Category: English

After returning from studying abroad, I applied for an internship at my father’s company without telling him—it was supposed to be a surprise. But on my very first day there, I found out that everyone in the company was calling an intern “Princess,” as if she were some kind of heir apparent. I stood there, dumbfounded, and even asked my colleagues again to confirm that the young woman in front of me was really my father’s publicly recognized daughter. But as an only child, I never had a sister! With a cold smirk, I sent my father a message. [Dad, I’m going to intern at our company after graduation.] As always, he replied instantly. [Sweetie, you don’t need to work. Just stay abroad and enjoy yourself after you graduate. I’ve earned more than enough for you to live a carefree life!] I immediately got in touch with a lawyer. [Please help my mother with the divorce proceedings.] *** Employees buzzed around Pearl Edith like bees around honey, flattering her incessantly. I pushed my way through the crowd until I reached her. The middle-aged woman, Norma Sidney, hovering protectively near Pearl, paled the moment she saw my face. “Ahem, everyone, back to your desks. No chatting during work hours.” The staff scattered in an instant, like mice fleeing from a cat, grumbling under their breath, “I thought having the ‘Princess’ here meant we’d get a break, but why’s the lady boss yelling at us?” Hearing them call that woman the “lady boss” only fueled my anger. My mother had no interest in business, and I’d been away for years. It seemed that a mistress had quietly entrenched herself in my family. Pearl looked annoyed. “Mom, didn’t you promise to help me make a show so I could take over Edith Group sooner? I haven’t even had enough time to show off yet.” I let out a laugh. “You want to take over my mother’s company?” Pearl shot me a glare. “Of course. This is my dad’s…” She didn’t get to finish before the so-called “boss lady” shoved her aside. “Shut up and get back to work!” Then, with a tense, sweat-beaded face, Norma growled through clenched teeth, “Shall we talk outside?” Seeing how rattled she was, I casually pulled out a chair and propped up my legs. “Why outside? Is it because you know you’ve done something disgraceful?” Norma gasped, nearly collapsing on the spot, her voice turning to a plea. “Th… This is the office area!” She grabbed my arm and dragged me out, shutting the door on the curious onlookers. That was when I noticed the nameplate on her chest. [Norma Sidney, General Manager’s Secretary] Leading me to an empty hallway, she finally let out a sigh of relief. “You must be Mr. Edith’s daughter, Ms. Daisy Edith. I’ve heard so much about you.” “It was my mistake,” she went on. “I was worried my daughter might be bullied during her internship, so I had her pose as Mr. Edith’s child. Please don’t expose me. Considering all those years I’ve worked here, please do me a favor.” Her expression was so full of maternal worry that it was almost convincing. But I didn’t buy a word of it. Around her neck hung the necklace I’d recently gifted to my mother. I reached out with one finger, hooked the deep green gem, and eyed her with mockery. “Seems your overstepping goes beyond just pretending, Ms. Sidney.” My mother had been raised like a princess, pampered and shielded from the world, with a passion only for collecting jewelry. This necklace had cost me a fortune. My father had promised to personally bring it back from abroad as a gift for her. Now, however, it appeared my gold-digging father had forgotten who my real mother was! I gave the necklace a sharp tug, leaving red marks on Norma’s neck. She instantly burst into tears, looking helpless and pitiful. “Ms. Edith, please, you’ve misunderstood. I’m just a poor mother looking out for her daughter.” I gave a cold sneer and yanked harder, snapping the chain, causing her to lose her balance and collapse. Without another glance, I contacted the lawyer. “I need you to handle my mother’s divorce case.” “Yes, you heard me. I’m calling the shots on this.”

I returned home with the lawyer, who had rushed straight over, and dropped the divorce papers in front of my mother. She stared at us, stunned. “Daisy, are you crazy? Your father and I get along fine. Why divorce?” “Did your dad cut your allowance? Oh, my dear, don’t throw a tantrum. Here, take Mom’s card.” As she pushed a black card across the table, tears spilled down my cheeks. I just couldn’t help it. My mother came from the richest family in Kingsport, raised in silk and shielded from every ugliness the world had to offer. How could I possibly tell her about the despicable things my father had done? Seeing my tears, she quickly moved to comfort me. As she bent down, a fake emerald necklace slipped from her blouse. Catching my stare, she offered a reassuring smile and tucked it away. “Your father said this was the gift you picked out for me. I adore it and keep it with me all the time.” At that moment, I felt a sudden sense of relief. My mother, who’d seen the finest treasures in the world, couldn’t possibly mistake a fake for the real thing. Dad had indeed swapped the gift I gave her. It was just that she thought I’d been tricked, so she still wore it close to her heart, happy and unsuspecting. But the image of Norma wearing the genuine necklace flashed in my mind. Without hesitation, I told her, “Mom, Dad is having an affair.” “And not just that, their daughter is even a year older than me.” My mother’s face drained of color. Her eyes reddened. “Daisy, do you realize what you’re saying?” Clenching my teeth, I slammed a stack of photos onto the table. She picked up the first. When she saw the necklace around Norma’s neck, she froze, then looked at me, pale and shaken. Taking a deep breath, she flipped to the next. As she focused on the second photo, I sighed. “That’s their daughter, Pearl.” “If I hadn’t shown up at the company unannounced today, I never would’ve known there was already a mistress and a so-called princess in our company.” My mother’s tears fell as she reached for another photo. I clenched my teeth. “This is the share transfer agreement. The stocks you entrusted to Dad, you let him manage them, but he handed them over to his lover and their illegitimate child long ago!” She stiffened again, but then her eyes landed on the next photo: a college acceptance letter. Seeing the seal of the medical university, she thought of something. She stopped crying, her expression darkening. I gave a bitter laugh. “That’s true. I was told I’d failed the SATs back then, which is why I had no choice but to study abroad.” “But after my recent investigation, I found out I never failed. It was Dean Edith, that traitor, who switched my scores with Pearl’s!”

As Mom took in my words, her grief slowly gave way to fury. She slammed the table. “That monster! How dare he do this to you!” I let out a breath, glad I’d guessed right. At her age, she might be able to forgive many things, but I could never tolerate a traitor as a father. If I only proved that he had cheated, Mom might be uncertain. But finding out he’d stolen my future was something she could never accept. Gently wiping away her tears, I shook my head. “We can’t change that already. Let’s focus on our situation now.” “Mom, you inherited billions and several public companies from Grandpa. I suspect that while you handed control over to Dad, he used the time to seize everything. That’s why he dares to act so brazenly, parading his mistress in our company!” I expected her to be nervous, but to my surprise, she just smiled knowingly. “Relax, these matters are tightly restricted by the prenuptial agreement. Everything I have is merely managed by Dean. If we divorce, he’ll have to return it all.” “In this case, let’s strip that unfaithful man of everything and leave him utterly humiliated!” Just then, my phone vibrated incessantly. I realized I hadn’t checked the employee notification group, which had already flooded with over 999 messages. [To celebrate the Princess’s successful entry into the company and the upcoming IPO, a banquet has been reserved at Maine Restaurant. Dear employees, all of you and your families are invited!] [Mr. Edith is incredibly generous. I heard the minimum spend per person in Maine is twenty thousand. We’re finally going to see what luxury looks like!] [All thanks to the Princess! Wishing her a long and prosperous life!] Pearl joined in, too, sending her best wishes to the group and stating her ambitions for the company’s future. Watching the cheerful chaos, I curled my lips into a cold smile. What a perfect chance. I’d been wondering how to handle the situation, and Dean had the gall to host a welcome banquet for his illegitimate daughter. Well, if that was the case, I absolutely had to attend the party. I tapped open Dean’s contact and sent him a private message. [Dad, I’m planning to return home today. Will you come to the airport with Mom to pick me up?] His reply came instantly. [Why are you coming back now?] [I mean, do you miss home so much?] [You know what, your mom is going to book a ticket and go keep you company. And I’ll visit after this busy period. Be a good girl and take pretty photos for your mom when she gets there.] I arched an eyebrow and held the phone up for my mother, urging her to take note of Dean’s hypocrisy. But Mom had already recovered from the initial shock. She sat down in front of her vanity, picked up her custom-made, high-end makeup brush, and motioned for me to come closer. “Come on, let’s get you dolled up.” “Time to meet your father and his little family together!”

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It happened again. Suggestive sounds once more came from the neighboring hut. The incessant clatter of heavy objects falling proved how intense it was. Covering my ears, I curled up under the animal skin blanket. After what felt like forever, a warm body settled beside me. The moment I felt a touch on my head, I quickly burrowed deeper into the blanket to avoid the approaching hand. “Don’t touch me.” Kane stiffened. Pursing his lips, he said with a cold voice, “Iris, you’re giving me the cold shoulder again.” “It was just to have an heir. Why do you make such a fuss?” “You are still my only true woman.” Clutching the blanket tightly, I refused to answer. Kane’s expression instantly became sombre. He ran a hand through his hair in irritation. “Once Liana gives birth next spring, I will send her away.” “In this way, the tribe will be satisfied.” “Don’t be stubborn. We’ll raise the child together, and he will only call you mother.” With that, Kane rose and walked out. Not wanting to face my coldness, he went back to Liana. Such scenes repeated daily since he had brought Liana home. I touched the tear stains on my face and sat up. The bonfire still radiated residual warmth, yet my body felt utterly cold. I had lived three years in this unfamiliar world. Backward and cold, it was scarcely fit for habitation. Had I not met Kane, I would not have missed the full moon and stayed here. As the tribe’s most valiant warrior, Kane offered me his sincerest vow. Pulling off the tiger-tooth necklace around my neck, I had the impulse to cry. However, he broke his vow and betrayed me. I remembered the day I chose to stay, he handed me this necklace. “Iris, thank you.” “Whether you have a fertility mark or not, I will have only you in this lifetime.” “Even without children, I accept that.” Yet after just three years, he brought home his father’s woman. The tribe had a custom. Sons could inherit their fathers’ women, except their biological mother. Liana Reeves, Kane’s stepmother, rightfully became his possession. Kane had to care for her. And Liana had to bear him offspring in return. I once believed Kane had severed ties with those tribal customs for me. But it seemed he hadn’t changed at all. I snorted derisively and tossed the necklace into the bonfire. In the flickering glow, the tiger-tooth gradually turned to powder, merging with the dark ash on the ground. I no longer wanted his tainted love. Liana’s soft and seductive laughter drifted faintly from the next hut. I rubbed the bone ring on my right hand, and then looked at a corner of the stone wall. There were marks drawn in animal blood only I could understand. The next full moon was almost there.

