Category: English

### The day after I said yes to Isaac’s proposal, I accidentally logged into his messaging app on my laptop. A new message popped up: “Thank you for the ring, babe. In my heart, I’m already married to you.” Attached was a picture of the ring—a perfect match for the one Isaac had used to propose to me. Except hers was real. Mine was a cheap knockoff. In that moment, I finally understood the distant, unfocused look in his eyes when he proposed. It wasn’t me he was looking at—it was her. Without hesitation, I took off the ring and tossed it into the trash. I’ve never cared for fake jewelry. Or fake love. Almost the moment I saw the message, a notification popped up on the screen: “You’ve been logged out.” Then my phone started ringing—it was Isaac. “Mia, why were you logged into my account?” he demanded, his voice sharp and accusatory. “Were you trying to spy on me?” I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. It was always the same. He was the one who couldn’t stay loyal, but somehow, he always managed to twist things around and make it seem like I was the one in the wrong. But today… I didn’t have the strength to argue. I hung up. I was exhausted. Completely, utterly exhausted. The phone immediately rang again. “Mia, what the hell? Did you just hang up on me?” Isaac’s voice was furious. I swallowed the lump in my throat and said hoarsely, “Isaac, let’s just end this.” There was silence on the other end. Then, all at once, his voice exploded with rage. “End this? Mia, who do you think you are to end things with me?” “You still think you’re the same rich little daddy’s girl from back then? That you can just throw me away like garbage whenever you feel like it?” “Don’t forget—your mom is still in the hospital, and she’s relying on me to pay her medical bills!” He wasn’t wrong. Years ago, he’d used my mother’s surgery as leverage to force me into staying with him. But what Isaac didn’t know was that earlier today, my mother had passed away. “It’s just a ring,” he sneered before I could respond. “You’re really breaking up with me over a stupid ring?” His laugh was cold and filled with disdain, cutting straight through me. “Let me make something clear, Mia. You don’t deserve anything better than a fake ring. Women like you—” His voice was like a swarm of buzzing mosquitoes, loud and unbearable, making my head spin. Without thinking, I hit the end call button. Then, I blocked him on everything. For the first time in what felt like forever, the world around me fell silent. I sat there in front of my laptop, staring blankly at the screen. Minutes passed, maybe longer. When I finally snapped out of it, I realized my face was wet with tears. In a single day, I had lost my mother, and the man I was supposed to marry had humiliated me beyond belief. And yet, in this moment of overwhelming grief and betrayal, I felt strangely calm. It’s funny how the human mind reacts when pushed to its absolute limit. I don’t remember how I packed my things. I just remember looking around this cold, empty apartment and realizing that everything I truly owned fit into two suitcases. Dragging them behind me, I wandered aimlessly through the streets. With my mom gone, I felt like a tether inside me had snapped. When she was alive, she had once threatened to take her own life unless I broke up with Isaac, who was then a struggling entrepreneur, and left the country to study abroad. Later, when my father went bankrupt and took his own life, and my mother’s health began to fail, Isaac used her medical bills as a chain to keep me trapped by his side. For years, I’d been like a kite, bound by a string someone else was holding. Now, the string was gone. “Beep! Beep!” A blaring car horn jolted me from my thoughts. I looked up and realized, far too late, that I was standing in the middle of the street. The headlights grew brighter, and the screech of tires tearing against asphalt filled the air. I didn’t have time to move. The impact sent me sprawling onto the pavement. I opened my eyes to see a man stepping out of the driver’s seat. He looked panicked as he rushed toward me.

The man’s face initially carried a hint of impatience, but the moment he saw me, a flicker of surprise crossed his expression. “I’m so sorry, it’s my fault—I’m fine, really,” I said, forcing a weak smile, trying to ignore the searing pain in my leg. After all, I was the one who broke the rules and wandered into the street. I just hoped I hadn’t caused him much trouble. I tried to stand, but the sharp pain in my leg sent me stumbling back down. “Don’t push yourself,” the man said, catching me quickly before I fell again. Without another word, he pulled out his phone and called for an ambulance. It arrived quickly. Maybe it was the exhaustion from days spent sleepless by my mother’s bedside, but as soon as I was inside the ambulance, I blacked out. When I woke up, it was already the next afternoon. The sound of my phone ringing jolted me awake. It was an unfamiliar number. The moment I answered, an all-too-familiar voice barked through the line: “Mia, so now you’ve got the nerve to block me?” Isaac’s voice was full of venom. “You faked a car accident just to get my attention? How desperate can you be?” His words hit me like a slap in the face. “If only the car had actually finished you off,” he added coldly. Suddenly, I remembered the EMT asking for an emergency contact while I was barely conscious in the ambulance. I must have given them Isaac’s number. “I really was in an accident. I’m in the hospital right now—” I started, trying to explain. But he cut me off, his tone dripping with disdain. “Enough! You’re such a liar. Do you think I’m stupid?” “Lola asked her friend at the hospital. She said no car accident victims were admitted last night. So what was your plan? That I’d drop everything and come running to you out of guilt? Keep dreaming!” I glanced down at my leg, still wrapped in bandages, the pain radiating like fire. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them back. Why wouldn’t he believe me? I knew why. Isaac had never forgiven me for leaving him when he was at his lowest point. But he didn’t know the full story. He didn’t know how my mother had taken my phone, broken it in front of me, and forced me to end things with him. She had locked me inside the house until I left for school overseas, ensuring I couldn’t reach him. It had taken everything I had to slip a letter to him before I left. I poured my heart into it, explaining everything, telling him how much I loved him, begging him to wait for me. I even left him all the money I had at the time, hoping it would help him get back on his feet. But when we finally met again years later, he’d looked me dead in the eye and said, “Mia, you dumped me when I had nothing. It was Lola who sold her house and loaned me the money to rebuild my life.” Maybe he was right. Maybe I was a fool to think that letter had meant anything to him. If Lola had done so much for him, then why didn’t he just marry her? What was the point of dragging me back into his life and blaming me for everything? “What’s wrong? Did I hit a nerve?” Isaac sneered, breaking the silence. “You’re just a manipulative, gold-digging woman who’ll stop at nothing to get what you want.” I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. “Isaac, my mom passed away yesterday. You don’t need to worry about paying her medical bills anymore.” “I’ll pay back every cent I owe you. And after that, let’s just… end this, okay? Please.” The line went silent. For a second, I thought he’d hung up. Then his voice returned, colder than ever. “Wow, Mia. You’re so twisted you’d even lie about your own mother’s death? Do you really think I’d fall for that?” I stared at the phone, his words slicing through me like a knife. So this is what he thought of me. When he finally hung up, my hands were trembling so badly I could barely hold the phone. I thought my heart had already been shattered beyond repair, but somehow, the pain still felt fresh, sharp, suffocating. How do you let go of someone you’ve loved for so long? The same person who had broken you again and again? It was a while before I calmed down. When I finally glanced toward the bedside table, I noticed a small yellow sticky note sitting there. “Had to step out for a bit, but I’ll come check on you tonight.” It was signed, “Logan.” It must’ve been from the man who hit me—the unlucky driver who’d ended up stuck with me.

I didn’t wait until evening. There was still so much to do to settle my mom’s affairs. Ignoring the doctor’s disapproving glare, I signed myself out of the hospital against medical advice. It took me a full week to handle everything. When it was all done, I stood in front of that small, lonely grave, and something inside me broke. For the first time, it truly sank in—this woman, who had spent her life controlling mine under the guise of love, was gone forever. I collapsed against the cold headstone, sobbing uncontrollably. It was only after some time had passed that I realized something was missing. The necklace. The only thing my mom had left me. I must’ve left it at Isaac’s place. If it weren’t for that necklace, I wouldn’t have set foot in that suffocating house again. All I could do was pray that Isaac wasn’t home, so I could grab it and leave without any drama. But life isn’t that kind. Isaac wasn’t there, but Lola was. “Mia? What are you doing back here?” Lola asked, leaning against the doorframe in her silk pajamas, arms crossed like she owned the place. “I came to grab something. I’ll leave as soon as I have it,” I said, not wanting to waste a single second more on her. Whatever happened between her and Isaac was no longer my concern. But she wasn’t about to let me off so easily. “Let me guess,” she said with a smug grin. “You’re just using that as an excuse to worm your way back into Isaac’s life, aren’t you?” She covered her mouth, pretending to stifle a laugh. “Did you know that the moment you moved out, he couldn’t wait to have me move in? If it weren’t for you, I’d have been Mrs. Carter a long time ago.” As she spoke, she held up her hand, showing off a ring that sparkled far too brightly. The same ring Isaac had used to propose to me. “Some people,” she sneered, “are only good enough for cheap knockoffs. Pathetic, isn’t it?” I clenched my teeth, my nails digging into my palms. Without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped her across the face. “You are not in any position to mock me!” At this point, I had nothing left to lose. If she wanted a fight, I was ready to give her one. Lola let out a sharp scream, clutching her cheek in disbelief. “You hit me?! Do you have any idea what Isaac will do to you when he finds out?” Then, as if suddenly remembering something hilarious, her expression twisted into something malicious. “Oh wait,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery. “Didn’t you say your mom’s dead now? Good riddance. Too bad you didn’t die with her.” That was it. I snapped. Grabbing her perfectly styled hair, I yanked her forward and slammed her head against the wall. Her shrieks were ear-piercing, but I didn’t care. “What the hell are you doing, Mia?!” Isaac’s voice roared through the room as he stormed in, grabbing my arm and shoving me to the ground. He immediately knelt down to cradle Lola, whispering softly to her as if she were made of glass. His face was full of tenderness, but when he turned to me, his eyes were filled with disgust. “Mia, I’ve been way too patient with you!” he shouted. Lola, ever the actress, sobbed quietly into his chest. “Isaac, it’s my fault. I upset her… I deserved to be hit. Don’t blame her anymore, okay? I’ll just leave so she won’t be mad anymore.” Her performance was Oscar-worthy. Even I wanted to applaud her dedication. Isaac, of course, fell for it. “From now on,” he snarled at me, “you’re not getting another dime from me. Let’s see how you like watching your mom rot in the hospital without my money.” I laughed bitterly, ignoring the sharp pain shooting through my leg. Blood was already seeping through the bandages, staining my jeans. Isaac noticed, pausing for a moment. “What’s wrong with your leg?” he asked, his voice softer for a second. “None of your business,” I spat, swatting away the hand he reached out. Without another word, I limped toward the bedroom, grabbed the necklace, and headed back out. But before I could leave, Isaac snatched it from my hand. “Give it back!” I demanded, trying to grab it, but he held it out of reach. “Everything you have—your clothes, your jewelry, even your mom’s hospital bills—was paid for with my money. If you’re so high and mighty, why don’t you take off everything I’ve ever given you and walk out naked?” “You bastard!” I snapped, biting down on my trembling lip to keep the tears at bay. Isaac just smirked. “Go ahead. Strip. Do it, and I’ll let you leave.” I stared at him, his mocking smile twisting the knife deeper into my chest. Fine. If this was what he wanted, I’d give it to him. I started with my jacket, then my shirt. Soon, I was standing there in just a tank top. As I reached for the hem of it, Isaac suddenly shouted, “Enough!” “Have you lost all self-respect, Mia?” He threw my clothes and the necklace at me, the chain hitting me square in the face. “Fine. Get out. But don’t you ever come crawling back to me, begging for help.” With that, he wrapped his arm around Lola and walked away, not even bothering to look back. I stood there, clutching my clothes and the necklace, watching his retreating figure. What was he so angry about? This was what he wanted, wasn’t it? To see me humiliated. To see me crushed under the weight of everything I’d lost. To see me as nothing more than a broken shell of the person I used to be. He should’ve been happy. Shouldn’t he?

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## The guy next door keeps stealing my food deliveries. The man with gout from across the hall has a nasty habit of swiping my takeout. And yet, he still has the audacity to trash-talk me in the neighborhood group chat: “Only prostitute order takeout!” I just smiled coldly at his nonsense and started doing some research. “Foods that people with gout should never eat.” “Which foods spike uric acid levels the most?” If he wants to steal my food so badly, I might as well help him out. The guy next door keeps stealing my food deliveries. The man with gout from across the hall has a nasty habit of swiping my takeout. And yet, he still has the audacity to trash-talk me in the neighborhood group chat: “Only people who don’t know how to cook order takeout!” I just smiled coldly at his nonsense and started doing some research. “Foods that people with gout should never eat.” “Which foods spike uric acid levels the most?” If he wants to steal my food so badly, I might as well help him out. On my way home from work one night, I decided to order some spicy crawfish. The delivery driver arrived a minute before I did, so I told him to leave it by my door. When I got off the elevator, though, the food was gone. Looking around, I noticed a trail of crawfish sauce dripping on the floor, leading straight to my neighbor’s door: Mrs. Jenkins. Well, specifically, to her grandson Jake Jenkins. He’d just moved in a few weeks ago and was apparently… a “character.” I knocked on the door, and a greasy, sweaty guy with pockmarked skin opened it. “Excuse me,” I said politely, “have you seen my food delivery?” He waved me off, annoyed. “I’ve been home all day. Why would I have seen your food?” If it weren’t for the trail of sauce on the floor—and the telltale grease on his lips—I might’ve believed him. Before I could say anything else, he slammed the door in my face. I sighed and shook my head. Maybe I was just too hungry to think straight. But deep down, I knew I’d been right. This wasn’t the first time. I’d lost count of how many deliveries had gone missing. Burgers, milkshakes, donuts—he didn’t discriminate. As long as it was food, he’d take it. But tonight’s timing was suspicious. The delivery driver had barely left before I came back downstairs. It couldn’t have been anyone else. And now that I thought about it, all of this started happening right after Jake moved in. He’d already made a stellar impression when he first joined the neighborhood group chat: “Nowadays women don’t know how to live within their means. Always ordering takeout instead of cooking like real women. Total waste of money!” At the time, I’d just rolled my eyes and ignored him. I thought he was just another internet troll who happened to live next door. But then he doubled down a week later—and even had the nerve to tag me directly. So, of course, I clapped back: “Look, I know you’re not the brightest bulb in the box, but maybe don’t let your mouth bypass your brain next time? And seriously, if you’re so obsessed with other people’s business, why don’t you go sample the septic truck outside to see if it’s salty enough?” After that, Jake gave me death glares every time he saw me. Hungry and furious, I called my best friend to vent. “You’re such an idiot,” she said, exasperated. “Don’t you have a security camera by your door? Just check the footage!” I smacked my forehead. Of course! I’d installed a camera after the last time my food got stolen, but I’d been too hangry to think straight. I opened the app on my phone and rewound the footage. And there he was: Jake Jenkins, in all his glory. The video showed him sneaking out of his apartment, snatching my food from the floor, and running back inside. Crawfish sauce dripped everywhere as he muttered under his breath: “Crawfish? What a spoiled little brat. Must be nice to have the money to waste on food like this. Stupid gold-digger!” I was so angry I could feel steam coming out of my ears. Mrs. Jenkins seemed like such a sweet old lady. How could her grandson be such a nightmare? When I told my best friend what happened, she just shook her head and laughed. “Haven’t you ever heard the saying, ‘The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’? Check your footage again—I bet you’ll find something even worse.” I didn’t believe her. But oh, how wrong I was. 2 When Jake opened the door, he casually snatched up my delivery like it was his own. Standing beside him, Mrs. Jenkins, the sweet old lady from across the hall, was on the lookout, her eyes darting left and right. She didn’t look like the kind, grandmotherly woman I knew. Her face twisted with disdain as she spat on the ground. “Takeout again? That little tramp sure loves wasting money. Whoever marries her is gonna have their family rolling in their graves!” Then she crouched down and inspected the flowerpot she’d placed near my door. “Jake, does this thing need new batteries? If it dies, we won’t capture anything useful.” I froze as I zoomed in on the screenshot from my security footage. A chill ran down my spine. The flowerpot had a plum blossom design on it, but hidden in the tree’s trunk was an incredibly tiny hole—just big enough for a pinhole camera. That flowerpot had been a “housewarming gift” from Mrs. Jenkins. When I’d told her I wasn’t great with plants, she’d said, “Don’t worry, just leave it by your door—I’ll help water it when I pass by.” Turns out, it wasn’t about watering at all. It was about surveillance. Jake suddenly cursed, snapping me back to the present. “This stupid chick is such a pain in the ass! I’ve already taken the deposit, and the guys in the group are waiting on something good!” He spat the words out, pacing angrily. “Every day, she goes out dressed like a damn nun. Who does she think she’s fooling?” Then he turned and barked at Mrs. Jenkins, clearly irritated. “Didn’t you say you’d already earned her trust? Why are we still getting nowhere? Get your act together and cozy up to her so we can plant the equipment inside her apartment already. “The guys in the group love her prim-and-proper act. If we catch something juicy, I’ll be rolling in cash once I sell it!” The two of them kept whispering by my door, but I’d heard enough. Jake wasn’t just a petty thief. He was the ringleader of an online group that profited from secretly filming women and selling the footage. And Mrs. Jenkins? She wasn’t just his doting grandmother. She was his accomplice. I shuddered. Thank God I always dressed conservatively when I went out. If I hadn’t, who knows what they might’ve already captured? Their scheme was disturbingly calculated. They used Mrs. Jenkins’ frail, grandmotherly appearance to lower the guard of women living alone. She’d bring over cookies, make small talk, and offer help until she gained their trust. Once inside, they’d install hidden cameras to spy on their victims. If it weren’t for Jake’s habit of stealing my food, I never would’ve discovered what was really going on. Judging by how smoothly they worked together, I was sure I wasn’t their first target. God only knows how many women had already been victimized. As I continued watching the footage, their actions proved even more disgusting. After their whispered conversation, they carefully sliced a small hole into my doormat and installed another hidden camera—this time angled to capture upskirt shots. When they’d finished, Mrs. Jenkins lovingly patted Jake on the head. “My smart boy. You’re gonna make your grandma proud!” Then she laughed cruelly and added: “That little tramp acts so innocent, but I’ve seen through her fake act. Spending $50, $100 on takeout like it’s nothing? She’s definitely making her money the dirty way, probably sleeping around to earn it! “We’re doing her a favor by filming her. If anything, she should be thanking us for helping her… advertise! Who knows, maybe one day she’ll come begging us to film more!” There were only two apartments on this floor, and they clearly hadn’t noticed the hidden position of my security camera. They thought I was an easy target. They thought I wouldn’t fight back. But as the video ended, my blood ran cold—and then boiled with anger. The sweet, grandmotherly Mrs. Jenkins wasn’t just a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She was a predator in human skin. It wasn’t too late to stop them. Let’s see who’s really tougher when the fight begins. 3 The next morning, Mrs. Jenkins knocked on my door bright and early. She stood there with her usual sweet smile, holding a trendy preserved flower arrangement in her hands. “Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice dripping with kindness. “I’ve failed you. I should’ve kept a better eye on things for you. “You mentioned how real flowers are such a hassle to take care of, didn’t you? Well, I heard these preserved flowers are all the rage now. They smell lovely, and you don’t have to water them! Please, take this as my apology for not looking out for you properly.” If I hadn’t seen the security footage, I might’ve genuinely fallen for her act. But if it’s a performance she wants, then I’ll play along. Feigning excitement, I gasped and took the flowers from her hands. “Oh my gosh! I can’t believe this! I’ve wanted one of these forever, but they’re always sold out! Mrs. Jenkins, you’re amazing for finding one. Thank you so much!” The preserved flowers were vibrant and fragrant, radiating charm as they sat in my arms. But all I could think was: Where’s the camera hidden this time? Back inside, I placed the flowers on my dining table. I didn’t want to tip them off just yet. If they wanted to spy on me, fine—I’d give them something to watch. Sitting directly in front of the flowers, I started a mock “mukbang.” I stuffed my face theatrically, smirking at the thought of them getting frustrated on the other side of the camera. Let’s see if watching me eat drives you crazy. As I ate, I replayed everything in my mind, plotting my next move. Letting people like Jake and Mrs. Jenkins get away with this wasn’t an option. My philosophy has always been simple: Never let the wicked walk free. Jake was a disgusting creep, and Mrs. Jenkins was a manipulative old hag. People like them deserved to rot behind bars. But before that, I planned to have a little fun. They needed to understand what it felt like to mess with the wrong person. I was halfway through my “show” when I heard shouting in the hallway. Quietly, I crept to the door and peeked through the peephole. Jake was standing there, his bloated face red with fury as he screamed at Mrs. Jenkins. “You useless old hag! Can’t even cook a decent meal! What the hell are you good for?” He jabbed a finger at her face, his voice dripping with venom. “If it weren’t for you killing my parents, I wouldn’t be stuck in this miserable situation! You screw up one more time, and I swear, I’m kicking you out! I’m done taking care of dead weight!” He slammed his door shut with so much force, it rattled the hallway. Mrs. Jenkins collapsed onto the floor, sobbing loudly. If I hadn’t known better, I might’ve felt sorry for her. An elderly woman, humiliated and berated by her own grandson—it was pitiful. Hell, I might’ve even opened my door, invited her inside, and tried to comfort her. But I knew better. She was cunning, and this was all part of their game. If I let her in, it would only give her more opportunities to worm her way into my life. Still, she committed to the act. Between sobs, she kept glancing toward my door, her eyes darting back and forth. Ah, so this is the plan. A little “pity party” for me to see through the hidden camera. She started wailing even louder, slapping her thighs dramatically. “Why am I still alive? Why hasn’t the good Lord taken me yet?” she cried. “I’m doing this for you, Jake! The doctor said your uric acid is high, and you can’t eat those foods anymore. I’m just trying to help you!” Her words carried a sharp edge of bitterness, as if she were airing her real grievances with Jake while keeping up the charade. I couldn’t help but laugh quietly. The performance was impressive, but painfully transparent. I walked away from the door, leaving her to stew in her fake misery. “Don’t worry,” I thought to myself. “The storm that’s coming for you is already on its way.”

