless mumbling. My eyelids felt heavy as lead. I finally couldn’t hold on anymore and slowly slid down the cold door panel to the floor. In the last moment before losing consciousness, I seemed to see a beam of light. Mom pushed open the door and walked toward me, backlit. She crouched down and gently touched my bleeding fingers, her tears dropping onto my cheeks. “Anna, my baby, I’m sorry. Mommy came too late…” I tried so hard to smile, to tell her I forgave her. As long as you can love me like before, I don’t mind suffering a little. But that beam of light gradually dimmed, and Mom’s face became blurry. I fell completely into endless darkness. **2** I seemed to have a very, very long dream. In the dream, there was no suffocating pain, no terrifying darkness—only lightness and freedom. When I “opened” my eyes again, I found myself floating in midair. I looked down at myself. My body was semi-transparent, emitting a faint glow. Am I… dead? This thought had barely crossed my mind when a familiar sound of the door opening interrupted it. Mom and Dad came home from the hospital with my brother. “Mom!” I instinctively called out and tried to throw myself into her arms. But my body passed straight through hers. She couldn’t feel me or hear my voice. Mom carefully placed my sleeping brother on the sofa, covered him with a thin blanket, then let out a long sigh of relief. “Thank God, the doctor said Asher only had a mild asthma attack. If we’d gotten there any later, the consequences would have been unthinkable.” Mom’s voice still trembled with lingering fear. Dad lovingly put his arm around Mom’s shoulders and comforted her. “It’s okay now. Asher has divine protection.” Mom took a deep breath. Her originally gentle eyes instantly became filled with poisonous hatred. She said through gritted teeth, “It’s all that wretched girl Anna’s fault! She’s just jealous that we treat Asher well, so she came up with such a vicious way to hurt him!” “To be so cruel at such a young age—what will she be like when she grows up?! She’s rotten to the core!” Hearing Mom’s words, my heart felt like it was being stabbed with needles. I’m not rotten! I didn’t try to hurt my brother! I just wanted to help him! I floated in front of them, shaking my head desperately and explaining loudly, but they couldn’t hear anything. Dad frowned and sighed. “Come on, she’s still just a kid. Maybe she was confused for a moment. We’ve locked her in the basement for so long—she’s probably scared enough. Go get her and have her apologize to Asher. Then we’ll call it even.” “Apologize? What good is an apology? Who’s going to suffer for what Asher went through?” Mom’s voice shot up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. She stomped angrily to my first-floor bedroom door and pounded on it hard. “Anna Johnson! Get out here! Don’t think you can avoid responsibility by hiding in there playing dead!” “Your brother almost died because of you! Can’t you even say you’re sorry? Did a dog eat your conscience?!” I floated beside Mom, looking at her face twisted with anger, feeling deeply powerless. Mom, I’m not in my room. I’m in the basement, in that soundproof room you locked with your own hands. I’m already dead. But of course there was no response from the room. Mom’s fury was completely ignited by the silence. She turned around, her eyes searching everywhere in the living room, as if looking for something to vent on. Suddenly, her gaze fell on the exquisite cat bed on the balcony. Inside slept a beautiful Ragdoll cat named Snowball. I’d found her as a stray in the bushes on a rainy day. She was dying then, and I used my allowance to take her to the vet and nursed her back to health until she became this white, plump, adorable cat. Mom used to love Snowball too, saying she looked like a little snowball. But now, Mom’s eyes were filled with disgust. “We have someone with asthma in this house, and we’re still keeping this furry creature! Anna just doesn’t want Asher to be well!” She strode over and grabbed the cat bed, ignoring Snowball’s terrified cries. “Mom! No! Please don’t hurt Snowball!” I desperately rushed over, trying to stop her. But I could only watch helplessly as she opened the balcony window and, without hesitation, threw the cat bed with Snowball inside from the fifteenth floor. “Meow—” Snowball’s piercing shriek cut through the night, then abruptly stopped. I floated in midair, staring into the bottomless darkness outside the window, feeling my very soul trembling. Dad stood in the living room, watching all this, only frowning slightly. “Well, it needed to go anyway. Asher’s allergic to cat fur.” He spoke in a flat tone, as if what had been thrown out was just a piece of worthless trash. “Forget about that girl. Let her go hungry for a couple meals—she’ll realize her mistake.” They turned and went back to the master bedroom, closing the door. The living room returned to dead silence. Only I remained, drifting alone in this home that had once been filled with laughter and joy.

