Category: English

The day I was discharged from the hospital, my wife was nowhere to be seen. Just as I was reaching for my phone to call her, I saw her latest post on social media. She was wearing a breezy summer dress, smiling radiantly by the side of a yacht. Her boss stood behind her, his arms lightly wrapped around her waist, their heads tilted close, whispering as if no one else existed. Caption: “You jump, I jump.” My heart froze, but I still gave the post a like. No sooner had I tapped “like” than my phone buzzed. It was Heather. I stared at the flashing screen for what felt like an eternity before finally answering. “Feeling better today?” she asked, her voice casual. I opened my mouth, hesitating. There were so many things I wanted to ask, but I didn’t know where to start. Sensing my silence, Heather quickly added, “Don’t overthink it. That photo with Mr. Daniels was just for the company yacht promotion.” She paused briefly, and then continued, “Since you’re awake, why don’t you order some takeout? I’ve got work today and can’t come see you.” Her words stung like a knife. I reminded her softly, “Today’s the day I’m being discharged.” Heather went quiet for a long moment before sighing in exasperation. “Elliot, you should’ve told me sooner. I could’ve planned for it.” My grip tightened on the phone. “I told you three days ago.” I glanced at the discharge paper sitting on the nightstand. The nurse had personally handed it to her when she visited me. But she hadn’t even looked at it. She’d been glued to her phone then, her fingers typing furiously, her face lighting up with sweet smiles every now and then. The paper had ended up stuffed in a drawer, forgotten. I knew who she was texting—her boss. The distinctive notification chimes from her phone made it impossible not to notice. My response clearly annoyed her. “The hospital gives out so many papers. How was I supposed to know that one was your discharge notice?” “Fine,” she snapped. “I’ll come pick you up now, okay?” Before I could respond, she hung up. With my leg in a cast, I slowly packed my things with the help of a nurse. Hours ticked by as I waited for Heather on the hospital bench. Day turned to night, but she never showed up. Exhausted, I strapped my luggage onto my wheelchair and painstakingly made my way to the hospital entrance. By the time I reached the curb, my arms ached, and I was gasping for breath. When I finally got home, I opened the door to find Heather lounging on the couch, casually watching TV in her usual skimpy loungewear. Anger surged through me. “This is what you meant by coming to pick me up?”

Heather’s face turned cold. “I’ve been running around all day. I’m exhausted, okay? Couldn’t you have just stayed at the hospital for one more night?” “Besides,” she added, crossing her arms, “you made it back on your own, didn’t you?” I let out a bitter laugh. Did she think the hospital was some kind of hotel you could extend your stay at on a whim? This wasn’t the first time she’d bailed on me. Last month, she’d craved steamed crab, so I’d gone out of my way to visit a seafood market on the other side of town just to get her fresh ones. She promised to pick me up afterward, but I ended up waiting in the parking lot until ten at night. She never showed. I had no choice but to take a cab home. The moment I walked through the door, she burst in after me, crying and apologizing about some “difficult client” she had to deal with. I’d believed her then. Felt sorry for her even. But now, thinking back, I realized this pattern had long become routine. Frustrated, I raised my voice. “Heather, I let it slide every other time. But this was my discharge day! I’m in a wheelchair with a freaking cast!” Heather’s expression froze. Then, her tone softened as she hurried over to take my suitcase. “I’m sorry, okay? It won’t happen again. You must be starving. Let’s eat first.” She wheeled me over to the table. On it sat a takeout box of leftovers, the contents mixed together into an unappetizing mess. I suppressed a wave of nausea and tossed the chopsticks onto the table. That set Heather off. She jabbed a finger at the box. “Elliot, who do you think you are? This is food from The Blue Harbor Grill! Their signature dishes! If it weren’t for Mr. Daniels, do you think someone like you, with your measly salary, could even dream of eating their crab legs?” I stared at the soggy seafood casserole, littered with fish bones. My chest tightened. Sure, The Blue Harbor Grill was pricey, but I wasn’t so broke that I needed someone else’s leftovers. I wheeled myself to the kitchen and poured a glass of water. Before I could take a sip, Heather snatched it from my hands. “Elliot, stop acting like a child! I already told you—I had work to do, which is why I couldn’t pick you up!” “Work?” I couldn’t hold it in anymore. “So cuddling with Mr. Daniels on a yacht is work now?” Heather’s face flushed red with anger. “Cuddling? Are you serious? The company is investing in yacht tourism, and that was just a promotional photo shoot! Mr. Daniels was holding me to make sure I didn’t fall into the water!” She glared at me, her voice dripping with disdain. “You’re just jealous because you’re a nobody. Don’t blame others for your own failures!” Her words made me laugh bitterly. A nobody? Did she forget why I ended up in the hospital in the first place?

“Forget it,” Heather sighed, sounding exasperated. “I’m too tired to argue with you. Let me help you to bed.” I pushed her hand away, ignoring the frustration that flashed across her face. Without a word, I wheeled myself toward the stairs. At the base, I switched to my crutches and prepared to climb. Behind me, I heard a familiar ringtone—a custom one she’d set. “Zach? What’s up?””What? I’ll be right there!” Heather ended the call and rushed toward the stairs, brushing past me without a second glance. Her sudden shove sent my crutch off balance. Before I could steady myself, I tumbled down the stairs. “Zach’s not feeling well. He’s sneezing like crazy—probably caught a cold from all the wind on the water earlier. I’m taking him to the hospital!” Her voice trailed off as she hurried out the door, leaving me sprawled at the bottom of the staircase. The house fell silent, save for my ragged, pained breaths. The fresh wave of agony from my injuries was unbearable. Blood seeped through the gauze on my leg, staining the floor beneath me. I knew the wound had reopened. Pulling out my phone, I dialed for an ambulance. At the hospital, the nurse on duty looked at me with concern as she examined my injuries. “You need to be more careful. If you don’t take proper care of your leg, there’s a chance it might never fully recover. You could lose the ability to travel and take photos—your passion.” Her words hit a raw nerve. I bit my lip, feeling a bitter ache in my chest. As she replaced the blood-soaked bandages, the memory of the accident came rushing back. It had been a month ago, on a quiet evening. Heather and I had gone out for a walk after dinner, just like we always did. The road was wide and empty, newly paved and barely used. Out of nowhere, a car had lost control, barreling toward us like a missile. Instinctively, I had shoved Heather out of the way. But I hadn’t been quick enough to save myself. The car clipped me, and as I fell, my clothes got caught on the bumper. I was dragged across the asphalt for what felt like miles. The searing pain of my skin tearing against the road, the warmth of my blood pooling around me, the world going blurry until everything went dark—those sensations were still vivid, like it had happened yesterday.

After the check-up, I wheeled myself out of the exam room and spotted Zach Daniels sitting on a bench in the hallway. Heather was crouched in front of him, her face filled with worry. Her delicate hands held a water cup in one hand and pills in the other. Her ruby-red lips hovered over the steaming water, softly blowing on it to cool it down. Over and over, she blew gently, her every movement tender and intimate. I sat there, watching the scene unfold. It was picturesque, almost poetic—if only it didn’t tear at something deep inside me. Zach noticed me first. He smiled faintly and said to Heather, “Your husband really loves you. Even with a broken leg, he insisted on coming here to see you.” Heather snapped her head around at his words, catching sight of me. Annoyance flickered across her face. She stood abruptly and marched over, her expression sharp. “Elliot, are you following me? Even like this, you can’t keep your obsessive need for control in check, can you?” “You’ve been in the hospital for a whole month, and I’ve been there for you every day. What more do you want?” “I’m a person too. I have my own life. I can’t just sit around catering to you all the time!” I stared at her, momentarily stunned. I thought back to the days after the accident, when I’d first woken up. Heather had clung to me, sobbing, calling me her hero. During those weeks, she never left my side. She cooked meals for me—something she’d never done before—bringing homemade food to the hospital every day. Her care had been meticulous, unwavering. But as time passed, I started telling her to rest more, to stop overexerting herself for my sake. Apparently, my thoughtfulness had only given her license to drift further and further away. Heather continued her tirade, venting her frustrations with no regard for the people around us. I stared at her, my voice flat. “You’re mistaken. I’m not here to spy on you. I fell down the stairs and came back for a check-up.” Zach reached out, gently pulling Heather back. His voice was calm, soothing. “Let it go. He’s still recovering. Why don’t you both head home? I’ll be fine on my own.” Heather’s face softened as she turned back to him. “No way. The doctor said you need to take your medicine on time and rest properly tonight. I need to make sure you stick to that. Otherwise, you’ll just end up working until midnight again!” Zach hesitated, glancing at me. “But your husband—” Heather cut him off with a dismissive laugh. “He made it home by himself earlier, didn’t he? It’s not like he doesn’t know the way.” I chuckled darkly. “Yeah, you’re right. At some point, I’ll have to learn to navigate the road ahead on my own.” Heather looked at me, her brows furrowing. She reached out, as if to push my wheelchair. But I turned it myself, moving away from her touch. “Mr. Daniels clearly needs your care more than I do,” I said coldly. “After all, he’s got such a… serious cold.” I dragged out the last two words, letting the sarcasm hang in the air. Without waiting for their response, I wheeled myself away. I didn’t go home that night. Instead, I went to my photography studio and sat there until dawn. The quiet of the studio was comforting, a stark contrast to the chaos my life had become. As sunlight filtered through the windows, I picked up my phone and dialed a number I hadn’t called in a long time. “Professor Monroe, I’ve made my decision. I’ll take the position with National Geographic in Lathria.”

“That’s fantastic news!” Professor Monroe’s voice practically leapt through the phone. “I always said you were wasting your talent in that little studio. The editor-in-chief at National Geographic over in Marindale has been raving about your work ever since he saw your photos.” “You’ve made the right decision, Elliot. Just sit tight—I’ll get the paperwork started right away!” Photography had been my passion for as long as I could remember. Growing up, I’d spend hours wandering through parks, camera in hand, capturing every fleeting moment nature had to offer. One summer during high school, I was at the park taking pictures when Professor Monroe happened to walk by. He stood behind me, offering pointers on framing and lighting. That brief encounter marked the beginning of my connection with him. When I got into college, he became my mentor and repeatedly encouraged me to study abroad. But I couldn’t bring myself to leave. My friends and family were all here in Arborville, and the thought of starting over in a foreign country, surrounded by strangers, felt unbearably lonely. At the time, I said no. And then I met Heather. She was elegant, soft-spoken, and carried a quiet warmth that drew me in instantly. Falling for her was effortless, and before I knew it, we were inseparable. Once we started dating, the idea of leaving became impossible. I wanted to stay close to her, so I rented a small photography studio downtown and began taking freelance portrait gigs. Professor Monroe was frustrated, to say the least. He called me stubborn, said I was wasting my potential. But in the end, he couldn’t change my mind. That was five years ago. Even though I didn’t go abroad, I never stopped honing my craft. I built up an online presence, growing a modest following on social media. Heather, however, never supported my work. She’d suggest—no, insist—that I give up photography and find a “real” job. We fought about it constantly. Still, I refused to give in. Photography was the one thing I wouldn’t compromise on. Looking back now, I’m so grateful I didn’t listen to her. If I had, I wouldn’t be in a position to take this next step in my career. Lost in thought, I picked up my phone and opened my social media app. I was about to click away from the “people you may know” section when a profile picture caught my eye.

The profile picture showed a man and a woman standing on a beach, their backs to the camera. A strange feeling gripped my chest as I clicked on the account. The most recent post was a photo of a woman’s back. She was holding a bottle of medicine in one hand, while her other hand was extended behind her, as if she was leading someone forward. The caption read: “Even when you’re sick, having someone by your side makes you feel strong again.” I scrolled down further. “Some people are so easily satisfied. Take them out for a little fun, and they’re over the moon.” My breathing grew shallow. I couldn’t explain what I was feeling—anger? Sadness? Betrayal? I kept scrolling. There was a photo of a beachfront villa. In front of it, the man and woman were locked in an embrace. Her hair, usually long and smooth, was tied up in a messy bun. The account belonged to Zach Daniels. And the woman in the photo? Heather. I couldn’t stop the trembling that overtook my body. My hands shook as I scrolled further, consuming every post like I was punishing myself. Underneath each one, there was a comment from the same account: Heather’s. She told me she didn’t use social media. She said it was pointless, a waste of time. I believed her. I never even mentioned my own account to her because I thought she wasn’t interested. But now, as I clicked on her profile, a side of her I’d never seen unfolded before me. “Does this outfit work? Think the aloof boss will like it?” The photo showed a black, furry costume with cat ears. I gripped my phone tightly, trying to steady my breathing, but a coldness spread through my chest that I couldn’t shake. I wasn’t blind. I’d noticed Heather’s growing indifference toward me. Once, early in our relationship, I’d tried to surprise her with a silly joke—a playful suggestion about roleplaying. Her reaction had been scathing. “Elliot,” she had said, disgust lining every word, “what kind of person do you think I am? Can you be serious for once? You’re making me sick.” Her words had cut deep, and I’d never brought it up again. I thought she hated those kinds of things, so I did everything I could to respect her wishes. But now I realized it wasn’t the idea that had revolted her. It was me. I numbly switched between their profiles, piecing together their timeline. Post after post, photo after photo, I traced their relationship back to its beginning. Eventually, my phone died in my hands. I looked up, startled to find that night had fallen. The room was dark, save for the faint glow of the city lights outside the window.

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I spent three years as a doormat for the ice-cold campus queen. She shamelessly spent my money while pretending to be a high-class beauty. Until that night, when a rich kid pinned her down in the backseat of his luxury car. Hearing her cries for help, I rushed to play the hero and even accompanied her to the police station to file a report. Little did I know, the next day, she would turn around and accuse me of raping her. The rich kid destroyed the evidence and found people to give false testimony. My reputation was ruined, and I ended up in jail. My parents searched everywhere for evidence to prove my innocence. But on their way to the police station, they were killed in a head-on collision with a truck. I didn’t even get to see my parents one last time. When the campus queen came to visit me in prison, she smiled smugly at me: “You worthless dog, I was having a great time with Brandon. You had to come and ruin everything. Now look what happened, even your parents got what they deserved!” When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the night the campus queen was dragged into the car by the rich kid. Hearing the lustful sounds coming from the car, I turned and walked away.

