Category: English

  • The Ashes of Love

    “Did you find the body double I requested for my fake death?” Victoria Allen asked softly, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window and gazing at the darkening sky outside. The funeral home staff gave an affirmative response on the other end of the line. “Ms. Allen, please rest assured. We have everything prepared.” After hanging up, Victoria’s gaze fell on the silver-framed photo on the table. In the picture, she was embraced by her husband Jonathan Green and daughter Layla Green, all three faces radiating happiness. Jonathan tenderly kissed her left cheek, while Layla stood on tiptoes to kiss her right cheek. That moment was heartbreakingly beautiful. No one knew how many dirty truths were hidden behind this seemingly perfect family. Ten years ago, Victoria, daughter of the growing Allen family, met Jonathan, the heir to Green Group who had just returned from abroad. They spent ten years getting to know each other, falling in love, and walking down the aisle. During these ten years, Jonathan adored Victoria immensely. Whenever she set her eyes on something, those luxury cars, jewelry, and designer items would appear in their home the very next day. Every evening at seven, he would arrive home punctually and give her a gentle goodnight kiss. Even during business engagements, Jonathan always mentioned Victoria’s name. When she had complications giving birth to Layla, he rushed to the hospital and got into a car accident. Victoria, despite her weakened postpartum state, broke down crying uncontrollably outside the operating room, trembling as she signed the critical condition notice. She told everyone that if anything happened to Jonathan, she would die with him. Jonathan was in a coma for three days before waking up to find her holding his hand by the hospital bed. Victoria said, “Jonathan, if anything happens to you, I don’t want the baby anymore. I just want to be with you.” To take care of Jonathan, Victoria canceled all her work commitments and stayed by his side all day. Under Victoria’s guidance, Layla grew into the most thoughtful and adorable girl. Every day after school, the first thing Layla did was rush into Victoria’s arms and tell her about the interesting things that happened in kindergarten. Before bedtime, the family would cuddle together and listen to Victoria tell bedtime stories. Jonathan brought her a fresh bouquet of roses every day, and Layla, learning from him, would bring her a small flower daily. But they betrayed her in their fifth year of marriage. Behind Victoria’s back, Jonathan was having an affair with his female secretary, Stella Reed, and Layla knew about it. Not only that, Jonathan bought Stella a villa in Cloudia Villas. Both their names were on the property deed, and they spent almost every day together. Whenever Layla visited Stella, she would bring carefully prepared gifts and sweetly say, “Ms. Reed, you’re the best.” On countless nights, Jonathan and Layla would sneak out to be with Stella while Victoria was sound asleep. All those earlier vows had turned to nothing. When Victoria discovered the truth about everything, her heart had already died. She no longer wanted Jonathan and Layla. Wiping away the tears on her face, Victoria flipped the photo frame face down on the table, then turned and walked to the closet to pack her luggage. She gathered all the gifts Jonathan and Layla had given her over the years, filling two large suitcases. After Victoria finished packing everything, the spacious villa suddenly felt empty, just like her five-year marriage—full of wounds beneath its glamorous exterior. She moved the suitcases to the entrance, where the courier arrived right on time. Victoria forwarded Stella’s address to the courier. “Please deliver these items to this address in two weeks. Also, please relay a message for me—tell her I’m giving her all these things, including my husband and my daughter.” “Victoria, what are you saying?” A familiar voice came from behind just as Victoria finished speaking. She immediately turned around to see Jonathan and Layla standing at the door, each holding a bouquet of blooming flowers. “Mommy.” Layla ran over and handed her flower bouquet to Victoria. “What are you doing?” Watching the delivery man walk away, Victoria said softly, “Nothing. Just getting rid of some things I don’t need anymore.” At that moment, Jonathan walked over, wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, and planted a kiss on her cheek. He placed the roses in her hands, his voice tinged with apology. “I’m sorry, honey. I got held up with something unexpected today, which is why I kept you waiting so long.” Victoria thought to herself, “Was that unexpected thing accompanying Stella to check on the renovation progress of the beach house?” She smiled bitterly, staring at the roses in her hand for a long while before saying flatly, “Work comes first. I understand. Let’s go inside.” As soon as Jonathan and Layla entered the house, they were shocked by what they saw—the spacious mansion had become quite empty, with all the Christmas gifts they had given Victoria now gone. Jonathan asked anxiously, “Victoria, where are all the things we gave you?” Layla was also frightened, clutching Victoria’s clothes tightly. “Mommy, did you throw away all our gifts?” Victoria gently freed herself from Layla’s grip and sat down on the sofa. “No. I just had the delivery man send them to people who need them more.” For many Christmases, she had made it a habit to regularly sort through household items and donate them to orphanages. Hearing this explanation, Jonathan visibly relaxed. He walked over, sat beside her, and looked at her adoringly. “That’s wonderful of you. Now I can buy you new things.” Layla climbed onto the sofa and threw herself into Victoria’s arms. “Mommy, you’re so kind. I love you the most.” Victoria laughed coldly inside, thinking, “Kind?” The wall clock struck six. Jonathan carried the last plate from the kitchen and placed it on the table. Although they had several servants, Jonathan always insisted on doing things for Victoria himself. Layla led Victoria to the dining table by the hand, thoughtfully pulling out a chair for her. Jonathan sat across from her, constantly showing his concern. “Victoria, you should eat more of the thyme honey. It’s good for your health.” “Yes, Mommy, you’re too thin. You really need to eat more,” Layla chimed in. Looking at the food on her plate, Victoria felt no appetite whatsoever. She looked up at Jonathan sitting across from her. At that moment, he was listening attentively to Layla, occasionally adding a comment or two. Victoria suddenly found it all incredibly ironic. These warm scenes and casual conversations must have been rehearsed in front of Stella before they came back. Why did they need to perform it again for her? Night fell, and only a warm yellow bedside lamp illuminated the bedroom. The three of them lay in one bed. Jonathan had his arm around Victoria’s waist, while Layla imitated him by hugging her arm. Both Jonathan and Layla insisted on sleeping with Victoria. “Dad, you’re so old. Why do you still need to sleep with my mom?” Layla said, pretending to be mature. “What are you talking about? Victoria is my wife, so of course I should sleep with her. You’re growing up now. Why do you still need to sleep with your mom?” Jonathan countered. As Jonathan and Layla continued arguing, ready to ask Victoria to make a decision for them, they found she seemed to have fallen asleep. Just then, Jonathan’s phone on the nightstand suddenly vibrated, and a video call notification popped up on the screen. When Jonathan saw that the caller was Stella, he froze momentarily. He glanced at the unresponsive Victoria, then quietly got out of bed. Layla followed him out. Outside the room, Jonathan turned the phone volume to its lowest setting before answering the video call. Stella’s sweet voice came through immediately. “Jonathan, Layla, why did it take you so long to answer? I miss you both so much. I’m all alone in this big house. I feel so lonely. Can you come back and keep me company?” Jonathan glanced back at the bedroom door and softly reassured her, “It’s so late now. I’ll bring Layla over to see you tomorrow.” But Stella shook her head and said, “I know that in your hearts, Mrs. Allen will always come first. I’ve never asked for much, just for you to spare me a little attention occasionally. Is that too much to ask?” Hearing Stella’s tearful voice, Layla quickly tugged at Jonathan’s sleeve. “Daddy, let’s go. I miss Ms. Reed. Please, Daddy?” After the combined pleas from Stella and Layla, Jonathan finally agreed. He crouched down and made a “shh” gesture to Layla, then said, “Let’s go quietly so we don’t wake your mom.” In the bedroom, Victoria lay with her eyes open, tears silently streaming down her face, soaking her pillow. She remained motionless, listening to Jonathan and Layla’s footsteps gradually fading away until they disappeared completely. Jonathan and Layla hadn’t returned all night. Victoria pushed open the master bedroom door to find only the morning light silently streaming into the empty living room. Her phone vibrated. She opened the screen to see a message from Jonathan: [Honey, I had to meet an important client unexpectedly, so I took Layla to school first. I’ve asked the housekeeper to prepare breakfast for you.] Looking at his clumsy lie, Victoria replied: [Okay.] Then, she put on her coat and left. She didn’t want to continue playing along with their charade, as she had more important matters to attend to. Victoria instructed her driver to take her directly to Spring Cemetery in the suburbs. Caleb Bell, the administration office worker, was organizing files when she walked in. Seeing her, he quickly stood up. “How may I help you?” “I’d like to reserve a burial plot,” Victoria said softly, yet with undeniable determination. Caleb took out a registration book and said, “Of course. May I ask which family member you’re making arrangements for?” Victoria answered, “For myself.” His typing fingers paused as Caleb looked up at her in surprise. Victoria wore a Chanel suit, her makeup flawless, exuding elegance and nobility—she didn’t look like someone who would be reserving a burial plot for herself. Caleb said, “Ms. Allen, you…” “On October twenty-second, I’ll have my remains delivered here,” she interrupted him, her voice still calm. Caleb was even more shocked. “You’ve even set the date already?” Victoria said, “Yes. When the time comes, don’t notify anyone. I’ll pay an additional fee for you to scatter my ashes on this mountain.” She wanted to disappear completely from this world, leaving no trace for Jonathan and Layla. After paying the deposit, she prepared to leave, but at the entrance, she witnessed an unexpected scene. Jonathan was holding Stella in his arms, standing under a cherry blossom tree nearby. Stella was crying softly in Jonathan’s embrace, while Layla was wiping Stella’s tears with a handkerchief. The three of them looked incredibly close, like a family—until Victoria suddenly appeared. Victoria said, “What a coincidence.” Hearing her voice, the three of them froze instantly. Stella hurriedly pulled away from Jonathan’s embrace, while Layla instinctively hid behind Jonathan. Victoria walked over slowly and looked at Jonathan. “Didn’t you say you had an important client to meet?” Then, she looked down at Layla. “Do you have a day off today?” Jonathan quickly stepped forward, his tone filled with panic. “Victoria, please let me explain. Stella’s mother passed away. We were passing by and saw her crying alone here, so…” Stella hastily added, “Ms. Allen, I’m sorry. I was too upset and delayed Mr. Green’s work.” Layla tugged at Victoria’s coat, whispering, “Mom, Ms. Reed is so sad. We came to comfort her.” Just then, a uniformed staff member approached them. “Ms. Reed, your mother’s ashes have been properly placed. Please come with me to sign the paperwork.” Victoria let out a cold laugh and asked, “So it was your mother who passed away?” Stella’s face turned pale as she looked helplessly toward Jonathan. Jonathan quickly explained, “Victoria, it’s too difficult for Stella to handle these matters alone.” “Yes, it is quite difficult to be alone,” Victoria said meaningfully, giving the three of them a pointed look. The staff member was still waiting, so Stella had to follow him to complete the paperwork, with Jonathan and Layla following behind. After taking a few steps, Jonathan seemed to suddenly remember something. “Victoria, why are you here?” Victoria said coldly, “What could I be doing? I’m at a cemetery, obviously taking care of some final arrangements.”

    Jonathan didn’t hear Victoria’s words. After finishing their business, Jonathan and Victoria returned home together. That evening, Jonathan took Victoria’s hand in a placating manner. “Honey, I’ve made reservations at your favorite restaurant. I remember how much you love their steak.” With that, Jonathan called for the driver. In the car, Jonathan talked non-stop, but never once mentioned what had happened at the cemetery earlier that day. Victoria didn’t want to engage with him. Suddenly, Jonathan’s phone rang. As soon as he answered, his voice immediately softened, with a smile in his tone. Victoria didn’t need to guess—she knew it was Stella calling. “We’ve arrived, Mrs. Green,” the driver’s voice broke the awkward moment. After entering the restaurant, the waiter led them to a window-side table. Layla excitedly grabbed Victoria’s hand. “Mom, the view here is beautiful.” Jonathan thoughtfully pulled out a chair for Victoria, then carefully placed the napkin on her lap. These gestures once touched Victoria deeply. Now, she found them ironic. Jonathan asked tenderly, “What would you like to eat today?” Just as Victoria was about to answer, an unexpected figure appeared at the restaurant entrance. Stella walked in gracefully. Upon seeing them, she displayed obvious surprise. “What a coincidence,” Stella smiled as she approached and said, “I’m meeting a friend here for dinner.” Jonathan’s expression momentarily stiffened before quickly returning to normal as he smiled and said, “It really is a coincidence. Why don’t we eat together?” Victoria watched as Layla excitedly said, “Ms. Reed, please join us for dinner.” Stella pretended to be shy, making a token refusal. But ultimately, she sat down at Layla’s insistence. She chose the seat next to Jonathan, a position that gave Victoria a perfect view of their secret glances. “I remember you love the truffle steak here,” Stella said, looking at the menu. Hearing her words, Victoria slightly tightened her grip on her water glass. This restaurant had only been open for half a year, yet Stella was so familiar with Jonathan’s tastes. As the waiter brought the appetizers, Jonathan’s phone rang again. He glanced at it, then stood up saying, “Sorry. Something’s come up at the company.” While he was out taking the call, Stella suddenly leaned closer to Victoria and lowered her voice, “Ms. Allen, some things aren’t as simple as they appear.” Victoria raised her wine glass and smiled, “Indeed. Ms. Reed, it must be exhausting putting on this act in front of me every day.” Stella’s expression momentarily froze. Then, pretending nothing had happened, she gently attended to Layla. When Jonathan returned, he sensed the atmosphere had changed. He looked at Victoria, then at Stella, his expression hesitant. Layla and Stella were chatting, appearing quite happy. Seeing Jonathan return, Layla suddenly said, “Dad, let’s go skiing with Ms. Reed next week! Just the three of us.” Victoria put down her cutlery and quietly asked, “Three?” Layla suddenly realized her slip and hurriedly tried to explain, “I mean…” “Yes, three,” Victoria stood up. “After all, I’ll be gone soon.” Her words exploded like a bomb at the dinner table. Jonathan’s face instantly turned pale, while Stella’s hands trembled slightly. “Victoria, what do you mean?” Jonathan feigned composure. Victoria didn’t answer. Instead, she picked up her purse, preparing to leave. As she passed by Stella, she paused. “This seat will be yours soon. I hope you enjoy it.” Walking out of the restaurant, she felt the night breeze was a bit chilly. Looking up at the stars in the sky, Victoria let out a cold laugh. Just then, she heard hurried footsteps behind her. Jonathan had followed her out with Layla. “Victoria!” Victoria turned to face Jonathan, her gaze completely calm. “What is it? Do you want to continue this charade?” Jonathan pretended to be composed. “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.” “You don’t understand?” Victoria questioned. Stella had also followed them out and explained meaningfully, “Mrs. Green, I think you must have misunderstood something.” Suddenly, the high beams from a truck in the distance shone toward them. In the blinding light, Victoria stood frozen, unable to dodge in time. The out-of-control truck sped toward them, with the screeching sound of brakes. “Stella, watch out!” Jonathan and Layla shouted simultaneously as they lunged toward Stella. Victoria lay in a pool of blood. Watching this scene, she gave a bitter smile. The smell of disinfectant lingered around Victoria’s nose. She slowly opened her eyes and saw the white ceiling. “Ms. Allen is awake!” A nurse excitedly put down her medical chart and quickly walked to the bedside. “You gave us quite a scare.” While checking Victoria’s vital signs, the nurse said, “Mr. Green and Ms. Layla Green have been extremely worried these past few days, staying at the hospital daily. We finally convinced them to go rest today, and surprisingly, you woke up.” Smiling, she took out her phone and continued, “You know what? What they’ve done these past few days has touched many people. They specifically went to a church in the suburbs and prayed for you for an entire day.” She opened a video and handed the phone to Victoria. In the footage, Jonathan and Layla were praying devoutly. Layla’s skirt and Jonathan’s suit were wrinkled all over. The nurse continued, “Their sincerity moved the priest. He specially organized a prayer service for you. This video has become very popular online. Everyone says you’re lucky to have such a loving husband and daughter.” Looking at Jonathan and Layla’s devout appearance in the video, Victoria let out a cold laugh. She thought to herself, “How ironic. They’re such good actors.” Images from the night of the car accident flashed before Victoria’s eyes. She remembered how they had unhesitatingly lunged toward Stella. “Ms. Allen, your injuries are healing well,” the nurse continued, “however, the impact from the accident caused a mild concussion, which might result in some memory confusion.” Just then, the door to the hospital room suddenly opened. “Mom!” Layla rushed in, followed by a hurried Jonathan. “Victoria, you’re finally awake.” Jonathan tried to hold Victoria’s hand, his eyes red-rimmed. But Victoria pulled her hand back as if shocked. “You can stop pretending now.” “Victoria, what do you mean?” Jonathan was stunned. “I said, you can stop pretending.” Victoria’s voice was soft but very clear. “The night of the accident, who did you lunge toward? Did you think I didn’t see?” Jonathan’s face instantly turned pale. “Victoria, you’ve misunderstood. The situation was chaotic. We just mistook someone else for you.” “Mom, please forgive us, okay?” Layla pleaded. “Enough!” Victoria interrupted them, feeling utterly exhausted. Their years of family bonds couldn’t compete with Stella, the homewrecker. Layla was so anxious she was about to cry. “Mom, don’t be like this. Dad and I truly love you. What happened that day was just an accident.” “An accident?” Victoria laughed coldly. “Then were your dates with Stella over the years also accidents?” She pulled out a stack of photos from under her pillow and tossed them lightly onto the bed. The photos scattered, each one clearly documenting their betrayal. In the first photo, Jonathan and Stella were toasting each other in a private restaurant, candlelight reflecting their intimate gazes. In the second photo, Layla was shopping with Stella at a mall, affectionately resting her head on Stella’s shoulder. In the third photo, the three of them were laughing happily at an amusement park, with Jonathan’s arm naturally wrapped around Stella’s waist. The final photo was taken in their home’s yard. Stella was cooking in the kitchen wearing an apron, Jonathan was hugging her from behind, and Layla was helping nearby—a scene so cozy it made Victoria sick. “These photos…” Jonathan revealed a hint of panic. But he quickly composed himself. “Darling, these are all fake. The doctor said your head injury might cause confusion. You should rest. I’ll take Layla out to buy some food for you.” With that, Jonathan left with Layla immediately. Victoria was completely disappointed, thinking to herself, “He could come up with such a pathetic excuse?” Tears silently fell onto her phone screen, and only then did Victoria realize she was crying. She thought she had been strong enough, that she was prepared to leave. But when she saw those photos and videos, her heart felt like someone was squeezing it tightly, making it almost impossible to breathe. Others only saw Jonathan’s affection for her, never knowing how much she had sacrificed for this family. Victoria had given up her career, dedicating herself completely to their home, just to provide Jonathan with a warm haven. Whenever Jonathan worked late into the night, she would personally cook and wait for him. Whenever he traveled for business, she would meticulously pack his luggage. She even remembered his most subtle habits. And Layla—from the moment she was born, Victoria had given her all her love. Victoria had helped Layla learn to walk, taught her to read, and stayed with her through every sleepless night. Every smile and every tear from Layla was deeply imprinted in Victoria’s heart. Yet in the end, her sincerity was repaid with their deepest betrayal. Victoria’s phone vibrated—a message from Stella. This time, Stella had finally dropped her gentle façade. [Ms. Allen, I assume you’ve seen those photos? This Christmas, Jonathan and Layla spent much more time with me than with you. Do you still think they love you?] [If they truly loved you, why would they choose me? Why not step aside and let someone more suitable take your place in this family?] Victoria let out a cold laugh, then saved both messages. During her days recovering in the hospital, Jonathan and Layla visited Victoria punctually at mealtimes, performing a heartwarming family drama in her room. While checking her condition, the nurse had said enviously, “Ms. Allen, you’re so lucky. Your husband and daughter love you so much. I really envy you.” Hearing those words, Victoria couldn’t help but give a bitter smile. Just then, the door to her room opened gently. After entering, Layla noticed Victoria’s swollen eyes and immediately became anxious. She asked, “Mom, why were you crying? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?” Looking at Layla’s concerned expression, Victoria felt incredibly bitter. She thought, “Layla has a face so similar to mine. When did she learn to act so convincingly?” “I’m fine,” Victoria said softly. “I just saw some touching photos.” Layla sighed with relief, then sat down beside the bed. “What photos?” Victoria looked directly into Layla’s eyes. “Would you like to see them?” Just then, Layla’s watch suddenly rang, displaying an incoming call from “Ms. Reed.” “Mom, I… I need to take this call,” Layla stood up nervously. Victoria calmly said, “Go ahead, don’t keep her waiting.” On the day of her discharge, the sun shone brightly, with a gentle breeze. The sycamore trees in front of the hospital cast dappled shadows, as if drawing a conclusion to this farce. Jonathan supported Victoria down the steps, carefully protecting her. Once in the car, he thoughtfully covered her with a blanket and adjusted her seat. “The wind is a bit strong today. You can’t catch a cold,” Jonathan’s voice was so tender, as if he were speaking to his most precious treasure. Looking at the scenery outside the window, Victoria suddenly said, “I want to go to church.” “What?” Jonathan was stunned. “I heard you all prayed for me at church,” Victoria turned and said with a smile. “I’d like to see it too.” Jonathan said, “But your health…” Victoria interrupted, “I can manage.” Eventually, they arrived at the ancient, solemn church. Victoria closed her eyes and began to make a wish. In her heart, she said, “I hope I never see Jonathan and Layla again in this lifetime. May they live forever in guilt, always remembering the sincere heart they destroyed with their own hands.” Beside her, Jonathan and Layla were also making beautiful wishes. They looked forward to continuing their happy life as a family of three, unaware that this “family” was about to reach its end. As they prepared to leave, the priest looked at her with profound eyes. “Your wish will surely come true.” Victoria gave a soft laugh. Three days later, she would completely disappear from this heartbreaking home.