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I went undercover to an overseas R&D center for two years, working in isolation to crack the core AI chip technology for my husband’s tech company. He promised me that once we achieved the technical breakthrough, I would be named co-founder when the company went public. But when I returned home with patents that could revolutionize the entire industry, I discovered my private office had been turned into a nursery. At the pre-IPO celebration party, he was holding my intern assistant in his arms, announcing that she was now the company’s youngest CTO. The intern rubbed her slightly rounded belly, her face full of smug satisfaction. I let out a cold laugh and shut down all the core servers with a flick of my wrist. Want to use my life’s work to elevate your mistress? I’ll make your entire company go down with you! **1** Bang! I shoved open the doors to the penthouse ballroom. Inside, the lights blazed and designer dresses swirled. To crack that critical technical barrier, I’d worked day and night in Silicon Valley for two years. I slept less than four hours a day and ended up in the ER three times from exhaustion. I came back with the final patent authorization, thrilled to give my husband Ethan Chase a huge surprise. But the scene before me was like a bucket of ice water poured from the top of my head straight down to my feet. On the stage in the center of the ballroom, Ethan wore the custom-tailored suit I’d personally ordered for him. His arm was wrapped intimately around the waist of a young woman. It was Madison, the intern assistant I’d hired before going abroad. A fresh graduate who couldn’t even write basic code and only knew how to act cute and flirt. Right now, she was wearing a gorgeous evening gown with that sapphire necklace around her neck—the one I’d admired at an auction, the one Ethan had said was “too expensive, maybe later.” “Ladies and gentlemen, investors!” Ethan raised his glass, his voice booming with pride. “Today is the most important day in Summers Tech’s history! Our core AI chip development is finally complete, and next month, the company will officially ring the bell on the stock exchange!” Thunderous applause erupted below. Ethan lowered his head and kissed Madison on the forehead, his eyes dripping with affection. “Here, I want to give special thanks to one person. Our company’s new CTO, and my future wife—Madison!” “These past two years, she led the team working day and night to achieve today’s technical breakthrough. And she’s also carrying my child. Double blessings!” The whole room exploded. “Mr. Chase and Ms. Cooper are such a perfect match!” “Congratulations, Mr. Chase! Double blessings indeed!” “Ms. Cooper is so young and already shouldering the technical operations—what a powerhouse!” I stood in the doorway listening to this nauseating flattery, feeling like I’d entered some absurd alternate reality. Madison led the team? Technical breakthrough? She couldn’t tell C++ from Java if her life depended on it. What the hell did she break through? These past two years, I was overseas with a handful of core engineers, under crushing pressure, writing that underlying core code line by line. I’d traded half my life for these results, and now they’d become her ticket to promotion and status as the mother of his child? I took a deep breath, my heels clicking as I walked toward the stage step by step. The sound of my stilettos striking the marble floor rang especially clear in the gradually quieting ballroom. The crowd automatically parted to make way. The executives who used to call me “Ms. Summers” all changed their expressions when they saw me, their eyes shifty, whispering among themselves. When Ethan saw me, the smile froze on his face. He instinctively released his arm from around Madison, a flash of panic in his eyes, quickly replaced by coldness and impatience. Madison saw me too. Not only did she show no guilt, she actually thrust out her barely visible belly and leaned closer to Ethan, speaking in a saccharine voice. “Oh, Lila! You’re finally back!” She raised her glass of juice, looking down at me from her position above, every inch the victor. “Please, have a seat. Everyone’s celebrating. You’ve worked hard ‘studying abroad’ these two years. Now that I’m handling the company’s technical R&D, you can just rest easy.” I looked at her smug face and laughed coldly. “Studying abroad? Handling things?” I turned and stared hard at Ethan. “Ethan Chase, is this what you told them about me? I nearly killed myself developing technology for you overseas, and you told them I went to study abroad?” Ethan frowned, hurried down from the stage, and hissed at me in a low voice: “Lila, what are you making a scene for? There are investors here. Don’t embarrass me!” “Embarrass you?” I shook off his outstretched hand. “You’re using code I wrote to elevate your mistress, and you don’t feel embarrassed, so why should I?” **2** Ethan’s face turned iron gray. “What are you talking about! What do you mean ‘your code’? That’s the collective achievement of the company team! Madison, as project lead, made invaluable contributions!” “Lila, I know you feel bitter. But you need to face reality. These two years you weren’t in the country, Madison helped me manage everything at the company, top to bottom.” “She’s not only capable at work, she’s also carrying my child. I owe her something.” His self-righteous tone made it sound like I was the one who’d cheated and stolen credit. I was so angry I laughed, pointing at Madison’s meticulously made-up face. “Capable at work? She can’t even understand basic algorithmic logic. What project could she possibly lead? The