Category: English

After Three Years of Caring for the Simple-Minded Prince, He Recovered The first thing he did was get engaged to his childhood sweetheart. I went to find him with a box of cash to cut off our relationship. He smiled and stuffed a wad of money into my hand, raising an eyebrow: “Seduction requires capital too.” 0I stared at the diagnosis in my hand, stunned for a long time. In the past, I wanted to die so badly, but attempts at cutting my wrists, jumping off buildings, and hanging myself all left me with a breath of life. Now that I finally had hope for living, heaven played such a cruel joke on me. After leaving the hospital, I kept thinking. If I died, what would happen to Summer? Summer was the simple-minded man I had taken in three years ago. If I died, what would happen to him? With a heavy heart, I returned home. The door was wide open, and my heart skipped a beat. A man in a suit stood in the room, smiling as he said: “Miss Evans, let’s have a chat.” “Summer.” Before I could finish, he opened the box on the table. Lots of money. “What do you mean?” I asked. “Thank you for taking care of our young master for so long, Miss Evans. This is a token of our gratitude,” he replied. “Also, I hope you won’t spread the word about our young master’s condition.” Though he was smiling, I could sense a clear killing intent. I swallowed hard: “I don’t want the money.” “You don’t want it?” He sneered, looking me up and down. “Is it not enough?” “Or are you aiming to marry into the Pierce family?” I was stunned for a moment. Just as I was about to speak, he handed me a business card. “If the money’s not enough, you can call the number on the front,” he said, glancing at me. “As for anything else, please keep it to yourself.” I crumpled the diagnosis in my hand, the hope for treatment dying in my heart. My only hope had been shattered. 0

Out of curiosity, I searched for the Pierce family online. The first thing I saw was Summer’s face. Everett Pierce, the crown prince of Beijing’s elite circles, heir to the Pierce family. He and I had always been worlds apart. The money in that box was more than I could earn in a lifetime. After some thought, I called the number on the business card. “Miss Evans, you’ve made up your mind so quickly?” the voice answered. I made a sound of agreement. “I don’t want this money.” “Not enough? That’s understandable. A single injection for cancer treatment costs $120,000.” “How much do you want?” My hand holding the phone trembled. “I’m not planning to get treatment.” There was silence on the other end for a moment before he spoke again: “Miss Evans, it’s not that easy to enter the Pierce family.” “Although you’ve taken care of our young master for three years, that’s not enough to qualify you to enter the Pierce family. Moreover…” “Our young master already has a fiancée.” My heart felt like it was being squeezed by a rope, making it hard to breathe. My voice shook as I replied: “I have no intention of becoming Mrs. Pierce.” “Nor will I tell anyone about Summer… about Everett Pierce’s condition.” “I just” “Simply don’t want to take your money.” It felt like if I took the money, my relationship with Summer would somehow be tainted. He paused for a moment. “Miss Evans, this is what you deserve. I’m just following orders, and you’re making this very difficult for me.” I wanted to say more, but the call had already been disconnected. The dim light illuminated the living room, with a bag of bottles Summer had collected still by the door. I hadn’t seen Summer when I came home from work yesterday either. After searching many places without finding him, I sat on the sofa and cried hard. Just then, Summer returned, covered in mud and carrying a sack. Seeing me cry, he panicked immediately. With a black eye, he smiled at me: “Sister, don’t cry. Look, I collected so many bottles.” “I even outran several old men to get them.” “Sister, I can support you. Please don’t be with that man, okay?” I hugged him, feeling both angry and amused. “If you run off like that again, I’ll abandon you,” I threatened. He looked at me with reddened eyes, tugging at my sleeve, saying he could collect lots and lots of bottles. Begging me not to leave him. Now, he had left. And it was he who had abandoned me. 0

Without a reason to live, there was naturally no need for treatment. I prepared to cancel my hospital admission. As I was leaving, I accidentally knocked over the clay figurine on the shelf. I glanced at it and closed the door. At the hospital, I successfully cancelled my admission, but saw Summer’s name on the inpatient list. I grabbed the nurse’s hand and asked: “Everett Pierce, is he the young master of the Pierce family?” She shook off my hand and sneered: “So what if he is?” She looked me up and down. “You think you can catch the eye of the crown prince of high society with your looks?” I didn’t dare meet her gaze and scurried away. After returning home, I took the box of money and went back to the hospital. I didn’t dare ask the nurses which room Summer was in, fearing their strange looks. I could only go floor by floor, peeking through the door cracks at the people inside. “Hey? Kaia?” I turned around, instinctively hugging the box to my chest. “Dr. Johnson.” He smiled and asked: “Here to pay the medical bills?” I shook my head. He looked surprised: “With treatment, there’s a very high chance your condition can improve.” There might be a chance of recovery, but no hope of living. “Why not get treatment if you have the money?” he asked again. I smiled bitterly: “Dr. Johnson, this money isn’t mine.” “Then whose-” I interrupted him: “Dr. Johnson, do you know which room Everett Pierce is in?” Dr. Johnson was silent for a moment before saying: “Fourth floor, second room on the left.” He patted my shoulder. “If you need any help, you can come find me.” I nodded and made my way to the fourth floor. Standing outside the room, I hesitated for a long time before knocking. The door was opened by a distinguished-looking man whom I recognized from the internet. Summer’s brother, Eric Pierce – the current head of the Pierce family. He didn’t seem surprised to see me and nodded: “Please come in.” I immediately spotted Summer lying on the hospital bed, with an elegantly dressed woman beside him. The woman was feeding Summer pieces of apple, and Summer looked at her with eyes full of tenderness. I lowered my gaze, my fingers turning white from gripping the box so tightly. Then, I slowly let go. Never mind. 0

Summer only noticed me after eating several pieces of apple. He wiped his mouth and asked: “What are you doing here?” He looked at me, his eyes cold. I instinctively took two steps back. This Summer felt so unfamiliar. Of course, he had regained his memories and was no longer the simple-minded boy who would chase after me calling “Sister”. He was now Everett Pierce – the heir to the Pierce family. I took a deep breath and opened the box. “I haven’t touched a cent of the money in here. I’m returning it to you.” Summer… Everett’s phoenix eyes curved slightly, but the smile didn’t reach them: “Then what do you want?” “The position of Mrs. Pierce?” I was shocked that he would say such a thing and looked at him in disbelief. “Do you think you’re worthy?” he said coldly, laughing. The room suddenly fell silent, with everyone’s gaze focused on me. I put down the box and fled the room. I leaned against the staircase, gasping for air, tears falling uncontrollably. “Crying?” came a familiar voice from behind. I wiped my tears and mumbled: “No.” Everett looked me up and down, smiling as he stuffed a wad of cash into my hand. He raised an eyebrow: “Eat more. Your curves have all but disappeared.” “Seduction requires capital too.” I stood frozen until his figure disappeared from sight before coming to my senses. I ran out of the hospital crying, not knowing where to go. I took out the money and stared at it for a long time. In this city, it seemed I was alone again. 04 Back home, there were broken pieces on the floor, along with many paper stars. I picked up a star and unfolded it. It read: “Sister, be happy every day!” This was the birthday gift Summer had given me. After my parents passed away, I lost all hope in life and hadn’t celebrated my birthday since. When I found Summer, he was lying in an alley, covered in blood. Out of sympathy, I brought him home. When he woke up, I realized he was simple-minded. But he was very obedient, sweetly calling me “Sister” and clinging to me. He became like a pillar of support for me in this unfamiliar city. Supporting me to keep living. I named him Summer. I had thought about sending him back to his family. So I took him to the police station and registered his information. He was well-behaved the whole way, until I was about to leave. He tugged at my sleeve, his eyes reddening: “Sister, are you going to abandon me?” I pulled my hand away, smiling as I said: “Sister’s going to buy Summer some candy. Be good and wait for me, okay?” He sat on the chair like an abandoned puppy, watching his owner leave with sad eyes. I thought that would be our farewell. But three days later, I ran into Summer rummaging through garbage bins on my way home from work. “Summer?” He froze for a moment before turning around, looking at me with tears in his eyes. He reached out, wanting to touch me but not daring to come closer. “Summer, why are you here?” I asked. He looked at me with reddened eyes, his voice trembling: “Sister, I’ll be very good.” “Can you… not abandon me?” It turned out he had run away from the police station the night I left. He thought I didn’t want him anymore. I hugged him, feeling both angry and heartbroken. The winter night was cold, and we two homeless children hugged each other for warmth. I once thought we would always be together. 0

The next year, I celebrated Summer’s birthday. His face was covered in cream from the cake, but he still smiled at me happily: “Sister, when is your birthday?” “December 22nd.” I thought he was just asking casually. But on that day, he carefully presented me with a clay figurine: “Sister, happy birthday!” The figurine was ugly, with “Summer loves only Kaia” carved on its belly. “Only love?” I asked him with a smile. “Do you know what that means?” Summer looked proud: “I know, it means loving only one person.” “I only love Kaia!” Now, the clay figurine with “Summer loves only Kaia” carved on it had shattered into several pieces. It couldn’t be put back together. At the time, I thought the clay figurine was all he had given me, so I put it away. I didn’t expect there was something inside. No wonder he had been sulking for days when he saw me not touching the figurine anymore. So that’s why. I unfolded another star. It read: “Let’s always be together.” At the end was a clumsily drawn heart, showing the creator’s thoughtfulness. I looked at it for a long time, my tears falling and blurring the heart on the paper. Little liar. 0

Leaves return to their roots. Now, I just wanted to go home. I sold the house. The money was just enough to buy a plot in the cemetery to be buried with my parents. I sold the bag of bottles Summer had collected. It totaled $16.50. “How can I support you with so little money?” I muttered to myself. The paperwork was done. In two days, I could leave this heartbreaking place. But the day before I was to leave, an unexpected visitor arrived. “Eric Pierce?” He looked a bit surprised: “Miss Evans, you know me? I’m honored.” “What brings you here?” I asked. Eric wore a gentle smile: “Miss Evans, I’d like to invite you to be my date.” “Your date?” I looked at him in surprise, unable to understand the thinking of rich people. He was handsome and wealthy. With a wave of his hand, countless women would throw themselves at him. Why would he choose me, a woman of ordinary background and looks? I was about to refuse when he said: “My brother Everett will be there too.” I hesitated. Even if I couldn’t say goodbye to Summer, it would be nice to see him from afar one last time. Although I didn’t know Eric’s motives, I agreed. I, a person with no parents and a serious illness, had nothing to be schemed for anyway. I wore the dress Eric had prepared, unconsciously touching the mirror. Eric’s eyes flashed with admiration as he placed a necklace around my neck, chuckling: “My brother is not only simple-minded but also blind.” I pressed my lips together, not responding. When we arrived at the banquet, I just wanted to flee. This wasn’t some business event, but Everett’s engagement party. He stood there, naturally exuding nobility and coldness, like a bamboo after snow – eye-catching. The woman beside him wore a white dress, as if she had draped the Milky Way over herself, dazzlingly beautiful. “Does Miss Sophia have anything to say?” the host asked. “I’m glad I could make a playboy settle down, and I’m glad I’ve always been by Everett’s side,” Sophia replied. I touched the bracelet on my wrist dejectedly. It was woven by Summer and contained some of his hair. But now, Everett only had a blindingly bright ring on his finger. Actually, I was also grateful to have met Summer during the lowest point of my life. He was like a dream I had, accompanying me through my darkest times before leaving. I just wished… the dream could have lasted a little longer. 0I wanted to escape, but Eric held me back. He smiled: “Don’t you want to offer your congratulations?” Reluctantly, I followed him to Everett’s side. Everett glanced at me, his tone frivolous: “So my brother likes second-hand goods.” I felt my breath catch, my heart inexplicably aching. Sophia beside him smiled at him: “Don’t say that. At least she took care of you for three years.” Everett made a sound of acknowledgment and asked someone nearby for a check, which he handed to me: “Fill in any amount you want.”