    As night fell, Victoria stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of the villa, watching the moonlight in the yard being swallowed by dark clouds. She gently caressed the documents in her hand—a meticulously prepared plan for her “death.” In three days, she would leave this family forever. At this thought, she unconsciously revealed a smile of relief. On the third day before the plan began, Victoria started erasing her presence from this home. In her ten-year marriage, she had accumulated memories that filled exactly three boxes. The first item was the token of love between her and Jonathan—an expensive diamond necklace. She still remembered the words he whispered in her ear when he put it on her: “Victoria, I’ll only love you for my entire life.” The second item was a family portrait drawn by three-year-old Layla. In the crooked lines, Victoria and Jonathan held Layla’s hands, with “The Happiest Family in the World” written on it. Each item carried memories Victoria once thought she would cherish forever. She had always looked forward to the day when, with gray hair, she could reminisce about these moments with Layla and tell their family stories. But now, these were nothing but an illusory dream. Late at night, Victoria lit a fire in the yard and threw all the items carrying these ten years of memories into the flames. The firelight illuminated her calm face. She didn’t cry, just silently watched as the past turned to ashes in the flames. On the second day before the plan began, Victoria met with private investigator Thomas Cook and handed over all the evidence she had collected over the past six months, including Jonathan and Stella’s dating records, transaction details, intimate photos, and most importantly, recordings of their conversations. “After my death, please send these materials to the media as we agreed,” Victoria handed an envelope to Thomas. “The time is set for 3 PM the day after tomorrow. Make sure every LED screen in the city broadcasts these materials simultaneously.” After reviewing the materials, Thomas hesitated. “Ms. Allen, are you absolutely sure about this?” Victoria smiled and said, “Of course. When the time comes, remember to add a line on the screen: ‘I hope Jonathan, Layla, and Stella will be happy forever and never part.’” The final day before the plan happened to be Victoria and Jonathan’s tenth wedding anniversary. Ten years ago on this day, they held their wedding in a sky garden at a luxury hotel in Seattle. Jonathan had knelt on one knee and made his promises to Victoria. The scene was widely covered by the media. Back then, they were called “the most enviable couple.” That morning, Jonathan didn’t go to work, and Layla had taken the day off too. They sat at the dining table, waiting with gentle smiles for Victoria to have breakfast. Layla hugged Victoria’s arm affectionately. “Mom, let’s go to Seattle today. I want to see where you and Dad got married.” Looking at Layla’s expectant eyes, Victoria nodded gently. She knew this would be their last appearance as a complete family. They arrived at the hotel’s sky garden. The sunshine was bright, seemingly overlapping with the scene from ten years ago. Jonathan held Victoria’s hand, while Layla walked happily in front of them. Layla said, “Mom, tell me the story of you and Dad.” Just then, a jarring ringtone broke the warm atmosphere. Seeing Jonathan’s suddenly flustered expression, Victoria knew who was calling. This was because Stella had eagerly boasted about their relationship to her that morning, even sending a message: [Even on your wedding anniversary, with just one call from me, they’ll immediately abandon you to be with me.] Victoria forwarded this message to Thomas with a note: [Add this message to tomorrow’s broadcast as well.] Afterward, she watched Jonathan walk aside to take the call, and also saw Layla anxiously follow him. Sure enough, after the call, Jonathan and Layla approached Victoria together. “Victoria, something urgent came up back in my hometown. Layla and I need to leave now.” Jonathan’s tone was full of apology. “I’ll make it up to you when I get back.” Seeing the expectant looks in Jonathan and Layla’s eyes, Victoria smiled and said, “Go ahead. Be safe.” Jonathan sighed with relief and was about to turn away. Suddenly, he turned back and planted a kiss on Victoria’s cheek. “Victoria, I’ll have a surprise for you when I return.” “Dad, let’s hurry!” Layla was already anxiously pulling Jonathan’s hand toward the exit. “Jonathan, Layla,” Victoria suddenly said. Jonathan and Layla stopped and looked back at her. Victoria’s voice was soft. “Tomorrow, I also have a surprise for you both.” Jonathan smiled and waved, while Layla sweetly said, “Bye, Mom.” Then, they hurriedly left. Victoria stood there, watching their figures gradually disappear into the elevator entrance. This was the last time she would see them off as a wife and mother. In the evening, Victoria drove alone to a private clinic in the suburbs. As she pushed open the clinic door, she found Dr. Christmas and a woman with a similar build to hers waiting for her. “Ms. Allen, we’ve prepared everything according to your requirements,” the doctor handed Victoria a document. “This is the fake death certificate. As you requested, the time is set for midnight tonight.” Victoria took the document, then looked at the woman who resembled her. “Thank you for agreeing to help.” The woman nodded and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll follow the plan.” After leaving the clinic, Victoria drove to a remote mountain road in the suburbs. The winding road was flanked by steep cliffs—her carefully chosen accident site. At ten o’clock, the plan officially began. Victoria parked her car by the roadside, then got into an identical sedan brought by the “stand-in” woman. Inside the car were several plastic containers filled with gasoline. “You must wait for my signal,” Victoria instructed. Afterward, she drove away in her own car, while the “stand-in” drove the gasoline-filled sedan along the predetermined route. At ten-thirty, everything was ready. Victoria watched the car driving on the mountain road from a distance and took out her phone to call the police. “Hello, police? I’ve spotted a suspicious vehicle on Spring Road. The driver seems to be driving under the influence.” After hanging up, she dialed Jonathan’s number. “Victoria?” There was a hint of panic in Jonathan’s voice. “Jonathan, I’m on Spring Road,” Victoria deliberately made her voice sound disoriented. “I think I saw you with Stella.” Jonathan anxiously said, “Victoria, please let me explain…” But before he could finish, a loud explosion came through the phone. According to plan, the “stand-in” had jumped out of the car just as it plunged off the cliff. The gasoline containers exploded on impact, erupting in intense flames. “Victoria! Victoria!” Jonathan’s panicked cries came through the phone. Victoria hung up, then looked at the flames below and smirked coldly. Soon, the police would find the prepared body in the burned car, and the high temperature would make DNA testing extremely difficult. At eleven o’clock, she drove to a small airport in the suburbs and boarded a private jet that had been arranged in advance. Before the plane took off, she sent a final message to Thomas: [Plan initiated.] When Jonathan and Layla arrived at the hospital, they were greeted with a death certificate. At the same time, LED screens across the city lit up. The screens displayed all the details of their interactions with Stella, including photos of private meetings, flirtatious message exchanges, transaction records, and that provocative text message. There was even surveillance footage of Jonathan and Stella meeting near the accident site. At the top of all the footage was a prominent line: [I hope Jonathan, Layla, and Stella will be happy together forever and never part.] As the plane broke through the clouds, Victoria gazed at the city lights below, imagining their expressions as they saw the truth. She knew that this meticulously planned accident would leave them living in regret forever.

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  • When Promises Lose Their Voice

    “Thank you, Ms. Hart. Your Android is currently undergoing memory programming. It will be delivered to you in one week.” “Very good, thank you.” Elena Hart’s voice was flat and emotionless. After hanging up the phone, she collapsed onto the sofa, staring blankly ahead. In seven days, she would completely leave Nathan Cole behind, replacing herself with that Android. The Android was her perfect copy, identical down to the finest detail, but with slight personality adjustments—sweet, compliant, the kind of woman who would never cause any ripples. Nathan would probably love that kind of woman, wouldn’t he? A sharp buzz broke the silence as the front door clicked open. Nathan stumbled in, his steps unsteady. The winter night’s chill still clung to him, snowflakes dotting his shoulders, melting into tiny droplets that fell as he crossed the threshold. He dragged himself to the sofa and flopped down, sprawling out as if the place belonged to him alone. The pungent smell of cologne mixed with the stale scent of whiskey invaded Elena’s nose. She lowered her eyelids. Of course, he’d been with that woman again tonight. These days, that woman’s perfume always followed him home. No surprise there. “Get me some coffee,” Nathan mumbled, flinging an arm over his eyes, his tone laced with irritation. In the past, on nights like this when he went out “networking,” Elena would have prepared a pot of coffee in advance, ensuring he’d be comfortable no matter how late he returned. But tonight, she didn’t move. She sat there, motionless, as if his words hadn’t reached her ears. Seeing no response, Nathan lifted his arm and glared at her sideways. “Are you deaf or something? I said—” “I heard you,” Elena cut him off, her clear gaze locking directly with his. “If you want coffee, get it yourself. I’m going to bed.” She stood up and walked toward the bedroom without looking back. “Elena! What’s wrong with you now?” Nathan jumped up and grabbed her wrist before she could walk away. “Is this because I didn’t go to the hospital with you today? It was just a routine checkup, not some life-or-death situation. You were fine on your own! Chloe had a burst pipe at her place, and she was terrified, crying her eyes out! She’s my friend and all alone in this city. What was I supposed to do, just abandon her? Why are you making such a big deal out of this?” His words tumbled out all at once, the perfume on him making Elena dizzy. Her heart pounded in her chest. “She cried over a burst pipe?” Elena’s voice was soft but dripping with sarcasm. “Wow, she’s really tough, isn’t she?” She tilted her head slightly, her tone eerily calm. “Remember those home invasions a few months ago? When people were getting robbed in the middle of the night? I was terrified. I begged you to come home early. What did you say?” Nathan narrowed his eyes, either too drunk to remember or pretending not to. Elena’s voice remained steady, even slightly mocking, but her words concealed a sharp edge. “You said, ‘Are you a child? Why are you so paranoid? I’m not a cop—what could I even do if I were there?’” Nathan’s face twitched, and he stammered, “This is a gated community, Elena. Top-notch security. Nothing’s going to happen here.”

    “Just some trash,” Elena said dismissively. What else could you call things you no longer needed? Nathan sighed in relief. When he drove into the gated community, he had seen thick black smoke rising from a distance, his heart racing as images of their house on fire flashed through his mind. He had floored the gas pedal to get back. “Don’t burn things, it’s too dangerous,” he said, eyeing the cardboard boxes stacked by the front door. “More trash?” Elena glanced at the boxes, her lips pressed into a thin line. Those were her packed belongings ready to go. Just then, a delivery person walked up. “Ms. Hart? Do you have items for pickup?” Elena nodded toward the boxes. “Yes, those. Take all of them.” Nathan tensed, grabbing her wrist abruptly, his voice tight. “You’re moving out?” Elena studied his anxious expression, feeling confused. She wondered why he cared so much. He had made it clear he was tired of her. Shouldn’t he be happy to see her leave? Not wanting to start any arguments before her departure, she lied to brush it off: “No, just clearing out some things to donate.” Nathan’s shoulders relaxed as he released her wrist and took her hand instead. “Okay. Whatever you need, I’ll buy it for you later.” Elena smiled faintly. “Later,” she thought. “We don’t have a ‘later’ anymore.” He must have sensed her mood, perhaps attributing it to last night’s argument. For once, he softened his tone, almost tenderly. “Look, about Chloe—she just had a nightmare last night, so I checked on her, that’s all. You have nothing to worry about. She’s just a friend, nothing more.” Elena almost laughed. Her gaze turned cold as she countered, “You don’t think spending the night at a single woman’s place looks bad, even if ‘nothing happened’? Don’t you see how terrible that looks?” Nathan’s face darkened. “That’s just your mind twisting things! Nothing like that happened!” Elena let out a dry laugh and shook her head. What was the point of arguing with someone who would never admit they were wrong? A waste of breath. Her silence made Nathan uneasy, and he stubbornly continued, “Anyway, Chloe and I are just friends. It’s not what you think.” “Right,” Elena thought. “If ‘just friends’ includes holding hands, hugging, and possibly kissing, then the bar for ‘friendship’ is ridiculously low.” She didn’t bother arguing anymore. “Whatever.” “By the way,” Nathan changed the subject, “there’s a party tonight. Come with me.” “I have other plans—” Elena began, but he cut her off. He pulled out a shopping bag from his car and handed it to her. “Don’t be like that. I already told them I’d bring you. I bought you a dress.” Elena glanced at the logo on the bag—one of her favorite brands, not cheap. In college, they couldn’t afford such things. She remembered standing outside a store window once, staring at a dress she loved but couldn’t have. Nathan had worked three jobs to save up for it, only to find it sold out. He searched the entire city but couldn’t find it. It was the first time she’d seen him cry. With tears streaming down his face, he promised he would work hard, make lots of money, so she would never have to long for things she couldn’t have. He had worked hard. He had made lots of money. But somewhere along the way, he started buying dresses for someone else. Elena sighed, the memory bittersweet. She took the bag. Fine, she would go to the party. One last time, for old times’ sake.

    Elena woke up to the sharp smell of disinfectant stinging her nostrils, that acrid scent permeating the air. Gradually, memories of the crash came flooding back like a tide—that moment before everything went dark. “Elena! You’re awake!” Nathan rushed into the hospital room, holding a thermos. “How are you feeling? Dizzy? The doctor said it’s just minor injuries, you’ll be fine after a few days of rest.” He set down the thermos and hugged her tightly. “Thank God you’re okay…” Elena felt his body trembling slightly and noticed tears glistening in his eyes. But she remained unmoved, even finding it somewhat ridiculous. In that life-or-death moment, he had pushed her away to protect Chloe. Didn’t that say everything? If she had died, he and Chloe could be together without any complications. Perfect, right? So why pretend to be so devoted now? She pushed his arms away, her face expressionless, showing no emotional response. Nathan caught the mockery in her eyes, hesitated, then hurriedly explained, “Don’t be angry, please? I panicked and got you two mixed up. Your dresses looked too similar. I was trying to save you…” Elena closed her eyes, unwilling to say another word to him. She had been wearing a cream-colored dress, while Chloe wore bright red. Mixed up? Please. And before the crash, she clearly heard him call out “Chloe”—not her name. “Come on, Nathan,” she thought, “at least make your lies somewhat believable.” “I’m tired,” she turned her head away, “please leave.” She kept her eyes closed, refusing to open them. If she did, tears would flow, and she absolutely wouldn’t cry in front of him. For the next three days, Nathan stayed at the hospital—whether out of guilt or half-hearted atonement, she didn’t care. He couldn’t move her at all because she knew his heart wasn’t there anymore. He couldn’t put down his phone, either typing away on the screen or reacting to messages—frowning, smiling, immersed in his own world. On the day of her discharge, Nathan drove her back to their gated community. As soon as Elena got out of the car, his phone made a “ding” sound. He glanced at it, his expression tightening. “Elena, there’s an emergency at the company. I need to go back. You should rest inside, I’ll be back tonight.” Before she could answer, he jumped back into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and the car sped out of the driveway. Elena stared at the car until it disappeared from sight, then let out a bitter laugh. Not “the company.” That “ding” was Chloe’s special ringtone. She had heard it over and over these three days, like an annoying song looping in her head. The fact that he could lie to her so casually, and so poorly, was almost impressive. Instead of resting, Elena took action. She liquidated all her personal assets, then went to the mall to return her engagement ring. Since she was leaving for good, there was no point in keeping it. She still remembered when they bought that ring. Nathan’s company had been in trouble then, with broken cash flow. She had invested all her savings to help him, even selling the jewelry her mother had left her to keep things afloat. When Nathan found out, he held her tight, saying she was the best thing in his life. After the company turned profitable, the first thing he did was buy this ring. In front of friends and family, he got down on one knee and proposed, promising her forever. Those words still echoed in her mind. But just a few years later, those vows were nothing but noise, easily forgotten, like yesterday’s old news.

    🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MyFiction” app 🔍 search for “397873”, and watch the full series ✨! #MyFiction #B×G #Betrayal #Revenge #Intelligent #RelationshipinTrouble

  • Misty Fog Traps Longing

    “Haven, are you sure you want to marry me on the seventh?” “I’m sure.” “Good. On the seventh, I’ll come to marry you as soon as I finish my business in New Zealand.” After hanging up the phone, Haven Edwards tugged slightly at the corner of her mouth, a complex emotion washing over her as if from another lifetime. If someone had told her before that she would choose to marry a person she’d known for less than half a year, she would have thought it an utterly ridiculous joke. Because everyone knew that her greatest wish in life was to marry her best friend, Wyatt Taylor, whom she had loved for twelve years. Yet now, she was about to let go of these feelings she had held onto for twelve years and marry another man instead. After hanging up, Haven collapsed onto the sofa. At the same time, the TV was broadcasting an interview with Wyatt, the CEO of Taylor Group. On screen, Wyatt wore a tailored suit, handsome and dignified. His charismatic eyes always made people mistake him for being deeply affectionate. The reporter teasingly said, “Mr. Taylor, we’ve finished our questions about Taylor Group’s business plans. May I ask a few personal questions? You’re not only handsome and wealthy, but also the perfect boyfriend in many women’s eyes. I’d like to ask a question on their behalf.” Wyatt nodded politely. “Please go ahead.” The reporter asked, “I heard that you recently purchased a villa at Gold Waterfront and bought a ten-carat blue diamond that symbolizes ‘love you forever.’ Does this mean your wedding is approaching?” As soon as the words were spoken, the entire audience held their breath waiting for Wyatt’s answer. Without any hesitation, Wyatt replied, “Yes, there’s a girl who has dedicated her youth to me. I promised her I would marry her before she turned thirty. Seven days from now is her thirtieth birthday, and I don’t want to make her wait any longer.” His firm statement immediately caused a sensation, quickly climbing to the top of trending searches. Topics related to Wyatt’s marriage like “Wyatt’s public confession on the show” and “Wyatt getting married in seven days” ranked high on the trending list. When news of Wyatt’s upcoming marriage spread, Haven’s former friends sent messages congratulating her on finally getting her wish. After all, she had once half-jokingly told Wyatt, “I’ll only wait for you until I’m thirty. If you still haven’t married me by then, I won’t wait anymore.” However, what no one knew was that Haven wasn’t the person Wyatt intended to marry. Haven’s parents and Wyatt’s parents were neighbors. They had grown up together, and she had loved him for exactly twelve years. How deep was Haven’s love for Wyatt? After high school graduation, because of one comment from Wyatt, she gave up her scholarship to Columbia University to accompany him to his preferred New York University. After graduation, to support Wyatt’s startup, she again sacrificed a job offering an annual salary of $300,000 to help him build his business from scratch. She had invested twelve years of her youth in Wyatt, always believing that true love could overcome all difficulties. However, just half a month ago, she discovered that the villa Wyatt had purchased and the blue diamond he had bought at auction were all given to a woman named “Kylie Porter.” At that moment, she realized how ridiculous her twelve-year devotion had been. Seven days from now would be her thirtieth birthday. And the person Wyatt was about to marry wasn’t her. So, she no longer intended to waste any more time on Wyatt. It was late at night when Wyatt returned home. As his assistant who had been with him since the beginning of his business, Haven took care of everything from daily chores to work documents. The two were inseparable, and for convenience, Haven had even moved in to live with him. At this moment, Haven was sitting on the couch, browsing through wedding dress styles on her tablet for the wedding she would attend in seven days while discussing details on the phone. Wyatt, who had just returned from a business dinner, was surprised to see that Haven didn’t come to greet him or take his coat as usual. Instead, she remained on the couch, focused on her call. He vaguely heard words like “wedding dress” and “ceremony.” Standing in the entryway, Wyatt rubbed his temples, visibly impatient, and couldn’t help but remind her, “What are you doing? Didn’t you see I’m back?” Haven put down her phone, glanced up at Wyatt, and replied calmly, “Nothing much. I know you’re back.” Hearing this, Wyatt’s expression darkened with displeasure as he naturally took off his coat and held it out to her. He had grown accustomed to Haven’s care. Previously, whenever he came home, she would take his clothes and send them for cleaning. But this time, Haven calmly refused. “The washing machine is right there. If you want it washed, you can put it in yourself.” Haven had always been obedient, never refusing any of his requests. Her sudden change in attitude made Wyatt’s slightly intoxicated eyes narrow as he studied her curiously. Though he couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong, he definitely sensed something had changed. Yet Haven’s expression remained normal, showing no unusual emotions. Wyatt clicked his tongue in irritation, his tone growing cold. “Designer clothes need to be hand-washed.” Haven replied, “Then send them to the dry cleaners.” After being repeatedly challenged, Wyatt’s anger rose quickly. He tugged at his tie impatiently, his voice hardening. “What’s wrong with you today?” Haven opened her mouth, then decided arguing with him was pointless and there was nothing worth discussing. She simply turned and went to her room. Once inside, Haven could vaguely hear Wyatt making a phone call outside her door. She didn’t want to listen, but the room’s poor soundproofing meant that even with the door barely cracked, Wyatt’s voice came through clearly. Wyatt’s smooth voice carried an arrogant superiority. “I just got home and found Haven already picking out wedding dresses. Did she watch the live interview and think I’m going to marry her when I turn thirty? “I only said those things to appease the reporters. But I did promise Kylie I’d marry her in seven days.” The person on the other end seemed to ask why he didn’t tell Haven the truth. Wyatt gave a cold laugh, his handsome face looking increasingly callous with mockery. “After using a free housekeeper for over a dozen years, would you be willing to let her go so easily? If I have to let her go, it’ll be after I marry Kylie in seven days.” The person asked, “What if Haven finds out?” Wyatt snorted, “I’ve hidden it well; she’ll never discover it. Besides, even if she did, what could she do? She’s so in love with me that I could win her back with just a crook of my finger. What kind of scene could she possibly make? “I’m warning you, don’t let anything slip…” Haven didn’t want to hear any more. She returned to her room, feeling her heart sink into an icy pool, cold and piercing. So in Wyatt’s heart, she was nothing more than a free housekeeper who could be placated with the slightest gesture. She could only blame herself for not seeing it sooner. Knowing he would never marry her, she had still foolishly chased him for twelve years. During those twelve years, she had confessed her love to him nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine times. In truth, each time he rejected her with various excuses, she should have understood that he didn’t love her and would never marry her. Fortunately, she had finally awakened. In seven days, she would leave him completely and marry someone else. The next day, Haven decided to submit her resignation to the company. When Wyatt graduated, he expressed his desire to start a business, but no one believed in him. So he asked Haven to help him. He promised her that once he achieved success, he would compensate her generously. At that time, trusting his earnest promises, Haven gave up a high-paying job at Christmas with a salary of $300,000. When he started his business without startup capital, she helped him raise funds. When no one was willing to give his projects a chance, she helped him find resources. From having nothing to becoming worth billions of dollars, she accompanied him every step of the way. Yet until now, she remained just his assistant with a monthly salary of $8,000. Once, she liked him, so she was willing to be his assistant. Now, she had decided to give up on him and marry someone else, so naturally, she no longer needed to continue in this position. Arriving at the CEO’s office, Haven printed out her resignation letter, ready to have Wyatt sign it. Before signing, Wyatt, perhaps realizing his attitude toward her had been too cold yesterday, suddenly tossed her a small gift box. “Your birthday is coming up in a few days. This is an early gift for you.” Taking the box, Haven opened it to find a gold necklace inside. In the past, she would have been overjoyed, but now, she felt nothing. She knew this necklace was merely a complimentary item that came with the blue diamond Wyatt had purchased for $50 million. In his eyes, she only deserved such freebies, like a dog that would be happy with any bone thrown its way. Wyatt expected Haven to be speechless with excitement over the gift, but was surprised to see no emotional reaction on her face. Haven’s unusual behavior over the past two days made Wyatt furrow his brow. Just as he was about to ask her about it, Haven handed him a document. “There’s a document that needs your signature.” Perhaps due to his excessive trust in Haven, Wyatt assumed it was some important contract and signed his name without even looking at it. However, as Haven was about to leave with the agreement, Wyatt suddenly felt something was off and couldn’t help asking, “What did I just sign?” Not wanting to explain further, Haven casually waved her hand. “Nothing special, just some routine agreements. Oh, by the way, I’ll be taking a few days off and won’t be coming to the office.” After all, once she resigned, she wouldn’t need to come here anymore. “Alright,” Wyatt nodded without giving it a thought. He didn’t want Haven to keep running into his fiancée at the company and cause trouble. Then he added, “Make sure you come back after your vacation. The company has many big projects waiting for you to help me negotiate.” Haven responded with a soft acknowledgment. Wyatt had no idea that this resignation meant she would never return to this company. After being his assistant for so many Christmases, she was completely exhausted. After turning to leave, Haven walked to the reception area and happened to run into Wyatt’s fiancée and company receptionist, Kylie. Kylie was surrounded by a group of colleagues. She was showing off her right hand: “This is the ring my fiancé bought at an auction for $50 million. Beautiful, isn’t it? You’ve probably never seen jewelry this expensive before. Now’s your chance to admire it!” The diamond ring was indeed dazzling, but Kylie was just a receptionist with an ordinary background. She couldn’t possibly have access to wealthy people, let alone own such a valuable ring. Everyone looked skeptical. “Are you sure it’s not fake?” “Yeah, $50 million is a lot. Don’t lie to us, Kylie.” Hearing these comments, Kylie’s face turned bright red. She tilted her head back defensively: “It’s not fake! Don’t talk nonsense!” Stung by everyone’s suspicious looks, Kylie seemed to remember something and quickly pulled out a property deed from her bag, slapping it on the table. “Besides this $50 million diamond ring, my fiancé also bought me a house at Gold Waterfront. Don’t believe me? Look at this!” Her colleagues gathered around, curiously flipping through the property deed. Discovering that it was indeed for a house at Gold Waterfront, with Kylie listed as the owner, everyone’s faces showed envy. They asked curiously: “Impressive, Kylie! You really married a rich man! Who’s your husband? Someone who can afford such an expensive house at Gold Waterfront like Mr. Taylor?”

    Kylie just smiled mysteriously without saying a word, telling everyone they would soon find out who she was marrying. Others might not know, but Haven did—Kylie was going to marry Wyatt. If she remembered correctly, Kylie was Wyatt’s college classmate and the person who had been exceptionally hired into the company during Taylor Group’s first Christmas. At that time, Wyatt had intended to groom Kylie as his new assistant. However, no matter how Haven tried to teach her, Kylie couldn’t handle even the simplest tasks like stamping documents, let alone being like Haven who could both negotiate project partnerships for him and take care of his mundane household matters. So before long, Wyatt abandoned the idea of making Kylie his assistant and transferred her to the reception desk instead. The irony was that this incompetent person had ultimately defeated Haven and won Wyatt’s heart. For twelve Christmases, Haven had devoted herself to him, while Kylie didn’t have to do anything—just stand there and effortlessly obtain what Haven had strived for but could never reach. A chill ran through Haven’s heart. She had given her all to the company and cared deeply for Wyatt, only to discover in the end that it was all just a joke. As everyone continued pressing for answers, Wyatt suddenly appeared. “What are you all gathered here for? Don’t you have work to do?” Hearing Wyatt’s voice, the crowd immediately dispersed, each returning to their posts. Wyatt turned to Haven. “Weren’t you supposed to be on vacation? Why are you still at the company?” Haven said, “Oh, I just heard from reception that she’s getting married soon, and I was about to go congratulate her.” Wyatt frowned at her words. “She didn’t mention who she’s marrying, did she?” Haven shook her head. “No, why?” “Nothing, just asking.” When he learned that Haven didn’t know, Wyatt instantly relaxed. Then, Wyatt continued with his instructions: “Don’t wait for me for dinner tonight. A friend invited me out for drinks, and I might be back very late. Since you don’t need to cook, hurry up and organize the bidding documents for the new project. I don’t trust anyone else with it.” Even knowing she was about to go on vacation, he still demanded she work. Wyatt was such a good actor—even while hiding his plans to marry someone else, he still wanted to squeeze every last bit of value from her. But this time, she wouldn’t comply with his wishes. Haven didn’t respond. Seeing her silence, Wyatt furrowed his brow and pressed, “Did you hear me?” Haven still didn’t answer. Instead, she turned and walked away under his gaze. Wyatt stared at Haven’s retreating figure, frowning. He thought to himself, “Is it just my imagination? Why does Haven seem increasingly strange lately? But she’s been in love with me for twelve Christmases and has tried to please me for twelve Christmases. As long as I show her a smile and sweet-talk her a little, things should blow over.” With this thought, Wyatt felt inexplicably reassured. Haven returned to the apartment. Looking around at this place that had long become her second home, after a moment’s reflection, she decided to pack up all her belongings and leave. Since she had already decided to leave, she should leave this house that didn’t belong to her for its future mistress. Haven packed from noon until late into the night, filling several suitcases with her miscellaneous possessions. The night was deep, and her stomach growled with hunger. Just as she was about to get up to eat something, her phone began to vibrate. When the call connected, Wyatt’s friend commanded in a self-righteous tone, “Haven, Wyatt’s drunk. Bring some sobering medicine right away! We’re in private room number 5 at Night Bar.” Without waiting for her response, he hung up, as if completely certain she would show up. Haven didn’t want to go, but then she remembered she still had some belongings in the apartment storage unit, and the key was with Wyatt. If she wanted to get rid of those things for good, she needed that key back. After a moment’s consideration, she dragged her tired body out the door. The moment she pushed open the door to the private room, Haven heard Wyatt’s friend’s mocking laughter. “She actually came! I told you she would! After all, how could she stay away when Wyatt’s involved?” Wyatt, sitting in the main seat, lazily took a sip of his drink and pointed at someone on the sofa, laughing, “I win this round. Remember to pay for tonight’s drinks. I can’t believe you guys bet against me on something so obvious.” Hearing this, Haven immediately understood what was going on. Wyatt wasn’t drunk at all. The “drunkenness” was just a bet they’d made at her expense. This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. Last time, they’d used the excuse that Wyatt had been injured in a car accident, causing her to rush over in a panic, only to find him standing there completely unharmed. His friends had laughed hysterically at her trembling with anger. Since then, Haven had become their regular betting subject. She had fallen for their tricks several times before, so they probably hadn’t expected her to come this time. The person who lost the bet was now lying on the sofa, wailing while accusing Haven, “Why are you such a doormat? Coming whenever we call, even at midnight! Are you a dog or something? You do whatever we tell you to do, without any self-respect!” Another man stepped forward with a mocking smile, “Hey, that’s a bit harsh. How can you talk to a woman like that? But everyone knows how Haven feels about Wyatt. She’s been following him around for over ten years. Calling her a dog isn’t appropriate. I think ‘nanny’ would be more fitting.” Everyone burst into laughter, their eyes full of contempt and mockery. Wyatt simply observed the scene quietly, making no attempt to stop it. He had expected Haven to get angry as usual and had prepared some comforting words. However, to his surprise, Haven just took a deep breath and calmly asked Wyatt, “I can’t find the storage key. If you have it, please give it to me.” Wyatt frowned, not immediately taking out the key, but trying to change the subject. He moved closer to Haven and asked, “Are you angry? Why do you look so cold?” After a pause, he added, “Michael was just joking with you. Don’t take it to heart—they don’t mean any harm. How about they apologize to you? It’s not a big deal anyway.” Haven responded with a flat “Oh,” showing no emotional reaction. Wyatt was stunned, then waved his friends over. “See? Haven’s upset. Come apologize to her.” The group approached with smirks on their faces. “Haven, please forgive us. We’re sorry.” Their apologies were clearly insincere, merely going through the motions. Haven remained expressionless, looking coldly at Wyatt. “Where’s the key?” Wyatt was surprised by Haven’s calmness tonight, feeling as if she had become a different person. But after thinking it through, he convinced himself that since Haven liked him so much, her nature wouldn’t change. So he took the storage key from his pocket and handed it to her. Haven took the key and turned to leave. Just as she was about to exit the room, she heard Wyatt’s friends teasing him from behind, “Wyatt, why did you make us apologize to Haven?” Another person chimed in, “You just don’t get it. Haven has liked Wyatt for so long. If Wyatt always gave her the cold shoulder, wouldn’t that hurt her confidence? So by occasionally defending her, Wyatt ensures she’ll keep liking him longer. Isn’t that right, Wyatt?” Wyatt nodded. “Yes.” Hearing Wyatt’s “yes,” Haven found it laughable. She thought, “No wonder whenever I was furious, Wyatt always had a way to calm me down.” Sometimes he would give gifts, other times he’d say sweet nothings. But after each reconciliation, he would revert to his usual cold demeanor. Before, she had been completely in the dark, thinking he couldn’t fully accept her because she wasn’t good enough. Looking back now, the problem was never with her, but with Wyatt wanting her to willingly sacrifice for him longer. Now she was actually grateful that choosing to marry someone else had been such a wise decision. Just as she was heading downstairs with her keys, ready to take a taxi home, she spotted a familiar figure through the car window. It was Kylie. She watched as Kylie made a phone call, and a minute later, Wyatt personally came down to greet her. He wrapped his arms around Kylie and tenderly asked, “Why did you come out in this cold weather?” “I missed you. Can’t I come see you?” Kylie said playfully. “Of course you can,” Wyatt replied affectionately, holding her tighter as he escorted her upstairs. After a few steps, Kylie’s shoelace came undone. Wyatt immediately knelt down and tied her shoelace, his eyes full of tenderness. Haven stared at this scene through the taxi window. In the past, these submissive, pleasing gestures were always her doing. She never imagined that the normally arrogant Wyatt would tie someone else’s shoelaces. Wyatt’s friend happened to come out for a smoke and was shocked by the sight. “My God, who would have thought the CEO of Taylor Group would tie someone’s shoelaces?” Hearing this, Wyatt frowned and coldly ordered, “Kylie can’t stand the smell of smoke. If you want to smoke, go somewhere else. And don’t use foul language around Kylie, or you’ll have me to deal with!” His friend, frightened by the warning, quickly scurried away. Sitting in the taxi, Haven watched as Wyatt wholeheartedly protected Kylie in front of his friend, and by comparison, found herself increasingly pathetic. During so many Christmases, no matter how his friends joked at her expense, Wyatt always remained a bystander, paying no attention. But with Kylie, just smoking a cigarette or saying a curse word was enough for him to nearly tear his friend apart. So Haven was now completely awake to the truth. When she got home, it was already two in the morning. Haven tossed and turned, unable to sleep. By the time Wyatt returned, the sun was already up. Wyatt noticed the house felt particularly empty, as many of Haven’s belongings had disappeared. He couldn’t help but ask, “Where are your things?” Haven casually made up an excuse. “A lot of stuff was old, so I threw it away.” There was nothing wrong with her answer, but Wyatt still felt something was off. However, he was about to marry Kylie, so it was indeed inappropriate for Haven to continue living here. If Kylie found out, she would definitely cry. She had always been fragile, nowhere near as strong as Haven. After thinking for a moment, Wyatt said coolly, “Since you’re cleaning up, make sure you do a thorough job.” Haven nodded without saying much. Seeing she didn’t object, Wyatt swallowed the words he had intended to say. He thought, “It doesn’t matter if Haven has really changed. With her feelings for me, a little sweet talk and she’ll come around. At worst, I’ll make some empty promises like I did when we were starting the business. After all, among all the women around me, none is easier to appease than Haven.” Snapping back to reality, Wyatt immediately instructed, “I drank too much last night. Go make me some lemon water.” “I’m heading out. Make it yourself,” Haven replied and turned to leave. But before she could take a step, Wyatt grabbed her arm. “Where are you going?” “What?” Haven asked back, her tone calm. “Did you finish the bid proposal I asked you to do last night?” Wyatt pressed. “No,” Haven answered bluntly, then shook off Wyatt’s hand and walked straight out of the apartment. Wyatt stood there, his expression darkening. He thought, “Haven is getting stranger and stranger. Isn’t she afraid I’ll really get angry and leave her for good?”