project of providing you inspiration in bed?” “Smack!” Ethan suddenly raised his hand and slapped me hard across the face. The force was so strong it made me stumble and fall to the ground. I tasted blood at the corner of my mouth. The entire room fell deathly silent. Madison screamed and hid behind Ethan, clutching her belly and putting on a fragile act. “Ethan, don’t hit Lila, she just can’t accept it yet… Oh! My stomach hurts a little…” Hearing this, Ethan immediately tensed up, quickly supporting Madison, then turning to point at me viciously. “Lila! Watch your mouth! If you dare hurt the baby in Madison’s belly, I’ll never forgive you!” The surrounding executives and colleagues started criticizing me too. “Lila, you’re being so unreasonable. Mr. Chase is worth billions now—what’s wrong with getting a younger, prettier wife?” “Exactly. Ms. Cooper is a company hero now. You haven’t contributed anything in two years, so what gives you the right to make a scene here?” “Just apologize to Ms. Cooper and stop making Mr. Chase angry.” I got up from the floor, wiped the blood from my mouth, and looked at these boot-licking faces. My heart went completely cold. Years ago, Ethan and I started our business in a hundred-square-foot basement apartment. To land our first investment, I drank with investors until I had a stomach hemorrhage and spent two weeks in the hospital. To meet project deadlines, I pulled so many all-nighters I developed sudden hearing loss in my left ear. My hearing still hasn’t fully recovered. I built him up from a penniless nobody into the glamorous tech mogul he is today. Now that he’s successful, he wants to dump his devoted wife? “Ethan Chase, have you forgotten that I own forty-nine percent of Summers Tech’s shares!” I stared at him coldly. “Want me gone? Fine. Split the company in half, and I’ll take what’s mine!” Ethan laughed like he’d heard the funniest joke in the world. He straightened his tie, walked up to me, and said in a voice only we could hear: “Shares? Lila, while you were abroad these two years, the domestic equity went through several rounds of dilution and restructuring.” “The shares you hold now amount to less than one percent.” “For old times’ sake, I’ve prepared five hundred thousand in compensation. Take the money, sign the divorce papers, and hand over the core source code.” “Otherwise, you won’t get a dime, and I’ll make sure you can’t work anywhere in this industry!” My whole body trembled as I clenched my teeth. “Five hundred thousand? To buy out half my company? To buy two years of my life?” “Ethan Chase, dream on!” I turned to leave. “Stop!” Ethan shouted. A dozen burly security guards immediately rushed forward and surrounded me. Ethan walked up behind me, his voice icy. “Lila, don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a penalty. Without that source code, the company’s chips can’t go into production and the IPO will fall through.” “If you don’t hand over the hard drive with the source code today, don’t think about leaving through that door.” He was going to rob me outright. I looked at the menacing security guards around me and pulled a black encrypted hard drive from my bag. Ethan’s eyes lit up as he reached to snatch it. I laughed coldly and smashed the hard drive toward the champagne tower beside us. “Crash—” The sound of shattering glass rang out. The hard drive fell to the floor, and without hesitation, I raised my stiletto heel and stomped down hard. “Crack!” The hard drive shattered into pieces. “Want the source code? In your next life!” Ethan’s eyes nearly popped out of his head as he lunged at me like a madman. “Lila! You crazy bitch! I’ll kill you!” I took advantage of the chaos to shove a guard aside and ran out of the ballroom without looking back. **3** Outside, the rain was pouring. I didn’t have an umbrella. I was soaked through, and the cold wind cut straight to my heart. I got in a cab and went back to the downtown villa Ethan and I shared. We’d bought it for our third wedding anniversary. I’d sold the old house my mom left me to come up with the down payment. I walked to the door and habitually entered my fingerprint. “Beep—fingerprint error.” I froze for a moment, then entered the passcode. “Passcode error.” I pounded on the door. “Open up! Let me in!” After a while, the door finally cracked open. It was Ethan’s mother—my mother-in-law. She wore a silk robe and held a glass of red wine, looking at me with complete irritation. “Wailing like a banshee in the middle of the night! What’s all the noise!” Seeing it was me, she rolled her eyes and moved to close the door. I jammed my hand against the doorframe, staring at her coldly. “This is my home. Let me in.” My mother-in-law scoffed and looked me up and down in my bedraggled state. “Your home? The property deed has my son’s name on it! You can’t even have children—what gives you the right to call this your home?” “Ethan already told me you’re getting divorced. Madison’s moving in soon, and she’s carrying our family’s heir!” “Get lost and don’t bring your poverty stench into our house!” The sound of high heels came from inside. Madison appeared wearing my limited-edition slippers and my cashmere wrap, holding an apple, walking over leisurely. “Mom, who’s making all that noise? It’s upsetting the baby.” My mother-in-law immediately put on a fawning smile and