Category: English

On the first day of school, my roommate claimed to be the Princess of the Wolf Pack, carefree and rebellious. When she arrived, she was wearing full sable fur. I only took one look and immediately knew it was fake. It was obviously a rabbit fur. “Talia Coffey, what was that look you gave me just now? Get down on your knees!” She was holding a toad and claiming it was a golden toad that the Wolf Pack Leader had worked for a long time to obtain for her. Without thinking, I snatched the toad and shoved it into her mouth. “I’ll teach you some respect! You’re the Princess of the Wolf Pack? Then who am I?!” “Hello, everyone. I’m Jayla Farley, the Princess of the Wolf Pack.” My roommate made a dramatic entrance, wearing full sable fur, her makeup meticulously applied as if she looked down on everyone around her. “Princess of the Wolf Pack?! The legendary ancient tribe? I’ve heard their stories! They disappeared, but their legend still remains strong,” one of the other roommates said, eyes wide with surprise. She hopped over to Jayla, staring at her in awe. “Is that real sable fur you’re wearing? It’s so cool! I’ve never seen anything like it! I heard you guys always wear sable furs.” Jayla puffed up even more, her nose practically pointing at the ceiling. “Of course, this is a rare sable fur. My father hunted for a month to get it for me, and my mother sewed it by hand.” I glanced at her and rolled my eyes internally. She was really something. That wasn’t a sable fur. It was clearly a rabbit fur. “What’s your name?” No one responded, so I turned around to realize she was asking me. I pointed to myself. “Me?” “Yes, you. What’s your name?” I didn’t feel like causing trouble, so I casually answered, “Talia.” I was the only princess of the Wolf Pack on the grasslands. On the day of my coming-of-age ceremony, I personally hunted a sable and made myself a sable fur garment. Since then, I have become a legend. But I didn’t realize my story had turned into this, that my sable fur was a gift from my parents, and someone else was pretending to be me. Still, I didn’t want to cause any conflict. I was here to quietly spend four peaceful years. “Talia,” she repeated my name and then shoved our roommate, Riley Howard, aside and walked toward me. “What was that look? Are you questioning me? Kneel down!” Hearing that, I furrowed my brow. It was the first time someone had told me to kneel. I stared at her and replied, “First, you’re wearing rabbit fur. Second, you’re not a Princess of the Wolf Pack, so stop pretending. Third, don’t mess with me.” I warned her and turned to grab my things, but she took a toad out of her bag and shoved it in my face, shouting, “Golden toad! Spit on her! Poison her! She didn’t show me respect! Poison her now!” I wrinkled my nose in disgust at the sight of the toad. “Get that thing away from me!” “It’s a golden toad, not just any toad! My father got this for me! Kneel down!” she yelled. I had enough. In a flash, I snatched the toad from her hand and kicked her hard enough that she fell to her knees in front of me. I stuffed the toad into her mouth. “I’ll show you who’s in charge! You’re the Princess of the Wolf Pack? Then who am I?”

The situation quickly turned chaotic. Jayla screamed at the top of her lungs, and the toad in her hand kept jumping uncontrollably. Riley, my roommate, was so scared that she screamed, too, shouting down the hallway, “Someone, help! She’s bullying Jayla!” It might have been an accident, but I accidentally squeezed the toad in my hand to death. Feeling bored and thinking Jayla had been punished enough, I took the toad from her mouth and threw it in her face. “Stay away from me! I can’t stand this disgusting thing.” Jayla kept crying nonstop, and someone heard the noise and rushed in. They saw Jayla kneeling in front of me, crying, while I looked down at her coldly. “What’s going on here? Are you bullying her?” I glanced at the person who entered and calmly replied, “Are you blind? You can’t even tell right from wrong, and you’re accusing me of bullying her.” The person froze, completely speechless, startled by my response. Everyone around us started whispering, but I ignored them and went back to packing my things. My father and mother had told me when I came here not to cause trouble. But if anyone bullied me, they would step in and deal with it. Still, I didn’t want to drag them into a public scene, so I decided to spare Jayla for now. The others eventually grew bored, and after comforting Jayla for a while, they dispersed. I finished packing and left. What I didn’t know was that they had teamed up and started spreading rumors in a live stream. I was talking with my father and mother, who had come to visit me today, and the principal, Gerald Leach, who knew who they were, was graciously hosting them. I walked in, and Gerald stood up. “Talia, is everything ready now?” I nodded. “How’s everything going? If anything’s bothering you, feel free to let me know.” Gerald seemed genuinely concerned. My family had invested heavily in the school, and we were almost the largest shareholders. “It’s fine,” I replied, sitting next to my parents. My parents laughed. “Who could possibly bully her? With her temper, she’s the one who’d be doing the bullying, not the other way around. Talia, don’t get physical with anyone. No one can handle your moves.” Everyone laughed, and I, feeling a bit bored, took out my phone. To my surprise, I ended up on a live stream, Jayla’s. She and Riley were both crying, and the entire dorm seemed like it was in chaos. “Hello, everyone. I’m Princess of the Wolf Pack, Jayla. I just moved into my dorm today, and I can’t believe I ran into a bully. She looked down on me, mocked and didn’t believe my identity, and even insulted me.” Jayla cried as she spoke, “My father and mother told me to focus on my studies, and I didn’t want any trouble, but I just couldn’t take it anymore. “She kicked me as soon as she arrived, and then said… she said the sable fur I’m wearing is rabbit fur! This was a gift from my father after he hunted it for me as a coming-of-age present! And she killed my golden toad!”

Many people in the chat were furious on her behalf, some immediately cursing me out. “Who is she? What right does she have to bully Princess of the Wolf Pack? You should show her who’s boss! Beat her up!” “Exactly! I can’t stand bullies, especially when they target someone like Princess of the Wolf Pack. She picked the wrong person to mess with. Someone’s definitely going to take care of her!” Riley kept adding fuel to the fire. “Yeah, guys, she was so rude! Probably some country bumpkin who just got here. She killed Princess Jayla’s toad and insulted her…” More and more people were jumping to Jayla’s defense, even suggesting that they should destroy my things and see how arrogant I was then. I clenched my fists, watching as people in the livestream started rummaging through my belongings. “Talia, what’s wrong? Are you angry?” My mother placed her hand on my shoulder and spoke. I shook my head. “Mom, I’m fine. But something comes up. I’ll go handle it.” I smiled, gently pulled her hand away, and walked out. On the livestream, Jayla and Riley were still going through my things, throwing everything on the floor. They even pulled out my sable fur coat and held it in their hands. “You said mine was rabbit fur, but mine is genuine sable fur! I bet this is the rabbit fur you’re talking about! Just look at the quality. It’s obviously a cheap knockoff.” Jayla sneered, and many people in the live stream agreed with her. “Yeah, this looks like a rabbit fur for sure. No way sable fur is this shiny, probably just some rabbit fur with a little oil on it.” “Maybe it’s not even a rabbit fur. It could be fake…” Jayla scoffed, tossing my sable fur coat on the floor and stomping on it. “This is a knockoff. I could buy her ten of these! A country bumpkin dares to mess with me!” My coat was being stomped on, and my fists were clenching tighter with every second. They had tossed out all my things, including the gifts my parents had given me. They were ruining everything, things that were worth a fortune, things they could never afford to pay. Soon, they pulled out a photo of me with my parents. I froze. In the picture, the three of us were smiling brightly, dressed in matching sable fur coats, looking strong and dignified. Jayla paused and then sneered, “You look pretty imposing. Where was this taken? Was it some kind of photoshoot? Did you copy the Wolf Pack’s style?” Someone in the comments trembled and wrote: [I’ve seen the Wolf Pack Leader and his wife before! This is them!]

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Winning 50 million in the lottery should’ve been the start of a dream. My husband even promised me a villa. But on the day of our housewarming, his first love showed up at the door, clutching a child to her chest, tears streaming down her face. Her husband had died, she said. She had nowhere to go. Dave’s heart shattered at the sight. Without a moment’s hesitation, he ushered Bianca into our home. Our bedroom, to be exact. And suddenly, there were three people in our marriage. His high school sweetheart, who had been with him for seven years, now lived in my house. My rage exploded, and I let him have it. But instead of guilt, he accused me of being heartless. “You know her husband just died, Elise! She’s a widow with a child. Are you seriously so cruel as to toss them onto the streets? When did you become so venomous?” And then his mother, Tania, always the picture of soft-spoken kindness, revealed a new face entirely. “You know, rich men are never short of women, and my son is a man of wealth now. Even if Dave took another wife, he could afford it. He met Bianca first, so you can be his lover if you want!” My gaze shifted to Dave, who stood there silently, nodding like a puppet. My heart turned to stone. Without another word, I called my lawyer. Dave assumed I’d given in. He beamed with joy as he led Bianca and her son on a tour of the villa. But he forgot one thing: I had scratched that winning ticket. I would rather donate every penny of that 50 million than let him spend a cent of it playing house with his “poor widow.”

The moment I ended the call with my lawyer, Dave appeared behind me, his voice sickly sweet as he tried to reason with me. “Elise, listen. If it weren’t for me picking you up that night, I wouldn’t have missed Bianca’s wedding. I wouldn’t have let her marry that old man. Do you have any idea how much she’s suffered? She’s alone now, Elise, with a child. If I don’t take care of them, who will?” I turned slowly, staring at him like he’d lost his mind. “What’s your logic here, Dave? Why is she in our master bedroom? What’s next? Are the three of us sleeping in there together? And tell me, is a hotel not an option? Or does her suffering somehow evaporate only when she’s in my house, making me miserable?” Bianca might be struggling, but I wasn’t exactly living on a beach chair, sipping cocktails. I took care of his mother and our four-year-old daughter, and yet that didn’t count for much. Dave squinted at me, irritation flashing in his eyes. “Elise, when did you become so unreasonable? Bianca and I are over. She wouldn’t be here if her husband hadn’t died and left her penniless. She’s got nowhere else to go. Why are you always targeting her?” Maybe because Bianca and Dave had been together for seven years since high school. When they split due to work, it took her barely two months to marry a rich old man. And that was when I found Dave. He was drunk and heartbroken, nursing his wounds in a bar. I thought he was handsome and loyal, and I had a crush on him. Later, fate, or maybe coincidence, had us bump into each other again at work. I thought it meant something, so I asked for his number. Eventually, I helped him crawl out of that pit of despair. We got close, and then we soon got married. I still remember the day of our wedding. Dave stood there in front of everyone, declaring how I had saved him from the depths of misery. He called me his one true love. Now, here we were, just a few years later; he would rather comfort her than see what he was doing to me. I clutched my chest, forcing myself to breathe as I whispered, “You’re really letting Bianca move in?” Dave hesitated briefly and said, “It’s not like I’m marrying her, Elise. I’m her son’s godfather, so I have a responsibility to look after them. Besides, I’m rich now. Only I can give Bianca the life she deserves.” He kept going, ignoring the way my face darkened with every word. “She’s already a widow. How could I let her stay out there alone? Besides, she’s already said she’ll help around the house: cooking, cleaning, taking care of the kid. Why are you so upset? Bianca’s willing to shoulder all the housework, and you’re still not satisfied?” Such consideration and generosity must be based on deep affection. Dave sounded so confident and proud of himself. In his mind, he had it all figured out. He’d provide for the family while Bianca stayed home and kept things running. I was the woman with the marriage certificate and the mother of his child, yet I had become an unwelcome guest in my own home. I looked down, speechless and disappointed. My silence seemed to fuel his anger. “You know her husband’s dead. She’s struggling, and you want to throw her out? How could you be so heartless, Elise? When did you turn into this… this snake?” I looked up sharply, stunned at his rage. Not a hint of guilt. No apology. Just pure anger and disgust, all directed at me. At that moment, something inside me broke. “Fine,” I said quietly. “Let her stay for as long as she likes.” Dave blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then a smile spread across his face, smug and victorious. “See? That wasn’t so hard. If you’d just been reasonable from the start, we wouldn’t have had to fight. Now come help Bianca bring in her luggage.” I shook my head. “Congratulations to you both. I’ll be heading back to my parents’ house.” His smile vanished instantly. He stepped forward, blocking my path. “What do you mean by that?” I looked him dead in the eye. “I mean I’m done, Dave. I’m done with you.” Grabbing our four-year-old daughter’s hand, I stepped past him and headed downstairs. Before I could reach the door, my mother-in-law, Tania, appeared. Her expression was icy, her voice sharp. “Where do you think you’re going? You’re taking my granddaughter back to your parents’ house just so they can badmouth my son? I don’t think so. You’re not leaving this house.” I let out a humorless laugh. “What do you want? That I sit here quietly and wait on that mistress like a servant?”

Tania glared at me with utter disdain. “What mistress? Don’t be so nasty with your words. Bianca met my son first, so you’re the mistress here! “Rich men are never short of women. My son is wealthy now, so why can’t he support another woman? Bianca is prettier than you, perfect for public occasions. You can just stay home, do the housework, and take care of us.” I was so furious that I laughed. Fifty million in the lottery, and they were already comparing themselves to billionaires! How could they be so arrogant and stupid? I sneered loudly, mocking her, “Oh, right. You may not have the looks, but you’ve got the imagination.” Tania turned red with anger, jabbing a finger at my face. “How dare you speak to me like that? No manners at all! You’ve lived in this house for weeks and still haven’t learned how to cook a proper meal. Useless! My son was cursed to marry someone like you!” Dave, silent as a shadow, moved to stand beside her, his gaze cold and hostile. Like mother, like son. They were exactly the same, entitled and condescending. Crossing my arms, I said coolly, “Didn’t you say your new ‘daughter-in-law’ promised to take care of all the housework? Let her do it.” From the corner of my eye, I saw Bianca freeze mid-step, tears welling up in her eyes like she’d been wronged beyond belief. With a dramatic sob, she ran into the kitchen. Dave’s face twisted with panic. “Enough, all of you! I’m just letting Bianca stay here temporarily to help her get back on her feet. Elise, why do you have to act like some jealous shrew? We have a child together, for God’s sake! Do you really think I’d rekindle things with her?” He scoffed, his voice thick with disdain, “If I still wanted Bianca, do you think I would let you carry my child?” His words hit me like a punch to the chest, and I struggled to hold back tears. “Fine,” I said, my voice trembling with fury. “Let her settle in. I’ll leave.” Tania’s face darkened. “Ungrateful wench! Bianca’s son started calling me Grandma the moment they got here yesterday. She’s been massaging my legs and being so considerate. Look at the mute little girl you gave us. She doesn’t even know how to speak!” My blood ran cold. My daughter wasn’t mute. She was just silent, a silence born from trauma. Years ago, Tania had taken her shopping and lost her. I spent a day and night scouring the streets, only to find my little girl curled up and unconscious in a garbage bin. The police later told me she’d been smart, slipping away from traffickers when they weren’t looking and hiding in that bin. But the experience scarred her deeply. Since then, she rarely spoke, and when she did, it was in whispers. For a while, Tania had felt so guilty she spoiled her endlessly. She even went to war with a neighbor’s kid who had teased my daughter, yelling at their door until the child was sobbing. Now? Bianca’s son had turned her into a completely different person. Watching the blatant disdain on Dave and Tania’s faces, I couldn’t help but sneer. “Fine. Whoever wants to play the fool here can go ahead. It has nothing to do with me.” Dave wanted to be the hero while keeping me around, but I wasn’t interested in being his mistress. Whoever wanted him could have him. I was done cherishing this trash. Dave mistook my sarcasm for submission, his tone softening as he tried to play the voice of reason. “Elise, taking our daughter to your parents’ house will only stir gossip. People will say I’m abusive or cheating. Do you want to ruin my reputation just to get back at me?” I turned to him, a bitter smile on my face. “Ruin it? Dave, you’ve already done a great job of that yourself.” Whenever I called Bianca a mistress, Dave and Tania would accuse me of being jealous as if they were some generous saint. Dave pulled out his phone, transferred 100 thousand into my account, and sighed dramatically. “I lost my temper earlier. I shouldn’t have said those things. But isn’t this fight just about money? Here, I’ve given you some spending cash. Stop being so petty, Elise. Your jealousy is out of control.” He paused and then continued arrogantly, “And don’t push your luck. Next time, I won’t be so forgiving.” A slap, then a sweet. That was Dave’s routine. For every argument, he’d belittle me, tear me down, and then throw me a handful of cash as if he were doing me a favor. It used to work. Back then, I’d grit my teeth and let it slide because I would never turn down money. But after we got married and had a kid, he only went further. Now, looking at him, I realized just how much I’d let him get away with over the years.