Staring at the drowned seedlings in the fields, I trembled with rage. Beside me, Liana, still holding a wooden bucket, flinched in fright. With tears welling in her eyes, she looked pitiable. “Iris, I didn’t mean to.” “I just wanted to help you. I didn’t know that just a little extra water would kill them all…” She began to sob. Her uncovered neck was dotted with swollen red kiss marks. I averted my gaze, feeling sad and angry. When I was about to open my mouth, I didn’t know what to say. The seedlings were already drowned. What use were more words? Slowly unclenching my fists, I stepped forward to see if any seedlings could be saved. Suddenly, Liana’s expression changed. She swayed and collapsed to the ground. Before I could react, I was shoved. My knee struck a stone, and the pain sent a cold sweat in an instant. Looking up, I saw Kane in hunting attire. He seemed just returned to the tribe. His eyes were frighteningly red. Wrapping his arms around crying Liana, he looked at me with reproach. “Iris, can’t you accept Liana?” My lips trembled, then I offered him a disappointed smile. “Did you see me do anything to her?” “Or do your eyes only see what you choose to believe?” Kane froze. He looked up at the flooded field and fell silent. “They were just seedlings. Liana meant well. Don’t make this a big deal.” “Just seedlings.” The thought drew a sarcastic laugh from me. With this sentence, he dismissed all my efforts. Before I came, the tribe subsisted only on hunting. Eating the meat without proper preparation led them to suffer from diarrhea and sickness. Over time, children grew weak, and the mortality rate remained high. It was I who found vegetable seeds and taught them farming. Gradually, this situation changed. That was why Kane was acclaimed by the people as their chieftain. Yet just now he said they were just seedlings, constantly making excuses for Liana’s mistake. “Kane, my belly hurts a bit.” Liana whimpered and buried her head into his chest, clinging to him tightly. She pressed against him, her eyes red and swimming with tears—a delicate, clinging thing playing the victim. Kane was indeed drawn to this scene. Without a word, he gently placed his large hand on Liana’s belly and then softly rubbed. He moved with careful tenderness, like she might break. Kane was never an attentive man. He learned all these details bit by bit after we were together. Whenever I felt unwell, he stayed close to me and refused to leave. However, I was watching him giving his care to another woman. Suddenly, I felt a pang of sadness. A dull ache throbbed from my injured knee. Lowering my gaze, I dug my nails into the soil. Their intimate moment stretched on. Liana continued to whimper weakly about the pain. Hearing this, Kane scooped her into his arms. Then he turned to me with a complex expression. “Iris, I’m taking Liana to the medicine woman. You…” “I’m in pain too,” I told him. Kane paused. I stared at him stubbornly, and my hand pressing the wound trembled slightly. “I’m in pain too, Kane.” Silence hung in the air. Kane hesitated, his mouth opening then closing. He took a step toward me. The next moment, Liana wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. “Blood…” Fresh blood trickled down Liana’s thigh. Kane’s face changed instantly. Without further hesitation, he hurried towards the medicine woman’s hut with Liana in his arms. Watching their receding figures, the ghost of a smile tugged at my lips, leaving only a vast emptiness behind. My last feelings towards Kane vanished in this instant.

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The day the avalanche swallowed me, my own brother, Norris Burgess, cut the safety rope at my waist—to save the fake princess, Sadie Burgess, who had stolen my place. Snow rose past my face. My body heat bled away. With frozen, trembling lips, I called out to Norris. “Norris! Don’t leave me here… If you do, my adoptive father’s men will flatten this mountain!” I’d been back with my birth family for a year, quiet and obedient, never once mentioning my adoptive parents overseas. They had no idea—the couple who raised me commanded one of the most feared mercenary units in the world. My adoptive father was a legendary sniper. My adoptive mother, a demolition expert. And I was their only princess. But my brother just sneered, pulling the rope away. “Stop lying!” “You’re nothing but a hillbilly with a big mouth. I brought you skiing despite the embarrassment you cause, and now you dare compete with Sadie? Don’t you know how fragile she is ?” With that, he turned and walked away, holding the impostor’s hand. “If your adoptive parents are so impressive, let them send a helicopter for you!” As the light above me disappeared, I pressed the red button on my satellite locator with the last of my strength. What Norris didn’t know was this: Once that signal went out, this entire mountain would become his grave.

Norris’s figure vanished completely into the blizzard. Only the howling wind remained, mocking my foolishness. I struggled to open my eyes. Beside me stood only Norris’s personal assistant, Azrael Benton. He looked at me, his gaze complicated. A flicker of hope ignited within me—the instinct of fighting to survive. “Save… save me…” Azrael’s hand extended halfway, hovered in the air, then withdrew. “Miss Delilah Burgess, I’m sorry.” “Mr. Burgess said Miss Burgess is in shock. Everyone must escort her down the mountain now.” “Mr. Burgess also said the avalanche has stopped, you’re not buried deep, and with your rural upbringing, a little snow won’t kill you. He wants you to… cool off and think things over.” After speaking, Azrael guiltily averted his eyes. If he had just reached out and pulled, I could have climbed out. But he didn’t. He chose to obey that fool of a CEO and left me in this ice tomb. The sound of footsteps faded—that distinct crunching on snow. I was officially discarded. I strained to bend my fingers, reaching toward the hard object hidden inside my innermost layer of clothing. My adoptive mother had slipped it to me before I returned to the Burgess family. She said, “Delilah, this is your lifeline. Don’t use it unless you have absolutely no other choice.” Because once used, it meant the end of peaceful life. Back then, I laughed and said, “With my birth parents and brother, why would I ever need this?” Now, thinking back, it felt like the biggest joke in the world. Using the last of my strength, I slammed the red button. Beep. The tiny indicator blinked twice, weak and stubborn, then went dark for good. The satellite signal had been successfully sent. Signal sent. I didn’t know if I could last until they crossed the border and reached me. This place was a no-man’s land, sealed off by an avalanche. Then the phone pressed to my chest lit up. A unique vibration pattern. It was a message in the “Happy Mercenary Family” group chat. Even with the weak signal, texts still pushed through on this dedicated channel. Damian sent a picture. He was cleaning a heavy sniper rifle, its barrel pitch-black and gleaming coldly. The caption was simple. [Delilah, got your coordinates.] [Perfect timing—we’re on a mission near the border, only 120 miles from you.] [Scenic spot. Perfect for digging holes.] I tried to smile, but my lips wouldn’t move. Tried to type back, but my fingers were too numb to tap the screen.

Consciousness began to blur. Drifting, I seemed to return to those years abroad—chaotic yet pulsing with life. At five, after being trafficked, I ended up on the border. It was Hawk who dug me out from a pile of bodies. He scowled at how filthy I was, yet gave me half a ration bar. My adoptive father, Hawk, was a man of few words and one of the world’s top snipers. He taught me how to assemble a Glock in under three seconds. “Your gun is your partner. More reliable than people,” he said. My adoptive mother, Shera, was an elegant madwoman. She showed me how to make liquid explosives from supermarket detergent. “If anyone bullies you, blow them to hell. No need to explain,” she smiled. And then there was Damian. My sworn brother, who also crawled out from a grave of corpses. He always saved the choicest cut for me, smiling as he broke the bones of anyone who made me cry. That life—walking the knife’s edge yet wrapped in fierce loyalty—was one I walked away from myself. I’d been chasing the myth of “blood ties.” Foolishly thinking sharing DNA would give me a real family. So I put aside the mantle of “Red Fox” and slipped into the role of the timid, obedient long-lost heiress of the Burgess family. Once, when I was burning up with fever, Norris passed me a glass of water. Tears welled in my eyes, mistaking that small gesture for the warmth of home. Life soon delivered a stinging wake-up call. I later learned that water was Sadie’s leftover—too hot for her liking, so she’d tossed it my way. A jolt of raw pain tore me from the memory. Not the warmth of rescue, but the sharp, metallic bite of something hard striking bone. Crunch. A rescue worker’s shovel had slammed into my thigh. A choked gasp escaped me as awareness flickered back. I was dragged roughly from the snowbank—no stretcher, no emergency care in sight. The rescuer looked down at me, his expression pure disdain. “Still breathing after all that? Lucky you.” “You just cost us half an hour. Mr. Burgess is furious.” He didn’t bother with basic bandages, just tossed me onto a supply sled like a sack. The ride back to camp was a jarring, bone-rattling haul. Up ahead, the medical tent glowed warm against the cold, the hum of a space heater drifting out. Two guards hauled me inside. Warm air washed over me—but not for my sake. Sadie sat wrapped in a cashmere blanket in the only padded chair, surrounded by anxious nurses and a doctor. “Does it hurt, Miss Burgess?” “Bring the medicated cream, now!” I forced my eyes open. All Sadie had was a faint scrape on one finger—not even a drop of blood. Yet the camp’s only heater was aimed right at her hand. Meanwhile, I lay soaked and shivering, the gash on my thigh raw and exposed, curled on the muddy ground in a corner. Invisible. Azrael passed by, paused at the sight of me, then tossed a grimy, mud-stained towel in my direction. “Clean yourself up. Don’t stain the rug.” “Mr. Burgess is with Miss Burgess. Stay out of sight and keep quiet.” I clenched my jaw, staring at that soiled towel. And just like that, the last flicker of light inside me went out.