    Haven went out to order a wedding dress. With just a few days until the wedding, she had promised him she would wait at the city hall entrance wearing her wedding dress, so they could get their marriage certificate together. So, she needed to order her wedding dress in advance. Upon arriving at the high-end bridal boutique, Haven asked the manager to bring out the wedding dress she had already reserved, but the manager hesitated, seemingly hiding something. She asked, “Is something wrong? Is there a problem with my dress?” The manager said, “I’m sorry, Ms. Edwards, but your wedding dress has been ordered by someone else.” Haven said, “I already paid a deposit. How could someone else order it?” The manager hesitantly explained, “Well, the other party offered a higher deposit, so…” Haven interrupted the manager, “Who ordered my dress?” Just as the manager was about to answer, a sweet voice accompanied the sound of the door opening. “Is my wedding dress ready? I want to try it on.” Haven looked up to see Kylie again. At the company, Haven and Kylie weren’t particularly close, but on a personal level, Haven knew Kylie all too well. Seeing Haven, Kylie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Haven, what a coincidence! Are you ordering a wedding dress too?” Haven replied, “Yes, I am.” Kylie asked, “Are you getting married too?” Haven nodded. “Yes.” From the beginning, Haven’s public identity at Taylor Group was simply Wyatt’s assistant. Apart from a few friends in the know, no one at the company was aware of her relationship with Wyatt. Clearly, Wyatt hadn’t told Kylie about their relationship either. After all this time at the company, Kylie still thought Haven was just Wyatt’s ordinary assistant. She asked, “When are you getting married?” Haven answered, “On the seventh.” Kylie exclaimed excitedly, “What a coincidence! I’m getting married on the seventh too.” Then, she curiously asked Haven, “Which wedding dress did you choose?” Haven pointed to a dress displayed in the window with an open back and heart-shaped design, saying, “That one.” Kylie said in surprise, “What a coincidence! Not only are we getting married on the same day, but we’ve chosen the same dress. Now I’m curious who your husband is!” Haven gave a slight smile and simply said, “Take a guess.” Kylie paused momentarily at Haven’s words, as if something had occurred to her, but she quickly changed the subject. After all, Haven had ordered the dress first, and even though Kylie had paid a higher deposit, the manager had no right to give the dress to Kylie. So, the manager refunded Kylie’s deposit, and Haven successfully reclaimed her wedding dress. As Kylie left, she was furious. “Just wait! I’ll have my husband shut down your store!” After Kylie left, Haven returned to her apartment with her packaged wedding dress. At home, Wyatt was sitting on the living room sofa waiting for her. Wyatt didn’t notice the wedding dress in her hands and frowned as he asked, “Why are you only getting back now?” Haven answered, “Oh, I got held up with something.” Wyatt didn’t press further about where Haven had been. After a pause, he said with suppressed anger, “Our partners are already asking for the bid proposal. When are you going to finish it?” His tone carried an undercurrent of accusation and anger, as if Haven had committed a grave error. Not wanting to argue with Wyatt, Haven calmly responded, “I’m on vacation.” “So what? Does being on vacation mean you can’t work? This bid proposal is crucial for Taylor Group’s future development. Do you have any idea how important it is to me and the company?” Wyatt angrily slapped the table as he spoke. Haven stared at the irritated Wyatt, finding his behavior strange. The bid proposal was indeed important for Taylor Group and Wyatt, but it meant nothing to her, especially since she was no longer an employee of Taylor Group. Even if she were still with the company, he could have assigned the task to someone else. Haven just silently watched Wyatt’s outburst without saying a word. Her silence alone was enough to make Wyatt uneasy. Wyatt suppressed his anger, realizing his behavior had been somewhat excessive. So he softened his tone, walked over to Haven, and placing his hands on her shoulders, said, “Haven, I know it hasn’t been easy for you these years, following me and enduring so much. Once you finish this bid proposal, I’ll announce to all Taylor Group employees that you’re being promoted to Vice President. After me, you’ll be the most powerful person at Taylor Group. How does that sound?” In the past, Haven would have been moved to tears by such words. But now, having seen through Wyatt’s tactics, she was no longer the Haven who would be moved to tears by his promises. Once, for his words, she had given up a good job with a $300,000 annual salary. But after all these years, she had received nothing but empty promises. Seeing no reaction from Haven, Wyatt thought she didn’t like the proposal and asked, “Aren’t you happy with what I’m saying?” Haven gave a faint “hmm” and, not wanting Wyatt to notice her change, casually replied, “I am.” “Good. Now be a good girl and write that bid proposal for me.” Wyatt felt reassured. But he failed to notice the look in Haven’s eyes—one of profound indifference. At that moment, Wyatt’s phone rang. Haven could hear a tearful female voice on the other end. After hanging up, without explaining what had happened, Wyatt hurriedly left. Haven knew the caller was Kylie. She was curious about what Kylie had said to Wyatt on the phone that made him so anxious. Haven had no intention of prying, but when she went downstairs to take out the trash, she happened to see Wyatt sitting with his arm around Kylie in the coffee shop below their apartment. In the coffee shop, Kylie was crying as she confronted Wyatt, “I met Haven at the bridal shop today. She chose the exact same wedding dress as mine, and even set her wedding date on the same day as ours. I understand without you telling me—you and Haven grew up together, and your relationship is special. I just need to ask you one thing: are you marrying me or Haven?” Seeing Kylie cry, Wyatt felt his heart ache. He gently pulled her into his arms. Even as Kylie struggled and pounded his chest with her fists, he didn’t let go, explaining softly, “Haven did grow up with me, but she has this almost obsessive one-sided crush on me. I just want you to know that you’re the only one I want to marry. “Kylie, I’m sorry I didn’t explain this clearly to you sooner. That’s my fault.” Wyatt’s expression turned troubled. “She also has delusional disorder—when she can’t have me, she fantasizes about being my fiancée. But Kylie, please believe me, you’re the only one I love.” Wyatt’s heartfelt confession and explanation quickly dried Kylie’s tears. Ignoring the fact that they were in a coffee shop, they embraced tightly and kissed as if no one else was there. Standing outside the window, Haven heard everything and felt increasingly that this version of Wyatt wasn’t worth her affection. Unfortunately, it had taken her twelve whole years to see this clearly, but at least it wasn’t too late. When she returned home, Haven found several messages from Kylie on her phone. These messages were full of malice and warnings, with biting hostility in every line. [Wyatt told me everything. If I catch you chasing after him again, I’ll expose you at your company and ruin your reputation!] [You shameless slut! Don’t you fear karma for interfering in someone else’s relationship?] [We’re very happy together and about to get married. He would never be interested in someone as low-class as you. No matter how much you want him, it’s useless, understand?] Haven glanced at the messages expressionlessly, then put down her phone without replying. However, as soon as Wyatt got home, he anxiously asked, “Haven, you didn’t receive any strange messages, did you?” Haven answered, “No.” Hearing her response, Wyatt sighed with relief, but didn’t forget to remind Haven, “Remember to finish the bid proposal soon, don’t drag it out too long.” Unfortunately, Haven was destined to disappoint Wyatt. Despite Wyatt urging her almost daily about the bid proposal, Haven never started working on it. This delay continued until the day before Haven’s thirtieth birthday. During this time, Haven hadn’t appeared at the company, forcing Wyatt to hire a temporary new assistant. However, this new assistant frequently made mistakes, and Wyatt’s low growls could often be heard around the office, “How can you not know how to do this? Either do it right or get out!” The assistant defended herself with frustration, “Haven used to handle all of this. I’m just learning and don’t really understand it yet.” Wyatt tossed down the documents and irritably rubbed his temples. “When is Haven coming back?” The assistant asked confusedly, “Isn’t Haven…” About to quit? Before she could finish her sentence, a figure in a floral dress had already thrown herself into Wyatt’s arms. Kylie exclaimed excitedly, “Wyatt, tomorrow is our wedding day! I want to have a special wedding, so can we go to city hall tomorrow to get our marriage license first?” Upon seeing Kylie, Wyatt made an effort to suppress the irritation caused by work and affectionately tapped her nose as usual. “Of course, whatever makes you happy.” Kylie smiled sweetly and planted a light kiss on Wyatt’s cheek. “Wyatt, you’re so good to me.” When Wyatt returned home that evening, after a moment of contemplation, he said to Haven, “Your vacation should be ending tomorrow, right? And the tender documents are ready? If everything’s in order, go to the office tomorrow and send the files to our partners. Also, no matter what happens, don’t come looking for me tomorrow. I have some matters to attend to.” He had already anticipated Haven’s possible reactions and prepared his responses accordingly. However, to his surprise, Haven neither questioned him nor showed any objection—she simply agreed. This left Wyatt somewhat puzzled. “Aren’t you even a little curious about where I’m going tomorrow?” Haven smiled faintly but didn’t answer. Once, because she liked Wyatt, she would always follow closely behind him, wherever he went. But now, she no longer had feelings for him, and his whereabouts were no longer her concern. “You really don’t have anything to ask?” Wyatt looked at her with a hint of suspicion. Haven nodded gently. “I do.” “What is it?” Wyatt asked. Haven said, “Tomorrow I turn thirty. Do you remember what I said? After thirty, if you still haven’t married me, I won’t want you anymore.” “I know, but that was just a joke. Who would take something like that seriously? Besides, the company is just getting started, and I haven’t even thought about those things,” Wyatt replied dismissively. In his mind, Haven loved him so deeply that she couldn’t possibly let go of her feelings for him because of a casual remark. Looking at Wyatt’s nonchalant expression, Haven simply nodded calmly. “I understand.” The next morning, Wyatt hurriedly left home dressed in a crisp suit. Haven watched him go, silently thinking, “It’s finally coming to an end.” She changed into her own wedding dress, left a wedding invitation, and then turned to leave the apartment. She thought, “Wyatt, from now on, we have no connection, and I won’t disturb your life anymore.” After leaving the apartment, Haven hailed a taxi and headed straight for City Hall. She knew her future was still long ahead, and she was going to seek the happiness that truly belonged to her.

    🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MyFiction” app 🔍 search for “397875”, and watch the full series ✨! #MyFiction #B×G #ChildhoodCrush #BillionaireRomance #LoveAfterMarriage #spoiled