Ignoring Dave completely, I picked up my daughter and headed downstairs, only to find Bianca blocking the front door. She had somehow changed into a maid’s uniform, one that conveniently hugged every curve, and held a broom in her hands like a trophy. The floor behind her sparkled, so spotless it could’ve been licked clean. Tania’s eyes gleamed with approval as she clapped her hands. “Bianca really is something. Beautiful and hardworking, unlike someone who doesn’t even know how to use a mop.” Bianca cast a demure glance at Dave, fluttering her lashes like a shy schoolgirl. “I just have a bit of a cleanliness streak. I want to keep the house spotless so that the people I care about can feel comfortable.” I shoved her aside calmly. “Move. A good dog knows when to get out of the way.” People like Bianca had been flattering others for so long, and it was hard for them to remember how to survive on their own. Tania’s face soured immediately. Her voice turned sharp as she spat, “Elise! Look at Bianca, sweating all morning to clean your house. You should be thanking her for sharing your workload, not humiliating her like this. You’re a disgrace to women!” I let out a cold laugh. “Thank her? For what? She hasn’t paid a cent for food or board, and all she’s done is sweep the floor. Do I look insane, or is your brain just not working?” The moment the words left my mouth, Bianca’s tears fell dramatically onto the pristine floor. “I’m sorry,” she sobbed, her voice trembling. “It’s my fault that my husband died. I shouldn’t have come here. Dave, I’ll leave. I don’t want Elise to misunderstand me.” She was a sobbing mess, yet somehow still managed to look delicate and pitiful. Dave immediately snapped, “That’s enough, Elise!” I rolled my eyes, my voice rising to match his anger. “Enough? Oh, we’re just getting started, Dave. Did I invite her into my house? Did I ask her to play maid and sweep my floors?” Before Dave could respond, Victor, my father-in-law, stormed over and snatched the broom from Bianca’s hands, flinging it onto the ground with a loud crack. “Enough yelling!” he barked. The room fell silent, tension crackling in the air. And yet, as Bianca, Tania, and Dave lined up like soldiers in solidarity, it was clear who the outsider was. Where was Victor when Tania was making her snide remarks? Where was he when Dave yelled at me like I was the problem? Now, the moment my voice rose, he suddenly cared about “keeping the peace.” I thought back to our wedding day. I’d asked for no dowry, gifting them a car and an apartment instead. Victor and Tania had sung praises of my generosity, promising they’d take my side if Dave ever mistreated me. They’d said, “Do whatever you like.” Looking at them now, this perfectly united front, I almost laughed. I huffed, deciding I’d get my daughter out of this mess first. But before I could leave, Bianca dropped to her knees in front of me. “Elise, please don’t blame Tania or Dave. This is all my fault. If I weren’t so desperate, I’d never have come here.” Her voice quivered like a fragile thread ready to snap. “I’ll take my son and leave. We can sleep under a bridge if we have to. I don’t want to be the reason your family falls apart…” Even as she spoke, her body betrayed her words. She leaned subtly into Dave, who didn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around her protectively. “Elise,” he said, his voice dripping with disappointment. “I can’t believe you. Bianca’s only staying here temporarily. She’s a widow with a child. Have you forgotten what it’s like to be a mother? If you want to throw a tantrum, just come at me. How can you be so cruel?” Bianca nestled further into his embrace, her face turned away but her expression smug. Oh, Dave still hadn’t figured it out. Who was truly “cruel” in this situation? Victor chimed, his voice gruff with irritation. “Enough fighting! We just moved into this house, and you’re already making a scene. Do you want to scare away the family’s luck?” I stared at them and marveled at the absurdity of it all. Would they still be standing here, so smug and self-assured, if I hadn’t won that 50 million?

I turned to Victor with feigned obedience, nodding softly. “You’re right. I shouldn’t argue in front of the child. But since there’s already a ‘new wife’ here, I’ll take my daughter back to my parents’ place for a few days.” Bianca’s smug expression nearly dripped off her face, though she managed to play her role with a simpering voice. “Elise, don’t go. How could I possibly take care of Dave all by myself?” Dave shot her an unreadable glance before his irritation landed squarely back on me. “Stop playing games, Elise. The kids are hungry. Go make lunch and quit threatening to go home just to spite me!” I rolled my eyes and didn’t bother answering. Instead, I picked up my daughter, grabbed the keys to my brand-new car, and strode past them. As I approached the door, Bianca pretended to persuade Dave. “Dave, are you really going to let her leave? Elise loves you so much. What if she doesn’t come back?” Dave snorted dismissively. “She’ll be back in three days, tops. Elise is too proud to admit it, but she burned all her bridges with her family to marry me. Where else would she go?” I paused mid-step, bitterness rising in my throat. This was the same man who once sat by my bedside for hours when I had a fever, promising he’d never let me feel alone again. Now? He knew I might not even have a home to go to, yet he still stood idly by, letting Bianca plant herself in our lives. It was a test, a blatant, degrading test of my obedience. If I stayed any longer, his entire family would only become even more shameless. They might even let me take care of Bianca when she got pregnant! There was only one solution when dealing with trash: run. And run fast. Quickly and efficiently, I strapped my daughter into the front seat, loaded my bags into the trunk, and prepared to drive off. Bianca appeared again, hovering by the doorway with that insufferable false kindness. “Elise, stop being so stubborn. Just apologize to Dave, and this will all blow over. Why slink back to your parents’ house in disgrace?” Dave, standing smugly behind her, folded his arms across his chest. “Elise, I’m warning you. Think carefully. You can still bring your bags back inside. But if your parents slam the door in your face, don’t come crawling back to me!” I ignored them both, utterly focused on strapping myself into the driver’s seat. Satisfied that I wasn’t backing down, Bianca smiled to herself and disappeared back into the house. Just as I started the engine, Dave blocked the car door with his arm, his face dark and threatening. “Elise,” he growled. “Don’t you dare regret this.” I snorted coldly and slammed the door shut. As I shifted into drive, Dave’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, and his expression instantly paled. Panicking, he pounded his fists against my window. “Elise! Where’s the lottery money? Which account did you transfer it to?”

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One week before our wedding, my fiancé Theo Lambert told me he had to marry his first love before he could marry me. His first love’s mother had passed away, leaving a dying wish for them to get married. “Megan’s mother always hoped she would marry a good man. I’m just fulfilling the old lady’s last wish. Don’t overthink it,” Theo said. But our company had already decided to launch the True Love jewelry collection on the day of our grand wedding. He impatiently replied, “It’s just a billion-dollar project. How can that compare to Megan’s filial piety? If you really want to earn that money, go find someone else to marry.” Faced with his cold words, I understood everything. I turned and dialed my family’s number. “Brother, help me find a new marriage partner.” My brother asked in disbelief, “You’re calling off the wedding?” “No, he’s marrying someone else,” I said with a bitter smile. To be with Theo, I had fought tooth and nail against my family’s objections to finally get my parents’ approval. We even scheduled the True Love jewelry collection launch for our wedding day. But now, everything had fallen apart. My brother was stunned for a long while before saying, “Then Arlo Shaw is our only option. His family has been pressuring him to get married, and he’s been looking for a partner recently.” I frowned. Arlo Shaw was my sworn enemy. On my engagement day, he had even cursed that my marriage would fall apart. I never expected his prophecy to be fulfilled. Time was tight, so I could only say, “Alright, it’ll be him then. Help me ask about his intentions. If he refuses, I’ll think of another way.” My brother replied quickly, “No need to ask. He’ll definitely agree.” “What?” Before I could ask anything more, a group of people surrounded me. “Are you Theo’s fiancée? You’re so beautiful!” “Are you here to wait for Theo to get off work? He’ll be down soon. You two are so sweet together.” I gripped the steering wheel, lowering my eyes to hide the self-mockery in them. Theo had introduced me to his colleagues and friends early on. In everyone’s eyes, we were an enviable model couple. But who could have guessed that he was about to marry someone else? After saying goodbye to everyone, Theo got into the car and handed me a necklace. “Megan asked me to give this to you. You embarrassed her at the funeral yesterday, so take some time to apologize to her.” This necklace was clearly a free gift that came with a purchase. I had seen it in Theo’s shopping cart a couple of days ago. I said flatly, “I don’t want it.” Theo frowned. “What are you upset about now? You barged into the funeral and said I wasn’t her fiancé, embarrassing her. She didn’t hold it against you and even thought to bring you a gift. How can you be so ungrateful?” The man who once protected me was gone. Now, he cherished someone else. Theo irritably opened the window to let in some air. After a long while, seeing that I wasn’t going to comfort him, he finally said, “Fine, we’re supposed to go try on wedding dresses today. I won’t argue with you.” This was the first time he had backed down this year. When we arrived at the bridal shop, the sales assistant greeted us: “Mr. Lambert, Miss Quinn, the twenty custom wedding dresses and tuxedos you ordered are ready.” But Theo’s gaze wasn’t on these clothes. He was looking down at his phone, his expression somewhat urgent. After noticing my gaze, he quickly put away his phone, his face showing a hint of apology: “Genevieve, something came up with Megan. I need to rush over there right away. Try on the wedding dresses yourself, and just pick a tuxedo for me. I trust your taste.” With that, he hurriedly hailed a taxi and left, leaving me alone. The sales assistant quickly approached me and tentatively asked, “Miss Quinn, would you like to personally select the tuxedo?” I looked away and nodded. Of course I would choose a tuxedo. Just not for Theo. After all, the groom had changed. I drove home, thinking Theo wouldn’t return all night. But he came back before dinner. He strode over to me, holding a takeout box. “I went all over town to buy this for you. It’s from Harry’s Bakery.” I looked at the box of Swiss rolls. There were three fewer than usual, and one of them had a bite mark, obviously having been eaten. Half an hour ago, I had seen Megan’s Instagram post. The photo was of the Swiss rolls in my hand. “Hubby bought me a midnight snack even though it’s so late. Thanks for working so hard, babe! XOXO!” I put down my chopsticks with a self-mocking smile, instantly losing my appetite. “I don’t want to eat it. Just throw it away.” Theo immediately looked at me with displeasure but held back from lashing out. He sat down beside me and complained: “You have no idea how pitiful Megan was today. My parents went to her house and scolded her family for being poor, saying they couldn’t even afford decent jewelry. She was so upset she cried.” “Megan just returned to the country and doesn’t have much money. I was thinking of lending her your jewelry.” His tone left no room for argument, making me feel sick. I looked at him sarcastically. “So I have to provide jewelry for your wife?”

In the past, I cared about Theo so much that I would give him anything he asked for and do anything for him. But now he had personally woken me up. Thinking back, ever since Megan returned to the country, everything he did was for her. He had forgotten that I was supposed to be the one spending the rest of my life with him. My response angered Theo. “What do you mean by that? You’re not willing? You’d better understand this: Megan is my best friend. You’d better make her happy, or I might not marry you!” With that, he slammed the door and left. Feeling frustrated, I went downstairs to jog in the park. After running one lap, I received a call from Arlo Shaw. Thinking of Arlo’s perpetually stern face, I hesitated for two seconds before answering. “Once you’re on my ship, you’re my person. If you dare to run, I’ll tie you up and bring you back!” Arlo’s first sentence was a direct hit. I remained silent, and he continued: “Let’s get the marriage certificate.” “I’m afraid you’ll change your mind.” Arlo Shaw, you’re acting strange. I had already imagined tens of thousands of scenarios in my mind where he would use our marriage to torment me. In the end, I could only muster up a sentence: “See you at the wedding, Mr. Shaw.” As soon as I finished speaking, Theo appeared behind me out of nowhere: “You’re inviting Arlo Shaw to our wedding? I forbid it!” He stared at me as if facing a great enemy: “Genevieve Quinn, didn’t I tell you not to associate with Arlo Shaw? His intentions towards you aren’t pure. If you insist on inviting him to our wedding, don’t blame me for getting upset!” Before I could say a word, he had already laid down his threat. Theo had always disliked Arlo Shaw and harbored an inexplicable hostility towards him. When we first got together, he even became jealous because Arlo and I often bantered on SnapChat. After that, I gradually cut off contact with Arlo. But he actually said… Arlo Shaw had impure intentions towards me? I was about to ask further when Megan suddenly leaned against Theo’s neck. “Theo, you’re hurting me…” Only then did I notice they were holding hands while taking a walk. Theo coughed awkwardly twice but showed no intention of letting go of her hand. Megan looked at Theo with deep affection, then turned to me with a pretense of helplessness: “Sister Genevieve, I’m sorry. Theo and I were just practicing the wedding procedure in advance. Please don’t mind.” “I won’t tell anyone about you hitting me or damaging my mother’s grave. But please don’t hurt Theo. True love can’t withstand tests.” Not wanting to watch her act, I turned to leave: “Since you’re so looking forward to it, I’ll find someone to beat you up tonight and then dig up your mother’s grave!” Slap! Theo slapped me hard across the face. “Genevieve Quinn, how can you be so vicious?!” His brows were furrowed, and his chest heaved. I’m vicious? He believed someone else’s manipulative words, but five years of our relationship couldn’t earn me even a bit of his trust. I suddenly felt a surge of anger and wanted to confront Theo, but Megan stepped in front of him: “Genevieve, please, I’ll return Theo to you as soon as the wedding is over.” “Please have mercy and don’t hurt the people around me, or Theo.” As she spoke, she was about to kneel before me. Theo quickly wrapped his arm around her waist, preventing her from kneeling, while glaring at me angrily. “Genevieve Quinn, stop playing your rich girl bullying games!” “You know I hate that the most. If you still want to marry me, stop making trouble!” With that, he warned me not to appear in front of them during the time before the wedding. Unexpectedly, Theo contacted me the very next day. He started with a barrage of scolding: “Genevieve Quinn, did you really go and dig up Mrs. Lee’s grave?! I never thought you were this kind of person!” Filled with confusion, I called my assistant to investigate, only to uncover an extremely shocking fact. Megan’s mother… wasn’t dead.