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I am the Alpha king, the strongest werewolf in existence. I took the last purebred Silver Wolf as my mate. But the child she bore wasn’t a Silver Wolf. Wasn’t an Alpha either. It was an omega that couldn’t even shift. Still, my Luna cradled it lovingly. Asking me if we should name our son Kane or Raven. I stayed silent for a long moment. “Rejection.” My Luna froze. “What did you call him?” “I said,” I raised my voice, “I’m rejecting you as my mate!” The room erupted. Elena was the Silver Wolf Princess, highest bloodline in existence. Outside the hall, Alphas and Elders from every pack filled the space. Elena’s expression twisted. “Slade, if you don’t like so many guests, I’ll send them away. Don’t joke like this, please.” I stood, grabbing her arm to drag her outside. “I’m not joking.” “We’re going to the Moon Altar right now to break the bond.” Humans get married with papers and divorce with signatures. Werewolves are more complicated. On mating day, names are carved into the Moon Stone, sealing the bond. To reject your mate, you need to erase the names on the Moon Stone. But it isn’t just erasing two names. The one at fault gets punished by the Moon Goddess. Elena looked hurt. “Slade, you can reject me if you want, but tell me what I did wrong first.” I said nothing, glancing at the pup in her arms. After years as mates, one look was enough for her to understand. Elena’s eyes widened. “It’s because of the pup? Just because I gave birth to an omega pup?” When she first got pregnant, I’d said every day our child would be a Silver Wolf or an Alpha. Not just me. Everyone thought so. My father was the strongest Alpha. My mother was the Moon Priestess. Both bloodlines were legendary. Elena’s lineage needed no explanation—there wasn’t a creature alive that could harm her except the Moon Goddess. Our child was famous before it was even born. But when she finally gave birth. It was just a weak omega. No shift ability, no inner wolf. Its tail was even half-formed. Seeing I didn’t deny it, every guest stared in shock. They say Alpha king should love all pups, even others’ children, treating them like their own. The first to call me out was my beta, Jax. “Alpha Slade, Luna Elena is about to cry. Apologize to her.” “Don’t forget Luna Elena went to the Northern Wastes to find the Fertility Herb, and she got attacked by rogues. She fought them off, but the wound on her shoulder still hasn’t healed.” “She nearly died giving birth. Almost lost her life. How can you break her heart like this?” Elena was a Silver Wolf, but she had trouble conceiving. We’d had a few pregnancies before. All miscarriages. To carry this pup to term, she went to find the Fertility Herb herself. I glanced at him coldly. “I didn’t even know about her shoulder wound. How did you?” Jax’s face went pale, stammering without an answer. “My Alpha, don’t blame him.” Elena stepped forward. “When I came back that day, I collapsed at the door from blood loss. Jax found me.” She finished. A few more pack members stepped forward, saying they witnessed it too. Their words made me look jealous and petty. The other Elders didn’t approve of my behavior either. “Alpha Slade, you’re the king of all alphas. How can you still be this jealous?” “Everyone knows how much Luna Elena loves you. Back then, she endured silver burns for you. How can you doubt her like this? It’s hurtful.” “And about the pup. Just because you’re an Alpha doesn’t mean your child has to be one too, right? ” “Enough.” Elena looked displeased at them defending me. “Thank you all for your concern, but this is pack business. Please say no more.” Her words. Made everyone resent me even more. When Elena turned back to me, her tone softened. “My Alpha, I know you wanted an Alpha heir. It’s okay. We can have another.” “You’re upset the pup isn’t strong. It’s fine. If he’s not, we’ll make him one. With your power and mine, we can make it.” The other Elders offered solutions too. Some promised rare herbs to boost power. Others recommended sacred training grounds. As if with one nod from me, this runt would transform into a legendary alpha tomorrow. Seeing I was unmoved by their suggestions. Elena grew more anxious. “My Alpha, just tell me what you want! I can give you anything!” I stared at her for a long moment. “You’ll give me anything I want?” Elena nodded firmly. “I want my pup.” Each word sharp. “Give me back my real pup.”

A flicker of panic crossed Elena’s perfect face. She pushed the pup forward. “My Alpha, this is our pup.” I looked at the pup coldly. “This isn’t my pup. This is someone else’s.” Elena looked shocked. “My Alpha, what do you mean? Did someone switch the pups during the birth?” Before I could respond, she called out urgently: “Someone! Bring me the midwife who delivered my pup. I need to question her about what she did.” In less than 10 minutes, the midwife appeared. After hearing the situation, she dropped to her knees. “I’m innocent! This is the pup Luna Elena gave birth to! And I wasn’t the only one there that day. Many pack members were present during the delivery.” The midwife quickly named several witnesses. All were Elena’s close friends who’d stayed in the room during labor, worried something might go wrong. Now, they stepped forward to confirm they’d seen this pup come from Elena’s body with their own eyes. Everyone’s gaze fell on me again. Their expressions seemed to say how could there be a father like me in this world? Just because the pup didn’t meet my expectations, I wanted to abandon my mate and child. Some hot-tempered wolves openly cursed me for being ungrateful. I bit my lip. “Just because it came from her body means it’s mine?” “Slade, are you accusing Elena of infidelity?” Even the High Elder couldn’t stand it anymore. “If that’s the case, we’ll use the Blood Stone. Let’s see whose pup this really is.” The High Elder gave the order, and someone immediately retrieved the stone from the vault. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Elena cut the pup’s paw and let blood drip onto the stone. Then she cut her own finger and added her blood. The two drops made the stone glow red. This proved a blood connection. After Elena’s test, it was my turn. I did the same. After a moment, the Blood Stone glowed red. Seeing this, Elena breathed a sigh of relief. “My Alpha, now do you believe this is our pup?” I stared at the stone in disbelief. “No, that’s impossible…” No werewolf can fail to sense whether a pup is their own. This weak pup had no trace of my scent. Why didn’t anyone else notice? Even the Blood Stone confirmed it was my pup. Was I wrong? “How is it impossible?” Jax spoke up. “Everyone knows the Blood Stone never lies. Alpha, have you been too exhausted lately? Are you hallucinating? Let me take you back to rest. Stop slandering the Luna.” His hand barely touched my arm. I shoved him away hard. “This isn’t my pup! It’s not! Stay away from me!” Elena helped Jax up, then yelled at me: “Slade, how long are you going to keep this up? We have witnesses, we have the Blood Stone—why won’t you believe this is our pup? Have you lost your mind?” Not just her—everyone looked at me like I was insane. I wasn’t insane. But panic was drowning me. To find the truth, I’d have to go there.

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The day I accompanied my fiancé for our premarital checkup, his nominal sister, Verna Carllyle, a doctor in that hospital, strode into the corridor and let out a shrill, deliberate yell, “Chloe Kent partied with five men at a nightclub just last night. She’s even kept by an old geezer! She’s carrying a severe infection—discharge, inflammation, the whole mess, yet she still has the audacity to show up for a premarital checkup?” Pregnant women waiting in line gasped in shock, their ultrasound reports slipping from trembling hands and scattering across the floor. Without hesitation, they scrambled to put distance between themselves and me. In my past life, I had been on the verge of confronting Verna, but my fiancé, Ivan Tracy, dragged me away in a hurry. “Verna’s just throwing a childish tantrum. Don’t let her words get to you. You’re marrying me, and my trust in you is all that matters.” However, word of the incident soon leaked online. The backlash was so vicious that my parents were literally angered to death, and I myself was hounded to my last breath by radical netizens. When I opened my eyes once more, I found myself right back on the day of the checkup, with Verna’s venomous voice still ringing in my ears. “I fixed you up with that repair surgery just last month, and you’ve already ruined it again this time? With a private life this sordid, do you really think you deserve to marry Ivan?” Ivan shot Verna a helpless look. “Verna, that’s enough. Hurry up with the checkup. Chloe and I have a marriage license to collect afterward.” A cold sneer tugged at my lips as I stepped back. “Marriage license? When did I ever agree to marry you?” Ivan froze in place, then reached out to drag me towards the exit. “Chloe, what’s gotten into you? Today’s the day we get our license. Don’t be so childish.” Verna ripped off her face mask, jabbing a finger at me as she shrieked. “People may see you as the respectable heiress of the Kent family, but they have no idea how filthy you really are behind closed doors!” “Everyone in this hospital has heard about your sordid escapades! It’s only because Ivan’s got a heart of gold that he’s willing to take you in, you slut!” My mind went blank for a split second, and then it hit me—I had gone back in time. Meanwhile, disgusted murmurs rippled through the crowd around me. “Girls these days have no shame at all. They put on such innocent faces, but they’re nothing but cheap whores underneath. Who knows how much they charge for a night?” In my past life, shame had overwhelmed me completely. After Ivan pulled me away, I had made no attempt to defend myself, making myself seem guilty. This time, however, a cold laugh escaped my lips. “Everyone in the hospital knows? Are you from the obstetrics and gynecology department… or the STD clinic?” I retorted. “My checkup hasn’t even started yet, so how is your mouth spouting results like a diagnostic machine?” Verna froze, clearly caught off guard. She’d never expected the mild, meek me to talk back, let alone in front of such a crowd. Ivan frowned and reached out to grab my arm. “Chloe, you’re Verna’s future sister-in-law. With so many people watching, show her some respect.” I dodged nimbly to the side, brushing off my sleeve with a look of disgust. “Respect? Did she show me any respect when she made up such horrible lies about me?” “And what about you, Ivan?” I turned to Ivan, my gaze cold as ice as I stared at the man I’d once loved with all my heart. “When your fiancée is publicly humiliated, your first instinct is to tell me to stay quiet, all to protect this nominal sister who shares no blood with you?” Ivan’s patience wore thin. “Verna was originally the one my mother approved of as my wife. Now she’s acting as my sister just to avoid gossip.” “She meant no harm. It’s just a girl venting her frustration. Besides, if you haven’t done any of it, you have nothing to fear. Just get the checkup, and everything will be cleared up.” “Hurry up. We have real business to do later.” He was still clinging to his delusion of getting his way. In my past life, he’d used this exact line about proving my innocence to coax me into the examination room. What followed was Verna producing a fake STD report. Ivan had then put on a show of heartbreak, claiming he didn’t care about my “past” before pressuring me to sign a prenuptial agreement. The document forced me to transfer all my assets into his name for management. After my death, he’d wasted no time using my wealth to hold a grand wedding with Verna. Now that Ivan defended her, Verna’s arrogance swelled. “Chloe, you’re scared to get checked because you know you’re guilty, aren’t you?” “Everyone, look! This is the woman who seduces old men! She’s diseased, and she intends to hurt more!” The crowd of patients and their families swelled. Some even pulled out their phones to record the commotion. Ivan squirmed under my gaze, forcing an awkward smile. “Chloe, we…” I cut him off coldly, shifting my focus to Verna. “Who ever said I’m your sister-in-law?” “Verna, you’re an intern in this hospital’s obstetrics and gynecology department, aren’t you?” Verna’s expression flickered. “You… What are you up to?” Without hesitation, I dialed the police. “Nothing, just a friendly reminder that public defamation is a criminal offense.” “Tell me, when the police arrive, do you think your internship will still be intact?”