“Help… please, someone help me…” Faint cries for help echoed through the parking lot late at night. I heard the commotion and followed the sound. In the distance, I saw a luxury car parked in the corner, its body shaking slightly. In my previous life, it was in this very car that I witnessed Lily Snow, the campus queen I had a crush on for three years, being pinned down in the backseat by Brandon Chase. Back then, I had rushed over and yanked open the car door, punching Brandon in the face and kicking him hard in the groin. While Brandon was writhing in pain on the ground, I helped the disheveled Lily to the police station to file a report. Little did I know that the next day, Brandon would show up in class with his arm around Lily, accompanied by the police. Lily tearfully accused me of attempting to rape her in front of the entire class. Everyone chose to believe Lily. After all, who in our class didn’t know that I, Connor Quinn, was Lily’s doormat, chasing after her for three whole years? Lily sobbed as she made her accusation. “He’s been harassing me for so long. I saw through him a long time ago, which is why I rejected him.” “I never thought he’d be so despicable. Knowing I would never accept him, he… he… in the parking lot…” “Thankfully, Brandon arrived in time to save me.” Lily buried herself in Brandon’s arms, sobbing. Brandon patted her back gently, but his eyes shot a cold glare at me. The crowd buzzed with chatter as the police handcuffed me, not even giving me a chance to explain. Through the back window of the police car, I saw Lily and Brandon exchange smiles, their eyes full of triumph. My parents, however, never stopped believing in my innocence. They ran around trying to get justice for me. They were turned away when they tried to meet with school officials, and when they tried to access the security footage, they found it had been deliberately deleted. In just a few days, my parents, both in their fifties, had aged visibly from the stress. On their final attempt, as they were driving to the police station, a large truck suddenly lost control and crashed into them head-on. A month later, Lily and Brandon came to visit me in prison. Brandon sat in the chair, his eyes filled with hatred. “You deserved this! If it weren’t for that kick of yours, I wouldn’t be impotent now.” It was then that I finally understood why they had gone to such lengths to destroy me. Back in the present, I watched the rocking luxury car in the distance and took out my phone, hitting record and aiming it at the car’s interior. The car windows were wide open, clearly showing Brandon on top of Lily. In my previous life, I had rushed in hot-headedly to play the hero. This time, I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t make the same mistake again. As I was leaving the parking lot, I heard someone approaching. Soon, there was a commotion behind me. I guess that person had stumbled upon their little tryst, and now others were running towards the parking lot. I quickened my pace, swiftly leaving the scene of trouble. Back in my dorm room, I saw my parents’ video call on the screen, and my eyes instantly welled up. The last memory I had of them was how haggard they looked. Seeing them now, still healthy and well, filled me with overwhelming emotion. My dad used to be a businessman, always dressed in a suit and tie, looking sharp and energetic. But in my previous life, when he visited me in prison, his face was unshaven and his eyes were heavy with dark circles. My mom had always taken good care of her appearance, but back then, her brow was furrowed with worry and her hair had turned gray. In just the few days I had been in jail, they both seemed to have aged a decade. My mom noticed something was off and asked with concern: “Connor, are you just getting back to your room? Is the coursework very stressful lately?” “Stop revolving your life around that Lily girl. You only have two months left, focus on getting into grad school,” my father paused, then added, “After that, you can start getting involved in some of the company’s business.” Fighting back tears, I promised, “Yes, Mom and Dad, don’t worry. I won’t let you down.” “By the way, Dad, I think I could start helping out with some business matters now.” “You cheeky boy!” My father laughed as he hung up the phone. I smiled as I ended the call, but my expression immediately turned cold. In this life, I was determined to make those two animals pay for what they’d done. I opened my phone and carefully reviewed the video I had just recorded, smirking as I said: “You like to play games, huh? Well, let’s play then!”

The next morning, as soon as I walked into the classroom, Lily came strutting over in her high heels. She looked down at me haughtily, wearing her usual arrogant expression. “Connor, I’m not feeling well and need to go to the hospital for a check-up. Can you lend me a few thousand dollars?” The eyes of our classmates were drawn to us, but no one seemed surprised. Who in school didn’t know about my infatuation with the campus queen? Lily came from an ordinary family. Her father was a construction worker, and her mother worked as a sales clerk in a department store. She had even been receiving financial aid for low-income students. Ever since I publicly declared my intention to pursue Lily, this woman had been treating me like an ATM. Designer bags, cosmetics, luxury items – she never asked for them directly, always under the guise of “borrowing.” In our freshman year, she would at least write IOUs. But after “borrowing” five thousand dollars from me at once to buy luxury goods, she became completely shameless. In just three short years, she had swindled nearly thirty thousand dollars from me, with only about seven thousand covered by IOUs. Looking at her smug face now, I felt nothing but disgust. In my previous life, I must have been blind to fawn over a woman like this. I had kept those IOUs, foolishly thinking I was preserving her handwriting. “No,” I said coldly. “And it’s time you paid back what you’ve already borrowed.” Lily froze, her fake eyelashes fluttering dramatically. “What did you say?” A wave of gasps echoed through the classroom. Someone whispered, “Did Connor take the wrong meds? Is he done being a doormat?” I pulled out a stack of IOUs from my drawer and leisurely flipped through them. “Just pay back the principal. I’ll waive all the interest you added.” Lily loved to add phrases like “2% monthly interest” to the IOUs, as if it made her look more responsible. Her face clouded over, and she suddenly let out a cold laugh. “Hah, Connor, who do you think you are? It’s your privilege that I even borrowed money from you. Don’t take yourself so seriously!” “There are plenty of rich guys who’d love to give me money. You think I need anything from a nouveau riche like you?” Lily stepped closer in her high heels, pointing a red-nailed finger at my chest. I stared back at this bitter and sarcastic campus queen with a blank expression. I couldn’t believe how blind I had been before. “So many people are giving you money? That’s great. So, when are you planning to pay back the first IOU for $3,200?” I waved the piece of paper in my hand. “There’s still over ten thousand more waiting for you to deal with.” Seeing that I kept mocking her, Lily became furious. “It’s just some dirty money. What are you so smug about? You think I’d ever agree to be with you just because you give me money?” “In my eyes, you’re nothing but a doormat, a dog who’s been licking my boots for three years!” Lily glared at me, her eyes venomous. “Someone like you? I wouldn’t even look at the campus security guard over you! Even if you got down on your knees and begged, I wouldn’t give you a second glance!” With that vicious remark, she stormed out of the room. The other students in the classroom looked at each other in disbelief. Some whispered, “The campus queen went too far with those words.” “Bro, what’s going on? Did you finally wake up? Didn’t you just say yesterday that you’d chase after the queen for life?” My roommate Henry looked shocked. I calmly replied, “I just suddenly saw things clearly. Now I just want to settle the accounts. Nothing else matters.” “Good for you, man! You’ve finally come to your senses!” Henry gave me a thumbs up. “But you’d better be careful. That girl is bad news.” I knew Lily wouldn’t let this go. Sure enough, before noon, she had already hooked up with Brandon, ready to cause trouble for me.

I had just finished class when Brandon, accompanied by his gang of lackeys, cornered me at the door. This young Mr. Chase was notorious for his arrogance, relying on his family’s wealth and his father’s position on the university board. “I heard you dared to ask Lily for money?” Brandon leaned against the doorframe, looking haughty. “Don’t you know she’s my girlfriend?” His cronies behind him glared at me menacingly. I leaned against a desk, sizing him up with amusement. In my previous life, I might have been intimidated by his background. But after being reborn, I really wasn’t afraid of his tactics anymore. Besides, with my family’s financial power, I had the means to fight back. In my previous life, it was only because of the urgent situation that I was pushed step by step into that fiery pit. “Lily said she wouldn’t even look at the campus security guard over me. I guess she was talking about you?” I retorted. Brandon slammed his fist on my desk with a loud “bang.” I smirked, “Is that all you’ve got?” Brandon’s face turned ashen. He then gritted his teeth and said: “I know your family has some connections, but they’re nothing compared to the Chase family! I’ll give you one chance today. Apologize to Lily, and we’ll let this slide.” I almost laughed out loud. “What’s the matter? Your woman borrows money from me every day to spend. Don’t you feel embarrassed?” Brandon’s expression froze. Before he could speak, Lily quickly intervened with a coy voice. “Don’t listen to his nonsense! I just didn’t want to spend Brandon’s money.” A crowd of curious classmates had gathered at the classroom door, with people in the hallway craning their necks to see inside. A few girls discreetly took out their phones and started recording videos. Henry, sitting in the back row, sneered. “Tsk tsk, so the campus queen is picky about whose money she spends? She freely spends Connor’s money but won’t dare touch Brandon’s? What kind of high-class act is this?” “Pretending to be a rich princess with a doormat’s money. That’s a new low.” Lily pretended not to hear and instead clung to Brandon’s arm, speaking in a sickeningly sweet voice. “Brandon, don’t mind him. He’s just trying to get my attention. In a few days, he’ll be back to giving me money obediently.” She tried to leave, but Brandon held her back. Brandon looked at me with a cold smile. “Connor, don’t go too far. You’re making a fuss over a bit of money? You know how difficult Lily’s family situation is.” “Are you trying to push her into a corner?” Looking at his hypocritical face, I couldn’t help but mock him. “Mr. Chase makes it sound so easy. Why don’t you support her then? Or can’t you even afford to take care of your own girlfriend?” Brandon was nearly speechless. “Lily said she didn’t want to spend my money!” I smiled faintly. “I see. Well, let me tell you both: I can lend money to anyone, but a woman like Lily? Don’t even think about it.” Lily’s face turned bright red, but she stubbornly retorted: “As if I’d want your dirty money! Come on, Brandon, let’s go!” I pulled out a stack of IOUs from my bag. “Is that so? If you don’t want it, how do you plan to deal with these IOUs? Don’t think I won’t sue you.” “Connor, how dare you treat me like this!” Lily gritted her teeth. “Fine, just you wait. I’ll make you pay for this!” Watching this pair of scumbags slink away, I smiled silently. Did they really think I hadn’t learned anything from my previous life? I was looking forward to seeing what kind of waves they could make. Henry came over and said, “Bro, are you really serious about this? Aren’t you afraid Brandon will come after you?” I looked at the IOUs in my hand and smiled coldly. “I don’t care. I’m waiting for them to dig their own graves.”

By evening, the whole school was in an uproar. Word spread that Lily Snow, the campus queen, had been sexually assaulted in the school parking lot the night before. Lily had skipped classes that afternoon, and a group of gossip-loving girls surrounded her roommate to dig for information. Apparently, her roommate had accidentally seen Lily making an appointment for a gynecological exam and buying emergency contraception. “Connor, I heard you were supposed to walk Lily back to her dorm last night?” A few guys rushed over to inquire. I looked up from my review materials. In my previous life, it was at this moment that I was caught off guard by Brandon’s lackeys due to a momentary loss for words. Those bootlickers had taken turns accusing me, and even a few friends who were usually on good terms with me had played dumb. This time, I was going to take the initiative. “Walk her home? I wasn’t even there last night.” I feigned confusion. “Did something happen to her?” One of the lackeys frowned and said, “Come on, everyone knows you follow her around every day, saying you’re worried about her safety at night.” “That was before,” I explained. “Last night I went back to my dorm early. I even studied late into the night. If you don’t believe me, check the surveillance cameras downstairs.” “We heard Lily was raped. You don’t know about it? Then why did you suddenly give her the cold shoulder yesterday?” someone asked in a low voice. I continued looking at my book, maintaining my composure. “That’s because my parents told me to focus on my studies. That’s why I decided to stop being her doormat. I really don’t know anything about this.” Seeing that I genuinely seemed unaware, the crowd dispersed. I breathed a sigh of relief. At least I had avoided a group of people who would have jumped to conclusions based on a mere rumor. Taking advantage of the break before evening classes, I went to an electronics store and bought several high-definition cameras. After the faculty had left, I installed the equipment in the administrators’ offices, just in case. This was the first step in my plan for revenge. Over the next few days, Lily didn’t come to class. Various versions of rumors were flying around. It was said that the student who first spread the news had already been warned by Brandon not to talk. I focused on my studies, waiting for this pair of scumbags to walk into my trap. Soon enough, Lily returned. The teacher was in the middle of a lecture when the classroom door suddenly burst open. Brandon walked in with his arm around Lily, followed by a group of his lackeys. Four police officers also entered the room. Lily reluctantly left Brandon’s embrace and sashayed towards the podium. When she looked at me, a flash of hatred crossed her eyes. Wiping her tears, her voice trembling, she began to speak. “It was him. That night, I was passing through the parking lot when Connor followed me… He covered my eyes and dragged me into a car…” The class immediately erupted in an uproar. Her voice grew softer, as if she couldn’t continue, her face turning pale. “He was so strong… I couldn’t break free. I begged him to let me go, but he said… he said this is what a slut like me deserved…” As she spoke, she seemed to collapse to the ground. Brandon immediately rushed forward to catch her, looking concerned. Lily buried her face in his chest, sobbing, “Brandon, I’m so scared. I’m really so scared.” She deliberately acted as if she was about to faint, instantly stirring up anger among the crowd. The classroom immediately filled with curses and condemnation. In my previous life, I had lost my composure in this situation. But this time, I was going to show them who the real prey was.

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On our seventh wedding anniversary, Ethan publicly slapped me in front of everyone. “It’s Olivia’s birthday, how dare you come here and ruin it?” he sneered. Looking at the mockery in his eyes, I knew he had intentionally invited me here to humiliate me. In the lively karaoke room, I was treated like a servant, ordered to select songs and open bottles of wine, watching my husband passionately kiss Olivia right in front of me. After the party, a drunk Ethan waited for me downstairs. “Who told you to disappear for 7 days without my permission? This is your punishment. If it happens again, get out of the Evans family!” “Be careful, or you’ll end up serving me for 7 years without getting a penny!” The farewell words suddenly caught in my throat. I clutched the critical condition notice in my hand, thought for a moment, and ultimately decided not to show it to him. “Realizing you’re old and unattractive, couldn’t find a rich husband, so you came crawling back?” Ethan mocked from the passenger seat as we drove home. “Rachel Wilson! You abandoned me for money back then, and came back when I became successful. This day was bound to come!” I gripped the steering wheel tightly, laughing bitterly. “Yes, I deserve this.” In the seven years of marriage to Ethan Evans, he constantly brought various girls home, being intimate with them right in front of me, taking pleasure in tormenting me. But I didn’t understand. Besides being his bedmate, I also had to be his housekeeper, assistant, and driver. He never gave me a penny, and that once young and beautiful girl was worn down to nothing for him. Why wouldn’t he believe that I was never with him for his money? I tilted my head back slightly, holding back the tears in my eyes. Ethan’s lazy voice sounded again: “Tell me, where did you go for those 7 days that I couldn’t contact you?” “The hospital.” “Hospital? Huh, which doctor have you set your sights on? You think these highly educated people can be easily manipulated like I was back then?” He lifted my chin, his eyes full of playfulness and mockery: “You old woman, don’t think you can seduce anyone anymore!” I bit my lip hard, but tears still fell uncontrollably. My heart, already riddled with holes, was torn apart once again, the pain unbearable. Ethan finally showed a satisfied smile, casually tossing a necklace at me. “Here, your anniversary gift.” I, who had endured all kinds of insults without complaint, suddenly started trembling uncontrollably at the sight of this first gift he had given me in 7 years. “What does this mean? Are you afraid I’ll give up on you and leave, so you’re deliberately giving me a bit of hope so you can continue to torment me?” “Ethan Evans, it’s been 7 years, haven’t you had enough revenge?” I don’t know if it was because I was too emotional, but I thought I saw a flash of pain in his eyes. But it quickly disappeared, replaced by a cold smile. “You’re overthinking it.” “For someone like you who’s here for money and won’t leave no matter how badly I treat you, why would I need to give you any sweetness?” I couldn’t say another word. Ever since Ethan first brought a girl home and took her to the bedroom in front of me, all explanations became meaningless. I just wanted to endure it, repay my debt, and then be free. Back home, Ethan roughly pushed me onto the bed. “Ethan Evans, this is the last time,” I silently thought to myself as I closed my eyes. I let him press me down without any emotion, as if venting. Whispering Olivia’s name.