No wonder Megan could be so ruthless as to dig up her own mother’s grave to frame me. It turns out death was all a scam. I sent Theo a text message: “Megan’s mother isn’t dead. The truth is in the email I sent you.” Whether he looked at it or not was no longer my concern. The flight was booked for three days later, personally arranged by Arlo. When Theo returned, he saw me packing my things. Half of my clothes were thrown away, with a small portion being shipped to South City. “Why are you starting to pack clothes?” Theo asked with a dubious expression. I casually replied, “Moving.” He fell silent for a moment, not noticing anything amiss, and continued talking to himself: “The Quinn family company is in South City. We’ll settle there after getting married, so it’s good to start packing early.” After saying this, he fixed me with a stern gaze. “Apologize to Megan’s mother as soon as possible. Don’t make things difficult for me. How about on the wedding day? What do you think?” He tossed his phone aside and went to look for his ID card. Today was the day he and Megan were getting their marriage certificate. He didn’t return until late that night. I opened my phone to find a message from Megan pop up. The picture showed Theo and her wearing matching outfits, sharing a bed. I closed my eyes, my heart still aching despite my efforts. I suppressed that feeling and turned off my phone. Late at night, the phone by my pillow started vibrating every hour. Each vibration was Megan sending me videos of her and Theo to taunt me. Until early the next morning, when I received a message from Arlo. “Miss Quinn, the flower has bloomed.” The accompanying image showed a marriage certificate and a pot of vibrant red roses. I was surprised that he had kept the plant I casually gave him years ago. Inexplicably, a strange emotion welled up in my heart. I replied with a single word: “Okay.” I put down my phone and went to pack up my work files on the computer. I didn’t notice when Theo had returned. He was packing his daily essentials: “I’m moving in with Megan for a few days. She’s too busy preparing for the wedding alone. Remember to show up on time for the wedding the day after tomorrow. Don’t be late.” After saying this, he explained at length that he was just going to help normally and told me not to cause trouble again. “Mm, I won’t go,” I said, lowering my eyes. After last night, my last bit of affection for him had completely dissipated. Theo looked at my calm demeanor, and a nameless panic swept over him. He suddenly became hesitant. But thinking of Megan’s cloying clinginess, he loosened his grip on his phone. Genevieve loved him so much, what could possibly go wrong? Thinking this, he breathed a sigh of relief and no longer lingered with me, disappearing from my sight. I watched his departing figure and made a phone call. That evening, a helicopter landed in the square. A man approached me: “Miss Quinn, the helicopter you ordered has arrived. It will safely transport you to South City in half an hour.” I nodded, then handed him an envelope. “Deliver this envelope to the wedding venue tomorrow. It’s my wedding gift for the bride and groom.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295300”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #励志Inspiring #惊悚Thriller #魔幻Magic #校园School #狼人Werewolf #擦边Steamy

## After three years of taking care of a man with amnesia, he finally recovered. The first thing he did? Get engaged to his first love. I showed up with a box full of cash—the payment for cutting all ties between us. He smirked, casually pulling a stack of bills from the box and handing it to me. With a raised eyebrow, he said: “Takes money to seduce someone, doesn’t it?” 0I stared at the diagnosis in my hand for what felt like an eternity. I used to want to die. I tried everything—slitting my wrists, jumping off buildings, even hanging myself—but somehow, I always survived. Now, just when I’ve finally found a reason to live, life decides to play a cruel joke on me. As I walked out of the hospital, my mind spiraled. If I die, what will happen to Connor? Connor is the man I found three years ago. He didn’t know who he was, so I gave him a name—Connor. He’s… special. A child in a man’s body. If I’m gone, who will take care of him? With that heavy thought weighing me down, I returned home. The front door was wide open. My stomach sank. Inside stood a man in a tailored suit, smiling like someone who didn’t want to be there but had a job to do. “Miss Moore,” he said, his voice smooth but cold. “We need to talk about Connor.” “Connor—” I began, but he cut me off. He opened a briefcase sitting on the table. Stacks of cash. “What’s this supposed to mean?” I asked, my throat tightening. “This,” he said with a polite smile, “is a token of gratitude for taking care of our Young Master all this time.” “And,” he added, his voice dropping slightly, “we trust you won’t speak to anyone about his… condition.” He was still smiling, but the threat in his eyes was unmistakable. I swallowed hard. “I don’t want your money.” “No?” He chuckled, his gaze sweeping over me like I was a beggar who didn’t know her place. “Not enough for you? Or…” He raised an eyebrow. “Are you hoping to latch onto the Grant family?” I froze, stunned, and before I could respond, he pulled out a business card and handed it to me. “If you change your mind,” he said, his tone clipped, “call the number on this card. But as for everything else…” His smile faded. “Keep it to yourself.” The diagnosis paper in my hand crumpled as I clenched my fist. Any hope I had of fighting this—of living—was crushed under the weight of that briefcase. 0

Curiosity got the better of me. I looked up the Grant family online. The first image that popped up was Connor—or, as I now learned, Austin Grant, heir to the Grant fortune. His world and mine couldn’t have been more different. The money in that briefcase? I couldn’t earn that much in a lifetime. After some thought, I called the number on the card. “Miss Moore,” the man answered, his voice calm and smug. “You’ve made up your mind so soon?” “I don’t want the money,” I said quietly. “Not enough, is it?” he said, almost amused. “Makes sense. Cancer treatments these days cost millions. A single injection can run up to $200,000.” “How much do you need?” My hand trembled as I gripped the phone. “I’m not planning to treat it.” The line went silent for a moment before he finally spoke. “Miss Moore, the Grant family isn’t the kind of place you can just walk into.” “Yes, you cared for the Young Master for three years, but that doesn’t mean you have a place here. Especially since…” He paused, as if savoring the blow he was about to deliver. “The Young Master is already engaged to someone else.” It felt like a rope had tightened around my chest, squeezing the air out of me. My voice shook as I replied, “I don’t want to be part of the Grant family.” “And I won’t tell anyone about Austin’s condition.” “I just…” My voice broke. “I don’t want your money.” Because taking their money would cheapen everything. It would make those three years—every moment I spent with Connor—feel like a transaction. The man sighed. “Miss Moore, this money is your compensation. I’m just doing my job. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.” Before I could respond, he hung up. The dim light in the living room cast long shadows. Near the door sat a bag of empty bottles—Connor’s latest collection. I hadn’t seen him since yesterday. I’d searched everywhere but couldn’t find him. Exhausted and terrified, I had collapsed on the couch, crying my heart out. Then, late that night, Connor came home, covered in dirt and carrying a sack over his shoulder. When he saw me crying, he panicked. “Don’t cry, Harper!” he said, his black eye from a fight making him look even more ridiculous. He grinned and held up the sack. “Look! I found so many bottles today!” “A few old guys tried to take them from me, but I was too fast!” he added proudly. “Don’t worry, Harper. I can take care of you. You don’t need that man, okay?” I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry as I pulled him into a hug. “If you ever run off like that again,” I said, trying to sound stern, “I’m not keeping you anymore.” His eyes turned red as he clung to my sleeve. “I’ll collect so many bottles. Don’t leave me, okay? Please don’t leave me.” But in the end, it wasn’t me who left. It was him. And this time, it wasn’t me who gave up on him. It was him who gave up on me. 0

When there’s no reason to live, there’s no reason to seek treatment either. I decided to check myself out of the hospital. As I was leaving the house, I accidentally knocked over the small clay figurine sitting on the cabinet. I glanced at it for a moment, then shut the door behind me. At the hospital, the discharge process went smoothly—until I noticed Connor’s name on the inpatient list. I grabbed the nurse’s arm, my voice trembling. “Austin… is he the Young Master of the Grant family?” She yanked her arm away, scoffing. “And what if he is?” she sneered, giving me a once-over. “Someone like you thinks they can climb their way into the Grant family?” Her gaze burned into me, and I couldn’t bear to look her in the eye. Humiliated, I turned and ran out of the hospital. But later that day, I packed up the briefcase of money and headed back. This time, I couldn’t bring myself to ask the nurses where Connor’s room was—I didn’t want to see the judgment in their eyes. So I wandered through the hospital, floor by floor, peeking through room windows, hoping I’d find him. “Harper?” A familiar voice called out, and I froze. Hugging the briefcase closer to my chest, I turned around. It was Dr. James. “Dr. James…” He smiled kindly. “Here to pay for treatment?” I shook my head. He frowned, confused. “You know, with treatment, there’s a good chance your condition could be cured.” There might be a chance for a cure, but there’s no cure for the emptiness in my heart. “If you have the money, why not save yourself?” he pressed. I forced a bitter smile. “This money… it’s not mine.” He hesitated. “Then what are you planning to do with it?” I cut him off before he could finish. “Dr. James, do you know which room Austin is in?” He studied me for a moment, then sighed. “Fourth floor, second door on the left.” Patting my shoulder, he added, “If you need help, you know where to find me.” I nodded and made my way up to the fourth floor. Standing outside the room, I hesitated for what felt like an eternity before finally knocking. The door opened to reveal a man with a commanding presence, someone I recognized instantly from my online search. It was Austin’s older brother—Elliot Grant, the current head of the Grant family. He didn’t seem surprised to see me. With a slight nod, he motioned for me to come in. As soon as I stepped inside, my eyes were drawn to the hospital bed. Connor—no, Austin—was lying there, looking completely at ease. Beside him sat a poised, elegant woman in designer clothes. She cut a slice of apple and held it up to his lips, and he took it with a soft look in his eyes. I stood frozen, gripping the briefcase so tightly my knuckles turned white. Then, slowly, I let go. What was the point? 0

It wasn’t until Austin had eaten a few more slices of apple that he finally noticed me. Wiping his mouth with a tissue, he asked coldly, “Why are you here?” His gaze was sharp, indifferent, and it made me take two steps back instinctively. This wasn’t the Connor I knew—the one who used to follow me around like a lost puppy, calling me Harper. This was Austin Grant, heir to the Grant family empire. I took a deep breath, steadied myself, and opened the briefcase. “The money,” I said quietly, “I didn’t spend a single cent. I’m here to return it.” Austin’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly, his lips curving into a faint, mocking smile. “Then what do you want?” he asked, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Are you here to claim the title of Mrs. Grant?” I froze, stunned by his words. “I—what?” I stammered, unable to believe what he’d just said. He leaned back against the bed, his smile cold and distant. “You think you’re worthy?” The room fell silent. Everyone’s eyes were on me, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Setting the briefcase down on the floor, I turned and fled the room. I made it to the stairwell, gripping the railing as I gasped for air. Tears blurred my vision, spilling down my cheeks before I could stop them. “Crying?” The voice behind me was familiar, and it sent a chill down my spine. I wiped my eyes quickly and muttered, “No.” Austin stepped closer, his sharp gaze sweeping over me. His lips curled into a smirk as he pulled a stack of cash from his pocket and shoved it into my hands. “Eat something,” he said with a mocking tilt of his head. “Your figure’s disappearing. It takes resources to seduce someone, you know.” I stood there, frozen, as his words pierced through me like knives. He turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the stairwell, clutching the money in my trembling hands. It wasn’t until his silhouette disappeared that I snapped out of it. “Connor…” I whispered his name like a plea, but he was gone. I stumbled out of the hospital, tears streaming down my face, not knowing where to go. I pulled out the stack of cash he had given me and stared at it for a long time. In this city, it felt like I was the only one left. 04 When I got home, the first thing I saw was a pile of broken pieces scattered across the floor. Among them were dozens of paper stars. I picked one up and carefully unfolded it. Inside, in messy handwriting, it read: “Harper, always stay happy!” It was part of a birthday gift from Connor. After my parents passed away, I stopped celebrating birthdays. Life had lost its meaning, and so had those special days. I found Connor three years ago. He was lying in an alley, bleeding and barely conscious. Out of pity, I brought him home. When he woke up, I realized he wasn’t… normal. But he was sweet. He’d smile at me like a child and call me “Harper” in the softest, most affectionate voice. Sometimes, he’d wrap his arms around me and whine for attention like I was the only safe thing in his world. In a city that felt cold and foreign, Connor became my anchor. He gave me a reason to keep going. There were days I thought about finding his family and sending him home. One time, I even took him to the police station to report him as missing. He was so calm and obedient the entire way—until I turned to leave. That’s when he grabbed my sleeve, his eyes turning red as he whispered: “Harper… you’re not going to leave me, are you?” I gently pried his hand away and forced a smile. “I’m just going to buy you some candy, okay? Be a good boy and wait for me.” He sat down on a chair, looking like a lost puppy, his wide eyes following me as I walked away. I thought that was the end of us. But three days later, on my way home from work, I saw him digging through a trash can. “Connor?” I called out, shocked. He froze, then slowly turned around. His face was streaked with dirt, and when he saw me, tears welled up in his eyes. “Connor, what are you doing here?” His voice trembled as he reached out toward me, his hand hovering in the air like he wasn’t sure if I’d let him touch me. “Harper… I’ll be good,” he said, his voice breaking. “Please… don’t leave me again.” It turned out he’d run away from the police station that same night. He thought I didn’t want him anymore. I was furious, but I couldn’t stay mad. I pulled him into a hug, my heart aching as he clung to me like a lifeline. That winter night was freezing, but we stayed wrapped in each other’s arms, two kids without a home, trying to keep warm. Back then, I thought we’d always be together. 0

The following summer, I celebrated Connor’s birthday for the first time. By the end of the day, his face was covered in frosting, but he just sat there grinning at me like a little kid. “Harper,” he asked suddenly, “when’s your birthday?” “December 22,” I told him casually, not thinking much of it. I didn’t expect him to remember. But when that day came, he showed up with a small, clumsy clay figurine cradled carefully in his hands. “Harper, happy birthday!” he said, beaming. The figurine was… well, ugly. Its belly had been scratched with the words: “Connor only loves Harper.” “Only loves?” I teased, laughing. “Do you even know what that means?” Connor puffed out his chest proudly. “Of course I do! It means I only love one person.” “I only love Harper!” Now, that little clay figurine—marked with “Connor only loves Harper”—lay shattered on the floor. There was no piecing it back together. Back then, I thought the figurine was the entire gift, so I tucked it away without a second thought. I didn’t realize there was something hidden inside. No wonder he pouted for days whenever I ignored it. Curious, I unfolded another paper star from the pile. This one read: “We’ll always be together.” At the bottom, there was a crude drawing of two stick figures holding hands. The effort he’d put into it was obvious, even through the childish scribbles. I stared at it for a long time, my fingers brushing over the tiny hearts he’d drawn around the edges. A tear slipped down my cheek, smudging the ink. “You little liar,” I whispered. 0