Ivan’s face drained of color instantly. He lunged forward, trying to knock the phone out of my hand. “Since when have you become so confrontational, Chloe? Family matters shouldn’t be dragged into public. Why call the police over something so trivial?” “Verna was only looking out for your health. Instead of being grateful, you’re threatening her future?” I stepped back quickly, avoiding his spit. “Family matters? Are we married? Am I part of her family?” “If we’re not family, what right does she have to slander me in front of everyone?” Ivan’s hand froze mid-air, caught off guard by my retort. Verna, however, was too impulsive to hold back. She shrieked, “Fine, call the police! Even they can’t change the fact that you’re a tramp!” Murmurs of disapproval rippled through the crowd. “She looks decent enough, but she’s shameless, and she’s here bullying an intern like that.” “Her reputation’s already in the gutter, and she still has the nerve to kick up a fuss. That man’s pitiful, almost becoming a cuckold.” Tears welled up in Verna’s eyes on cue. “Ivan, did I do something wrong? I shouldn’t have said it in public. I should’ve helped Chloe cover it up…” “But I’m a doctor. It’s what I do. I can’t stand by and let her deceive you into marriage, putting you at risk of catching some nasty bug!” Feeling sorry for her, he pulled her into a hug, patting her back gently. “Verna, sweetie, come on. I know you meant well.” When he turned to me, his gaze had turned icy. “Chloe, apologize to Verna.” “Apologize, and we’ll drop this. No more premarital checkup. I’ll trust you.” “And we’ll go get the marriage certificate right away.” Their hypocrisy made me snort softly. How had I been so blind in my past life? I’d actually believed their so-called “deep sibling bond.” I stepped forward and grabbed the collar of Verna’s uniform. “You claim I’m rotten and oozing pus, that I’ve had repair surgeries. Where’s the evidence?” “Where are the medical records? The surgical notes? Did you see it with your own eyes?” Verna gasped for air, struggling to push me away. She then fumbled in her pocket, pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, and waved it wildly. “Everyone, look! This is the proof! Chloe’s had repeated intimate repair surgeries!” “She got a postoperative infection with pus discharge, and they even had to remove foreign objects during surgery! She’s completely ruined down there!”

The crowd erupted into chaos instantly. Some even hurled rags at me. They jabbed me with mops, shoving me roughly in an attempt to drive me out. “That’s revolting! Foreign objects? You filthy creature, get out of here!” “Don’t you see there are pregnant women here? What if you infect them with some disease?” Ivan wore a look of heart-wrenching sorrow, reaching out as if to cover the paper. Yet he deliberately let the key details peek through for the onlookers to spot. “Chloe, I know you played wild in the past, but I don’t mind. I mean it. As long as you turn over a new leaf, that’s all that matters.” Ignoring the slanderous shouts, I snatched the paper from Verna’s hand. Panic flashed across Verna’s face immediately. “You can’t destroy the evidence! I’m telling you, there are backups in the system! Tearing it up won’t do a thing!” I held the paper high and moved closer to the camera of a passerby who was live-streaming. “Everyone, take a good look at this so-called ‘evidence’ from Dr. Carllyle.” “It claims I underwent intimate repair surgery and foreign object removal last Friday.” As my words fell, a murmur swept through the crowd. Ivan buried his face in his hands, his expression agony-stricken. “Chloe, stop reading… I know you’re doing this to get back at me, but there’s no need to broadcast such things. I told you. I don’t mind…” A cold laugh cut off his dramatic act. “Ivan, why don’t you tell everyone where we were last Friday?” Ivan froze, his eyes darting away nervously. “That day… I was working overtime at the company. Who knows where you were fooling around?” Typical Ivan, lying through his teeth to protect his nominal sister. I pulled out my phone and opened a video without hesitation. On screen, Ivan and I sat on a plane cruising in the air. The background carried the flight attendant’s announcements of the time and destination. “Excuse me, Dr. Carllyle, how exactly did you perform surgery on me while I was on a flight to the Maldives for vacation?” “Or does your scalpel have the power to stretch in the air and operate remotely?” Verna’s face blanched completely. She stumbled over her words for a moment before sputtering. “Well… Maybe I mixed up the date! But I did perform the surgery. I could never forget a patient like you!” Ivan rushed to back her up. “Verna sees dozens of patients every day. Mixing up dates is only normal.” “Chloe, don’t fixate on this tiny discrepancy. The truth is, you did have…” I cut him off, pointing to the surgeon’s signature at the bottom of the paper. “The operating doctor’s signature here is Chief Bell’s.” “Verna, didn’t you just claim you performed the surgery?” “Now you can not only operate remotely but also forge the chief’s signature?” At that moment, a stern, furious voice boomed from the back of the crowd. “Who dares to forge my signature?”

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On my wedding day, Stella’s childhood friend Marcus crashed the ceremony and announced that the baby in her belly was his. She took his hand. Didn’t deny it. Canceled the wedding right there in front of everyone. “Julian needs this child for his green card application,” she said, calm as ice. “Once he gets citizenship, then I’ll marry you.” Everyone assumed I’d wait for her like a pathetic fool. They had no idea that same night, I accepted my family’s arranged marriage and left New York. Vanished from her world completely. …… Five years later, I’m back in the city to finalize a major acquisition. My wife—renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. Charlotte Reed—is here to perform a groundbreaking surgery. She’s three months pregnant. Exhausted from the flight. So I personally prepare her a gourmet lunch and bring it to the hospital. That’s when I run into Stella for the first time in five years. Her expression shifts from disbelief to arrogance in seconds flat. “You actually came back?” Her voice drips with superiority. “It’s been five years. Marcus’s kid is in kindergarten now. If you behave and take care of him properly, I might let you back into my life.” Her gaze holds absolute certainty. Smug satisfaction. She thinks one snap of her fingers and I’ll come crawling back. Five years ago, she would’ve been right. Not anymore. “Stella, isn’t that Julian Smith? The guy who used to worship you?” “Told you. No matter how long it’s been, he’d come crawling back eventually.” Stella looks at me with triumph and confidence. Like she predicted this exact moment. Three of her friends surround her. Their eyes scan me up and down without shame. Judging. Mocking. “I remember Julian threw a tantrum and stormed off back then, right? Now he sees Stella made Chief of Surgery and comes back with his tail between his legs?” “Look at this elaborate ‘coincidence.’ What’s he even wearing? Ratty clothes to meet our Stella?” “Just look how pathetic his life is now. Without Stella, who’d treat him this well?” Their mockery washes over me. I don’t care. I’m wearing a loose T-shirt and comfortable jeans. My hair’s a bit messy—I didn’t bother styling it. Nothing like the old me who’d dress up meticulously just to see Stella. Can’t help it. My wife’s pregnant. As her husband, I handle everything personally to make her comfortable. “Stella, weren’t we supposed to meet Dr. Reed? Let’s not waste time on him.” The reminder makes Stella snap to attention. She gives me a dismissive look. “Stay close. You’ll be taking care of me and Marcus’s son from now on.” She assumes I’ll follow her around like a trained dog. But five years changed me. I’m not the fool who loved her enough to tolerate anything. Now? Every extra second near her feels suffocating. Like talking to an idiot. I tighten my grip on the insulated lunch box. This is for my wife. Ever since she got pregnant, she’s been obsessed with my cooking. If I wait any longer, it’ll get cold. I turn to leave— Marcus bursts out of the hospital entrance. Sees Stella at the door. His face lights up. Then he sees me. The smile vanishes. “Well, well. Julian Smith. After all these years, you finally came back?”