  • Love as Fleeting as Morning Dew

    “Ms. Edwards, are you sure you want to immigrate?” “Yes,” Stella Edwards consistently answered the staff member’s repeated inquiries. After receiving Stella’s confirmation, the staff member said, “Very well, Ms. Edwards. The process should be completed in about ten days. We’ll notify you of the results via text message at that time.” After leaving, Stella hailed a taxi to return home. The taxi’s radio was broadcasting news about the upcoming wedding between Bryce Kingsley, president of the Kingsley Group, and his fiancée, Stella. Rumor had it that Bryce loved his fiancée deeply and had spent an entire year preparing for this wedding. He had hired the country’s top wedding planning team at great expense to create the most magnificent ceremony to marry Stella. This enviable wedding of the century was just ten days away, but neither Bryce nor anyone else knew that the wedding was destined to fall through because Stella was planning to run away. Stella’s father had cheated when she was very young. Her parents later divorced, and she lived with her mother. When Stella was in eighth grade, her mother passed away after a serious illness that Christmas. It was also that Christmas when Stella met Bryce. He was like a sudden beam of light in Stella’s life. When she lost her loved one, he warmed her cold heart. However, having witnessed her mother’s unhappy marriage since childhood, Stella instinctively resisted when Bryce approached her, only agreeing to be with him after he confessed his love many times. To make her his wife, Bryce even climbed the Himalayas, kneeling at the highest peak to swear to the heavens that he, Bryce Kingsley, loved Stella deeply and would marry no one but her. Stella still remembered the day he proposed to her on the mountaintop. She cried uncontrollably, believing her life would be complete from then on. But Stella never expected to be disappointed so soon. Two weeks ago, Stella discovered Bryce was cheating. He had bought another luxury home in the same community where they lived together. He had long forgotten his vows, but Stella hadn’t. When he proposed, Stella had said, “I cannot accept betrayal. So if one day you no longer love me, I will disappear from your world.” At that time, Bryce held her tenderly in his arms and said, “I will never betray you, nor will my feelings change. Stella, I won’t become a man like your father. I will love only you for the rest of my life.” Looking back now, she felt vows couldn’t be trusted. The taxi arrived at the residential area, and Stella paid and got out. She had just had a glass of water after returning home when Bryce arrived. He placed a gift bag on the dining table, then embraced Stella from behind, saying, “Stella, are you feeling better? There was a sudden situation at the company today, so I couldn’t take you to the hospital.” Seeing no response from Stella, he kissed her cheek and then released her. Stella nearly threw up when she smelled the alcohol and perfume on him. Bryce frowned and suggested taking Stella to the hospital. Stella refused because she no longer needed to go. Earlier today, she had sudden stomach pain and was diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis. She had called Bryce more than a dozen times, but he never answered. Stella went to the hospital alone, only to spot him with his assistant, Isabella Thompson, outside the obstetrics clinic. Isabella was happily caressing her slightly protruding belly, while Bryce lovingly had his arm around her. Bryce seemed to love her deeply, and Isabella’s small bump told Stella they had probably been together longer than she had discovered. So after leaving the hospital, Stella went to the immigration agency. She intended to keep her promise and completely disappear from his world. Seeing Stella lost in thought, Bryce quickly asked what was wrong. Stella shook her head, wanting to return to the bedroom, but he held her back. He opened the gift bag on the table, revealing a designer handbag—the exact style she had wanted before. “Stella, in ten days it will be your birthday and also our wedding. I specially ordered this for you from overseas. Try it out.” Bryce looked at Stella expectantly, but she only gave the bag a brief glance. Half an hour earlier, Isabella had updated her Instagram with a photo of an identical limited-edition bag. [Someone who loves you will always find ways to give you the best!] Before Stella could speak, her phone rang. Isabella had updated Instagram again. [The bag has a damaged corner, and I don’t like it anymore. Someone promised to buy me a new one. I’m waiting.] Stella instinctively looked at the corner of the bag. Sure enough, there were some scratches. So the gift Bryce gave her was something someone else had rejected. Seeing that Stella wasn’t as excited as she usually was when receiving gifts, Bryce patiently asked, “Don’t you like this style? I can get you the newest model instead!” When Stella remained silent, he continued, “Today I received a payment notification from an immigration agency. Did you go there?” He paused, then added, “I remember you had a classmate who wanted to immigrate and asked for your help. Did you go with her? Why did you have to pay the processing fee for her immigration application?” Stella nodded, not denying it. After getting together with Bryce, he had solemnly promised to support her for life, leading her to quit her job. Their bank cards were linked. Whenever she spent money, he would receive a payment notification. Perhaps because Bryce was only concerned about the pregnant Isabella, he hadn’t noticed Stella’s unusual behavior. Stella thought this was for the best; she wouldn’t need to find excuses to explain. Bryce sighed with relief, and seeing Stella somewhat distracted, he quickly promised, “I’m sorry I let you go to the hospital alone when you weren’t feeling well. I swear it won’t happen again…” The next day, Stella began packing her things. She had many possessions and wanted to organize them early to ship to New Zealand. Bryce was surprised to see Stella packing so early in the morning. “Stella, are you going somewhere? Our wedding is in nine days. Where are you planning to go at a time like this?” Stella calmly replied, “I’m not going anywhere. I’m just sorting through some old items to donate to the mountain communities.” Bryce nodded, not suspecting a thing. Just then, the doorbell rang. Bryce opened the door to receive the delivery and called Stella over for breakfast. “Stella, this soup was specially prepared by a Michelin-star chef. You’ve been having digestive issues lately, so I’ve ordered breakfast deliveries for the next two weeks to help you recover.” Bryce served the soup and placed it in front of Stella. He said, “I remember you used to love this restaurant’s food. Try some.” Bryce insisted on feeding Stella the soup, and she didn’t refuse despite her frown. As he fed her, he said, “Every time you’re unwell, I have to force you to eat. What would you do without me?” “Stella, marrying me is the best decision you’ve ever made in your life.” Stella wanted to laugh inside. She had once thought the same, until she discovered Bryce had fallen for someone else. Only then did she realize her mistake. After breakfast, Bryce wanted to take her to see the wedding venue. “Stella, our wedding is just around the corner. Aren’t you curious to see how the venue is being decorated?” Not wanting to appear too cold and raise his suspicions, Stella reluctantly agreed to go with him. To publicly demonstrate their love, Bryce had personally designed a commercial building for Stella, naming it “Stella’s Star.” Their wedding reception would be held in this building. As soon as they arrived at the building entrance, a large crowd gathered around them. “Are you Mr. Kingsley and Ms. Edwards?” “I admire your love story so much! I hope you stay together forever!” Standing beside Bryce, Stella felt uncomfortable hearing all the well-wishes. Bryce, however, appeared much more at ease. He put his arm around Stella’s shoulders, gently kissed her forehead, and declared, “I will never leave Stella’s side!” The crowd erupted in cheers. When Bryce and Stella’s wedding date was first announced, the media had praised him as a devoted man, earning him many fans. He played his part so well that no one knew he had already been unfaithful, engaging in all manner of deception. The crowd grew larger. Stella felt a pain in her stomach and turned pale. Stella groaned in pain, but Bryce didn’t notice. His phone rang. He frowned as he answered. Stella could faintly hear a woman sobbing on the other end. After hanging up, he reluctantly said to Stella, “Stella, there’s an urgent document at the company that needs my signature. I’ll have the wedding coordinator show you around.” Though his eyes were filled with anxiety, he spoke softly, “Darling, this signature is really important! Be good, I’ll be back soon.” He tried to touch Stella’s forehead reassuringly. Stella avoided his hand and said through her pain, “Go ahead with your work. I’ll wait for you to return.” Bryce gave some instructions to the wedding coordinator and left. After he departed, Stella didn’t enter the building but instead dismissed the coordinator and followed Bryce. Stella tracked Bryce to a building across the street. At the entrance, Isabella was surrounded by several people. “She’s so shameless, daring to claim she’s Bryce’s true love!” “Bryce only loves his fiancée. She’s just humiliating herself!” “Someone as devoted as Bryce would never fall for someone else.” Isabella was trapped in the middle of these hostile people. Though terrified, she kept defending herself, “I’m not lying. I’m telling the truth…” One of them pointed to the building across the street and said, “That building across the way was built by Bryce to prove his love for Stella. How can you claim you’re not lying?” “You have no shame!” Emotionally unstable due to her pregnancy, Isabella cried in frustration, “I really am not lying…” “Liar!” Someone angrily stepped forward, about to slap Isabella. Bryce arrived just in time and shouted, “Stop!” He blocked the person who was about to hit Isabella, shielding her behind him, his expression dark. “Mr. Kingsley, this woman is spreading rumors, claiming she’s your true love. I was just about to teach her a lesson for you…” The speaker looked smug, but Bryce was furious. Isabella timidly tugged at Bryce’s sleeve and said, “They all say I’m lying, but I’m not. Bryce, please tell them I’m not lying.” Bryce kicked the person who had spoken and demanded, “What gives you the right to question her?” Everyone around them was stunned, unable to believe that Bryce, who supposedly loved Stella deeply, would lose his temper over another woman. A silence fell over the crowd; no one dared to speak. Standing at a distance and witnessing everything, Stella gave a self-mocking smile and thought, “So Isabella is Bryce’s true love. What does that make me in Bryce’s heart?” “If any of you dare to hurt my woman again, you’ll face the consequences!” Bryce possessively held Isabella in his arms and said fiercely. If Stella hadn’t known the truth, she might have been moved by the scene. It was precisely because she was Bryce’s fiancée that Stella found the current situation so absurd. Stella’s stomach and heart twisted simultaneously. She couldn’t bear to watch anymore and turned to leave. Shortly after returning to the building, Stella heard hurried footsteps. Turning around, she saw Bryce’s anxious expression. “Stella, I’m sorry. I came back as soon as I finished signing. Is your stomach hurting again? Why are you so pale?” he asked. He habitually placed his right hand on Stella’s forehead. She clearly felt his hand trembling and his genuine concern for her. Bryce had just been extremely protective of another woman, and now he was showing such care for her. Stella suddenly couldn’t tell if his acting skills were exceptional or if she was hallucinating. “I’m fine…” she said softly. Bryce kept his hand on Stella’s forehead and exclaimed, “You have a fever! I’m taking you to the hospital right now!” He lifted Stella into his arms. She struggled to get down, saying, “I just didn’t sleep well last night. I’ll be fine after resting at home.” But he refused to put her down. “Then I’ll take you home to rest now.” Ignoring the stares of people around them, Bryce carried Stella toward the exit. “Stella, I told you I’m your support. Whether you’re feeling unwell or unhappy, just tell me, and I’ll always be by your side!” he said firmly. Hearing his words, Stella felt a pang in her heart. He had indeed said this to her before, but he had already broken his promise and betrayed her. “Stella, what’s wrong? Why does your expression seem off?” Bryce asked. After spending so many Christmases with Stella, Bryce could detect changes in her mood when he paid attention. Stella shook her head and said, “I was just wondering if you remember what you told me when you proposed…” “Of course I remember!” Bryce set Stella down and said earnestly, “Stella, I will only love you in this lifetime, and I will never betray you!” Stella stared at Bryce, thinking: “He only loves me and won’t betray me? Then what about Isabella?” Her gaze made Bryce uncomfortable, and he averted his eyes slightly. He didn’t understand why Stella would suddenly ask him this, but he was confident that he had hidden his affair well, and Stella couldn’t possibly know about his infidelity. Bryce took a deep breath and was about to say something when Stella fainted. She felt like she had a very long dream. When she woke up again, Stella found herself lying in a hospital bed. As soon as she opened her eyes, Stella heard a nurse shout, “Quick, tell Mr. Kingsley that Ms. Edwards is awake!” While others went to notify Bryce, the nurse said to Stella, “Ms. Edwards, you’re finally awake. If you hadn’t woken up soon, we would all be in trouble…” The nurse described how Bryce had brought her to the hospital after she fainted: “He angrily said he would teach us a lesson if anything happened to you! Ms. Edwards, just like the rumors say, Mr. Kingsley loves you so much. You’ve been unconscious for days, and he’s been by your side the whole time, not eating or drinking. He was forced to go rest just an hour ago. In all my years working at this hospital, I’ve never seen a man care so much for his fiancée!” Stella listened to the nurse’s praise of Bryce while maintaining a cold expression. She simply said, “Thank you for taking care of me these past few days.” The nurse replied, “You should thank Mr. Kingsley. He’s been more attentive than any of us medical staff…” Just then, Bryce arrived. Stella didn’t know how many days she had been unconscious, but when Bryce entered, he looked exhausted and had lost weight. “Stella, you’re finally awake. I was so worried about you,” Bryce said in a hoarse voice. Stella said, “I’m fine.” “You scared me to death.” Bryce pulled Stella into his embrace. Being so close to him, Stella noticed the pungent perfume smell on Bryce was unusually strong. Stella recalled what the nurse had just told her. She had been unconscious for days, and supposedly he had stayed by her side without eating or drinking. Yet the perfume smell on him was clearly telling her otherwise. Bryce released Stella. His phone rang. He took it out, glanced at it but didn’t answer. He said to Stella, “Stella, you’ve been unconscious for days, and I’ve been at the hospital watching over you. I haven’t had time for company matters. Now that you’re awake, my assistant immediately called to update me on work.” Stella nodded. Bryce casually took out his phone and sent a voice message: “Isabella, Stella hasn’t fully recovered yet, so I need to stay at the hospital for a few more days. Bring the documents to the hospital. I’ll work from here.”

    After sending the voice message, Bryce put down his phone and said to Stella, “Stella, I’m going to take a shower. You get some rest, and if you need anything, just ask the nurse to call me.” She replied, “Okay.” Bryce turned and left the hospital room. Not long after, Stella saw Isabella through the partially open door, carrying a stack of documents, coming to find Bryce. There was nothing wrong with that, except Isabella’s outfit clearly wasn’t appropriate for discussing business. She was wearing an extremely short skirt and a revealing top. Stella thought Bryce and Isabella wouldn’t do anything inappropriate in the hospital in broad daylight, but she underestimated her judgment and overestimated Bryce’s self-control. An hour later, Stella made an excuse to get out of bed to stretch her legs. She walked down the long corridor to the most secluded hospital room in the corner. Through the glass window, she saw Bryce pinning Isabella beneath him. From inside came the sound of urgent breathing from both man and woman. Stella clearly heard Bryce’s voice. He said, “I just satisfied you last night, and now you want more! Don’t you realize you’re pregnant right now!” This was followed by the sounds of kissing, and Isabella moaned, “I just want to make sure you don’t have any energy left for other women! Do you like my new sexy lingerie? Do you like it?” Stella couldn’t bear to listen to what came next. This room was only a hundred yards from hers. Just a hundred yards away, Bryce was in bed with another woman behind her back, like a wild beast out of control. Bryce had always been a disciplined man. Even when he and Stella were deeply in love, he never easily lost control. They had never done that; at most, they had only kissed. He always said that good men like him were rare, and that his friends were all womanizers. Bryce had sworn he would never indulge in physical relationships, and that he and Stella would save their first time for the most important moment. He said he wanted to be responsible for Stella and for himself. Stella thought she had found the best man in the world. But now, seeing him with Isabella in bed made all his previous words seem ridiculous. Heartbroken, Stella returned to her room and found herself in tears. The nurse, seeing her crying, asked in confusion, “What’s wrong?” “I’m just so happy,” Stella said. “What’s making you so happy?” the nurse asked suspiciously. “In seven days I’ll be starting a new life, of course I’m happy.” The nurse remembered that Bryce and Stella’s wedding was in seven days and was genuinely happy for her. “Marrying the one you love is definitely worth celebrating. Ms. Edwards, I wish you and Mr. Kingsley happiness!” Stella neither nodded nor shook her head. From the moment Bryce betrayed her, she and Bryce had been growing further apart… The next day, Stella’s condition improved, and she was discharged from the hospital. After eating breakfast delivered from the restaurant, Stella shipped her last batch of belongings overseas, then pulled out dozens of wedding invitation designs that Bryce had brought back. He had promised to give Stella a perfect wedding, even having different styles of invitations designed for her to choose from. But his so-called perfect wedding had a major flaw. One version of the invitation didn’t use Stella and Bryce’s photo, but instead featured a cartoon wedding picture. And on this version, Isabella’s name was printed in the bride’s position. Stella brought this invitation to Bryce and asked, “What’s this about?” Seeing the invitation with the wrong name in Stella’s hand, Bryce frowned and said, “How could the staff print the wrong name!” Bryce immediately took out his phone to call Isabella. Fifteen minutes later, Isabella appeared before Stella. Bryce threw the invitation in front of Isabella and angrily said, “You’ve been my assistant for so long, how could you make this kind of mistake?” Isabella’s face turned pale as she apologized to Stella, “I’m sorry, Ms. Edwards. I handle many documents every day and accidentally typed the wrong name on the invitation…” Stella calmly asked, “Is that so?” “Really, Ms. Edwards. I didn’t do it on purpose, it was just a mistake…” Isabella was on the verge of tears. This was the first time Stella carefully observed Isabella. Isabella had delicate features and golden long hair, just like Stella when she was younger. “How should we handle this?” Stella asked. Bryce interjected, “Darling, she didn’t do it intentionally…” Stella said, “Then dock her three months’ salary. What do you think, Bryce?” Bryce nodded with a frown. “Whatever you say.” Then he sternly told Isabella, “Don’t make this mistake again! Otherwise, don’t bother coming to work!” Isabella nodded tearfully. “Understood, Mr. Kingsley…” With that, she turned and left. After Isabella left, Bryce was noticeably distracted. He didn’t even notice when his phone rang until Stella reminded him. After checking the message, Bryce said, “Some old friends want to get together to celebrate our upcoming wedding.” Stella pretended to feel unwell and said, “You go ahead. I have a bit of a headache and want to rest.” Bryce immediately responded, “You definitely need rest. These are friends I’ve grown up with. I can’t really turn them down.” “I understand.” Bryce grabbed his phone and left. After he was gone, Stella began packing her things. She had lived in this house for over a decade, and there was too much to pack. She felt that since she couldn’t take many things with her, she might as well burn them all. Stella lit the fireplace and threw in items related to Bryce one by one. In the roaring flames, her love for Bryce also turned to ashes. Stella’s phone rang. Isabella had updated her social media again. The video was clearly from some high-end club, with Isabella sitting on Bryce’s lap. Bryce was looking at her lovingly and kissing her. People around them said, “Bryce is amazing!” “Never thought such a good man would be so wild in private!” “Bryce, teach us how you hide this from your fiancée!” Bryce laughed and said, “As long as I want to, she’ll never know…” Stella turned off the video, feeling sick. But Bryce would never know that she had discovered this long ago. She decided to let them be together by removing herself from the relationship. Late that night, Bryce returned reeking of alcohol and embraced Stella from behind. The strong smell of alcohol mixed with perfume made Stella frown. He said, “Talked with friends a bit late. Sorry, Stella.” Stella asked, “You just talked?” Bryce said, “Yes. I had some drinks, you don’t mind, do you?” Stella turned around, looking at the marks on his neck, and asked, “What’s this?” Bryce solemnly explained, “I’m allergic to alcohol. I’ll take some medicine soon…” “Is it really just an allergy?” Stella asked. Thinking she was concerned about him, Bryce hugged her and asked, “Are you worried about me? Just this once, I won’t drink anymore. Those guys said after we’re married, you’ll be strict and definitely won’t let me drink…”

    “I see.” After hearing his explanation, Stella nodded without pressing further. Bryce, relieved she hadn’t grown suspicious, kissed her forehead before heading to shower. The next day, Bryce unusually stayed home with Stella instead of going to the office. “The wedding is just days away. I want to spend this time with you,” he said. Stella questioned, “Won’t we have even more time together after we’re married?” “It’s different.” Though Bryce couldn’t exactly explain how. He’d been spending too much time with Isabella lately, and Stella’s recent disinterest in everything made him uneasy. Five days before the wedding, Bryce began staying by Stella’s side constantly. When she wanted fruit, he peeled and cut it himself. When her stomach hurt, he made corn chowder for her. During meals, he even fed her by hand. The servants whispered that Bryce truly adored Stella, and she would surely live happily ever after. Whether she was happy or not, Stella didn’t know. She only knew Isabella had updated her social media again. While he was cutting fruit, he was sending flirtatious messages to Isabella. When Bryce was making corn chowder for Stella, he was transferring money to Isabella. When he was feeding Stella, he was voice messaging Isabella, coaxing her to send intimate photos. Stella couldn’t understand how he managed this. Perhaps she had never truly known Bryce. So she quietly booked her flight and completed her immigration paperwork. After everything was prepared, the much-anticipated wedding day finally arrived. The night before the wedding, Bryce took her to the riverside and set off fireworks. Under the brilliant lights, he held her and asked, “Do you like it? I prepared this especially for you. Tomorrow at our wedding, I want the whole city to witness my love for you.” His words were tender, the fireworks casting a passionate glow on his face. If she hadn’t just seen Isabella’s post, Stella might have believed him. [Feeling down. Someone promised to cheer me up with fireworks. Hope he keeps his word.] So these fireworks were never meant for Stella at all. Gazing at the display, Stella coldly asked, “We’re getting married tomorrow. Is there anything you want to tell me?” “Of course!” Bryce nodded emphatically. He cupped her face and said earnestly, “Stella, you’re the best woman I’ve ever met, the one I must marry. I love you. We’ll be together forever.” Even now, he was still deceiving her with clumsy lies. Stella’s eyes welled up. Bryce anxiously asked, “What’s wrong, Stella?” “Nothing, I’m just so happy,” Stella forced a smile. Bryce pulled her into his arms and said, “Marrying you is my greatest fortune. After tomorrow, we’ll belong to each other forever.” Stella leaned on his shoulder, thinking of the immigration approval notification on her phone. Stella thought, “I’m sorry, Bryce. We’re not destined to be husband and wife. This time, I’m leaving you forever…” October 10th was destined to be an extraordinary day. Bryce was up and busy at the crack of dawn. His complexion was rosy, his face beaming with joy. He kept making phone calls to confirm every detail of the wedding. “Stella, just thinking that in a few hours you’ll be my wife makes me crazy with happiness!” Bryce’s joy seemed so genuine. He kept repeating this phrase. Stella felt not a hint of happiness, only anticipation for the freedom she would soon gain. When the clock struck twelve noon, the car arrived at the villa’s entrance as planned, ready to take them to the church for the ceremony. Their phones suddenly rang simultaneously. They both answered their calls and hung up at the same time. The smile vanished from Bryce’s face. He said, “Stella, there’s a massive security breach in the company’s financial system. I need to rush back immediately.” Stella asked, “Is it serious?” “Very serious.” But she clearly heard Isabella’s voice coming through the receiver. This was the countless time he had lied. Stella said, “Go ahead, don’t let work wait.” Bryce hugged her guiltily and said, “Give me thirty minutes, I promise I’ll make it to the wedding on time. Wait for me, okay?” “Okay.” As Bryce turned to leave, he suddenly remembered Stella’s phone call and asked, “Who called you just now?” Stella answered, “My college roommate. She’s on a business trip out of state and called specially to congratulate us.” Bryce said, “We should invite her for dinner sometime.” Stella nodded. With that, Bryce left with peace of mind. Bryce would never know that call was from the airline’s VIP customer service, reminding Stella her flight was about to depart. In one hour, she would be boarding. Watching Bryce’s retreating figure, Stella picked up her packed carry-on. She had compiled screenshots of all Isabella’s social media activities into a compressed file, set to be sent automatically. Once she was on the plane and gone, that evidence would automatically appear in Bryce’s inbox. Standing at the villa’s entrance, Stella took one last look at the mansion where she had spent twelve Christmases. At thirty thousand feet, Stella gazed at the sea of clouds outside her window. From now on, she had nothing to do with Bryce. In her heart, she whispered, “Goodbye, Bryce.”

    🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MyFiction” app 🔍 search for “397877”, and watch the full series ✨! #MyFiction #B×G #Betrayal #Confident #regret #LoveAfterLoss

  • After Abandoning My CEO Husband

    “Ms. Nelson, when do you plan to reveal your identity?” After a brief contemplation, Evelyn Nelson responded calmly, “Perhaps in five days.” Five days from now would be Christopher’s grandmother Katherine Duncan’s birthday. By then, she would present Katherine with a lavish gift as the sole daughter of the Nelson family. “Have you prepared the birthday gift I mentioned earlier?” Hearing Evelyn’s words, Clare Anderson immediately responded respectfully, “Ms. Nelson, everything has been arranged. The rare pearl necklace has been acquired by Nelson Group at auction for twenty million dollars, and the authentic painting lost for hundreds of years has been added to the gift list. Additionally, there’s a diamond ring personally crafted by a top jewelry designer…” Clare listed numerous items in one breath, each priceless, some even impossible to obtain regardless of money. After listening, Evelyn remained perfectly calm, merely nodding slightly. In fact, besides this gift list, she had prepared a special surprise for her husband Christopher Duncan. Their fifth wedding anniversary was approaching, and she believed he would both like and need this gift. On that day, she would reveal her true identity, telling Christopher that she wasn’t the ordinary woman he thought she was, but the sole heir to the Nelson Group, with assets worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Twenty-five years ago, Evelyn was born into the Nelson family, the wealthiest in the country, a genuine carefree heiress. From childhood, she lived in luxury and was adored. Everyone addressed her respectfully as “Little Princess.” However, starting from when she was five years old, she frequently encountered accidents and often fell ill. Evelyn’s parents were extremely worried. They eventually learned the truth from a fortune teller—her destiny was quite unusual. The only solution was to send Evelyn to be raised in an ordinary family until she turned twenty-five. By then, her misfortune would naturally dissipate, and she could return to her originally wealthy life. Despite their reluctance, for Evelyn’s safety, they had to make the painful decision to part with her. So for all these years, Evelyn had been living a modest life with her adoptive parents under an ordinary identity. During college, Evelyn and Christopher were classmates. Unlike the ordinary Evelyn, Christopher was the campus heartthrob pursued by all the female students. He excelled academically, came from a prestigious family, had handsome features, and possessed a cool demeanor that attracted admiration yet kept people at a distance. Countless girls dreamed of becoming his girlfriend, but only one truly entered his heart. However, this relationship lasted only a year before the girl resolutely went abroad and broke up with him. After the breakup, Christopher fell into despair, drowning his sorrows in alcohol daily, even being rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment after excessive drinking caused a gastric hemorrhage. Evelyn had always had feelings for him. Seeing him so self-destructive, she couldn’t stand by and do nothing, so she accompanied and cared for him during his darkest days. At that time, Christopher’s mother’s condition worsened, and her only dying wish was to see her son married before she passed away, so he would have someone to rely on for the rest of his life. To fulfill his mother’s last wish, Christopher approached Evelyn and proposed marriage. Evelyn, already in love with him, accepted almost without hesitation. After marriage, Evelyn and Christopher respected each other greatly. However, rather than being partners, they were more like polite roommates living under the same roof. Evelyn knew clearly that Christopher had not let go of his first love. But she felt it was okay. She believed true love could overcome all obstacles. When she revealed her identity, Christopher would surely put the past behind him and recommit to their family life.

    After parting with Clare, Evelyn returned home alone. She had just walked through the door when she ran into Christopher. Christopher was wearing a suit, clearly having just returned from the office. He was holding an elegant gift box in his hand. Evelyn instinctively started to head to the bathroom to draw him a bath as usual, but Christopher stopped her. He casually tossed the gift box to her. “My grandmother’s 80th birthday is in five days, and I’ve already prepared a gift for you to give her. When the time comes, just hand this to her. I don’t want you embarrassing me at such an important occasion,” he said coolly. His words pierced Evelyn’s heart like a sharp thorn. Due to the constraints of fate, she not only lived a poor life with her adoptive parents but also couldn’t reveal her true identity to others. After so many years, her husband didn’t even know that she was actually the heir to the Nelson family fortune. After a long pause, Evelyn finally said, “Don’t worry. I’ve already prepared a birthday gift, and it won’t be inferior to this one.” She handed the gift box back to him. Christopher laughed as if he’d heard some ridiculous joke. “What kind of decent gift could you possibly prepare? Since we got married, you’ve just been a stay-at-home wife.” He rubbed his temples impatiently and continued, “The company issues have been stressful enough these past few days. Please don’t make trouble, okay?” “I don’t expect you to help with my career. After all, you come from an ordinary family. But at least don’t cause problems that make people mock me.” Evelyn was so shocked she almost blurted out her true identity. How she wanted to tell him right then that she wasn’t ordinary, that she was fully capable of helping his career, and would never bring him shame. But remembering that in five days she would reveal her identity, Evelyn ultimately suppressed the impulse. She took a deep breath, looked Christopher straight in the eyes, and said seriously, “I’m not making trouble. I really have prepared a better gift than yours. And I won’t embarrass you.” After all, Christopher was her husband. She had always been considerate of his feelings and taken meticulous care of him—how could she ever humiliate him? The birthday gift she had prepared—whether it was the $20 million pearl necklace, the original oil painting lost for hundreds of years, or any of the other rare treasures on her list—would be enough to stun everyone present, certainly far surpassing the gift box in Christopher’s hand. However, Christopher obviously didn’t believe her, thinking she was just putting on a brave face. He pushed the gift box back into her hands and said with finality, “Come on. Don’t I know exactly how much money you have? This gift was chosen according to my grandmother’s preferences. Just give it to her when the time comes.” Seeing that he completely dismissed her words, Evelyn sighed helplessly. She was about to explain further when Christopher’s phone suddenly rang. Glimpsing the caller ID, Christopher’s exhaustion instantly vanished, and a hint of tenderness appeared on his usually cold face. He unconsciously smiled before walking away to answer the call.

    The caller was Selena Murphy, Christopher’s first love. Back then, Selena and Christopher’s relationship lasted less than one Christmas before she hastily broke things off. She said she didn’t want to bother him and promptly left for abroad. Christopher desperately tried to keep her, but ultimately failed to win her heart. After Selena left, Christopher was devastated. Although Evelyn gradually helped him out of despair, after so many Christmases had passed, he still longed for Selena in his heart. Just yesterday, Selena returned to the country. The first thing she did upon her return was to contact Christopher. When Evelyn learned they had reconnected, she couldn’t help feeling displeased, but she chose to respect Christopher’s decision. She would always remember how Christopher had firmly stood in front of her when she was mocked for her foster parents’ poverty during Christmas as a child. He defended her like a hero, leaving an unforgettable impression in her heart. Since then, she had willingly devoted herself to the man she loved. She always believed that Christopher would someday understand her feelings. Lost in thought, she noticed the housemaid walking toward her. Since Evelyn was now a full-time housewife of ordinary background, she had been expected to handle various household chores after joining the Duncan family. Of course, she had suggested getting a job outside the home, but her proposal was immediately rejected. However, besides not being allowed to work outside, Evelyn had another reason for choosing to be a homemaker. Christopher worked hard, often staying at the office until late at night, frequently forgetting to eat. For the sake of business development, he couldn’t avoid drinking at social gatherings. Soon, his digestive system became fragile and sensitive. Because of this, Evelyn learned to cook, just to take better care of his health. She was happy to devote herself to her beloved and never felt any shame in it. Unfortunately, others didn’t see it that way. The Duncan family’s maids had always looked down on her and frequently ridiculed her. They were even bold enough to order her around directly. When Evelyn snapped back to reality, the maid had approached her and glared at her, saying, “All the plates in the kitchen are piled up. Why aren’t you washing them?” “Hurry up! Are you deaf?” Evelyn had long grown accustomed to such imperious scolding. In the past, she would have silently endured it and complied. But now, as she was about to reclaim her true identity, there was no need to swallow her pride anymore. “We don’t employ you just to pay you for nothing. Am I the only one who can wash plates around here?” Evelyn’s retort stunned the maid. She hadn’t expected this typically submissive woman to suddenly transform like this. As the maid was about to lose her temper, Evelyn had already turned and walked away. Even though she hadn’t yet reclaimed her identity, she was still Christopher’s legitimate wife. The Duncan family had many servants, and these household chores shouldn’t have been her responsibility in the first place.

    🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MyFiction” app 🔍 search for “397879”, and watch the full series ✨! #MyFiction #B×G #MillionaireMillionairess #Confident #FalseIdentity #daretoloveandhate

  • I returned to the wealthy family

    After five years of dating, my anti-marriage boyfriend Nicholas Ward secretly applied for marriage with Raelynn Lopez behind my back. He rented an entire farm, filled it with flowers, and held a grand wedding ceremony with her. In the video, Nicholas’s gentle voice echoed: “Raelynn, Serenity Gray is just a tool to bear our child. Once the baby is born, she’ll pack her things and leave. You’re my only one.” Shocked, I called Nicholas with trembling hands, but he snapped impatiently: “I’m at work. Can you stop bothering me during working hours? Do you think everyone has as much free time as you do?” Then he hung up. I stared at the people in the video, and the next moment, I received an express delivery. The marriage certificate inside stabbed my heart. Once, I gave up everything, even willing to stay unmarried to be with Nicholas. But it was all a lie! I wiped away my tears and called my parents, Lincoln Gray and Olivia Gray. “Dad, Mom, I agree to the arranged marriage.” On the other end, my mother Olivia cautiously asked: “Serenity, have you finally come around? What about your boyfriend? Did you two have a fight?” Hearing Olivia’s words, tears instantly streamed down my face. “I don’t want him anymore. Don’t worry. I’ll be home in seven days.” Even after hanging up, Olivia still couldn’t believe it. Back then, to be with Nicholas, I not only refused the arranged marriage but even cut ties with Lincoln and Olivia. But in the end, I realized I had pushed away the people who loved me most for someone who didn’t love me at all. Looking at the marriage certificate in my hand, the names of Nicholas and Raelynn pierced my eyes deeply. When Nicholas and I first got together, he said he was against marriage and would never consider it. I didn’t want to lose him, so I agreed not to get married. But I never imagined his anti-marriage stance only applied to me. Just then, there was a noise outside the door. I hurriedly put the marriage certificate back in the delivery box and wiped away my tears. “Your package arrived.” Upon entering and hearing my words, Nicholas froze, a flash of guilt crossing his eyes. “It’s just a company document, probably delivered to the wrong address. You didn’t open it, did you?” Seeing his nervous expression, I shook my head. Nicholas immediately appeared calm, so I deliberately tested him: “My mom called me. We’ve been together for so long. When will you come home with me to meet them?” Hearing my words, Nicholas’s hand paused as he was taking off his coat. He frowned at me and loudly accused: “Serenity, are you even getting your parents to pressure me into marriage? I told you I’m against marriage. If you still want to be with me, you’d better drop these ideas.” Although I had anticipated his response, my heart still ached. I said softly: “I won’t bring this up again.” Nicholas put his arm around me reassuringly, his expression softening. “Serenity, I’ve been too busy with work lately and have neglected you. I’ll try to spend more time with you soon.” I forced a smile and nodded. When Nicholas went to shower, I disgustedly brushed off the spot he had touched. On the table, Nicholas’s tablet kept chiming with WhatsApp notifications. I clenched my fist and finally picked up the tablet. In WhatsApp, Nicholas was chatting in a group with his friends. [Nicholas, you prepared such a thoughtful surprise for Raelynn today. Won’t Serenity find out?] Nicholas replied: [Serenity loves me so much she’s even willing to stay unmarried for me. I have nothing to fear.] [If I wasn’t afraid of Raelynn suffering through pregnancy, I wouldn’t even consider using Serenity’s womb to carry a child for Raelynn. After all, someone of her status doesn’t deserve to serve me.] His friends were delighted, constantly sending disgusting messages. [Nicholas, you’re amazing, making Serenity love you so much.] [A poor woman like Serenity will definitely cling to Nicholas.] [Nicholas is so lucky. Serenity has a nice figure, probably great in bed.] Nicholas not only failed to stop them but joined in mocking my figure. These words felt like a knife stabbing into my heart. I never told Nicholas about my family background, but I never imagined it would become his reason to humiliate me. I went to Nicholas’s Instagram and saw photos and videos of him and Raelynn, including their marriage certificate, wedding, vacations, and kissing photos. I recognized all the people commenting below, yet Nicholas had blocked me so I couldn’t see any of his posts. I laughed bitterly. All these years, Nicholas never posted anything about me on Instagram. I thought he was just private. But I never imagined it was because I wasn’t worth it. I was merely a pawn in this scheme. I closed my eyes and put the tablet back. If that’s how it is, it’s time for me to leave.

    Nicholas had just finished his shower when I was already lying in bed. He lay down beside me, pulling me into his arms, his hands wandering beneath my clothes. “Serenity, let’s have a baby?” I froze, memories of what happened earlier today flooding my mind. Instinctively, I asked, “But we’re not married. How would we raise a child?” Nicholas replied impatiently, his expression darkening, “Do we really need to get married? I’m powerful enough to provide for a child.” I found it laughable and closed my eyes in self-mockery. He made it sound good, but he only wanted me to have a child for Raelynn. I didn’t want to be a pawn in this couple’s schemes anymore. I pushed Nicholas’s hand away and said, “I don’t feel well. I want to sleep.” Immediately, Nicholas’s desire vanished. He was furious, turning his back to me without another word. Until he left the next morning, Nicholas hadn’t spoken to me. He was waiting for me to apologize first, like I always did before, but I wouldn’t apologize this time. I turned to tidy up when suddenly I began to retch violently. Feeling uneasy, I immediately bought a pregnancy test. Looking at the positive result, I sat helplessly on the toilet, feeling incredibly conflicted. I had once desperately wanted to have a child with Nicholas. Yet this child decided to come just when I’d chosen to leave. Just then, an urgent phone call came through. I answered, and Nicholas’s anxious voice came through. “Serenity, come to the hospital right away. I’ve arranged for someone to pick you up.” He hung up before I could respond. My thoughts remained in chaos until his bodyguard put me in the car. Only after arriving at the hospital did I realize what had happened. Raelynn had suffered severe bleeding while attempting egg retrieval for IVF. No hospital in the city had her blood type in stock, and since Raelynn and I shared the same blood type, Nicholas planned for me to donate blood to her. Nicholas looked at me pleadingly. “Serenity, Raelynn grew up with me. I see her as my sister. You’ve always been so kind. Please help her.” I forcefully pulled my hand away, my eyes reddening. “Why should I? I won’t do it.” He deceived me, schemed for my child, and now wanted me to give blood to Raelynn. Why should I do that? Nicholas coldly said, “Serenity, when did you become so heartless? Today, you must give her blood.” He then pulled me toward the operating room. Unable to bear it anymore, I finally shouted, “Nicholas, I’m pregnant. I can’t donate blood.” Hearing my words, Nicholas froze. He stood there, staring at me in shock. But just then, a nurse ran out anxiously. “Mr. Ward, Ms. Lopez’s condition is critical. We can’t wait any longer.” As if awakened from a trance, Nicholas gave me a complicated look, then coldly said, “Serenity, we can have children in the future.” I instantly understood his meaning and asked in disbelief, “You’re giving up our child too?” Nicholas didn’t look at me again, instead ordering his bodyguard to drag me in to donate blood. I was pulled into the transfusion room while struggling. I felt my blood being drained, my consciousness gradually fading. Finally, I lost consciousness. When I woke up again, no one was around me, but I could hear voices from outside. A woman said, “That’s the CEO of the Ward Group, right? I heard he’s been waiting outside the room without eating or drinking, waiting for Ms. Lopez to wake up.” Another woman added, “My goodness! He’s so devoted. I wish I could meet a man like that.” Hearing these words, I felt completely calm. Just then, a doctor entered. With trembling lips, I struggled to ask, “My baby…” The doctor looked at me regretfully and said, “We did everything we could, but we couldn’t save him.”

    My heart felt like it was being squeezed by a giant hand, the pain making it impossible to breathe. This time, I failed to protect him. After resting for a few days, I dragged my weakened body out of the hospital. When I got home, I found the house empty. Clearly, Nicholas hadn’t returned yet. The pregnancy test was still on the bathroom counter. Instantly, I felt a painful sting in my nose. I wanted to cry but couldn’t. Just then, my phone rang. I answered—it was Nicholas. “Serenity, are you home?” he asked. “Yes,” I replied. Nicholas sighed with relief. “Raelynn wants to thank you, so she’s hosting a special dinner for you tonight. I’ll come pick you up later.” Before I could respond, he hung up. Barely twenty minutes later, Nicholas returned. Seeing that I hadn’t changed clothes and still had traces of tears on my face, he looked guilty. “Serenity, the situation was too urgent for me to think clearly. Besides, it was my sister’s life at stake. You understand, right? We can have another child in the future. Don’t overthink it—go get changed.” He then pushed me toward the bedroom. I felt irritated. “I’m not going.” Nicholas immediately furrowed his brow and said with displeasure, “Raelynn is extremely grateful to you, which is why she arranged this dinner right after leaving the hospital. Don’t be difficult.” Eventually, Nicholas dragged me to a VIP room at the Royal Clubhouse. As soon as I entered, I saw Nicholas’s friends sitting on the couches. When they saw me, their sticky gazes landed on me. I remembered the chat messages I’d seen days ago, where they had shamelessly discussed my body with Nicholas. Instinctively, I reached for Nicholas’s sleeve, but he walked straight over and sat down. Raelynn approached with two glasses of wine, smiling. “Serenity, thank you for saving me. I’ll drink this first.” She downed her glass in one go. Nicholas’s concerned yet resigned voice followed. “Raelynn, you just had surgery—don’t drink too much. Just let Serenity drink.” Raelynn playfully stuck out her tongue, then handed me the other glass. “Serenity, why don’t you drink this and forget about what happened that day?” Everyone’s eyes turned to me. I looked at Nicholas, realizing he had no intention of helping me, only gazing adoringly at Raelynn. I laughed bitterly to myself. He remembered that Raelynn had surgery but forgot I had just miscarried. He was right to act this way. After all, Raelynn was his legal wife. I took the glass, finished the wine, then calmly asked, “I’ve drunk it. Can I leave now?” I put down the glass, ready to go. But then Raelynn’s voice suddenly rang out. “Nicholas, I accidentally left my phone in the car. Could you get it for me first, then take Serenity home?” Nicholas hesitated. But Raelynn intimately shook his hand and continued, “Please?” “Alright,” he said, standing up and walking out. Not wanting to stay, I prepared to follow him. But suddenly I felt dizzy, and my body began to weaken. I instantly realized the wine had been drugged. I tried to leave but fell heavily to the floor. Those men laughed playfully as they dragged me by my legs. One man laughed, “Trying to leave? Nicholas has left you for us to play with.” My body trembled violently, filled with shock. Their hands began to wander over my body. Another man laughed, “I’ve heard Nicholas say you’re amazing in bed. Today, let us try too.” Seeing Raelynn’s smug smile nearby, my heart filled with despair and fear. “Please, don’t…” But before I could finish, my clothes were torn apart. I gave up, no longer having the strength to struggle. Just as I was about to lose consciousness, Nicholas pushed open the door. I struggled to say, “Save…” But in the next second, amid the laughter, Nicholas coldly said, “You can only play with her, don’t actually do anything.” When I woke up again, I was in the hospital. Nicholas sat beside my bed, gently holding my hand. “Serenity, I forgot you couldn’t drink after your surgery. Thankfully, you’re okay.” Before I could say anything, he softly added, “Raelynn and my friends were just joking with you. I’ve already punished them. Just forget about yesterday.” After hearing his words, I stared at him in shock. “Are you kidding? That’s rape! I won’t let them get away with drugging me. I’m calling the police!” Nicholas froze, then stood up. “The police? Nothing happened to you. Why would you call the police? Enough. Just get some rest. This is all over now.” I didn’t respond, just stared numbly out the window. Nicholas was about to say something when he was interrupted by a phone ringing. He stepped outside the room to answer it, then left without returning. At that moment, I felt strangely calm inside. As I was preparing to get out of bed and leave, several nurses gave me strange looks. Then, one woman said, “So she’s the mistress who’s destroying Mr. and Mrs. Ward’s marriage. She’s shameless.” Another woman scoffed, “Did you see how she looked in that video? She’s obviously done this before. She’s probably in the hospital because she took things too far and got hurt.” My body stiffened, and I couldn’t help asking, “What photos are you talking about?” One of the women said, “Your videos and photos are all over the internet. You’re a promiscuous homewrecker. Get out of here!” I frantically searched for my phone, only to realize that photos of me being pinned down by Nicholas’s friend last night had gone viral. I had been fighting back, but from the deliberately chosen camera angle, I looked like I was enjoying it and participating willingly. Someone had posted my information online, labeling me as a homewrecker. My phone number had been exposed. Countless strangers were sending me abusive messages. [You’re a shameless mistress! You have no morals.] [Don’t you have parents? How dare you destroy someone else’s relationship as the other woman?] [I hope you get hit by a car when you go outside. People like you deserve karma.] Even worse, many people sent me degrading messages. [Nice body. How much for one night?] [I’ll pay you well if you spend the night with me.] I shut off my phone with trembling hands as grief washed over me. Then I fled the hospital. On my way home, I felt like anyone who made eye contact with me was looking at me with malicious intent. After rushing home with my face covered, I took out my backup phone and called Lincoln and Olivia. The moment the call connected, Olivia’s concerned voice came through. “Serenity, I’ve seen what’s happening online. Don’t worry. I’ll pick you up at the airport right away.” Hearing her caring words, tears immediately fell from my eyes. Even Lincoln, who was usually serious, had a slight tremor in his voice. “Don’t cry. We’ll always have your back. You don’t need to worry.” Soon, I was heading to the airport with my suitcase, wearing a mask. Before boarding, I sent Nicholas a breakup text, then decisively threw my phone into a trash can. I would never return to this place. Meanwhile, Nicholas was lying on the bed in his villa wrapped in a towel, while Raelynn was taking a shower in the bathroom. Suddenly, a jarring ringtone broke the silence. Nicholas pressed the answer button, and an anxious voice immediately came through. “Mr. Ward, somehow the video from the private room yesterday has leaked online. Your relationship with Raelynn has been exposed.”