When all is said and done, I just want to go home. I sold my apartment, and the money was just enough to buy a burial plot. I’ll be laid to rest next to my parents. I also sold the bag of bottles Connor had collected. It brought in a grand total of sixteen dollars and fifty cents. “With this little money, how were you ever planning to take care of me?” I muttered to myself, half-laughing, half-crying. The paperwork was done. In two days, I’d leave this city full of painful memories. But the day before I was supposed to leave, an unexpected guest showed up. “Elliot?” He looked slightly surprised. “You know who I am? I’m honored.” “What do you want?” I asked, wary. Elliot’s face held that same polite, unreadable smile. “Miss Moore, I’d like to invite you to be my date for an event.” “Your date?” I stared at him, baffled. Rich people’s logic never made sense to me. He was handsome, wealthy, and powerful. Women would throw themselves at him with just a snap of his fingers. Why on earth would he ask someone like me—average in every way, with no fortune or connections? I was about to decline when he added, “My brother Austin will be there, too.” I hesitated. Even if I couldn’t say goodbye to Connor, maybe I could see him one last time from a distance. I didn’t know Elliot’s motives, but I still agreed. What could someone like me—a woman with no family and a terminal illness—possibly have to lose? Elliot provided a gown for the event. I stood in front of the mirror, nervously smoothing the fabric. When he saw me, a flicker of admiration crossed his face, though it was quickly masked with his usual composure. He draped a delicate necklace around my neck and chuckled. “Austin wasn’t just dumb. He was blind, too.” I pressed my lips together, choosing not to respond. When we arrived, I realized this wasn’t just any event. It was Austin’s engagement party. He stood in the center of the room, effortlessly elegant, exuding an air of cold detachment. He looked like something out of a winter dream—strong, poised, and untouchable, like bamboo standing tall in the snow. Next to him was his fiancée, wearing a dazzling white gown that sparkled like she’d wrapped herself in starlight. She was radiant, the kind of beautiful that made everyone else fade into the background. The emcee smiled warmly at her and asked, “Miss Sinclair, do you have anything you’d like to say?” She held Austin’s arm and spoke with a voice as soft as velvet. “I’m so grateful. Grateful that I could bring him back to who he truly is. And even more grateful that I’ve always been the one by his side.” Her words stung, but I forced myself to stay calm. I reached for my wrist, absentmindedly tugging at the bracelet Connor had made for me. It was a simple thing—braided string with a strand of his hair tied into it. But now, Austin’s hand wore nothing but a gleaming silver ring, impossibly bright under the chandelier lights. I let out a quiet sigh. I guess I’m grateful too. Grateful that during the darkest years of my life, I had Connor by my side. He was like a fleeting dream, comforting me when I needed it most before fading away. I just wish that dream had lasted a little longer. I wanted to leave, but Elliot stopped me. “Aren’t you going to congratulate him?” he asked with a smirk. Reluctantly, I followed him to where Austin and his fiancée were standing. Austin glanced at me, his expression unreadable, before his lips curled into a mocking smile. “So, this is your type now, big brother? Used goods?” The words hit like a punch to the gut, sharp and cruel. My chest tightened, and I struggled to breathe. Next to him, Miss Sinclair laughed softly, resting her hand on his arm. “Don’t be so mean,” she teased. “After all, she did take care of you for three years.” Austin’s expression didn’t change. He let out a dismissive “Oh,” then reached for a pen and asked someone nearby for a checkbook. He scribbled something down, tore out the check, and handed it to me. “Write whatever amount you want,” he said, his tone cold and detached.

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Twenty-five years ago, the nanny secretly swapped me with her daughter, but my six-year-old brother discovered the trick and quietly swapped us back. Now, 25 years later, the nanny showed up at my door with her daughter, claiming I was the fake heir of Wales Group. Even the janitor at the company started whispering behind my back, criticizing my lipstick as cheap. My boyfriend, Collin Ross, even joined in to humiliate me. “You really thought you were the Wales family’s daughter? You’re not even worth a single strand of Erika’s hair!” After the paternity test results came out, everyone was stunned. Collin begged me, “Jessie, I was manipulated by that bitch! Please forgive me. Give me another chance.” I shot him a cold glance. “What kind of chance? You mean the chance to clean the toilet?” Just as I entered the company restroom, I ran into the new janitor, Erika Waston. Her gaze lingered on my lipstick. In a mocking tone, she said, “Ms. Wales, I didn’t expect someone of your status would use such cheap products. This lipstick is only 19.9 dollars for three with a gift box!” I didn’t believe her words. The lipstick was a special gift from Collin, personally selected by him through a luxury personal shopper. He said it cost 2,000 dollars for three. Seeing my face fall, Erika seemed to realize her mistake and hurriedly left. As I stepped out of the restroom, I saw Yolanda Hall standing at the baby care room door, looking furious. It was rare to see her so angry, so I gently asked her what happened, and she immediately vented her frustration. “I went to change a diaper in the room, and who would’ve thought I’d find a used condom on the changing table! Who’s that shameless? Doing that kind of thing in the baby care room! I’m so pissed off! I don’t even know if there’s some dirty disease involved!” As the VP of the company, my anger surged. I immediately called the security office to review the surveillance footage and find out what happened. After giving those instructions, I headed to Collin’s office to complain this to him. When I walked in, I saw Erika, now wearing a slightly transparent deep V-neck shirt, mopping the floor. Her cleavage was practically spilling out. Collin glanced up at me, his face turning pale as he wiped away some nosebleeds. “The weather’s been dry lately. You need to drink more water, Jessica. I didn’t hear you knock because I was busy working.” I didn’t question him. After all, we’d been together for eight years since college. “Did you forget it? I never knock when I come in here,” I replied. Collin visibly tensed up, and I was about to ask what was going on when Erika interrupted. She shot a sly remark. “Ms. Wales, when you buy cosmetics, you should really go to a counter. Don’t buy those cheap things online. After all, you’re putting it on your face; you can’t afford to skimp.” I froze for a second, realizing she was talking about my lipstick. That lipstick was a Valentine’s gift from Collin, not some cheap knockoff. I was about to clarify with Collin, but before I could speak, he quickly said, “Jessica, that proposal you mentioned earlier was good, but I think it still needs some adjustments.” His words distracted me, but I couldn’t find my pen. Erika, eager to help, volunteered to grab one for me. As she reached for it, she tripped and fell straight into Collin’s arms. Her tight deep-V shirt couldn’t contain the fall, and her buttons popped open, revealing a stunning view. Collin, flustered, tried to help her rebutton, but the more nervous he became, the harder it was to fix. Erika, equally flustered, struggled to fasten her shirt, but instead, she ended up gasping for breath.

I watched the awkward scene between the two of them and cleared my throat. Collin suddenly snapped back to reality and pushed Erika away. “Jessica, I was just trying to help her with her buttons. It wasn’t intentional,” he stammered. Before he could say more, I interrupted him. “Enough. Go get me a coffee.” I’d known Collin long enough to understand his character. I suspected Erika, the scheming woman, was behind this, and since we were alone, I’d finally get some answers. To my surprise, Erika got up and walked out ahead of Collin. “Ms. Wales, let me get it for you.” She returned quickly with a cup of coffee. I didn’t even need to look to know it was instant coffee, while I only drank freshly brewed. I frowned and didn’t touch the cup. Erika’s voice quivered as she said, “Ms. Wales, you don’t like the coffee I made? I washed my hands really well before making it.” Collin, who usually indulged me, chimed in, “Jessica, don’t be so hard on Erika. She’s never made coffee before, and she doesn’t know how to grind it. Just drink a little, for her sake.” Still, I didn’t respond, and Erika began apologizing, her voice filled with emotion. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Wales. I come from a poor family. I’ve never had enough to eat or warm clothes, and my mom was always beating or scolding me. I’ve never had anything as nice as coffee. Please don’t laugh at me.” I was stunned by her sudden emotional outburst, and though I didn’t understand, it seemed to have an effect on Collin. His tone grew sharp as he said, “Jessica, I didn’t expect you to be so heartless. It’s just a cup of coffee. Why make a fuss over it and make things difficult for a young girl? You’re a VP now. Don’t make things harder for your subordinates!” Without another word, he grabbed the coffee and drank it all in one gulp. I couldn’t believe his reaction. But what shocked me more was Erika’s: she lunged forward, snatched the cup from Collin, and shouted, “Mr. Ross, don’t drink it! Please don’t!” Collin and I both stared at her in confusion. Her eyes darted around, obviously guilty. I immediately checked the surveillance footage. As I suspected, Erika had used toilet water to make the coffee. Fuming, I demanded, “Why did you do this? You better explain yourself, now!” I was about to call the police when Collin snatched my phone away. “Jessica, Erika’s young and ignorant. You don’t need to make a big deal out of this. You didn’t drink the coffee, and I’ve already had some without saying anything. Let’s just let it go.” Collin’s response only made my anger grow. “Why should I let it go? She looks older than my mother, and you’re saying she’s ignorant? She wanted me to drink it, but you drank it by mistake. If she’s willing to use toilet water to make coffee today, who’s to say she won’t poison me tomorrow? Why shouldn’t I call the police?” Realizing I was serious about calling the police, Collin tried to slam my phone down, but I snatched it back just in time. Before I could do anything else, Erika suddenly shoved Collin away and screamed at me, “You fake woman! Why are you stealing my place and my man?” Before I could process her words, my phone buzzed with a video from the security room. It was about the baby care room. I clicked on the video, which clearly showed Collin and Erika entering the room and staying there for almost an hour. After they left, Yolanda entered with a child and stormed out in anger. It was clear that the condom found in the room was left by Collin and Erika. I couldn’t believe it. The boyfriend I trusted most had been fooling around with a janitor behind my back. No wonder he’d been defending Erika so fiercely. Before I could even react, Collin stopped pretending. “The truth is, I like Erika, not you, the fake daughter! Erika’s gentle, kind, and considerate, while you just act like you’re on a pedestal all the time. You probably didn’t know, did you? The real heir to Wales Group is Erika, not you. You’re just an imposter!”

Just then, the office door creaked open, and my parents walked in, followed by a group of shareholders. My dad spoke first, “Collin, you said you had an urgent matter. What’s going on?” My mom added, “Yeah, what could be so important that it could affect the survival of Wales Group?” Collin glanced at me before answering, “Mr. Wales, Mrs. Wales, if you didn’t come, Wales Group might be taken over by outsiders!” The shareholders were shocked and immediately turned to me, asking what was happening. I could only force a smile and shake my head because I had no idea either. Erika walked up to my parents and suddenly collapsed in front of them. “Mom! Dad!” My parents froze, instinctively stepping back. My dad reacted the most strongly, pointing at Erika and shouting, “Who are you?! I’ve never betrayed my wife. I have only two children—Jessie and William!” Through her sobs, Erika said, “Dad, Mom, I was swapped with Jessica by the nanny, Mary. I’m your real daughter! Ever since I was little, Mary would hit and scold me whenever she was unhappy. I often went without food. I didn’t understand why my mom was so harsh with me, but one day I saw the footage from the old maternity center and realized I wasn’t even her biological child.” Many people in the room had red eyes, moved by her story. But my dad, having weathered many storms, wasn’t so easily swayed. “Do you have any proof of this?” Erika quickly pulled out her phone and cast the video onto the screen. The video was from over 20 years ago when my mom stayed at a high-end maternity center with cameras in every room. The video showed a nanny entering my mom’s room and taking one child out, then returning a short while later with another child dressed identically. The footage was over 20 years old, so the quality was poor, and it was impossible to tell if the two children were the same. After watching, my mom collapsed on the sofa, sobbing, “How could this happen? This can’t be true! I watched over my child day and night. How could she have been swapped?” My dad didn’t speak, but his face turned pale. Collin saw they were wavering but still unsure, so he tried to push further. “Mr. Wales, Mrs. Wales, now that we know the mistake, we need to correct it right away. We can’t let outsiders take advantage of the situation. Erika has suffered all these years. We need to make it up to her.” He then looked at me. “And those who shouldn’t be here—they need to be cleared out.” Several shareholders whispered to each other. “It makes sense. Since Jessica isn’t the Wales family’s biological daughter, she can’t keep her position as VP.” “Exactly, she’s an outsider. Who knows when she might turn against us?” “Before we deal with Jessica, we need to bring Erika in and train her properly.” I wasn’t interested in their conversation, though. I was focused on watching the video again. Something about one of the people in it seemed familiar. Seeing me replaying the video, Collin sneered, “Stop watching. Even if you study that video a hundred times, it won’t change the fact that you’re an imposter. The truth is right in front of you; how can you still sit here with any dignity?” Erika quickly interjected, “Collin, don’t say that. Mary is the one at fault, not Jessica. Let her have some time to accept the truth, and she’ll leave on her own.” I gave them both a cold look and ignored their words, instead asking, “Who’s the little boy standing behind Mary in the video?” Everyone froze in shock upon hearing my question.