Olivia Davis was the most popular starlet under Ethan’s management. In the past 7 years, countless girls had come and gone from his side, but Olivia was the only one who had stayed for 3 months. He bought her a house, gave her the best resources, perhaps developing feelings for her in the process of taking revenge on me. Everyone thought Olivia was his official girlfriend. No one knew that I was Ethan Evans’ wife. “That driver, Mr. Evans wants you to go over,” someone suddenly called out to me as I was waiting in the car for Ethan. He had come to the set to accompany Olivia, and when I arrived, they were filming a scene where the female lead falls into water. The autumn water was bone-chillingly cold. Olivia nestled in Ethan’s arms, her tearful eyes full of pampered happiness: “Ethan, I’m not strong…” Ethan immediately grasped her hand: “Don’t worry, that’s why I found a stand-in for you, right?” His gaze fell on me, and the staff all turned to look at me as well. They all smirked silently. Only the director dared to speak up: “Mr. Evans, I know you care about Olivia, but this scene is very important and can’t be done carelessly. How can we use some random servant as a stand-in?” “We might as well use one of the middle-aged extras.” I looked down at my shabby clothes, feeling embarrassed. But Ethan was confident: “Just put some makeup on her.” When I came out of the makeup room, everyone was shocked. “How can they look so alike?” “Looks like Mr. Evans really likes Olivia, even choosing a driver who looks like her…” With the makeup covering my sickly complexion and wrinkles, I finally showed a bit of my youthful appearance. They all thought I looked like Olivia, but no one knew that I had known Ethan for much longer than Olivia had. “What are you standing there for? Jump in quickly, don’t keep Olivia waiting!” Ethan ordered impatiently, his arm around Olivia. I walked to the edge of the pool and saw how deep it was, giving off wisps of cold air. My body, already terminally ill and near death, instinctively rejected it. “I’m not feeling well, Mr. Evans. You should find a professional actor.” “What nonsense? Finding someone else would take at least half an hour, and Olivia is waiting to finish shooting so we can go eat.” His gaze shifted to me, the warmth he showed Olivia instantly turning cold: “Are you going to jump? Or do I need to have someone push you in?” I shuddered deeply. Just his words made me feel like I was in an ice cellar, unable to breathe. I had endured this kind of treatment for 7 years, what’s one last time? Clenching my fists, I looked up at Ethan: “With this jump, we’ll be even.” He frowned: “What do you mean?” “Remember when I married you, I borrowed $130,000 from you?” “For these 7 years, I’ve been your assistant, your housekeeper, your driver, barely resting a day. Three salaries combined, you should have paid me at least $1,000 a month.” “And every time you slept with me, it was your initiative! Even if you think I’m cheap, it shouldn’t be less than $500 each time.” I took out the small notebook I always carried, everything recorded clearly! “This jump is risking my life, charging you $3,000 isn’t too much. After this, the $130,000 is fully repaid. Ethan Evans, I don’t owe you anything anymore!” Without waiting for Ethan’s response, I dove deep into the pool. The icy water instantly engulfed me, eroding my consciousness and my already fading life. But I didn’t struggle, feeling only the relief of liberation, letting my body sink gradually. Just as I was about to drown, a familiar figure hugged me and brought me to the shore. “Rachel Wilson, are you crazy?” “Do you know you could have really died if the rescue wasn’t in time?!” Looking at Ethan’s panicked and angry face, I smiled. “You hate me so much, wouldn’t my death be exactly what you want?”

They didn’t understand why Ethan cared so much about me, a mere driver, giving me CPR and carrying me to the car. Olivia even seemed a bit jealous. She followed Ethan with red eyes: “Can’t you let someone else take her to the hospital? Ethan, you promised to have dinner with me.” Ethan, who usually gave in to her every demand, hesitated for a moment: “She’s my employee after all, I can’t let anything happen to her.” He held me tightly and quickened his pace. The warm, familiar chest suddenly took me back to 10 years ago. We had just graduated from college then, living in a damp basement apartment in the suburbs. The cold, damp environment made me sick all winter. Once I had a severe fever, becoming delirious. The snow on the road was knee-deep, and we couldn’t get a taxi. Ethan carried me like this, running from the suburbs to the hospital 7 kilometers away, without stopping once. He was exhausted to the point of collapse, his clothes soaked through with snow and sweat, but he still managed to buy me a baked sweet potato, watching over me with tearful eyes. “Don’t be afraid, Rachel, don’t be afraid, I’m here.” “Can you say something?” “Rachel, please don’t scare me…” He cried out in fear, looking like he couldn’t live without me. But later, I still left him. When he finally found me, regardless of the consequences, he discovered I was already with a rich young man. So is it because he loved too deeply that he now hates so fiercely? Hating to the point of tormenting me for 7 years and still not being satisfied. “You’re so afraid of me dying, do you want to torment me for a lifetime?” I laughed, with both relief and bitterness: “But you can’t have your way anymore. Ethan Evans, I have a terminal illness, with only 3 months left to live.” As I finished speaking, Ethan’s footsteps suddenly stopped. “Terminal illness?” He murmured hoarsely, then suddenly let go, letting me fall hard to the ground. The concern and pain in his eyes disappeared, leaving only pure coldness. He laughed sarcastically, as if he had seen through me: “How could you suddenly get a terminal illness? Is this the new trick you’ve come up with after 7 years of endurance?” “Finding that pretending to be obedient and caring about me didn’t work, so now you’re settling accounts with me, trying to make me feel sorry for you before bringing up the terminal illness, to trick me into giving you money?” “What a pity, Rachel Wilson! I was actually starting to soften towards you. If you had endured a bit longer, you might have succeeded. But you were too impatient!” He laughed louder and more wildly. He stared down at me, wanting to see defeat and regret on my face. But he saw nothing, only indifference and calmness after a heart has died. “Hmph, let’s see how long you can keep up this act!” He strode past me, putting on a smile to hold Olivia’s hand. The girl was confused by Ethan’s previous words, already suspecting the nature of our relationship. But before she could figure it out, Ethan had deeply kissed her lips. “Didn’t you say we were going to eat? What are you standing there for, get in the car.” Olivia’s eyes brightened again, and she obediently got in the car. I didn’t even have the energy to feel heartbroken anymore. My whole body felt like it had been shattered, and I could barely crawl to the back seat of the car, gritting my teeth. As I opened the car door to get in, Ethan roughly pushed me away. “What are you getting in for? Didn’t you hear I’m taking Olivia out?” “Take a taxi to the hospital yourself!” I stood there stunned, watching Ethan gently help another woman into the car in endless pain and despair, leaving me behind. An autumn wind blew by. The bone-chilling cold triggered my illness, every inch of flesh feeling like it was being torn apart. The pain made me cry. I waved at the disappearing car. “Goodbye, Ethan Evans.” “Never see you again.”

I didn’t go to the hospital. After taking some painkillers, I went home to pack my luggage. In the huge mansion, my belongings only filled one small suitcase. All the clothes inside were bought when I first came, not a single new piece added in 7 years, all faded and as pale as my sickly complexion. Ironically, there were 10 housekeepers in the mansion. Only I, the legal wife, had to work without a moment’s rest every day, worn to skin and bones. Just because Ethan didn’t want me to have any free time, didn’t want to see even a hint of happiness or relaxation on my face. “Phew~” I let out a long sigh, quickening my pace to leave with the broken suitcase. I was finally going to be free. “Where are you going?” “Found that playing pitiful didn’t work, so now you’re pulling the running away trick?” I slowed down, blocked by Ethan in the courtyard. The suffocating feeling came back, and I couldn’t be bothered to say another word, trying to walk around him. But he grabbed my arm. “Don’t touch me!” I violently shook off his hand, turning to glare at him: “I told you, I’ve paid back what I owed you. From now on, you’re not allowed to touch me again!” “Heh.” Ethan chuckled: “Rachel Wilson, I’ve seen this retreat to advance trick played out in the business world. You think I’m still that naive boy from back then? So easy to fool?” I had heard similar words countless times over these 7 years. But I still couldn’t become immune to them. My heart felt bitter, unable to say a word. “Alright, stop pretending. Considering you disappeared for 7 days and came back looking all sickly, and even deliberately jumped in the water trying to drown yourself, putting in so much effort, I’ll let you have your way just this once.” He took out a stack of bills from his bag, throwing them at my feet with a playful look, as if giving alms. “Pick it up and say ‘thank you, husband’, and I’ll give you a few more thousand.” Looking at the man I had shared a bed with for 7 years, his eyes not hiding their mockery at all, I thought I would feel pain, but I didn’t. At that moment, I truly understood what it meant for a heart to die. I met his gaze directly, finally able to calmly ask the question that had puzzled me for 7 years: “Ethan Evans, if money was all I cared about, if I married you just for your family fortune, why did I endure for 7 years without hope and not leave? Why didn’t I find other rich men while I was still young, instead of wasting away here with you?” “Whether you believe it or not, Ethan Evans, my feelings for you were always genuine.” But that was in the past. After saying this, the knot in my heart slowly dissipated. Not waiting for his response, I continued to leave with my suitcase. “Rachel Wilson! If it wasn’t for my money, what was it for?” “You left me when I was poorest, then came back when my company went public. How can you say your feelings were genuine?” Ethan’s angry shouts came from behind. I couldn’t be bothered to say more, quickening my pace. He suddenly chased after me, grabbing my hair and pulling me to the ground. “I’m asking you a question, why are you running? Answer me!” His eyes were red with anger, out of control. But I no longer had the energy to guess why he was angry. My already unstable condition was triggered again, and I curled up on the ground, shaking with pain, unable to control it even while gritting my teeth. “Get up, stop pretending!” “How could a fall hurt you this badly?” Seeing my face growing paler, my forehead covered in cold sweat, not seeming to be an act, Ethan finally panicked, crouching down to try and pick me up. “Get away!” I pushed him away with all my strength, crawling towards my suitcase with difficulty. Like a clumsy but determined snail, desperately trying to escape this place. “Alright, alright, I give up. Rachel, we can talk about anything you want, but let’s go to the hospital first, okay?” Ethan’s voice trembled slightly, his movements much gentler as he carefully tried to help me up. I would rather die than let him touch me again! In the struggle, the old suitcase accidentally tipped over, its fragile plastic shell shattering and revealing the medical diagnosis on top. Ethan saw it and immediately grabbed it. The world was silent for two seconds. Then his hoarse, trembling voice, full of fear, sounded again. “Rachel… you really have cancer?” “If it’s true, why didn’t you show me earlier?”

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I stared at the marriage certificate in front of me, as excited as if I’d struck gold. Not because I loved my new husband, but because if we stayed married for a year, he’d give me a million dollars! As soon as we left the registry office, I received a $200,000 deposit – more than I could earn in a year writing novels. Ryan walked quickly ahead of me, clearly wishing he could grow two extra legs to leave me far behind. I jogged to catch up and get in the car. As soon as the door closed, he started lecturing me: “Wear a mask in public from now on. Don’t let the paparazzi photograph you.” “Your clothes are too plain. Learn how to dress properly.” “Wear makeup every day. You look awful without it.” I clenched my fists, reminding myself not to jeopardize my million dollars. Ha! Some people market him as the “Ice King” actor, but he’s really just a jerk who can’t keep his mouth shut. “Anything else I need to improve? I’m all ears,” I said sarcastically. “Keep up that humble attitude.” … The car pulled into an underground garage. Ryan suddenly put on sunglasses and a mask, even pulling up his hoodie. Poor guy, having to bundle up like that in July. I was about to get out when he grabbed my arm, forcibly disguising me as well. “There’s a paparazzo behind that pillar. I don’t want to make headlines.” He walked ahead to draw attention, suddenly acting every bit the aloof celebrity with his hands in his pockets, strolling casually. I watched him get in the elevator. Sure enough, a figure crouching low scurried in that direction. Celebrities really do have a sixth sense for cameras! I waited until the coast was clear before opening the car door. But I was caught red-handed – a camera was suddenly shoved in my face, snapping away. Thinking quickly, I shoved the photographer aside and smashed the camera on the ground. Back home, I immediately told Ryan what happened. He actually asked if the camera was expensive. I snapped back, “Is that the point? You kept stressing how I need to be prepared when going out and not let my full face be seen. Now you’re worried about a camera?” The more I thought about it, the more suspicious I became. “Unless… you set this up?!” A chill ran down my spine. This guy was too crafty. Ryan gave me an approving look. “Your method wasn’t very smart, but you accidentally passed the test.” He went to the computer desk and opened a set of photos, gesturing for me to come look. Sure enough, there were the close-up shots from earlier. I tried to delete them, but he took the laptop away. Marrying him was like being a secret agent. I felt I more than earned this money – he could even pay me more.

Speaking of marriage, our arrangement was more dramatic than an online novel. At first I thought it would be the classic “arrogant celebrity falls for ordinary girl” plot. He took me to an upscale restaurant, even booking a private room. Then he slapped down a contract. “Sign this. The payment is one million dollars.” I was overjoyed. This kind of windfall finally happened to me! I asked why he chose me. He took off his sunglasses, revealing those soulful eyes that could melt any woman’s heart. But his words were far from romantic: “Because you’re my anti-fan. That way you won’t fall in love with me.” “I don’t want any messy emotional entanglements when we divorce.” His arrogant attitude quickly killed any fantasies I had. It was true – I was his infamous anti-fan, even trending on social media once for criticizing him. He’d have to be crazy to actually fall for me. At 10 PM, when I’d normally be watching soap operas, I was instead cramming information from a stack of documents, feeling overwhelmed. They were about my “assignment” – Ryan’s love interests. I wondered why he didn’t just pick a wife from the entertainment industry. There were plenty of beautiful, well-connected women to choose from. But what the young master wanted to do was none of my business. I was just here to do a job and get paid. He needed a wife who could keep up appearances in public. I needed a large sum of money urgently. We both got what we wanted and reached an agreement happily. I had just opened the refrigerator when suddenly a hand slammed it shut, pressing firmly. The billion-dollar box office star was being stingy at home. Not only did he not eat properly himself, he wouldn’t let others eat either. I tried to reason with him: “The contract didn’t say I can’t eat after 10 PM, did it?” “You need to maintain your figure. Eating like this, you’ll gain at least 4 pounds in a month.” “Do you want me to explain to people why I suddenly have a different wife in 6 months?” After a week of interaction, my impression of Ryan as a man of few words who kept people at arm’s length was completely shattered. In private, this man was insufferable. His cold, lofty image was all an act. He was afraid I’d sneak food in my room, so he dragged me to rehearse our script. One minute he’d pick me up and spin me around, the next he’d put me down and shake me. My brain felt scrambled. By the 10,086th time I cursed him in my mind, he finally put me down. Then he started quizzing me seriously. “Let me test you. Who is Olivia?” “The daughter of your mom’s classmate. She likes to call you ‘big brother’ on set to stir up rumors.” “She’ll be on set tomorrow. Be prepared.” … Before bed, I habitually scrolled through my phone and was shocked to find I was trending again – at #1 no less! The last time I trended was for criticizing Ryan. I had a bad feeling about this…

I clicked on the trending topic and saw it was full of people criticizing me. “She’s so calculating, riding coattails again.” “Wasn’t she his anti-fan before? Did Ryan get brainwashed or something?” “Acting so much, is she trying to use Ryan to break into showbiz?” “That face must have cost a pretty penny!” The internet moves so fast. Ryan and I just got our marriage certificate today and it’s already been exposed, with my face clearly visible. But we specifically chose a time when there would be few people around. How did we get photographed? I scrolled down and saw Ryan’s pinned Weibo post: “Let me introduce you all to my wife @FlowerFairy” Below was a photo of our marriage certificate with my ID photo clearly visible, no blurring. Damn it, backstabbed by my own teammate again. Ryan really can’t stand to see me have it too easy. I ran to pound on his bedroom door. After a few minutes he leisurely opened it, the picture of calm compared to my agitation. He even looked a bit smug. “Of course I had to announce my marriage. Otherwise wouldn’t I be deceiving my fans?” “I’m helping you. Didn’t you see you gained 100,000 followers?” I understood the logic, but did he realize how powerful his fanbase was? I’d be torn to shreds. I had been worried about how to face off against Olivia while keeping the marriage secret. Now I didn’t need to worry – I was already dead and buried. I tossed and turned all night. At breakfast I kept yawning, exhausted. This million dollars was really hard-earned. In contrast, Ryan looked refreshed and in a great mood. He even peeled an egg for me. I had to admit, there was a reason he had so many fangirls. Putting aside his acting skills, he was handsome with a great body. When he kept his mouth shut, he was quite pleasing to look at. As soon as we arrived at the filming location, I saw a group of fans waiting outside holding Ryan’s banners. I had to say, these fans had incredible mental fortitude. Just yesterday there was a huge uproar, but today they still came to support him. Maybe they only hated me, and were even more enamored with Ryan for being a “responsible man.” We reached Ryan’s rest area on set. I had just sat down when I saw someone walking towards me in the distance. An assistant carrying bags followed behind her. She had the aura of the main wife confronting the mistress. The female lead had finally arrived.