rushed to support her. “Oh, my precious! Walk slowly, don’t disturb the baby. It’s just a beggar. I’ll get rid of her right away.” Madison walked to the door and looked at me with fake surprise. “Oh my, Lila! Look at you, all soaked! Didn’t Ethan arrange a hotel for you?” “You know, Ethan said the master bedroom decor is too old-fashioned. Tomorrow they’re tearing it all out to renovate and make it into a nursery for me.” “All your raggedy old clothes and junk—I had the maid pack them up and throw them in the trash bins in the basement garage.” I shoved past my mother-in-law, forced my way inside, and ran straight for the second-floor study. That’s where my father’s last possession was kept—a programming notebook he’d written by hand. It was my most precious treasure! I burst into the study. It had already been ransacked. My desk had been cleared out. All the books on the shelves were gone. I whipped around, my eyes bloodshot as I glared at Madison, who’d followed me up. “Where’s my dad’s notebook?!” Madison covered her mouth and giggled. “That ratty old thing? The pages were all yellow, covered in chicken scratch I couldn’t even read. I thought it was dirty, so I had the maid burn it as scrap paper.” “Lila, you’re not going to get mad at me over some old notebook, are you? I’m pregnant, you know.” Burned… My mind went “boom,” and my last shred of rationality snapped completely. I charged at her like a crazed lioness, grabbed her hair, and slapped her hard across the face. “Smack!” “You dared burn my father’s belongings! I’ll kill you!” Madison let out a pig-like squeal, struggling desperately. My mother-in-law screeched and rushed at me, scratching and clawing, yanking at my clothes. “You jinx! You dare hit my grandson’s mother! I’ll kill you!” I kicked my mother-in-law, sending her sprawling, grabbed Madison by the hair, and slammed her face hard against the wall. “Give me back my dad’s notebook! Give it back!” Madison’s forehead split open and bled. She burst into hysterical tears. “Help! Murder! Mom, save me!” Suddenly urgent footsteps came from outside. Ethan burst in with several bodyguards. Seeing the scene, his eyes went wild and he roared: “Lila! Stop it right now!” He rushed forward and kicked me in the stomach without mercy. I flew backward and crashed hard into the stair railing. My internal organs felt like they’d shifted. I curled up on the ground in agony, unable to breathe for what felt like forever. Ethan tenderly gathered Madison’s bloodied form into his arms. “Madison, Madison, are you okay? Does your stomach hurt?” Madison collapsed into his embrace, crying pitifully. “Ethan, it hurts so much… Lila tried to kill me, she tried to kill our baby…” Ethan turned his head, his eyes vicious enough to devour someone. “Lila, you’re absolutely insane! A monster!” “Let me tell you, after what you did to Madison today, I will never forgive you!” “Throw her out! Never let her set foot in here again!” Several bodyguards came over, dragged me up from the floor like a dead dog, and threw me out the front door. “Bang!” The heavy door slammed shut mercilessly in front of me. I lay in the freezing rain, the violent pain in my abdomen nearly making me pass out. Rainwater mixed with mud streamed into my eyes, blurring my vision. I bit my lip hard until I tasted thick blood. Ethan Chase. Madison Cooper. That old hag. You’ll pay back everything you owe me a thousand times, ten thousand times over! **4** I don’t know how long I lay there in the rain. Until a pair of black custom leather shoes stopped in front of me. A black umbrella opened above my head, blocking out the torrential downpour. I struggled to lift my head. Before me was an extremely cold, sharply defined face. Adrian Sterling. CEO of Sterling Empire, Ethan Chase’s biggest business rival. And for the past two years, my true “secret partner” overseas. “Ms. Summers, seems like your celebration tonight wasn’t very pleasant.” Adrian’s voice was deep and magnetic, with a barely detectable hint of mockery. I pushed myself up from the ground, swaying as I stood, and looked at him coldly. “Mr. Sterling here to watch me suffer?” Adrian chuckled softly, took off his black trench coat, and draped it over my shoulders. “I’m just here to take my Chief Technology Officer home.” “The car’s outside. Let’s go.” I didn’t refuse. I followed him to the Rolls-Royce Phantom parked by the curb. The cabin had the heat on. Adrian handed me a cup of hot coffee. “That hard drive—destroyed?” he asked casually. I cradled the coffee cup, feeling its warmth. “Fake. It had the complete series of some old cartoons on it.” Adrian raised an eyebrow, a smile of appreciation curving his lips. “And the real source code?” I pointed to my own head. “All in here. No one else in the world can make that system run except me.” Adrian leaned back in the leather seat, his long fingers tapping lightly on his knee. “Ethan thinks that as long as he kicks you out, he can take your technology to ring the bell at the stock exchange.” “He has no idea you already built a backdoor into that system.” I laughed coldly, a flash of ruthlessness in my eyes. “Did he really think he could just take what’s mine?” “I’m going to make him fall as hard as he’s climbed.” Adrian turned to look at me, his gaze deep. “What do you need me to do?” “Help me prepare a big gift.” I looked out at the