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## When I insisted on the divorce, he was just an ordinary guy with big dreams. Fast forward a few years, he’s now a household name—and married to my former best friend. Meanwhile, I was scraping by, juggling three waitressing jobs just to make ends meet. We crossed paths again at an upscale club. My former friend gave me a pitying look and said, “If you hadn’t been so stubborn about that divorce, you’d be the one living the high life right now. But I guess your luck’s always been just a little off, huh?” He stood there, calm and composed, holding his new wife’s hand like he owned the world. There was a quiet arrogance about him, an unspoken satisfaction in seeing me stuck in the mud while he basked in the glow of success. The crowd joined in, chiming with snide comments and treating me like I was nothing but a cautionary tale. I could see it in his eyes—Ethan Whitmore was enjoying every second of this. He wanted to see me humiliated, crushed, begging for what I’d thrown away. But here’s the thing: I felt nothing. No regret, no shame, no longing. To me, it was like watching a show from the sidelines, completely detached. If he was waiting for me to break, he was in for a disappointment. After setting down the fruit tray, I said politely, “Everything’s here. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading out now.” Ethan’s expression stiffened, and he quickly stood up to block my way. This was the first time we’d seen each other since our divorce six years ago. He still hadn’t let go of the fact that I walked out on him, standing there with that unmistakable look—demanding an explanation. And honestly, I knew why it was hard for anyone to understand why I left. Back then, we were the golden couple, the kind of pair our families and friends couldn’t stop gushing over. We married surrounded by blessings and good wishes. Life wasn’t luxurious, but Ethan was known for being reliable and family-oriented. Everyone adored him. Even my parents used to say, “Fiona, what more could you possibly want? You’re married to a guy like Ethan. Do you know how lucky you are?” So when I asked for a divorce, I was branded as ungrateful. My mom slapped me. My dad threatened to cut ties with me. But I didn’t look back. I left Ethan without a shred of hesitation. Now, standing in front of me, he was the picture of success—sharp suit, confident demeanor, the kind of man people admired. I smiled faintly. “Even if you’ve become a billionaire now, I still don’t regret leaving you.” Ignoring the stunned looks around me, I added, “In six years, you’ve never once stopped to think about where you went wrong.” I almost envied how shamelessly content he seemed with himself. What no one knew was just how much I’d suffered in that marriage. When we first got married, Ethan secretly sold our house while I was away on a business trip. I came home to find my belongings packed into a few garbage bags sitting in the hallway. That’s how I discovered we no longer had a home. Exhausted and confused, I called him, hoping for an explanation. All I got was an impatient response: “My second cousin’s wife needed money for surgery. We’re family—I had to help! What’s the big deal about selling the house?” I wasn’t against helping people. But shouldn’t we do so within our means? We’d just gotten married, barely making ends meet. Some days, we couldn’t even take care of ourselves. What hurt the most was that the house was something we’d saved for together. He didn’t even bother to tell me before selling it. Dragging my bags under the scorching sun, I didn’t even know where I was going to sleep that night. When I broke down crying, his reaction was anger, not empathy. “All you ever do is cry! The house is sold—it’s done. What more do you want from me? I promise I’ll buy you a mansion someday, okay?” He hung up on me and took time off from work. I thought it was to help us find a new place to live. But no. He spent weeks at the hospital, taking care of his second cousin’s wife—a woman who wasn’t even remotely close to him. Everyone around us praised him for being a saint. “Fiona, your husband is such a good man. You’re so lucky!” Even when a neighbor’s cat went missing, Ethan wouldn’t hesitate to spend his nights searching for it after long shifts at work. He’d come home with dark circles under his eyes, ignoring my concern for his health. Only when the cat was safe did he drag his exhausted body back home. 2 Before we got married, I thought these things were small and endearing—a sign of his big heart. But after living with him, I couldn’t ignore the way his kindness to strangers contrasted with his indifference toward me. Three months after he sold our house, we were living in a cramped rental apartment. And then, life threw another wrench into the gears—I found out I was pregnant. The doctor warned me that I had a high-risk pregnancy and needed to stay on bed rest for three months. I took a leave of absence from work to focus on the baby. Ethan thought I was being overly dramatic. Listening to his second cousin’s advice, he decided I was just lazy and didn’t want to work. So what did he do? He invited a group of elderly relatives to our tiny apartment and expected me to cook and clean for them. The place turned into a zoo—constant noise, piles of dishes, and trash everywhere. My head throbbed every day, and the chaos pushed me to my limit. When I finally lost it and told everyone to leave, Ethan exploded. “They’re my family! If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t even be here today. They raised me when no one else would!” “And now that you’ve married me, it’s your responsibility to take care of them too. That’s just how it is.” His words hit me like a slap in the face. He looked around the messy apartment with disdain, then pointed a finger at me. “I’m going to bring them back. You’d better clean this place up before I return. And mop the floors while you’re at it.” He slammed the door so hard that it bounced back open. The neighbor passing by clicked her tongue and shook her head. “You’re just pregnant, not disabled. If you can’t even do basic chores, no wonder Ethan’s so upset.” Ethan had always been a social butterfly—everyone loved him. Anytime we had a disagreement, it was inevitably spun as my fault. Back then, I was so stressed and anxious that I dropped to 80 pounds, looking more like a skeleton than a person. I didn’t care about the whispers and judgment from others; I swallowed my pride and tried to reason with him again and again. “The doctor said I need to rest for the baby’s sake. And let’s not forget, we’re barely scraping by. We can’t afford to keep supporting all these relatives of yours.” I couldn’t understand why he insisted on bringing his extended family to live with us in the city. The apartment was tiny, we were sleeping on the floor, and his relatives had perfectly comfortable homes in the countryside, with their own farms and land. I tried to stay calm and reason with him: “Ethan, I wouldn’t complain if you sent them half your paycheck every month, but having them stay here is destroying our lives. Don’t you see that?” But Ethan wouldn’t listen. He called me selfish and heartless, and we didn’t speak for days. It wasn’t until I lost more weight, the baby stopped growing, and the doctor advised terminating the pregnancy that he finally, begrudgingly, sent his relatives back home. But it was too late. For the sake of my own health, I decided to follow the doctor’s recommendation and let the baby go. Ethan was furious. “I already sent my family away! Just eat a little more, sleep a little better, and everything will be fine! I don’t believe for a second that the baby won’t survive if you take care of yourself.” I was stunned, staring at him like I was seeing him for the first time. The doctor had said the baby wasn’t healthy and that my life was at risk if we didn’t end the pregnancy. How could he not care about me at all? In that moment, it felt like the blood in my veins froze. There was no point in trying to explain anything to a man like him. So, I went alone to have the procedure. When I got home, pale and weak, he slapped me across the face. I stood there, stunned, as his voice roared in my ears: “Fiona, you’re a monster! You killed my child!” The whole neighborhood heard about it. Neighbors came by to console Ethan, patting him on the back and singing praises about his kindness. No one said it outright, but their looks said it all—they hated me. A few self-righteous “helpers” even made snide remarks: “Poor Ethan. He was so excited about becoming a father. Goes to show, you really need to marry a good woman. Even the nicest guy won’t have a good life with someone like that.” 3 Ethan could have explained my side of the story. He could have told them why I made that painful decision. But he didn’t. He basked in their sympathy, wallowing in his role as the victim. I looked at him, exhausted beyond words, and asked, “Are you done pretending?” No one grieved for that child more than I did. No one hurt more than I did. And yet, I wasn’t the one at fault. “Ethan, why do someone like you even bother getting married? All you do is ruin the lives of the people closest to you.” “It’s miserable being around you. Go ahead and keep loving the rest of the world—I won’t stop you. I want a divorce.” I packed my things and left. Before I walked out, I slapped him back. He pressed a hand to his reddened cheek but didn’t say a word to stop me. He didn’t have to. There were plenty of people ready to take his side. First, there were my parents. They tried every trick in the book to make me stay: “What did Ethan do wrong, really? This whole thing is your fault. You went behind his back and got rid of the baby. Of course, he’s upset!” “And look at Ethan—what kind of son-in-law goes out of his way to take me shopping on the weekends? Last week, when I coughed a little, he bought me medicine and made me soup. He’s practically our own son!” “You’re not allowed to keep fighting with him! Go home and apologize right now!” When I refused, my dad issued an ultimatum: “If you don’t move back in with your husband today and make things right, don’t bother calling me your father anymore.” Then, there was my best friend, Sarah Cooper. She was still gushing over the time Ethan drove cross-country to take her back to her hometown last year. Naturally, she joined the chorus of criticism: “Fiona, you’re in the wrong here. Honestly, ever since you got married, you’ve become so petty and spoiled. It’s not a good look on you.” Even my best friend had benefited from Ethan’s generosity. I was the only one who hadn’t. Since the day we got married, I hadn’t gotten a single ounce of kindness from him. He’d donate half his paycheck to animal shelters. Or drop everything to volunteer at the community center because someone sent a message in the neighborhood group chat. When a hurricane hit, the windows in our apartment started cracking. I was terrified, shaking and crying, but Ethan only answered his phone to say he was going to check on a female neighbor. I begged him to stay. He rolled his eyes. “What’s there to be scared of? Stop acting like a child.” And with that, he walked out into the storm. Even when he slipped and broke several bones in the wind, he still dragged himself to her place, ignoring his injuries. Or there was the time he promised to take me to a prenatal appointment but ditched me at the last second to grab lunch with his friends. Things like that happened so often, I lost count. I started to feel like I was worth less than trash to him. Even Sarah, my so-called best friend, couldn’t see the truth. “Fiona,” she said, shaking her head. “This time, I’m not on your side. No matter how upset you were, you shouldn’t have gotten rid of the baby.” I pulled out the doctor’s report and handed it to her. “The doctor said the baby wasn’t healthy. It wasn’t my decision—it was a medical necessity. Got it? Stop acting like I did it out of spite.” They all fell silent, choking on their words. But what I didn’t expect was what came next. While Ethan and I were taking time apart, Sarah took advantage of the situation. She told Ethan she had breast cancer and begged him to take wedding photos with her as her “final wish.” “I just want one set of wedding photos before I die,” she said, batting her eyes at me. “Fiona, you won’t mind lending me your husband for this, right?”

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On what should have been my wedding day with Caleb Foster, I ended up being a bridesmaid instead. As I walked down the aisle in the wedding dress Caleb had chosen for me, I realized his gaze wasn’t on me. His eyes looked past me, fixed on Mia Lawson behind me. Just as I was about to ruin the wedding, a message appeared before my eyes. [This woman is really something, clinging to this rotten cabbage and not even glancing at our little tyrant.] [Please, I beg you, turn around and look at Liam! He’s ready to end it all thinking you’re getting married!] Startled, I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed a number I hadn’t touched in ages. In my panic, I blurted out, “Liam! Didn’t you say you were going to crash the wedding? Why haven’t you come to get me yet?” Mia’s wedding dress was incomparably more luxurious than mine. As she passed by, she looked at me like I was a stray dog. She clearly thought I had lost my mind. After giving me a once-over from head to toe, she let out a small snort and walked on. Caleb, completely indifferent, held Mia’s hand as they walked towards their marital altar. The spotlight shone on them as their vows echoed in my ears. But at that moment, I couldn’t care less about their wedding. The phone remained silent, and I was getting increasingly anxious. One second, two seconds… Just as I was about to tear off the wedding dress and run out, a deep voice came through the phone. “Okay.” The messages before my eyes suddenly changed: [Ah, I’ll spare your life this time, supporting character. You finally showed some conscience!] [But how did she suddenly become so clever? I thought she was going to remain stupid until the end.] [She must be fake. Rejecting the handsome, rich, and loyal childhood friend, and insisting on clinging to this petty man.] [Hope she can stay smart, otherwise Caleb could play her like a fiddle with just a crook of his finger.] Looking at the messages, I slowly pieced together the plot. Apparently, I was the princess of the Knight family, but I fell in love with the bookish Caleb Foster. However, Caleb saw me as a cash cow, using my money to string me along. Even this wedding was paid for with my money! The plot then goes on with the male and female leads labeling me as the vicious third wheel interfering in their love story, posting about me online and subjecting me to cyberbullying. Then their fans track me down in real life and stab me to death? What kind of melodramatic plot is this? As I thought about this, my anger started to boil. Before I could act, I was pulled into a cold embrace. The man’s arms squeezed me tightly, almost painfully, but he just buried his head in the crook of my neck, as if afraid I would run away again. I looked up and saw Liam, who was also my boss. “How did you get here so quickly?” Hearing my question, the man was visibly taken aback. “Aria, I…” His helpless expression made him look like a child who had done something wrong, softening my heart. I spoke up, “I mean, how did you drive here so fast? Weren’t you just at the beach? I can still smell the sea breeze on you.” The man’s rigid face relaxed a bit when he heard the concern in my voice. At this moment, more messages appeared: [She’s changed today? How come she’s speaking nicely?] [Ah, poor Liam. If this supporting character had spoken nicely earlier, there wouldn’t have been so many misunderstandings between them.] Misunderstandings? I made a mental note to ask Liam about this later. Liam looked at the happy couple on stage, his face troubled. He squeezed my hand and asked, “Aria, do you want me to take you away?” Looking at that despicable couple, I curved my lips and walked towards the stage, holding Liam’s hand. As we walked, I said, “Liam, didn’t you say you wanted to marry me?” The floating messages became increasingly frantic: [What is she going to do? What is she going to do! It can’t be what I’m thinking, right?] Liam was also caught off guard by my actions, but he quickly understood. His large, warm hand actively enveloped mine, leading me onto the stage. On stage, Mia was still listening to Caleb’s heartfelt vows, tears and snot running down her face. I snatched the microphone from his hand and said, “Ahem, sorry to interrupt the newlyweds, but do you mind if we join in?” Mia’s mouth twitched as she said, “Are you okay, Aria? Caleb doesn’t like you and won’t marry you. Can you stop making a fool of yourself?” Caleb sneered, “Aria, you’re still as childish as ever. Don’t think this will make me feel sorry for you.” Seeing him ramble on endlessly, I couldn’t help but interrupt, “Stop, stop, stop. So you’re saying you don’t mind, right?” His face turned as black as the bottom of a pot, but he nodded. Great! I turned to Liam with the microphone and said, “For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, in poverty or in wealth, do you promise to spend your life with me, never to part?” “I do.” Liam’s voice was hoarse and restrained. I thought that was the end of it, but to my surprise, he pulled out a ring from his pocket and got down on one knee. “Aria, I promise to protect you for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?” Although I had dragged him onto the stage, I never expected him to actually have a ring prepared. After saying this, he pushed the ring deep onto my finger and pulled me into his arms for a passionate kiss. At this moment, more messages floated up: [Ahh, although… Liam finally married the person he’s been pining for!] There were also those mocking Caleb: [Haha, Caleb thought he had Aria wrapped around his finger, didn’t expect this, did you!] Seeing their words, I couldn’t help but glance at the people beside us. Caleb’s mouth was twisted with anger. The next second, my tongue stung as I met those bottomless eyes that seemed to want to pull me in. Messages: [Haha, Liam is jealous~] [You’re in for it now, Liam is actually a huge jealous guy!] I ignored those messages because I no longer had the energy! After the kiss, I nestled in Liam’s arms, panting heavily, while watching the despicable couple gnash their teeth. Messages: [Mia’s eyes are about to fall out looking at that huge diamond on Aria’s hand, aren’t they? How about asking your dear Caleb to buy you one~] [Don’t know if you remember, but this is the one Aria casually mentioned she liked once, and Liam actually went abroad to buy it.] Seeing this message, I couldn’t help but look up at the man beside me, and coincidentally, he was looking at me too. He said softly: “Let’s go home.” I nodded, and he was about to carry me away when Caleb stopped us. “Aria! What the hell are you doing? Come back to me now, and I’ll give you one more chance!” Hearing his words, I struggled to get down from Liam. At the same time, I felt the man’s fingertips start to turn cold. Messages also floated incessantly: [Oh no, she can’t be this love-struck, can she??] [Someone save Liam, he’s about to break!] After I stood firm, I took a deep breath and cursed, “Who do you think you are? You think you can summon me at will? Look at yourself, what part of you is worthy of me?” “You didn’t really think I was head over heels for you, did you? Sorry, I have standards!” “Oh, weren’t you two getting married? Why don’t you continue? Consider the venue rented to you, remember to settle the bill later~” After saying this, I jumped onto Liam’s back and whispered in his ear: “Let’s go~” After witnessing my performance, the man laughed softly. I lay on his back, listening to his deep laughter. Looking at his broad shoulders, I couldn’t help but reflect on how brain-dead I must have been to like Caleb before. Thinking about Caleb’s scrawny figure, I couldn’t help but shake my head. In the blink of an eye, Liam had carried me to the villa he bought, right by the sea with a beautiful view. Walking into the villa, I couldn’t help but marvel that every aspect of the decoration and layout was exactly to my liking. The man followed closely behind me, carefully observing my expression. “This place is so beautiful, Liam. I love it!” I said with a big smile. Liam didn’t speak, but his face looked much better. Messages: [If he had a tail, it would be wagging like crazy, haha.] He handed me a cup of hot tea and slowly said, “Aria, I know you don’t like me, and the wedding just now was just an act.” “But this villa is yours. You can come anytime you want. If you don’t like me, I can leave!” His inexplicable panic made his words come out in a jumble, as if he was pouring out all the thoughts in his head at once. Seeing him like this, I felt a bit sorry for him and gently stroked his head. His hair was soft and fluffy, feeling very much like a small animal. The man under my hand calmed down due to my soothing. Just as he was about to continue speaking, we were interrupted by a phone call. I took out my phone and saw it was Caleb. The contact name still read: “Darling Husband”. Messages: [DarlingHusband, can the supporting character survive tonight?] Feeling the gaze of the man beside me, I felt inexplicably guilty. I was about to hang up, but someone pressed the answer button first. “Aria, I’m home. Iron my clothes, I have an interview tomorrow.” “I want to eat tofu tonight, hurry back and prepare it.” Messages: [Want to eat tofu and asking her to prepare it? Who do you think you are, a king?] Hearing him rattle off orders to me, I couldn’t help but ask, “Um? Didn’t you and Mia get married?” He didn’t expect me to bring this up. After all, if it were the old me, I would probably be rushing to him by now. He stammered, “Aria, how could I possibly marry her? You’re the only one in my heart, always have been!” The messages quickly chimed in: [Don’t believe him, supporting character! Mia is in his arms right now!] Hearing his sweet talk, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and say, “Then why did you marry her at the wedding?” He thought my attitude had softened and immediately said, “I just wanted to make you jealous…” I looked up at Liam, whose face had turned impossibly dark. I was about to speak when suddenly that handsome face came closer and closer. Liam kissed me. But the phone call hadn’t been hung up yet. Messages went crazy: [Oh my god, this is so intense!! As expected of a boss.]