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The day my wife gave birth to a child for her terminally ill first love, my in-laws stationed ten bodyguards outside the delivery room. Yet, even after the delivery was over, I didn’t show up to cause any trouble. My mother-in-law held my wife’s hand, sighing with relief. “Don’t worry, Ottilie. We’re here to make sure he doesn’t come anywhere near you.” “Your father even has people guarding the hospital entrance. If he dares to come and try to stop you from having this baby, we’ll call the police!” Ottilie nodded weakly, but she still instinctively glanced towards the elevator. Seeing it empty, she finally relaxed. She couldn’t understand why I couldn’t just be supportive of her helping her first love leave behind a legacy. Looking at the wailing newborn in the nurse’s arms, she smiled contentedly. She thought that if I came to visit her tomorrow, she would forgive all our previous arguments. She’d even be willing to let me be the child’s father. But what she didn’t know was that I had just submitted my application to join Doctors Without Borders. In seven days, I would give up my citizenship and become a stateless doctor, never to return.

The day Ottilie was discharged from the nursing home, I had just finished handing over my work at the hospital. As I reached the doorway, I heard laughter coming from inside. “This child is beautiful, with big eyes just like his father’s.” My mother-in-law was happily playing with the baby in her arms, while Kieran was bringing out a steaming bowl of chicken soup from the kitchen. “I made this soup myself. Your body is still weak, you need to eat well to recover,” he said, sitting by the bedside and tenderly feeding Ottilie. The atmosphere was that of a happy family. My father-in-law was holding a rattle, grinning from ear to ear. “This child is so adorable, just like his father. It’s a good thing he’s not Jude’s child. Having a doctor for a father would be such a burden.” My hand tightened on the doorknob. I remembered the first time I met my father-in-law. He had patted my shoulder, saying being a doctor was good, that saving lives brought honor to the whole family. He had told me he was once a doctor too, and if it weren’t for an injury caused by a violent patient, he wouldn’t have retired early. But now, he was saying doctors weren’t fit to have families. I had only been away for a year of advanced studies, and this family had already completely shut me out. I lowered my head, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. Ottilie and I had been married for three years. She had said she didn’t want children, and understanding the risks of childbirth, I didn’t pressure her. I still remember the day I left for my studies abroad. She had cried, saying she would miss me terribly. For the past year, we had called each other every day, sharing our lives. Even my colleagues would tease us, saying we still acted like newlyweds after three years of marriage. But just a month ago, when I finally managed to get some time off to come home, despite being exhausted from an eight-hour flight, I rushed back without complaint. Only to find Ottilie heavily pregnant, standing next to her first love. My thoughts were interrupted by Kieran’s words. “Jude, when did you get back? Why are you standing in the doorway?” Hearing him, the others in the room looked towards the entrance. When my father-in-law saw the resignation letter in my hand, his brow furrowed deeply. “How could I have entrusted my daughter to someone like you? What bad luck. Now you’re quitting your job, expecting us to support you?” “Is this how you act as a husband?” my mother-in-law chimed in accusingly. “You can’t even handle such a good job. What else can you do?” “Ottilie’s body is delicate now. She and the baby need money for everything. If you don’t work, are you expecting a family of three to live on air?” Hearing this, I could only laugh bitterly. “Whoever’s wife and child they are, it’s their responsibility to provide for them.” “Jude Wilson, what are you saying? How can you be so irresponsible?” Ottilie finally couldn’t hold back, shouting at me with reddened eyes. Seemingly overcome with emotion, she clutched her chest and began coughing violently. “If Kieran hadn’t saved me from that car accident three years ago, I might have died already. His parents are both gone, and now he’s been diagnosed with terminal cancer. In a short while, there might be no one left in the world to remember him.” “Why do you always have to be against him? Do you really think I’m that kind of dirty, immoral woman?” Kieran stroked her back soothingly, while turning to me with a pained expression. “Jude, please don’t say anymore. I know this is all my fault. I promise I won’t appear in your lives again after this. Please don’t let me affect your marriage.” I looked at the four people before me, who had clearly already formed a united front against me, and found it increasingly laughable. So this was what a real family looked like. Just then, Ottilie suddenly spoke up: “Jude Wilson, my patience has limits too. If you dare to target Kieran again without reason, don’t bother coming back to this house!” “If you still want to continue our life together, just keep quiet. At next week’s full-month celebration for the baby, I can announce in front of all our relatives and friends that you’re the child’s father.” Next week? I glanced at the baby, now asleep in the carrier. Next week, I would be embarking on my journey abroad. But before I left, I didn’t mind giving them an unforgettable surprise. I nodded, my expression unchanged. “Fine.”

After saying that, I turned and went back to the bedroom to pack my things, ignoring their reactions. Since I had decided to leave for good, I didn’t want to leave any trace of myself here. The sounds of laughter from the living room filtered through the door. I paused briefly as I was folding clothes. “Kieran, I want to give this child your surname. That way, even if he calls someone else ‘Dad’ in the future, he’ll always remember that you’re his true father.” Even without seeing it, I could imagine the loving expression on Ottilie’s face as she said this. And my heart, already riddled with wounds from her, ached once more. I suddenly thought back to last month when I had rushed home, carrying souvenirs I had specially bought for Ottilie from abroad. But at our doorstep, I saw Ottilie and Kieran returning from a walk, hand in hand. Unlike the look of horror on Ottilie’s face, Kieran had eyed me with confusion, asking if I had the wrong apartment. I said nothing, my gaze fixed on Ottilie’s swollen belly. After eleven months away, my wife was pregnant. There was no way I could deceive myself into thinking this child was mine. Until Ottilie hurriedly stepped in front of Kieran to introduce me. “This is my husband, Jude Wilson.” I had thought that hearing this, Kieran would show some restraint. But instead, he invited me into my own home like he was the man of the house. As we passed each other, he said in a voice only I could hear: “I heard you’re quite a bit older than me? I guess I should call you ‘brother’ then, considering your wife is carrying my child.” Hot blood rushed to my head, and I could no longer contain myself. I swung my fist, landing a solid punch on his face. I had completely lost control, the eleven months of longing for Ottilie during our separation transformed into pure rage. If I had had a knife in my hand at that moment, I might have killed them both. It wasn’t until the neighbors heard the commotion and called the police that we were all taken to the station. But because it was a domestic matter, the police couldn’t intervene much and just sent us home. As soon as we got back, my in-laws, who had rushed over after hearing the news, started berating me without even asking what had happened. They scolded me for causing such a scene as soon as I returned, making us the laughingstock of the neighborhood. They even berated me for wasting all those years of education, resorting to violence, and threatened that if anything serious had happened, they wouldn’t let me off easy. It turned out they had known all along about Ottilie and Kieran being together, and were even strongly supportive of it. In just a year’s time, Kieran had become their perfect son-in-law. Only I had been kept in the dark. There was a bitter taste in my mouth, and I felt utterly miserable. Ottilie tremblingly walked to my side, trying to take my hand and reason with me. “I never meant to betray you. Kieran is very ill, the doctors say he has at most six months to live. I couldn’t bear to see him leave without an heir.” “I had thought about discussing it with you before, but you were so far away, and I didn’t want to worry you and disrupt your studies. That’s why I planned to wait until you returned to tell you.” “If you’re willing, can we raise this child together?” Such a major life decision as having children, yet she spoke of it so casually. I put the last piece of clothing into my suitcase just as my mother-in-law pushed open the door and walked in. Seeing the suitcase at my feet, she wore an expression that seemed to say ‘at least you know your place’. “You haven’t been back for so long, so I let Kieran sleep in your room. Now the study has been turned into a nursery too. You’ll have to make do with the living room couch tonight, or maybe you should just go stay at a hotel?” I was truly exhausted and didn’t have the energy to go find a hotel. I nodded, prepared to make do on the sofa. But deep into the night, the baby’s cries kept coming from the bedroom. I turned over, about to put in earplugs, when I heard Ottilie’s complaining voice. “Can’t you do something about the baby? He just keeps crying.” “Aren’t you my baby? I just need to take care of you. A little crying is good for the baby’s lungs.” Ottilie giggled and said, “You’re terrible.” Followed by the sound of the bed creaking. I pulled the blanket over my head, trying hard to ignore those unbearable sounds. But when I closed my eyes, I seemed to see Ottilie as she was when she first confessed her love to me. Back then, she was pure and beautiful, her eyes full of nothing but me. But that Ottilie no longer belonged to me.

I dozed fitfully through the night and left at dawn with my suitcase. I went to the administration office to cancel my household registration and process the relevant paperwork for going abroad. Because I had government-approved documents, all the procedures were completed quickly, and the staff didn’t ask many questions. Just as I was leaving, the staff member suddenly called out to me and handed me a handful of fruit candies. “I hope all your wishes come true.” I smiled gratefully at her and then found a hotel nearby. After putting down my luggage, I was about to go out to find something to eat when I ran into Ottilie and Kieran with my in-laws. Kieran was wearing an expensive custom-made Armani suit, looking the picture of health, nothing like a dying man. “Jude, I thought I saw you from a distance, but Ottilie insisted you couldn’t possibly be in this area,” he said. His gaze fell on the recruitment flyer in my hand, and he smiled knowingly. “Oh, so you’re out looking for work? But with your frail build, isn’t working at a construction site just torturing yourself?” I said nothing. The flyer had been handed to me by a young girl on the street. Seeing her handing out flyers in the cold winter, I had just taken one to be polite. Seeing that I remained silent, only gripping the flyer tightly, Kieran smiled arrogantly. “You should have said earlier that you were job hunting. Maybe I could have helped. We’re all family now. If you’re doing well, Ottilie will have someone to rely on in her later years, and I can rest easy.” My silence at this point was as good as confirmation. Ottilie, who had been looking confused, now had a complete change of expression. She frowned deeply, her eyes full of contempt as she looked at me. “What’s there to recommend? He insisted on quitting his good job as a doctor. Now even if he starves on the street, he doesn’t deserve anyone’s sympathy.” “Jude Wilson, you really have no sense of responsibility. Do you think this will force me to give up the child?” I looked at her familiar face, but now it felt utterly foreign. I remembered when we first got married, there was a time when I considered quitting due to internal competition at the hospital and changing careers. Ottilie had just hugged me then, gently patting my back and whispering in my ear: “We’re in this together. Whatever decision you make, I’ll support you.” “Quitting isn’t a big deal. I believe a true gem will always shine. I’ll always be by your side, honey.” But the person who said she would always be by my side was now letting another man humiliate me. She had forgotten the words she once said to me, and it seemed she had also forgotten the deep love she once had for me. Even my in-laws were shaking their heads in disappointment. “I was truly blind before, actually thinking of entrusting my daughter’s future happiness to your hands!” “It’s a good thing we’re still around. Who knows how you’d mistreat our daughter if we weren’t here.” The more they spoke, the more exaggerated it became. Passersby were starting to cast curious glances our way. I slowly clenched my fists at my sides. Just as I was about to speak, Kieran suddenly stepped forward. “We were just about to go take a family portrait. Why don’t you join us, Jude? After all, I’ll be counting on you to take care of Ottilie and the child for the rest of their lives.” Ottilie immediately cut him off, scoffing coldly. “Look at how shabby he looks. He’d only lower the quality of our family photo.” With that, she turned and headed towards the photo studio, not forgetting to urge Kieran to hurry up and follow. “Well then, we’ll be going. Don’t let us keep you from your job hunting,” Kieran said, patting my shoulder meaningfully. Watching him walk away, I felt no ripples in my heart. To outsiders, what a harmonious family they must seem. If this was what Ottilie wanted, why should I not let go and give her my blessings?

Three days before my departure, I received a message from the hospital director. He said the specialist I had asked him to contact was coincidentally attending a forum in the country and could take a look at my father-in-law’s coronary heart disease. My father-in-law’s heart had never been very good, and he had been rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment years ago. So during my studies abroad, I had also asked colleagues to help me collect relevant case studies. No matter what, years of family ties still existed. After doing this, I would have no more debts to them. But when my father-in-law heard I wanted to take him to the hospital, his face immediately darkened. “Why go to the hospital when I’m perfectly fine? Are you trying to curse me? My previous heart bypass surgery was successful, what’s there to check?” “A top specialist in cardiology happens to be in the country today. You could go for a check-up, maybe for some preventive measures for the future…” Before I could finish, my father-in-law smashed his water glass at me. “You and your pretty words. Do you think a top specialist is someone an unemployed bum like you can just make an appointment with? All you do is brag! Look at Kieran, he stayed up all night to get me an appointment with a specialist. Where were you then?” He kept comparing me unfavorably to Kieran, his attitude making everything clear. So no matter what I did, it was wrong. No matter how I did it, I couldn’t compare to Kieran.

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In the third year of my marriage to Ethan Williams,his “first love” reappeared in his life, this time as a struggling sales clerk. Ethan, overcome with sympathy for her fall from grace, bought the entire store as a “reunion gift.” His grand gesture caused a sensation through our social circles. Meanwhile, I, his wife, became the joke of the town—Mrs. Williams, the pitiful fool. But I said nothing. Instead, I sent the newly opened store a polite bouquet of flowers. Then, clad in black, I went to his brother’s grave and cried my heart out. “Ethan,” I whispered, my tears soaking the cold marble, “I’ve finally found a way to break free from your brother. He may have your eyes, but he’s nothing like you.” My words hung in the air, heavy with grief, until I heard a familiar voice behind me: “What the hell did you just say?” The day after Ethan’s lavish display of affection, the group chat was buzzing with gossip. [Ethan really went all out for her. Buying an entire store? Must be true love!][It has to be her—the infamous first love. When’s he going to introduce her to us? We’d love to see what the real deal looks like.] Their comments were mocking, dismissive. None of them cared that I, Mrs. Williams, was still in the group. My hands trembled as I read their messages. For once, I didn’t swallow my anger. Instead, I quietly exited the group chat. Ethan’s call came not long after. I was pinning a white flower to my lapel when my phone buzzed. I put him on speaker, freeing my hands. “Zoe,” he said, his tone sharp, “what the hell were you thinking, sending flowers to Claire?” “I’m your wife,” I replied calmly. “Sending flowers to a friend is just basic courtesy.” He let out a short, scornful laugh. “Don’t think I don’t see through you. You just wanted to flaunt your status as ‘Mrs. Williams’ and humiliate Claire.” “Let me remind you,” he continued coldly, “any status you have, I gave it to you. Don’t forget your place. Go pick up your pathetic flowers and apologize to Claire. Now.” His voice was so loud it startled me, making my hand slip. The pin pricked my finger, and I let out a small gasp of pain. On the other end of the line, Ethan sneered. “Zoe, don’t play these cheap little tricks with me. They don’t work. If you don’t show up today, don’t bother waiting for me to come home. Ever.” “Oh, and one more thing—quitting the group chat? That’s disrespectful to my friends. I’ll deal with you for that later. You chose to marry me. You knew what that meant. This is what you signed up for.” The line went dead. I looked down at the crimson stain blooming on my blouse. The sharp sting in my chest was nothing compared to the ache in my heart. Ethan always knew exactly how to hurt me. He wasn’t like my Ethan. The Ethan I once knew would never have spoken to me this way. I lowered my eyes, pinned the flower in place, and thought back to the choice Ethan had mentioned—the choice that had led me to this life.