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At Mr. Green’s 60th birthday party, my husband’s younger sister, who is well over 25, pressed her chest against him. What’s even stranger is that his family acted like it was perfectly normal. I thought I was overreacting… Until my father-in-law got drunk and let a secret slip. My husband, Michael, is what you’d call a “sister’s boy.” I realized this when we were still dating. At the time, Emily had just started her junior year in college and was coming home for summer break. Michael and I drove to the Bus Depot to pick her up. I wore a pair of high heels that were too tight, and halfway there, they rubbed the skin on my heels raw. Every step was agony. Michael held a bouquet of flowers meant for his sister, Emily. I didn’t have the heart to ask him to help me, so I just quietly complained, “Can we slow down? My feet hurt.” Michael patted my head but didn’t slow down. Finally, we saw Emily. She was wheeling a pink suitcase and wearing a short skirt. The second she spotted Michael, she squealed like a happy little bird and ran straight into his arms. Michael didn’t hesitate either—he grabbed her thighs and spun her around a few times, right there in public. My face turned dark immediately. Noticing my reaction, Michael gently put Emily down and reached out to hold my hand. “Emily, this is your sister-in-law. Say hi!” “Hi, sis!” Emily chirped sweetly. A few steps later, Emily started whining that her feet hurt. Michael glanced at me cautiously, while Emily gave me a pitiful look. What could I say in that situation? Michael handed me the flowers, whispered, “You’re amazing, babe,” and then picked Emily up on his back. They walked ahead of me while I limped behind, trying to ignore the pain. That day, the thought of breaking up with him crossed my mind more times than I could count. But in the end, I couldn’t let go of five years of love. Besides, Michael came from a good family, was handsome, and had a stable job. If it weren’t for his obsession with his sister, he was practically perfect. A little later, I agreed to marry him. In our second year of marriage, we had a beautiful son, Andy. After giving birth, my body wasn’t the same, but Michael still loved me like before. Just when I thought life would continue peacefully, everything changed at Mr. Green’s 60th birthday party. The revelation hit me like a bolt of lightning. Before that, Emily had gotten drunk and passed out in Michael’s arms. Her chest was pressed right against his thigh. I shot Michael a look, but he ignored me. Instead, he called a server over for a damp towel and carefully wiped Emily’s face and neck. Emily let out a soft moan and wrapped her arms around Michael’s, clinging to him in the most intimate way. Sensing my discomfort, my mother-in-law, Mrs. Green, casually placed a shrimp in my bowl and said, “They’ve been close like this since they were kids. Don’t let it bother you. Come on, eat up!” I forced a nod, chewing on the shrimp that tasted like nothing. As the drinks flowed, Mr. Green stood up with his glass and announced, “Today isn’t just my birthday. I also have some great news! My daughter, Emily, has been hired by the local TV station! We all know how hard it is to get into the TV station—they only pick the very best!” Everyone clapped and congratulated her. Mr. Green, a bit unsteady, swayed slightly and had to be supported by someone next to him. “Emily may not be our biological child,” he continued, “but in terms of smarts and determination, she’s just like a true Green!” Mrs. Green gave me a strange look and quickly stood up to cut him off. Michael gently pushed Emily off his lap and glanced at me, finally realizing what was happening. Around us, the chatter was a blur. My head was buzzing like a swarm of flies. Before, I could convince myself that their closeness was just due to blood ties. But now? There was no way I could believe that the relationship between Michael and Emily was purely that of a brother and sister. Especially since just the night before, when our son had a 104°F fever from tonsillitis, Michael left him to take Emily home after she got drunk. He didn’t come back all night.

That night, when I heard Andy crying, I rushed barefoot into his room and saw his flushed little face, his voice hoarse. The thermometer read 104°F. I ran back to our room to wake up Michael, but he was sitting on the bed, on the phone. “Alright, stay where you are. I’m on my way,” he said. “Michael, Andy’s got a fever!” I told him. He hesitated. “Julia, could you take him to the hospital first? Emily got drunk, and she needs me to pick her up.” “She has plenty of friends. If worse comes to worst, call your parents.” Michael frowned, “They’re asleep, and she’s a girl, Julia. I don’t want anything bad to happen to her. You go first, I’ll meet you there.” My temples throbbed with frustration, but I bit my tongue. I rushed Andy to the emergency room, where the doctor diagnosed tonsillitis. A single shot and the fever would subside. I finally breathed a sigh of relief. But Andy hadn’t eaten much dinner, and the medication upset his stomach. He vomited suddenly, and I didn’t have anything on hand to catch it, so I used my bare hands to avoid messing up the hospital floor. The pungent smell was overwhelming, and I felt tears well up. Thankfully, a woman nearby handed me a plastic bag. Andy’s little face was red with discomfort, and he held my hand, whispering, “Mommy, I’m sorry.” My heart ached as I replied, “You didn’t do anything wrong, Andy. You were so brave.” I put on a strong face for Andy, but one question from that woman broke me down inside: “Where’s your husband? Why are you here alone?” That night, I sat by Andy’s bedside and didn’t close my eyes for a second. Michael came home at five in the morning, holding my favorite crab-stuffed pastries. He apologized, massaged my feet, brought me water, and begged me to rest. I was exhausted, and seeing how sincere he seemed, I let it go. But that incident left a knot in my heart that never truly untied. It eventually became the spark that led to our divorce. After leaving Mr. Green’s birthday party, I walked straight to the parking lot, with Michael chasing after me, blocking the car door. “Are you seriously leaving during such an important event?” he asked. “Come on, stop being dramatic. Let’s go back.” I jerked my hand away. “Aren’t you going to explain what’s going on with you and Emily?” Michael sighed. “I didn’t mean to hide it from you. I just didn’t want anyone to misunderstand and have it affect Emily.” I laughed bitterly, “And that’s it? Michael, do you really think I’m that stupid? Do you expect me to believe that what you two have is just sibling love?” His face twisted in disbelief. “Julia, your mind is in the gutter!” Before I could respond, Mrs. Green appeared, hearing our argument, and immediately pointed at me. “You, of all people, should know better. How could you say something like that?” I watched them stand united against me, feeling a coldness settle in my chest. Without another word, I opened the car door. As I got in, I heard Mrs. Green muttering, “What kind of person did you marry? So disrespectful!” I held back the burning anger and drove away. The next day, I packed up my things, took Andy, and went back to my parents’ house. My mom tried to talk me down. “So what if they aren’t blood-related? They didn’t do anything inappropriate. Marriage means you have to turn a blind eye to some things.” “Mom, you know me. I can’t ignore something like this.” My dad slammed down his cup. “There’s never been a divorce in the Davis family. If you go through with this, don’t come back!” I slammed the door, sinking to the floor as the weight of everything hit me. I thought my parents’ home would be my safe haven. Instead, they were on Michael’s side.

During this time, Michael kept calling, but I ignored him. I blocked him on Instagram and every other social platform he might reach me on. Andy would occasionally ask, “Why isn’t Dad with us?” I would swallow my sadness and reply, “Daddy’s working hard. He’ll come see you soon.” Andy would nod, gripping my hand, “Mom, don’t be mad at Dad. I want us all to be happy together.” Tears filled my eyes. Staring at Andy’s innocent face, my resolve to divorce began to waver. That night, I tried to convince myself to move on, but every time I closed my eyes, the memories I couldn’t let go of flooded back— Emily sitting on Michael’s lap, playing video games. Michael using his chopsticks to hand-feed Emily pieces of fish. Emily throwing herself into his arms every time she won a game. And every time they were in the same room, they sat together, laughing and chatting, completely ignoring me. If they could behave like that in front of me, I couldn’t imagine what went on behind closed doors. It wasn’t stubbornness on my part—it was impossible to ignore. A few days later, I was surprised when Michael showed up at my door with Emily to apologize. That morning, I had dropped Andy off at Maple Grove Daycare and swung by Fisherman’s Wharf to pick up a few pounds of clams—my dad’s favorite. He’d been ignoring me for days, and as his daughter, I knew I had to make things right. My dad was a traditional man, strict but with a good heart. He had never once mistreated my mom in all their years of marriage. Even though he said some hurtful things, Mom told me he had privately called Michael and given him a good scolding. When I got home, the house was empty. I had just started soaking the clams when there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see Michael, unshaven and haggard, with a sulky Emily standing behind him. “Julia, I brought Emily to apologize.” “I overreacted that day.” “I didn’t realize how uncomfortable our behavior made you. I promise, there’s nothing between us other than sibling love.” Then he pulled Emily forward. She didn’t look happy, but eventually muttered, “I’m sorry, sis. My brother and I have always been close like this. If anything was off, he wouldn’t have married you, right?” She shot Michael a knowing glance as she spoke. This wasn’t an apology—it was a taunt. I smirked, ready to fire back, but Michael’s face darkened. “Emily, if you can’t apologize properly, keep quiet!” “Fine!” Emily’s eyes reddened as she glared at both of us. “I hope you two live happily ever after!” Then she stomped away in her heels. “Aren’t you going to chase after her?” I sneered. Michael shook his head. “She’s spoiled from how we raised her, like a little princess. Don’t let it bother you. I swear, I’ll never do anything to hurt you again.” I softened and packed up my things to return home with Michael. A week later, Andy was overjoyed to see his dad again, clinging to Michael like he would never let go. Watching them together, my heart felt heavy. I had never asked Andy to choose between us, but at that moment, I really wanted to know—if Michael and I divorced, who would he pick? For a long time after that, Michael was more attentive than ever before. He woke up early to buy groceries, canceled every social event, and spent all his time at home with Andy and me. There were even little surprises—flowers, cakes, jewelry. He even remembered my period and had warm tea ready in advance. It felt like we had gone back to our early dating days. I could tell he was trying to make up for his mistakes. Even though the hurt lingered, I decided to bury it for now and give our marriage another try. But everything changed the week my grandmother passed away. I went back to my hometown with my mom for the funeral. There was a virus outbreak in my hometown, and since Andy was still so young, I couldn’t bring him along.

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On my 22nd birthday, my uncle discovered my diary. After learning about my secret crush on him, he sent me abroad and spent millions on a lavish wedding to marry his true love. At the airport, he coldly warned me: “Never have inappropriate thoughts again.” Years later, I returned with a child in my arms. He was shocked: “Is this yours?” I nodded with a smile: “Yes. I just finished my postpartum recovery.” Sitting on the plane, I still felt dazed. I never thought that after five years abroad, I would have the chance to come back. After all, Orion had said that in this lifetime, I’d better never appear in front of him again. But it was also he who personally bought me a ticket back home, inviting me to attend his and Melissa’s wedding anniversary celebration. After two layovers, I finally landed. Uma had been sleeping peacefully on the plane, but once we got off, she started crying. “Mommy, my feet hurt,” she whimpered softly. Hearing Uma’s quiet sobs, I quickly picked her up and walked towards the exit. At the arrival gate, I turned on my phone, ready to call a cab. Just then, my phone rang. Seeing the familiar number on the screen, I fell silent, unsure whether to answer or not. In the end, I didn’t pick up. But a second call came through almost immediately. I sighed and finally answered. Orion’s voice quickly came through. After years without talking, his voice hadn’t changed. “Are you out of the airport? I sent an assistant to pick you up,” Orion said in a businesslike manner, as if we were strangers. I laughed bitterly, “I can get a cab myself.” There was silence for a second; Orion probably didn’t expect me to say that. After all, back then, I had been well taken care of by him. During my years by his side, all my needs were met – I never had to worry about transportation. After a moment of silence, Orion spoke casually, “Let the assistant come anyway. I bought a gift for Melissa on your behalf, it’s in the trunk. You can bring it directly when you come for dinner.” Orion was still so thoughtful, considering even the gift situation perfectly. Of course, when he spent millions on the venue and commissioned a limited edition diamond to create a unique wedding ring for Melissa, it was clear how much he loved her. “Alright,” I said, rubbing my forehead and responding softly. Orion didn’t say anything more, but he didn’t hang up either. After a while, Orion finally spoke: “Yara, after five years abroad, I hope you’ve really reflected on things. If you do anything to Melissa, I won’t let you off easy.” Hearing this, I was stunned. The noise around me seemed to fade away. Orion said he wouldn’t let me off easy. Before I could respond, Orion had already hung up. Actually, Orion could rest assured. I wouldn’t do anything to them. I just wanted to take good care of Uma and find a job. As I left the airport, I lowered my head. The proud 22-year-old me probably couldn’t have imagined that my life would end up in such a miserable state. I was sent abroad by Orion on my 22nd birthday. That day, Orion discovered my diary. When I was young, my parents died in a cruise ship accident and never returned. Orion naturally took over my care. My relationship with him had always been harmonious. Until I became an adult, I realized I didn’t just see Orion as an uncle. I liked him. But I also knew very clearly that there was no future between Orion and me. So I wrote all my feelings in my diary. If Orion hadn’t seen my diary, I probably could have pretended that my feelings for him were just those of a niece for her uncle. But Orion saw it. He tore up my diary and asked me how I could have such disgusting thoughts. “Don’t you know I’m your uncle! Even without a blood relation, we can only be family!” The usually gentlemanly and refined Orion was no longer gentle, shouting at me with disgust in his eyes. At that time, I wanted to explain, but couldn’t explain anything. In the end, I could only keep bowing and apologizing, saying I was wrong, that I shouldn’t have fallen for him. But Orion didn’t calm down. The next day, he resigned from the job I had lined up, and under the guise of studying abroad, sent me to a remote university overseas. To prevent me from contacting the outside world, Orion even hired bodyguards to watch me. At first, I didn’t understand why Orion treated me this way. Until the first month after I went abroad, news of Orion’s marriage went viral. Only then did I realize that all these years, he had always had someone in his heart. I watched Orion’s wedding video over and over again. In the video, when looking at Melissa, Orion’s gaze was gentle and loving. He had never looked at me that way. From that moment on, I knew that Orion keeping me by his side for so many years was just out of sympathy and responsibility. His only love was Melissa. “Miss John, please get in the car,” the assistant’s voice brought me back to reality. I nodded and got into the car with the sleeping Uma. When he saw Uma, the assistant’s face showed a hint of surprise: “Miss John, this is…?” I made a shushing gesture, afraid our conversation would disturb Uma’s sleep. After sitting in the back seat, I answered softly: “This is my daughter.” The assistant nodded and fell silent. When he drove to our destination, I was stunned. This hotel was where Orion and Melissa got married. Five years of marriage, he held a wedding anniversary celebration every year, and personally selected gifts for Melissa. I thought, Orion really cherished Melissa. In previous years, he didn’t allow me to enter their world. Inviting me back this year was probably just to let me witness their happiness. I numbly got out of the car and saw Melissa smiling as she walked towards me. Unlike my haggard appearance and simple clothes, Melissa wore expensive jewelry and perfume, looking well-cared for by Orion. Melissa’s smile suddenly froze. I knew she had seen Uma in my arms. Sure enough, when she came to my side, Melissa’s expression was very surprised: “Yara, how did you secretly have a child abroad without telling me? I’ve been married to your uncle for so long, you still treat me like an outsider.” Before I could speak, Melissa took Uma from my arms without asking. Uma woke up and immediately started crying, struggling not to let Melissa hold her. I took Uma back from Melissa and comforted her for a while. Actually, Melissa knew about my past crush on Orion. Returning this time, I didn’t want to get too involved with Melissa. But Melissa still stubbornly wanted to hold Uma. When Melissa and I arrived at the hotel’s private room, Uma was still crying and wanting me to hold her. Melissa forced a smile and handed Uma back to me: “Your uncle knows having children isn’t easy. We haven’t thought about having kids these past few years. Seeing you’ve had a daughter, I got too excited.” There were already several people sitting in the room. I wasn’t used to socializing, so I chose a corner seat, and Melissa sat down next to me. She enthusiastically linked arms with me, introducing me and Uma to the others. The looks others gave me were visibly teasing and probing. I couldn’t stand the strange atmosphere here and said I wanted to go to the restroom. When I came back after washing my face, I heard Melissa’s voice. Someone asked Melissa why she brought in an unlucky thing like me. “What unlucky thing, Yara is Orion’s sister. Although she went down the wrong path and tried to seduce Orion before, now that she’s had a child, she definitely won’t make mistakes again.” Hearing Melissa say this, I just quietly stood at the door of the private room. Yes, in others’ eyes, I was just a madwoman who tried to seduce her uncle, a shameless slut. Uma tugged at my clothes uneasily, and I comforted her before entering the room. Some things have to be faced eventually. I don’t know how long passed, but suddenly everyone in the room stood up. “Mr. John is here!” “Hello, Mr. John!” A group of people crowded around him, while I didn’t move, just sitting in my seat. After a long time, I finally raised my head and looked at Orion. He seemed to have lost some weight. Orion wore a suit, with Melissa leaning on him. When they looked at each other, their eyes were full of smiles. Orion was surrounded by people and didn’t notice me in the corner. All these years, he who should have been the center of attention still was, while the only one not doing well was me. Suddenly, Melissa seemed to remember something and pushed Orion with a smile: “Orion, Yara is here too. You uncle and niece haven’t seen each other for so many years, catch up a bit. Yara even brought back a surprise!” Hearing the word “surprise”, Orion remained unmoved, first helping Melissa sit down and ordering her a glass of milk before raising his eyes to look in my direction. Uma shrank into a ball, looking very wary. Orion obviously saw Uma too, his eyes widening suddenly. “Yara, what is this?” He was asking about Uma. I hadn’t told them about Uma, so when they saw me with her, their expressions were all the same – either surprised or looking like they were watching a show. Melissa spoke for me: “Orion, this is Yara’s daughter. Isn’t she cute? She looks just like Yara and seems to be a few years old already.” Orion’s gaze fell on Uma, then on me, examining me for a while. Just when I thought Orion wouldn’t pay attention to me anymore, he asked hoarsely, pointing at Uma: “During these years abroad… you got married and had a child?” I raised my head, looking directly at Orion, and nodded. “I got married a while ago. Sorry I didn’t tell you.”