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## For three years, I took care of my blind girlfriend. Then she regained her sight. And my brother? He pretended to be me and started dating her. One day, my girlfriend came to my dressing room. My brother locked me in the bathroom. Through the crack in the door, I saw them slowly kiss, and surprisingly… I was relieved. What my brother didn’t know was that this blind girl was a psychopathic killer who’d murdered her own parents. Later, when he ended up locked in a dark basement, chained and disfigured, begging me to let him out, I stared at him calmly and said: “Brother, I spent years in that place. Now it’s your turn.” The audience erupted into applause, snapping me out of my thoughts. I let out a quiet breath of relief. My piano performance was finally over. “Let’s give a round of applause for the talented Noah White,” the host announced. “And now, we have the honor of welcoming the acclaimed pianist and patron of the arts, Ms. Evelyn Sinclair, to share her thoughts on tonight’s performance!” Evelyn Sinclair? The name made my blood freeze. I shot up from my seat, and when I looked toward the stage, I locked eyes with her. Those sharp, fox-like eyes. I stumbled back a step, my throat tightening. My mind went blank as I tried to look away, but my heart pounded so loudly I could barely think. She could see. She wasn’t blind anymore. No, it’s fine. My name is Noah White now. She’s never seen my face before. There’s no way she can recognize me. I forced myself to stay composed, nodding politely to the host before quickly leaving the stage. As soon as I was offstage, I rushed toward the backstage lounge. I wasn’t even supposed to be performing tonight—my brother, Noah, had asked me to stand in for him. My real name is Liam White. When I threw open the lounge door, my brother was lounging on the couch, waiting for me. I grabbed his arm with urgency. “We need to leave. Now.” He stared at me like I’d lost my mind. “Liam, have you gone insane? Don’t forget, you’re just my stand-in. What gives you the right to tell me what to do?” He yanked his arm out of my grip, smirking. “Evelyn Sinclair is here, sitting in the audience. She’s the head of the Sinclair family empire, and she came here specifically to see me perform. I’m about to hit the jackpot, Liam.” I shook my head, my voice low and firm. “Do you even know who Evelyn Sinclair is? She’s not a good person. I was kidnapped and sold to the Sinclairs as a servant. You can’t trust her.” He scoffed, laughing dismissively. “Sold to do what? Shine her shoes?” He rolled his eyes. “You’re just jealous because Evelyn likes me.” The moment he said that, I knew. He and Evelyn had already gotten involved. Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I warned him quietly, “If you stay with her, you’re signing your own death sentence.” His expression darkened, and before I could react, he slapped me hard across the face. “Shut up! Don’t you dare try to ruin this for me. I’ve waited my entire life for a chance like this!” Before I could reply, a soft voice called from the other side of the door. “Noah?” Evelyn’s voice was gentle, but I could hear the edge beneath it. My hands trembled, and I accidentally knocked over a glass of water on the table. The water spilled onto the floor, pooling at my feet. Her knocking grew more insistent. Panicking, I crouched down, clutching my head in my hands. My brother grabbed me roughly, dragging me to my feet. Without hesitation, he shoved me into the bathroom and hissed, “If you make a sound and ruin this for me, I’ll make you regret it.” I bit my lip, swallowing my reply, and stayed silent. My brother opened the door and welcomed Evelyn inside with a charming smile. Through the crack in the bathroom door, I watched Evelyn reach out and gently touch his face. “Noah,” she said softly, “I’ve been looking for you for so long.” It was obvious. Evelyn could see now. But she’d made a mistake—she thought my brother was me. Her gaze was filled with affection, her eyes lingering on him longingly. My brother took her hand and smiled. “Well, you’ve found me now.” Evelyn’s expression flickered, her eyes clouding with sadness. “But you don’t seem to remember me,” she murmured. “It’s okay, though. Some memories are better left forgotten. I’ll take care of you now. I’ll treat you better than anyone ever has.” She hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Just don’t leave me again. Because if you do…” Before she could finish, my brother cut her off with a kiss. It was forceful, almost possessive, and Evelyn quickly melted into his arms. But as they kissed, my brother glanced toward the bathroom door, his eyes glinting with triumph. I knew exactly what Evelyn hadn’t finished saying. If you leave me again, I’ll kill you.

Evelyn was my ex-girlfriend, the only daughter of the Sinclair family—the most powerful dynasty in the capital. Behind her beautiful, angelic face hid the heart of a devil. For three long years, I endured her cruelty, humiliated and broken, just trying to survive as her servant. The day I escaped, I made sure she’d never forget me—I drove a knife straight into her chest. If she ever found me, I knew I wouldn’t just die. She’d make sure it was slow and agonizing. When I escaped, I didn’t go home right away. I moved from city to city, always looking over my shoulder, making sure she wasn’t following me. Only when I was certain I’d shaken her off did I return to my rural hometown, disguised as a beggar. I stayed away from big cities, terrified she’d find me. I only returned to society when my biological parents tracked me down. When my mother discovered I had a talent for piano, she decided I should train alongside my twin brother, Noah. But Noah wasn’t thrilled about the idea. He injured his hand on purpose and blamed me for it. When our parents took his side—as they always did—they forced me to perform in his place. I refused at first, but they threatened to cut off my grandmother’s care. She was old, frail, and the only person who’d ever truly loved me. I had no choice but to give in. So, I became Noah’s shadow. I performed under his name, and he basked in the glory that should’ve been mine. At least with Noah around, Evelyn wouldn’t find me. For now, I was safe. I don’t know how long I waited in that bathroom before I was sure they were gone. Finally, I slipped out, carefully checking my surroundings before calling a cab and heading home. When I arrived at the house, I rang the doorbell over and over, but no one came to open the door. I’d left in such a hurry that morning, I’d forgotten my keys. It was clear Noah had locked me out on purpose. If he’d wanted me inside, any of the staff could’ve opened the door by now. Frustrated, I turned to leave, but then the door opened. I looked up, ready to thank whoever it was—only to feel the words catch in my throat. The bag in my hand slipped to the ground, sheet music spilling out. Panicking, I knelt down to gather it, my hands trembling uncontrollably. “Noah?” I froze. The voice was soft, familiar, and terrifying. When I looked up, I saw Evelyn standing there. She was dressed in a sleek, wine-colored cheongsam, her long hair cascading in elegant waves. She looked stunning—every bit the perfect picture of beauty and grace. But I knew better. Beneath that polished exterior was a monster who thrived on control and chaos. Before I could react, Noah appeared at the door, his face lighting up. “You’re a guest. You should just relax inside,” he said smoothly. “The staff can handle the door.” Evelyn smiled at him, her gaze playful. “I heard the doorbell ringing so insistently. I thought I’d help. It’s no trouble.” Her attention shifted back to me for a moment. I kept my head down, clutching my bag tightly to stop myself from bolting. She tilted her head, studying me. “Is he your brother? You two look so alike.” Noah laughed nervously, quickly taking her hand. “He’s my twin.” Her lips curved into a coy smile. “Your twin? He seems… afraid of me.” “He’s always been shy,” Noah said quickly, steering her back toward the house. Evelyn didn’t move right away. Her gaze lingered on me, her expression thoughtful. “What’s his name?” “Liam,” Noah replied casually. “Liam…” she repeated slowly, as if tasting the name. “It’s a nice one. Suits him.” Noah gave her an awkward laugh before wrapping an arm around her waist and leading her inside. But not before shooting me a warning glance over his shoulder. Later that evening, I avoided going to dinner. But Evelyn insisted Noah bring me down to eat with them. Reluctantly, I sat at the table, keeping my head down. Evelyn pushed a plate of spicy fish toward me, the red chili peppers covering the dish like a warning. “Noah told me you didn’t want to eat,” she said sweetly. “I thought maybe you’d lost your appetite. Spicy food is supposed to help with that—try some.” I stared at the dish, my stomach turning. I knew immediately what she was doing. Evelyn was testing me. Because she knew I couldn’t eat spicy food.

When I was kidnapped, the abuse I suffered left my stomach permanently damaged. Eating anything spicy caused excruciating pain. Evelyn loved using this against me, forcing me to eat raw chili peppers whenever she was in a bad mood. Noah, conveniently, avoided spicy food too—but he claimed it was because it was bad for his skin. Now, staring at the fiery red dish in front of me, I knew I only had two options: eat it and suffer in silence, or refuse and risk exposing myself. Without a word, I picked up my chopsticks and started eating. Each bite felt like swallowing fire, but I forced myself to stay calm. I didn’t speak, didn’t react, barely even breathed. Evelyn watched me closely, her eyes narrowing slightly as if disappointed. When dinner was over, I excused myself and went back to my room. As soon as the door closed, I collapsed onto the floor, clutching my stomach as waves of pain tore through me. Downstairs, Evelyn leaned back in her chair, her gaze lingering on the empty plate of fish. “Noah,” she said casually, “your brother seems to really like spicy food.” Noah barely looked up. “I guess so.” Evelyn’s eyes darkened, a small smile playing on her lips. “Noah, I think I’ll stay the night. Your guest room will do, won’t it?” Noah lit up, practically tripping over himself to agree. “Of course! You can stay wherever you’d like.” Upstairs, the pain finally became unbearable. I curled into a ball on the floor, biting down on a towel to muffle my cries. The memories came rushing back—Evelyn’s punishments, her cold voice, the sound of my own screams. Even after all this time, she still had the power to destroy me. When I finally passed out from the pain, the last thing I heard was the echo of her voice in my mind, whispering: “You’ll always belong to me.” I woke up with a start, drenched in sweat. My heart raced as I frantically looked around. But I wasn’t in the Sinclair mansion. I was in the White family home. For now, I was safe.

The sour stench of sweat clung to me, sharp and unbearable. I glanced down at my clothes—they were soaked through, wrinkled, and clinging to my skin. “BANG!” The door to my room flew open with a loud kick. Noah leaned casually against the doorframe, dressed in one of his vintage-style outfits. His dark eyes swept over me with disdain. “Liam,” he sneered, “Evelyn’s going to be mine sooner or later. You better not get any stupid ideas.” He paused, smirking as he gestured to his clothes. “See this? She made this for me. Stitched it herself.” “Oh, and in case you were wondering, she’s taking me to her family’s ranch today to ride horses.” I stayed silent, watching him for a moment before letting out a small laugh. The more Evelyn doted on Noah, the safer I was. I wasn’t some noble saint, but I wasn’t the one pushing Noah toward destruction either. He was doing that all on his own. “Pick a red horse for her,” I said lightly. Noah frowned, confused. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “She likes red.” His lips twitched, as if he was about to argue, but then he hesitated. He remembered what I’d told him before, that I’d been sold to the Sinclair family, and how Evelyn had inexplicably fallen for him, claiming he was just suffering from memory loss. The doubt in his eyes softened into belief. “What else do you know about Evelyn? Tell me!” “Why should I?” I replied coldly. He narrowed his eyes. “I heard your grandmother needs surgery. Help me win Evelyn over, and I’ll cover all her medical expenses.” I raised an eyebrow. “Words mean nothing.” Grinding his teeth, he pulled a card from his pocket and threw it at me. “There’s over fifty grand on that card. I’ll give you half now.” “Deal.” I picked up the card and said softly, “Don’t eat anything spicy around Evelyn. Not even a little. She doesn’t like it.” “That’s it?” he asked, suspicious. “For now. When you get back, I’ll tell you more.” His gaze darkened, and he leaned in to whisper a threat. “If you’re lying to me, Liam, you and your granny can meet in hell.” Before leaving, Noah hired a few guys to keep an eye on me. He wanted to make sure I didn’t try to sneak off and see Evelyn. As if I’d ever go looking for her. I’d been running from her for years. After taking a shower, I sat on my bed, thinking about the ranch. Back when Evelyn was blind, she relied on Braille to navigate the world. But she was brilliant—a genius, really. She didn’t just adapt; she thrived. She was reckless too. Even without her sight, she insisted on horseback riding, a dangerous hobby for anyone, let alone someone blind. I was tasked with ensuring her safety on those rides. If she got hurt, I’d be punished. Red was her favorite color. “It’s the color of blood,” she used to say. I still remember the day I asked her, “Your hair is naturally black. Why don’t you like black too?” She smiled at me, a playful glint in her blind eyes, then drove a knife into my arm. “Because red is the only color I’m sure of—the one you and I both share.”