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  • My sixty-year-old husband had two concubines

    My husband of thirty years, Bryce Burton, announced at his retirement party that he would be taking in his deceased brother’s wife, Camille Fields, to stay with us temporarily. The guests praised him for his kindness. I rubbed my aching back, watching like an outsider as my children attentively cared for Camille. My son Martin Burton suggested, “The master bedroom has better lighting, and Camille’s health is poor—she needs natural sunlight. Mom, why don’t you move to the small cabin on the north side?” My grandson Lucas Burton happily said, “I like my new grandma. She draws with crayons, unlike old grandma whose pictures aren’t pretty at all.” Bryce threw away all my paintings. “These paints could trigger Camille’s asthma. You’ve been painting for forty years without gaining any recognition. Just live a peaceful life and stop talking about dreams.” That night, Bryce stayed in Camille’s room. Later during the holidays, the whole family took Camille on a world tour, leaving me alone at home. Bryce frowned at me and said, “You should stay home. We’ll share photos with you.” I sat motionless all day, carefully reflecting on my entire life. I had given up my opportunity to study abroad so my husband could complete his doctorate. I raised our children, cared for his parents, and in the end, I was cast aside by them all. I found the invitation to the International Senior Artists Exhibition. I no longer want this family. For my remaining years, I should pursue my dreams. ***** “I’m willing to accept the special invitation to the Paris art exhibition. As long as you don’t reject me because of my age, I’m ready to continue my path in art.” Professor Claude Weber’s excited voice came through the phone. “Ms. Norah Gilbert, the art world has been waiting for you for forty years! Your graduation piece ‘Spring Dawn’ is still on display in the academy gallery.” After finalizing the appointment time, I hung up. Suddenly, a message popped up in the family chat group from Martin—a group photo. At the Eiffel Tower, Camille wore a pink dress, intimately holding my husband’s arm. Bryce was dressed in a dark blue suit, his gray hair impeccably combed. Even approaching sixty, he maintained himself well; time had only made him more dignified and refined. Our children stood on either side of them, smiling brightly. The caption read: “Three generations together, seeing the world with our most beloved family members—a moment of happiness belonging to our little family.” I stared at the photo for a long time, tears welling in my eyes. Martin’s wife, Alaina Burton, sent a voice message: “Norah, look how beautiful the Paris night view is! Too bad you couldn’t make it.” Martin quickly replied: “Mom, don’t overthink it. You don’t even like traveling. Even if you came to Paris, you wouldn’t enjoy yourself and would just spoil the mood.” My feelings were complicated, so I didn’t respond. If I hadn’t married Bryce and had gone to study abroad instead, perhaps I would have visited Notre Dame in Paris long ago. Bryce and I met in college. Back then, he wore a worn-out shirt and performed Romeo and Juliet at the freshman party, instantly captivating me. Before we got together, I knew his first love had married his brother. But Bryce repeatedly promised to treat me well, and I believed him. In those days, love meant choosing to be with someone for a lifetime. But before we married, I received an opportunity to study abroad, only to unexpectedly become pregnant. Bryce’s parents said, “Bryce has great academic potential. Once he completes his doctorate, he’ll surely take good care of you and the child.” So I burned my acceptance letter from École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, choosing instead to marry and have children. I had planned to pursue my career and fulfill my dream of traveling the world after Martin grew up a bit. But the children’s education, marriages, grandchildren’s births, and so on consumed all my time and energy. From twenty-five to fifty-five, not a single day did I live for myself. The phone rang—it was Martin. “Mom, we’ll be home tomorrow at five. Prepare dinner early. Camille says she wants clam chowder, and remember to add extra green onions.” I wanted to say I’m allergic to green onions. For decades, I’ve never added green onions to clam chowder. Before I could respond, Camille’s laughter came through. “Norah, I’m so sorry we left you alone at home. Let me bring you back some gifts.” Bryce’s stern, deep voice followed. “She doesn’t need gifts. Just showing her the photos is enough.” Lucas chimed in, “Grandpa’s right! Grandma’s old now and should just rest at home. Grandma Camille is so beautiful—she should be in more photos.” Heartbroken, I didn’t want to hear any more and hung up. In the mirror hanging in front of me, I saw myself at fifty-five—wrinkled face, heavy bags under my eyes revealing exhaustion, and messy gray hair. Compared to the radiant Camille in the photos, I looked disheveled. I pressed my cracked lips together, making up my mind. Now that Martin has a successful career and a happy family, and my daughter is married too, this family no longer needs me. It’s time for me to leave.

    I rubbed my aching back, just about to pack my bags, when suddenly the phone rang again. The caller was my daughter, Kaylee Burton. I sighed and answered. Kaylee impatiently said, “Mom, why did it take you so long to answer?” I gripped the phone tightly and asked softly, “What’s wrong?” Kaylee said, “I’m due to give birth in a few days, but Jim is on a business trip to Boston. I’ll have to go back to work after I deliver, and nannies are so expensive these days. Can you come help me take care of the baby?” I leaned against the kitchen doorframe, the pain in my back forcing me to shift my position. Kaylee’s voice rose a notch. “Jim’s mother has high blood pressure and can’t be overworked. Besides, Dad has Camille to take care of him now, and they’re traveling together. You have plenty of time on your hands.” My throat felt like someone was squeezing it, leaving me speechless. This was my beloved daughter. She worried about her husband’s mother but not about me, her own mother. In her eyes, I was just a free babysitter with nothing but time. From the other end came a nurse’s voice urging her to come for a check-up. Kaylee quickly said, “Mom, hurry up and pack your things to come over.” Then, she hastily hung up. I sat hunched on the sofa. The warm sunlight fell on me, but I felt only cold. After sitting for a long while, I got up to pack my bags. After thirty-five Christmases in this house, all my belongings barely filled one small suitcase. I smiled bitterly, as sadness gradually enveloped me. The next morning, before dawn, I went to the market to buy the freshest ingredients. When I returned home, I dug out my old notebook where I had recorded everyone’s food preferences. [Bryce loves lamb chops but with little oil, Martin likes braised beef short ribs, Alaina doesn’t eat basil, Lucas loves Buffalo hot wings…] I placed the notebook in a visible spot in the kitchen cabinet. After I left, I hoped they would find it useful. I still didn’t put scallions in the clam chowder. I had compromised for them my entire life; this time, I didn’t want to compromise anymore. By five in the afternoon, I had prepared eight dishes. Bryce returned from vacation with the family. Seeing no scallions in the clam chowder, he immediately frowned. “Didn’t I tell you to add more scallions because Camille loves them? You can’t do anything right. Throw it out and make it again!” Martin also accused me, “Mom, you’re getting more confused with age. Camille had a tiring journey, and now she can’t even enjoy a proper meal.” Hearing their accusations, I felt nothing but exhaustion. Camille put on a bitter smile and said, “It’s okay. Norah’s been busy all day. If she doesn’t want to make it, that’s fine. After all, I’m just an outsider.” Seeing her upset, everyone immediately rushed to comfort her. “What are you standing there for? Go make it again!” Bryce looked at me with displeasure. I didn’t remake it; I just took the clam chowder back to the kitchen. Before entering, I looked at Bryce. “I’m allergic to scallions. Whoever wants them can make it themselves.” Ignoring their changing expressions, I closed the kitchen door. After dinner, I washed the dishes alone in the kitchen. Bryce walked in, showing no signs of remorse. “If you don’t tell us you’re allergic to scallions, how would we know? Stop looking so dejected, as if someone owes you something.” My dish-scrubbing motion paused. After a few seconds, I asked, “Do you need something?” In all our decades of marriage, Bryce had always avoided the kitchen. He believed such a dirty place would taint him. Bryce slightly furrowed his brow and informed me, “Camille doesn’t have children. Martin and I have discussed it and decided to transfer his guardianship to her.”

    I stared at Bryce, my voice trembling. “Martin is my son. What right do you have to give him to Camille?” Bryce’s expression darkened. “My brother worked himself to death to put me through school. Now Camille has no one to rely on. What’s wrong with giving her a child?” He suddenly pressured me. “If you hadn’t gotten pregnant and held me back, I would have studied abroad years ago. Can’t you give my brother’s family even this small compensation? Norah, you’re so selfish!” His words cut me deeply. I had given up everything for him, managed the household, cared for his parents and our children, yet in his eyes, I was nothing but a burden. Hearing the argument, Camille walked in and gently patted Bryce’s shoulder. “Bryce, calm down. Your heart isn’t good. You shouldn’t get upset.” When she looked at me, she was cautious, adopting the posture of a victim. “Norah, if you don’t agree, it’s fine. I’m used to being alone anyway.” Bryce slammed his hand on the table and snapped, “This matter is settled. Norah, you must agree. I’m the head of this household!” Martin entered with his wife and child. He frowned at me and said, “I’ve made my decision too. Stop interfering.” Then he turned to comfort Camille. “Please don’t take it to heart. Feel free to stay here.” Alaina took my arm. “Don’t worry, Martin and I will take care of you.” My heart ached. They were a family, and I was the outsider. I held back my tears, struggling internally for a long time. “Bryce, let’s…” I finally made up my mind and said, “get a divorce.” The room fell silent instantly. Martin showed no concern for me, only accusation: “Mom, you want to divorce Dad over something as trivial as transferring guardianship? Can you stop making a scene?” Bryce snorted, mocking me: “You think you can copy those young people and use divorce to pressure me? Norah, without me, could you still live this comfortable life? If you want to stay in this house, behave yourself!” After saying this, he took the whole family out to a newly opened restaurant, claiming he wanted to make up for Camille’s disappointment at missing the clam chowder earlier. I remained in the empty house, feeling a sadness I had never known before. I silently threw away the barely touched food and finished the housework before dragging my exhausted body to take a shower. Camille hadn’t wiped the floor after her shower, leaving water everywhere. I slipped and fell hard on the tiles. Sharp pain shot through me, making me wince. After a long while, I managed to crawl out of the bathroom and called Martin. I called him seven or eight times, but he hung up every time. My heart sank. I struggled to get up and applied medicine to my bruises. An hour later, I saw Martin had updated his Instagram. In the photo, the family sat around Camille, who had a cake and gifts in front of her spaghetti. The caption read: [Even on ordinary days, we should give Mom a little surprise.] My heart ached dully. I turned off my phone, applied more medicine, and went to bed. In the early hours of the morning, I was awakened by pain and faintly heard Bryce’s voice in the living room: “Let Camille have this house. Send your mother to the old house in the countryside so we can have some peace and quiet around here.” I froze in place. Alaina’s hesitant voice came through. “But Norah is quite old now. Is it appropriate for her to live alone in the countryside? Maybe we should go stay with her for a few days?” Lucas immediately objected with disgust, “No way! Grandma’s going to raise chickens and ducks when she goes back to the countryside. It’s filthy! I’m not going!” Martin coldly replied, “Mom’s always throwing tantrums at home, making everything a mess. She’s better off living in the countryside. That way, everyone can have some peace.” Bryce calmly said, “That’s settled then.” I lay in bed, my gaze empty and numb. They didn’t even want to keep me in this home. The next morning at seven, I packed my luggage, taking only my documents, a few clothes, and that invitation letter. Finally, I left a signed divorce agreement in the study before heading out. Suddenly, messages came through in the family chat group. They were all congratulating Kaylee on giving birth, sharing photos of Camille and Bryce by her side. My fingers trembled as I zoomed in on the photo. Kaylee had given birth at four in the morning, and not a single person had thought to notify me about such an important event. Gasping for breath, I hurriedly dragged my suitcase downstairs. Ignoring the pain in my legs, I hailed a taxi and rushed to the hospital. At the very least, I wanted to see my daughter and grandchild one more time before leaving. At the hospital, I found Kaylee’s room. Before I could open the door, I glimpsed through the crack and saw Camille sitting by the bed. Kaylee was holding her hand. “Thank you for being here with me. You care about me more than my own mother does.” The color drained from my face. Behind me, a nurse pushing a medication cart approached and asked curiously, “Which patient are you here for? Aren’t you going in?” I took a deep breath, shook my head, and pulled a gift from my pocket. “Please give this to the new mother in Room 302.” The nurse took the gift and was about to say something, but I had already turned away resolutely. The air conditioning in the airport was on full blast, making me shiver. I clutched my boarding pass, sitting in a corner as my phone kept vibrating. In the family chat group, Lucas sent a voice message: [Grandma, come quick to see Aunt Kaylee’s baby sister! Her skin is all wrinkly, just like yours.] Bryce scolded: [Norah, you don’t even come to see your daughter after she’s given birth. You’re truly an unfit mother!] Martin chimed in: [Mom, Camille has done so much for Kaylee. How can you let her exhaust herself like this?] Kaylee also expressed her disappointment: [You didn’t even come to see me after I gave birth. I really wish I didn’t have a mother like you!] After hesitating for a few seconds, I gently tapped “Leave Group Chat” and blocked all their contacts. As the boarding announcement sounded, I tossed my phone into a trash bin. As the plane took off, I took one last look at the city where I had lived for fifty-five years. A dream delayed by more than forty years—I was finally going to make it come true.

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  • I exposed the heartless nursing home

    On the second Christmas and Mother’s Day since I began closed research at a national security agency, I requested a video call with my mother, Malia Frazier. “Bryson, when are you coming back?” Malia asked. I noticed that Malia had aged considerably, and what upset me more was the bruise at the corner of her eye. Looking closer, I saw she was wearing old clothes, and her hair was thin and gray. Just as I was feeling concerned, I received a message from the caregiver Thea asking for money. She said Malia needed a new wheelchair, costing $200,000. But Malia had never had problems with her legs, so why would she suddenly need a wheelchair? I called the nursing home, but the director impatiently said it was normal for elderly people to need wheelchairs at Christmas time. Sensing something was wrong, I pulled some strings to access the nursing home’s surveillance footage, and what I saw filled me with rage. I returned to my dorm from the lab and quickly called Malia. “Bryson, when are you coming back? I miss you.” Seeing Malia’s red eyes on my phone screen, I felt instant guilt. Malia had raised my sister and me on her own, and now I couldn’t personally take care of her because I was busy with work. Suddenly, I noticed Malia cautiously glancing outside. The bruise at the corner of her eye was obvious, which alarmed me. I realized something was wrong. The clothes Malia was wearing were ones I’d seen a few Christmases ago. They had a large hole in the waist back then, which was why she had put them away, but now she was wearing them again. Thinking Malia was just being frugal about buying new clothes, I fought back tears and said, “Mom, don’t wear old clothes anymore. I have money now, so you don’t need to save. Be good to yourself. I earn money for you to spend.” She shook her head hesitantly and was about to speak when there was a distinct noise from her end. The next second, the video call was abruptly disconnected. A moment later, Thea called me. “Mr. Frazier, did you just call Mrs. Malia Frazier? Perfect timing. Please transfer some more money. Mrs. Malia Frazier has run out of health supplements, and she’s also asking for a new wheelchair.” I frowned and asked, “What happened to the $300,000 I sent last month?” “Mr. Frazier, my friend happens to be in the medical equipment business. He’s willing to sell us the best wheelchair at the lowest price, just $200,000.” Are wheelchairs that expensive now? And I remembered Malia had always been healthy, so why would she suddenly need a wheelchair? Sensing something was wrong, I immediately called my sister, Nicole Frazier. The background on her end was noisy, like she was in a bar. Nicole impatiently said, “Isn’t it normal for elderly people to have difficulty walking? If Mom wants it, just buy it.” A voice came from her end: “Nicole, what are you doing? Come back and continue…” Before I could hear clearly, the call was suddenly disconnected. I stared at my dark phone screen, deep in thought. Nicole’s attitude now was completely different from when she initially suggested moving Malia to the nursing home. Back then, she said she would take care of our mother carefully, but Malia wasn’t doing well, while Nicole was out partying at bars. Remembering news about elderly people being abused by caregivers in nursing homes, I felt extremely uneasy and immediately asked my supervisor for leave to go home. On the way, I searched online for the medical equipment company Thea mentioned, but found nothing beyond its name. So I contacted a friend in the industry. Soon, I received my friend’s reply. Reading the message, my face immediately darkened. [This is a shell company disguised as a medical equipment seller, but they actually sell insurance. This company used to be a housekeeping service and made the news for scamming consolation money.] I quickly asked: [What’s consolation money?] My friend replied: [It’s when employers hire caregivers for elderly people, and if the elderly person dies accidentally, they must pay the caregivers their full wages. Some caregivers deliberately cause the death of elderly people to scam this money.] I immediately sensed danger. But Thea was introduced by Nicole, who had vouched for the caregiver’s character. I had even paid over $2 million in entrance fees for the nursing home Nicole recommended, with annual fees calculated separately. Nicole had handled everything. Could she have deliberately arranged for a malicious caregiver to look after our mother?