Orion Hartley. Born into a powerful military family, he was already leading troops by the time he turned sixteen. His only flaw? Too many wives and mistresses. When I was brought into his home, I became his fifth wife. The First Wife, Vivienne Davenport, came from an old-money family and had been promised to Orion since they were children. The Second Wife, Seraphine Wilder, was once the star of the jazz scene at the famous Redwood Lounge. She could sing and dance like no other. The Third Wife, Moira Callahan, was Orion’s first love, a wealthy heiress who had just returned from studying abroad. The Fourth Wife, Delilah Rayne, came to Willowcreek as a refugee during the chaotic times. She was a doctor and once saved Orion’s life by accident. Talk about a line-up. A childhood sweetheart, A temptress, The first stirrings of love, And the untouchable woman of his dreams. And then, there’s me—awkwardly thrown into the mix by my father. I blame him for my situation, but I can’t be picky now. Marriage is marriage, after all, and it’s not like I had a choice. Now that I’m here, I’ve already crossed the threshold. But honestly, how could I possibly compete with them? Especially with Seraphine, the Second Wife, who had quite the temper. One wrong move, and I’d be forced to kneel in submission. I’d often tell myself, “It doesn’t matter. I’m already married. If I die, then so be it.” After spending some time with them, I noticed they all had distinct personalities. Vivienne, the First Wife, spent her time gardening, doing embroidery, or copying religious texts. She held onto old-fashioned values and rarely involved herself in our affairs, but when she did, she could silence us all. Seraphine, on the other hand, spent her free time playing poker or practicing her singing and dancing. You could hear her muttering about winning hands even in her sleep. “Bingo! Pay up!” She had a certain charm about her—loved money, but wasn’t exactly greedy. Her beauty was famous, rivaling the most glamorous women in the city. Moira, the Third Wife, was outspoken and straightforward. Though she acted tough, she had a soft heart. Despite her brashness, she loved gossip—there wasn’t a secret in Willowcreek that she didn’t know. Delilah, the Fourth Wife, was the one I got along with best. She was calm, non-competitive, and had a gentle demeanor. I’d heard she traveled with a medical mentor before arriving here. Her skills were rumored to be exceptional. In the Hartley Estate, the most intense rivalry was between Seraphine and Moira. Moira’s straightforwardness clashed with Seraphine’s theatrical flair. Whenever those two were in the same room, an argument was bound to happen. With war on the rise in the city, many wealthy families were fleeing. The servants at the estate had either left or disappeared, and with Orion away at the military camp, we wives were left to fend for ourselves. Seraphine, desperate to find poker buddies, dragged Moira, Delilah, and me into a game. When Moira beat Seraphine with a winning hand, another argument broke out, and we left the table in chaos. Delilah and I were utterly confused, watching them storm off.

I don’t remember what day it was, but another round of gunfire echoed from somewhere in the distance. Seraphine, though she’d never admit it, was scared and clung to me, refusing to leave my room. Meanwhile, Delilah came by to treat my back injury. How did I hurt my back, you ask? Well, Seraphine had complained that Moira didn’t put enough salt in the soup. The two argued so fiercely in the kitchen that I feared they’d start a brawl. In trying to stop them, I twisted my back. Bang! Bang bang! More shots rang out from afar, and the quiet night suddenly became terrifying. When Moira came in and saw Seraphine wrapped tightly in my blanket, she couldn’t help but laugh. A moment later, Vivienne arrived, having heard the commotion. By then, the entire city had lost power—an area-wide blackout, possibly caused by the military searching for a spy’s transmitter. The five of us huddled together in my small bedroom, the atmosphere strangely… comforting. “So, how about lighting a candle and playing some cards?” Moira teased Seraphine. Moonlight streamed through the window, revealing Seraphine’s head poking out from beneath the blanket. She was, without a doubt, the queen of gambling. But of course, none of us had the heart to play. Vivienne had been trying to contact Orion all night, but with no luck. We all feared the worst. Out of the five of us, I was the only one whose parents were still alive. But my father? He’d run off with the money long ago. No help there. We had no choice but to stick together. It was a long night. By the time the sun rose, we finally dared to return to our rooms to get some rest. But just as I lay down, enemy planes roared overhead, dropping bombs. Willowcreek had fallen.

To avoid the worst of the disaster, we were escorted to an air raid shelter by military officers. From last night to now, I had only slept a couple of hours. Everyone was groggy as we were herded into the shelter. We didn’t bring much food, but fortunately, the officers knew we were Orion Hartley’s wives and treated us with extra care. For the first time, I felt what it was like to truly share hardship with others. Inside the shelter, some civilians starved to death, unable to find food. Others risked their lives to search outside but never returned. There were even pregnant women who died from complications because there wasn’t proper medical care. A few days later, a group of officers in yellow uniforms arrived, speaking in a language we didn’t understand. They pointed their guns at us and ordered everyone to kneel with their hands on their heads. Delilah quickly sensed the danger and smeared dirt on our faces. They began speaking in broken English, asking who was Orion’s wife. None of us dared stand up. The lead officer spoke again, saying if we didn’t reveal ourselves, they’d kill every one of us, starting from the top and working their way down. Three, two, one… “I’m Orion Hartley’s wife!” I wanted to say it for Vivienne, the First Wife. I had already prepared myself mentally to do so. But in the end, it was she who bravely stood up and faced them. They tied her up and were about to take her away when one of the soldiers spotted Seraphine, the Second Wife, crouched in the corner. Their faces twisted with lecherous grins as Seraphine quickly lowered her head. “You… what’s your name?” Again, the broken English and sleazy tone made my stomach churn. Seraphine stayed silent, frozen with fear, unable to utter a word. “You, not talk? Good.” They dragged her out, her beauty still visible even beneath the layer of dirt smeared on her face. She was the type of woman who could catch anyone’s eye, even in a crowd. And just like that, without warning, they took both Seraphine and Vivienne. Moira, the Third Wife, clutched my sleeve so tightly her whole body trembled. It wasn’t until the soldiers were far off that she finally let go, shaking from head to toe. Now it was just the three of us. The room still echoed with the horror of what had just happened. “I should’ve saved them… we should’ve done something,” I muttered, my voice trembling as I fought back tears. Delilah, the Fourth Wife, stood there, pale as a ghost, frozen in place. “What do we do now? What are we supposed to do?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. I can’t die yet. I can’t die. We were herded into trucks—three of them. One filled with women, one with children, and one with men. Each truck drove off in a different direction. Moira turned to me, her voice shaking. “It’s the Japanese.” The Japanese. I grew up in the sheltered gardens of my childhood home, never thinking much of the world beyond. I used to believe that everyone spoke the same language as us. I didn’t understand what going abroad meant. I didn’t know how to use a phone, let alone worry about the affairs of the world. How naïve I had been. Every day, I rode in a rickety cab to eat at the same little diner in the alley. That had been my life. And now, we had been taken by the Japanese. They invaded our country. They had no sense of decency. Where was Orion? Was he dead? Where were they taking us? Would we ever come back to this land again? Sitting in the back of the truck, my thoughts spiraled. I wondered what I would look like in death. All I remember next is that someone came to save us. The deafening sound of gunfire filled the streets as chaos erupted. We were scattered, running through the once-bustling streets of Willowcreek. People were everywhere, pushing, shoving—I lost track of the others. I felt a sharp blow to the head. It was so loud, so chaotic. I thought I was going to die. But it wasn’t just a blow. I think I was shot. Oddly, though, there was no pain. Just a steady flow of blood pouring from my body. Fine, I thought, let it be. Death is death. It’s not like anyone cared about me. My father had abandoned me. My mother, too. Orion Hartley never loved me. I had no children, no family to mourn me. My life had been so small. There would be no one to shed a tear for me when I was gone. So, I let go. My eyelids grew heavy, and I drifted into a deep sleep. I dreamt of snow falling on Willowcreek. It was heavy, thick, covering the streets in white. But soon, the soldiers came—ruthless, unyielding, killing without mercy. Blood stained the streets as the people screamed and cried for help. I was powerless to stop it. The city was in chaos. Willowcreek was in chaos. Even the police who once protected us had become traitors, working hand in hand with the enemy. Even the soldiers who were supposed to stand for our nation had betrayed us. It had been so long since I’d seen snow.