There’s surprise in his voice. But I catch the flash of disgust in his eyes. Before I can speak, he continues: “You heard our son was sick, so you came to bring food? How thoughtful.” His gaze lands on the thermal container in my hands. Pride and smugness flash across his face. Like he’s reading my mind. “Hand over the food. Then go wash the kid’s clothes.” He doesn’t just order me around—he reaches out to grab the container from my hands. I step back instinctively. “What are you doing?” Stella frowns at this. Then her expression smooths. “Fine. Since you brought food anyway, take it inside.” “Take good care of our son.” “Five hundred dollars a month salary. More than enough for a single guy like you.” Her words make her friends burst out laughing. Their eyes fill with mockery. Like they’ve found a fun new toy. “See? Five hundred! Better than whatever you’re making now—can’t even afford decent clothes!” “Right! At least you’ll get some meals! If you’re willing, maybe Stella will let you earn extra on the side.” Their gazes crawl over me without restraint. The discomfort makes my skin crawl. Marcus flashes the Rolex on his wrist. “Julian, see how good Stella is to you? Five years later, she still wants to help you out.” His voice turns cruel. “Just take care of our kid. Don’t worry about anything else. You’re not going to bully a little boy, are you?” Stella laughs coldly. “Grown some backbone, haven’t you? ” “Got your feelings hurt over nothing and ran away like a baby.” “Now you can’t make it on your own and want me to bail you out. Of course there’s a price.” Her words hit like a punch to the chest. Nothing? At our wedding, my bride announced she was pregnant with another man’s child. Humiliated me in front of everyone. Canceled the ceremony. Made me wait. That’s nothing? The Stella who once loved me is dead. She’s not the girl who’d rush over in a thunderstorm to take care of me when I had a cold. Not the one who confessed her love to me on stage at the school festival, telling the whole world I was the only one she’d ever love. Not the one who’d learn nutrition and plan my meals because she cared about my health. But that was five years ago. Time to let it go. Especially since my wife and I are about to have our first child. I step back to walk around them— But they block my path. “Where do you think you’re going? Aren’t you here to bring food to my son?” Marcus grabs my arm. The sudden movement nearly makes me stumble. I jerk away from his touch, disgusted. That’s when he spots the label on the container—For my darling Dr. Reed. “Dr. Reed? You’ve got some nerve! Everyone knows Dr. Reed just got back to the States. Already trying to suck up to her?” Marcus puts two and two together. There’s only one Dr. Reed at this hospital. Charlotte Reed. “Everyone knows Dr. Reed is married. And you’re still trying to get close to her?” Stella’s face darkens. Anger flickers in her eyes. “Have you no shame?”

I shake off Stella’s hand. Marcus spots the watch on my wrist. Grabs it. “Patek Philippe?” He freezes for a second. Then immediately denies it. “Impossible! This particular Patek Philippe is called the King of Watches. The Reed family won it at a Christie’s auction.” “When the Reeds bid on it, they made global headlines. They said it was a wedding gift for their son-in-law.” “Worth three hundred million! A symbol of their marriage!” His voice gets shrill. Jealousy burns in his eyes. But he shakes his head. “Your replica is pretty good, I’ll give you that. But wearing it around like this? Aren’t you embarrassed?” “Feels real too. Almost perfect.” “But Julian, do you really think wearing a fake Patek Philippe will make you Dr. Reed’s husband?” Laughter erupts around us. They don’t believe for a second that I could be the legendary Mr. Reed. Charlotte Reed is a world-renowned cardiac surgeon. Five years ago, I was chasing after Stella like a lovesick puppy. Willing to do anything for her. I got humiliated at my own wedding. Became a joke. There’s no way someone like me could be connected to Charlotte Reed. “Nice work. I’ll buy it from you. Full price.” I don’t have time for this. I try to grab the watch back. “Impossible! Charlotte gave this to me!” Marcus deliberately yelps in fake pain. Then Stella’s hand cracks across my face. My ears ring. Burning pain spreads across my cheek. I clench my fists. My upbringing won’t let me hit a woman. “Are you insane? Dr. Reed isn’t someone you can just claim to know!” “You’ve got some nerve trying to associate yourself with her!” Stella’s voice shakes with fury. Her friends glare at me. Their contempt is palpable. “Julian, I’m asking Dr. Reed to help my son! You hear me?” “If you piss her off and she refuses to treat him, I swear I’ll make you pay!” “If something happens to my son because of you, I’ll kill you myself!” I narrow my eyes at them. Stella’s never seen this look from me before. She finishes her tirade, then suddenly looks uncertain. Scared. Marcus rushes forward. “Julian, you lunatic! You hurt me, fine. But now you’re trying to drag Dr. Reed into this to hurt us?” “I know you’re mad about Stella leaving you at the altar. But you can’t frame her like this!” “Our son is innocent! He never did anything to you! Why are you trying to destroy us?” Tears stream down his face. He looks pitiful.

Seeing Marcus like this takes me back five years. Back then, whenever he cried and played victim, everything became my fault. Even when he was always the one who started it. At first, Stella would take my side. But as time went on and her feelings for me faded, she’d turn on me too. Just like now. Stella’s face hardens. “You’ve really disappointed me. How did you become this person?” She doesn’t continue her verbal assault though. She glances at me. “Apologize to us now. We’ll forgive you. You can still be our son’s nanny.” “Otherwise, I have plenty of ways to make sure you can’t survive in this city.” She stares down at me like I’m an insect beneath her feet. I frown. “I haven’t done anything wrong. And as for the nanny job? Find someone else. I’m not interested.” It’s not that I don’t want to fight back. But this is in front of Charlotte’s hospital. I don’t want to cause trouble for my wife. But I won’t let this slide. My phone buzzes. Charlotte’s message pops up—she’s got an emergency trip, won’t be at the hospital for two days. Don’t bother bringing lunch, save myself the trouble. Her words are so warm. My heart softens. I turn to leave. Marcus won’t let it go. “What? Not bringing food to Dr. Reed anymore?” His mocking tone makes me frown. “Don’t you know Dr. Reed’s out of town?” I throw it back at him. Stella’s eyes bore into me. “I don’t know where you got that information. But two days from now, the Reed family is holding a gala. They’re introducing Dr. Reed’s husband to everyone.” “Take this money. Buy yourself some decent clothes. Come with me to the event. See for yourself who Dr. Reed’s real husband is. Maybe then you’ll give up.” I shake my head. “No thanks.” She looks stunned that I’d refuse her. Offended that I’d embarrass her like this. She grabs Marcus. “Since you don’t know what’s good for you, I’ll take Marcus instead.” “Don’t worry, I’ll behave perfectly. I won’t embarrass you!” I’m done listening to this. I turn and walk away. Stella’s voice calls after me: “Two days from now, let’s see if you’re still so arrogant!” I ignore her. Get in a taxi. Five years ago, my family arranged a marriage for me. I begged them. They finally agreed to let me marry for love. They gave me three months. I convinced Stella to marry me. We rushed to plan the wedding. Then Marcus destroyed everything at the last minute. She wanted me to wait until Marcus’s child was born and registered for citizenship before marrying me. Left me alone at the altar. That night, my parents sent me overseas. Into an arranged marriage with Charlotte Reed. I threw myself into the family business. That’s why we waited five years to have a child. Five whole years before the baby in her belly now. If it weren’t for her mentor’s invitation, I never would’ve agreed to come back for this surgery. And I never would’ve run into Stella.

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I’m a transmigrator with a mission. My task is to marry Caden Holt. But the Holt pack has a bloodline law: only a she-wolf who bears a son can become Caden’s true mate. I carried nine pups over six years. Every single one was female. So every pup was ripped from me before six months. Forced termination, every time. When I fell pregnant with the tenth, a nurse pulled me aside and whispered congratulations. She said the scans showed a boy. I ran to find Caden. I was practically glowing. Then I heard him talking to the pack doctor through a cracked door. “You’re going to tell Lyra her pup is female again. Tell her it needs to be terminated.” The doctor’s voice cracked. “Caden, she’s already terminated nine pups. Her womb is tissue-thin. One more procedure could trigger hemorrhage. She could die. She might never carry again.” Caden’s voice was ice. “She has a system. She could carry a hundred pups and she’d be fine.” “But my sister-in-law only gets one shot at becoming Pack Mistress. I won’t let anything threaten her position. Once Sera takes over as Alpha of the Holt pack, I’ll make it up to Lyra.” I stood frozen in the hallway. My nine dead pups. All boys. Caden didn’t know. My system gave me exactly ten chances to carry. Ten. That was it. If this tenth pup didn’t survive, if I failed to marry him, the system would erase me. So when the system asked how I wanted to go, I had one answer. “Let me die on the operating table. When they take my last pup.” I wanted Caden Holt to spend the rest of his life regretting it. — Even the doctor, Marcus, who had been Caden’s closest friend for years, had finally had enough. “Don’t you think this is monstrous? Lyra would have waited for you. If you had just told her to wait, she would have agreed. You know she would have.” “I know.” Caden’s voice went quieter. Heavier. “But I couldn’t risk it.” “The Alpha Mistress position carries absolute power in this pack. You’ve seen what Lyra would sacrifice. She cut off her own birth family just to be with me. How am I supposed to trust she won’t secretly carry my pup to term the moment she thinks it gives her leverage?” Hearing that hollowed me out. I’m a transmigrator with a mission. If I marry Caden, my original body, dying in my home world, gets healed. But I hadn’t planned on falling in love with him. On day one of being with him, I told him everything. Every truth. I told him even after the mission ended, I would stay. He turned my honesty into evidence of an ulterior motive. And that evidence became the blade that killed nine of our pups. Marcus wasn’t done. “Even if you were scared she’d use the pup against Sera, why did you keep dragging it to six months? Gender can be confirmed at three or four months. Why wait until six?” “At six months the pup is fully formed. It’s not a simple termination. It has to be induced. Some of them come out crying.” His voice broke slightly. “Even with her system, the physical damage is irreversible. How could you do that to her?” My nose burned. My body still remembered every one of those procedures. The tearing pain. The sound of tiny cries. It felt like someone had ripped my heart out with bare hands. Caden’s voice came back rougher. “Every time, I was in agony too.” “But there was no other way. My nephew Eli has a heart condition. A specialist told me that a pup’s heart, extracted at six months of development, could be used in a treatment compound.” Marcus exploded. “What? You had those pups’ hearts cut out and fed to your nephew? Caden, what is wrong with you?” And then my legs gave out. I fell into the door. The two men went completely silent. I didn’t wait. I crawled back to my room before Caden could find me. By the time I was back in bed I was shaking so hard I couldn’t stop. Tears ran straight down into the pillow. No wonder Caden always told me not to think about the pups after each procedure. He said they didn’t count as ours if they never reached full term. I thought he was trying to comfort me. He just didn’t want me to mourn something he’d already decided were ingredients.