The next morning, Noah burst into my room, grinning from ear to ear. “I picked a red horse for her, like you said. She loved it,” he bragged. “She was so happy, Liam. We were this close to spending the night together, but she said she wanted to wait until marriage.” My stomach sank. Trying to sound casual, I asked, “Did she ask you anything… unusual?” “Yeah, she asked why I picked the red horse for her.” “And what did you say?” “I told her it was just instinct, like I knew she’d love it.” I exhaled, relieved. But then I couldn’t help asking, “Did she… punish you for anything? Like, I don’t know, carve her name into your skin?” Evelyn’s possessiveness was legendary. If someone so much as looked at me too long, she’d take out their eyes. Once, she told me she wanted to carve her name into my skin, to mark me as hers. She said she’d do it herself when the time was right. Thankfully, I escaped before she got the chance. Noah laughed, oblivious to my fear. “Nah, she’s sweet as can be. Says she’ll do anything for me, as long as I don’t leave her.” I stared at him, disbelief coursing through me. Was this the same Evelyn? The cruel, sadistic woman who controlled every aspect of my life? “She did give me a gift, though,” Noah added, pulling a box from his pocket. “Actually, two gifts.” My heart stopped. “She picked out these jade pendants,” he said, handing me one. “Said it was for you, since you’re my brother.” I stared at the pendant, my pulse racing. “She specifically chose this?” “Yeah. Who knew she liked antiques so much?” Idiot. Evelyn didn’t care about antiques. She cared about chaos, adrenaline, and the thrill of walking the edge. She was a psychopath, through and through. Clutching the pendant, I cursed under my breath. Evelyn was testing me again. Before I could say anything, there was a commotion outside. A moment later, the butler burst into my room, looking panicked. “Evelyn’s here,” he announced. Downstairs, Evelyn lounged on the sofa, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. She was as stunning as ever, her lazy smile both alluring and menacing. Her dark eyes locked onto me as soon as I entered the room. “So,” she said, her voice soft and mocking, “your name is Liam. Why haven’t you said a word to me?” “Evelyn,” Noah interrupted, trying to smooth things over. “He’s just shy. You know, social anxiety and all.” “Really?” She tilted her head, feigning innocence. “We’ve seen each other so many times, and he still won’t say hello?” “Good evening, Ms. Sinclair,” I said quickly, cutting Noah off. Her smile faltered, and for a brief moment, disappointment flashed in her eyes. I’d prepared for this. I’d taken an ice-cold bath to make my voice hoarse, masking it so it wouldn’t match the one she remembered from when she was blind. Evelyn studied me for a moment longer, then turned back to Noah, her expression thoughtful. Taking advantage of the moment, I mumbled an excuse and slipped into the kitchen. I needed to keep my cover. I opened the freezer and grabbed two ice creams, hoping the cold would further distort my voice. But when I closed the freezer door, I froze. Evelyn was standing right behind me, silent as a shadow, her dark eyes fixed on mine.

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I was about to get engaged, and my boyfriend suggested we visit a nearby nail salon. However, when it was time to pay, I was told the bill was thirty thousand dollars. I asked the staff if there was a mistake since I hadn’t agreed to sign up for any membership. “That’s the price. You’re so rich; what’s the big deal about paying it?” she replied smugly. Holding back my anger, I demanded to speak with the manager. But before I could finish, my boyfriend cut in, looking annoyed. “You make millions of dollars a year. Why are you giving this poor girl a hard time? Stop embarrassing yourself.” I could not believe what I heard. I went home, packed all his belongings, and threw them out the door. “My money didn’t fall out of the sky! Goodbye. You jerk! Go with your nail salon girl!” With our engagement photos scheduled for next week, I decided to get my nails done. While browsing online for recommendations, my boyfriend, Orson Hawke, leaned over and suggested a new nail salon in our neighborhood. “The place looks nice. Why don’t I go with you to check it out?” It was rare for him to offer, so I happily agreed. When we arrived at the salon, I noticed a sign on the door: [Grand Opening! Membership Discounts Available!] A young woman who looked like she hadn’t even finished high school greeted me enthusiastically. “Hey, gorgeous! What kind of nails are we doing today?” I glanced at her name tag: Vivienne Grey. Turning around, I saw that Orson hadn’t come inside; he was standing outside, busy on a phone call. I sat down and told her, “Just a simple color manicure.” She gave me a quick once-over, then peered out the door at Orson. “Are you getting married soon? Why not get a fancy manicure?” “Just burgundy,” I replied. She didn’t press further and started working on my nails, trimming and shaping them. But after she had only trimmed two nails, I winced in pain. I suspected that Vivienne might be a trainee; her technique was rough and unrefined. “Could you be a little gentler? That hurt,” I said. “Your natural nails are so ugly I have to fix them properly. Otherwise, they’ll ruin the polish,” she replied loudly, making the other employees glance over. “What do you mean by that?” I asked, feeling a bit offended. I quickly requested a different technician. But as I tried to withdraw my hand, Vivienne held it tightly, smiling as she looked up at me. “I’m the only one here. No one else is available. “By the way, we’re running a promotion: top up one thousand dollars and get five hundred dollars free. Interested in a membership?” I rolled my eyes and ignored her, instead texting my best friend, Eliana Baker: [This salon is a total scam.] After an hour, I stood up to pay. “That’ll be thirty thousand dollars. You can pay by card,” the cashier said casually. I froze. I thought, “Thirty thousand dollars for a solid-color manicure? Surely, it’s a mistake. Maybe Vivienne thought I wanted to buy a membership.” I turned to Vivienne for clarification. She rolled her eyes at me and walked straight to the register, dismissing the cashier. Crossing her arms, she looked at me smugly. “That’s right, thirty thousand dollars.” I stared at her in shock, thinking to myself, “Am I being scammed right now?”

I took a deep breath to compose myself. “I only got a basic solid-color manicure. How is that thirty thousand dollars? Please call your boss, and I’d like to speak with them.” I didn’t want to waste any more time arguing with this girl who looked barely out of her teens. I thought I had spoken politely enough, but Vivienne sneered. “If you have a problem, talk to me. My boss doesn’t have time for this.” Everyone else in the salon kept busy, showing no interest in getting involved. Before I could respond, Vivienne suddenly raised her voice. “Sure, it’s not the most expensive service, but that doesn’t mean you can just skip out on the bill! You look so respectable. How can you try to stiff us like this?” Her voice was so loud it drew the attention of the other customers. Even Orson, who was sitting at the door playing on his phone, walked over to check what was going on. I explained the situation to Orson and said to Vivienne, “I need to speak to her boss. This place is scamming me.” I glanced around the salon, but the other employees continued to mind their own business as if nothing was happening. Vivienne came out from behind the register and sidled up to Orson. “Handsome, how can you let your girlfriend act like this? Can’t you calm her down? She’s almost 30, throwing a tantrum over a manicure bill.” She leaned closer to Orson as she spoke, her behavior reminiscent of a cat in heat. The sight made me sick. “Your prices are shady, and you won’t let me speak to your boss?” Then I turned to Orson. “And do you think he’s on your side just because you’re being inappropriate? He’s my boyfriend.” I was sure Orson would take my side, but to my shock, he placed a hand on my shoulder to stop me. “Enough,” he said, his eyes showing a hint of disdain. “Just pay the bill, and let’s leave. There’s no need to make a scene.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I thought, “I’m the one being ripped off here. Why should I pay? As a consumer, is it shameful to stand up for my rights in a situation like this?” “No way! I refuse to accept this price. I need to talk to their boss to find out how this charge was determined,” I said firmly. Seeing that I wasn’t backing down, Vivienne’s eyes reddened, and tears began streaming down her face. She wiped them away stubbornly and looked at Orson. “Why do you have to make things so hard for me? I’m just a staff…” The more she spoke, the more tears she shed; it seemed like she was performing in some tragic drama. I turned to Orson, hoping he’d finally see reason. “Do you really think this price is fair? Do you also think this is my fault?”

Vivienne stood there with an innocent, pitiful look, as if she had suffered some great injustice. I was speechless. “All I asked was to speak to your boss. When did I ever make things difficult for you?” She had the face of someone clever, but she couldn’t seem to understand plain words. Orson, on the other hand, looked genuinely distressed by Vivienne’s apparent misery. His eyebrows furrowed in concern as he pulled out his card. “Stop making this hard for her. Fine, I’ll pay. Happy now?” I tried to snatch his card but he dodged me. “Making things hard for her? What do you mean by that, Orson? This is thirty thousand dollars, not three thousand! No one is paying anything!” I snapped. “I want a reasonable explanation for this price today. If she can extort me like this, how many other people will she scam in the future?” Besides, if I really paid the money, I’d basically be admitting that I was trying to cheat her out of it in the first place. Orson was never like this. I felt there was something off about him today. “Adalyn, what’s gotten into you today?” he asked, his tone annoyed. I glared at him, stunned that my boyfriend was siding with someone else. “Don’t be mad, handsome. I’ll just take the blame for today’s incident,” Vivienne said tearfully. “I’ll pay for this myself, okay? Sure, I’m just a poor working girl, so I deserve to be cheated out of my time, right?” Vivienne practically shouted that last part at me. Her loud voice attracted more onlookers, who began to surround us and chatter among themselves. “She’s dressed so well. Does she really look like someone who can’t afford it?” “Some people these days, I tell you…” “Just pay already. Look how upset you’ve made that poor girl.” “That girl worked on her nails for over an hour. How can she say something so heartless?” Soon, even two middle-aged women were scolding me, saying I had no manners and no decency. I couldn’t believe it. I thought, “Is money so easy to earn these days? Thirty thousand dollars for a manicure, and no one even bats an eye?” When I noticed someone at the door filming with their phone, I realized that if I didn’t resolve this properly, it might blow up online. I took a deep breath and addressed Vivienne, who was still crying. “I’m not trying to make things difficult for you, nor am I refusing to pay. I just want to understand the pricing for this manicure. “As a consumer, it’s not wrong to protect my rights, is it? “You keep accusing me of trying to skip out on the bill. Frankly, I think you’re the one acting in bad faith.” At some point, Vivienne had moved to stand next to Orson. Still crying, she said in a trembling voice, “Handsome, do you think I did anything wrong? “I worked so hard for over an hour, and now I’m being bullied… Just because she’s a white-collar worker, she thinks she’s above people like me?” I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly saw the back of my skull. As more and more people gathered around, Orson’s face showed increasing impatience. He shoved me aside and said, “Enough already. Why are you causing such a scene? “You make millions of dollars a year, and you’re yelling over such a small amount? Aren’t you embarrassed?” The onlookers, emboldened by Orson’s attitude, began to attack me verbally even more. I was furious. “Exactly. Why make life hard for a young girl? If you’re broke, why even bother getting your nails done?” “I don’t understand young people these days, and they just love taking advantage of others.” I thought, “It’s bad enough that strangers aren’t on my side. But why is Orson siding with her, too?” Seeing Vivienne’s tear-streaked face, her smugness barely hidden beneath it, I wanted to slap her. But logic held me back. “My money doesn’t fall from the sky! Is it so wrong for me to ask for the breakdown of this bill? You just open your mouth and tell me to pay, but whose boyfriend are you supposed to be, exactly?” Orson reached out, trying to drag me out of the store, but I shook off his hand. Just then, one of the women in the crowd muttered under her breath, “Make millions of dollars a year, but she wants to skip out on an 89.9-dollar manicure? She shouldn’t bother next time.” Her words made me freeze. I turned and asked, “Did you say a solid-color manicure costs 89.9 dollars?” Vivienne, now visibly panicked, raised her voice. “I don’t want to argue with you anymore! Forget the money; just leave, okay? I’ll take the loss for today. Is that enough?” Her words made her intentions crystal clear. Vivienne’s expression turned sour as she stepped forward, seemingly trying to grab me. I shook her off immediately. When I refused to leave, she turned to Orson, her face pitiful once more. “Fine, handsome. I won’t take the money. Just get her out of here so I can go back to work, okay?” “Let’s go,” Orson urged me. “She’s not taking the money. Let’s not drag this out anymore.” But what Orson said wasn’t right. If I left now, it would look like I was guilty of what they were accusing me of. If the person who was recording at the door had posted that video, I would have been doxxed and harassed online.

The more I thought about how quickly Vivienne’s attitude had changed, the more suspicious I became. “That woman just now said a solid-color manicure is 89.9 dollars. So why were you charging me thirty thousand dollars?” I held up my hands for everyone to see. “This is the most basic design, no embellishments, nothing extra. And I didn’t sign up for a membership. “So what’s the extra charge for? “If your shop sets that price for everyone, fine. But why is it 89.90 dollars for others and thirty thousand dollars for me?” Everyone stared at my nails in silence, saying nothing. I continued, “Are your hands so special, or did you think I’d be an easy mark? If you can’t explain this, I’ll report your shop immediately!” Orson tried again to pull me away, but I blocked him and warned in a low voice, “Don’t touch me.” Vivienne’s expression shifted; gone was her pitiful demeanor. “You’re lying!” she shouted. “I never said thirty thousand dollars! “You’re just making excuses because you don’t want to pay. And you kept insisting on speaking to my manager.” I almost laughed out loud. “Wow, this girl is good at twisting things,” I thought. I turned to Orson and asked, “You heard her earlier? How much did she say it was?” I knew he thought I was being embarrassing right now, but he had also heard Vivienne’s claim earlier. To my shock, he said, “I don’t know.” The crowd erupted in murmurs again. “What’s going on here?” “Is this girl trying to scam someone?” I remembered the cashier from earlier but couldn’t see him anywhere. Pulling out my phone, I prepared to call the police. “Do you really have to make such a big deal out of this?” Orson stepped in again. “She’s just a young girl working hard to make a living.” I sneered at him, “If she really understood how hard life is, she wouldn’t be pulling a stunt like this! Yes, I’m going to make a big deal out of it. “Let everyone see how this shop cheats its customers! I thought, “If we can’t resolve this here, I’ll take it to law enforcement!”