Today marks one month since Zephyr Callahan saved me. My gunshot wound has almost fully healed, and I can move around freely again. Zephyr says I’m lucky to be alive, and honestly, I agree. Zephyr Callahan. A professor at Westgate Academy and a member of the Revolutionaries. He’s rescued countless people from the hands of the Japanese. To me, he’s a hero. One day, I asked Zephyr to find out what happened to Vivienne and the other wives. Seraphine… she was taken to Japan. No one knows where she is now. When Orion Hartley tried to rescue them, only Vivienne remained, imprisoned in an interrogation room. It had been so long, and finding Moira and Delilah was nearly impossible—there were no photographs of them, and time had made the search even harder. Honestly, the Japanese are nothing short of monsters. They’ve torn countless families apart. I told Zephyr that I wanted to join the revolution. He froze, clearly not expecting such words from someone like me—a once-spoiled, fragile heiress. At night, we’d sit in the garden and listen to the distant gunfire. Ever since the Japanese arrived, no one had been able to find peace. They’d barge into homes, searching for people, disrupting lives. It was all so reckless, so rude. I learned a new word from Zephyr. A name for the invaders: Japs. The little Japs. Zephyr sent me to the Revolutionaries’ base in Denver. It was where the movement had begun, and he agreed to let me join the fight. He was cautious at first, but over time, as I proved myself, he allowed me to accompany him on missions. We even infiltrated the Japanese officers’ quarters and stole important intel. It was crucial for our comrades. This was no game. I knew that. I packed my bags and left at the end of December. That trip lasted two years. In Denver, I met many revolutionaries—people I deeply admired. Every day, I trained hard in marksmanship and learned to speak Japanese fluently. I swore I’d become a patriot, just like them. They gave me a codename: Scholar. My superior was none other than Zephyr, the man who had saved me. His codename was Shadow. Two years later, I returned to Willowcreek, this time posing as a music teacher at Westgate Academy. My mission? Assist Zephyr in assassinating a high-ranking Japanese officer, Sato Masahiro. The Willowcreek I knew had changed. It was still bustling, but now there were Japanese-style buildings everywhere, and Japanese soldiers patrolled the streets. I wondered how Vivienne and the others were faring. Were they still alive? Zephyr introduced me as his cousin, and I even changed my name to Kendra Rayne for my cover. Through some connections, Zephyr got me into the officer’s mansion to teach Sato’s sister, Yuko, how to play piano. Yuko was also a student at Westgate. She seemed particularly interested in Zephyr, constantly asking me about him. As I grew closer to Yuko, she invited me to their family estate, the same place where we used to live. She showed me around the house, proudly describing every detail. But I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. This was once our home, filled with laughter and joy. Now, the invaders walked its halls as if they owned it. The memories brought tears to my eyes, but I quickly held them back, not wanting Yuko to see. During dinner, Yuko cooked Japanese food—sushi and sashimi. She proudly explained each dish to me. After dinner, I offered to help clean up but accidentally cut my hand on a knife. Blood dripped onto the floor. Yuko panicked and called for the family’s private doctor to bandage me up. To my surprise, the doctor was none other than Delilah Rayne, the Fourth Wife. Delilah and I locked eyes, and in that moment, I wanted nothing more than to run to her and embrace her tightly. It had been two years since we last saw each other, and she had cut her once long, beautiful hair into a short bob. She stood frozen in shock, but I quickly regained my composure. “Doctor, will my hand be okay? Should I avoid water for a while?” Delilah, catching the signal, nodded and began to treat my wound. “The cut is deep, but as long as you keep it dry for three days, it should heal.” I nodded back. Yuko, still worried, apologized profusely. “Ms. Rayne, I’m so sorry.” Hearing her call me “Ms. Rayne,” Delilah glanced at me again. “It’s my fault for insisting on helping,” I replied, trying to deflect attention. Just as Delilah finished bandaging me up, Sato Masahiro walked in. I remembered him instantly—he was the same officer from the air raid shelter. My heart raced, but I forced myself to stay calm. “Brother, you’re back! I invited Ms. Rayne to join us for dinner,” Yuko announced cheerfully. Sato looked me up and down, but after a moment, he seemed to deem me harmless. He gave a faint smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Don’t let your teacher stay too late. The streets aren’t safe with the Revolutionaries on the move.” He and Yuko began speaking in Japanese, and thankfully, I understood every word. I cursed him silently, my mind racing with insults. But I maintained my composure and replied in Japanese, “I trust the officers of the Empire won’t harm innocent civilians.” Sato seemed pleased with my response. His fake smile softened into something more genuine. “Ms. Rayne, the Empire seeks only justice. We just don’t want you to fall into the hands of the Revolutionaries.” He made a chilling gesture across his throat, as if mimicking an execution. A cold shiver ran down my spine. His cruelty was horrifying. Then, he turned to Yuko and said, “Your sister, Sachiko, will be joining us here in Willowcreek after autumn.” Yuko squealed with excitement. “Really? Are you and Sachiko going to get engaged?” Sachiko. I had heard about her from Zephyr. She was Sato’s lover, and their engagement was imminent. “Ms. Rayne, you’ll be invited to the engagement party as well,” Sato added, turning to Delilah. “Even Dr. Rayne has agreed to attend.” I forced a smile. “Thank you, Sato. I look forward to it. But for now, I’ll take my leave. It’s getting late.” Sato offered to have me escorted home, but I declined. I didn’t need any help from the enemy. If I could kill him at his engagement party, that might be my best chance. As I left the estate, Delilah caught up with me. “Let’s walk back together,” she said. “I’m heading to St. Mary’s Hospital for my shift.” I nodded. She was now a doctor, wearing the white coat she had always dreamed of.

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The proud and scheming wolfdog-like bottom bunk uke × the sunny and easily tamed puppy-like top bunk uke × the self-imagining seme Taming Diary ‘Wife’ isn’t about gender; it’s a feeling. If the feeling’s right, it could be a guy too. Stellar Song lay on the top bunk across from me, half his body hanging off as he poked his head out to say this. His tone was a mix of cute and just a little coy. What? We were clearly just talking about what types of girls we liked. How did this guy go off on a tangent? I quickly glanced over at Flynn Song on the lower bunk across from me, raising my eyebrows with a knowing look that said, “Did you hear what your brother just said? This guy’s trouble. You think he might actually be turning gay?” Flynn Song was looking right back at me, but instead of reacting to Stellar, he said something that caught me even more off guard: “I agree, but let’s keep things straight between brothers.” As soon as he said that, I felt the air around me turn three degrees colder, and a strange feeling creep up my heart. Dude, you two brothers don’t want to share one, do you? Also, why are you suddenly getting out of bed? That’s right. The unlucky guy who was being stared at so intently by these two men at this moment was me. Being liked by a man was already strange enough, but what was even stranger was that it wasn’t just one man. The real kicker was that they were brothers—twins, no less. “Hold on a second, you two. I’m not the one you’re planning to ‘share,’ am I?” Stellar Song flashed a mischievous grin, showing off his cute canine teeth as he nodded slowly. “Why not?” “It’s not me, for crying out loud. I’m a guy.” But Flynn just smirked. “Didn’t my brother say that if the feeling’s right, it could be a guy too?” The two brothers teamed up and yanked away the blanket I was using to cover myself. Then, my wails filled the whole corridor, “Damn it! I treated you two as brothers. What do you two take me for!… Ah. ..Don’t touch me there…” Here’s how it all started. My name’s Wayne, and I’m the head of this dorm. When I first entered this dorm, I thought my days here were going to be tough, because the rejection and coldness in the eyes of these two brothers clearly showed that they regarded me as an outsider. And things were tough… just not in the way I’d expected. Turns out, it was my lower body that took the hit. “Hi, I’m Wayne , your senior…” Although it was a bit awkward, I still calmly introduced myself. Thankfully, there were four of us in the dorm, and the other freshman gave me a friendly nod, saying apologetically, “Hello, senior. Sorry about that. They’re just a bit slow to warm up. They’ll be fine once they get to know you.” “It’s all good. They’re freshmen; everyone’s got their own quirks.” I walked straight to my bed and smiled at these two brothers. Back then, I thought I’d just get through the year and graduate, but little did I know I’d walked straight into a den of wolves. I’d had the bad luck of breaking my leg last semester, which meant a year off to recover at home. By the time I was back, my original classmates had already graduated, so I had no choice but to transfer to this dorm. I thought since I was the oldest, I should take care of these freshmen brothers a bit more. So, I usually helped them fetch water, bring food, and reserve seats for them when I had nothing to do. I thought I was just doing good deeds . Who would have thought that I did do good deeds, but ended up sacrificing my own parts. Now that I think about it, there were signs of this. For example, recently, Stellar Song would suddenly hug me from behind after taking the food I brought him, and then give me a smile that would make girls go crazy and say to me , “Thank you, Brother Wayne.” And then there was Flynn Song, who suddenly started wearing perfume. He’d come over, letting me smell it and asking if I liked it. The way he stretched his neck was so flirty. He clearly looked like a bottom, but at that time, all I could think was, “Well, he knows I’m a nice guy and is coming to play with me. Little brat.” Now I really regret it. I even took the initiative to invite them to the bathhouse for a soak together. Take a bath! Get naked with two bottoms! Take a bath! Wasn’t I just throwing myself at them? I still remember the looks they gave me at that time. Stellar Song’s eyes were bright. “Are you sure you want to take a bath with us~?” Flynn Song, on the other hand, stared at me strangely and said, “I don’t want to be in the bathroom.” At that time, I scratched my head, not understanding their intentions, and said stupidly, “What’s the matter? We’re all buddies. Hurry up, don’t be so slow. ” In the bathroom, steam was swirling around. The two brothers had squeezed in close, sandwiching me in the middle as we took a bath. “Brother Wayne, I didn’t expect you to have such a good body.” Stellar Song praised me with a smile. “Of course. I’ve been working out for a long time.” Flynn Song, keeping his usual confident demeanor, chimed in, “What’s the point of looking good? Being healthy is what really matters.” “I’m as fit as a fiddle, guys,” I said, naively starting to brag about my glorious achievements with my ex-girlfriend, completely oblivious to the increasingly mischievous glints in their eyes. After we got back from the bathhouse to the dorm, I decided to continue our earlier topic and asked them what kinds of girls they liked. That’s when the same scene unfolded again, with Stellar Song saying how “wife” is a feeling and it can be a guy too. And then these two bottoms surrounded me. Now I’m extremely regretful. I’m such an idiot. Not having a gaydar has really screwed me over. If God were to give me another chance now, I would never take a bath with these two brothers again. No, I would never share a dorm with them again. “Brother Wayne, your body is so good. I was drooling over you when we were taking a bath just now.” Stellar Song reached out to a place he shouldn’t have and pinched me sneakily. I have to admit, this guy has really nice skin, and his eyes are huge. With those Korean-style bangs, he actually looks a bit like a cute girl. “Let’s call this love at first sight, shall we?” Suddenly, he climbed onto me, looking at me with burning eyes and even licking his lips? In that moment, even though I was fully dressed, it felt like I was completely naked. I got angry.“Stellar Song, get off me right now. Don’t make me hit you!” “Humph, then hit me.” Who would’ve thought this guy wouldn’t listen? He took the chance to fall into my arms and said coyly, “Just right. I like being tamed by Brother Wayne.” What the hell! I rolled over to get up, ready to throw a few punches at him. But as I landed a few hits, I suddenly felt something strange. This guy was actually moaning and wriggling around? Damn it, it made me hard. “Stop moving!” I roared at Stellar Song. “Okay, don’t be so mean. I’m just in pain because you hit me.” Stellar Song looked at me pitifully and stopped. But Flynn Song was all fired up. “What are you afraid of? There are two of us. Can’t we overpower him?” Flynn Song is different from his brother. He’s smart, decisive, and he has to succeed in whatever he wants to do. He never accepts threats. Just like today, he managed to send the fourth roommate to the cybercafe without anyone noticing. That guy even promised that he wouldn’t come back today before leaving. On top of that, Flynn works out regularly, so when it comes to physical strength, I might not stand a chance against him. It turned out that Flynn Song had been quietly watching Stellar Song and me mess around for a while, just biding his time to wear me out before striking at the perfect moment. “Okay, the appetizer is over. It’s time for the main course.” “What are you doing? Don’t come over here. Don’t… Don’t touch me!” Flynn Song pressed down on me and said ambiguously in my ear, “Don’t pretend. You were already hard just now.” I was stunned. So, he had seen everything I’d tried to hide. “Don’t worry. It’s obvious that you’re a top. You won’t be on the bottom.”