I first met Ethan Williams in college. Everyone on campus knew I liked him. I wasn’t subtle about it. Among the many girls who admired him, I was the most shamelessly devoted. One day, he finally asked me, “Why are you so nice to me?” I looked up into his deep, shining eyes and answered with all the sincerity I could muster: “Because I like you, Ethan Williams. I like you so much it hurts.” That night, for the first time, he invited me to a club dinner. I was over the moon, thinking he was finally starting to notice me. But during the party, I caught him watching Claire Moore. When he saw her laughing with another guy, his expression darkened. When it came time for a game of truth or dare, Ethan tossed aside the “truth” card and picked a dare instead. His challenge? To kiss someone of the opposite sex for one full minute. Without hesitation, he turned to me, grabbed my face, and kissed me. My eyes widened in shock. His lips tasted faintly of mint, his scent intoxicating. But just as I was about to close my eyes and savor the moment, I noticed his gaze had shifted. He was looking at Claire. I didn’t need to guess why. She must have reacted just how he wanted, because when he pulled away, there was a triumphant smirk on his face. That night, Ethan declared that we were officially a couple. Looking back, it felt less like love and more like a consolation prize. He asked me to move into his off-campus apartment, and of course, I agreed. I thought if we spent more time together, he’d eventually fall for me. To the outside world, we were a picture-perfect couple, “madly in love.” But the truth was, I slept in the guest room, while Ethan treated me more like a live-in maid than a girlfriend. I cooked, cleaned, and kept his home spotless. Over time, he even gained a little weight, thanks to my cooking. People joked that I was Ethan Williams’s personal housekeeper. I didn’t care. As long as he let me stay by his side, I was happy. It reminded me of how my Ethan used to take care of me. For two years, we stayed like that. He never broke up with me, but he never fully committed either. Then, the day Claire left for graduate studies abroad, I saw them kissing outside our building. Their embrace was so intimate, so tender, it felt like a knife to my chest. I panicked. What if he left me for good? What if I never saw those eyes again? That night, Claire boarded her flight, and Ethan came home drunk. He stumbled into my room, reeking of alcohol. What followed was a night of pain and tears. I cried through it all, but I couldn’t stop myself from memorizing every detail of his face, every flicker of emotion in his eyes. The next morning, Ethan leaned over me, his voice cold and detached. “Zoe, let’s get married.” He pulled out a ring and handed it to me. The diamond gleamed faintly in the dim light, like a spark in the darkness of my hollow heart. “This… this was Claire’s, wasn’t it?” I asked, my voice hoarse. His eyes darkened, a flicker of anger crossing his face. “Take it or leave it,” he said flatly, pulling the ring away. Desperate, I snatched it back and slid it onto my finger. It was too big, the band loose around my knuckle. It looked absurd, like a child playing dress-up with an adult’s jewelry. Ethan laughed, but there was no warmth in it. His gaze was filled with mockery. I turned away, unable to bear the sight of him. And that’s how I became Mrs. Williams—a role the world saw as enviable, but one I knew was hollow. To everyone else, I was the picture of a devoted wife—gracious, patient, long-suffering. I never questioned Ethan’s affairs or his late nights. My only condition was that he come home every evening, no matter how late. When he stumbled in, reeking of perfume, I would get out of bed to make him tea or heat up a glass of milk. More than once, he sneered at me in his drunken haze, calling me pathetic, spineless, and boring. I would only smile in response. I knew what I was. I hated myself too. But I couldn’t let go. I couldn’t give up those eyes.

It was a sunny day when I left home, driving toward Claire’s boutique. Outside her store, two perfect rows of extravagant flower stands lined the entrance, each adorned with bright, colorful ribbons glinting under the sunlight. They were Ethan Williams’ grand display for her—a gesture impossible to miss. Ethan stood beside Claire, holding a little girl in his arms. The way they laughed together, so carefree, they could easily be mistaken for a family. I walked closer. Claire caught sight of me, and for a brief moment, a flicker of unease crossed her face. Then, she gently took the girl from Ethan’s arms and spoke softly: “Sweetheart, don’t cling to Ethan like that. Come to Mommy now.” She glanced at me, her voice warm and deliberate. “This is Mrs. Williams. Say hello to her.” “Mrs. Williams!” The little girl’s voice was bright and sweet, like a crisp apple freshly bitten into. I smiled and nodded, but before I could respond, Claire added casually, as if by accident, “You’ve been married for years now. Still no plans to have kids?” Her words landed like a blade, sharp and cutting. My face paled at the memory of what I’d lost, while Ethan’s expression darkened, guilt flashing briefly in his eyes. It happened early in our marriage. I had just found out I was pregnant. But when I told Ethan, he didn’t look excited or happy. Instead, he frowned, his voice cold and detached as he said: “A child will only complicate things between us. Our relationship is already unstable. I think it’s better if we don’t have this baby.” He said this barely an hour after Claire had posted an emotional breakup message on social media. His precious first love was single again, and Ethan wanted to leave himself a way back to her. In his eyes, our child was an obstacle. Something to be discarded without hesitation. The doctor warned me that terminating the pregnancy could leave lasting damage. My body was too weak, they said. If I went through with it, I might never be able to conceive again. But Ethan didn’t care. “You’re still young,” he said dismissively. “You look perfectly healthy to me. If something goes wrong, I’ll pay for the best doctors to fix it.” He made the decision as casually as if he were choosing a restaurant for dinner. But bad food can be replaced. A wrecked body cannot. That day, lying on the hospital bed beneath the blinding fluorescent lights, I felt my first pang of regret for marrying Ethan Williams. Tears streamed down my face as I stared blankly at the ceiling, the weight of his words crushing me. Later, Ethan came into the room holding a massive bouquet of lilies, their cloying sweetness filling the air. He wiped my tears away and spoke gently, his tone almost tender: “Zoe, don’t be sad. We can always have another child.” A slap in the face, followed by a sugar-coated lie. It was his favorite tactic. Through blurry eyes, I stared at him. For a fleeting moment, his face resembled someone else’s—someone who would have known I hated lilies and loved baby’s breath instead. But I swallowed the words I wanted to say. I didn’t ask for a divorce. Claire eventually got married, and the Williams family began pressuring Ethan to have a child. Suddenly, he wanted one too. But the doctor’s warning turned out to be true. I never got pregnant again. Ethan, ever the master of appearances, brushed it off when people asked. “Zoe’s health isn’t great,” he’d say with a sympathetic smile. “We’re just not planning for kids right now.” It was a convenient excuse, one that painted him as a caring husband while subtly shifting the blame onto me. What he never mentioned, of course, was the real reason—the child he’d forced me to lose, all for the sake of leaving the door open for Claire. A truth that would tarnish the perfect image of Ethan Williams, the golden boy of the Williams family. But to me, he was nothing more than a coward. Selfish, spineless, and cruel. Claire, however, wasn’t about to let the matter drop. “I didn’t realize Zoe’s health was so bad,” she said, covering her mouth in mock concern. “I guess I shouldn’t complain. I thought my body was weak too, but I had no trouble carrying my daughter. From pregnancy to delivery, everything went so smoothly.” Her words dripped with false sympathy, but the implication was clear: There must be something wrong with you. I didn’t take the bait. I hadn’t come here to trade petty insults with her. Instead, I turned and walked toward the flower stand I had sent, intending to take it back. But as I reached for it, a sharp, searing pain shot through my stomach. It felt like a thousand knives twisting inside me. My body trembled as I clutched my abdomen, struggling to stay upright. Before I could react, Ethan was at my side, grabbing my empty hand.

“Zoe, you still owe Claire an apology.” Ethan Williams’ voice buzzed in my ears like an annoying fly. I couldn’t even turn around from the pain coursing through my body. “Zoe,” he continued, his tone laced with irritation. “How many times do I have to tell you? These tricks don’t work on me. Stop playing games to avoid responsibility.” His words were meaningless noise to me. The pain in my stomach twisted deeper, spreading like fire through my chest and into my very bones. My legs gave out, and I slowly sank to the ground. Only then did Ethan seem to notice that something was wrong. For a brief moment, I caught a flicker of panic in his expression. “Zoe, are you serious right now?” he asked, hesitating as though unsure if I was faking. He finally moved to step toward me, but before he could reach me, a sudden, sharp cry came from behind him. “Ah! Mommy, are you okay?” I turned my head slightly to see Claire sitting on the ground, clutching her ankle, her face twisted in pain as tears welled up in her eyes. Ethan immediately dropped my hand and spun around to rush to her side. I stayed where I was, hunched over, beads of sweat dripping from my forehead onto the ground, leaving dark marks on the pavement. Slowly, the sharp pain in my stomach began to subside. When I finally managed to stand, the space around me was empty. My husband—my husband—was kneeling beside another woman, his hands gently touching her pale, uninjured ankle, his face filled with concern. My throat burned, and my eyes stung with unshed tears. Five years of loyalty and love, wasted on a man who cared for me less than a dog. At least a dog would wag its tail when it received affection. Ethan? He didn’t even have the heart of a beast. Without a word, I strode toward the flower stand bearing both our names. The gaudy display stood tall, a symbol of everything I had endured. With a single, violent push, I sent it crashing to the ground. The sound of flowers scattering and the collective gasps of onlookers filled the air. I didn’t care. I walked to my car, my steps unsteady, and drove away without looking back. I ended up at the cemetery. A streak of vibrant sunlight filtered through the trees, landing directly on a small gravestone. The black-and-white photo on it gleamed in the light, the boy in the picture smiling warmly. He looked so much like Ethan—the same face, the same eyes—but there was a softness to his expression that Ethan never had. The sunlight made his smile seem alive, as though he were standing right in front of me. I crouched down and gently placed a bouquet of white baby’s breath on his grave. Then, as the tears I had been holding back all day finally spilled over, I whispered: “Jared… every year, I bring you stars. But no matter how many times I do, they’ll never shine as brightly as the ones in your eyes.” I paused, my voice breaking. “Jared, I’ve finally come to see you.” From my bag, I pulled out a folded piece of paper—a medical report. I placed it in front of his photo and continued, my voice trembling: “This isn’t me giving up, okay? But the doctors said… that even if I go through treatment, I won’t make it past a year.” I laughed bitterly, wiping at my eyes. “So, I figured when the time comes, when I can’t hold on anymore, I’ll come find you. We’ll be together again.” I tried to smile, but my lips quivered. “In a way, I’m grateful for this illness. It means I can finally leave this world—a world without you. I don’t have to keep pretending Ethan is you anymore. He might have your eyes, but he’s nothing like you. Not even close.” My hand shook as I reached out to touch Jared’s photo. If he were here, he’d probably scold me for not taking better care of myself. But now, all he could do was smile at me from inside the photo, frozen in time. He couldn’t stop me now. He couldn’t stop me from running toward the destiny I’d always believed was ours. But just as I closed my eyes, ready to let the quiet surround me, a voice shattered the stillness. “Who the hell did you just say I look like?” My eyes snapped open, my heart pounding in my chest. VIP part

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Lucas and I had been bitter enemies for half our lives. On our deathbeds, we stared at each other, spitting out the most venomous words, hoping never to meet again in our next lives. He hated me for tying him down with marriage and children, robbing him of his chance to become a singer in New York. I despised him for his constant partying and drinking, leaving me to care for his sick parents and our two children. And in our mutual hatred, we were reborn. We locked eyes in the crowd, then turned away without hesitation. This time, we hoped, neither of us would have any regrets. The day I changed my college application, my dad walked into the study, glanced at me, and nodded approvingly. “Good. With your high scores, you should attend a top university! Stop chasing after that Wilson boy. What’s so great about him anyway?” My mom, hearing this from the kitchen, rushed in and pulled my dad away, giving him a stern look. I watched my parents leave, smiling, but suddenly felt a lump in my throat. In my previous life, I had run out late at night to find Lucas at the train station. My parents, searching for me, were killed by a drunk truck driver. I never got to see them one last time. Fighting back tears, I moved the mouse and clicked the confirm button to change my college application without hesitation.

In my previous life, Lucas, my childhood sweetheart, suddenly announced he wanted to become a singer and pursue his dreams in New York. But before that, he had always said being with me and attending the same college was his dream. I had even wasted my high score of over 600 points to apply to the same average college as him. But two days before the acceptance letters arrived, he suddenly said he was going to New York to chase his dreams. His sick parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, came knocking on our door in the middle of the night, begging me to help find their son. In my previous life, I went. My parents, worried about me, followed and ended up in a car accident. Lucas was later found by me. When he heard his parents say that my parents’ deaths were his fault, they insisted he had to make it up to me. So they forced Lucas to get engaged to me, planning for us to marry right after college graduation. But I got pregnant in my sophomore year and had to take a break from school. We hastily got married, I went through pregnancy and childbirth, and took care of the baby. Two years flew by, and just as I was excitedly planning to return to school, his parents fell seriously ill and came to stay with us for treatment. Lucas told me to be understanding, saying his parents had already worked so hard for his education, and now they were sick and needed care. As for him, of course, he had to go to work to support the family. At the time, to save Lucas’s face, I didn’t mention that his monthly salary of $3,500 wasn’t even enough to cover the children’s formula and normal household expenses. Later, I had to sell our old house to pay for his parents’ medical bills and raise our two children. But while I gave up my education and struggled to manage the whole family, he was out making a bunch of fair-weather friends with his meager $3,500 salary. What little money he had left, he spent on making music, claiming he was fulfilling his dream. Crushed by the pressure of family life and after several failed attempts at communication, we started having huge fights. He began calling me bitter and narrow-minded, saying if it wasn’t for me forcing him to come back, he would have already become a big star in New York. He even accused me of using my parents’ death to emotionally blackmail him into marrying me. I didn’t hold back either, calling him delusional, saying his terrible voice made his dream of becoming a singer nothing but a pipe dream! When he brought up my parents’ death, I went crazy, lunging at him to shut him up, only to be violently pushed away. After that, Lucas deliberately started staying away from home. His parents, unable to see their son, blamed everything on me, complaining that I was immature and petty, only knowing how to anger their son. They completely forgot how they had begged me to find their son in the first place. In this miserable life, I gritted my teeth and tightened my belt to do odd jobs and earn money to support the family. But the children I had worked so hard to raise were never close to me, instead being affectionate towards the irresponsible Lucas. I thought the children would understand when they grew up, but I waited for over twenty years, until they were married with families of their own. But they competed to have Lucas live with them, while remaining cold and distant towards me. “Mom, you controlled us too much in the past. We don’t want to hear your lectures anymore.” “Dad’s youthful dreams were stifled by you. Now that he’s older, we want to take him to New York to chase his dreams again.” “Grandpa and Grandma were right. You just want everyone to live according to your plans. You’re so selfish!” I never expected my children to say such things. Devastated, I returned home to find Lucas smugly packing his bags, gloating that he was about to leave me for a better life. After dedicating over twenty years to this family, all I was left with was a reputation for being selfish and controlling. Why did Lucas get to be so carefree? Never taking care of the family or responsibilities, yet ending up as the open-minded father in our children’s eyes? I rushed forward and pushed Lucas. He was stunned for a moment, then immediately grabbed a vase and smashed it towards me. “Damn you, you dare to lay hands on me? I’ll beat you to death…” So our deaths were actually the consequence of our mutual assault. As we both fell to the ground, I was still praying in my heart: if there’s a next life, please don’t let me meet Lucas again.

The day I was reborn happened to be the day I changed my college application. Seeing my parents still by my side, I was determined not to get involved with anything related to Lucas again. After the college entrance exam, parties came one after another. I had just finished a gathering with close classmates when I saw Lucas in the distance, laughing and chatting with his buddies. “I heard Lucas isn’t going to college. He’s going to New York to be a singer!” “Wow, isn’t that the trendy thing now, chasing dreams in the big city? If he becomes a big star, should we ask for some autographed photos now to keep as investments?” “Ava, didn’t you grow up with Lucas? Did you know he was going to New York?” My friend nudged me, and my gaze happened to meet Lucas’s as he turned his head. With just that one look, I was certain that Lucas had also been reborn. “I don’t know. I have something to do. I’m leaving first.” I turned away without a second thought. If he wants to go to New York, let him go. What does his life have to do with me?