When Caden came back, my eyes were dry. He wrapped his arms around me tight. His voice was low and deliberate. “Lyra. Scans confirm it’s a female pup again. We need to terminate. I’ve already told the doctors to prepare.” “Caden.” I pulled back and looked at him. I kept my voice steady. “I want to carry this one to term.” He went white. “Are you out of your mind? You only become my mate if you birth a son.” The Holt bloodline carried an anomaly. Male pups born to Holt blood came out brilliant, powerful, exceptional. Female pups born to the bloodline didn’t survive past three days. It had happened enough times that the pack had made it law. Any she-wolf who wanted to bond with a Holt male had to first birth a healthy son. Because of this, Holt mates held extraordinary rank. They received major pack shares. The Alpha Mistress position itself was always filled by the bonded mate, not by blood. My silence made Caden go still. “Lyra. Did you hear something?” Part of me screamed to keep lying. If I could keep him from knowing the truth, my pup still had a chance. “No,” I said. “I just… find it hard to let go.” He pulled me close again. “Don’t grieve, Lyra. We’re young. I promise you, the next one will be a son.” He didn’t know there was no next one. If I failed to bond with him this time, my body in this world would be erased. I could accept dying. But this pup was innocent. I had to get him out alive. So when the nurses came to take me to the procedure room, I asked to stop at the bathroom first. Inside, I stripped off my jewelry and swapped it with a woman in the hall, trading for her clothes and a handful of cash. I was going to run. My system tried to talk me down. “Caden does love you, in his way. If you confronted him honestly, he might let you carry this pup to term. He might actually bond with you properly.” Before I’d heard that conversation, maybe I would have tried. But when it came to his sister-in-law Sera, I had never once won. From the beginning I noticed how Caden treated Sera. Every time we went out and I found something I liked, he bought two. One for me. One for Sera. He sent her flowers on my anniversaries with him. He delivered them personally. I made a scene about it once. Caden told me gently, “Lyra, don’t misread it. I love you. With Sera, it’s guilt. Nothing more.” That was when I learned Caden’s older brother had died years ago. He’d driven drunk after a fight with Caden and his car went off the road. Caden had spent every year since believing he caused his brother’s death. He’d made Sera and her son Eli his personal responsibility. I used to think that kind of loyalty was something to admire. I know better now. What Caden feels for Sera isn’t guilt. It’s something that rotted into obsession long ago. Enough to make him harvest our pups’ hearts for her sick child. Enough that if she asked, he’d probably cut out mine too. I thought I had time. I hadn’t even made it to the hospital entrance when his hand closed around my wrist. I turned. Caden looked at me. Then his face went rigid. “Lyra. Where are you going?” Before I could answer, he already knew. All the color left his face. “You were outside that door. You heard everything.”

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I am the only true witch in the world, able to commune with the dead and deliver their final messages. In my past life, Mrs. Ashford knelt at my doorstep, begging me to contact her late father-in-law and learn his true last will. Six months later, Grayson Ashford, the second son of the Ashford family, proposed to me with a wedding that made headlines across the country. He had defeated all other heirs to the family fortune, rising from his position as the overlooked younger son to take control of the Ashford billion-dollar empire. I thought he was grateful that I had helped change his fate. But when I performed another séance, he deliberately tampered with my ritual tools, trapping my soul forever in the realm of the dead. To prevent my coven from discovering what he’d done, he burned down the entire sanctuary where I practiced. “What sacred coven? I see nothing but a den of frauds.” “If you hadn’t interfered, Yasmine would have been the one to cross over that day.” “After being cast out from the Ashford family, her failed ritual drove her to madness and suicide. What right do you have to still be alive?” “Aren’t you supposed to be a true witch? Surely you can return safely even without your tools.” Only then did I realize—for the sake of his adopted sister Yasmine, my husband hated me this much. I lost my way in the underworld, and the death’s guardians beat my soul to oblivion with ninety-nine strikes. When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day Mrs. Ashford knelt before me. I immediately helped her to her feet, and under her expectant gaze, I said. “Your adopted daughter Yasmine is also a medium, isn’t she? I’m sure she can do this just as well.” “Those are just folk rituals. They can’t truly communicate with the dead.” Mrs. Ashford sighed deeply, her well-maintained face seeming to age ten years in an instant. Mr. Ashford Senior had died in an accident, leaving no time to create a will. The entire Ashford fortune was hidden in locations around the world, known only to the family head. In my past life, only through the will I’d retrieved had Grayson inherited the family’s true wealth. The agony of my soul’s destruction still felt fresh, making my entire body tremble. A Ferrari suddenly pulled up beside us, and Grayson angrily grabbed his mother’s arm. He glanced at me with deep disgust in his voice. “Mother, Yasmine is a medium too. Why must you beg an outsider?” I was somewhat surprised—this hadn’t happened in my previous life. Grayson had stayed at home His appearance here now meant he had also been reborn. I just hadn’t expected that after five years of marriage, I was nothing more than an outsider in his eyes. No wonder he had been so ruthless in destroying me to avenge Yasmine. Mrs. Ashford collapsed into his arms, weakly shaking her head. “Folk magic cannot compare to a true witch, not even close.” Yasmine quickly stepped out of the car, looking at me with challenge in her eyes. “Don’t worry, Mom. My mentor is a priestess, far more reliable than some witch.” “The eldest priestess herself praised my natural talent after only three years of training.” “For Grayson’s sake, I’ll risk my life to bring back Grandfather’s will.” I laughed coldly. Crossing to the realm of death requires proper authorization. Yasmine’s so-called training was nothing but illegal spiritual trespassing. Grayson’s gaze toward me grew even more contemptuous. “Rowan, how dare you let my mother kneel at your door!” “Once I inherit the Ashford fortune, I’ll make you pay back a thousand times over.” Mrs. Ashford frowned. “That was my own choice. You will not disrespect Miss Rowan.” Grayson sneered. “Mother, she’s just a liar. Why defend her?” He stepped forward and, without warning, slapped me hard across the face, his eyes cold as ice. “I’ll protect Yasmine throughout her entire ritual.” “Rowan, don’t ever dream of marrying into the Ashford family or getting your hands on money that doesn’t belong to you.” I froze. So in my past life, Grayson had suspected me of embezzling part of the inheritance. No wonder he used such cruel methods to scatter my soul. I closed my eyes, trying to forget those memories, when the jade talisman at my waist suddenly grew hot. My heart tightened as I looked toward the Ashford estate and glimpsed the psychopomps in the air above. The spirit guides were arriving—Mr. Ashford’s soul was about to dissipate completely! Remembering the burning sanctuary and my mentor’s tragic death in my previous life, I lowered my eyes, turned around, and closed the door, leaving the three of them outside. This lifetime, Grayson’s fate has nothing to do with me.

Just as the door was about to close, it was violently forced open. The next second, I was knocked to the ground by a group of large men who barged into my home. They ransacked my living room, throwing the ritual tools onto the floor. I struggled to get up and tried to retrieve my torn enchanted slippers, but was kicked in the chest and fell back, coughing up blood. Those slippers had been sewn by my mentor before she died. She said that no matter how far I traveled in the underworld, these shoes would always bring me back to the living world. They weren’t just magical tools—they were the only thing she’d left me. But now, they’d been torn to shreds and tossed disdainfully at my feet. A polished leather shoe stepped on my outstretched fingers, grinding them mercilessly. I glared at Grayson. “You called these men here!” “I already let Yasmine take the séance. What gives you the right to do this!” Yasmine clung to Grayson’s arm, giggling. “Grayson, you’re so clever. Without her tools, how can she keep up her fraudulent act?” Grayson looked down at me with contempt, pressing harder until I heard my bones crack. Then he scooped Yasmine up in his arms, keeping her pristine white heels away from my blood. “New outfit. Don’t let this trash stain it.” “Didn’t you look down on Yasmine? When she succeeds, you won’t even be worthy of licking her shoes!” I bit my lip hard, refusing to cry out in pain, though a smile tugged at my mouth. “Grayson, you’d better use this time to offer more incense at your grandfather’s altar.” “The spirit guides have arrived at death’s threshold.” “His soul will scatter completely soon.” The moment I finished speaking, Grayson kicked me viciously. His eyes were bloodshot as he waved at the thugs. “You bitch! How dare you curse Grandfather!” “All of you, teach this woman a lesson!” The next second, fists and feet rained down on me, battering me like a broken punching bag. But this physical pain was nothing compared to the ninety-nine strikes that had destroyed my soul! Thinking of the spirit guides growing more solid above the Ashford estate, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Yasmine’s crude black magic couldn’t dare show itself before the true guardians of death. Grayson, without that will, billions in assets are forever beyond your reach. I wanted to see how he’d still swagger around after inheriting nothing but an empty shell of a company! Seeing me stop struggling but bleeding more heavily, afraid they might actually kill me, the men backed away nervously. Grayson pointed at me, roaring, “Keep going!” “Rowan, aren’t you supposed to bridge life and death? Stop playing dead!” The next moment, I heard his agonized scream and an ice-cold voice. “Everyone stop right now!”