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My boyfriend Vincent was a special forces soldier specializing in bomb disposal. To save a woman, he endured inhumane torture at the hands of a terrorist organization. His fingers were cut off, his tendons severed, and the tip of his tongue was chopped away. From a proud and noble man, he was reduced to a fool who drooled when he spoke. He had no idea that the woman he was trying to save was the beloved of Simon, the leader of the terrorist organization. It was all a trap, designed to lure him in. On the day I heard the news of Vincent’s death, I committed suicide by jumping into the sea. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself the most favored captive of Simon. The original owner of this body was used to wearing heavy makeup, but I wasn’t. I remember that on the second day after transmigrating into this body, I showed up in front of Simon without a trace of makeup. He grabbed my chin and forced me to look up, a half-smile on his face. “You don’t look like Jilly without makeup.” So today, I deliberately applied makeup to imitate Jilly’s look. I even added a tear-shaped mole at the outer corner of my right eye. I was planning to get rid of someone. Tiger, Simon’s right-hand man. When Simon rushed into the room after getting the news, I was in Tiger’s arms. Tears streamed down my face. Tiger loomed beside me like a mountain, his face flushed from drinking, his eyes gleaming with greed. I shook my head, crying out “No—” while pushing against him with what seemed like feeble strength. “If your brother Simon finds out, he won’t let you off!” Tiger laughed loudly, his gold teeth shining. “You? Just a substitute for Miss Jilly. Brother Simon doesn’t care.” “A nobody. Do you really think Brother Simon would care?” I felt humiliated and was determined not to let him succeed, struggling to move backward. He licked his lips. “What a beauty. No wonder you’ve been able to stay beside Brother Simon for so long.” He was about to make his move. It was at that moment that Simon burst in. He held a pistol, his face cold and stern. I cried out to him, “Simon, save me—I’m not pure anymore, Simon. I don’t want to live.” I knew that with my face slightly tilted to the right, I resembled Jilly the most. When Tiger saw Simon approaching, instead of backing off, he touched my face. “Well, you little thing. You really called Brother Simon here.” He turned to Simon, grinning widely. “Brother Simon, I’ve risked my life for you all these years. Can you give this girl to me?” Everyone around Simon feared him. Even if it was just a woman, as long as she belonged to Simon, she was his private property, and no one dared to touch her. After Tiger said this, I knew that the drug I had slipped him to induce mental confusion had taken effect. Simon’s handsome brows furrowed deeply. He stood there, silent, weighing his options. Should he choose the woman or his brother? Tears streamed from the tear-shaped mole on my face as I sobbed, “Simon, if you really give me to him, I’ll die!” Simon raised an eyebrow, maintaining that careless, half-smiling demeanor. “Alright, Tiger, Cherry is yours.” Tiger’s face lit up with joy at Simon’s permission. Just as he was about to touch me, I closed my eyes in despair. But in the next moment, Simon’s expression changed completely. He looked incredibly sarcastic, his tone fierce: “You? You think you’re worthy?” “Bang!” Tiger’s head jerked to the side, a hole appearing in it. I had bet correctly. Simon strode over, shoved Tiger aside, and lifted me by the waist. “It’s okay. It’s okay,” he murmured. “No one dares to touch you.” I leaned against his shoulder, trembling uncontrollably, but a chilling smile curved on my blood-stained lips. Vincent, was this how it felt when Tiger cut off your fingers and the tip of your tongue back then? Turning my head, I caught a glimpse of Tiger’s disbelieving eyes, still open on the ground. Good riddance.

Vincent and I met in a war-torn foreign country. Terrorists had invaded the hospital and strapped a bomb to me. Vincent led a team to rescue me. I was so nervous that cold sweat poured down my face as I clenched my teeth. He smiled, his eyes clear behind the mask. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t let you die here,” he comforted me. For two whole hours, Vincent knelt beside me, meticulously dismantling the bomb. I had never stared into someone’s eyes for so long. Even now, whenever I close my eyes, I can still picture his face in my mind. The bomb was finally removed, but after a five-second pause, it triggered a new countdown. Only ten seconds left. Vincent’s expression tightened. He grabbed my hand and rushed me out of the hospital. Just as we burst through the doors, he yanked me into his arms, throwing us both to the ground. His body shielded me completely. The next second, an explosion roared behind us. The entire makeshift medical point was obliterated. Sand, mud, and debris rained down from the sky. The man on top of me frowned from the force of the blast, but I felt nothing. Only the sound of heartbeats. Deafening heartbeats. Drowned out by the explosion. After that day, Vincent often visited the newly built medical point. One day it was, “Dr. Leo, I got bitten by an ant on my thumb.” The next day, “Dr. Leo, I got pricked while picking flowers.” And the day after that, “Dr. Leo, I think I have a heart problem. The kind only you can treat.” Seeing me blush with anger as I tried to shoo him away, he would laugh, a triumphant glint in his eyes. From then on, he claimed he had two missions: to fight against terrorists and to protect me. But one day, he simply stopped showing up. He was kidnapped by the terrorist organization. The group had taken a Chinese woman hostage and specifically demanded Vincent by name. If he came, they promised to let her go. Vincent didn’t hesitate. He went alone, willing to trade his own life for hers. The terrorist organization live-streamed the scene of Vincent’s torture. They wanted him to work for them, to make bombs. Vincent would rather die than submit. On the screen, Simon sat opposite him, watching coldly as Vincent was hung up. In his lap was the so-called Chinese woman, Jilly, the hostage. She had her arms draped around Simon’s shoulders, smiling coyly. “Simon, he’s so stupid. He actually came to save me.” “Do you think he has a crush on me?” she teased. Simon, not even glancing at Vincent, casually replied to Tiger, “If he doesn’t comply, cut off his fingers and chop off his tongue tip.” He leaned in to plant a light kiss on Jilly’s red lips. “I want to see how he can dismantle bombs after that.” Jilly giggled, “Leave him two fingers on each hand. After all, the feeling of being worse than dead is the most interesting.” With a swift swing of his knife, Tiger severed Vincent’s fingers, blood gushing from the wounds. Vincent’s screams of pain echoed through the live stream. As a doctor, I had witnessed many deaths in the war, but it was the first time I understood the depth of such agonizing screams. My heart ached as if it were being sliced by thousands of knives, and tears streamed down uncontrollably. It felt as if the cuts on Vincent’s body were also inflicted upon mine. In the following days, Simon continued to live-stream Vincent’s torment. His head hung limply, his mind foggy, and the blood from his severed fingers had dried to a dark crust. Because his tongue tip was cut off, his mouth couldn’t close, and saliva constantly dripped from the corners of his lips. He couldn’t care for himself and had even lost control of his bladder. All he did was stare blankly at the camera, murmuring repeatedly, “Marilyn, I’m okay.” My heart shattered into a thousand pieces, the pain so intense that I felt like I might die. Even in this state, he was still trying to comfort me! Is this really okay? Is this really okay?! My Vincent, my proud Vincent. The Vincent who dismantled bombs with calm, confident smiles, always there to comfort me. The Vincent who came to the hospital just to tease me, laughing joyfully when he succeeded. He should have always shone like the sun, standing tall like a pine tree. He should have returned to our country, glorified and honored. He shouldn’t be like this. He shouldn’t be like this. A week later, the news of Vincent’s death arrived. He was dead. … After Tiger died, I stood frozen, my eyes cast down, silent and seemingly docile—almost frighteningly so. Perhaps my frightened demeanor unnerved Simon. He kissed my hair, constantly reassuring me that it was okay, that everything was over. He brought me before his subordinates, made me sit on his lap, and declared that I was his woman and could only belong to him. Anyone who dared to touch me again would meet the same fate as Tiger. Simon had Tiger’s head severed and displayed as a warning. His actions made me think I was important to him. But it wasn’t enough. I had to be important enough for him to marry me. Only then could I give him the ending he deserved. But what I didn’t expect was that, not long after, Jilly returned. She played with a knife against my face, smiling with amusement. “Your face does look quite like mine.” In the next moment, she clung to Simon’s arm, whining, “Simon, I haven’t practiced shooting in a while. Can I practice on Cherry?” Simon, casually smoking, patted her hand and said, “Sure.” Jilly’s idea of practice involved me putting an apple on my head as a target. I looked at Simon, pleading silently. He knew I was terrified of gunshots. Whenever one went off, he would cover my ears. But this time, he just had a cigarette in his mouth, a smile on his lips. “Cherry, Jilly just likes to practice this way. She’s a great shot. She won’t miss. Don’t worry.” I closed my eyes, standing frozen in place. No, I couldn’t resist. I couldn’t lose my temper. I had to be gentle and docile, playing the role of Simon’s captive well to earn his trust. As Simon had said, Jilly was indeed an excellent shot. She hit the apple on my head in one shot, the force knocking me to the ground. My elbow scraped against the ground, blood oozing from the wound. The loud gunshot made my ears ring. I bit my lip hard to keep from crying. I thought of Vincent. He had given me a gun, saying that in war, anything could happen, and told me to use it for self-defense. He taught me how to shoot. Standing behind me, he held me close, guiding my hands into the right position on the gun, teaching me step by step, his voice low and steady in my ear. Our bodies were pressed tightly together, the air he exhaled brushing against my skin. I don’t know whose ears turned red first. He had promised that as long as he was alive, no one would dare to bully me. But Vincent, the one who protected me, is gone. What am I supposed to do now, alone? Jilly was bouncing around, wrapping her arms around Simon’s neck. “Simon, look! My shooting is still as good as ever!” Simon didn’t even glance my way; his eyes were solely on Jilly, his expression affectionate. “Just stop when you’ve had enough fun,” he said, a faint smile playing on his lips. Jilly rolled her eyes. “Not enough!” This time, she made me place the apple on the side of my face. I knew she had been annoyed with my presence for a long time. Simon glanced at me, his Adam’s apple bobbing as if he wanted to say something, but all he said was, “Alright, if you want to play this way, go ahead.” But this time, Jilly missed.

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I was a childhood sweetheart with Jack, and Melanie suddenly appeared. It is said that the feelings of childhood sweethearts can’t compete with newcomers. Not long after she transferred to school, someone saw the empty stairwell after school. Jack lowered his head to review his mistakes like a docile puppy. Later, Melanie and I had a little conflict. He said lightly, “I don’t want to see Linda at school. ” My parents immediately transferred me for fear of offending the Jackson family. Since then, I didn’t dare to show my face in front of him as if I had disappeared from his world. But later on his birthday, he knocked on my door，with an embarrassed and aggrieved face: “Did you forget that today is my birthday?” ChapterIt is said that the feelings of childhood sweethearts can’t compete with newcomers. In the old days, I would have laughed at this saying. But when I saw Jack watching Melanie dance, I could see the love in his eyes. I believed it then. I also believed the rumour that Jack had gone soft on Melanie in a stairwell. I couldn’t tell him how I felt. It’ll stay hidden in my heart forever. When the song ended, I applauded the young girl on stage. Jack got up and left. I also left. Walking out of the hall, he raised his hand with a small pendant hanging on his hand. “Linda, here…” I asked him, “What’s this?” Jack was seven when he followed his sister-in-law to watch a soap opera. He remembered something called a love token. “Give it to Linda. From now on, Linda can only like me.” “ I will always protect Linda from now on too.” …… Melanie is new here this semester. She is good-looking and a dancer. She caused a stir when she arrived. The girls in the class said that Melanie was like one of those school stories where the heroine transfers, is a good girl, and is then taken in by the school bully. At that time, many people were pursuing Melanie.Jack said he was not interested in her. But now I know, I should stop and stay away from Jack. I used to go home with him, but I forgot when he started letting me go first for various reasons. In fact, he could have talked to me, I wouldn’t have stalked him. We’ve never been together. Chapter

We handed in our homework on Monday morning.I “I didn’t finish.”,Jack said. I had a good relationship with Jack, so the monitor come to me directly every time. He looks for Melanie as soon as class is over. “It’s none of my business now.” They nodded. The rumour that Jack had a girlfriend seemed true. They were even more sure. After class, I wrote my test papers. I wanted Jack to take the exam with me to North City. I’m going to work hard to get into North City University. Jack didn’t come back for the whole evening. The teacher asked where he’d gone. Everyone looked at me, but I didn’t look up. In the second lesson, Jack came back. He sat in his seat and didn’t say anything until someone told him the homeroom teacher wanted to see him in the office. He came back to his senses and paused as he passed me. I didn’t look up because I was doing math. My classmates came over and asked what was wrong with Jack and me. “Nothing.” “Really?” she said. My classmate was shocked. I told her, “I won’t care about him anymore.” “Ah.“ She was surprised and said, “Jack’s girlfriend is Melanie.“ I looked away and didn’t say anything. After the second night study session, Jack walked back to the classroom. I got a note: “You go first after school.” I put it away and wrote my test paper. The class after school was always crowded and noisy. I sat in my seat and gathered my things. The class suddenly got quiet. My desk mate covered her mouth in shock, so I followed her gaze. Melanie stood at the doorway, tilted her head and hooked her hand towards Jack before walking away. I looked at Jack, who smiled and followed her out. The class was noisy. “Oh my god!” “I thought Jack and Linda were a couple.”Linda “They grew up together.” “Childhood sweethearts can’t compete with newcomers.” … My classmates tried to comfort me, but I picked up my school bag, my heart hurt so much, but I had to smile, I couldn’t shed tears. I can’t show I’m sad or I’ll be laughed at. “I’m fine. Jack and I are just friends. I’ll leave now, see you tomorrow.” I left the noisy campus and gripped my school bag tightly. But I still cried, and my heart hurt. How did he suddenly fall for someone else? My vision blurred, but I heard the young man’s clear voice. Linda “I will protect Linda forever!” Chapter