As the day of Lucas’s departure drew near, I whined to my parents about missing Grandma and wanting them to take me to see the new pony at her place. My parents always doted on me, so they packed up without hesitation and took me out. Just then, Mrs. Wilson opened her door and was surprised to see us leaving. “Going out?” My dad nodded with a smile, “The kid misses her grandma, so we’re going for a few days.” Mrs. Wilson smiled and nodded, watching us leave. I pretended to be nonchalant, but in reality, I was clenching my fists tightly in hatred, trying not to let my emotions show. It was laughable how in my previous life, I thought Mrs. Wilson truly cared for me. It wasn’t until later that I realized her intentions were never pure from the beginning. She had long had her eye on our house, which was why she worked so hard to bring Lucas and me together after my parents passed away. Back then, having lost my parents, I was crying every day. The gentle and good-natured Mrs. Wilson took care of me daily, making me let down all my defenses. Add to that my feelings for Lucas, and I naturally agreed. Little did I know that they had been planning this all along. I took a deep breath, hiding the slight trembling caused by my anger, and started chatting with my parents about Grandma’s new pony, while catching a glimpse of Lucas hurrying away out of the corner of my eye. Lucas must have realized that I had also been reborn, so he had to move up his plan to run away and chase his dreams. My parents and I had just arrived at Grandma’s house and were enjoying dinner when Mom received a call from Mrs. Wilson. “Lucas is insisting on going to New York to be a singer. He’s not going to college anymore. Now he’s acting like it’s a matter of life and death, and his father and I can’t talk him out of it… Could you ask Ava to come back and try to persuade him? After all, the two kids are close, and Lucas listens to Ava!” The script was almost identical to my previous life. Mom looked at me, a bit troubled. After all, it wasn’t easy to go back at this time from the countryside. I calmly put down my chopsticks and took the phone from Mom’s hand. “Mrs. Wilson, this is Lucas’s own decision. I have no right to interfere, and even if I did, he would resent me for it. I think you should respect his choice!” I hung up decisively, not forgetting to block Mrs. Wilson’s number. My swift series of actions left even my parents stunned. Grandma was the first to speak up, telling them to continue eating, muttering that other people’s business is their own karma, and we shouldn’t interfere. I thought Grandma’s words couldn’t be more right! After dinner, I was crouching in the yard, petting the dog’s soft head, when my parents came over. “Ava, what’s been going on with you lately…” Mom hesitated, “It feels like you’re different somehow.” Dad didn’t say anything, but he looked at me with concern. Their gaze made my nose tingle, and as I wiped my eyes, I realized there were actually tears. “Mom, Dad, let me tell you something. I had a dream.” I lied about having a dream and told them everything that happened in my previous life. When they learned that after their deaths, I had been manipulated by the Wilson family all along, Dad’s face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. They always believed me, especially since I said the story began with Lucas wanting to go to New York and Mrs. Wilson begging me to find him. They also understood why I suddenly wanted to come to Grandma’s house and why I adamantly refused to go find Lucas. “Oh, my dear child, my precious baby.” My mom was always easily moved to tears. Even though she knew it was just a dream, she quickly hugged me, her tears falling on my head one by one, feeling incredibly sorry for me. Dad lit a cigarette nearby and made a decision. “Ava having this dream might mean that the Wilson family is bad luck for us. I’ve decided, we’ll move as soon as we get back! Get far away from them.” I didn’t expect my parents to support me to this extent. My nose tingled, and I nodded tearfully. At the same time, I hugged Mom tighter, feeling her warmth. We stayed in the countryside for half a month, and I noticeably tanned quite a bit. When we left, Grandma packed a car full of food for us. We still had to live in the old house for a while before moving. As soon as we arrived at our front door, Mrs. Wilson quickly opened her door. With red, teary eyes, she looked at us, unable to hide the traces of resentment in her gaze.

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My mother, Jenny Dawson, fell in love with a man. That man, named Henry Lewis, called himself a prince from a country in the Tropica Isle region. He fell in love with Jenny at first sight and wanted to take her back to Tropica Isle to enjoy a good life. Jenny believed him and emptied her savings to go abroad with Henry. I warned Jenny that she might be getting scammed. But Henry claimed he wasn’t after money. He just wanted to be with my mom. Jenny loved him even more. But she didn’t know that Henry wanted more than just her money. He wanted her heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys, too. I was worried Jenny would get hurt, so I hid Jenny’s passport. Jenny hated me for breaking them apart. She drugged a glass of juice and knocked me out. I was taken to the remote mountains. But when I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day before Jenny was supposed to go abroad. I looked at Jenny, who was in love and handed her the hidden passport. “Mom, have a safe trip!” “Babe, I can’t wait to meet your family. They will certainly like me. Okay, bye. I love you!” As soon as I opened my eyes, I was disgusted by Jenny’s overly sweet cooing, giving me chills. I was momentarily dazed, suddenly realizing I had traveled back to the past. Jenny was in a good mood, humming a tune while packing for her trip. Seeing me sitting motionless on the bed, she kicked me. “You lazy girl, what are you doing? Hurry up and get my passport. If you delay me from going to Tropica Isle with my sweetheart, see how I deal with you.” The sweetheart Jenny referred to was a balding man in his forties. They had met a month ago. Henry claimed to be a prince from a country in the Tropica Isle. He came to our place for diplomatic talks and met Jenny, who was working as a cleaner at McDonald’s. They fell in love at first sight. A prince who enjoys eating at McDonald’s—anyone with common sense knew Henry was a scammer. But Jenny believed him. Henry also said that his country was suffering from an economic blockade imposed by an enemy nation and was on the brink of bankruptcy. Jenny was heartbroken and immediately took out all the money she had saved up from her cleaning job. Henry was so grateful he didn’t know how to repay her, then he took the money and disappeared without a trace. The neighbors heard of it and knew Jenny had been scammed. Jenny didn’t believe it. She spent her days clutching the McDonald’s napkin that Henry had used, crying tears of sorrow. Faced with the neighbors’ ridicule, she firmly rebutted, “My babe loves me. He promised to marry me.” Even the police who came to inquire were scolded by her. But love couldn’t be seen as food. A few days later, Jenny ran out of money and had to look for another job. With experience only as a cleaner at McDonald’s, she ended up applying at another branch. Unexpectedly, as soon as Jenny walked in, she saw Henry, the prince of Tropica Isle, enjoying a Mega Meal.

They locked eyes. Jenny was deeply moved and rushed to hug Henry, crying loudly, “Babe, I knew you wouldn’t abandon me. “They all said you were a scammer, but I didn’t believe it. If you were a scammer, how would you know I was coming here to apply for a job? You must have used the whole power of your country to find out.” Henry hesitated for a few seconds, then quickly came up with a response, claiming he returned specifically to take Jenny back to Tropica Isle to enjoy a good life. Before my time travel, on that very day, I had just finished my last high school exam. As soon as I heard this news, I knew Jenny had been scammed. Countless people had been scammed to go to Tropica Isle and then disappeared. I tried to reason with Jenny, but she refused to listen. She said I didn’t understand what love was. With no other options, I resorted to the dumbest method and hid her passport a day before her trip. Henry wouldn’t delay his grand plans for a little fish like Jenny. He abandoned her and flew away. Jenny hated me for breaking her and Henry apart. She drugged my juice and made me collapse on the way to college. Jenny took me, who was dazed, back to her hometown on a mountain that required a day and night of hiking. Then, she sold me to her friend’s silly son for ten thousand dollars. I was tortured there, repeatedly pregnant and then miscarrying, tied up like a dog, and ultimately, I couldn’t survive even a year before dying miserably. Before I died, I saw a small TV broadcasting the news. A group of illegal immigrants trying to reach Tropica Isle drowned due to not knowing how to swim, and among them was Jenny. She gave that ten thousand dollars to a smuggler, hoping to reach Tropica Isle to find Henry. “Are you deaf? Bring me my passport.” Jenny kicked me again. Recalling my tragic experience before traveling back, I quickly ran into the bedroom and obediently handed the passport to Jenny. “Mom, here’s the passport.” Jenny took the passport, and I sincerely wished her well. “Mom, wish you live happily with Henry!”

Jenny neatly placed her passport and ID card into her small purse and began calculating her savings. She had exchanged all her meager savings for cash, but there was only a thin stack. With a distressed expression, Jenny said, “How could this little money be enough?” To trick Jenny into going to Tropica Isle, Henry had promised to cover all expenses on the way. However, Jenny was love-struck and wouldn’t let her beloved man spend money on her, so she refused. She sweetly expressed that she would never become a burden to Henry. Henry looked at Jenny as if she were a fool. But when he heard her say that, he hurriedly agreed. In those days, Jenny scrimped and saved, working from dawn till dusk. Yet, more than half of what she earned was spent on Henry. She feared that he would be even a little unhappy. In the end, the money Jenny saved wasn’t even enough to buy a ticket to Tropica Isle. She called Henry to complain, “Why are the tickets so expensive?” Henry patiently coaxed her, “Babe, didn’t I tell you? You don’t need to worry about money. I’ve already bought the ticket for you. Just come with me!” Jenny called him dozens of times a day. Henry was starting to show signs of impatience. Jenny keenly sensed Henry’s annoyance and realized she couldn’t continue with that topic, so she playfully changed it. The ticket issue was resolved, but Jenny still wore an unhappy expression. After hanging up, she unexpectedly broke down in tears. “Did I upset my babe? Will he hate me? I’m just useless. I’m a burden to him.” My heart sank at her words, fearing she would give going with Henry. Just as I was about to comfort Jenny, she stopped crying and fixed her gaze on me, murmuring, “My babe has already spent so much money. I need to help him out. That old bitch should still have some savings, right?”

The “old bitch” Jenny referred to was my grandmother, May Dawson. Jenny had me when she was still young, but my dad passed away in an accident when I was just a fetus. At that time, May felt sorry for Jenny and advised her to abort me, saying that it would be easier for her to remarry someone else without me. But Jenny was infatuated and insisted on leaving my dad a descendant. Later, I was born, and for a while, Jenny loved me. However, she soon fell for other men, and gradually, I really became what May had described—a burden on Jenny’s love life. When Jenny was twenty-five, she fell in love with a married man. In the end, she was beaten by that man’s wife at home. During the scuffle, my dad’s picture fell from the wall, and his ashes were knocked over, scattering all over the room. Those troublemakers cursed and left, thinking it was bad luck. But Jenny believed that my dad was still protecting her after death, so she fell in love with him again, a dead man. At that time, she had already agreed with May that I would live with May, which was good for me and wouldn’t hinder Jenny from continuing her love life. But when it came down to it, Jenny backed out. May sued Jenny for custody of me. Fearing that May would take me away—her late husband’s child—Jenny had me lie in court. In the end, May lost the case, and her reputation was ruined by Jenny. Heartbroken, May returned to her hometown. Because of Jenny, I had a poor impression of May, so before time travel, my relationship with her was very cold. It wasn’t until my death that I realized how good that seemingly cold-hearted old lady had been to me. Throughout my life, all my tuition fees were paid by May. Jenny never contributed a penny. When Jenny wouldn’t let May see me, May secretly asked neighbors to bring me nutritional supplements and snacks. In that remote mountain, the last person I saw was May. That old lady, who was seventy or eighty, walked countless miles, asking around just to find me. She dragged a ragged bag, pretending to beg, going from village to village, all to find her missing granddaughter. She found me, but by then, I was beyond saving. My last memory was of May, with her silver hair, throwing herself on top of me to shield me from a heavy kick from that fool. Thinking of this, I clenched my fists. Jenny had drained May’s savings for so many years but still wanted to scam her for money. I must make her return all the money she had previously taken from May.

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My girlfriend always gives me a gift after meeting with Adeline, whom she refers to as her “white moonlight,” to alleviate her guilt. Over the course of a year, I’ve received six watches, fifteen bottles of Hermès perfume, and more than thirty ties. On our anniversary, she promised not to give me a gift but to spend the day with me. Yet, that night, she broke her promise. In the gift box she left behind, I found a Maserati key. At the same time, Adeline posted an update on her social media. It was a photo of a one-month pregnancy test. At that moment, I knew it was time to end things. — Lydia never checks her phone when she’s out with Adeline. So it wasn’t until the early morning that she returned, her heels clicking, completely unaware of the breakup text I had sent her nearly three hours earlier. “Finn, what are you fussing about now?” she said as she walked in, not even bothering to ask why, just assuming I was causing trouble. I stayed silent, packing my things. She seemed to be in a good mood, not upset by my silence. Instead, she looked over curiously. “Are you decluttering?” When you don’t love someone anymore, even if I’m hanging myself, it just looks like I’m swinging. “Yeah,” I said with a scoff, nodding. “The relationship too, time to cut it off.” Lydia’s face darkened slightly, and she sighed, speaking in a tone as if soothing a child, “Alright, it’s just that I didn’t spend tonight with you. Don’t be mad.” “I had to go to a friend’s gathering today. I actually wanted to come back, but they wouldn’t let me.” I could smell the men’s cologne unique to Jasper Grey on her. Seeing her contented expression, I held back from exposing her lies. “I’m not mad.” Lydia clearly didn’t believe me. After a few seconds of silence, she tentatively asked, “Did you see the post Adeline made on social media?” My hand paused for a moment, but I didn’t say anything. Lydia realized she guessed right and covered her mouth, releasing a tinkling laugh. “Are you really upset about that?” “That was a photoshopped picture from a truth or dare game Adeline lost. They thought it was fun, and I didn’t want to spoil the mood, so I let them.” “Finn, you’re too naive. Can’t you tell the image is fake?” I watched her laugh with a smug expression, as if she knew it all along. That’s how it always was. She knew why I was upset, why I was jealous, yet she still did things to make me misunderstand. Sometimes, she’d even turn my anger and jealousy into jokes to tell her friends. In the past, I might have argued with her, but now I felt nothing. No emotion at all, just a sense of pointlessness. I looked at her seriously. “I’m not joking. I’m serious.” “Lydia, let’s break up.” Lydia’s smile froze, her expression somewhat helpless. “Why can’t you get over it? You’re breaking up over such a small thing?” “Fine, I’ll have Adeline delete the post. Happy now?” With that, she sent a message to Jasper Grey right in front of me. That surprised me. In previous arguments over Jasper Grey, Lydia would always tell me not to be so petty and never thought Jasper Grey was at fault. But just as I was thinking this, I caught a glimpse of her conversation with Jasper Grey. [Sorry, Lydia, I was just joking. Didn’t expect Finn to get so mad. I’ll delete it now.] Lydia replied with a cute emoji: [It’s not your fault. Finn just can’t take a joke.] I found it amusing again. She was just trying to smooth things over. She still thought Jasper Grey was innocent. “Alright, see, it’s gone now?” Lydia handed me her phone. I said nothing, glancing at my own phone where the post was still there. I knew Jasper Grey just hid it from her. This obvious taunting had happened too many times. In the past, I might’ve complained, told her about Jasper Grey’s scheming, but now, I had no desire to. Even if I did, Lydia wouldn’t believe me. I calmly nodded, “It’s late. I’m going to bed.” I turned and headed to the bedroom. “I’ll join you.” Unusually, Lydia wanted to come along. Before she could enter, I closed the bedroom door and locked it. Lydia didn’t push the door, but she grew impatient, banging on it loudly. “Finn, are you done yet?” “All this fuss over a social media post, am I spoiling you too much? Open the door! I’m telling you one last time…” Halfway through, her phone rang. Only then did she stop banging on the door, speaking softly to the caller. Her tone was completely different from before. I didn’t need to guess to know it was Jasper Grey on the other end. Sure enough, she seemed to be taunting me, raising her voice on purpose, “Stay right there, I’m coming to you. We’re not going home until we’re drunk.” I knew she was provoking me. Before, whenever we fought, she’d say I couldn’t accept her and that she was going to find Jasper Grey. Each time, I’d compromise and give in to her. But now, I was unmoved. Soon, the door slammed shut with a deafening sound. I knew Lydia was angry, but I didn’t feel the panic I once did. Instead, it all seemed childish. She dared to do it because she thought I wouldn’t actually break up with her. But she was wrong. Whether she agreed or not, we were over. After a while, I made a call to my mentor overseas. “Professor, I’ve made up my mind. I want to join the research institute. Do you still have a spot?” —