After I made the call, Orson completely lost it. He snatched my phone and threw it to the ground. “Adalyn Creed! What the hell are you doing? Are you out of your mind!?” I froze, stunned by his outburst. I knew Orson cared a lot about appearances, but his behavior today was unusually erratic. Calmly, I started piecing things together. He was the one who brought me to this salon, and his words had consistently supported Vivienne. And now, he was panicking because I had called the police. “Is Orson hiding something from me?” I wondered. I turned to him and asked directly, “Are you two working together to scam me?” The room went silent. “Vivienne, you’d better come clean before the police get here,” someone chimed in. “Are you two really in on this together?” “Girl, I’m with you. Let’s wait for the cops!” Vivienne, overwhelmed by the speculation, finally snapped and started screaming. “Fine! Talk about me if you want, but why drag him into it? Okay, maybe I made a mistake with the bill. Happy now? “I don’t even want the money anymore! It’s all my fault. Is that enough for you?” Crying, she tore off her work jacket and ran out the door. “Vivi!” Orson glared at me, grabbed her jacket from the floor, and ran after her. I stood there awkwardly, watching my boyfriend chase after another woman. “Wait, was that girl your boyfriend’s or yours?” someone asked. “What kind of shop is this? It’s terrifying.” “People always say big shops scam customers, but even new ones are pulling this crap?” Amid the chatter, the cashier from earlier reappeared. Everyone turned to him with questions. “Vivienne said the customer wanted to sign up for a membership,” he explained. I thought, “Oh, so that’s it! Vivienne was trying to pocket the difference.” Looking at the two of them, now long gone, I realized something wasn’t adding up. Just then, the police arrived. I stepped outside to look for Orson, only to find him with Vivienne under a tree near the shop, cozying up. Orson was holding her in his arms, gently kissing her hair and whispering something I couldn’t hear. I pulled out my phone and recorded a short video. Then I went back into the shop, grabbed my water bottle, and returned outside. Walking straight up to them, I poured the water over their faces. “Are you insane? What’s your problem!?” Orson shouted. Looking at the disheveled Vivienne, I smirked, “Had enough sneaking around? Good. The police are here.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295397”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #励志Inspiring #浪漫Romance #校园School #魔幻Magic #重生Reborn

In the Neurology Department, a patient caused a ruckus, a pen’s tip dangerously close to jabbing my eye. While I was still reeling in shock, my fiancé Everett was busy shielding Dean’s daughter, Addie, in his arms. Afterward, he meticulously checked Addie’s condition, completely oblivious to my trembling hands behind him. I stared at the dazzling diamond necklace around her neck, which pained my eyes. It was the very necklace I’d seen in Everett’s jacket pocket. I thought it was a belated birthday gift meant for me. [Cora, you’re so pitiful. Everett doesn’t love you anymore, yet you still cling to him. Look, did he even glance at you?] Oh? Is that so. [Among his mistresses, you’re the chattiest.] After replying to the text message, I immediately bought a flight back to A City scheduled for three days later. In my left hand, I still held the phone connected to my dad’s call: “You’ve been away for three years for Everett, and Grandpa’s health has worsened. Come back and get the wedding done.” In my right hand was the pregnancy test result I had planned to show Everett half an hour ago. Suppressing my sobs, I said, “Dad, wait for me. I’ll be back in three days.” The next moment, I tore up the pregnancy test report and tossed it in the trash. It’s been three years, and my wedding with Everett has been postponed again and again, six times just for the ceremony. He’s either too busy, needs a promotion, or there’s a sudden increase in workload… I’m done waiting. Today after work, I didn’t wait for Everett to leave together, which was unusual. As soon as I started the car, the door opened, and Everett got into the back seat, looking displeased. “Not waiting for me? Do you have an attitude now?” I stayed silent, focusing on driving, and he added, “You should apologize to Addie; she cried this afternoon, saying you called her a homewrecker. Cora, I didn’t expect you to be this kind of person; Addie’s such a pure and kind girl.” Sure, she’s pure and kind. Everyone in the department talks about how Dean’s daughter Addie is lovesick, frequently visiting Everett’s office. I was genuinely amused. “Everett, do you remember what I said when we started dating?” “Are you serious? You’ve said so much; how could I remember every word?” He was a bit impatient. “I once said my future husband could be lazy, could be greedy, but must not be a womanizer. Do you remember that?” “Men in today’s society are so stressed because you feminists have distorted the atmosphere.” He rubbed his temples, pretending to lose interest in the topic. Both of us returned home with tense expressions, and Everett went to shower first. He took a long time in the shower, seemingly on a lengthy phone call. I didn’t bother with him. When he came out, I quickly closed my laptop. “You didn’t cook?” He seemed slightly stiff, seeing the dark kitchen and the empty dining table. His stomach isn’t great, and with the busy, irregular schedule of a doctor, I’ve been cooking for him for three years. “Order takeout yourself; I’m pretty busy these days too.” I was telling the truth. “You’re just a nurse. I don’t know what you busy yourself with all day.” He looked displeased, fiddling with his phone. Passing by him, I glimpsed that he wasn’t ordering takeout but messaging Addie: [Still hungry. I’ll eat you tonight.] I quietly picked up the cat bowl, planning to feed Purr. Purr is a gentle blue cat Everett gave me when I followed him to Seaside City three years ago to comfort me when I missed home. But after pouring the cat food, Purr was nowhere to be seen. I panicked a bit, calling out, and Everett impatiently looked up: “Stop calling. I sent Purr to Addie’s place; she’ll bring him back in a few days.” I threw down the cat bowl: “That’s my cat! How could you just give him away?” Everett looked displeased: “Addie has depression; I’m her attending doctor. For the patient’s sake, you shouldn’t be so petty!” He slammed the door and left. As I calmed down, a chill ran down my spine. Everett wouldn’t take Purr out to play. Addie must have been to my house; otherwise, how would she like and take Purr? I went mad searching the house. Finally, in the crack of the guest room headboard, I found a black lace bra and a torn condom wrapper. What a coincidence. Half a month ago, to monitor Purr’s activity at home, I bought a camera. I only tested it but wasn’t good at setting it up, so I left it alone. I opened the app to check. The footage was unclear, but the audio was crystal clear. A week ago, when I was on the night shift, Addie asked, “Who excites you more, me or that woman?” Everett, panting, replied: “She’s so boring; she can’t compare to your wild charms.”

To avoid Everett, I switched hospitals for the miscarriage procedure. The tiny child, so pitiful, left only a photo. I rested for only half a day before going to retrieve Purr. With Addie’s bra in hand, I was about to knock when I heard Addie’s playful laughter from inside: “Do you like eating me or the food I make?” “Of course, it’s you,” came Everett’s voice. No wonder Everett’s been coming home less and less lately. With the busy and irregular life of a doctor, Everett often stayed overnight at the office. I never doubted it. Turns out he was keeping a mistress here. I opened TikTok on my phone, logged into an alternate account, and sure enough, found an account named “Addie.” In it, the two of them and the cat were cuddled together, smiling sweetly. Caption: “Let’s be happy together forever.” How ridiculous. They’re happy together; what am I? Maybe Purr smelled my scent because the chubby cat suddenly jumped into my arms from somewhere. I hugged it and kissed it hard. The door opened behind me, and Everett’s face briefly showed a mix of embarrassment and shock, quickly returning to a cold demeanor: “What are you doing here?” “Everett, shouldn’t I be asking why you’re here?” “I’m seeing a patient. Is there a problem?” “Then continue.” I turned to leave with the cat in my arms. “Everett, you promised to let the cat stay with me for three days. How could you break your promise?” Addie’s coquettish voice came from behind. A large hand suddenly reached out, snatching Purr from my arms. My body was still weak, and I almost stumbled. The cat returned to Addie’s arms. She stood behind Everett, provocatively raising her eyebrows at me, then went inside. Perhaps realizing he had gone too far, Everett pulled me to a corner and wrapped his arms around my waist: “Cora, I’m sorry. Pets are an important part of treating patients. Addie’s condition is unstable. I promise, in three days, I’ll bring Purr home.” I knocked away his arms: “Treat however you want! Why tell me all this?” With that, I threw the lace bra in Everett’s face. Everett’s face turned pale, then he looked up at me: “Cora, you’ve misunderstood. I don’t know whose that is.”

Once-loving people somehow rot in secret, leaving me at a loss for words. Maybe it was the miscarriage, maybe it was the blood loss, but I felt dizzy. Suddenly, a scream came from Addie’s room. Along with Purr’s cries. Everett dashed inside, then minutes later, carried Addie to the elevator entrance. Addie’s head rested on Everett’s chest, sobbing: “That little beast bit me, Everett. Is my hand ruined?” Her left hand dangled down, indeed with two cat bite marks, bleeding a little. “I’m taking Addie to get vaccinated. Go home.” Everett frowned, rushing into the elevator. I turned to look at Purr, wobbling as it walked, likely kicked a few times, vomiting after only a few steps. [Your cat is as annoying as you. So hateful.] A text message from Addie popped up. I couldn’t be bothered to reply, stumbled into a cab home, cleaned up Purr and myself, and only collapsed into bed late at night. In the morning, I was woken by the sound of the range hood in the kitchen. I was surprised to see Everett cooking. He never cooks. In all these years, I’ve made every meal. Could he know about the miscarriage, feeling guilty? I brushed my hair in my room, walked out, but he was gone. Along with the food he prepared. Half an hour later, I checked Addie’s TikTok with my alternate account, and sure enough: “Got bitten by a bad kitty, but Everett made me a heartfelt breakfast. MUA~” I closed the page, just as Human Resources sent me the Resignation Confirmation. I signed it without hesitation. I didn’t go to the hospital all morning, and at noon, Everett seemed uneasy when I didn’t bring him a heartfelt lunch. Around one o’clock, he suddenly came home. Was it possible he found out about my miscarriage and felt a pang of conscience? After tidying my hair in the room, I stepped out of the bedroom to find he was already gone, along with the meal he had just made. Half an hour later, I logged into an alternate TikTok account to check Addie’s TikTok. As expected, there was a post: “Got a bite from a naughty dog, and my sweet breakfast was made by my silly guy. MUA~” I closed the page just as HR sent me the confirmation of my resignation. I signed it without a second thought. I didn’t go to the hospital at all that morning. By noon, Everett seemed unsettled, noticing I hadn’t brought him his usual lunch. Around one o’clock, he unexpectedly came home. I was packing my things. Thankfully, we didn’t have kids, so there wasn’t much to take. “I brought you something to eat,” he said, holding up a takeout bag. Cold cake and iced coffee. I had just undergone a miscarriage procedure—I couldn’t eat that. Addie had texted me: [Cora, what you’re eating is just our leftovers. Enjoy it. Don’t choke.] I looked at my phone, resisting the urge to smash it. From Addie’s alternate TikTok account, I learned Everett had just come from her place. He took her to Nian Nian Restaurant, the one I’d been asking to visit for ages, but he always claimed to be too busy. Everett didn’t notice anything. After a few minutes of me scrolling on my phone, he suddenly got irritated. “Cora, who are you making that face for? Eat it or don’t, whatever!” “I don’t want to eat your and Addie’s leftovers, alright?” I replied bluntly. “Cora, Addie’s hand hasn’t recovered yet. I just took her for a simple meal. Is this necessary? Besides, she’s the Dean’s Daughter. You can’t help with my promotion, so can’t I find another way?” Seeing my pale face, his tone softened slightly: “I know I’ve been busy lately and neglected you. I’m going on a business trip these days. When I come back, I’ll spend quality time with you.” “Oh.” My response was flat. It doesn’t matter anymore, Everett. Delayed affection is worth less than grass. By the time you return from your trip, I’ll be long gone from Seaside City. 4. The flight at 10 PM, I’m the kind of person who never looks back once I let go. However, I had a box in Everett’s office, containing more than ten precious photos from our time together: The day I agreed to be his girlfriend, Our first Chinese New Year in Seaside City, The day he got the Associate Professorship… I wanted to take that box back. I didn’t want to leave anything for him. When I appeared at Everett’s office, he was busy. He looked so handsome while working seriously. Who would know how rotten he was inside? I asked him where the box was. “It’s in the cabinet gathering dust. Addie got curious a few days ago and took it to look.” “Do you even know what it is before letting someone take it?” I was a bit angry. “It’s definitely not those photos you like to take. I hate taking pictures, you know that. I’m busy, don’t cause trouble, okay?” He frowned, practically shooing me away. How ridiculous, Everett. Shouldn’t you check Addie’s TikTok account? You’ve made 298 short videos with her. I turned to find Addie. She claimed she was sick but was actually doing nothing in her exclusive VIP Room all day. When I arrived, she was cutting something on the bed. Next to the bed was a pried-open box. “Oh, you’re here. Look, do you think Everett and I are a match?” She held up a photo where my face was cut out and replaced with hers. I bit my lip and said hoarsely, “A perfect match indeed.” I should thank her. I would’ve burned those photos if I got them back. “You’re such a bitch, Cora. Get out of here, don’t let me see you again.” I successfully angered Addie, and she slapped me. My face burned with pain, but I didn’t hold back. I slapped her back. “Do you believe I’ll tell your Dean Father about you seducing someone else’s man?” “Oh, am I supposed to be scared of you? Everett and I are competing fairly. Even if you told the King of Heaven, it wouldn’t matter!” Addie swayed in front of me, laughing. She laughed as if she really looked sick. The building alarm blared, and someone yelled, “Earthquake.” People rushed to the escape route. Yet, Addie and I acted as if we didn’t hear it. The table and chairs shook violently in the room. A cup on the table shattered on the ground. “No, Addie, you can have him. I don’t want him.” I was curious and asked, “When did you two get together?” “We got together on Valentine’s Day. You’re the homewrecker between Everett and me. The unloved one is the homewrecker!” Really, February 14th. How laughable. On February 14th this year, Everett even pulled me to book a wedding photoshoot in the morning. How did he end up in bed with someone else so quickly, secretly for almost ten months? While thinking about this, the entire building shook more violently, The door was suddenly pushed open, and Everett rushed in. “There’s an earthquake! What are you doing standing there!” He shouted at Addie, pulling her towards the escape route. It was too crowded, too packed. He protected her, holding her in his arms, pushing through the crowd. I didn’t know if he was blind or if I just wasn’t in his heart anymore, Standing right beside Addie, he didn’t see me. I just stood there, quietly watching their backs disappear down the corridor. 5 I escaped the scene in a sorry state and went back to collect myself. Fastened my collar, put on my coat, and headed to the airport alone. While waiting at the gate, I saw Everett again. He was dragging a suitcase, holding Addie’s hand. They were chatting and laughing. So, the business trip he mentioned was with her. I watched them check their luggage. He carried her handbag, “It’s too heavy, I’ll do it.” He didn’t let Addie lift a finger, personally loading all the luggage onto the conveyor belt. I recalled our last vacation together, which was last year. I had to persuade him to take just a three-day leave. With his long legs, I had to jog behind him with my suitcase to catch the plane. I wanted him to help carry my bag. “My hands are for surgery. Carrying too much can sprain my wrist.” He frowned and refused. Back then, I thought, yeah, I really am inconsiderate. Haha, I’m truly slow to catch on. We dated for three years in college, worked together for three years after graduation, He promised he’d love me forever. … “Addie, I think I saw Cora.” At the boarding gate, Everett seemed suspicious, turning to look around. But there was no sign of me, only the announcement echoing in the bright hall. “You’re imagining things, Everett. I don’t care. Before New Year’s Day, you must end things with that Cora. I want you all to myself. Your mind can only have me!” … Two planes took off in succession but flew in different directions.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295413”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #励志Inspiring #浪漫Romance #校园School #魔幻Magic #重生Reborn #惊悚Thriller