Olivia plopped down in the seat next to me and immediately launched into a tirade before I could say anything. “Ryan is just playing with you. He’ll come back to me eventually.” “He hasn’t introduced you to his parents yet, has he? His mom has always seen me as her daughter-in-law.” “If you want money, I can give it to you. Just leave him.” What an unoriginal opening. She really was a pampered young miss. I latched onto her last sentence, looking at her expectantly. “How much can you give me?” She was clearly taken aback, probably expecting me to nobly refuse and say love conquers all or some nonsense. The next moment she disdainfully tossed out a card. “There’s 500,000 on this.” I laughed. So even rich people could be stingy. I glanced to the side and saw Ryan, who should have been filming, standing not far away. He must have come to check on things during a break. I put on my brightest smile, went over to link arms with him, and called out loudly on purpose: “Honey, did you come looking for me after being apart for just a little while?” Ryan stared at me blankly, probably not expecting to have to act too. I directly dragged him in front of Olivia. “I’m so sorry, Miss Olivia. Our Ryan is quite clingy.” I looked up into his eyes. “Can you give me 500,000?” He handed me his phone. “Transfer however much you want yourself.” Olivia’s face turned pale after watching this scene. I handed her back the card on the table, patted her shoulder, and whispered in her ear: “Did you see? He’ll give me however much money I want.” “You want to be the other woman for love, but Ryan’s not interested in you.” Olivia stormed off, bumping into me resentfully as she left. First battle, victory! It wasn’t in vain that I’d watched so many idol dramas. Rich girls really do like to humiliate people with money. If she’d offered more, I might have accepted. After this incident, rumors spread that I had made Olivia cry. I successfully gained the label of “Ryan’s wife.”

After the marriage announcement, Ryan received many variety show invitations for married couples. He refused them all. I had ulterior motives – I wanted to use variety shows to improve my image, since in the public’s mind I was still his anti-fan. When we divorced in the future, wouldn’t I be cyberbullied by his fans? After he rejected the 8th olive branch, I carefully considered how to phrase it in a way he’d accept. “Actually, I think we could accept. You’ve never been on variety shows before – your first appearance would gain a lot of fans.” “People always see you in dramas. They must be curious what you’re like in private.” “Creating a loving husband image would increase your value even more.” After my coaxing, he signed a contract with a travel show. The show was called “A Different Journey” and featured 5 celebrity couples traveling together, with 24-hour footage of the guests’ lives. While promoting tourism, it also revealed how celebrity couples interacted. When the lineup was announced, it caused a stir online. I took this show very seriously – it was my chance for redemption. I watched many similar variety shows in advance to ensure I wouldn’t mess up. Ryan seemed much more relaxed. Although it was his variety show debut, he didn’t seem to care at all. After wrapping up his last drama, he spent every day at home eating and drinking as usual. On the day of filming, the show’s car came to pick us up at home. Apparently they wanted to start capturing footage from the moment we left. I got in the car and took a deep breath with my eyes closed. When I opened them, I found a plastic bag in front of me. I looked at Ryan’s outstretched hand in confusion. “Don’t you get carsick easily? Take this.” This guy had done his research. But I was too embarrassed to say it was just nerves, so I silently tucked the bag in my pocket.

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On Christmas Eve, I was forced to brave the bitter cold to deliver food, all in an attempt to earn money for my father’s medical treatment. As I handed the delivery to a customer around my age, he suddenly tipped the cake over. “What kind of delivery service is this? Do you know this cake was specially made for me by my mom?” he snapped. I was about to retort when two familiar figures appeared in the luxurious house behind him. It was my parents! My usually frugal father was now exuding an air of extravagance. “It’s just a cake. Our Jack is so outstanding, I’m giving him this house as a reward.” My typically modest mother, now dressed in high-end designer clothes seen on TV, gently held his hand. “It’s our precious only son’s birthday. We can’t let some dirty delivery girl ruin his mood. Here’s the watch you’ve always wanted, don’t be upset.” Jack threw the cake at me, giving me a meaningful look. “You can have it. Consider it dog food.” I was about to speak, still holding the cake, when my phone buzzed with a negative review notification. Looking at my frostbitten hands and the holes in my shoes, I felt a wave of desolation wash over me.

Because of Jack’s complaint, I had to compensate him for the four-figure cake. That was equivalent to my wages for delivering 300 orders! But at that moment, I couldn’t dwell on these details. The hallway of the mansion was so warm, yet why did I feel ice in my heart? The door opened again, and Jack threw out a gold necklace. I immediately recognized it as the birthday gift I had bought for my mom. Jack looked at me provocatively, “My mom didn’t know where to throw this trash. I think it suits a dog like you perfectly. Come on, bark for me.” He crossed his arms, laughing arrogantly. Seeing my silence, he continued: “You’re just an abandoned child. Born but not raised by your parents.” Faced with his repeated provocations, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I clenched my fist and rushed towards him, only to be met with the sound of a slamming door. Unwilling to end things so pathetically, I stood at the door, knocking repeatedly, trying to get my parents’ attention. But what came instead were several burly security guards. “The owners inside are my parents, you can’t kick me out,” I pleaded. The security guard looked me up and down with disdain, “In this community, houses start at eight figures. You don’t look like you’re worth more than 800 bucks. If you want to dream, do it at home.” With that, they all burst into laughter. One of the guards approached me with a taser, “I advise you to get lost. This isn’t a place where you can cause trouble as you please.” I had no choice but to pick up the broken necklace from the ground and flee. The cold wind cut through my delivery uniform like a knife. Just then, someone collapsed on the road ahead. To avoid causing further injury to the fallen person, I chose to fall deliberately. The cake rolled out, smearing my face. Lying on the ground, looking at the snowflakes falling from the sky, I could no longer hold back my tears. At that moment, a familiar ringtone sounded. It was the special ringtone I had set for my parents in case they needed to reach me urgently. My mom anxiously asked, “Why did it take you so long to answer the phone, son? I thought something had happened to you. It’s our fault for making you deliver food on Christmas Eve. We’re so sorry.” I tightened my grip on the phone, wanting to ask them why they had lied to me, but all that came out was a choked sob. My dad’s cough came through the line, “It’s all dad’s fault for being useless and burdening you.” On any other day, I would have immediately refuted this, patiently comforting them. But now, I didn’t want to bother. Hearing my silence, dad thought I was tired. “Child, tomorrow’s Christmas Day. Take a break, and let’s have a good holiday together as a family.” Mom added mysteriously, “I have a surprise for you tomorrow.” I managed to squeeze out a “Okay” through my sobs. A passerby, seeing me motionless, was about to call for an ambulance. Hearing that it would cost money, I instinctively got up. “I’m fine, no need to call 911. But she might need help,” I said, pointing to a figure not far away. Under the hat was an elderly woman with white hair. “You’re young, so we dared to help. But her? That’s probably too much. You’re just a delivery girl, better not get involved,” the passerby advised. The snow was falling heavier, and out-of-control vehicles were becoming more frequent. Looking at the lonely old woman lying on the ground, I thought of how no one cared about me either. Without hesitation, I helped the conscious but immobile old woman to safety and called for an ambulance. It was already 4 AM when I got home. Looking at myself covered in cake and dirt, I quietly said, “Happy birthday.” Today was my 22nd birthday. And my parents were spending it with love and money on someone who wasn’t even related to them.

I shivered through a quick shower and hurried back under the thick but ineffective blanket. Because we were poor, we rented a house in a remote suburb, and to save money, we hadn’t paid for heating. I used to wonder why my dad would always fall seriously ill every winter, and my mom would use the excuse of taking care of him to go with him. Now I understood they were just afraid of the cold and had hidden away in a luxurious house, living like royalty. When I was little and got sick, they would brave wind and rain to carry me to the hospital. Mom would try her best to keep the umbrella over me, not caring if she got wet herself. And dad, even when he tripped over a tree branch and fell into a puddle, would still protect me wholeheartedly. They only cared if I was hurt, not themselves at all. But how could these parents who loved me so much now bear to deceive me with fake illnesses, pretending to be poor and making me give up my studies to support them? I covered my eyes and suddenly laughed out loud. I was so presumptuous. The house they were in now was in the most upscale community in the city center. I couldn’t even afford the property management fees, let alone claim to support them. I was nothing more than their plaything. Their real son must be that Jack they doted on. Light gradually filtered through the rag-covered window. The alarm went off. It was 5 AM, time to start delivering food. Although the bed was cold, I indulged in a rare lie-in. This was the first time I had rested in the four years since I started delivering food at 18. The 8 AM alarm went off. Usually, this was when I would check on my dad’s condition. Looking at the alarm note: “I’d trade my life for dad’s health,” I suddenly found it laughable. It wasn’t until the sun was high that I finally felt some warmth. At 10 AM, my parents called. “Son, why didn’t you call today? Did something happen? Are you sick? You didn’t fall, did you?” Their anxious voices echoed in my ears, but I couldn’t feel any warmth. I didn’t know their acting skills were so good, performing their “concern” for their son so convincingly that I had always believed they truly loved me. “Lucy, Lucy, why aren’t you saying anything?” Faced with their constant calls, I sighed deeply, “I’m tired.” My parents were stunned, anxiously asking, “What’s wrong? Is work too hard?” But all they got in response was my heavy breathing. Since I started delivering food when I came of age, I had never once complained of being tired in front of them. After a moment, their voices sounded again. “Son, it’s dad’s fault for being useless. You’ve worked so hard. It’s too cold, don’t go out delivering today. If you get hurt, we’ll be heartbroken.” Mom immediately chimed in, “That’s right, today’s Christmas Day. Let’s have a good family reunion. Didn’t you always want to eat at that fancy steakhouse? My friend gave me some coupons, let’s go there today to celebrate your birthday!” “We’ve brought a cake for you too.” Their joyful tone couldn’t touch me. But I still obediently agreed, “Mm.” I wanted to see how long they could keep up this act, how real they could make it seem. I put on my best clothes and arrived at the agreed mall. This was my first time stepping into such a high-end place. Just as I was about to cross the road, a sports car suddenly stopped in front of me. I immediately recognized the person in the driver’s seat. Jack lowered his sunglasses and smirked at me, “Well, if it isn’t yesterday’s dog?” He patted his car, “My mom’s coming-of-age gift for me. Not bad, right?” He then flashed his wrist, the diamonds on his watch dazzling in the sunlight. “Huh? How come your mom didn’t give you a watch? Oh, I forgot, your parents don’t love you. This watch is worth seven figures. You couldn’t afford it even if you delivered food for a lifetime.” “Oh right, my parents specially stayed up with me until midnight yesterday. Mom even cooked a big feast for me herself. I remember we have the same birthday. I wonder what your parents prepared for you?” With that, he deliberately sped off in front of me, leaving me covered in dust. Watching his arrogant and unrestrained behavior, my heart sank even further. When I turned eighteen, my parents personally handed me the delivery kit, saying, “Our son is grown up now, he can earn money for the family.” Arriving at the steakhouse, my parents looked at me with tears in their eyes, hoping to see joy on my face. After all, this was the first time in my 22 years that I was eating at the fancy steakhouse I had always dreamed of. “Happy birthday, son. Make a wish and blow out the candles.” On the table was half of the cake that Jack had left over yesterday.