“Linda , why didn’t you wait for me? ” Jack was late this morning. After class, he came over and put a bottle of milk on my desk. I stopped writing vocabulary and looked at the milk bottle. “I’ve already had breakfast. ; I’ll come to school early.” Jack sat next to me. He looked confused. “I haven’t messed with you lately. We’ve always walked together.” “Not anymore.” I put my pen down, took a deep breath, smiled, and said, “You have a girlfriend now, so let’s stay away from each other.” He looked shocked. “I do mind.” I told him, “I don’t want to be the target when your relationship goes wrong.” Jack is bad-tempered and impatient. After talking to me so much, I guess he’s had enough. His face went cold and he got up violently. The chair hit the floor with a loud thud, followed by a sentence. “Whatever.” I hung my head and closed my eyes. Last night I sat on the balcony blowing in the wind. Should I hide my feelings for him? Was this the end of our childhood love? No girl wants her boyfriend has female friends. After that day, Jack ignored me, even when we met in the corridor. The girl who used to be by his side changed to Melanie, and he introduced Melanie to everyone. Melanie was his first love. I listened to their love story like everyone else There’s a sportsman who likes Melanie. A few days ago, he blocked her in the alley. Jack beat him up. I’m top of my grade again. My teacher said to leave Jack alone or it would affect my studies. Jack’s family is rich. School is not important to him. After school, I looked out the window at the sunset. “Linda , where do you want to go to university?” After a hot, dry evening, Jack sat next to me. He tickled my hair and spoke carelessly. I said, “North City University.” “It’s far away.” I didn’t tell him I wanted to go to North City University because it was a top school, but because I wanted to escape. My dad cheated on my mother when he got rich. My mother said he didn’t love her because I’m a girl. She would cry at night, asking why I wasn’t a boy. She later gave birth to a son. My father returned to family briefly, they only loved my brother. I wanted to get away from home. Jack said he’d protect me forever, so I’d go anywhere with him. Chapter

A rumor that Melanie interfered in other people’s feelings gradually spread in the school. Jack strangled me and couldn’t wait to kill me. “Linda, what do you want to do?” My friend hurriedly pushed Jack away: “Are you crazy? Let her go quickly. She can’t breathe.” Jack let go and I could breathe again. “Linda, you’re gross.’” “Linda, are you okay?” I sat on the ground and coughed, crying. Victoriahugged me and patted my back. I wiped my tears and tried not to cry out. Jack looked like he wanted to strangle me. The teenager was gone. A classmate gave me a phone to look at. It turned out that someone wrote an anonymous letter accusing Melanie who destroyed my relationship with Jack. Many people believe it. They are insulting Melanie. The pinch marks on my neck have turned red. I thought to myself that when I get back from school at night, I will immediately write a letter of clarification. When I got home, my parents sat on the sofa with a gloomy face. A glass was thrown at my feet and shattered. “Why did you annoy Jackat school?” Dad slapped the table, eyes wide. “Our company has always relied on Jack. Are you trying to ruin us?” I stood there, listening to my mum and dad argue. The villa was cold. I was shivering. I don’t know how the fight ended or how I was taken to apologise to Jack. I wanted to tell him I didn’t make the post, but I’d clarify. When the door opened, he looked at me coldly. I couldn’t speak. I bowed and apologised. He looked at me and said, “I don’t want to see you at school again, Linda .” Mum and Dad promised they wouldn’t let me see him again. I looked up at him, but I couldn’t see his face in the light. My self-esteem was crushed. I realised we were never in the same world. The moon doesn’t descend on itself because of people’s delusions. The moon falling down the well is only a reflection, an illusion. His kindness to me was nothing more than a teenager’s whim. I shouldn’t have fantasised about anything. It was wrong from the beginning. That night I packed my things and my parents transferred me to another school. ChapterI moved schools two weeks ago. I rented a house near the school. I was forbidden to go home. We didn’t see each other for a while. “Linda , come play basketball today.“ Ian is my classmate who has come over to see me a lot recently. They said this was Ian’s first time chasing a girl. Teenagers always fantasise about school love stories. I shook my head. “I have homework.” He looked at the exercise book on the table and raised his eyebrows. “Linda , I’ve been chasing you for two weeks.” “So?” He laughed, “Why did you reject me?”

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Four years after our breakup, my ex shows up at the hotel with a woman, and here I am, the unfortunate front desk receptionist stuck checking them in. The guy has these sharp, chiseled features, his dark eyes like black holes, staring with that unmistakably predatory look. His brows arch as he speaks, his voice a low, intimate rumble. “Got any protection in the room?” I hold a polite smile, keeping my tone smooth. “Apologies, sir, but we don’t stock extra-small in this hotel.” Content Hidden behind the counter, I slip off my heels, feeling instant relief as my feet press down on the cool floor. After standing for hours, there are just ten minutes left until the end of my shift. A few minutes of peace, I think—but of course, footsteps sound through the hotel lobby. I instinctively rise to my toes and paste on a smile. He’s wearing a dark shirt, mature and built, his features striking and severe. Draped over his arm is a suit jacket, swinging as he walks my way. As he approaches, I’m caught off guard by a sudden wave of déjà vu. Caleb Hawthorne. My ex from college. Three years together, and nothing since we broke up. Four years and not a single word. His youthful recklessness is gone, his face now edged with a steady, controlled confidence. Time has refined him. Made him look every bit the part. And there beside him stands a woman, pale and delicate, with a gentle look that practically demands sympathy. Ah, life—always serving up these awkward little moments. Ex-boyfriend shows up with a new woman, and I’m here, the front desk minion. Thankfully, I’m one of three people on shift. Come on, don’t notice me. Don’t notice me. But before I can finish the thought, Caleb’s gaze cuts right past the other two receptionists, landing directly on me. Oh, hell. His dark eyes are as deep and intense as ever, staring me down with that familiar hunger, now even sharper. If the old Caleb was like a wolf, then today he’s the king of the pack, here to hunt down some runaway prize. Judging by his expression, you’d think I was the one who’d run off with some rich sugar daddy. As I recall, though, wasn’t it you who asked for a breakup? Seconds tick by as he stares without a word, oblivious to the woman’s curious glance at his side. Finally, Caleb looks away, pulling out a credit card and placing it on the counter, his voice low and steady. “One room with a king bed.” With a professional smile, I check them in, sliding over the key card. Caleb slings his suit jacket over the woman’s shoulders, his movement brisk and practiced. My hands work on autopilot, but my mind drifts—Caleb never used to let anyone near his stuff, had a thing about his personal space that only I got to ignore. That was four years ago, though. People change. In college, Caleb wouldn’t even wear a suit, but there was one time I managed to coax him into it after an entire day of cajoling and bargaining. “Could I see your ID, please?” He hands me his card, and I can’t help brushing my thumb over the back. The scratches and the photo are the same as I remember from college, the one we got together. I pass him the key. “Room 1087. The elevators are to your right. Have a nice stay.” He takes the key and hands it to the woman, who heads for the elevator. But Caleb stays put, brow arching, a smile playing on his lips, his gaze intense. “Got any protection in the room?” I nearly break character trying not to laugh. After four years, I thought he’d changed, but no, he’s still the same charming jerk. Keeping my tone polite, I respond, “Sorry, sir, we don’t stock extra-small in this hotel.” Caleb’s brows draw together slightly, but his smile widens. Oh, so he’s got a little attitude about it, huh? He leans in closer, voice low and heavy. “If there isn’t any, how will I enjoy my stay, Ms. Winters?” I don’t care whether you enjoy it or not. Caleb takes a step away, like he’s about to leave, but turns back, tapping the counter with his finger. “Ms. Winters, as I recall, you used to be quite attached to my ‘extra-small.’” I feel a sudden, overwhelming urge to slap the smirk off his face but remember my job, my paycheck, and manage to hold it in. “Sir, my shift’s over,” I say with a sweet smile and step into the break room.

“What? You ran into Caleb yesterday?” I shut the door behind me and answer with a sigh. “Yeah.” “And? How did it go?” Switching my phone to my other hand, I press the elevator button. “How did it go? He brought a woman to get a room. How do you think it went?” It’s been four years since the breakup. Any remaining thrill or spark has long since faded. Mara tries to say something, but a baby’s wail cuts her off. “Hold on, Bella just woke up. I’ll call you later.” I chuckle, shaking my head as I hang up. It only takes half an hour to get from my place to the hotel, but it takes me all morning to psych myself up for the job. After pasting on a fake smile for wave after wave of guests, I’m ready to quit for the hundredth time. Just as I’m reaching for my water bottle, the front desk phone rings. I pick it up, muttering a few choice words under my breath. “Hello, Crescent Hotel front desk. How can I assist you?” There’s only silence on the other end, but I already know who it is. After a long pause, the voice on the other end finally speaks. “It’s me.” I roll my eyes, staying silent. Go on, Caleb. What now? An invitation to your wedding? Maybe a baby announcement? He waits a beat before asking, his voice playful. “I have a question.” Oh, this should be good. “Your king beds—do you have anything bigger? The last one was so small I couldn’t even move.” Oh, please. I force a customer-service smile he can’t see and adopt a sugary voice. “Sorry, sir. All our bed sizes are fixed. Although…” His breath is close to the phone, and I swear I can almost feel it. “Just five hundred feet to the left of the hotel, there’s a couples’ hotel. The beds there are massive—I’ve tried them myself. You can roll three times with someone in your arms.” I hear his breathing hitch. Satisfied, I hang up with a benevolent smile. As expected, the phone rings again within seconds. I ignore it, but my coworker glances over. “Lena, aren’t you going to pick up?” I give a casual shrug. “Ex.” She nods knowingly, offering a sympathetic glance. When the phone rings a third time, I finally answer. “Hello?” His voice is low, dripping with irritation. “Lena Winters.” Oh, what’s wrong, Caleb? You’re allowed to book a room, but I can’t have some fun too? “Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention, Mr. Hawthorne—I’d strongly recommend the ‘Underwater Paradise Suite.’ Soft water bed and ceiling mirrors…” This time, he’s the one who hangs up. Smirking, I put down the receiver, feeling a little more refreshed.

I met Caleb Hawthorne in the spring of my freshman year. I was at a club event, decked out in a cheerleader’s outfit, dancing with my squad on the basketball court. Caleb strolled by, surrounded by a crowd of guys. Just as he put out his cigarette, he looked up—and his eyes locked on me. The look he gave me was scorching, hotter than any summer sun, searing right through me. When I finished dancing, Caleb had drifted closer, blocking my path. “Caleb Hawthorne.” As I tied up my hair, I glanced at him sideways. “Let’s be friends,” he said, half-lidded eyes glinting in the sunlight, like a wolf stalking its prey, no shame in his gaze. I casually looked away. “The smoke’s suffocating me.” He stubbed out the cigarette with his thumb. “Fine. I’ll quit.” I almost laughed—what a shameless, bold move. But a month later, maybe because of his persistence, or maybe because I found his ‘lone wolf’ act oddly charming, I agreed to be ‘friends.’ The kind who kiss. And we kissed for three years. Until he suddenly broke it off.

On a weekend off, I head to the mall, browsing through everything from snacks to lingerie. Even if I don’t buy, it doesn’t hurt to look. I’m holding up a purple bra when I catch the scent of a faint cologne—familiar in the worst way. A long-fingered hand picks up a black bra, placing it front and center on the rack. “Black suits you,” he murmurs, completely unfazed. Turns out, people are right when they say your ex is like a ghost—never quite gone. I don’t bother turning around. “Thanks, but my boyfriend prefers purple.” Only then do I look over, catching Caleb’s stormy gaze. Caleb’s eyes are intense, his face set in stern lines, almost menacing, but I don’t let it bother me. Smiling sweetly, I wander over to the men’s section and hold up a pair of boxers, beckoning him over with a smile. Caleb’s face darkens as he approaches, looking like he’s ready to kill someone. “These your size?” I ask, holding them up. He raises a brow, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Oh? Why?” “Just checking. If these are yours, I’ll go a size up—my boyfriend’s a bit bigger.” Watching Caleb’s composure crumble, his mature demeanor slipping, I leave the store, satisfied. As I check out, Caleb appears beside me, pulling out his card. “I’ll pay for these.” I study him, amused. The hot-headed college guy now a cool, collected professional? The contrast is a bit much. But still, something sparks in me, and I glance up with a smirk. “Wow, Mr. Hawthorne, so generous. How about throwing in those boxers for my boyfriend, too?” Caleb’s expression hardens again. “In your dreams.”