speeding nightscape. “Ethan wants to hold his IPO bell-ringing ceremony, doesn’t he? I want the whole world to see his true face.” The next morning. I was still resting in the hotel Adrian had arranged when my phone started ringing like crazy. It was Ethan calling. I hit answer and turned on the recording. “Lila! What the hell did you do to the source code!” On the other end, Ethan’s voice was frantic, like a rabid boar. “Why is all the test data showing errors? The system won’t even start!” “The investors are coming to see the final demo tomorrow. Hand over the decryption file right now!” I took a leisurely sip of milk. “Mr. Chase, we’re getting divorced. Whether your company goes public or not has nothing to do with me.” Ethan gritted his teeth. “Lila, don’t push me!” “You think I can’t do anything if you don’t hand it over?” “Your brother’s kidney transplant surgery years ago—that went through company accounts! Three hundred thousand dollars!” “I have all the transfer records and signatures. If I report this to the police, that’s embezzlement, misappropriation of company funds!” “Enough to put you away for ten years or more!” My hand clenched suddenly, nails digging deep into my palm. My brother had sudden kidney failure years ago and urgently needed a transplant. I was overseas in lockdown development and couldn’t get back. Ethan had volunteered to advance the money from company funds, saying I could pay it back from my dividends when I returned. Turns out he’d been calculating this from the very beginning. He’d deliberately made this transaction look like evidence of embezzlement just so he could have leverage over me today! “Ethan Chase, you’re truly despicable,” I said through clenched teeth. “No mercy in war!” Ethan sneered. “Three o’clock this afternoon. Come to the office, sign the divorce papers, and hand over the decryption file.” “Otherwise, just wait for the court summons and spend the rest of your life in prison!” The call was brutally disconnected. I looked at the blackened phone screen and laughed in fury. Fine. Very good. Ethan Chase, if you want to play, let’s play big.

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My father’s first love and my mother’s boy toy showed up at our door looking for a fight. At first, I figured it had nothing to do with me. Until Dad’s first love narrowed her eyes and pointed straight at me. “Why does she get to spend your money studying overseas? Your money is mine. That woman’s daughter has no right to touch it.” Then Mom’s boy toy actually whined at her. “Babe, we’ll have kids of our own someday. The daughter you had with that old man doesn’t deserve your money.” I laughed from pure disbelief. I was the heir my grandfather had trained himself. And these two thought they could come after what was mine? 01 Sometimes, no matter how capable you are, you still have to do things you don’t want to do. Like now. On a bright, lazy afternoon I could have spent doing absolutely anything else, I was sitting here drinking tea with a room full of idiots. The tea was just the right temperature. I took a slow sip. Grandpa was getting old. His health had been failing these past few years, and lately all he wanted was to see the family at least pretending to get along. For that one small wish of his, I had agreed to live with my parents for a while before leaving the country. A little show of fatherly kindness and filial devotion. Something to put an old man’s heart at ease. I just hadn’t expected them to be this stupid. Two leeches raising two more leeches, and now they wanted to challenge me. I didn’t even lift my eyes. “Marissa, at your age, the whole delicate little mistress act is a bad look.” Her face stiffened. “And besides, Grandpa kicked my dad out of the company’s core management ten years ago. What exactly are you showing off for?” My father, Victor Whitmore, and his first love, Marissa Vale, both went pale. My mother was just about to laugh at them when my next sentence wiped the smirk right off her face. “And Mom, this little boyfriend of yours is really not it. He looks like boiled chicken. Pale, soft, one stiff breeze away from passing out. Kidney deficiency vibes, honestly.” I tilted my head. “And kids? Does he not know you’ve already gone through menopause?” “You brat!” My father straightened up in front of the woman he loved, suddenly brave. “We are your elders! Is that how you speak to your elders?” “Exactly! Menopause? What menopause? You’re making things up!” My mother, Lauren, snapped too. “Briar, we finally sit down together for tea, and you have to make it this ugly?” I picked up a napkin and dabbed at the corner of my mouth. Honestly, after living with Grandpa at the old estate all these years, I’d almost forgotten what kind of people they were. My parents had been a classic business-marriage disaster. After I was born, they each went off to play their own games. Their concern for me was basically nonexistent. When I was little and living in this villa, they spent all day partying outside and didn’t come home for more than a year. I was abused by the live-in nanny until I was nearly starved to death. If Grandpa hadn’t returned early from a project in Europe, I would have died in this house. After that, Grandpa was furious. He froze my father’s trust for three years, kicked him out of the company, and took me back to