My mom followed my gaze to the cake, her expression a bit awkward. “Your dad is still undergoing treatment, but we still wanted to give you some sense of ceremony. The cake might be small, but it’s enough to carry your wishes. Tell us what gift you want, and we’ll get it for you.” Perhaps feeling guilty about giving Jack a mansion and an expensive watch yesterday, they were unusually generous to me today. “Really?” I asked. My parents nodded, “Of course. You’re our only child. If we’re not good to you, who else would we be good to?” Looking at the old clothes they had deliberately put on, I couldn’t help but laugh. Remembering Jack’s words, I looked intently at my mom and slowly opened my mouth. “I want to eat a meal you cook yourself.” My mom was taken aback. She clearly hadn’t expected that I, who had always been understanding and independent, would make such a request. As far as I could remember, she had never cooked a meal for me. I thought she didn’t know how to cook, so from the age of seven, I took on the responsibility of cooking, never complaining even when my hands were scalded or cut. Now I knew that her culinary skills were actually excellent; she just wasn’t willing to cook for me. She avoided my gaze and mumbled, “Son, mom wants to cook for you too, but mom has never cooked before. I’m afraid it won’t taste good. Choose another gift, okay?” “Then can you buy me a watch?” I pointed at the watch worn by someone at the next table. With these words, my parents fell silent. They exchanged a glance, and dad coughed a few times, covering his mouth. “Son, you have a phone, why do you need a watch? You know our current situation doesn’t allow for that. Look…” Mom immediately chimed in, “Lucy, we know you’re the most obedient. We don’t need to compare ourselves with others. Being together as a family is more important than anything. Such an expensive watch, we can’t afford it. Your dad’s illness, who knows how much more it will cost.” She wiped away a tear, her face full of sorrow. “You work so hard delivering food, you shouldn’t waste money like this.” My internal contempt reached its peak. It was just a watch worth a few hundred dollars, yet they thought it was expensive. But when they bought gifts worth millions for Jack, they didn’t hesitate at all. Seeing my silence, my parents immediately pulled me to sit down, putting the only chicken leg on the table into my bowl. “Son, eat up. You need to eat well to grow. You’re too thin now.” I forced a smile. How could I not be thin when I only ate one meal a day? If they really cared for me, why did they deceive me? Why did they say dad had cancer and needed treatment? Why did they say the family was so poor we could barely make ends meet? And why did they make me give up my studies to deliver food when they knew I wanted to study? “Mom, Dad, I want to go to college.” They instinctively exchanged a glance, their eyes revealing contempt. “Lucy, you’re not cut out for studying,” Mom said hesitantly. “Don’t you remember how low your SAT score was?” They even dared to mention the SAT. After I finished the math section, they put on an act of a relapse of an old illness. I had to give up the test and rush home. But what I faced was an empty room. They said they were already in the hospital, but when I rushed there, they said they had been transferred. By the time I finally found them, the test was long over. And all they said was a casual, “We’ve already been treated.” My dream was so easily destroyed by them. “Lucy, eat up.” The taste of the steak in my mouth was so bitter. Seeing my low spirits, my parents actively put food on my plate. After just half an hour, mom’s phone rang again. A flash of guilt crossed her eyes, and she immediately hung up. “These telemarketing calls are really frequent nowadays.” But as soon as she hung up, it rang again and again. She laughed dryly and stepped aside to answer the phone. A few minutes later, she returned, her face pale, and exchanged a glance with dad. “The hospital needs to do an urgent check-up. I need to take your dad there first.” I pretended to be anxious, “Mom, let me go with you.” They were startled and quickly waved their hands, “You’re tired from delivering food. Just go home and rest. I’ll take care of your dad. Someone in the family needs to earn money.” “This is my only day off in four years. Can’t you let me stay by your side?” I finally couldn’t suppress my grievance. With tears in my eyes, I looked at them stubbornly, begging them. My humble request seemed to make them waver. “Well… let’s sit for a bit longer.” But before they could sit down, their phones rang again. Dad showed the phone to mom, and their faces grew more anxious. “Lucy, you’re an adult now. Don’t be childish. You need to know what’s important. Your dad’s attending physician just messaged us to come over immediately.” I grabbed her hand, begging like a dog wagging its tail. “Can’t you stay to finish my last birthday before leaving?” Mom frowned, very impatient. “You have birthdays every year. What’s so important about one stupid birthday? Lucy Thompson, you’re being very inconsiderate.” She forcefully pulled her hand away, her nails leaving a long scratch on the back of my hand. Am I really that annoying? They’re not even willing to stay a bit longer. I’m supposed to be their biological child. Why can’t they spare even a little love for me? Why did they have to deceive me? I could no longer suppress the fact that my parents didn’t love me and buried my face in my hands, crying. Just as I was about to leave, someone suddenly sat down in the chair in front of me. “If you want to continue your studies, I can sponsor you. However, my team needs a semi-closed research period of ten years. I hope you’ll think it through before making a decision.” Suddenly, my phone received a message from an unknown number. [I just said I sprained my ankle, and your parents abandoned you to come to me. What does it matter if you’re blood-related? In your parents’ hearts, you’ll never measure up to me!] I tightened my grip on my phone, suddenly wanting to be willful for once. [Mom, I’ve been in a car accident.] The next second, my phone immediately rang. “Son, are you okay? Where are you? Mom and Dad will come right away.” I was about to speak when I faintly heard Jack’s exclamation, “My foot hurts so much! Is it broken? How am I going to attend Harvard if it’s broken?” Mom’s tone became even more urgent, but not for me. She casually brushed me off with a sentence, “If you’re hurt, go to the hospital quickly. Your dad’s condition is more critical, I have to go there first. I’ll come see you later. Mom knows you’re tough, you’ll be fine.” The black screen of my phone now seemed to be mocking me for how foolish I was. How dare I try to compete for affection with their beloved son? I looked at the person in front of me and finally made up my mind. “Alright, I agree. I’ll join your team.”

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The Beginning of a Nightmare ## The news of Christopher Gray, CEO of Gray Group, proposing to Evelyn Reed on a global live broadcast had taken the world by storm. As I walked home, I couldn’t avoid the massive billboard across the street showing the two of them locked in an embrace, their kiss frozen in time for everyone to admire. People were envious of Evelyn’s seemingly perfect life. But I knew the truth—if Evelyn ever fell in love with Christopher Gray, it would mark the beginning of her nightmare. Because no matter how much she dreamed, she could never become Mrs. Gray. Her moment in the spotlight would end with this grand proposal, no matter how dazzling it seemed. I had just stepped out of the grocery store with a bag of everyday essentials and a few ingredients for dinner. Cooking had become my way of passing time, a small distraction from the monotony of life. As I lifted my head, the giant screen on the skyscraper across the street caught my eye. Christopher Gray and a young woman were shown in a close embrace, their chemistry practically leaping off the screen. Even through a screen, their gazes lingered on each other, electric and intimate. He was tall, sharp-featured, and impossibly handsome. She was delicate and breathtakingly beautiful. They looked like the perfect couple, a match seemingly made in heaven. I recognized her immediately—Evelyn Reed. By now, everyone knew her name. She seemed to be one of those rare people blessed by the universe itself: stunning good looks, a petite, graceful figure, and eyes that could captivate anyone. It was said that from the moment Christopher Gray first saw her, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Love at first sight, they called it. And from that moment on, he poured his heart and soul into pursuing her. He orchestrated grand romantic gestures—naming his latest jewelry line after her, dedicating new luxury apartment buildings to her, even naming an amusement park after her. Everywhere Evelyn went, there were traces of Christopher Gray’s devotion. Standing on the sidewalk, I overheard two girls sipping bubble tea as they stared at the screen. “I’m so jealous of Evelyn,” one sighed. “Imagine having someone love you that much.” “Forget love,” the other replied. “Do you know how rich Christopher Gray is? That’s the real dream.” “She must’ve saved the entire galaxy in her past life to deserve this,” the first one added wistfully. I lowered my gaze and smiled faintly. If Evelyn didn’t love Christopher, maybe she could enjoy the life he was offering her. But most women would fall for a man like him, especially one who created a world of romance just for them. And Evelyn? An orphan who’d grown up with nothing? She didn’t stand a chance. My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the screen: “Hannah, I know who you are.” Two days ago, Evelyn Reed had added me on WhatsApp after getting my contact information through Christopher. I hesitated at first but ended up accepting her friend request. Now she’d sent me another message: “I’m getting engaged to Christopher soon. If you know what’s good for you, stay away from him.” I didn’t bother replying. Instead, I grabbed my groceries and made my way to the apartment complex across the street. When I reached my building, I noticed a sleek Porsche parked outside, gleaming under the streetlights. It was Christopher’s car. Dealing with Christopher Gray had always been a headache. He loved surrounding himself with beautiful women, which was his business. But for some reason, he never seemed willing to leave me alone.

I took the elevator up to my floor, and the moment I opened the door, Christopher greeted me. He took the grocery bag from my hands and grabbed a pair of slippers from the rack. “You’re back?” he asked casually. “What’s for dinner tonight?” He spoke like we were an old married couple, his tone natural and familiar, as if he belonged here. I sighed, took the slippers from him, and sat down on the bench to change shoes. Meanwhile, he carried the groceries into the kitchen like he owned the place. “How about braised pork?” he asked, glancing at me as he tied the bunny-print apron hanging by the wall around his waist. The sight was almost comically domestic. I leaned against the kitchen doorframe, watching as the exhaust fan hummed in the background, drowning out the quiet tension in the room. Christopher moved around the kitchen with ease, as if he’d done this a hundred times before. “Braised pork sounds fine,” I said finally. “But what are you doing here? Don’t you have work?” “Nothing urgent at the office,” he replied with a smile. “Oh, by the way, the pink diamond necklace you wanted has been set. I brought it over for you.” “Christopher,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “We need to talk.” “Sure,” he said easily, tilting his head and flashing me a boyish grin. He had a face that seemed to have been crafted with care—handsome, charismatic, and utterly disarming. “Evelyn Reed,” I began, meeting his gaze. “You proposed to her on a global live broadcast. You arranged a citywide light show for her birthday. You even filled the sky with fireworks for her.” “And earlier this year, when she was in a car accident and needed a blood transfusion, you made a big public scene about it.” “Christopher, with your resources, you could’ve handled all of those things quietly. But you didn’t. You wanted the whole world to know how much you love her.” Christopher chuckled lightly as he sliced the meat. “Exactly,” he said. “When you’re trying to win someone over, you have to go all out. A little showmanship never hurts.” “Girls love this kind of thing.” The meat went into the pot, and the blue flame flickered beneath it. I sighed. “So, are you planning to marry her?” I asked. Christopher turned to look at me, his smile as charming as ever. “Hannah,” he said smoothly, “how could I possibly marry her?” “She’s just a bit of fun. Life’s too long not to enjoy a little romance along the way.” “I’m young. Why not indulge in a few fleeting adventures while I can?” I had expected this answer. But I tried to reason with him anyway. “Christopher, you could marry her. I’ll talk to my family, convince them to support the idea. We can finalize our divorce. Yes, splitting the assets would be tricky, but—” Before I could finish, Christopher waved me off, laughing. “Hannah, don’t tell me you’ve fallen for some young boy,” he teased. “Who is it? Some hotshot actor? A college kid?” “Let me meet him first. I’ll judge if he’s worthy of you.” The words I wanted to say caught in my throat.

Christopher glanced at me, his smile calm and unshaken. “If there’s no one else,” he said lightly, “then let’s drop this subject altogether.” “Everyone needs a legally recognized partner in life. If I have to choose, I want it to be you—now and forever.” I sighed deeply. There was no reasoning with him. “You’re toying with Evelyn’s feelings,” I said bluntly, unable to hide my frustration. “When have I ever toyed with anyone’s feelings?” Christopher’s tone remained even. “She came from nothing, and I gave her wealth, security, and everything she could ever dream of.” “I even created the kind of romance she wanted.” “In this relationship, I’ve given my time, my energy, and my sincerity.” “Every time, I’ve been serious.” “As for the rest, if she’s smart, she’ll understand.” I understood. But that didn’t mean everyone else would. My childhood was spent abroad, watching my father surrounded by countless lovers—both men and women. It became normal for me to see relationships tangled and messy. I hated it. I longed for the kind of love I read about in books: two people, committed to each other for life, growing old hand in hand. But I knew that wasn’t realistic. My older brother had once jokingly said something crude: “If a rich man isn’t cheating, it’s because he’s either ugly or broke.” In elite families like ours, the idea of staying loyal to one person forever was laughable. I met Christopher Gray when I was seventeen. By eighteen, my family had arranged for us to marry, signing a contract that tied our fates together. I didn’t object. After all, if I had to marry for the sake of family alliances, wasn’t it a blessing that my match happened to be someone as devastatingly handsome as Christopher? Later, I returned to this city to attend college and started living a quiet, almost reclusive life. I avoided parties, social events, and all the performative aspects of being a public figure. I hated being in the spotlight, hated the empty conversations of charity galas and the superficial smiles that came with them. Instead, I spent my time watching TV shows, reading novels, and working on my art. Christopher would visit me occasionally. We’d cook together, share meals, and talk about mundane things. Sometimes, he’d stay overnight, but he always slept in the guest room while I stayed in the master bedroom. It was a peaceful, uneventful existence. But tonight’s dinner didn’t go the way it usually did. Just as we set the food on the table, a loud knock echoed through the apartment. I thought it might be the building manager, but when I opened the door, Evelyn stood there, her face pale and stormy. The woman who had become the envy of everyone—rumored to have it all, both love and money—looked anything but glamorous now. The moment she saw me, she raised her hand to slap me. I caught her wrist mid-air. I’d trained in self-defense and taekwondo; dealing with someone like her was hardly a challenge. “Are you here to see Christopher?” I asked calmly. Her eyes immediately filled with tears, and her voice trembled as she pointed at me, shouting: “Hannah, do you have no shame? Stealing someone else’s boyfriend?” Her anger was so intense she could barely form a coherent sentence. I reached into the shoe cabinet, pulling out a pair of spare slippers. “If you’re here, you might as well join us for dinner,” I said with a small smile. “Christopher’s braised pork is pretty good.” Before she could respond, Christopher grabbed the slippers from my hand and tossed them back into the cabinet. Instantly, his expression hardened, his charming demeanor vanishing. “What are you doing here?” he demanded coldly, his voice sharp and unyielding. “Go home,” he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Don’t make me say it again.” Evelyn’s beautiful eyes brimmed with tears, glistening so heartbreakingly that even I felt a pang of discomfort just looking at her. So, I turned to Christopher and said, “You should take Miss Reed home and explain everything to her.” Then, worried Evelyn might get the wrong idea, I added with a light smile, “Miss Reed, I’m not Mr. Gray’s lover.” Because I wasn’t. I was merely his wife in name only. Christopher would never love me. He couldn’t. All his grand displays of affection were for Evelyn—or perhaps shared among others. Maybe that’s why I never let myself fall for him. Because when I looked at Christopher and Evelyn, I could stay detached, calm, and unaffected. Like watching a TV drama. No matter how gripping the plot was, I was just an outsider. Christopher’s expression darkened slightly. I guessed he hadn’t expected Evelyn, the naïve girl he’d pampered for over a year, to storm in like this, catching him off guard. If anything, I should’ve felt awkward, embarrassed, maybe even ashamed. After all, I was the one caught in the middle of this mess. But Evelyn wasn’t ready to leave. For the past year and a half, Christopher had chased her relentlessly, making her believe she was his one and only. To Evelyn, she wasn’t just his priority—she was irreplaceable, the center of his world. And now, discovering that the man who worshipped her might care about someone else? It shattered everything. “Chris,” Evelyn choked out, pointing at me in anger. “Tell me, who is she to you?” “Do you think I don’t know?” “She’s just your little pet, isn’t she? A goldfinch you keep in a cage.” Her voice cracked as she continued, “You said you loved me. You said I was the only one for you.” The situation was getting awkward, so I stepped back, giving them space to argue. Christopher grabbed her arm and dragged her out into the hallway, his face cold. I quietly shut the door. I didn’t pay for VIP access to this drama, so I had no interest in hearing or seeing what came next. I assumed Christopher would leave with Evelyn. After all, everyone said he loved her desperately, passionately, with the kind of devotion that could move mountains. But about thirty minutes later, Christopher returned. He walked in to find me sitting cross-legged on the couch, eating dinner and laughing at some sitcom on TV. His expression darkened as he scolded, “Hannah, can’t you be a little more careful?” I blinked at him, confused. “Careful about what?” He ignored me, grabbed a bottle of red wine, and poured himself a glass. I shook my head. That particular bottle of wine was one my brother had brought me from a French vineyard. I’d kept it on the shelf because the bottle looked nice and added a touch of elegance to the apartment. Now Christopher was drinking it like it was tap water. “Someone knocked on your door, and you didn’t even check who it was first,” he said, his tone accusatory. “What if it had been someone dangerous?” “Hannah, listen to me,” he continued. “You shouldn’t stay here anymore. This building’s security is a joke. I’ve already prepared a place for you at Pear Ridge Estate. You can move there in a few days.” I shook my head. Pear Ridge Estate was a luxury villa complex, a playground for the wealthy. The grounds were meticulously maintained, but everything felt artificial—too polished, too calculated. The place lacked warmth, like wearing a mask all the time. Here, in this modest apartment complex, you could hear neighbors arguing, kids laughing, dogs barking. It was messy and alive, full of humanity. Even if I didn’t fully belong here, I felt more human being surrounded by it. “Even if I’d asked who was at the door, and Evelyn said her name, do you think I wouldn’t have opened it?” I asked with a smile. Christopher didn’t reply. Instead, he casually added a piece of braised pork to mine. “You’re too thin,” he said, his tone softening. “Eat more.” For a moment, the scene felt familiar, comfortable. Like we’d been married forever, with no need for formalities or polite distance. He didn’t seem like the CEO of a massive corporation, and I—well, I was still just me. His phone buzzed, pulling him out of the moment. He glanced down at the screen, and from where I was sitting, I caught a glimpse of his reaction. He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing as his expression shifted into something… different. Curiosity got the better of me, and I leaned over to peek at his phone. A photo filled the screen. A young woman dressed in a maid costume, complete with bunny ears, black stockings, and impossibly long legs.