Not wanting to make a scene, I didn’t actually push Caleb into buying the boxers. Instead, I had him pay for my two sets, calling it a small “harassment fee” for all his recent antics. But I didn’t expect to see him again the next day at the gym. Seriously. This guy is like bad karma. Part of me wondered if he’d planned it, though he hadn’t crossed any lines and even footed the bill yesterday, so I let it go. Caleb wore a black T-shirt, hair damp with sweat, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he tipped his head back to drink from his water bottle. His whole look screamed “testosterone overload.” Still black, even after four years. I scanned my card at the entrance and walked in. Caleb wiped his face, the sweat rolling down his chiseled nose, his profile all strong lines and angles. He grabbed the hem of his shirt and lifted it off, showing off the contours of his muscles and the rise and fall of his abs as he breathed. Leaning an elbow on one machine, he wiped down with his shirt, revealing a black ink tattoo of bamboo winding down his right shoulder, sleek and snakelike. Beneath the ink, I noticed a twisted scar—a new addition since our breakup. Shirtless in the gym wasn’t exactly classy, but no one complained. A few women cast glances, and a few phones even came out to snap a shot. Was Caleb the kind of guy to strip down for no reason? Definitely not. Snickering to myself, I headed into the locker room. Ever since college, I’ve always been into fitness, but usually stuck with a T-shirt and leggings. Today, though, I pulled my hair up and stepped out in a sports bra and leggings, showing off a trim waist and a well-rounded shape. Caleb had noticed me back in college, and I didn’t get this front desk job after a single interview for no reason. As soon as I walked out, I could feel eyes on me, but only one gaze burned with intensity. Ignoring it, I made my way to the squat rack. With one foot planted on the platform, I lowered myself slowly, my leggings tight, highlighting every curve. I could almost feel the heat of his gaze, my own smirk forming as I sank into another squat. Then suddenly—a shirt landed on my head. Pulling it off, I turned to see Caleb’s tense jaw and his narrowed eyes, muscles flexed. “You win, Lena Winters,” he growled. The shirt smelled clean, with a faint trace of laundry detergent. I raised an eyebrow and slipped it on, unbothered. His gaze dropped to my legs. “Change the pants too,” he said. Caleb’s not the kind of guy who imposes on what people wear. Today, though, he was fuming, a look that only made him more intense. “This is the only pair I have,” I said, lying with the straightest face. Caleb gave me a look, muttering “Wait here” before grabbing his stuff and leaving. Sure, I’d “wait.” I picked up my bag and left too, deciding my perfect body deserved a break.

The next morning, I dragged myself back to work. There was a company dinner that night, one of those events I couldn’t weasel out of. My boss and another slightly sleazy manager sat together, both looking a bit worse for wear. I sat nearby, sipping my wine quietly. The place was lively, but then I heard my name being called. Glancing over, I saw my boss waving me over. With a polite smile, I took my purse and joined them. After a quick toast, the other manager’s hand drifted onto my thigh, edging inward. After two years working in this hotel, I’d dealt with these kinds of things more than once. I wasn’t the same girl who used to panic over this. I debated between slapping him or digging out my pepper spray when suddenly someone yanked me up by the arm. In the dim lighting, Caleb stood there, his gaze hard and expression unreadable, radiating a quiet menace. He lifted a glass of wine and poured it over the manager’s face. The man sputtered, anger flashing in his eyes, as if about to retaliate. Caleb smirked. “Try me.” “Touch her again, and you might not get that hand back.” Then he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. Pulling it closer, I suddenly felt a sense of relief—Caleb had grown in these four years. No more smashing wine bottles over his own head to make a point. Now he knew how to stand his ground without losing his cool. This kind of maturity was… reassuring. I didn’t resist as Caleb led me out of the restaurant and into his car. After a silent moment, he looked at me and muttered, “Wait,” before stepping out and locking the door behind him. Soon, I saw Caleb striding back, swinging open the door and slipping into the driver’s seat. His collar was unbuttoned, his tie loosened, face still set with barely controlled anger. I couldn’t help laughing. “Where’d you go?” His knuckles tightened on the steering wheel, his gaze fixed forward. “To make sure he remembers next time.” I chuckled. “So after all these years, you really have grown up.” Caleb flashed a wicked grin. “Some parts have grown up. Wanna see?” Bring it on. Fueled by a little too much wine, I felt a sudden spark of mischief. “Sure.” My hand drifted up his thigh, my smile widening as I leaned closer. “Let’s see exactly how grown up you are.” I remembered a college party during my sophomore year. Caleb and I had gone to a karaoke bar with some friends. I was craving iced coffee and demanded he go find me one. The moment he left, though, a few guys dragged me into another room. Nineteen years old, terrified, and too scared to call the cops, I didn’t know what to do. The guys had started pouring drinks down my throat when Caleb burst into the room, knocking the bottle out of one guy’s hand.

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When my parents fought, they left my brother and me sitting outside on the air conditioning unit. We were several stories high, and our love-crazed mom wouldn’t let us inside, hoping Dad would feel remorse. But Dad didn’t feel anything—he just found her annoying, slammed the door, and left. The wind was bitterly cold, and I hugged my thinly dressed brother close, crying and pleading for Mom to let us back inside. But she was only focused on her own anger, pointing at us and saying, “If it weren’t for you two dead weights, I would’ve divorced him a long time ago! Shut your mouths! If you cry again, I swear you’ll never come back inside!” The wind dried my tears, and I silently promised never to forgive them. Later, Dad was drunk and got in an accident, hitting Mom with his car. They both ended up paralyzed. The insurance payout was in the hundreds of thousands, but I decided not to save them. Content My parents were fighting again; the sounds of things crashing around filled the house. Anything they could throw, they did. My mom yanked my brother and me out of bed and shoved us toward the window. We were dressed only in thin long-sleeves and sat barefoot, curled up on the air conditioning unit outside. Mom stood at the window, pointing at us and yelling, “Rick Grant! If you ever go after that tramp again, I’ll take the kids and we’ll all jump!” Reeking of alcohol, Dad snapped back, “Then jump, Clara! You’re always threatening to jump—go ahead and do it! You jump, and I’ll marry Lacey tomorrow!” Mom’s hair was wild, and she was shaking with rage as she threw a glass of water at him, screaming that he was no man. Dad didn’t hold back either, slapping her hard as soon as the glass hit him. “Stop making a scene and divorce me already. I’ve been done with you for a long time, you crazy witch!” He slammed the door as he left, hard enough to make the whole building shake. Mom sank to her knees at the window, covering her face and asking me in a daze, “Sunny, did you hear what he said? He doesn’t want us anymore.” I couldn’t care less about their fight. We were on the 18th floor, and the wind was strong enough to blow my brother and me off at any moment. I shivered uncontrollably. “Mom, my brother and I want you. Please, let us back in—it’s so cold out here.”

My brother’s face had turned bright red from the cold, and his nose was dripping, almost slipping into his mouth. He huddled against me, his hands and feet freezing, like blocks of ice. But Mom didn’t seem to hear us. She kept repeating, “He wants a divorce… He doesn’t want us anymore.” My feet were going numb, and I didn’t understand why she’d stay by the window but wouldn’t pull us back inside. It was early winter, and my brother was still young. If he stayed outside, he’d get sick. I flexed my numb fingers and stood up. I had to get my brother back inside first. I grabbed his hand and pushed him through the window. But suddenly, Mom jumped up and shoved me back. “Who said you could come back inside? Your dad wouldn’t even glance at you two; what good are you anyway?” My brother wailed, terrified, but Mom only yelled at him, “If it weren’t for you two burdens, I would’ve divorced him ages ago. Shut up! If you keep crying, don’t even think about coming back in!” Luckily, my brother had half his body inside already, so he tumbled into the room, while I stumbled back, landing on the edge of the air conditioning unit. If I hadn’t grabbed it quickly, I would’ve fallen. My upper body was clinging to the unit, my legs dangling below. I didn’t dare look down, and I cried out to Mom to save me. She looked out, startled, but after a quick glance, she went back inside. “If you fall, don’t blame me. Blame your dad for not saving you.” With that, she shut the window, blocking out the wind and my pleas.

My arms were aching, and tears poured down my face as I screamed for her. “Mom! I’ll listen from now on! I’ll never sneak my brother candy again. Please don’t abandon me!” “Mom, I don’t want to die. I really don’t want to fall.” “Mom, I love you. I’ll behave. I don’t want Dad anymore…” But no matter what I said, the window stayed shut. I felt hot and cold all over, my fingers stiffening. Then the air conditioner roared to life, blowing icy air over me. Mom had turned it on. She really didn’t want me anymore. My heart felt like it was freezing over, the pain numbing as the cold seeped in. I couldn’t hold on much longer—it was so, so cold. I couldn’t understand why she’d treat us like this. Was it because Dad was cruel to her? My brother and I loved her. If they divorced, we’d still want her… But she didn’t seem to want us. The wind dried my tears. I silently vowed that if I survived, I’d never forgive them. It was as if heaven heard my promise, as our neighbor Tess opened her window with an annoyed look. She squinted, her cigarette falling out of her mouth in shock. “Damn, girl! You cosplaying Batman up there or something?”

I looked at her through teary eyes, and Tess finally realized something was wrong. She quickly banged on our door and came to pull me back inside. Her hand, tattooed with a butterfly, reached out and yanked me in with a firm grip. My legs were too weak to stand, and I sat on the floor, the warmth making my cheeks tingle painfully. Mom scowled, shooing Tess away before snapping at me, “What were you yelling about? I wouldn’t really let you fall.” “Oh, and that woman? Don’t you dare speak to her again. She’s trash, can’t you tell?” I opened my mouth to say Tess was kind, but my throat was too raw to speak. Mom was always saying bad things about our single neighbor, claiming a woman her age who hadn’t married must have something wrong with her. But Tess was the one who had saved me. For the first time, I started to doubt what Mom had always told me. After a few minutes, I noticed an unusual silence. Where was my brother? I was ten, and he was three years younger, a kid who cried over everything. I found him slumped against the bathroom door, fainted from crying, his cheeks flushed and burning hot. He had a fever. My first thought was to call for Mom, but she’d locked herself in her room, listening to sad songs.

I had no choice but to bang on her door. “Mom! Finn is sick! We need to take him to the hospital!” But she didn’t respond, so I started kicking the door. “Mom, stop listening to music! Finn’s really sick…” He was already frail, getting sick a lot when he was little. I was scared he wouldn’t pull through this time, just like Grandpa and Grandma who had passed away. I kept kicking until she finally opened the door, and my foot landed on her shin. She yelped in pain and slapped me across the face. “Why are you kicking like an idiot? Just like your useless dad!” I bit my lip, swallowing my tears. “Finn’s sick, and you wouldn’t come out…” She interrupted me, “Why don’t you ask your dad? Is he dead?” “Besides, I don’t have money. If you can’t find your dad, then deal with it.” She slammed the door again. My brother’s fever was getting worse. I hoisted him onto my back, one arm under his legs, and the other holding him steady. If his fever spiked any higher, it could be life-threatening. I went over to Tess’s door, and she opened it, a purse slung over her shoulder like she was heading out. Seeing us, she frowned. “What do you want? Didn’t your mom tell me to get lost?”

I knew Tess had every right to be mad. She wasn’t obligated to help us. Sniffling, I mustered the courage to ask, “Tess, could I borrow your phone to call my dad?” She handed over her brand-new smartphone, and I called Dad again and again, but he didn’t pick up. Tess, noticing my struggle, took the phone from me and dialed a few more times herself. Finally, someone answered, but it was a woman. I asked her where my dad was, and she snorted before handing him the phone. Annoyed, he asked, “What? Is this your mom making you call? Tell her I’m not coming home!” “No, it’s not her, Dad. Finn has a fever. Please, come back and take him to the hospital.” He scoffed. “Yeah, right. Tell your mom even if both of you die, I’m not coming back!” Tess’s jaw dropped, and she snatched the phone, yelling, “What kind of father talks to his kids like that? Why don’t you do us all a favor and drop dead already!” She hung up with a sharp click, then looked at us and sighed. “Alright, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

The doctor said it was a good thing we’d come when we did. Finn was burning up and convulsing from the fever. Any longer, and he could’ve suffered brain damage or even worse. Sitting in the hospital waiting area, I turned to Tess and said, “I’ll pay you back for the hospital bills, Tess.” She pointed to my face. “You should get that looked at too. You’re a mess.” She handed me a small mirror, and I saw a scratch running across my cheek. Mom must have clawed me during one of her slaps, but I hadn’t felt it. It only started stinging now that Tess had pointed it out. I shook my head and decided not to get it treated. The bleeding had stopped, and besides, a doctor visit would cost more money. Tess didn’t push it. She handed me a stick of gum and asked, “Any other family besides your parents?” I thought for a moment, then shook my head. We used to have Grandpa and Grandma, but they’d passed away. It was just Dad and Mom now. Tess was silent, then she patted my shoulder and said, “Alright. From now on, if you need anything, come find me. The name’s Tess Harper.” “Thank you, Tess.” “Eh, don’t go calling me Tess like I’m old. Just call me ‘Tessie’.” I nodded. “Tessie.” She chuckled, mussing up my hair. “Don’t go thinking I’m a saint, though. I’m letting you stick around ‘cause you owe me, alright?” I nodded hard. I knew when someone was truly good—not by what they said, but by what they did. We didn’t go back home until the next day, but no one was there. Mom had taken all her things and whatever money was left. She left a note on the coffee table. “Even if you beg, I’m not coming back!” My heart turned cold. The note wasn’t even meant for us—it was for Dad. Finn, still weak, lay in bed with his eyes fixed on the ceiling, his fingers clutching mine tightly. “Sunny… what did we do wrong? Why don’t they want us anymore?” I didn’t know how to answer, so I turned away and wiped a tear with the back of my hand. His small hand gently brushed my cheek. “Sunny, I’ll grow up fast. I’ll make a lot of money, and I won’t ever let you cry again.” I buried my head in the blanket, feeling a stinging pain behind my eyes. Soon, the fabric was soaked through. I held him close, thinking, even if they’re gone, we can still make it.