the old estate to raise me himself. Without my parents’ care, I finally had a peaceful childhood. After college, I planned to study abroad and expand our overseas markets along the way. But Grandpa was getting older. He hoped my parents and I could repair things, so he asked me to live with them for a while before I left. A chance to reconnect, he said. Now it seemed there was no need. Bringing their lovers home to provoke me. What was this supposed to be, a lesson in parental authority? Only idiots like my parents could come up with something this ridiculous. I looked at them and smiled. The next second, I flipped the table. After what happened with the nanny, I had learned kickboxing for self-defense. Marissa reacted fast and dodged. Mom’s boy toy shielded her, so she was fine too. Dad wasn’t so lucky. Scalding tea splashed all over him. He opened his mouth to curse, but I cut him off with one cold look. “Mom. Dad. You don’t have the ability to act like elders, so don’t try to pull rank with me.” I dusted off my clothes. “What, did age take your brains with it?” I had no interest in wasting more breath on them. “Briar! I’m your father!” Dad finally lost it. “Is this how you talk to your own father?” Mom couldn’t hold back either. “Briar! I carried you for ten months!” “Do you know I nearly died on the operating table giving birth to you? And this is how you treat your mother?” They usually lived their own separate messy lives, but when it came to dealing with me, they were impressively in sync. “I know all that,” I said, smiling as I pulled a stack of documents from my bag. “That’s why I brought you gifts today.” “Dad, did you know Marissa has a son? Motherly love really is powerful. For her own kid, she can even tolerate someone as old and ugly as you.” “And Mom, your puppy here has been using your money to date more than a dozen girls at school. He’s all over the campus gossip page. You should take a look.” The scene instantly turned brutal. Screams, shrieks, accusations, all tangled together. I blinked, picked up my bag, and walked out. Honestly. They couldn’t even recognize the people sleeping beside them, and they wanted to fight me? 02 After handling some work that evening, I went back to the old estate to see Grandpa. The moment I stepped through the door, the butler came forward. “Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore arrived this afternoon. They’ve been keeping the old gentleman company.” I raised an eyebrow, not surprised. When I entered the living room, sure enough, the three of them were on the sofa. Victor was bent forward, carefully offering Grandpa a cup of freshly brewed pu-erh tea. Lauren sat on the other side, gently massaging Grandpa’s shoulders. Grandpa leaned back against the sofa, smiling. The moment he saw me, he lifted a hand and beckoned, his voice growing stronger. “Briar’s back? Come here, sweetheart.” The harmonious atmosphere in the room froze instantly. Dad’s hand paused in midair, the smile on his face almost cracking. Mom’s hands stopped moving too. The corners of her mouth visibly dropped. Grandpa acted as if he didn’t see their expressions. He waved a hand. “All right. You’ve both kept me company all afternoon. Go home. I have some things to discuss with my granddaughter alone.” “Dad, we…” Mom tried to speak, but Grandpa swept one glance over her, and she shut up immediately. Dad didn’t dare defy him. He could only stand up through gritted teeth. As he passed me, he shot me a vicious glare. Mom followed behind him and rolled her eyes when she walked past me. Once they were gone, the living room fell quiet. “Come. Let’s go to the study. Play a game of chess with me.” Grandpa braced himself on the armrest and slowly stood. I hurried forward to support his arm. His body had gotten worse year after year. The man who once carried me running through the courtyard now had to catch his breath after only a few steps. Even when he placed a chess piece on the board, his hand trembled faintly beyond his control. We hadn’t walked far when Grandpa spoke first, his voice calm. “I heard about what happened at the house today.” “Your parents have always been foolish. You know that.” My hand paused around the chess piece. I said nothing. “These years, you’ve done very well. You learned the company from me. You’re much stronger than either of them.” “In the blink of an eye, that tiny girl grew up.” His voice thickened. “I still remember when you were born. Such a small little thing. I named you Briar. People said a girl couldn’t carry a name that strong.” “I wasn’t happy about that at all.” He tapped the chessboard. “My granddaughter can carry any name in the world.” He looked at me. “And you proved it. You handle the company cleanly, decisively. I knew it. My granddaughter was born to stand above the crowd.” Tears suddenly rolled down his face. “But I still worry about you. A sharp mind can cut the person who carries it. You understood too much too early. You’re sensitive, and those parents of yours are unreliable.” “When I’m gone, what will you do alone?” “Grandpa,” I said, sniffling, “I’m not alone. I still have you with me. I’ll be fine.” Grandpa shook his head and patted the back of my hand. “Put studying abroad on hold for now.” His eyes were tired. “I’ve already given instructions. Starting tomorrow, you will act in my place as chair of the board.” He paused. “But you must promise me one thing. No matter what foolish thing your father does in the future…” “Make sure he never lacks food or shelter.” 