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I opened my email to check the exhibition details that the gallery assistant had organized for me. Just then, a Facebook Messenger window popped up in the top right corner. The avatar was of Theo Carr, from years ago. [Natasha, I miss you.] [For all these years, I’ve been waiting for a chance to walk back into your life.] My heart skipped a beat. These were the exact words Theo had confessed to me when we were 20. But since we moved abroad, his Messenger account had been deactivated. I was stunned. After a moment, I replied: [Walk back in? Are you sure it’s not just to hurt me again?] He responded quickly: [Who are you?] 1 [You’re not Natasha. She went to a painting lecture.] [Who are you? Why are you saying these things?] [Is there some misunderstanding?] The messages kept flashing on the screen. Just then, the studio door creaked open, and Theo walked in, carrying the faint scent of ink. It was the smell I used to know so well. Today was the day before the exhibition we’d been preparing for together. But just yesterday, at an art event, I saw him acting closely with the daughter of a famous art critic. As I looked at him, memories of all those late nights we spent creating art together rushed back. I wanted to ask him about the girl, but the words wouldn’t come out. Maybe I was just overthinking it. I’d dressed carefully, wearing an elegant dress, hoping he’d explain things on his own. I wanted to give him and us a chance. He quickly looked away and walked past me toward the easel, picking up a painting to inspect. He said, “I’m just checking this painting to get ready for tomorrow’s setup.” He didn’t notice my outfit or the way I’d styled my hair. Meanwhile, the messages kept flashing. [Do you know Natasha? You have to keep this a secret.] The sound of him adjusting the easel echoed through the studio, and it pierced my heart. I lowered my head to hide my disappointment. A month ago, I’d found a delicate box in his desk drawer. Inside was a unique necklace, with a card that said: [To my Muse.] For five years, I’d put my artistic dreams aside to support his career, barely buying myself any expensive jewelry. He’d kept it hidden so carefully that I thought it was a surprise for me. I’d carefully returned the box to its place and made sure everything was tidied up, not leaving a trace. Since then, I hadn’t mentioned anything about special occasions, afraid to ruin whatever he had planned. But he never acted like he was preparing a surprise. Theo set the easel down and started to leave. I instinctively called out, “Theo.” “Hm?” He turned, looking impatient. “Today…” I started. He cut me off, “I’m taking Kate to pick out decorations for the exhibition. She’s better at this kind of thing.” The door slammed shut behind him. It was like the final blow to any hope I had left. He didn’t care about us at all. I walked into the studio, opened the drawer, and saw the necklace box was gone. The messages kept coming. [You want Natasha to be happy too, right? I’m going to love her for the rest of my life and give her all the good things.] I thought back to the time when we were 20. Back then, Theo would go all over the city’s museums and galleries to help me find inspiration, and when I was feeling down, he’d sit with me by the Lake all night. I had once been loved so purely. But now, everything had changed. I watched him drive away from the window. Kate Hardy sat in the passenger seat, holding a bouquet and smiling brightly. Another message popped up. [I want to surprise Natasha. You understand, don’t you?] The sky darkened, and clouds gathered, almost like a bad omen. In a hopeless daze, I typed on the keyboard: [Natasha is already heartbroken. Theo doesn’t love her anymore. Nothing can go back.] [No way.] [Who are you?] I closed Messenger, and tears flooded my eyes. Then my phone buzzed with a gossip notification from the art world. [Famous artist Theo seen with Kate, an art critic’s daughter, suspected romance.] [Theo’s new relationship sparks debate. Could it be related to art resources?] [Is the five-year relationship between Natasha and Theo about to end?] The photos showed Theo and Kate interacting intimately at the art event. In one picture, she was wearing the bracelet that Theo had promised to give me last year for my birthday. I scrolled through the messages numbly. Each photo and each comment felt like a needle stabbing my heart. I stayed in the studio until late, watching the city’s lights go out one by one. Then I got a photo from a friend on WhatsApp. In it, Theo and Kate were asleep in each other’s arms in a luxurious hotel suite.

I gave a bitter smile. I had always thought the necklace was for me, but it was meant for Kate. The bracelet he promised me was now on her wrist. I signed the statement about withdrawing from the art exhibition, took off the pendant Theo had given me, and placed it on top. It was from our first year together. He sold his first painting and used the money to buy me the pendant. Back then, we both had dreams of becoming artists. Life was tough, but we were hopeful. I practiced drawing day and night to improve my skills. Theo would grind away at his work beside me, encouraging me. He ran around submitting his work everywhere, facing rejection after rejection, but never giving up. Finally, a small gallery selected one of his paintings for display. When it sold, he was so excited that he bought me the pendant. Tired but thrilled, he placed it in my hand. “Natasha,” he said, “this pendant is like our love. It’s warm and lasting. Things will get better and better.” I nodded, tears welling up. He hugged me tightly, his voice firm. “Natasha, I’ll love you forever. We’ll achieve our dreams together.” “Password incorrect.” “Natasha, open the door,” Theo called out, interrupting my thoughts. I opened the door and he staggered in, reeking of alcohol. He muttered, “Natasha, the art exhibition is going great. We’re going to make it. I’m going to buy you a huge studio so you can create freely.” I helped him to the sofa, watching him mumble. “Natasha, are you happy?” A bitter feeling rose in me. He already had resources and fame, but our relationship had long since changed. Since he met Kate, he’d been attending higher-end events and meeting more influential people. He’d go to art gatherings with her, creating special works just for her, while I was left alone in the studio. I dealt with creative blocks alone, faced criticism from peers myself, and spent countless nights waiting for him to come home. I was tired. No matter how much love I had, I couldn’t handle this anymore. “Natasha, I feel terrible,” Theo mumbled, tugging at his collar. I reached to undo the button for him. Suddenly, I saw a tattoo on the inside of his wrist. My name was on it. But Theo had never gotten a tattoo. A strange memory rushed in. Back in college, a classmate had whispered to me, “Theo went to a tattoo shop. Guess what he got? He tattooed your name on his wrist. He said he wanted everyone to know how much he loves you and that his love for you is unique.” The two memories tangled in my mind. I suddenly dropped his hand and rushed back to my computer. I opened Messenger and saw a message: [Theo will never stop loving Natasha. I’ll prove it to you.] There was a picture of him getting a tattoo. The timestamp was from last night. The one typing on the other end seemed to be the 20-year-old Theo. And he could change things in the present. I slumped in the chair, my heart a mix of emotions.

The person on the other side was really the 20-year-old Theo, the boy who once loved me with his whole heart. [Who are you really, and why are you saying this? I’ll get to the bottom of this.] I could almost picture him frowning. Tears blurred my vision, and my mind drifted back to those days when we were 20. Back then, Theo would scrimp and save for months just to buy me a set of limited-edition paints. He would watch me anxiously from the sidelines at art competitions, more excited than I was. For my birthday, he’d carefully planned a solo exhibition just for the two of us, showing only the paintings he’d made for me. The boy was passionate and sincere, loving me with everything he had. But now, he had hurt me deeply. My hands shook as I typed: [I’m Natasha, 25-year-old Natasha.] There was silence from the other side. I knew he probably didn’t believe it. [I know you don’t believe me. This afternoon, Natasha will faint in the studio from overwork.] He didn’t reply. After I passed out, Theo would take good care of me. He’d make nourishing soups, encourage me to rest, and tell me not to give up on painting. I sat up in the studio, not having slept a wink all night. The morning came, and I got ready to go back to work. But suddenly, dizziness overwhelmed me, and I collapsed to the ground. I hadn’t been resting properly for the exhibition, and my body had finally given out. In the bedroom, Theo’s phone rang. His soft voice came over. “Babe, how was the meeting yesterday? What do you want to eat today? I’ll have it delivered to you. Don’t overwork yourself. Take care. Okay, I’ll come find you after I’m done here.” I saw a candy on the floor, the one Caleb Burke had left when he came to visit. I struggled to reach it and popped it in my mouth, tasting the sweetness mixed with a hint of sourness. A little while later, I regained some strength, sitting up. My hair was messy, and I looked a mess. Theo walked out of the bedroom. He asked, “Natasha, what’s going on? You’re being so careless.” Before I could respond, he continued, “Kate wants a painting related to the exhibition theme. Can you make time to do it today? I’ll pick it up tonight.” I stared at him, incredulous. “I almost passed out just now, and all you care about is Kate’s painting?” Theo sighed impatiently, “Don’t overreact. It’s not the first time you’ve fainted. Get to work and don’t waste time.” His words hit me like a knife. I said, “Theo, we’re done.”

Theo frowned. “What are you talking about? Just because I asked you to draw a picture?” I picked up the resignation statement on the table and handed it to him. I said, “Sign it. Once you do, you can be with Kate without any worries.” He retorted, “When did I say I wanted to be with Kate? We’re just work partners. Stop being unreasonable.” Theo snatched the statement, crumpling it into a ball and throwing it to the ground. He huffed, “Can you grow up a little and stop overthinking everything? Kate has been a huge help in promoting our art exhibition. You should understand that.” I looked at him, feeling nothing but cold sorrow. I countered, “Understand? Should I understand you attending events with her and giving her all the care that was supposed to be mine? I gave up my creative work for our exhibition, and this is how you treat me.” Theo averted his gaze. His phone beeped with a text message. He glanced at it, his expression shifting. He said, “I have something to do. We’ll talk about this later.” With that, he hurried out. As the door closed, it felt like my heart closed too. I opened WhatsApp and sent a message to the gallery owner. [Mr. Ross, I’m sorry, but I can’t continue with the exhibition preparation. Sorry for the trouble.] After handling that, I went home, lay on my bed, and let silent tears fall. Just then, the Messenger notification sounded. [Are you really Natasha, the Natasha from the future?] I sat up, staring at the computer screen. [Yes.] He began to type: [In the future, do I really hurt you?] I could feel his pain and disbelief. [Yes.] He typed again: [I’m sorry.] Tears streamed down my face. I: [No need to apologize. You haven’t done anything wrong yet.] Theo: [Can you tell me what I did? Or is there anything I can do for you?] I stared at the screen, a thought forming. I wondered if the 20-year-old Theo could change everything. I remembered the accident that caused me to lose my unborn child, leaving me unable to have children. With trembling fingers, I typed: [There is.] [Stay away from me. Don’t appear in my life again.]

There was a long silence. I thought he wouldn’t reply anymore. “Natasha.” The door burst open suddenly, and Theo stormed in angrily. “You really want to quit the exhibition preparation? And you told Mr. Ross about it?” He grabbed my shoulders tightly, his eyes full of fury. I noticed the tattoo on his wrist had faded a lot, clearly from removal treatment. “You got rid of the tattoo?” I asked in surprise. Theo released me, looking uncomfortable. “Tattoos are childish. Besides, Kate might misunderstand.” “Misunderstand? In your eyes, I’m that insignificant?” I sneered. “I just thought the tattoo wasn’t appropriate. Don’t overthink it,” Theo tried to explain. I shouted, “Enough! Theo, you attended events with Kate, gave her gifts, and even spent our anniversary with her. And you think I’m overthinking? When I lost the baby, where were you? At an art gala with her.” Theo’s face turned pale. He was lost for words. His phone rang again. He glanced at it and grew anxious. He said, “Natasha, I have an emergency. We’ll talk when I get back.” He hurried out again. I watched him leave, feeling nothing but despair. On Messenger, 20-year-old Theo sent a message. [Natasha, I can’t forgive the future me. Don’t forgive him either. I’ll find a way to make things right.] I started packing my things, ready to leave this place filled with memories. Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from Caleb. [Natasha, I’m back in the country. Can we meet?] I hesitated, then replied: [Okay.] We arranged to meet at a coffee shop. The moment I walked in, the fragrance of coffee beans filled the air. The café was adorned with wooden furniture and paintings. Caleb still had that artistic vibe, though his eyes held more maturity now. “Natasha, I’ve always been thinking of you, knowing you weren’t doing well,” he said with concern. “It’s all in the past,” I smiled bitterly. “Actually, I’ve always had feelings for you. That hasn’t changed,” Caleb said sincerely. I was taken aback, looking at him with mixed emotions. Memories of the time we spent together discussing art flooded back. He had always offered unique insights that inspired me, but my eyes had only been on Theo. “I know I realized too late that you weren’t happy. But I still hope you’ll give me a chance to take care of you.” Caleb held my hand. I looked at him, feeling a slight warmth in my heart. Just then, the Messenger notification sounded. I opened it to see a message from the 20-year-old Theo. [Natasha, I did it. I’ve changed everything.]

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To save my girlfriend Irene Kemp, who was injured in a car accident, I, Antonio Henson, ended up blind and hospitalized. Irene bought me a watch worth over a hundred million dollars, but her old flame, Jason Evans, replaced it with a fake right in front of me. He even mouthed to Irene. “After all, he’s blind and can’t see. What’s the difference between real and fake?” Irene, who had always loved me deeply, didn’t stop him. She personally put the cheap fake watch on my wrist and comforted me, saying. “Don’t worry, I won’t leave you. On the 15th of next month, we’ll get married. I’ve invited the media. The whole world will witness our happiness.” I smiled without saying a word. What she didn’t know was that I had already restored my sight with the help of a system and had applied for a way back. At the wedding next month, what she would be waiting for would be nothing but my cold, lifeless body. “Mr. Henson, you’re truly fortunate to have such a loving wife.” In the hospital room, the nurse, who had witnessed everything, was insincerely flattering me. But I stayed silent. The whole world knew that my wife, Irene, loved me deeply. As the heiress to a wealthy family, she humbled herself to be with me. She had openly pursued me for seven years before finally winning my heart. Our love story was well-known and envied by many. I still remember that one time I had fallen into a deep sleep and missed her call. She got so frantic that she mobilized the entire national media to find me, making a huge scene that everyone knew about. When she found me, she rushed into my arms, crying and panicking, ordering me not to leave her sight or else she would go crazy. Everyone said that the Kemp family’s heiress was a woman of deep love. At the time, I believed the same and was deeply moved by her affection. To repay her, as someone who had crossed over from another world, I chose not to take the reward and go home after completing my mission. Instead, I stayed by her side, helping her take control of her family’s fortune and rise to the top. I even became her personal bodyguard, stepping in whenever she faced danger. Even after I went blind, I didn’t care. But to better care for and protect her, I made a deal with the system, exchanging twenty years of my life for my sight. Before I could even tell her this good news, I saw Jason, whom she once loved, standing right next to her. During the three months I couldn’t see, he had been by Irene’s side every day, even swapping out the gift in front of me. What I couldn’t understand even more was that Irene, who had witnessed everything, actually allowed his actions… As I was lost in thought, Irene’s best friend pushed open the door, glanced at me lying in bed, and said with a smile. “Irene really loves you. She’s already asked me to hurry up and transfer the shares to you.” She tossed the documents in my direction casually, but then her expression changed as she exchanged words with Irene through lip reading, her face filled with disdain. “Irene, you don’t really want to marry this blind man, do you?” “Everyone in the circle knows that you’ve been chasing after him so hard just to make Jason come back to you. “Now that Jason is back by your side, how long do you plan to play this game? Are you planning to have your cake and eat it too?” Upon hearing this, Irene’s face turned a little pale, and she mouthed back angrily. “A missed opportunity is gone for good. I’ve really fallen in love with Antonio, and he is the only man I will ever consider my husband. “Don’t bring up this nonsense again. If you do and he finds out the truth, you, the Hardin family, will be out of the picture.” Her friend fell silent, too afraid to say anything more. The Kemp family was powerful, and with my help, Irene had taken control of the family business. Her best friend’s family was nothing more than a beggar, relying on the Kemp family for scraps. They didn’t dare to act out of line. Jason, standing to the side, glanced at us with a flicker of regret in his eyes, then quickly tried to change the subject. “Enough. If it stays too quiet, Antonio might catch on. What should we do then?” Irene paused for a moment, gathering her emotions. She squeezed my hand and, as always, spoke softly. “Antonio, do you like the gift?” The 5% equity transfer document was something I had received when I was being transferred to a new hospital. Irene had promised it in front of the media during an interview. At the time, I was confused. She had given me many things over the years, but the one thing she never dared to give me was money. When I asked her about it, she simply smiled and said she was afraid that if I had money, I might change. When she promised me the shares, I teased her, asking. “Are you not afraid I’ll turn bad now, Ms. Kemp?” Irene pulled me closer, hugged me tightly, and whispered, “Silly, you’d be willing to give up your life for me. What could I possibly be afraid of?” At that moment, my heart raced, full of excitement and happiness. I thought Irene’s love for me had grown deeper, and I was determined to stay by her side forever. But now, as I opened the contract, I saw that while it did indeed transfer 5% of the Kemp Group’s shares, the beneficiary listed at the bottom was Jason’s name. I let go of the contract with a bitter smile. It turned out that the perfect love I thought I had was nothing but a lie. The money was a lie, and so was her love. Seeing my lack of interest, Irene assumed it was because I couldn’t accept the unseen truth. As usual, she pinched my cheek and softly comforted me. “Don’t be sad. You’ll be discharged today, and I’ll take you to try on your wedding dress. “At the wedding in fifteen days, I’ll make sure you become famous.” For the first time, I didn’t respond enthusiastically. Instead, I calmly took off my fake watch. I silently submitted a request to the system to return home.