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A brutal rape-murder had rocked the city. As the crime scene doctor, I followed protocol, checking the victim’s genital area for evidence—while my wife, Captain Sophia Brightwell, head of Major Crimes, publicly tore into me. “Are there no female medical examiners left? Don’t you realize this violates the victim—inflicts secondary trauma?” Her voice cut through the crowd: “And your wife is standing right here. Are you really that shameless?” Within hours, I became public enemy number one. The department suspended me and demanded fines to keep working. I resigned on the spot. Without me, no one in Clearwater City could solve this case. “Ethan Chase, you’ve destroyed our year-end evaluation! The media’s outside demanding your head!” Chief Morrison slammed his fist on the desk, face red with rage. Outside, protesters held signs: “FIRE ETHAN CHASE,” “PERVERT IN A LAB COAT,” “NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE.” Online was worse. Thousands demanding I lose my license and go to prison. I kept my voice level. “Chief Morrison, I followed every protocol. The victim had severe genital injuries—immediate documentation was legally mandatory—” The door flew open. Sophia strode in, timing perfect. “Chief, the crowd’s out of control. We need a disciplinary statement now, or this becomes a full PR crisis.” She turned to me, eyes cold as ice. “Still think you did nothing wrong? Marrying you is the biggest mistake of my life.” I’d followed procedure. Every. Single. Step. She weaponized the public’s ignorance—deliberately destroying my career during a routine examination. Sophia slid a proposal across the Chief’s desk. “I recommend demotion to auxiliary staff, plus a two-thousand-dollar monthly fine for twelve months. Minimum to restore public confidence.” She held up a press release. “I’ve drafted the statement. Give the word.” Chief Morrison signed without reading. Done. Sophia’s lips curled. “Oh, and given the current… sensitivity, I’m transferring you where you can’t cause harm.” She tossed a security guard uniform at my feet. “Patrol outside the morgue. If anything goes wrong inside, you’re accountable.” She snapped her fingers. Her team swarmed my office, dumping everything into the hallway. My files. My credentials. Even the autopsy report I’d just completed—thrown in the trash. I pulled it out and smoothed the pages. “Listen carefully, Sophia. Without me, this case will never be solved.” “Back me into a corner, and you’ll regret.” She scoffed, but I saw the flicker of doubt. She should doubt. During my examination, I’d discovered something critical—the injury patterns were identical to an unsolved case from six months ago. This wasn’t random violence. This was a serial killer. And the previous evidence—body, specimens, autopsy report—had all burned in the evidence room fire last winter. Gone. Cremated. Ash. That analysis existed in one place now: my memory. I opened my mouth to warn them. But the station entrance erupted in noise. A man entered like royalty, surrounded by bureaucrats shaking his hand. Sophia transformed instantly. Her cold mask shattered. She rushed forward, looping her arm through his. “Adrian! Thank God. The Chief’s been asking about you all morning.” I finally understood why Sarah publicly accused me of being a pervert during the examination and gotten me demoted. Sophia destroyed a legitimate examination and torpedoed my career. All to clear a path for him. Adrian Kade’s eyes found mine. His smile was poison. “Ethan Chase. Long time.” He savored each word. “Thanks for keeping Sophia company these past years. Must have been… difficult.” He stepped closer, voice dropping to a whisper. “But I’m back now. Everything reverts to its natural order. The Chief ME position? Mine. Sophia?” His hand settled on her back. “Also mine. She always was.”

Adrian Kade was Sophia’s first love. For five years of marriage, his name had been the unspoken taboo between us. I’d convinced myself she’d moved on. I was wrong. Monday’s department meeting was a coronation ceremony in disguise. Chief Morrison smiled proudly. “Dr. Adrian Kade comes to us with a PhD from Cambridge, twelve years specializing in forensic pathology abroad. His expertise will be a tremendous asset to this department!” He shot me a withering glare. “Unlike some people who showboat their amateur skills and drag our reputation through the mud.” Sophia clutched Adrian’s hand, her smile radiant. “Chief, Adrian would never engage in such unethical behavior. His integrity is beyond question—everyone who knows him can attest to that.” They looked like the perfect power couple. Meanwhile, I stood outside the conference room in a security guard uniform, invisible. Adrian’s eyes found mine through the glass. He gathered a stack of old case files and stepped outside, dumping them at my feet with theatrical disdain. “Take me to see the body. Allow me to give you a lesson in actual forensic work. I don’t even need to examine the victim to profile the killer.” The arrogance was suffocating. Under Sophia’s threatening glare, I forced a cold smile and gestured toward the morgue. “By all means. Let’s see what you’ve got.” Inside the autopsy suite, Adrian circled the victim’s body twice. Based on two scratch marks, he launched into an elaborate theory about the perpetrator’s MO. My former colleagues and I exchanged knowing looks. As Sophia heaped praise on his “brilliance,” my assistant finally snapped. “Captain Brightwell, with all due respect, this is complete speculation. There’s no way to determine a profile without a proper examination—” “And Dr. Chase mentioned this case might be connected to the unsolved murder six months—” Sophia cut her off with an icy stare. “Dr. Kade has an internationally recognized PhD from Cambridge. What does Ethan have? A degree from some no-name state school?” She turned to me with contempt. “If the Chief and I hadn’t vouched for you back then, you’d have been fired for credential fraud years ago.” My education couldn’t compete with Adrian’s pedigree—that much was true. But I’d joined the force straight out of undergrad and worked my way up through real cases. I had more street experience than these academic types. My lack of advanced degrees was a minor weakness at best. It didn’t define my capabilities. I smiled without humor. “A fancy diploma doesn’t replace actual forensic experience. Everything he just said is textbook theory with zero grounding in reality.” I met Sophia’s eyes, my voice steady and final. “If you’re going to stake your career on covering for him, then let’s get divorced.” We’d threatened divorce before—plenty of times. But every time I saw Sophia in action, saw her dedication to justice, I’d fallen for her all over again. Her integrity had been the foundation of everything I loved about her. But now? That foundation had crumbled to dust. She’d handled hundreds of cases. She knew better than anyone how unreliable injury-pattern profiling could be without a full autopsy. Yet she was betting everything on Adrian’s reckless guesswork. Sophia’s jaw tightened. “Are you threatening me? What makes you think our marriage gives you any leverage over me whatsoever?” Adrian laughed, low and mocking. “Feeling insecure now that I’ve taken your job? Is this some pathetic attempt to reassert your masculinity?” He leaned in, his voice dripping with condescension. “Just admit you’re jealous, Ethan. Stop whining like a scorned housewife. Whether my assessment is valid or not—that’s for the Chief to decide, not some washed-up rent-a-cop.” Sophia didn’t say a word in my defense. Her eyes held nothing but disdain—as if she’d already decided I was exactly what Adrian described: a bitter, incompetent fraud. I smiled, finally seeing her clearly. “I’ll say it one last time. If you’re going to protect him, we’re done.” Sophia’s response was immediate, her voice sharp as a guillotine. “Fine. Let’s get divorced. Adrian’s back now—I don’t need you anymore.”

Sophia worked around the clock closing cases under Adrian’s name. I delivered the divorce papers. She signed without reading. “Finally. Now I can focus on what actually matters.” After filing at the courthouse, I went to submit my resignation. Before I reached the Chief’s office, another family burst in with a body. The victim’s position, the ligature marks—identical to the previous case. I stepped forward. “I need to examine—” Adrian grabbed my wrist and shoved it away. “Keep your filthy hands off her.” He turned to the family. “This man is the predator from the news—the one who violated a deceased woman. He’s been demoted to security.” The mother lunged at me. “You monster! You just wanted to violate my daughter!” “Get away from her!” Adrian placed a hand on her shoulder. “Ma’am, I’ll personally handle your daughter’s case with respect. Unlike certain people, I value the deceased.” The father spat at my feet. I turned toward the exit. “Ethan! Where do you think you’re going?” Sophia strode through with her team. “Adrian is going to performing a critical autopsy. You assist him. Hand instruments. Sterilize equipment.” She stepped closer. “I didn’t demote you to collect a paycheck doing nothing.” Adrian lifted his leg, letting a smear of dirt mar the toe of his shoe. “Actually, Ethan, start by cleaning these.” He gestured dismissively. “And bring two basins of sterile water. You remember basic protocol, right?” The officers snickered. I smiled. “Sure. I’ll clean them.” I grabbed a filthy mop rag from the janitor’s closet and shoved it into Adrian’s mouth. Then I punched him twice. Heard his jaw crack. “YOU PSYCHO! STOP!” CLICK. Sophia had her gun drawn, aimed at my head. “Adrian gave you a direct order. You assaulted him. That’s attacking a police consultant.” Her finger rested on the trigger. “Give me one reason I shouldn’t shoot.” Ice flooded my veins. Last year, when I was taken hostage, she’d told the suspects: “Shoot him if you want. One medical examiner is expendable. But fire, and you lose all leverage.” Now she’d drawn her weapon at me because of Adrian I slowly raised my hands and crouched down. Cleaned his shoes. He ground his heel into my hand until skin peeled away. “Know your place.” Two hours later, Adrian emerged from the morgue. The victim’s family waited anxiously in the lobby. Adrian approached them, expression grave and professional. “I’ve completed my examination. I’m very sorry to tell you this, but all evidence points to suicide by asphyxiation. Your daughter took her own life.” The mother collapsed into her husband’s arms, sobbing. “No… no, she wouldn’t… she was happy…” Adrian placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Depression can be invisible. Sometimes the people we love hide their pain.” I stood by the door, fists clenched. Suicide. He’d ruled it suicide. Just like the last three cases. This was the fourth victim in eight months. Four young women, all found with identical ligature patterns, identical bruising depth, identical positioning. And this idiot had just ruled the fourth one suicide. The only person who knew the truth was me.