03 I became so busy at the company that I barely had time to breathe. Everyone was waiting to laugh at me, waiting to see how a young woman like me could possibly sit firmly in the chairmanship. The first person to come looking for me was Dad. He didn’t even get to see my face before security escorted him out of the building. After all, he wasn’t even a shareholder anymore. Just a spoiled trust-fund failure living off family money. But I hadn’t expected Grant Blackwell to come back to the country. He was the grandson of my grandfather’s closest friend. Born into a military family, broad shoulders, narrow waist, handsome features. Exactly the kind of man most girls would find attractive. My parents had arranged the engagement themselves. Their plan was simple. They hoped I would fall head over heels for that pretty face, lose myself in romance, become as brainless as them, and then let them coax the Whitmore shares right out of my hands. Unfortunately for them, they miscalculated. Since I started learning company business from Grandpa at fifteen, I had seen plenty of men with beautiful faces and rotten intentions underneath. Over the years, I had always been lukewarm toward Grant. He, too, only came looking for me when he remembered I existed. “Briar.” Grant walked up to my desk, his voice carrying just the right amount of concern. “I heard everything. Your grandfather handed the whole group over to you.” “You’re a young woman, suddenly taking on a business this big. The pressure must be enormous. How can your body hold up like this?” He leaned forward slightly, his tone growing gentler. “I’ve already taken a leave from school. I’m back for good this time.” “Briar, you don’t have to carry this alone. I’ll help you.” “I studied financial management overseas. And we’re engaged. It’s only right that I help you manage the company.” Listening to him, I nearly laughed out loud. For a moment, I couldn’t decide whether Grant had no brain, or whether he thought I didn’t. Men were born with this absurd confidence. They always believed that if they were handsome enough and said a few pretty words, women would fall madly in love and hand over everything they owned. I raised an eyebrow, just about to respond, when a powerful male voice rang from the doorway. “Who said my niece can’t handle it?” I looked up and saw my uncle, Raymond Caldwell, standing at the door. This uncle of mine was much smarter than my love-obsessed mother. At least he never directly provoked me the way my parents did. “Where did this pretty boy come from?” Raymond strode over to Grant. “Trying to live off a woman and still making it sound noble?” “My niece needs your help? She grew up learning from the old man himself. Since when does an outsider get to point fingers here?” Grant had thick skin. Even being mocked in public didn’t anger him. He smiled. “I’m Briar’s fiancé.” “It’s perfectly natural for me to share her burden.” “Fiancé?” Raymond rolled his eyes. “And I’m her actual uncle.” Then he turned to me, his face full of smiles. “Briar, let your uncle make the call today. Dump this guy.” “I’ll introduce you to a whole stack of better men. Every single one stronger than this freeloader.” I couldn’t help laughing, though I knew exactly what was at stake. The Blackwell family’s military connections were crucial to the overseas security project I planned to push forward. So on the surface, at least, I couldn’t tear this engagement apart yet. I stood and looked at Grant apologetically. “Grant, I’m sorry. My uncle has always been blunt. He doesn’t mean any harm. Don’t take it personally.” “You should go first. I’ll come find you later.” Grant glanced sideways at Raymond, then looked back at me with a smile. “Briar, I’ll wait for you tonight at the InterContinental for dinner.” Then he left. Only Raymond and I remained in the office. His eyes shifted, and he rubbed his hands together with a smile. “Briar, I heard… you’re chair of the Whitmore Group now?” I understood immediately. So this was what he had come for. I pulled out a chair, sat down, poured him tea, and smiled. “Uncle Ray, we’re family. No need to circle around.” “If you have something to say, just say it.” “My niece really is straightforward!” His eyes lit up, and he immediately followed the opening. “Here’s the thing. Your uncle has a project recently. Guaranteed profit, no loss. It just needs a little startup capital.” “You’re chair now. Could you invest a little in your uncle’s project? Not much. Just a hundred million.” My smile didn’t change. I agreed instantly. “Of course, Uncle.” “As your niece, I have to support your career.” “Have your assistant send over the project materials later. I’ll ask finance to start the process.” Raymond hadn’t expected me to agree so quickly. His eyes brightened. Then he added, “Also, Briar, your cousin just graduated from college this year. Could you let him come to your company and help you out? Let him learn from you.” My uncle and aunt only had one daughter, Iris, who was studying abroad. The “cousin” he meant, Liam, was his illegitimate son. I had heard Mom mention him a few times. Raymond treasured that secret son of his. But my aunt had a fierce temper and