The system quickly came online with a reply. “Dear host, since you’ve missed the best time to leave this world, if you wish to leave now, you must die a tragic death to do so.” Without hesitation, I agreed. Even though there was nothing in this world worth staying for, I didn’t want to face Irene’s fake smile again. The system notified me that I could return in fifteen days. I couldn’t help but reflect on the coincidence of the timing. Just then, Irene spoke anxiously. “If you don’t like the watch, I can get you something else.” Something else fake, perhaps? I shook my head and politely declined. “No, I don’t need anything.” Irene’s heart skipped a beat, and she had a strange, uneasy feeling that what I said was about the watch, but maybe not. She anxiously pulled me into her arms, greedily seeking my warmth. Jason watched the scene, his eyes turning red with envy. He spoke up to remind her. “Ms. Kemp, the staff has been waiting for a while. If we don’t leave soon, we’ll be late.” Reluctantly, Irene let me go and started packing up to take me out of the hospital. But as she comforted me and chatted, she managed to hold Jason’s hand with one free hand. I turned numbly toward the window. It turned out that Irene’s heart was big enough to divide between two people. The car ride was silent. Because of my eyesight, Irene had to arrange for the wedding to take place downstairs in her villa. Though the wedding setup was still in its early stages, it was clear that Irene had put a lot of thought into it. The staff was waiting, ready to guide us through the process. Irene led me onto the stage, with Jason standing between us, holding the microphone as the emcee. “Mr. Henson, do you take Ms. Kemp to be your wife, for richer or for poorer…” He passionately finished reading the vows and, along with everyone else in the audience, waited for me to say the words. “I do.” But I didn’t speak. Irene tugged at my sleeve, and even the staff was about to step in to hurry me. Then, the stage suddenly collapsed. “Watch out!” Irene shouted and pushed me toward the area where the stage was falling while she rushed to shield Jason. I was hit on the head, blood spilling everywhere, while Jason was unharmed. Jason stared at Irene, who had risked her life to protect him in that dangerous moment. Emotions surged in his eyes, and he could no longer hold back. He shouted at her. “You clearly love me more, so why won’t you give me another chance?”

The loud shout snapped Irene back to reality. She quickly shook off Jason’s hand and rushed to my side, her face full of worry as she asked, “Antonio, are you okay? I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.” She helped the staff lift me up, and when she saw the wound on my head, she angrily scolded them, making them look down in shame. Once she was done scolding, Irene held me tightly, her voice trembling as she said, “It’s okay now. I’ll never let you get hurt again.” If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would’ve believed through her voice that she held nothing but concern for me. But now, seeing her hypocritical face, I just felt disgusted. I would’ve died for her, yet she pushed me, the blind one, into danger to save Jason. There was indeed a safety hazard on stage, but if Irene hadn’t pushed me, I wouldn’t have been injured. Thankfully, the frame wasn’t heavy. I only scraped my skin a little, so there was no major harm. Irene took me inside and grabbed the first aid kit. Her gaze stayed fixed on me, and when she saw I hadn’t brought up Jason’s words, she awkwardly smiled faintly and explained, “Someone must have forgotten to turn off their phone during the short play. That line was really embarrassing.” I silently watched her lie, too tired to expose it. She quickly cleaned my wound and apologized, “It’s all my fault for not taking better care of you. You just got out of the hospital, and now you’re hurt again. I’ll go make you some nourishing soup.” She left, and not long after, a dark shadow loomed over me. I looked up and met Jason’s troubled eyes. He stared into my eyes for a long time. Finally, he spoke. “Antonio… your eyes aren’t really blind, are they?” I froze for a moment, instinctively looking at him again, a hint of confusion in my gaze. Jason let out a cold laugh as if he’d figured it out. “You’ve been showing me a lot of clues that you can see. For example, when you received the fake watch, your eyes dimmed. When you saw my name on the contract, I saw a flash of hurt in your eyes. When the stage collapsed, you instinctively raised your hand to block… “All of that didn’t escape me.” I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. The truth was, I hadn’t even tried to hide it. But Irene, who always claimed to love me deeply, never noticed. Instead, it was Jason, someone who didn’t know me well, who saw through it first. I didn’t respond. Yet Jason kept murmuring to himself, confusion written all over his face. “Wait… Irene deliberately staged this accident just to have your corneas transplanted to me. “I really regained my sight because of it, but how can you see?” I stood there, stunned, a chill creeping down my spine. No wonder… I remembered only faintly injuring myself and losing consciousness, never damaging my eyeball. So why couldn’t I see? It turned out that Irene, the one I trusted most, had secretly given my eyes to Jason. Even though my heart had already grown numb, the pain still hit me all at once. All the love I had poured out, in the end, was wasted. Jason hadn’t stopped there. He kept saying. “Antonio, since you’ve seen it all, you know Irene has always loved me. “Don’t be fooled by her pretending to care about you. It’s all just to make me turn back to her. “I only said I needed a cornea, and she gave you up for me. “If you know what’s good for you, stay out of the way. She isn’t someone a guy like you can ever match.” He said his cruel words and left, smugly satisfied. What he didn’t know was that the recorder in my pocket had been running the whole time, capturing everything he said.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, fifteen days passed. The wedding day arrived. Many guests had gathered. Both Irene’s and my parents had passed away, so her relatives were the ones hosting the ceremony. She pulled me to the entrance to greet the guests. But everyone could see that Irene and Jason were dressed in matching wedding outfits, while I was only wearing a plain suit. The guests gave me scornful looks yet still spoke their blessings. “Congratulations, wishing you a lifetime of happiness and many children.” Before I could say a word, Jason walked right past me to thank them. “Thank you, please come in.” The atmosphere froze. Irene turned to glare at him, silently mouthing words. “Jason, I already agreed to have a wedding with you first. If you push your luck any further, get out now.” Jason quickly apologized, claiming he had made a mistake and wouldn’t do it again. But he cast a smug glance my way, flaunting how Irene was tolerating him. I stayed silent. Irene, worried I wasn’t feeling well, asked someone to help me upstairs to rest. I lay down for only a short while. The music changed to a more festive tune. The caregiver, who should have been by my side, had gone off to join the excitement. I got up, walked to the window, and looked down at the grand wedding banquet below. The venue was decorated beautifully, with flower girls scattering petals as the stunning bride walked down the aisle. A helicopter hovered above, dropping a huge, eye-catching banner that made the crowd below scream in excitement. The banner displayed Irene and Jason’s wedding photo, with their names clearly written underneath. The emcee didn’t even take the microphone but simply pointed to a giant screen on the side. Everyone turned to look, and the screen showed a slideshow of their sweet and happy photos together. Once the photos ended, their wedding vows silently scrolled across the screen, and the ceremony continued. Irene, with tears in her eyes, silently responded, “I do.” She extended her hand, and Jason slid the wedding ring onto her finger. They exchanged a brief, light kiss. The guests below erupted in applause, their faces all beaming with joy, though not a single sound came from them. Even though I had expected this, I still couldn’t help but clench my fists. The woman who once claimed to love me the most married another man right in front of me. When their wedding ceremony finally came to an end, Jason, still clearly enjoying himself, took the microphone and assumed the role of the host. He spotted me watching from the window and, with a teasing smile, shouted loudly, “Please welcome the groom!” At that moment, everyone suddenly looked up and realized that I had witnessed the entire scene. Irene froze for a moment, her heart racing, but quickly remembered that I couldn’t possibly see her. She sighed in relief, then scolded, “Where did everyone go? How could they leave the groom standing by the window alone? It’s dangerous! Go help him!” The servants, who had been watching the show, immediately rushed over to me. I stepped forward, feeling the breeze, spread my arms wide, and leaped from the top of the building, about 32 feet high. Just then, my head hit the ground with a sickening thud.

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I stumbled upon a message from another woman on his phone: “I got a new dress. Want to come over tonight and see it?” The photo attached showed a skimpy piece of black lace, barely covering anything. Enraged, I confronted him. He brushed it off as a joke with a coworker, even turning it on me, suggesting I was making something out of nothing. Worse, he insinuated I had something going on with his brother. So, I actually turned to his brother. His brother is 6’2″, muscular, handsome, wealthy, and influential. I wasn’t really at a loss. **Chapter 1** The black lace in the photo was ridiculously small, delicately held between two fingers with red nail polish. Due to the angle, a hint of cleavage was visible in the photo. Evan emerged from the bathroom. “I have a party tonight. I’ll probably be back late, so don’t wait up.” “You know you don’t enjoy these parties; otherwise, I’d have taken you with me,” he said while getting dressed. “I want to go today.” His hands paused while tying his tie, but he quickly resumed as if nothing had happened. Maybe my tone was a bit harsh, and he sensed something was off. He chuckled lightly, his back to me. “You don’t like these parties, right? It’s just a bunch of guys; you wouldn’t enjoy it.” “What kind of party only has two people?” He spun around, his scrutinizing gaze shifting from my face to the phone on the table. “You checked my phone!” He unlocked it with his fingerprint, glanced at the new message, and then stuffed it back into his pocket. I hadn’t even started questioning him, but he was already on the offensive, looking fierce. “Coco, you never used to check my phone. You’ve changed!” “Evan, who really changed here? You haven’t even explained yourself. After all these years, how could you do this to us?” I was furious, my fists pounding the sofa. He irritably loosened his tie. “I told you, she’s just a colleague. If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do.” His eyes darted around as he slumped on the sofa armrest. I stood before him. “A colleague showing you lingerie, huh?” He pursed his lips, impatient, eyes red, looking up at me. “I haven’t even mentioned how you and Mike were sketchy last time. Who knows what you two were up to?” That was just a department dinner that ended late. I happened to run into Mike, so we came back together. Suddenly, I wanted to laugh. It was just like the videos I’d seen, where men raise their voices and counterattack when feeling guilty or exposed. “You two have been together all along, right? You look down on me, couldn’t handle being alone, so you went for my brother.” Desperate? It was the first time I realized he had this side. My hands shook at my sides, but I held back the tears. “Yeah, you’re right. I do like your brother. He’s better than you in every way.” He stared at me, incredulous. “Say that again!” “I like your brother. We’ve been together for a while now. Satisfied?” Evan’s fiery gaze moved from my face to the doorway, where Mike, his brother, stood. He wore gold-rimmed glasses, a dark suit, hands in his pockets, standing tall. His cold gaze through the lenses landed on me, making my cheeks burn. I sobered up a bit, unsure how much he’d heard. His leather shoes clacked on the floor, and a shadow loomed over me, making my heart race. Evan spoke first, pointing at me. “Big brother, she’s lying, right?” I frowned, about to speak, but his actions stopped me. Mike walked up to me, reaching out his hand, a ring on his left index finger. Under his calm gaze, I inexplicably placed my hand in his. **Chapter 2** Evan stormed downstairs. Rain pounded on the car roof, the engine roared, and he drove off. Rain surrounded the balcony, enclosing it in a tight space. I wrapped a shawl over my silver silk pajamas and sank into the sofa. Before this, he showed no signs of anything unusual. I always thought we were the happiest. Even if we might never have kids together. He was busy with work but called me every day. If he was coming home late, he’d let me know in advance, so I wouldn’t wait up. He’d tuck me in at night, always prepared surprises for holidays. When he had time, he’d cook for me, even if his skills weren’t great. He said he wanted to make it for me. So, when I saw the message from that woman, I couldn’t believe it. I thought it was a misunderstanding. To confirm my suspicions, I scrolled far up, hoping to find it was sent to the wrong person or that Evan had rejected her advances. Clearly, I was disappointed. They chatted every day. I couldn’t reach the top of their messages, which meant they’d been together for a long time. It was all real, not a misunderstanding. When the lies were exposed, and the truth was out, he showed his ugly side. It felt like all the past tenderness was an illusion. He was furious and made wild accusations, so different from the Evan I remembered. Memories flooded back, the sound of my phone hitting the floor snapped me back. Looking up, I saw him on the third-floor balcony—Mike, Evan’s brother. Black trousers, black shirt. Holding a glass of red wine, his expression indifferent, as if he always was like this, showing no emotion. Maybe because he was the head of the Johnson Corporation, years of business ups and downs had given him such a calm demeanor. I wanted to apologize, but he was gone from the balcony. Since Evan left, he hadn’t come home for days. Today, his assistant helped him back. “Ma’am, the young master drank too much today. I’ll leave him to you.” He was sprawled on the sofa, his face flushed and reeking of alcohol. He rarely drank this much. If he occasionally drank too much during social events, I’d help clean him up. I felt sorry for him, drinking so much to socialize. Now, seeing him like this, I stared at him for a long time, though my heart was already in turmoil. Countless raindrops fell on my heart, cold enveloping me, making it hard to breathe. After all, we were once so perfect. Together since sophomore year, it’s been six years now. I wanted to take a knife and cut open his chest, to see what’s inside. What kind of person can maintain a calm and beautiful life with me, while having another family outside? I don’t understand. I don’t understand why there are such people in the world. Lying in bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, even though I was exhausted, I couldn’t sleep. I was a child left behind by parents who worked away from home, sometimes not returning for a year. Later, they died in a car accident, and my grandmother passed too. I had too little love. Compared to other children left behind, I was even more hesitant to believe in others’ sincerity. I was afraid of gaining something only to lose it again. But I was cautious. Why did it end like this? Back then, he was the famous rich kid on campus. I was the well-rounded school beauty. His pursuit was intense, but I was unmoved. I didn’t believe someone like him could be sincere. Besides, I was busy with studies and work, had no time for such thoughts. But after a class-organized event, I was moved. It had rained the night before, and we walked along the winding mountain road. When I got in the car, the only seat left was the front passenger seat, and Evan was driving. It was our first outing, everyone was excited, discussing what to play when we arrived, unaware of the impending danger. A landslide blocked the road. Evan was about to get out to check, classmates in the back were craning their necks to look out the window. “Be careful, Evan…” Before the words were out, a rock rolled down and hit the hood hard. By the time we reacted, it was too late. Mud and rocks flowed down. It was too late to reverse. In panic, he pulled me into his arms. He let out a few grunts and then went silent. In the hospital, I accepted his confession. He took out a simple ring and put it on my ring finger. He wore an identical one. Tears fell down my temples, soaking the pillow. A loud knocking at the door pulled me from my memories. The knocking sounded like it would break the door down. **Chapter 3** “Mom, what are you doing here?” She stormed in, glanced at the bed behind me, then at Evan sprawled on the sofa. “Mom? You still remember I’m your mom? Is this how you treat your husband?” “He hasn’t been home for days, and now he’s back, you don’t even clean him up and let him sleep on the sofa while you sleep comfortably in bed.” I didn’t want to explain. She never liked me anyway. She started lecturing me again, about how a husband is like the sky, and a mother-in-law’s words are the rules. I used to endure because of Evan, but not anymore. “Someone else can clean him outside; I don’t need to.” The door swung open and someone stormed in with an air of hostility, casting a glance at the bed behind me before looking over at Evan, who was sprawled out on the sofa. “Mother? So you do remember I’m your mother. Is this how you treat your husband?” “He’s been gone for days, and when he finally returns, you don’t even bother to clean him up. You let him lie on the sofa while you sleep comfortably in bed.” I had no desire to explain anything to her; we’ve never really gotten along. She started on the usual lecture about how a husband is everything and a mother-in-law’s word is law. I used to put up with her for Evan’s sake, but not anymore. “Someone else can deal with him outside; I don’t need to.” She was dressed in opulent attire, carrying herself with the air of a wealthy lady, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she pointed at me. “That’s because you’re useless. All this time and you haven’t even managed to bear a child. Maybe you should look into your own shortcomings.” So she knew all along about her son’s affair. “Just as I thought, you should always consider a man’s parents. With a mother like you, it’s no wonder he lacks any moral direction.” I’m usually quite mild-mannered, but this was the first time I spoke so disrespectfully to her. She pointed at me, her finger trembling. “This is unbelievable! How did my Evan end up with such an unworthy woman?” “What era are we in? Still harping on about being ‘virtuous’?” She had the nanny help Evan clean up, and amidst her curses, I turned my back on her and returned to my room. Lately, I’ve been out of sorts at work. My colleagues commented that I looked worn out. This wasn’t some trivial spat that would blow over in a few days. It was years of trust collapsing in an instant. Warm memories shattered by the bitterness of mutual hurt. A woman, dressed to the nines, blocked my path. Her face was full of arrogant disdain. I knew who she was. Lily, the woman sending Evan messages on WhatsApp. “Coco, I assume you know who I am by now? Let’s not beat around the bush.” “Evan has agreed to marry me, so you’d better get the message and step aside. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I smirked slightly. “Are you sure he’ll actually marry you?” She rolled her eyes at me. “Of course. Do you know how much he likes me? He’s been with me for so long, and he hasn’t even touched me.” I laughed out loud. She was furious. “Have you lost your mind? What’s so funny?” I moved a little closer. “I just want to tell you, if a man and a woman are in bed together, and he’s not interested, then he’s just—” Before I could finish, a slap landed on my face, ringing in my ears. It was Evan, standing there while Lily laughed mockingly beside him. My face burned, and he dragged me a few steps away. “What nonsense are you spouting?” With a slap, I returned the favor. Chapter 4 He stared at me in disbelief, his expression one of shock. To him, I had always been gentle and understanding. But hadn’t I always seen him as a considerate family man too? Now, everything was different. He pulled me into the car, and my legs, encumbered by my dress, banged against the door frame. Before I could even fasten my seatbelt, the car lurched forward. It screeched to a stop suddenly, and he dragged me up to the second floor. I was powerless against his strength. “Coco, admit it, you look down on me! So why did you marry me?” “You women are all the same, right? Just after money. If I had none, you’d have left long ago!” I couldn’t help but cry—was it the pain in my knee or the hurt in my heart? “Evan, you were the one who pursued me first. Have you lost your conscience?” He picked up a cup from the table and smashed it on the floor. The flying glass cut both of us. I touched the cut near my eye, and it stung sharply. His eyes narrowed, a flash of danger in them. “I have my issues, but didn’t you know that before we married? What now, can’t handle being alone?” “If you want a man, find one outside, not at home, Coco. You’ve got some nerve.” His words were harsh, as if he were the victim. I’m not good at arguing, and at this point, there was nothing left to say. I pulled out the divorce papers from my bag. Half a month ago, I never imagined we’d end up here, after five years of sharing a bed and whispering to each other every night. Seeing the words “divorce agreement,” he rushed over and tore it in half. A cool breeze swept in from the balcony, and at some point, it had started raining outside. The rain splattered on his black leather shoes, and the droplets pounded on the umbrella, sliding down, surrounding us in a curtain of rain. “What are you doing? Divorce would be good for both of us, right?” His eyes were bloodshot, truly looking like a victim: “Divorce? Not a chance!”