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I dragged Lyra Linwood from the twisted wreck of the car, putting everything I had into pulling her free. The flames behind us shot thick, choking smoke into the air as I carried her, stumbling to the side of the road where I set her down under the old sycamore tree. Blood was soaking through my clothes and pooling around me, a slick, snaking trail stretching farther and farther from my body. The screams around us grew faint as my strength waned. I reached up, touching Lyra’s face, and asked, “After twenty years, did you ever love me?” Pressing her hands against my wounds, Lyra’s face remained cool, her tone sharp as ever. “Don’t talk. The ambulance is on its way.” I forced a weak smile. Such a shame. I was going to die without hearing her say, “I love you.” Everything went dark. When I opened my eyes again, I couldn’t believe it—I’d gone back twenty years. Given another chance. If fate would let me choose again, then I’d choose to stay far, far away from Lyra Linwood. But there she was, standing on the rooftop with her arms spread wide, looking out over the city we’d lived in for two decades. Her hair flowed in the wind, her smile as bright as the colors of sunset. “Reece Dawson,” she called out to me. “Do you want to know what it feels like to watch the one you love die in your arms?” Content

I jolted awake, finding myself at my desk, my fingers lightly touching the keyboard. It wasn’t a dream. I’d been given a second chance. Maybe my last life’s bitter death was pitiful enough that fate decided to throw me a bone. Great. I’d take it. Lyra Linwood—she’d be nothing more than a memory. I’d leave her so far behind, she’d never see me again. I opened my computer, ready to write a resignation letter. But I hesitated. It had only been two years since I started this job, and things were tight at home. Dad was taking on every odd job he could to pay off debts, and Mom’s health meant she was always on medication. Leaving now would only make things worse. Lost in thought, I jumped when someone clapped a hand on my shoulder. It was a coworker, who asked dully, “What are you getting the boss for her birthday tonight?” My heart dropped. I grabbed my phone, checked the date, and went cold. It was today—today was the day that set the whole mess in motion. Tonight’s gathering was where I’d gotten entangled with Lyra, dragging myself into two decades of misery. Lyra’s father, a major shareholder at Linwood Corporation, had her take on a CEO role at the Regional Office right after she graduated. Young, gorgeous, and rich, she had everyone in the company worked up. I hadn’t been any different. But she hardly ever showed up, and when she did, her cold expression kept everyone at a distance. It just happened that this was her birthday, and for once, she’d invited everyone to celebrate. A party was one thing, but somehow, a “genius” coworker had spotted her at the airport with Aiden Brooks, her childhood friend. By the time they got back, they were spreading the story that Lyra had invited us because she’d just broken up with him. They said she was lonely and didn’t want to be alone for her birthday. The thought had struck me back then: those who seem cold on the outside must need warmth the most. So, I bought her a childish stuffed bear. And just like that, I won her “love.” I felt like a lottery winner who’d hit the jackpot out of nowhere. Every morning, I woke up, half-convinced I was dreaming, shocked that Lyra Linwood was my girlfriend. That disbelief blinded me to how she really treated me. All the way through our wedding, I was convinced that marrying her was some divine reward. But after twenty years, I finally understood: being married to someone who doesn’t love you is a cage of agony. I never saw her smile, never felt her warmth. Everything was cold, no matter how hard I tried. Loving her felt like talking to a mirror—nothing but my own reflection staring back. That’s why, as I lay dying, I had to ask her if she’d ever loved me. And I still never heard an answer. I took a long breath, cleared my thoughts, and held back the tears. Sorry, Lyra Linwood. This time, I’m leaving you. The grand ballroom gleamed, and Lyra sat at the center, as striking as a star in the night sky. Just one look, and my heart twisted, so I turned away, clapping along with my coworkers. We waited as she blew out the candles, each of us ready to present our gifts. Lyra thanked everyone in turn, a polite smile on her face—one that probably took her considerable effort, considering her usual icy demeanor. When it was my turn, I handed her a small box. No stuffed bear this time. Just a cheap bracelet I’d picked up off a street vendor for three bucks, complete with a freebie. She wouldn’t like it, I thought. But in front of everyone, Lyra put the other gifts aside, picked up mine, and opened it. She looked down at the bracelet, stunned. I thought she’d toss it aside, but instead, she slipped it on and looked up at me with a smile—a real one. One I’d never seen in twenty years. “Thank you. I love it.”

I was sure I’d misheard her. Lyra had always lived in luxury, with cabinets full of jade and porcelain. Nothing I could afford would ever impress her. Last time around, when I could finally afford high-end bags and jewelry, she’d taken one look and tossed them aside. Luxuries like that were “intelligence tax”—nothing worth her time. She had to know this bracelet was glass. Yet here she was, smiling at me. And for a moment, I felt like I’d been transported to a different world, one where she wasn’t the Lyra Linwood I’d known. Trying to shrug it off, I replied, “No problem,” and quickly walked away. I didn’t care which version of Lyra Linwood she was. I wasn’t betting my future on her loving me. Those twenty years were a prison of silent agony, the kind that chokes you until you’re numb with pain. Just thinking about it scared me. The party ended without incident, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Yet beneath it, there was an odd sense of disappointment. As if, somehow, she’d forgotten me. The next day, I dragged myself to the office. Most people were off on summer vacation. If I wasn’t short on cash, I wouldn’t be there either. I walked in to find everyone working away like their lives depended on it, a sharp contrast from the zombie-like scene just days before. Confused, I soon realized why. Lyra had come to the office. While everyone else scrambled to put on a show, I decided to keep my head down and follow along. Then Lyra walked straight over to my desk, tapped her finger on it, and said, “Reece, follow me.” My mind reeled. She was the CEO; I was a lowly employee. What did she want with me? But I followed her, too stunned to think. She led me into a remodeled office next to hers, complete with sleek mahogany furniture, a plush sofa, even flowers and a fish tank. The whole place smelled faintly of sycamore blossoms. She looked around and then pointed. “From now on, you’re my personal assistant. You’ll work here.” I was stunned. Lyra was the classic rich girl, but she was always professional. Last time, I’d earned my way up to manager on my own merit. She’d never given me special treatment at the company, even while we were dating. But now she was making me her assistant? Meaning I’d see her every day? I didn’t want to relive that nightmare, so I replied coldly, “Sorry, Ms. Linwood. I’m not qualified for this role. If that’s all, I’ll get back to my work.” She didn’t even hesitate. “Salary’s tripled.” My steps faltered, my heart betraying me with a quickened beat. Three times my current salary! I barely made six thousand a month now, but with a tripled salary, I could make nearly two grand. Even after taxes, it’d be a good amount. That money would ease Dad’s burden, pay down our debts, cover Mom’s medical costs, and maybe even leave enough to buy her some nice things. I hesitated, recalling those twenty years of silence, the feeling of being locked in a cage. But then I thought of Dad, hunched under the weight of hard labor, his skin sunburned and peeling, while I sat in an air-conditioned office. His back, bent under the load of our family’s struggles, seemed to whisper, “Hang in there.” I clenched my jaw. “Alright.”

I moved my stuff into the new office, one trip at a time. My coworkers were all gawking, probably thinking I’d been fired. When they heard I’d been made Lyra Linwood’s personal assistant, their jaws practically hit the floor. One of the guys who used to sit next to me leaned over, grinning slyly. “Hey, I just saw Ms. Linwood wearing that bracelet you gave her. Now she’s got you working right by her side, huh? Man, you’re on your way up!” I shot him a look. “Yeah, and where’s your girlfriend, big shot?” Inside, though, I was bitterly laughing. Just like before, everyone saw me as some big winner in life. Nobody knew the kind of life I actually lived. It was nothing but a cold face, constant orders, and no room for my opinion. Lyra made all the rules, and I was like her puppet, doing whatever she wanted. Once, I even thought about divorce. But what did Lyra do? She held our child in her arms, her eyes wild as she told me, “Leave, and I’ll end him.” I’d never seen that kind of craziness in her eyes before. I stayed, fearing what she’d do. She was back to her usual ice-cold self in no time, but the message was clear. Years later, when our child grew up and could manage on his own, I planned to leave her. But I never got the chance—there was a massive pileup on the highway, an oil tanker explosion that sent flames into the sky. I’d managed to pull her out but died myself, full of regret. If those coworkers knew half my life had felt like a prison sentence, would they still envy me? After moving my things, I checked to see if Lyra was still around. She was gone, and I felt a wave of relief as I sat down and started organizing files. This time, I had no plans to get tangled up in her life again. All I wanted was to give my parents a break and eventually find a woman who truly loved me. That was going to take money. And if Lyra was willing to pay, I’d play along. Besides, I knew how to keep things professional. But then, she surprised me again. Lyra walked in not long after and didn’t even look my way as she pulled out her makeup kit, touching up her face, taking off her earrings. She went through her entire routine, even taking off her shoes and lying down on the sofa. I stared, dumbfounded. I’d spent twenty years with her and never seen her care for herself this meticulously. Still, as long as she didn’t bother me, I figured I’d just ignore her. I turned back to the computer to start working, but I could see her out of the corner of my eye, lying right there, making it impossible to focus. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. “Ms. Linwood, it’s work hours. People might talk if they see you sleeping here.” She didn’t even open her eyes. “I bought this sofa specifically for naps. Now stop talking and get back to work.” Her words made me feel that old, suffocating resentment. In my last life, she’d told me to be quiet and follow orders until my dying breath. Was she expecting me to do it again? No way. I shut my laptop, grabbed my bag, and stood to leave. Lyra opened her eyes. “Where are you going?” “To see some clients,” I said coolly. “I still have open accounts to close.” Lyra looked at me for several long moments, then smiled. Twice in two days. I felt like I was seeing things. “You’re my assistant now,” she said. “No more running around. Just stay here. I’ll tell you what to do when I need you.” It was like she knew I hated those words and said them just to rile me up. I told myself to stay calm—losing my temper wouldn’t help. As long as I could hold on, my mom wouldn’t have to tell me she felt like a burden, and my dad could ease up a little. I kept my tone as steady as possible. “Sorry, Ms. Linwood, but the company policy on account responsibility says I have to finish my own work.” I left before she could respond. Out in the summer heat, I felt a rush of freedom. Last time, I’d fallen into her trap and spent two decades shackled to her. I wasn’t sure how I’d survived it. Now, she wanted to rope me in all over again. At least I could separate work and personal life. As long as I didn’t get involved with her outside of the office, I’d be fine. The whole day passed with me working outside, meeting clients, and closing deals. When I finally sneaked back into the office to clock out, I nearly jumped out of my skin. Lyra was right there, out of nowhere, holding an ice cream cone in one hand and a blueberry sundae in the other. “This is for you,” she said. “Looked like you could use it in this heat.” I glanced out the door to see my coworkers craning their necks, grinning like fools, looking ready to start gossiping. Clearly, one of those idiots had told her blueberry was my favorite flavor. I shot them a glare, shut the door, and looked back at Lyra. “Ms. Linwood, I appreciate the gesture, but please don’t do things like this. It’s easy to get the wrong idea. I know you’ve just gone through a breakup with Aiden Brooks and probably need someone to lean on, but I’m just a lowly employee, and you’re the CEO. We don’t have a future together. Whether you believe it or not, I swear on everything—I can promise you, you’re not going to love me in this lifetime.” I put my files away and clocked out on my phone. If I didn’t set things straight now, there’d only be more problems later. I knew that the one she really loved was Aiden; I was nothing more than a stand-in, like the stuffed bear I’d given her in my last life. This time, I wouldn’t throw my life away for someone who didn’t love me. I wanted someone who loved me, someone who had eyes only for me, not a memory. If I’d misjudged things and she wasn’t after anything romantic, then fine—I’d only have embarrassed myself, no big deal. I could always apologize later. Just as I turned to leave, Lyra grabbed my arm, smiling as she said, “Come with me for a minute.” Was she out of her mind? I’d practically laid everything out, and she hadn’t reacted at all. In my last life, she would’ve exploded. Even delaying her orders was enough to send her into an ice-cold rage. But here she was, calm as ever. Puzzled, I followed her to the elevator. She led me up to the rooftop, where the sunset filled the sky with streaks of gold and red. Standing against the glowing horizon, Lyra looked at me and smiled. “I never liked sycamore trees,” she said. “But do you know why I filled your office with sycamore sachets?” “Because the last time I saw you was under the sycamore tree,” she continued, her words hitting me like a punch to the gut. Lyra had also come back to the past. I stared, speechless, as she walked over to the edge of the rooftop, stretching her arms out to the city. The wind caught her hair, her smile as bright as the evening sun. “Reece Dawson, would you like to feel what it’s like to watch the one you love die in your arms?”

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