tolerated no betrayal. As luck would have it, Raymond had been able to sit comfortably as chairman of the Caldwell family business all these years partly because my mother loved helping her younger brother, but mostly because of his wife. So he didn’t dare let her know the illegitimate son existed. I kept smiling and nodded. “No problem. Once Liam graduates, have him report to HR. I’ll have a vice president mentor him personally.” Raymond was overjoyed and left happily. The office finally quieted down. The smile slowly faded from my face. If there had only been one dog, I might have had a problem. But now there were two. All I had to do was wait for the show. 04 Grandpa’s death came suddenly. That day, I was out of town negotiating a project when I received the butler’s call. I rushed back overnight. Dad had already arranged the funeral. The funeral home was cold. Low music drifted through the air. In the center of the memorial hall hung Grandpa’s black-and-white portrait. Before the coffin, Dad knelt on a cushion, sobbing like his heart had been ripped out. Anyone who didn’t know better would have thought he was the most devoted son in the world. Beside him, a woman held a swaddled baby and gently soothed it. I recognized her vaguely. One of Dad’s mistresses. “Dad! Open your eyes and look!” Dad cried, pounding the coffin heavily. His voice was hoarse. “You finally have a grandson! I gave you a grandson!” “Why couldn’t you wait to see him? Why did you leave?” I stood there as my stomach churned. Just then, my mother stormed in. The moment her eyes landed on the baby in the woman’s arms, she exploded like a firecracker and lunged forward to snatch it. “Victor Whitmore, you filthy stud! You dare bring your bastard child to the old man’s funeral? I’ll smash this little curse to death today!” The woman screamed and dodged back. Dad immediately stood and shielded her. The two of them began fighting in an instant. A proper memorial hall became a circus within seconds. I only stood quietly and looked at Grandpa, as if all the noise had nothing to do with me. My nose suddenly stung. Tears gathered in my eyes, but I held them back with everything I had. Only when the lawyer entered the hall did the chaos finally quiet down. He carried a document envelope in his hand. Grandpa’s will. The lawyer cleared his throat, bowed deeply to Grandpa’s portrait, then opened the will and read it word by word. Most of the real estate would be split equally among my parents and me. Grandpa’s lifetime collection of paintings, antiques, cars, and scattered investment and trust income all went to me. And then came the most important part. The shares of the Whitmore Group. The forty percent of shares Grandpa held during his life would be divided equally between me and my father, Victor Whitmore. Each of us would inherit twenty percent. I stood frozen as half the blood in my body seemed to turn cold. I already held the ten percent Grandpa had transferred to me years earlier. With this inherited twenty percent, I had thirty percent total. Enough to stand firmly in the company. Not enough to fully control the Whitmore Group. And Dad, a useless playboy Grandpa had kicked out of core management ten years ago, a man who wasn’t even a shareholder yesterday, had gained twenty percent overnight. That meant he now had the capital to fight me head-on. I frowned. I knew Grandpa had arranged this out of fatherly love. But he had overestimated my father. Grandpa could give him shares. Dad could not hold on to them. Dad froze for a few seconds, then burst into irrepressible laughter. “I knew it! Dad still cared about me, his son!” He glanced at me smugly. “So what if the old man trained you as heir? I’m not only your father. I’m his only son.” As he spoke, he touched the baby’s cheek. “Briar, you’d better be careful. A girl running a company? That kind of glory never lasts.” I lowered my eyes, expressionless. “Dad, whether my glory lasts or not, we’ll see.” “But it’s true that you’re a poor judge of people. Marissa fooled you for so long. This time, try not to get fooled again.” “I already threw that woman out!” Dad snarled, clearly stabbed in a sore spot. “Just wait until your brother and I replace you.” With that, he wrapped an arm around the woman, held the newborn baby, and walked out of the memorial hall without looking back. Mom was so angry her face turned green. Pointing at his back, she cursed and chased after him in her heels, shouting that she was going to settle this properly. The memorial hall, noisy moments ago, emptied in an instant. Only I remained. Me, and Grandpa lying in the coffin. I stood there for a very long time. So long my legs went numb and lost all feeling. Only then did I brace myself against the cold funeral home wall and move outside one step at a time. From the memorial hall to the parking lot was only a few hundred yards. Holding the wall, I walked for half an hour. That was enough time to think through many things. I suddenly remembered years ago, when Grandpa first brought me back to the old estate. He had stroked my head and said, “Briar, if no one helps you walk, then lean on the wall and walk by yourself. Go slowly. You’ll get out eventually.” I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I covered my face and cried without a sound.

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