“Of course, I’ve been holding one for you. I’m glad you’ve finally decided. I’ve been waiting for your call these past few days,” my mentor said cheerfully. The year I graduated, he invited me to join an international project. I had heard of it and was interested, but I stayed because of Lydia. I remember how disappointed he was, talking to me privately several times to focus on my career, but I didn’t listen. Fortunately, the opportunity was still there. After a few more words with him, setting a time, I left the bedroom. I planned to find my passport but saw a delicate gift box on the table. I knew it was another gift from Lydia. I opened a drawer beside it, revealing neatly arranged ties, perfumes, and designer watches. All gifts Lydia bought out of guilt after seeing Jasper Grey. It started on my birthday when she went to pick up Jasper Grey from the airport and shopped for him but bought me the same gift. I was so happy that night, I didn’t even question why she missed my birthday. Later, she repeated this trick. Seeing my emotions stabilize, she seemed to understand something. After every meeting with Jasper Grey, she’d bring me a gift. She thought I liked the presents, but she didn’t know it comforted me that she still cared about me. So no matter how Jasper Grey provoked me, I convinced myself that no matter how much Lydia interacted with him, the past was the past, and I was still the most important to her. But today’s pregnancy test brought me back to reality. Whether Lydia loved someone or not didn’t matter anymore. What mattered was her endless cover-ups, making me realize this pregnancy test could become real one day. I didn’t open the latest gift from Lydia, placing it with the others. After some thought, I put a bank card inside. It’s what I owe Lydia. In college, with my family struggling, she’d find ways to give me money under the guise of needing tutoring. When I was hospitalized, and my family didn’t care, she didn’t hesitate to steal a large sum of money from home to pay my medical bills and got scolded for it. I learned about this from others. She saved my life, so I let her do as she pleased. She wanted me to stay, so I gave up the chance to go abroad. She said her health was poor and needed care, so I gave up a high-paying job to take care of her. Even so, I still felt indebted to her. In my spare time, I worked part-time jobs. In seven years, I saved exactly 200,080, the same amount as the surgery cost. Maybe fate thought we should settle things. After packing, Jasper Grey sent me a message. I opened it to see a selfie of him and Lydia showing peace signs, with Lydia smiling in his arms, looking very intimate. Then he sent an emoji. A green hat. The meaning was clear. I ignored it. Ten minutes later, Jasper Grey sent another message. “Sorry, wrong send, Finn. I didn’t mean anything by it, don’t overthink.” I knew he was provoking me on purpose. But since Lydia and I broke up, whose green hat it was wasn’t clear. I forwarded the last message back to Jasper Grey. Less than a minute later, Lydia called. I didn’t hesitate to decline it. I knew Jasper Grey was stirring things up again. It’s a green hat. The implication is clear. I ignored it, but ten minutes later, Jude sent another message. “Sorry, sent it to the wrong person. Callum, I didn’t mean anything by it, don’t overthink.” I knew he was deliberately trying to provoke me. Since Lydia and I had already broken up, it wasn’t clear who exactly was being unfaithful. I forwarded the last message back to Jude. Less than a minute later, Lydia called. I didn’t hesitate to hang up. I knew Jude was stirring up trouble again. It was always the same. He would provoke me, then act innocent, while Lydia would blame me and mock my sensitivity. It seemed like every time we argued, I was always the one at fault. After packing my things, I left with my suitcase. I went to a hotel to check in, but when I tried to pay, the receptionist told me my card was frozen. I was momentarily stunned and checked my phone, only to see a message from Lydia. “Regretting it? This is your punishment for not answering my call.” Lydia had set up the card for me. She had convinced me to quit my job to take care of her, and to compensate, she deposited two thousand bucks a month for my living expenses. It was my only source of income. I knew she was using this to force me to apologize to Jude. The receptionist handed back the card, suggesting I use another card or pay in cash. But all my money was on that card. I never thought things with Lydia would reach this point, so I hadn’t made any backup plans. Seeing my hesitation, the receptionist looked at me with disdain and impatiently asked if I still wanted the room. “Sorry, could I use this as collateral?” I took off the ring and handed it to the receptionist. It was custom-made for our second anniversary. I had designed it, and when she first got it, she wore it all the time. But after Jude returned from abroad, her ring disappeared. I had asked her about it, and she casually replied, “Maybe I lost it.” Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but laugh. The rings were a pair, and if hers was already lost, why should I cherish mine? The receptionist examined the ring for a moment, then handed me a room key, muttering, “A grown man doesn’t even have a few hundred bucks and needs to pawn things?” I felt embarrassed and apologized awkwardly, then took my luggage into the hotel. With my card frozen, even tomorrow’s meals were uncertain, let alone a plane ticket. After thinking for a few minutes, I called a few friends, hoping to borrow some money. But when I called, they either made excuses or were evasive. Then, I got another call from Lydia. After a moment of thought, I answered. “Callum, what’s your problem?” “I froze your bank card, and now you’re trying to scam money off others?” “Your friends just called me, asking if I’m going bankrupt?” As soon as the call connected, Lydia started berating me. I didn’t explain. When she finished, I calmly said, “Unfreeze the card. The money is mine, and you have no right to touch it.” “What did you say?” Lydia sounded incredulous. I knew what she was thinking. In the past, whenever she confronted me, I’d either defend myself or apologize to avoid conflict. This was the first time I spoke to her with such authority. “I’ve been taking care of you all these years. Even a nanny gets paid.” “We’ve broken up. Consider the money my wages. You have no right to touch it.” I stated clearly. “Break up?” Lydia sneered. “Callum, haven’t you had enough?” “You’ve tried breaking up with me twice. Do you think I won’t do it?” “I suggest you think it through. You have nothing now. What can you do after breaking up with me? Who would want you?” “You want to split hairs over money, so should I return everything I gave you?” “They’re already in the drawer in the living room. You can go check.” I felt a chill in my heart. After thinking it over, I softly said to her, “I’ve decided to leave. Before I go, we…” Before I could finish, I heard Jude’s laughter. “Callum is so amusing. I really thought he was breaking up just now. I got a bit nervous, but it turns out he’s just trying to get you home.” “Lydia, maybe you should go back. I don’t want you two to quarrel over me.” Lydia scoffed softly, seemingly responding to Jude, “Don’t worry about him.” Then she sighed and said to me, “Callum, I see through your tricks. Stop it, it’s boring.” “You’re just worried about something between Jude and me? I’ll be honest, he’s not feeling well lately, and I’m taking care of him. I’ll return when he’s better.” “Stop being jealous, will you?” “I was going to unfreeze the card, but your earlier words upset me, so I’ve decided to wait three days. Think of it as a lesson.” Without waiting for my response, Lydia hung up. Before the call disconnected, I heard her and Callum laughing. I didn’t care. I had to leave the day after tomorrow, and three days would be too late. Since I couldn’t get the money from Lydia, I had no more hope. After thinking it over, I decided to get a part-time job. That night, I worked as a waiter at a karaoke bar, earning five hundred bucks. By the time I returned to the hotel with the money, it was morning. I was exhausted, but holding the cash gave me a rare sense of peace. Feelings may change, but money will never betray you. It’s a pity I realized this so late, but at least it’s not too late. I slept until noon. When I woke up and checked my phone, there were only a few spam messages. Lydia was afraid of the dark. When I wasn’t home, she’d call and message me constantly, but now she hadn’t contacted me, likely not returning home all night. But I didn’t care anymore. That night, I went to work as usual. Even through the thick doors, the noise from the private room was loud. Lydia often visited places like this, but I didn’t like them. One night, Lydia sent me a distress message from a karaoke bar. I rushed over in my sleepwear without changing, only to find Jude and her friends laughing at me when I opened the door. It turned out they were playing truth or dare. I was sweaty, in pajamas, and wearing flip-flops, starkly different from Jude in his suit. Lydia’s friends ridiculed me, and Lydia coldly blamed me for embarrassing her. Since then, I’ve had a strong aversion to such places. However, knowing I was leaving, I felt surprisingly calm. But some things were still unexpected. At midnight, the manager asked me to deliver wine to a VIP room, repeatedly reminding me it was a big client. I agreed without much thought. As soon as I entered, I heard a burst of cheering. Instinctively, I turned my head and saw Lydia and Jude surrounded on the sofa. The two of them were facing each other closely, playing a game where they both ate an apple. Their lips nearly touched. The atmosphere was charged with tension. “Kiss, kiss.” Someone cheered, and Lydia’s face turned red. “Time’s up, you two were too slow. There’s a penalty.” “How should they be punished? Let’s have the wine guy decide.” Someone pointed at me with a smile. Everyone’s eyes turned to me, Lydia included. Her smile froze when she saw me. Jude also recognized me, a flicker of disdain crossing his eyes before he quickly recovered and smiled. “Hey, isn’t this Callum? Why are you in a waiter’s outfit?” Lydia’s friends also laughed mockingly. “Lydia, what’s going on? How could you let your boyfriend work here?” They exchanged knowing glances and offered to order drinks to help me earn commission. I knew they intended to humiliate me. They never approved of me, thinking I was beneath Lydia. Despite my efforts over the years to prove myself and help them with problems, nothing changed. In the past, I might have felt hurt and disappointed. But now, I was unexpectedly calm. Their attitudes were ultimately because of Lydia. Since Lydia no longer mattered to me, why should their opinions? I politely recommended drinks to them, suggesting several expensive options, and then asked, “These drinks are sold by the dozen. How many would you like?” They were stunned, not expecting me to be so bold. They were left speechless. In the past, I would have felt hurt and let down. But now, surprisingly, I feel at peace. Their attitude towards me ultimately stems from Lydia Bennett. Since Lydia is no longer significant to me, what does their opinion mean? I immediately and politely suggested some drinks to them, highlighting several high-priced options before smiling as I asked, “These are sold in sets of twelve bottles. How many would you like?” They stood there, caught off guard by my boldness, momentarily speechless. “If that’s too much, you might not finish it all. How about 24 bottles?” I suggested kindly. “That’ll be 160,000. Could one of you please proceed to the front desk to pay?” With that, I turned away, ignoring their embarrassed faces, and prepared to leave. Just as I reached the door, Lydia Bennett caught up to me, her expression dark as she sharply questioned me. “Callum, are you done causing a scene? Why did you follow me here?” I calmly replied, “I’m not following you. I’m here to earn a living.” Lydia clearly wasn’t convinced, her tone becoming sharper. “Does our family need you to make money? Even if I cut off your card, selling just one or two of those gifts would support you for a year.” Not bothering to explain further, I nodded. “You’re right.” I thought Lydia would be satisfied, but her expression only worsened. Before she could say more, Ethan Quinn interjected. “Lydia, since Callum is already here, don’t rush him off. Let’s have a few drinks together.” I assumed Lydia would, as usual, refuse to let me stay, and I was ready to decline. But to my surprise, Lydia said, “You stay here for now. We’ll go home later.” I was a bit taken aback—she was always quick to dismiss me when we were out. And now she wants me to stay with her? Before I could ponder further, Ethan suddenly clutched his head, saying, “Lydia, my stomach suddenly hurts.” “What happened? Is it acting up again? I’ll take you to the hospital.” Lydia hurried back to Ethan’s side, her eyes filled with concern. She never seemed this worried when I was sick with a high fever. Seeing her concerned gaze, I smiled with a sense of acceptance. “I’m leaving. You guys take care.” “Wait,” Lydia suddenly called out to me. I turned back, puzzled, only to see her with an odd look in her eyes as she fiddled with her phone. “The card is unfrozen. Take a cab home.” “Wait for me at home; I have something to tell you.” This was the first time she thought of me while with Ethan. In the past, I would have been thrilled. I responded half-heartedly and left. The commission from the drinks was enough for me to buy a plane ticket. After booking the earliest flight, I returned to the hotel, grabbed my suitcase, and took a cab to the airport. As I boarded the plane, I couldn’t help but look back at this familiar yet unfamiliar city. I knew this was truly goodbye to Lydia. ——VIP——

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295451”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller #魔幻Magic #校园School

At my baby’s one-month celebration, my husband—my partner of three years—did something I never imagined he was capable of. Right in front of me, he handed our baby to his ex. His first love. And then, as if that wasn’t enough, he encouraged the baby to call her “Mom.” I froze, my mind reeling from the shock. But when the realization hit me, I rushed forward to stop him, only to be shoved aside like I was nothing. “Why are you being so selfish?” he snapped, glaring at me like I was the one in the wrong. “Sarah can’t have children. She just wants to know what it’s like to be a mom for once. What’s the big deal? The baby’s too young to even understand—it’s just a couple of words!” I stared at him, speechless, as Sarah—Sarah—looked down at me, holding my baby like she had every right to. Her expression was soft, almost pitying, but her words cut deeper than any knife. “I’m so sorry, Amanda,” she said, her voice dripping with practiced regret. “Not being able to have children is the one thing I’ve always wanted to experience. It’s my only regret in life.” She smiled faintly, stroking my baby’s tiny cheek as if she belonged to her. “Joshua went through so much to make this happen for me,” she added, her eyes glancing at my husband—her Joshua, I realized bitterly. “I couldn’t bear to refuse him after everything he’s done.” She paused, letting out a theatrical sigh as if she were the victim. “Don’t worry, though,” she continued, her tone so sweet it made me sick. “When the baby’s older, I’ll give him back to you. And then I’ll leave. I promise.” Her words echoed in my ears, but instead of anger, something else took over. A strange, calm clarity. I got to my feet, brushed myself off, and looked at both of them with a steady gaze. My voice was calm—too calm—but firm. “Alright,” I said. “I’ll grant both of your wishes.” Three years of marriage. Three years of lies. It was time to walk away. …

The moment I said those words, the room went silent. At first, the people around me looked shocked. But then their expressions shifted—disdain replaced surprise. To them, I was just the pathetic woman hopelessly in love with Joshua. From high school to college, from graduation to marriage, I had chased him for years—years where I lost every ounce of self-respect. Everyone knew it. They called me desperate behind my back, a woman who had long since thrown away her dignity for a man who never cared. Even Joshua was stunned. He stared at me, clearly not expecting what I’d just said. The words of blame he had been about to hurl at me froze on his tongue. “What?” He blinked as if he hadn’t heard me correctly. He never thought I’d agree so easily. No, not me—the woman who always fought him tooth and nail every time Sarah’s name came up. We had argued countless times before, like when he abandoned me in the pouring rain to rush off and comfort Sarah. Or when I was pregnant, and he barely came home, while Sarah’s social media was filled with pictures of the two of them together—day after day. But now? I didn’t have the strength to argue anymore. When he handed Coco to Sarah. When he encouraged Coco to call her “Mom.” That was the moment I finally woke up. The marriage I had fought so hard for—the marriage I thought I wanted so desperately—was over. I looked at Joshua, my voice calm and steady, with none of the tears or pleading he must have expected. “Well, Joshua,” I said. “I wish you and your perfect little family all the happiness in the world.” “But Coco? I’m taking her with me.” Coco, sensing the tension in the air, waved her tiny hands and whimpered. But when she couldn’t find my familiar scent, her cries grew louder and more desperate. Her cries tore through me, sharp and painful. She had been the sweetest baby in the world since the day she was born—rarely crying, always calm, never making a fuss. Even during late-night feedings, she wasn’t difficult. I had always thought she was a gift from above. But now, I realized that from the moment she was conceived, Coco had been nothing more than a piece in Joshua’s game. He never cared about her. Not really. To him, Coco wasn’t his daughter—she was just a tool. A pawn to make Sarah happy. I clenched my fists, swallowing the lump in my throat as I stared at him. “Coco’s hungry,” I said, my voice trembling with barely restrained anger. “She’s coming with me.” Coco squirmed in Sarah’s arms, her tiny body wriggling and pushing away from the unfamiliar woman holding her. It was obvious she wanted nothing to do with Sarah. Sarah’s face twisted with irritation as she tried to comfort her, but Coco only cried harder. After a few failed attempts, Sarah’s eyes began to water in frustration. “Well,” she said with a bitter laugh, “it looks like Coco doesn’t like me very much.” Then, as if she were discarding a broken toy, she handed Coco to one of the bodyguards standing nearby. The sight of it made my blood boil, and I rushed forward, pulling Coco into my arms. Her cries softened instantly, her tiny fingers clutching my shirt as I whispered to her, gently soothing her sobs. Behind me, Joshua reached out to pat Sarah’s hand, his voice soft and comforting. “It’s okay,” he said. “She’s still young. She doesn’t recognize people yet.” And then, with a smile that made my stomach turn, he added, “Give it some time. I’ll make sure she spends more time with you. She’ll learn to listen to you.” His voice dropped into something almost tender. “Soon enough, she’ll be your daughter too.” The words hit me like a slap to the face. I held Coco tighter, ignoring Sarah’s smug expression as I turned to face Joshua. “Joshua,” I said coldly, every word precise and deliberate. “We’re getting a divorce.” “And Coco? She’s coming with me.” For a moment, Sarah’s expression faltered, her smug smile replaced by genuine surprise. Joshua looked at me like I had just spoken in a language he didn’t understand. Then his face darkened, his brows furrowing as he spoke, his voice laced with irritation. “Amanda,” he snapped, “don’t use divorce as some childish tantrum. Grow up.” I didn’t respond. I didn’t argue. I simply turned on my heel, holding Coco close as I walked toward the door. Behind me, Joshua’s voice rang out, sharp and angry. “Amanda! Don’t take this too far!” And then Sarah’s sickly sweet voice chimed in, trying to calm him down. “It’s okay, Joshua. Coco’s probably just hungry, and Amanda’s upset. She didn’t mean those things—she’s just stressed.” I didn’t look back. The moment I stepped outside the hotel, the tears I had been holding back finally spilled over. Guilt clawed at my chest, nearly overwhelming me. I had failed Coco. My blind, pathetic devotion to Joshua had allowed him to hurt me again and again without consequence. He was so certain I’d never leave him, so confident I’d always stay, that he didn’t even try to hide his betrayal anymore. And now, because of me, my daughter had almost been taken from me. Coco’s tiny face was bright red from crying, her sobs shaking her little body. My tears fell harder as I gently squeezed her hand, trying to calm her. “It’s okay, Coco,” I whispered. My voice shook, but I forced myself to sound steady. “Mommy’s here. Mommy won’t let anything happen to you.” As long as I’m here, you’ll be safe. You don’t need a father like Joshua. Not anymore.