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I grew up as the daughter of the CEO of a renowned fashion group in New York, living in a luxurious Manhattan apartment and enjoying a privileged lifestyle. However, when there was a call for young people to support the development of the Midwest, I chose to volunteer in a small town with tough conditions for five years. Five years later, I returned to New York, excited to attend the launch of a new family fashion brand, only to be blindsided. At the event, my mother, who had always been so loving, announced that Amy, the adopted daughter, was the true heir to the family business. I was stunned to learn that I was merely a child they had picked up from the streets. To make matters worse, Jack, my childhood friend and now the general manager of the fashion group, publicly proposed to Amy, abandoning me without a second thought. Humiliated and laughed at by everyone, I was dragged out by security, left in despair on the cold streets, and ultimately drowned in an accident. But fate gave me another chance. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day of the brand’s launch. Seeing Amy about to cut the ribbon, fury surged within me, and I rushed forward, striking her down. “How dare you, a mere beggar, try to steal my spotlight!” I shouted.

The room erupted in chaos. My mother rushed over, giving me a hard shove. Yet, I stood my ground, unfazed. “Lucy, how have you become so savage after five years? Hitting your sister like this?” Mother yelled, her eyes blazing with anger. “You really are an uncultured child. Apologize to Amy immediately, or don’t even think about coming back home!” I picked up the scissors from the ground, sneering, “Mom, what are you saying? Dad only had me when he started the business. Is this sister of mine someone else’s child?” Mother turned red with rage, about to explode, but Amy held her back. “Mom, please don’t be angry with my sister on my account. If she likes the scissors, let her have them. After all, she suffered on my behalf in the Midwest. I owe her.” Amy said, feigning innocence. “If it weren’t for my poor health, Dad wouldn’t have adopted her, as a charity for me. In the end, I should thank her.” As Amy finished speaking, guests around us gave me disdainful looks. “So, she’s just an adopted stray, acting so arrogantly, she really doesn’t know her place!” “Exactly, I would have kicked her out long ago.” Mother pointed at the scissors in my hand and instructed Dad’s secretary, “Give the scissors to Miss Amy.” The secretary rushed over, snatching the scissors from me and handing them obsequiously to Amy. “Miss Amy, please continue with the ribbon-cutting. I’ll handle this crazy woman for you.” I couldn’t believe my eyes, looking at Uncle Leo, who had watched me grow up, acting as if he didn’t know me at all. But I quickly regained my composure, sneering, “Uncle Leo, if you want to give her the scissors, fine. When Dad returns, I’ll tell him you’ve lost your mind and should retire.” Uncle Leo’s face turned pale, eyes flickering with uncertainty. “Miss, just because I call you Miss, don’t think you’re really the heiress. This house has always been run by Madam and Miss Amy. I’ve worked diligently for over twenty years and have never been humiliated like this. Madam, you must speak for me!” I glared at him, “You’ve been by my dad’s side for years and can’t even tell who his daughter is?” Uncle Leo was at a loss for words, looking to Mother for help. In my previous life, I never understood why Mother treated me this way for a stray. It wasn’t until my dying moment that I learned the truth behind it. Now, given another chance, I want to see who really gets kicked out. Mother was about to speak when Amy intervened, “Mom, today’s the brand launch and sister’s back. It’s a joyous day. Let’s not argue over this little thing. How about letting sister cut the ribbon?” Mother’s face darkened even more, “This brand was specially created for you by your dad. How can she cut the ribbon? Your dad will be here soon with the Mayor to give you an award and be photographed for the paper!” Looking at the woman who once doted on me, I felt nothing but unfamiliarity. When I was young, we went on vacation to the suburbs and met Amy begging by the roadside. Mother insisted on adopting her at first sight. Dad thought it would be good for me to have a companion, but once Amy was in the house, Mother had no room for me. She only saw Amy as her daughter.

She praised Amy for being obedient and graceful, making her proud in social circles. But I, lively and pursuing my dreams, was seen as unruly and embarrassing. In my last life, she even feared Amy’s sadness and announced Amy as the heir during the brand launch, claiming I was a stray they picked up. Amidst everyone’s ridicule, she had me beaten and thrown out. Covered in bruises, I wandered the streets in despair, watching them celebrate Amy’s ascension as the new head of the family in a luxury hotel. Meanwhile, Amy’s people pushed me into the icy river, where I drowned. Days later, when Mother finally thought to look for me, my cold body had already washed ashore. In this life, facing Mother’s continued hostility, I sneered, “Mom, this launch was Dad’s idea to celebrate my return. Are you really going to be so biased? Aren’t you afraid of making Dad angry?” Dad was supposed to personally pick me up, but the Mayor’s sudden visit to inspect the group kept him busy. Not wanting to trouble him, I returned home alone, only to be mistaken for an impostor. Amy chose this moment for the ribbon-cutting, likely Mother’s plan to announce her as the heir while Dad was absent. Amy clung to the launch ribbon, looking pitifully at me, “Sister, I know you want this new brand, but it’s a token from Mom and Dad for me. Blame me, not Mom!” Instantly, a trendy blonde woman defended her, “Lucy, who do you think you are? If the Johnson family hadn’t picked you off the street, you’d still be a filthy beggar. They gave you a meal, and you think you’re the heiress?” “What a joke, why don’t you take a good look at yourself? Do you deserve it?” I turned to see Lily, Amy’s childhood follower. After Dad adopted Amy, she lived by flattering Amy, basically a sycophant. Remembering how she and a gang of thugs bullied me last life, leading to my death, my pupils shrank. I clenched my fists and sneered, “If I’m a stray, then what are you, Lily? An orphan sycophant living off others. If I were you, I’d find a hole to crawl into, rather than pretending to be a socialite.” Lily blushed, ashamed and angry. Seeing this, Uncle Leo flattered Mother, “Mrs. Johnson, don’t let this crazy woman delay the auspicious time for the brand’s launch.” Mother coaxed Amy, “Yes, bring out the gift I prepared for Amy.” The next second, Uncle Leo presented a delicate gift box. Opening it, I saw it was the fashion group’s stock certificate! My eyes turned red. This was the largest fashion group in America, founded by my grandfather. Before he died, he gave the stock certificate to me, saying, “This fashion group is yours when you grow up. If you don’t like it, sell it and travel the world.” But now, Mother stole it to please Amy. “Iris Thompson! That’s my grandfather’s inheritance, and you’re really giving it to this stray?” I shouted in anger. Mother shoved the stock certificate into Amy’s arms, glaring at me, “Impertinent brat, this is for my precious daughter Amy. You want to claim it as yours?”

Amy’s face maintained a fake smile, but her eyes couldn’t hide her pride and provocation. “Sister, I’ve always let you have what you wanted, but this stock certificate is Grandpa’s heirloom, and Mom’s intention. I really can’t give it to you.” Amy said hypocritically, “But when you get married, I’ll give you a gift of equal value, okay?” Last life, she always did this. Whenever we argued, she’d pretend to be understanding, making Mother favor her more and despise my ‘unruliness.’ Over time, Mother became convinced I was the stray. Angry and teary-eyed, I ignored Uncle Leo’s obstruction and tried to grab the stock certificate back, only to be knocked down by a vase Mother threw, bleeding profusely. She frowned in disgust, “The Johnson family is a noble lineage, how could we have a daughter with such an ugly face?” I glared at this so-called mother, filled with despair and rage, “Iris Thompson, no matter how much you love Amy, you can’t touch Grandpa’s heirloom. Give it back!” I was on the verge of tears, trying desperately to reclaim the stock certificate despite Secretary Leo’s interference, only to be struck down by my mother with a vase, leaving me bleeding heavily. With a frown and a look of disgust, she said, “Our Johnson family is quite prestigious. How could we have a daughter as unsightly as you?” I glared at this so-called mother, despair and anger welling up inside me. “Iris Thompson, even if you favor Amy, you have no right to touch the keepsake Grandpa left for me. Give it back!” Looking down at me with a sneer, she replied, “Are you planning to ruin Amy’s opening ceremony today? Secretary Leo, call security and have her thrown out! Teach her a lesson! Unless she kneels and apologizes to Amy, she won’t be allowed back into the Johnson household!” The onlookers gossiped, “That adopted daughter of the Johnson family went to the Midwest and lost her mind, thinking she’s the real heiress.” “Yeah, kick her out quickly, don’t let her eyesore linger.” Hearing the cold words from my mother, my heart broke completely. Just like in my past life, she had no maternal affection for me. “What’s going on here? Why is there such a crowd?” Suddenly, a familiar voice came from the door. It was Jack, a tall man in a police uniform, my childhood friend and former boyfriend, but now… “Amy, why are you crying? Who dared to upset you right in front of me?” He quickly approached Amy, wiping her tears in front of everyone. “Jack, you’re just in time. It’s all because of that brat Lucy. She came back just to cause trouble for Amy, claiming this new brand is hers and that the stock certificate Grandpa left is hers too,” my mother accused, playing the victim. Jack looked at me with unfamiliar, hostile eyes. “So this is the eldest daughter who went to the Midwest, thinking she could transform from a commoner to an heiress after a few years of hardship? Such greed!” “Amy is too kind, which is why you bully her. But not me. If you upset her again, I’ll make sure you end up in a cell!” I laughed bitterly. An orphan like him, without my help pulling strings, how could he have risen to the position of New York Police Department chief? Five years ago, he abruptly broke up with me, saying not to contact him again. I wondered if he found out I helped him get promoted and got mad about it? But seeing him doting on Amy now, everything clicked. They had been conspiring all along, secretly promising each other. And today, with the launch of a new brand, it was the perfect time to cement the tale of the heiress and the police chief. Sadly, in my past life, I was oblivious, hoping he would clear up the misunderstanding. But all I got was brutal humiliation. This vengeance, I will repay! As I was lost in thought, Jack suddenly kicked me and pulled out a ring, kneeling on one knee in front of Amy. “Amy, will you marry me? Whether we’re poor, rich, healthy, or sick, I’ll love you forever!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295612”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #惊悚Thriller #魔幻Magic