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On Valentine’s Day, my husband’s student sent him roses, and I sent him to prison. My husband Julian Vane was promoted to professor. We didn’t even have a wedding reception. Just signed the papers at the courthouse and called it done. But for this, he threw a party at our place to celebrate. Halfway through the evening, he pulled out a bouquet of roses his female grad student had given him and reached for the vase on the mantel. Without warning, I knocked the flowers from his hands, sent the vase crashing to the floor, and spoke into the stunned silence. “I want a divorce.” Julian froze. Then fury flooded his face. “Seraphina, have you lost your mind? I’m putting flowers in a vase. Flowers from a student. What the hell is wrong with you?” His mother stepped forward immediately. “Julian just made professor. It’s Valentine’s Day. A student brought him flowers. So what? Are you really that insecure?” I looked at the scattered petals on the floor and said, word by word, “Yes. Because of these flowers. I want a divorce.”

The room went dead silent. His father’s face darkened. His mother’s wine glass stopped halfway to her lips. My parents stared at me, completely lost. My mother recovered first and grabbed my wrist. “Sera, that’s enough. This is Julian’s night.” Julian’s expression shifted from shock to white-hot rage. His eyes burned with a fury that could incinerate me on the spot. “Say that again.” I repeated it. Not loud, but clear enough to reach every person in the room. “I said I want a divorce.” His mother slammed her glass on the side table and jabbed a finger in my face. “Have you completely lost it? Do you have any idea what tonight is supposed to be?” “Julian made professor. We’re here to celebrate. And you’re standing here making a scene. What the hell is your problem?” “My son works around the clock on his research. He can’t even accept a bouquet of flowers?” I didn’t look at her. My eyes stayed locked on Julian. His handsome face was twisted with outrage. “Over flowers? Seriously?” “Seraphina, are you really this insecure? I’m putting my student’s flowers in a vase. That’s all this is.” My father cut in, his voice cold and hard. “Watch how you talk to my daughter.” Julian shot him a look, took a breath, and forced his expression into something wounded and apologetic. He touched his mother’s arm, then turned and faced my parents. “I’m sorry. I really am.” “Seraphina’s been under so much pressure at work. She’s overwhelmed. Please don’t hold this against her.” “I’ll talk to her.” He reached for my arm. I stepped back. Julian’s face softened into regret, his voice gentle now. “I’m sorry, babe. I’ve been so wrapped up in my promotion that I’ve been neglecting you. That’s on me.” “But they’re just roses. You’re reading too much into this. She’s just a student.” His older brother Dominic cut in, trying to smooth things over. “Sera, come on. This has to be a misunderstanding. Julian didn’t mean anything by it. The girl gave him flowers. What was he supposed to do, throw them in the trash in front of her?” Dominic’s wife Isabella nodded. “Seriously, Sera. I’ve met Sienna. Sweet girl. Very polite. I’m sure she didn’t mean anything by it. Just let it go. Apologize to Julian and we can all move on.” I looked around the room. My father and Julian’s father stood with their arms crossed, frowning, silent. My mother’s confusion had shifted into something else. She looked at me now with reproach. Classic Julian. A few careful sentences and suddenly I was the hysterical wife making a scene. I ignored his performance and pointed at the roses scattered across the floor. The scent was getting stronger. “You said these are just ordinary flowers. Right?” I stared into his eyes. “Then close every window and door in this room.” “And stay here with me. Just you and me and these flowers. For one hour.”

The color drained from Julian’s face. He stepped back. His left thumb started rubbing his index finger and his whole body went rigid. That was his tell. He always did that when he was hiding something. His voice came out unsteady. His eyes wouldn’t stay still. “What are you… what’s the point of that?” I smiled, bent down, picked up a single petal, and held it out to him. “You said these were just ordinary roses. Didn’t you?” Julian turned his face away and pressed his lips into a tight line. He didn’t answer. His mother saw his reaction and jumped up from the couch. She grabbed a dustpan and brush from the hallway and marched toward the mess. “For God’s sake! She’s ruined everything! I’ll clean this up myself since some people can’t handle seeing their husband get a little attention.” My mother was shaking with anger. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I squeezed her shoulder and snapped at Beatrice. “Don’t touch them.” She flinched and froze. I grabbed the dustpan from her and tossed it aside. Then I stepped forward and backed Julian against the wall, trapping him between me and the wreckage. “Nervous?” “You said there’s nothing wrong with these flowers. So what are you scared of?” My questions made his eyes dart away. He couldn’t look at me. His father set down his drink, his face cycling through shades of gray. He slapped the arm of his chair. “That’s enough! All of you! What the hell is this? We’re supposed to be celebrating!” “Everyone calm down. Anyone who can’t keep it together can leave!” Then he shot me a look heavy with meaning. I knew. That last part was meant for me. Just then, the doorbell rang. Julian practically lunged for the door, moving so fast he nearly tripped. The door flew open. Standing in the doorway was the student he’d called sweet and innocent. Sienna Brooke. She wore a white sundress and carried a gift bag with a bottle of wine and some fancy chocolates. Clearly meant for his parents. When she saw the scene inside, her face went pale. Her eyes filled with tears and her voice trembled. “Professor… Mrs. Vane… what happened?” “Is this… is this because of the flowers I brought? Did I upset you?” “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have brought roses. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. The florist said they were popular so I just…” “I’m so sorry to intrude. I should go.” She walked into the living room, set down the gift bag, and turned to leave. A three-second task stretched into three minutes. “Hold on.” Beatrice rushed over and threw Julian a reproachful look. She took Sienna’s hand and guided her to the couch, then shot me a venomous glare. “Sweetheart, this has nothing to do with you. Some people are just petty and can’t stand seeing anyone else get a little attention.” In that moment of fussing and positioning, I caught the look Sienna threw me. Challenge. Triumph. I didn’t acknowledge her. I simply said, “Get out.” Julian stared at me in disbelief. His fists clenched. Veins stood out on his hands. “Seraphina! What exactly has she done wrong?” “She apologized for the roses! She’s twenty years old. She’s sweet and innocent. The florist recommended them. Why the hell are you taking this out on her?” “I’m warning you. Stop projecting your sick paranoia onto this girl.” Beatrice stepped in front of Sienna like a shield. “I’d like to see you try. No one is kicking her out.” She turned on me with full force. “Seraphina, you’ve been married to my son for five years. You haven’t given us a single grandchild. And now you’re treating a guest in this house like this.” “All you do is lock yourself in that lab of yours, walking around like you’ve forgotten you’re even a woman. You can’t even do the one thing women are supposed to do. Marrying you was the biggest mistake this family ever made.” “I always said there’s something wrong with women who can’t have children. Bitter to the core. Can’t stand seeing anyone younger or prettier getting a little attention.”

“Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?” My father snapped. He stepped forward and put himself between us, glaring at Beatrice. “Your son Julian got down on his knees and begged me to let him marry my daughter.” “And this is how your family treats her?” Alaric picked up his drink, perfectly composed. “Let’s not get carried away, Arthur. What she said was out of line, but she’s just upset.” “This is between the women. We shouldn’t get in the middle of it.” One sentence. That’s all it took to wave off his wife’s attack as women’s business. My father’s chest heaved. I held him back and turned to Sienna. “You brought these flowers. You’re telling me you don’t know what’s in them?” She blinked those big innocent eyes and played the wounded lamb. “Mrs. Vane, I don’t understand. I bought them at a flower shop.” “If you think something’s wrong with them, I can call the shop right now and ask.” She reached for her phone, making a production of it. I watched her performance with cold eyes. A few careful sentences and she’d wiped her hands clean, shifted the blame to the florist, painted me as paranoid to Julian, and positioned herself as the victim. Textbook manipulation. Sure enough, Julian stopped her and shot me a glare. “You’re being paranoid. She doesn’t have to prove anything to you.” He walked up to me, grabbed my shoulders, and shook me. “Seraphina, are you done? You’ve embarrassed this entire family!” “Embarrassed?” I shoved his hands away. “You spent the whole night at your grad student’s place helping her with her thesis. That wasn’t embarrassing?” “That was work!” Julian roared. While we faced off, my mother slapped me. Her eyes were red with tears and full of disappointment. “Seraphina, is this what I raised you to be? Have you no shame? Apologize to Sienna. Now.” My cheek burned. My whole body went cold. My mother hadn’t even asked why. She’d taken their side and slapped me. Through the blur of tears I saw the smug satisfaction on Julian’s face. He even raised an eyebrow. Behind Beatrice, Sienna’s hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes went wide with practiced innocence. But deep down I saw it. Victory. Mockery. He thought he’d won. In his little script, I was supposed to be isolated, abandoned, defeated. Julian stood in front of me with a sneer. “Ready to admit you were wrong?” He jerked his chin toward Sienna and spoke in a tone that allowed no argument. “Get on your knees and apologize. Tell her you’re unstable and you made false accusations. Do that, and we’ll pretend tonight never happened.” “Who the hell is going to make her kneel?” My father roared and pulled me behind him. But my mother grabbed his arm, sobbing. “Haven’t you made enough of a scene? What’s wrong with her apologizing?” “You want a divorce over something like this? You want the whole family to be a laughingstock?” I looked at my father, his eyes bloodshot from defending me. I looked at Julian and Sienna, basking in their victory. I gently moved my father’s hand aside. Took a breath. Nodded. “Fine.” I paused, then gave them what they wanted to hear. “I’ll kneel. I’ll apologize.” The room went dead silent. Julian’s expression froze. He hadn’t expected me to fold. His voice softened, coaxing. “Sera, let’s stop this. Let’s just go back to the way things were. Okay?”

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