It was nearly dawn when Joshua finally came home. The bedroom door creaked open, and the sharp scent of alcohol hit me like a punch in the face. I turned my head instinctively, a wave of nausea rising in my stomach. Joshua’s cheeks were flushed the telltale red of someone who’d had too much to drink. He saw me sitting on the edge of the bed, tossed his jacket carelessly onto the chair, and collapsed next to me without a word. I stood, ready to leave, but before I could take a step, his hand grabbed my wrist. He looked up at me, his eyes hazy and unfocused, but there was something in his gaze—an attempt at charm, maybe even guilt. “Are you mad?” he slurred, the words slow and deliberate like a child trying to soothe a parent. “Come on, it’s not what you think. There’s nothing going on between me and Sarah. You know about her accident—she can’t have kids. Coco’s just… the one thing she’ll never have.” His tone softened like he truly believed he was being reasonable. “I was just trying to make her happy. That’s all. Besides, wouldn’t it be nice to have someone else around to help with Coco?” As he spoke, he leaned closer, his breath warm and reeking of alcohol. “I know what I said earlier was harsh, but you’re overreacting. I’m just helping her. You’re making this into a bigger deal than it is.” His grip tightened slightly, and his voice hardened. “And Amanda, stop throwing around the word ‘divorce’ every time you’re upset. What would people think if they heard about this? You’re embarrassing yourself.” I stared at him, his words dripping with condescension, and something inside me snapped. How dare he blame me? How dare he talk about embarrassment when he let Coco call another woman “Mom”? When he publicly said that Coco would be Sarah’s child, did he think of me then? Did he care how humiliated I felt? I yanked my wrist free from his grasp, the disgust on my face unmistakable. “I’ll be sleeping in the guest room tonight,” I said coldly. I headed for the door, but before I could open it, his hand shot out again, gripping my arm even harder this time. His tone shifted, sharp and impatient now. “I’ve already explained everything to you. What more do you want?” “Amanda, don’t be so selfish,” he said, his voice rising with frustration. “Sarah can’t have kids! All I asked was for Coco to call her ‘Mom.’ What’s the big deal?” I turned to face him, finally meeting his gaze. This was the man I had spent years loving, the man I thought I’d spend my life with. But now, as I looked at him, all I could feel was disgust. “You know exactly how you feel about Sarah,” I said, my voice cold and steady. “I’m not stupid, Joshua.” “But let me make one thing clear: I will never let you drag Coco into this.” “And as I’ve already said, we’re done. I want a divorce.” I didn’t wait for his response. I opened the door and walked out, ignoring the sound of something crashing behind me as his anger boiled over. The guest room was next to Coco’s nursery. Before going to bed, I quietly pushed open her door. She was fast asleep, her tiny chest rising and falling with every breath. The sight of her calmed me, if only for a moment. I leaned down and kissed her forehead gently. “Goodnight, my love,” I whispered. Then I closed the door and went to the guest room. The next morning, Joshua was gone. I didn’t need to ask where he was. Since I’d gotten pregnant, he’d been homeless and less. And where did he spend his time? I already knew. I got up and went straight to Coco’s nursery. But when I opened the door, the crib was empty. My heart stopped. Panic surged through me as I searched the room, checking every corner, every inch of the space, as if she could somehow be hiding. But she was gone. The fear was suffocating, my hands trembling as I reached for my phone. I was ready to call the police when a notification popped up on the screen. #J Group CEO Attends Charity Gala with Wife and Daughter!# My stomach twisted as I opened the link. The video began to play, and there they were—Joshua and Sarah, standing arm in arm, smiling for the cameras. And in Sarah’s arms… Coco. My Coco. Her little nose was red, her eyes puffy, as if she’d been crying. The sight of her like that shattered something inside me. I knew Joshua wouldn’t answer my calls. He never did when it mattered. So I didn’t bother trying. Instead, I grabbed my coat and my car keys. I didn’t care about the speed limit. I didn’t care about anything except getting to that gala. Coco was mine. And no one—not Joshua, not Sarah—was going to take her away from me. … The ceremony had just ended. Sarah clung to Joshua’s arm, walking gracefully toward the sleek black luxury car parked outside. Coco was cradled in her arms, fast asleep, oblivious to the world around her. I pulled up, stepped out of my car, and stormed toward them without hesitation. Sarah noticed me first. Her expression flickered for just a moment before she plastered on a look of wide-eyed innocence. “Amanda! What a surprise,” she said, her voice syrupy sweet. “What brings you here?” I ignored her completely and turned to Joshua instead. “She’s barely a year old, Joshua!” I snapped, my voice sharp and cutting. “How could you bring her to a place like this? What if something happened to her?” Joshua shrugged, unfazed by my anger. “Don’t be so dramatic,” he said dismissively. “Sarah wanted to see Coco, and we had the ceremony to attend. It made sense to bring her along.” He gestured toward the baby in Sarah’s arms as if to prove a point. “Look—she’s fine, isn’t she?” Sarah chimed in with a soft laugh. “Exactly, Amanda. You’re overthinking this. She’s perfectly okay. You really need to stop worrying so much.” I didn’t bother responding to her. My focus was on Coco. I stepped forward and took her from Sarah’s arms. My movements were abrupt, almost frantic, but even then, Coco didn’t stir. That was when the first wave of panic hit me. I touched her face, and my heart sank. Her skin was burning hot to the touch. “Coco?” I whispered, shaking her gently. “Coco, wake up!” She didn’t move. My legs felt like they were about to give out as I turned to Joshua, my voice trembling with anger and fear. “Joshua!” I shouted, my voice echoing louder than I intended. “She’s your daughter! How could you not notice she has a fever? She’s burning up!” Joshua blinked at me, clearly caught off guard. For a moment, he just stood there, his expression blank. “I—I didn’t realize…” he stammered. “She seemed fine earlier…” I couldn’t take it anymore. Hugging Coco tightly to my chest, I turned and ran back to my car. There was no time to argue, no time to waste. I needed to get her to the hospital. I drove as fast as I dared, my hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white. I kept glancing at Coco in the rearview mirror, her tiny body still and lifeless. When we arrived, the doctors rushed her in immediately. I could barely breathe as I waited outside, pacing back and forth, my heart pounding in my chest. Finally, a doctor came out to speak with me. “You brought her in just in time,” he said, his tone serious but calm. “If you’d waited any longer, it could have been much worse.” The relief was overwhelming, but it was quickly swallowed by guilt. I stepped into the room where Coco was now resting. She looked so small, hooked up to the IV. Her fever had started to go down, and her breathing was steady again, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had failed her. Tears blurred my vision as I sat by her bedside. I wiped them away quickly, pulling out my phone and dialing my parents. The call connected almost immediately. “Mom,” I said, my voice cracking. “I’ve made up my mind. I’m divorcing Joshua.” There was a pause on the other end, and then my mother’s voice came through, filled with concern. “What happened? Is Coco okay?” I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice as I explained everything—how Joshua had taken Coco to the ceremony, how he hadn’t even noticed she was sick, how close we had come to losing her. In the background, I could hear my father’s angry voice. “That man has no heart!” he fumed. “Coco is his own daughter! How could he be so careless?” My mother’s voice was calmer but no less determined. “Amanda, listen to me,” she said firmly. “Just come home. Bring Coco with you. We’ll handle the rest.” My mom wasn’t just offering comfort—she was a force to be reckoned with. Her connections in the business world ran deep, and she knew some of the best lawyers in the city. I knew she would make sure I had everything I needed to end this marriage. “Okay,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. After hanging up, I reached out and gently touched Coco’s forehead. Her fever had finally broken. I let out a long breath, the tension in my chest easing just a little. I stayed by her side the entire night, refusing to leave her for even a moment.

After a full day and night on an IV drip, Coco finally woke up. My mom came to the hospital to help me take care of her, giving me a chance to go home and pack. I didn’t take much—just the necessities. I didn’t need anything else from that house. But as I stepped out the door with my suitcase in hand, a car pulled up, screeching to a stop in front of me. Joshua. He got out quickly, and of course, Sarah was right behind him. Her eyes immediately landed on the suitcase I was holding. She blinked in surprise, and then tilted her head with a smile that was anything but innocent. “Amanda,” she said, her tone light and curious, “are you going somewhere?” Joshua’s gaze followed hers, and the moment he saw the suitcase, his face darkened. His jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed dangerously. “Amanda,” he said sharply, “what’s the meaning of this?” I looked at him, calm but cold. “What do you think it means?” I said evenly. “We’re getting divorced. There’s no reason for me to stay here anymore.” Joshua’s expression shifted, his anger visibly rising. He stepped forward and grabbed my arm, his grip hard enough to make me stop in my tracks. “Who said you could leave?” he growled. Before I could respond, Sarah stepped in, her voice soft and sweet, playing her part perfectly. “Joshua, don’t be so harsh,” she said, placing a hand on his arm. “Amanda’s just upset. If you talk to her calmly, I’m sure she’ll come around. She’s probably just overreacting because of what happened with Coco…” She paused, casting me a quick, apologetic glance. “I mean, yesterday was partly my fault, after all…” Her words hit me like gasoline on a fire. Joshua’s grip loosened as he turned to her, clearly annoyed. But then he turned back to me, his voice dripping with frustration. “Overreacting,” he repeated, almost scoffing. “It was just a fever, Amanda. Kids get sick all the time. Why do you have to blow everything out of proportion?” He crossed his arms, his tone sharper now. “Do you even hear yourself? You’re always so tense, always making everything into a crisis. What’s the point? Do you even realize how exhausting you’ve become?” His words cut deep, but this time, I didn’t hold back. I raised my hand and slapped him across the face. The sound echoed in the driveway, sharp and unforgiving. Joshua froze, his eyes wide with disbelief, one hand slowly reaching up to touch his cheek. Sarah gasped and rushed to his side. “Joshua! Are you okay?” she cried, her voice filled with concern as she leaned in to inspect him. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “Do you think I’m the problem here?” I said, my voice trembling with anger. I pulled out my phone, opened Sarah’s social media, and shoved it in Joshua’s face. “Look at this,” I said, my tone icy. “Do you even remember what you’ve done?” “Were you there for Coco when she was born?” “When she was sick, where were you? Who were you with?” I took a step closer, my voice growing louder with each question. “Do I need to remind you of every single time you failed her? Failed us?” Joshua didn’t say a word, but Sarah’s eyes welled up with tears. She sniffled, looking at me like she was the victim. “Amanda,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “I know you’re upset… I—I’m leaving for the U.S. soon. I won’t bother you anymore, I swear. Please, just… don’t take this out on Joshua. He really cares about you.” Her performance was flawless, but it only made me feel sick. I smiled coldly, not bothering to hide my disgust. Then, without hesitation, I slapped her, too. This time, the sound was even louder. Sarah stumbled back, clutching her cheek in shock as tears spilled down her face. Joshua immediately snapped out of his daze and rushed to her, shielding her like she was some fragile treasure. “What the hell is wrong with you, Amanda?” he shouted, his voice filled with anger. I smirked, unfazed by his reaction. “Get out of my sight,” I said coldly, my tone laced with disdain. “Both of you. You’re disgusting.” I turned on my heel, dragging my suitcase toward my car. Just before getting in, I looked over my shoulder one last time. “The divorce papers will be sent to you tomorrow,” I said. “Make sure you sign them.” Joshua’s voice roared behind me as I started the engine. “Amanda! Don’t you dare walk away from me! You’ll regret this!” But I didn’t bother looking back. Later that night, I arrived at my parents’ house. My mom had already brought Coco home from the hospital. She was asleep in the guest room, her tiny face peaceful and calm. For the first time in days, I felt like I could finally breathe. My mom came over and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry,” she said firmly. “The lawyer I hired is one of the best. We’ll make sure you get full custody of Coco. No one is taking her away from you.” Her words were like a lifeline, grounding me in the middle of the chaos. “It hasn’t been easy for you,” she added softly. “But you’ve done everything you could. You’ve been so strong, Amanda.” I nodded, but the weight of everything finally broke me. For the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself cry. I buried my face in my mom’s shoulder, and all the anger, pain, and exhaustion poured out of me in waves. … Three days had passed since I sent the divorce papers to Joshua. He still hadn’t signed them. When it became clear he was just stalling, I told my lawyer to proceed with filing for divorce in court. That finally got a reaction. Joshua called me later that day, his voice dripping with irritation. “Amanda, what are you trying to do?” he snapped. “First the divorce papers, now you’re dragging a lawyer into this? You really want to take this to court?” He paused, and then softened his tone slightly, though it was more condescending than apologetic. “Look, I know… last time was my fault. I should’ve noticed something was wrong with Coco. I admit that. Okay? But do we really have to keep dragging this out? I’m apologizing here. Can’t you just… let it go?” I didn’t say anything, so he kept going. “And Sarah… she’s been a close friend of mine for years. She just got back to the country, and then—” he hesitated for a moment, and then sighed heavily. “And then she found out she can’t have kids. Do you know how hard that is for her? She’s going through a lot right now. She doesn’t deserve this from you.” His tone shifted again, more impatient now. “Look, there’s an event tomorrow night. Come with me.” It wasn’t a request. It sounded more like a reluctant compromise as if he were doing me a favor. In the past, I might’ve been eager for an invitation like this. Joshua rarely took me to events like these. He always said I “wasn’t cut out for that kind of thing,” that my place was at home, managing the household. But now? I couldn’t care less. I kept my voice calm, almost disinterested. “Will Sarah be there?” “Her studio is hosting the event,” he replied as if that explained everything. “Fine,” I said. “I’ll go.” The next evening, I drove myself to the venue. When I arrived, Joshua was waiting for me outside. Without a word, he led me into the banquet hall, where the crowd immediately began to take notice of us. Joshua was quickly drawn into conversations about business, but I could feel the curious stares following me everywhere. The whispers were impossible to ignore. It wasn’t hard to understand why. To them, Sarah was the woman who belonged at Joshua’s side. She was the one splashed all over the tabloids, the one everyone assumed was the woman in his life. And me? I was a stranger in their world, someone they’d never seen before. Joshua had never brought me to events like this. In fact, most people in his circle didn’t even know he was married. Even Coco’s full-month celebration had been a small, private affair with just close family and friends. So tonight, standing beside him, I was a shock to everyone in the room. Finally, someone couldn’t resist asking. One of the guests turned to Joshua, offering a polite smile. “And this lovely lady is…?” Joshua started to respond, but I cut him off before he could say a word. “His wife,” I said with a calm, confident smile. The man’s expression froze for a moment, and then shifted as he glanced at Joshua with a mixture of surprise and something else—disgust, maybe, or pity. Joshua’s face tightened, his jaw clenching as he leaned closer to me. “What the hell are you doing?” he hissed under his breath. I smiled at him, unfazed. “What’s wrong?” I said lightly. “I’m just telling the truth.” Soon, the event officially began. The lights dimmed, and all eyes turned to the stage as Sarah stepped out. She was dressed in a stunning custom gown, the kind that screamed exclusivity and wealth. Under the spotlight, she looked poised, elegant, and completely in control. She was the picture of grace as she walked to the center of the stage, ready to deliver her speech. But before she could say a word, I raised my voice, cutting through the silence like a knife. “Sarah,” I called out loud enough for everyone to hear. The room went still, all eyes turning toward me. “Before you start,” I said, my voice steady and clear, “don’t you think there’s something you need to explain to me first?”

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At an auction I hosted, my wife won a limited-edition luxury car for fifty million dollars. She handed over the car keys to her male partner on the spot, drawing cheers from the crowd. Everyone exclaimed that love was blatant favoritism. Everyone’s attention was focused on the well-matched “couple”. No one noticed the real husband of the heroine gritting his teeth and swallowing all his emotions on the auction block. I thought this marriage had come to an end. The moment the hammer dropped, my wife, Rachel Johnson, walked up to me and took the keys, giving me a scornful look before turning toward Oliver Kensington. To the amazement of the crowd, she handed Oliver the keys to her fifty-million-dollar limousine. At that instant, cheers and applause resounded throughout the hall. The flash focused on the two while my stomach suddenly twisted, and I almost vomited blood. I clenched my teeth and tried desperately to swallow all my emotions. My coworker, who was beside me, was the first to notice and took me to the hospital. I had a stomach relapse because I was so emotional. But my wife, Rachel, never showed up. She was embracing Oliver for an interview with a reporter. That reporter asked, “Ms. Johnson, may I ask if this man is your husband?” The business world knew that Rachel had a husband she had been married to for five years but never showed and that she had a beloved childhood friend. So the reporter was eager to confirm the identity of the man next to Rachel. “He’s the love of my life,” smiled Rachel softly while Oliver, at her side, puffed out his chest. Her vague answer made the reporter keenly aware of something, so that reporter just nodded. I watched the video as I lay in the hospital bed, a sharp pain in my heart. I had been married to Rachel for five years, and our marriage was a casualty of two large business families. But I was in love with Rachel. However, Rachel had never acknowledged me in public. She said, “I don’t want to upset Oliver, and I hope you understand.” So, all this time, I had been performing the role of a reasonable husband, quietly doing the job I loved. The young nurse came in muttering, her tone disgruntled, “Where’s your wife? Why hasn’t she shown up by now? If she doesn’t show up later, this checklist…” “I’ll just sign it myself,” I interrupted the young nurse. She choked on her words and looked a little distressed for me. She wanted to say something else but eventually just sighed. I walked out of the hospital alone after signing and paying the bill. The blinding sunlight made me squint. In a blur, I saw Rachel. She was holding Oliver on her arm as she got into the limousine she had just won. Oliver’s car shone even brighter in the sunlight. Inside the large villa, I was the only one most of the time. But Rachel was surprisingly back today, carefully holding Oliver up. “Benjamin, sorry to bother you. I broke my foot. Rachel said she didn’t feel comfortable leaving me alone,” said Oliver, holding his ankle out. There was a faint redness on it that I couldn’t even tell if I didn’t look at it deliberately. “Okay.” I nodded and got up, ready to go upstairs, only to be stopped by Rachel. She said, “You’re sleeping in the guest bedroom today. Oliver has a broken foot, and the bed in the main bedroom is better for him.” I was stunned. The bed in the main bedroom had been given to me by my mother, Aurora Wellington. Back then, Rachel had offended the gangsters for Oliver. A car with no license plate sped toward her. I subconsciously rushed forward to push her out of the way. Pain spread throughout my body. But I saw her get up in a hurry and ask Oliver, who was standing by, if he was hurt, without noticing me, who had already been covered in bruises. When I woke up again, I learned that I had a shattered calf. After that, the only way I wouldn’t feel pain was to sleep in a customized bed. I said, “But I…” “Will you stop fighting with the patient?” Rachel interrupted me impatiently. She helped Oliver into the elevator, leaving me standing alone in the living room. I had no choice but to sleep in the guest bedroom. The bed in the guest bedroom was uncomfortable. The discomfort in my calf, combined with the fact that I’d only just had stomach surgery, kept me in tears all night. I thought it was time for me to give up on Rachel.

Early in the morning, I could hear cheerful laughter downstairs. Oliver was playing with Rachel with a cookie. He held the cookie close to Rachel’s mouth and took it away before Rachel could open her mouth. The two finally notice me behind them as they play and laugh. Rachel cleared her throat and said, “You’re awake. Let’s have breakfast.” I sat across from them in silence. Oliver pouted, seemingly annoyed that I had disturbed them. “Stop by from work tonight and bring Oliver back a cake,” said Rachel to me as if giving an order. My hand paused, and I said, “I’m not available.” The crisp sound of clinking cutlery echoed through the dining room. I didn’t look at Rachel’s face as I hurriedly finished my glass of milk and carried my bag out the door. There were a lot of collections up for auction today. I was sitting backstage, memorizing, when I heard a commotion outside. A man said, “Ms. Johnson really loves her childhood friend.” Another man said, “Isn’t she married? She’s cheating like that, isn’t she?” A woman said, “She and her husband are in a business union, not in a relationship. She’s in true love with her childhood friend. If it wasn’t for the fact that her childhood friend is not as well off as that man…” The other woman said, “Yes. That man broke them up, so he must be afraid to come out and say anything.” Listening to the discussion outside, I lowered my head. I was the man who broke up Rachel and Oliver’s love. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself at the thought before dialing my home number. “Dad, Mom…” For some reason, my voice choked the moment I opened my mouth. There was silence on the other end of the line for a moment. “Come back.” “Okay.” Hanging up the phone, I gathered myself together and stepped up to the auction block, seeing Rachel sitting in the audience. She was sitting with Oliver. Oliver had his arm around her, and the two looked very affectionate. People at Rachel’s level basically consigned auctions by phone. Just because Oliver liked to make a splash, she accompanied him in and out of the major auction venues to buy things for him. “It’s ready to go,” my coworker whispered to remind me. I took a deep breath, put on a professional smile, and began to introduce the first collection of the day. It was an exquisite handmade mechanical wristwatch with a starting bid of one and a half million dollars. I faintly heard Oliver’s voice. “Rachel, I like it.” The next second, Rachel raised her hand. “Five million dollars.” The audience erupted in shock. I was stunned and then started counting down. There were no more bids, so the watch was auctioned off to Rachel. She wore the watch on Oliver’s hand as she had done the last time and held his hand up high like a general who had won a battle. Watching this scene, I was calm. Rachel should be receiving the divorce agreement soon. She slowly lowered Oliver’s hand in front of the crowd. Once seated, she took out her cell phone, her smile slowly fading. I professionally began to introduce the next collection when I was suddenly interrupted by Rachel, “Benjamin, do you really want a divorce?” The audience was instantly silent. Gradually, they began to whisper while the smile on Oliver’s face disappeared. After all, it was the first time Rachel had recognized me in public. I smiled and said gently, “Ms. Johnson, please don’t interrupt my work.” After that, I continued to introduce the collection. The crowd in the venue no longer wanted to listen to my introduction and looked at Rachel and me. As I introduced one item, Rachel would auction off one at five times the price. The audience let out a gasp of surprise. But Oliver’s expression was terrible. The last collection item was a pure gold brooch, with a starting bid of one million dollars. Rachel bid ten million dollars and won. She slowly walked up and picked up the brooch, pinning it to my collar. Rachel said, “Benjamin, stop pretending. Didn’t you just want me to publicize you? Now, you’ve succeeded.” With that, she patted me on the shoulder before turning to leave. Oliver gave me a grim look, then left after Rachel.

Reporters in the audience rushed forward, their microphones almost in my mouth. A female reporter asked, “Mr. Wellington, are you Ms. Johnson’s husband?” A male reporter asked, “Mr. Wellington, may I ask if you intentionally staged today’s scene?” Another female reporter asked, “Did you purposely break up Mr. Kensington and Ms. Johnson?” Question after question swamped me. Finally, with the help of my colleague, I returned backstage. Looking at the brooch on my collar, I felt an inexplicable surge of pain in my heart. Rachel still didn’t understand me after all these years. By the time I got home, it was already ten in the evening. Rachel was sitting on the couch with a cold face while Oliver was smoking a cigarette. Seeing me, Oliver said, his voice extremely hoarse, “Benjamin, you didn’t have to embarrass me in front of so many people.” Oliver sounded aggrieved, but I burst out laughing. Who was embarrassing who? Ignoring him, I headed straight upstairs to pack my suitcase. But Rachel’s voice sounded behind me. “Benjamin, our marriage is not child’s play. I hope you think it over.” Her voice was cold. I sped up my packing. Until I closed the suitcase, I turned to look into Rachel’s eyes and said, “Rachel, I’ve thought this through. Please sign the divorce agreement as soon as possible.” With that, I lifted my suitcase, passing Rachel to go downstairs. In a rare move, she chased after me. But she said, “Benjamin, Oliver is not easy on his own. What’s wrong with me giving him more? You’ve got everything. Do you have to take it from him? Benjamin, are you that petty?” All the way to the living room, I stopped. Oliver was still sitting on the couch, smoking one cigarette after another. He said, “Rachel, I’d better leave. Don’t argue with Benjamin.” With that, he got up and limped toward the front door. Rachel rushed to help him, and the two began to pull at each other. I just felt upset. It wasn’t the first time this kind of drama had played out in front of me. Once upon a time, I would have gone crazy asking Oliver to leave, accusing him of everything in front of Rachel. But at the moment, I just wanted to leave. I coldly put my suitcase in the trunk and quickly got in the car. Then, I started the car and drove away. I saw Rachel’s surprised look in the rearview mirror. Until she became a distant black dot, I let out a long breath as if I had let go of a heavy burden. When I got home, Aurora and my father, Kenneth Wellington, were standing in the doorway. Kenneth patted me lovingly on the shoulder. “Get some rest. I’ll take care of the rest.” I nodded, tears pouring down my face. Aurora hurriedly put a coat on me and went inside with me, holding my hand tightly. I had only just sat down when Rachel messaged me: [Where are you? What gives you the right to just leave? Benjamin, reply to my message.] I didn’t reply after reading it and put my phone down, taking the hot cocoa that Aurora handed me. I took a sip, feeling warm and sweet. In five years, I had never felt so relieved. At that moment, the doorbell rang. Rachel entered with an angry look, which only subsided a little when she saw Kenneth and Aurora. “Kenneth, Aurora, I’ve come to take Benjamin home.” With that, she sat down on the couch. Aurora sneered, “Rachel, the Wellington family isn’t necessarily joining forces with the Johnson family. “We know how much my son has suffered in the five years since he married you. “He’s too good-tempered to argue with you. But I’m his mother, and I can’t let you get away with this.” Hearing Aurora’s words, Rachel was stunned on the couch. She hadn’t expected Aurora to say that. Whenever I ran away from home before, Aurora would send us away with kind words whenever Rachel came to pick me up. This time, Aurora’s words went beyond what she expected. Rachel looked over at me, her mouth opening and closing, failing to utter a word. At that moment, the door was pushed open, and Oliver came running in with red eyes. He said, “Mr. Wellington, Mrs. Wellington, it’s all my fault. It’s my fault for making Benjamin angry. Benjamin, please forgive Rachel.” With that, he nearly fell to the ground, and Rachel rushed to help him up. Watching the scene, I said, “Rachel, send Oliver away, and I’ll go back with you.”

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By the third year of the government’s “Back-to-the-Land” program, Chloe Hill finally received her transfer papers to return to the city. One for her, and one for her fiancé. Her parents were overjoyed, already making plans for their wedding as soon as she returned home. What they didn’t know, however, was that Austin Ford—the man who had given up a secure government job to follow her to this remote rural town—no longer looked at her the way he used to. Once, she had been his entire world. But not anymore. The moment Chloe walked in and saw him tangled in bed with another woman, her heart shattered. That night, she made up her mind. She packed her bags and left without a word, boarding the first train back to the city. Months later, Jason Wells, a coworker and friend from the city, offered to drive her home after a long day. When they pulled up to her parents’ house, Jason noticed a man standing under the tree out front, his shoulders slouched, his face pale in the soft glow of the porch light. “He’s been waiting for hours,” Jason said, curious. “Do you know him?” Chloe glanced out the window, her gaze brushing over Austin’s tired figure before quickly looking away. “Just a neighbor,” she said flatly. Her tone was calm, emotionless. And with that, she walked into the house without a second glance.

“Chloe, the paperwork’s been sent in! You and Austin can finally come back to the city. It’s been three years since you left, and your dad and I miss you so much. Once you’re home, we’ll start planning your wedding!” Zoey’s voice brimmed with excitement and hope, but Chloe felt a suffocating weight settle in her chest. She didn’t know how to explain it to her mother—how to tell her that she and Austin weren’t the same anymore. Austin, the man who had once given up a secure job at Lumina to follow her to this remote rural town, no longer had room for Chloe in his heart.The thought of Natalie brought a shadow over Chloe’s face. Her breath hitched as bitterness crept in. Perhaps Zoey sensed her hesitation, as the silence on the phone stretched on too long. “Chloe…” Zoey’s tone softened, hesitant. “Your dad hasn’t been doing well. He’s been in the hospital for months now, but I didn’t want to worry you. He just wants to see you again…” Chloe’s grip on the receiver tightened, her heart sinking. “What’s wrong with Dad?” Zoey’s voice dropped, her words heavy. “The same old kidney issues. He’s stable, but…” She trailed off, her worry evident. “Look, there’s a train from Emberwood to Lumina next week. I’ve already bought you a ticket. You need to come home, Chloe.” She paused, her voice growing firm. “You have to come back.” The unease in Chloe’s heart grew. For the moment, she pushed aside the tangled mess of her relationship with Austin and nodded quickly, even though Zoey couldn’t see. “I’ll be there next week. I promise.” When the call ended, Chloe sat in a daze. The suddenness of it all had thrown her off balance. But maybe, just maybe, this was the opportunity she needed to finally resolve everything she’d been avoiding for so long. Her gaze fell on the framed photo on her bedside table. Her throat tightened as a wave of bitterness washed over her. Who would’ve thought that just three months ago, she and Austin had been planning their wedding? At the time, there hadn’t even been rumors of the transfers back to the city. She and Austin had spent three years in Emberwood and had all but given up on returning. They’d decided to settle down in this small town and build their lives here. The wedding preparations were modest. They’d applied for a small, run-down government apartment at the edge of the town—a cramped, twenty-square-foot unit with a shared kitchen in the hallway. When they moved in, Austin had held her hand, his usually stoic expression betraying a rare glimmer of emotion. His eyes were slightly red as he whispered, “I’m sorry it’s not much.” Chloe had smiled then, her heart full of love. She didn’t feel the slightest bit wronged. Back then, all she needed was him—and the bright future they would build together. She had even written a letter to her parents, eager to share the good news. But before she could send it, everything fell apart. That day, she had just finished putting up the red paper decorations for the wedding when Austin walked through the door—with another woman. “This is Natalie,” he said, his tone casual. “She’s new to our team, just moved here from the city like us.” Natalie was young, barely out of her teens, with wide, curious eyes that sparkled as she took in the room. “She’s not used to the group dorms,” Austin continued. “I thought it’d be better for her to stay here for a while.” Chloe froze. “I’ll sleep on the couch,” Austin added, glancing at Natalie with a faint smile. “You two can share the bedroom. She’s a city girl, just as delicate as you were back then.” His words stung, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint why. Chloe said nothing, quietly giving up half the bedroom to Natalie. She couldn’t argue—Austin had always been kindhearted, the type to help anyone in need. But that night, as Natalie chattered on about Austin, asking Chloe question after question, a seed of doubt took root. Chloe wasn’t blind. She could see the way Natalie looked at Austin, the spark of admiration in her eyes. To push away the unease, Chloe told Natalie their story. She and Austin had grown up together, childhood sweethearts in a close-knit neighborhood. Their parents had been best friends, and Mrs. Ford had often joked about Chloe becoming her daughter-in-law. When Chloe’s father passed away, Austin had been offered a secure factory job at Lumina—something any man in their town would dream of. But when Chloe was assigned to the rural relocation program, Austin gave it all up without hesitation to follow her to Emberwood. “Three years,” Chloe had said, her voice soft. “That’s how long we’ve been here together. We’ve been through so much, but we’ve made it work.” Natalie had listened intently, her eyes sparkling. “Austin’s amazing,” she’d said at last, her voice full of admiration. “You’re so lucky, Chloe. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.” Chloe had smiled, relieved by the blessing. For a moment, the knot in her stomach loosened. But it didn’t last. In the days that followed, Chloe began to notice the growing closeness between Austin and Natalie. It was subtle at first—shared smiles, lingering conversations—but it soon became impossible to ignore.

Chloe stared at the framed photo in her hand and let out a quiet sigh. The two transfer papers sitting on the table—the ones that would finally allow them to leave this rural town and return to the city—felt heavier than they should. She wondered if Austin would even want to go back with her. If he said yes, if he was willing to leave this place and return home with her, then maybe she could forget everything that had happened. Forget Natalie, forget the doubts, and pretend none of it had ever existed. Maybe, without Natalie around, all those inappropriate feelings of his would fade away. But then she thought of her mother, Zoey, and the worried tone in her voice when she mentioned her father’s illness. A flicker of worry crossed Chloe’s face, quickly replaced by resolve. If Austin didn’t want to go back, then it was time to end this. She would cut him out of her heart, once and for all. From that moment forward, they’d go their separate ways. Just as she was trying to think of how to bring it up, the sound of footsteps came from the door. Chloe looked up and saw Austin walking in—with Natalie right beside him. The two were walking close, their heads tilted toward each other as they laughed about something, their shoulders almost touching. Chloe’s gaze dropped to what they were carrying. Her expression darkened as she stood up abruptly. “Austin,” she said coldly, her voice sharp. “Why did you take my dad’s camera?” The laughter between the two immediately stopped. Austin and Natalie both froze, finally noticing Chloe standing in the room. Natalie fidgeted nervously, tugging at the hem of her jacket. She was quick to explain, her voice soft and pitiful. “It’s my fault. I just bought some new clothes and wanted Austin to take a few pictures for me.” She held out the camera with both hands, her eyes wide and apologetic. “I was going to ask you first, Chloe, but Austin said you wouldn’t mind and that it was okay if I used it.” Chloe’s jaw tightened. Here we go again. Another one of Natalie’s sweet, innocent excuses that somehow always painted Chloe as the unreasonable one. This wasn’t the first time. Over the past three months, Chloe had seen this play out far too often—a small favor, a little misunderstanding, and Austin stepping in to defend Natalie no matter what. Her patience, already worn thin, snapped. She held out her hand, her tone icy. “Next time, don’t touch my things.” At her words, Austin’s expression darkened. His sharp features set into a frown, his brows furrowed in displeasure. “Chloe, what’s with that attitude?” he said, his voice low and laced with irritation. “Natalie’s new here. She’s still adjusting to life out in the middle of nowhere. I just wanted to cheer her up with a few photos—what’s the big deal?” His tone was full of reproach, as if Chloe were the one in the wrong. Chloe’s face hardened. It felt like a heavy weight had settled in her chest, making it hard to breathe. Without another word, she stepped forward and snatched the camera out of his hand. Her eyes locked onto his, her voice cutting. “I said, don’t touch my things. That goes for you too, Austin.” Austin blinked, visibly startled. For a moment, he stared at her, confusion flickering across his face. “Chloe?” he said, his voice tinged with disbelief. Since when had there ever been a ”yours” and ”mine” between them? They had grown up together, shared everything. She had always been his and he had always been hers. But before he could say anything more, Chloe’s expression shifted. Her face paled as her fingers rapidly scrolled through the photos on the camera. “Where are they?” she whispered, her voice trembling. Natalie tilted her head, her tone light and innocent. “Where is what?” Chloe’s fingers moved faster, her panic mounting with every moment. The photos she had taken of her parents—her father’s smile, her mother’s warm embrace—were gone. In their place were dozens of pictures of Natalie, posing in her new clothes, beaming in every shot. Chloe’s grip on the camera tightened as she turned to Natalie, her hands shaking with fury. “The old photos,” she demanded. “The ones I took of my parents. Where are they?” Natalie blinked, feigning confusion, before her lips parted in mock surprise. “Oh, those? The memory card was full, so I deleted them to make space. I didn’t know they were important…” Her voice trailed off, her tone laced with false regret. But behind her wide, apologetic eyes, Chloe caught a flicker of something else—a flash of smug satisfaction. “Enough!” Austin snapped, stepping between them. He placed himself protectively in front of Natalie, his voice low and firm. “She didn’t mean to, Chloe. It was an accident. Why are you making such a big deal out of this? You’re scaring her!” Scaring her? Chloe’s hands trembled as anger and heartbreak surged through her. She stared at Austin, the man who had once been her whole world, now standing in front of another woman, shielding her. He knew what those photos meant to her. He knew how much she had clung to them during the hardest times of her life. When she had left home in a hurry, her parents had bought the camera just to take a few family pictures before she left. Her father had placed it in her hands before she boarded the train. “Whenever you miss us,” he had said, his voice thick with emotion, “just look at these.” Those photos had been her anchor during her years in Emberwood, a reminder of the family waiting for her back home. And now, they were gone. Chloe looked at Austin, her eyes brimming with tears. His expression was cold, his body language defensive—as if she were the intruder in her own life. “An accident,” he had said. The disappointment hit her like a tidal wave, drowning out every lingering hope she had held onto. Her voice trembled as she spoke, each word heavy with pain. “This man,” she thought bitterly, “isn’t worth saving.”

At some point, Chloe realized her face was wet. Tears had blurred her vision, streaming down unchecked. Austin froze for a moment, stunned. This was the first time he had seen Chloe look so utterly heartbroken, so defeated. For a brief second, something squeezed at his chest, and his voice softened instinctively. “I’ll take the camera to the photo shop later,” he said hesitantly, loosening the arm that had been wrapped protectively around Natalie’s shoulders. “Maybe they can recover the pictures.” He reached out toward Chloe, as if to steady her. “This was my mistake. I should’ve told Natalie those photos were important to you,” he added. Chloe wanted to laugh—wanted to scoff. A mistake? Forgetting to explain? That was the excuse he was going with? Natalie knew. She knew. Chloe had caught her watching once, when she sat on her bed holding her father’s old camera, flipping through the pictures of her parents. She had even told Natalie the story—about the family portraits taken just before she left, and how much they meant to her. This wasn’t a mistake. Natalie had done it on purpose. And now, nestled against Austin, Natalie’s expression radiated smug satisfaction. Her eyes practically sparkled with triumph as if to say: Go on, tell him the truth. Let’s see who he believes. The answer was painfully obvious. Chloe forced her eyes shut, forcing the bitterness down. When she opened them again, her voice was calm, emotionless. “Austin, I need to talk to you. Alone.” Her tone betrayed none of the anger or hurt from moments before, as if she had already locked those feelings away. Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked into the bedroom, leaving the door open behind her. Austin frowned, tugging his sleeve free from Natalie’s grip. He hesitated for a moment before following her. Behind him, Natalie’s wide-eyed, innocent expression melted into a sly smirk. She crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe with a quiet, derisive snort. Austin’s heart was already hers. What did she have to fear from a washed-up, tear-streaked woman like Chloe? The room was silent, heavy with unspoken words. Chloe was the first to break it. “My mom called today,” she said quietly. “She managed to pull some strings and get two transfer papers for the city.” Austin froze, his breath catching. For a moment, his face lit up with a mixture of disbelief and joy. “Two papers?” he repeated. “After three years… we’re finally going back?” He let out a breath of relief, the tension in his shoulders visibly easing. “I can’t believe it. We finally have a chance.” Chloe watched him, her chest tightening as memories of their time together flooded her mind. The struggles, the compromises, the dreams they had built together in this place. For a brief moment, she felt the sting of nostalgia, but it was quickly replaced by the cold reality of the present. “My mom hoped we’d go back together,” she continued, her voice steady. “She was already talking about planning our wedding in Lumina.” Austin’s smile faltered. Something about her tone—calm, detached—made him uneasy. “But I’ve been thinking,” Chloe said, looking him straight in the eye. “There’s no point anymore.” The smile vanished completely. His brows furrowed, and his expression grew tense. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he demanded, his voice low. “I’ve already told you, I only see Natalie as a little sister.” Chloe let out a sharp laugh, one that was more bitter than amused. “A sister?” she repeated, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I’ve heard that excuse so many times over the past three months, Austin. I could recite it in my sleep.” She shook her head, her tone cutting. “You’re not related. She’s not your sister. She’s just an excuse.” Austin opened his mouth to argue, but Chloe didn’t give him the chance. “When you followed me here three years ago, you gave up everything,” she said, her words deliberate. “This transfer paper… consider it repayment for everything you’ve done for me. I won’t use it to force you into anything. I won’t hold it over your head or guilt you into marrying me.” Her gaze hardened, though her voice remained calm. “Your heart isn’t with me anymore, Austin. Let’s end this here. Let’s make a clean break.” Austin’s jaw tightened, his expression darkening. “Chloe, stop it,” he snapped, his voice rising. “You’re overthinking everything again. The wedding is at the end of the month, just like we planned. Once we’re married, all this nonsense will stop.” With that, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Chloe stood there, staring at the closed door. She let out a long, shaky breath, her lips curling into a bitter smile. She didn’t even have the energy to argue anymore. Austin always thought marriage was the solution to every problem, as if tying the knot would magically make everything right. But Chloe refused to marry a man whose heart didn’t fully belong to her. No matter what, this wedding wasn’t going to happen. She was going to leave. She did some quick calculations in her head. The wedding was in eight days. Conveniently, the train to Lumina was scheduled to leave in exactly seven. Thank God she hadn’t told Austin about the train. If he knew, who knows what he might do to stop her? Chloe closed her eyes briefly. The plan was simple. She’d leave the day before the wedding. This chapter of her life, this place, this relationship—it would finally come to an end. Outside the room, someone had overheard every word. Natalie stood behind the wooden post, her heart racing in her chest. Two transfer papers. Her family had pulled every string they could and had barely managed to secure one—and even that had gone to her useless younger brother. If she could get her hands on one of those papers… Natalie’s mind raced. She’d grown up in the city, where life was tough but bearable. They weren’t rich, but at least they had food on the table and a solid roof over their heads. But here? In this godforsaken backwater town? She was sick of the cramped dorms, the bland food, the endless tedium. She couldn’t stand another day of it. At least Austin had made things bearable. He treated her well, made her feel comfortable. But what about the future? If he really married Chloe, where would that leave her? Natalie clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. Austin wasn’t just any man. He was good-looking, well-educated, and came from a decent family. Back in Lumina, men like him were hard to come by—even for someone like her, who had grown up in the city. Her gaze darkened as she thought about the transfer papers Chloe had mentioned. She wanted both. The city and the man.

After that fight, Chloe and Austin fell into an icy silence, barely speaking to one another. But despite the tension, Austin still seemed determined to go through with the wedding. Every day, he brought home something new for the ceremony—a pair of wedding candles, a set of red satin decorations, or a box of invitations. Chloe, however, remained indifferent. She didn’t care about any of it. Her time was spent tying up loose ends at the coffee farm, making sure everything was in order before she left. Since she had made up her mind to leave, she wasn’t about to leave behind a mess for someone else to deal with. What Chloe didn’t expect was for trouble to find her so soon. One afternoon, Austin showed up at the coffee farm with Natalie in tow. Chloe barely had time to process what was happening. Natalie’s clothes were rumpled, her hair disheveled, and her eyes red and swollen from crying. She clung to Austin like a helpless child, burying herself in his chest. Chloe frowned instinctively. “What’s going on?” Before she could get another word out, the sound of a slap rang through the air. “Smack!” The force of the blow turned her head to the side, and she tasted the metallic tang of blood on her lip. “Chloe, how could you do something so disgusting?” Austin’s voice was cold as he jabbed a finger in her face. His eyes burned with anger, his chest rising and falling rapidly. “I can’t believe I ever trusted you. You’re so blinded by jealousy that you’d stoop this low—sending Natalie to collect from those thugs? If I hadn’t gotten there in time, who knows what might’ve happened to her!” His words hit harder than the slap itself. Chloe slowly turned her head back to face him, her cheek stinging, but her expression was eerily calm. “You think I did this?” she asked, her voice cold and steady. “Don’t accuse me without proof, Austin.” Austin’s anger didn’t waver. He glared at her like she was a stranger, someone he no longer recognized. “Proof? What else do you want? Natalie wouldn’t make something like this up!” Natalie, still crying, tugged gently on Austin’s arm as if to calm him down. Her voice trembled as she spoke, each word carefully chosen. “This… this is all my fault,” she sobbed, her tone pitiful. “I shouldn’t have gotten so close to Austin. I ruined your relationship, Chloe. I’m sorry. Please, just let me go. I’ll leave, okay? Just don’t hate me anymore…” Her words were like gasoline on a fire. The onlookers, who had gathered to watch the drama unfold, began murmuring among themselves. “I can’t believe Chloe would do something like that.” “Natalie’s a little naive, sure, but she doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment.” “See? This is why they say jealousy makes women cruel.” Natalie’s lips curled ever so slightly into a satisfied smirk as she clung tighter to Austin. Her eyes met Chloe’s for a brief moment, full of mockery and triumph. Chloe’s expression hardened. Without warning, she stepped forward and yanked Natalie out of Austin’s arms, nearly sending her sprawling to the ground. Natalie let out a startled yelp, but Chloe didn’t flinch. Years of hard work on the coffee farm had toughened her up. She wasn’t the delicate, pampered girl she used to be, and dealing with someone like Natalie was hardly a challenge. “Chloe!” Austin shouted, rushing forward. But the sharp look Chloe shot him stopped him in his tracks. “You think I did this to her?” Chloe said, her voice sharp and cutting. “Fine. Let’s get to the bottom of it.” This was the first time Austin had seen this side of her—cold, resolute, and filled with a quiet fury that bordered on hatred. Chloe turned to Natalie, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “You said I sent you to collect money from those men. When? Where? Show me the proof. Bring out a witness—anyone who can back up your story.” The crowd went silent. In a small town like this, people knew Chloe was the one who handled the coffee farm’s finances. When it came to collecting debts, she was careful. Knowing some debtors could be dangerous, she always sent two strong men to handle it. She never sent anyone like Natalie. The murmurs began again, but this time, they were different. People glanced at Natalie with suspicion, their whispers growing louder. Natalie’s face paled, panic flickering in her eyes. If Chloe proved she was lying, it would ruin her. She’d already made enough enemies in this town with her entitled attitude and lazy work ethic. The only reason anyone tolerated her was because of Chloe and Austin. If the truth came out, her life here would become unbearable. Desperate, Natalie turned to Austin, her eyes wide and pleading. “Austin!” she cried, clinging to his arm. “You were there! You heard her tell me to go! You have to back me up!” Austin froze, his face conflicted. He looked down at Natalie, who was trembling and crying at his feet. Her words echoed in his mind, her desperation tugging at his heart. “Austin, please,” she whispered. “If you don’t help me, I’ll have nothing left. People will think I lied. How am I supposed to live with that?” Chloe stood a few feet away, her eyes locked on his. Her gaze was cold, filled with quiet defiance. She wasn’t begging him to take her side. She wasn’t pleading for his trust. She just stared at him, waiting to see what he would do. The room felt suffocatingly quiet as the weight of the moment pressed down on him. Finally, Austin looked away from Chloe’s unyielding gaze. He knelt down and gently helped Natalie to her feet. “Yes,” he said quietly. “I heard her. Chloe told you to do it.” The words left his mouth like a death sentence. The crowd gasped in unison. This was Austin—Chloe’s childhood sweetheart, the man who had followed her to this small town and stood by her side for years. If he was saying it, how could it not be true? The murmurs turned into outright condemnation. “So it’s true. Chloe really did send her.” “Unbelievable. No wonder even her fiancé is siding with Natalie.” “What kind of person does that?”

After Austin sided with Natalie and lied to protect her, Chloe stood frozen in place like a lifeless statue. She stared at Austin, her expression caught somewhere between a smile and tears, twisted with disbelief. She had thought that perhaps Austin had simply fallen out of love with her, that his heart had shifted toward someone else. That, she could have accepted, painful as it might have been. But this? Watching him abandon his principles, watching him lie and tarnish her name for Natalie’s sake—this was something she hadn’t anticipated. In that moment, Chloe’s heart turned cold. She had once hoped that even if they couldn’t be together as husband and wife, they could at least part as friends, cherishing the memories they had shared. But now, it was clear that to Austin, her love and loyalty were worth nothing. As Natalie clung to Austin’s arm, her smirk practically dripping with triumph, Chloe felt no anger, no bitterness. Everything she had once felt for these two people vanished the moment Austin spoke those damning words against her. Chloe’s gaze landed on Natalie, calm and detached. If you want him so badly, take him. I don’t keep trash. The murmurs of the coffee farm workers surrounded her, full of judgment and scorn. Without hesitation, Chloe unpinned her supervisor badge, handed it to the next manager in line, and turned to leave. Her decisiveness caught everyone off guard, including Austin. “Chloe!” he called after her, his voice desperate. But Chloe didn’t look back. A man like that was no longer worth her time. When she returned home, Chloe began packing up her belongings. This little house had been her pride and joy, a place she had poured her energy and love into, brick by brick. She thought about the icy winters she had endured, pasting the windows shut with homemade glue to keep out the cold drafts. She thought of the time she patched the roof with scavenged tiles, balancing precariously on a borrowed ladder. Every corner of this house was a reflection of her effort and hope for the future she and Austin were supposed to share. But now, the small vanity she had saved up for was cluttered with Natalie’s belongings. The sweater she had spent weeks knitting for Austin had been ruined by Natalie, who had offered a half-hearted apology about accidentally “washing it wrong.” There were too many little moments like this, each one a tiny dagger to Chloe’s heart. And every time she had tried to bring it up, Austin had dismissed her, calling her petty and jealous. It was as if, the moment Natalie showed up, every sacrifice Chloe had made for this home became invisible to him. She glanced around the room. The red wedding decorations she had once hung with such hope and joy now felt like cruel mockery. Chloe grabbed a bucket and headed outside to the well. When Austin came home that evening, the first thing he saw was a pile of red paper strewn across the muddy ground. The wedding decorations had been ripped down, their bright colors dulled by dirt and water. Natalie wasn’t with him for some reason, but he didn’t seem to care. Standing in the small yard, he let out a frustrated sigh. “Do you always have to make such a big deal out of everything?” he said, his tone sharp. “She’s just a young girl. Can’t you show a little grace?” Chloe didn’t even flinch. She had heard this lecture too many times before. The first time he had said those words, they had stung so badly she had to fight back tears. But she had learned quickly that crying only made things worse—especially when Natalie was around to see it. Instead, she had started sneaking off to the woods near the coffee farm, letting herself cry where no one could see. That had been her first clue that this house, this so-called “home,” was no longer hers. A place that couldn’t offer you comfort wasn’t a home—it was just a building. Now, his words barely registered. She continued tearing down the decorations, her expression blank. Seeing her indifference, Austin finally snapped. He grabbed her wrist, stopping her mid-motion. “Have you had enough?” he said coldly, his grip tightening. Chloe met his gaze, her voice calm but cutting. “If you don’t want me to tear them down, fine. Save them for when you marry Natalie. No point letting them go to waste.” Austin’s jaw tightened, his irritation clear. “I’ve told you a thousand times,” he said through gritted teeth. “The only person I’m marrying is you. No one else.” Chloe pulled her wrist free, her eyes full of disdain. “Marrying you is supposed to be some kind of honor?” she shot back. “Don’t flatter yourself, Austin. You think I’d be grateful for that? You’re delusional.” She dropped the bucket she was holding, the water splashing onto Austin’s shoes and pants, and turned to head back inside. Before she could make it to the door, Austin’s voice stopped her. “Apologize to Natalie,” he said firmly. Chloe froze, her hand on the doorframe. “She’s younger than you, and she didn’t know any better. Just apologize in front of everyone, and this whole thing will blow over.” Chloe turned slowly, her eyes narrowing as she walked toward him. Without warning, she slapped him hard across the face. “Austin,” she said, her voice trembling with fury, “you are the most disgusting, spineless man I have ever met.” Austin’s face darkened, his eyes stormy as he clenched his fists. “I’m just trying to fix this,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “If you don’t clear your name, how do you expect your application to move forward? You think the city will let someone with a reputation like yours back in?” Chloe’s blood ran cold. “My application?” she said softly. “You didn’t think about my application when you helped Natalie accuse me. You didn’t care what would happen to me then.” Austin’s expression flickered with guilt for a moment, but he quickly recovered. “Just do what I’m saying,” he said, his voice quieter now. “Once the application goes through, we can leave this place behind. We’ll go back to Lumina and start fresh. No more Natalie. Just us.” Chloe stared at him, the words she had once longed to hear finally spoken aloud. But it was too late. She felt nothing but exhaustion and disgust. “No,” she said firmly, her voice steady. “We’re done here.”

Even though Chloe felt disgusted by Austin’s demand for her to apologize, she couldn’t deny that the issue weighed heavily on her mind. If her application to return to the city wasn’t approved, all her efforts would be for nothing. After much deliberation, she decided to seek out Emily, the deputy mayor of Emberwood. Emily, a woman in her forties with a reputation for fairness, had always been someone Chloe could trust. When Chloe poured her heart out, Emily didn’t need much explanation to piece together what had happened. She listened quietly, her expression growing heavier with each word. Finally, Emily shook her head, her tone both sympathetic and firm. “I warned you, Chloe. It’s fine to help others when you can, but bringing someone like that into your home? That’s a whole different story.” With a long sigh, Emily’s gaze softened. “Poor girl. You’ve been through so much.” Chloe had held back her tears when Natalie accused her. She had refused to cry when Austin betrayed her. But now, hearing those simple words of understanding, she couldn’t hold it in any longer. She broke down in Emily’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Emily patted her back gently and waited until Chloe had calmed down before bringing her a basin of warm water to wash her face. “About Natalie,” Emily said with a sigh, “I can’t undo the damage, and I can’t clear your name. But let’s be honest—the real problem here isn’t you. It’s those men she was sent to deal with. At worst, you could be blamed for poor management, but that’s hardly a crime.” She paused, tapping her fingers thoughtfully. “If only your Austin had been honest…” Emily trailed off, her lips tightening. Clearly, she was thinking about not just Austin’s lies but his audacity in asking Chloe to apologize to Natalie. “Never mind,” Emily said with a decisive nod. “I’ll speak to the mayor myself. We’ve all seen the kind of person you’ve been these past three years, Chloe. Trust me—I’ll vouch for you. You’ll get your approval to return home.” Emily’s confidence brought tears to Chloe’s eyes again, but this time, they were tears of gratitude. After thanking Emily profusely, Chloe returned home and began packing her belongings. She had already submitted her application and was now just waiting for the signed approval to leave Emberwood. As she packed, her thoughts drifted to her parents. She hadn’t seen them in years, and the thought of finally going home brought a bittersweet ache to her chest. But as she sorted through her things, Chloe realized there wasn’t much left of her own. She searched the house high and low, but it seemed most of her clothes had disappeared. They had always lived frugally, stretching every dollar to its limit. Yet just the other day, Natalie had paraded around in a brand-new dress made of expensive fabric shipped in from the city. That single dress had cost more than Austin’s entire month’s salary. Chloe was still stewing over this when the door suddenly creaked open. Austin walked in, holding a bright red wedding dress in his hands. He placed it on the table in front of her. “The custom dress is ready,” he said. “Try it on and see if it fits.” Chloe barely spared it a glance, her expression cold and indifferent. Austin frowned at her lack of reaction but chose not to press the issue. “We’re getting married the day after tomorrow,” he reminded her. “Make sure it fits. If it doesn’t, I’ll get it altered.” Of everything Austin said, Chloe only focused on one part: the day after tomorrow. That meant tomorrow was the day the train would arrive to take her to Lumina. Her escape was closer than she had realized. The next morning, Chloe woke before dawn, packed her bags, and headed straight for the train station. She joined the line of people waiting to board, her suitcase in hand. The approval for her city application was still pending, but it would be mailed directly to Lumina for her to finalize. The process was a bit of a hassle, but at least it meant she could leave Emberwood behind for good. As the line inched forward, an inexplicable sense of unease began to creep over her. By the time she reached the ticket booth, that unease had grown into full-blown panic. She frantically searched through her bag, but no matter how many times she checked, the train ticket she had carefully tucked away the night before was nowhere to be found. The ticket agent gave her an impatient look. “Can I buy another one now?” Chloe asked, her voice trembling. “Sorry, tickets for this train are sold out,” the agent replied curtly. Heart pounding, Chloe grabbed her bag and bolted back toward home. She had to make it back in time to find the ticket. Missing this train wasn’t an option—there wouldn’t be another one for a month. Out of breath, Chloe shoved the door open, only to freeze in her tracks. Standing in the living room was Natalie, wearing her red wedding dress. Natalie flinched at the sight of her, clearly caught off guard. “Chloe, I didn’t mean to—” she stammered, her cheeks flushing. “Austin asked me to try it on. He thought we were about the same size, and he wanted to make sure it fit…” Natalie kept rambling, but Chloe wasn’t listening. She pushed past her and began tearing through the house, searching for her ticket. Austin appeared in the doorway, watching her with a calm, almost detached expression. “You won’t find it,” he said flatly. Chloe froze, her hands trembling. Her entire body felt like it had been submerged in ice. “What… what do you mean?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I ripped it up,” Austin said, his tone matter-of-fact. For a moment, Chloe couldn’t move, couldn’t even breathe. Then she turned to face him, her pale face contorted with disbelief. “You’re lying,” she said, her voice hoarse. “You’re lying. Tell me you’re lying!” “I told you,” Austin said firmly, his gaze steady. “We’re getting married. Whatever you need to do, it can wait until after the wedding.” Chloe’s lips quivered as she stared at him, her hands clutching at his arms in desperation. “Austin, give it back,” she begged. “Please, just give it back!” But Austin didn’t respond. Before Chloe could say anything else, the door burst open, and Emily rushed in, her face pale with urgency. “Chloe!” she cried, nearly out of breath. “Why haven’t you left yet? Your family sent a telegram—your father’s gravely ill. They say he doesn’t have much time left!”

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