    The news of my return home was communicated by the government to the official institutions in my hometown. The mayor immediately planned to send special security personnel to receive me, but I declined. I parked my car near the nursing home and entered alone, without letting the security guards follow me. It was lunchtime, and I remembered Malia’s room number. After notifying the doorman, I entered the residential area of the nursing home. But Malia wasn’t in her room. Only a luxurious coat lay on the bed. I picked it up and examined it carefully—it wasn’t Malia’s size. Suddenly, I heard familiar coughing from the staircase. Malia had a lung condition; my sister and I had fallen asleep to that cough since childhood. I immediately ran to the staircase and found Malia curled up asleep in the narrow hallway. In that moment, my heart shattered. I approached carefully, but before I could call out to her, she jolted awake. Malia looked at me warily, as if I were a stranger. Confused, I asked, “What’s wrong, Mom?” Malia stared at me dully, as if she couldn’t see me clearly. I quickly took her hand and repeated, “Mom! Don’t you recognize me? I’m Bryson.” Only then did she finally recognize me. She reached out to touch my face, tears sliding down her deeply wrinkled cheeks. “Son…” I pressed my face against her palm. “Yes, it’s me. I’m back.” Malia had lost so much weight, and her temples, which hadn’t had much gray hair before, were now completely white. Fighting back tears, I asked, “Mom, why are you sleeping here?” Malia hesitated, about to answer when a strange woman’s surprised voice came from behind us. “Mr. Frazier, you’re back? Why didn’t you inform us in advance?” I noticed Malia shrinking at the sound of this voice, looking frightened. I turned around to see Thea standing there with a coat hanger. I demanded, “What kind of care is this? Did I hire you to leave my mother sleeping on the floor?” Thea was visibly flustered for a moment, explaining awkwardly, “Mr. Frazier, you misunderstand. Mrs. Malia Frazier felt hot and insisted on sleeping on the staircase.” She shouted at Malia, “Isn’t that right, Mrs. Malia Frazier?” Malia nodded quickly, but never dared to look at her. I found this strange. Malia had always been kind, but never this submissive. Thea suddenly approached and grabbed Malia’s hand. “Mrs. Malia Frazier, let me help you inside.” At that moment, Malia gripped my hand tightly. I noticed Malia’s entire body trying to avoid the coat hanger in Thea’s hand. If I hadn’t been supporting her, she would have fallen. I pushed Thea away. “I’ll stay here with my mother. You can go.” Thea withdrew her hand but kept staring at Malia. I could feel Malia’s hand trembling in mine. Thea added, “Mrs. Malia Frazier has been talking nonsense lately. Don’t mind her if you hear anything strange.” My dissatisfaction peaked, and I said impatiently, “Whatever my mother and I discuss is none of your business. Leave!” Thea left awkwardly. Once I was sure she was gone, I carefully held Malia’s hand. “Mom, why were you sleeping on the staircase? And what happened to your face?” But Malia just shook her head fearfully, unwilling to say anything more. I could only change the subject. “Has Nicole visited you recently?” At the mention of my sister, Malia’s face froze for a moment, but she nodded. “Yes, Nicole visits me often.” Yet her expression didn’t soften at all as she said this. Seeing her like this, my heart sank. I suddenly realized that Malia wasn’t being properly cared for. If that was the case, I’d rather take an ordinary job and stay by Malia’s side to care for her myself.

    I helped Malia back to her room to rest. On the way, I noticed she was limping badly, walking with great difficulty. It seemed she really needed a wheelchair. But I felt the wheelchair issue wasn’t so simple, so after Malia fell asleep, I decided to find the director to ask about it. The nursing home’s layout was confusing, and after walking for quite some time, I ended up near the kitchen. Nicole had handled our mother’s admission paperwork. She had exaggerated how wonderful this place was, but I hadn’t inspected it myself yet. Since I had the opportunity now, I decided to walk in and take a look. The kitchen wasn’t as clean as I had imagined. Garbage and dirty water were visible everywhere on the floor. The stoves were covered in grime, looking like they hadn’t been cleaned in ages. Mealtime at the nursing home was early, and several cooks had already started preparing food. When they saw me enter, they mistook me for a staff member, and one cook told me to hurry and take the prepared dishes to the dining hall. I was about to explain when I noticed the food intended for the elderly residents was placed right next to an opened bag of rat poison. I couldn’t contain my anger and pointed at the rat poison, demanding: “How can you put food for people next to rat poison?” The cook responded impatiently: “Better than finding rat droppings in their food, right? Besides, they’re about to die anyway, so what does it matter if they die from this?” I couldn’t believe my ears. “How can you be so cruel? Don’t you have parents of your own?” The cook immediately became angry and told me to get out, cursing me for meddling. Several people pushed me out of the kitchen, which made me even more furious. I immediately called Nicole. Suppressing my anger, I asked, “Nicole, have you been visiting Mom?” Nicole yawned, her tone dismissive: “Of course, I just visited Mom yesterday. This nursing home is so nice, I’d like to move in myself. Why do you always worry about so many things? Why don’t you give me more money so I can hire more people to take care of Mom?” Finding this ridiculous, I hung up and decided to take Malia away today. On my way back, I passed by the elderly residents’ lounge downstairs, where the scene once again infuriated me. An elderly man was tied to a wheelchair, crying out in pain, while a caregiver sat with legs crossed, browsing on her phone. When annoyed by the noise, the caregiver skillfully slapped the old man. Then she took a dirty diaper from a nearby trash can and pressed it directly against the old man’s face, forcibly silencing him. I couldn’t help but intervene: “What are you doing!” The caregiver heard my voice, immediately released her grip, and turned to look at me with terror on her face. I yanked her away and untied the ropes binding the old man to the wheelchair. While I was distracted, the caregiver quickly ran away, but I had already memorized her face. After being rescued, the old man continued sobbing. Seeing him made me wonder if my mother had suffered the same treatment. I immediately asked, “Do you know Malia who lives in Room 6100 on the sixth floor? Is this how caregivers normally treat all of you?” The old man struggled to speak: “I don’t know Malia. I only know there’s an elderly woman on the sixth floor whose son supposedly works for the government. Once I saw a caregiver beating her mercilessly with a clothes hanger. She was covered in blood.” I pressed further: “What about her family? Has no one ever visited her?” The old man tried hard to remember: “I think a wealthy-looking woman came yesterday. But it seemed like she was there to demand money from the old woman.” Hearing this, I had to clench my teeth to suppress my rage. I had transferred so much money to Nicole every month, asking her to look after our mother and buy her gifts. Was this how she was treating our mother? Finally, I called Calvin, the police officer waiting outside: “Calvin, come in. I need your help.” Calvin quickly found me using the tracker on my body. I said, “Calvin, please find a technician to retrieve all the surveillance footage from this nursing home over the past two Christmases.” I needed to gather crucial evidence for the police. This nursing home’s behavior was absolutely despicable, and I couldn’t let them off easily. The technician quickly sent over the videos. I located the footage from Room 6100 and witnessed something that filled me with rage. On the night Malia first moved into the nursing home, Thea dragged her to the bathroom and locked her inside just because Malia’s coughing had woken her up. As I continued watching, I discovered that Thea frequently beat and verbally abused Malia. Even when Malia cried and begged her to stop, she continued to assault the defenseless elderly woman. Not once did anyone intervene to stop this abuse. What broke my heart even more was that over the past Christmas season, my sister Nicole had only visited our mother once—yesterday. She even discarded her luxurious coat in disgust just because our mother had touched her sleeve. By the end of the footage, I was filled with rage and guilt. If I hadn’t taken time off to come back, I would never have known even if Malia had been tortured to death, and I would have continued sending them money. Our mother raised us, yet Nicole not only showed no gratitude but actively pushed her into this nightmare. I sent the surveillance footage to the mayor, then returned to the room to help Malia pack her belongings so I could take her home. Just as I reached the doorway, I heard Nicole’s shrill voice: “Why do you need so much pension money when you’re already living in a nursing home? Sign the papers now!” I burst into the room to see Nicole directing two male orderlies to restrain Malia and force her to sign. Malia’s face was streaked with tears, her hands trembling uncontrollably. Without thinking, I kicked the two men away. “Get away from my mom!” I shielded Malia behind me and glared at Nicole. “Is this how you take care of our mother when I’m not around?” Nicole looked terrified. “Bryson, why are you back so suddenly?” I roared, “If I hadn’t come back, what else would you have done to Mom? Steal her pension? You’re heartless!” She tried to defend herself: “I was just going to hold onto it for Mom’s sake.” I cut her off. “I’m taking Mom away from here, and I won’t give you another cent!” Nicole immediately panicked. “Bryson, have you lost your mind? Mom doesn’t have much time left. After she dies, this money will come to us anyway. What’s wrong with me taking some now?” I didn’t want to argue about such a ridiculous issue. I lifted Malia onto my back and prepared to leave. Then, I heard Nicole’s voice behind me: “That’s him! He’s causing trouble here. Don’t let him leave!” I felt disappointed and incredulous. Nicole had brought a group of thugs. She stood behind them, looking at me as if I were her enemy. Malia struggled to get down from my back, desperately trying to protect me. “Don’t hurt my son! Beat me instead if you must!” I held Malia tightly and stared coldly at Nicole. “Nicole, think carefully. If you do this, we’re no longer siblings.” Nicole stared back intensely. “You can leave, but only if Mom gives me the money.” “Absolutely not!” Nicole’s expression darkened. “Grab him. If he dies, I’ll take responsibility!” One man immediately lunged at me, but Calvin, who had been hiding nearby, suddenly appeared and pinned him to the ground. The group was startled by Calvin’s appearance and froze momentarily. Nicole quickly said, “Don’t be afraid. There are only three of them. Attack together!” With so many opponents, Calvin could only focus on protecting me. In my carelessness, I suddenly realized Malia was no longer on my back. I anxiously looked back and saw Nicole dragging Malia toward a window in the hallway. Malia, with tears in her eyes, said to her, “Nicole, I’m your mother…” “Only money is my mother!” Nicole snapped. As she finished speaking, the old security window behind Malia suddenly came loose. In the next second, Nicole, with a twisted expression, pushed Malia forward. Malia immediately fell out the window.

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  • After reincarnating ninety-nine times

    My husband, Ivan Sutton, mysteriously dies every time on our Christmas wedding anniversary. To save him, I’ve been reborn ninety-nine times. On my ninety-ninth resurrection, I exhausted myself trying to convince Ivan of all this before our anniversary. He embraced me and promised, “Molly, thank you. If I survive, I’ll be good to you!” Later, in a sudden car accident, I was impaled by a steel rod while protecting Ivan. He held me with tearful eyes, shouting, “Save her! Take my life if you have to!” Everyone thought Ivan deeply loved me. But when I woke up after my near-death experience, I suddenly heard Ivan’s thoughts. He looked concerned, but was thinking with contempt, “I’ve faked my death ninety-nine times, and she still manages to survive. She’s so lucky!” I was shocked, thinking I must have misheard. But his next thought devastated me. He thought, “What method of death should I use this time to escape and run away with Lauren? Lauren’s already pregnant, and I can’t let her live in hardship. Molly has already died ninety-nine times to save me, one more time won’t matter!” All along, Ivan had been cheating. Everything he did was to run away with his mistress. If that’s the case, I’ll turn his carefully planned fake death into a real one. Seeing my silence, Ivan pretended to be concerned and held my hand. “Molly, are you feeling unwell? I was terrified then, I thought you…” The next second, he impatiently thought, “This is so annoying. She’s wasting my time, Lauren must be getting anxious.” I pulled my hand away, making the IV needle in my hand sting slightly. “Ivan, I told you I would make sure you survive.” Ivan tenderly kissed my face. “Molly, thank you. I promise I won’t let you suffer anymore.” I pretended to be moved. Ivan sneered in his mind, “Fool! The next time I fake my death, I’ll make you disappear completely. Don’t think you can stop Lauren and me from running away.” I felt breathless. Before I could speak, a ringtone sounded. Ivan hurriedly glanced at the caller and immediately hung up. But a message notification chimed. He looked at it, unconsciously swallowing, desire flashing in his eyes. Putting away his phone, Ivan gave me a troubled look. “Molly, there’s an emergency at the company. I need to handle it.” With that, he left. After Ivan left, I contacted a private investigator to follow him, only to discover he went to a villa. In the video, I saw a beautiful pregnant woman welcoming Ivan inside. I stared intently at the footage. This villa was my coming-of-age gift, which I rarely used because of its remote location. Ivan had offered to rent it out for me, and I agreed without giving it much thought. Now it had become the place where he kept his mistress. I forced myself to calm down and called a real estate agent. “Hello, I want to sell a villa at a greatly reduced price, to be sold today.” Soon after, the agent called me back. “Ms. Marsh, the people inside won’t open the door. I can’t bring clients in.” I smirked coldly, “I don’t know who’s inside. Just threaten them with trespassing charges to make them leave.” Half an hour later, I received a signed sales contract for the house. I clutched the contract thinking, “This is just the beginning.” Three days later, I checked out of the hospital early and tried to contact Ivan, but he wouldn’t answer his phone. As soon as I opened the door, I saw a man and woman sitting intimately on the couch, as I expected. Seeing me, Ivan hurriedly stood up. “Molly? Why didn’t you tell me you were being discharged?” I feigned surprise. “Ivan, who is she?” Ivan’s face turned unnatural, but he tried to appear calm as he came over to support me. “This is my cousin, Lauren Flynn. She’s pregnant, but her boyfriend won’t acknowledge it. She has nowhere to stay, so I thought she could stay with us for a few days.” In reality, he was thinking, “It’s all because of this damn woman who suddenly sold the house, leaving Lauren homeless! Anyway, once she dies for me, all her assets will belong to Lauren and me!” Lauren pleaded pitifully, “Molly, please let me stay here for a few days. I promise I won’t disturb you and Ivan.” I had no patience for their performance, so I smiled and said, “In that case, you can stay.” Ivan looked very touched. “Molly, you’re so considerate.” This time I didn’t hear his thoughts; perhaps he thought my response suited his plans perfectly. That night, I woke up to find Ivan wasn’t in the bedroom. I walked out and saw the bathroom light on, with sounds of lovemaking coming from inside. “This is so exciting. Aren’t you afraid Molly will find out?” “What’s there to fear? She loves me so much she’s willing to die for me. She’ll believe anything I say! Lauren, three days from now, I’ll take the fake death drug early, and you’ll give me the antidote before Molly takes me away.” Lauren moaned and asked, “Are you sure it’s foolproof?” “Don’t worry, that fool falls for it every time.” Hatred surged within me. I sacrificed everything to save Ivan, yet he betrayed and insulted me. I slowly composed myself and knocked on the door. “Ivan, are you in there? Why do I hear a woman’s voice?”

    The bathroom fell silent instantly. After a while, Ivan opened the door wrapped in a towel. Seeing me, he looked surprised. “Honey, what are you doing here? It’s just me in the bathroom…” Ivan’s tone was calm, but I noticed his trembling fingertips. I pretended to be casual, “Is that so?” I moved to push the door open. In the next second, Ivan grabbed my wrist. “Molly, you just got out of the hospital. You should rest early.” I didn’t expose his trick. “Okay.” My interruption killed Ivan’s mood to continue having sex with Lauren. Back in our bedroom, as soon as Ivan lay down, he started caressing me. I felt disgusted and avoided his touch. “I just got out of the hospital. I don’t want to do it.” Ivan’s enthusiasm dampened. He felt dissatisfied but still pretended to be considerate, “Then rest well and go to sleep.” But his inner voice said, “If I hadn’t been interrupted earlier, I wouldn’t even want to touch you. You’re nothing compared to Lauren. Not pretty enough, not a good body either. No man would be interested in you except me!” With my eyes closed, tears slid down from the corners of my eyes. We had loved each other for many Christmases and been married for ten. The man who once deeply loved me no longer existed. Ivan thought I was asleep and quietly got out of bed, thinking, “I can’t hold back anymore. I’ll find Lauren to help me take care of this.” Hearing the door gently close, I laughed at myself mockingly. The first time Ivan was close to death, I had been kidnapped. He begged the kidnappers not to hurt me, offering himself in exchange for my life. At that time, Ivan’s eyes were red with tears as he told me to live on bravely. I was nearly broken when I learned from the police that Ivan had indeed been killed. I lived like a walking corpse, wishing I had been the one to die, until on the seventh day after Ivan’s death, I suddenly found myself reborn three days before our wedding anniversary. I thought fate had given me a chance to save my beloved, so I risked everything to save Ivan, but I could never succeed. So I kept traveling through these fragments of time, repeating everything over and over. What I never expected was that in the end, it was all a scam. Looking back now, perhaps fate thought I was too stupid and gave me a chance to discover the truth. Early the next morning, I woke up to continuous notifications of purchases at makeup and clothing stores from the supplementary credit card I had given Ivan. I let out a cold laugh. Ivan was certainly generous, using my card to spend on Lauren. Taking a deep breath, I called to freeze that card. Using my money to keep a mistress? Impossible. An hour later, Ivan returned home with a red-eyed Lauren. Seeing me eating breakfast, he angrily demanded, “Why did you freeze the card you gave me? Lauren was in the middle of shopping, and she couldn’t pay! The store clerks laughed at her!” I met Ivan’s angry eyes and heard his thoughts. “I was planning to withdraw the money to use after I left her, and this bitch froze it! Could she have discovered something?” I smiled and said helplessly, “By the way, all my cards have been frozen and won’t be usable for a few days.” Lauren suddenly blurted out, “Didn’t you sell the house yesterday? How come your cards are frozen today?” I frowned and looked at her coldly. “How do you know I sold the house yesterday?”

    Lauren froze. Ivan quickly explained, “Yesterday when I planned to have Lauren stay at your villa, I found out you’d already sold the house.” I forced a smile. “I see.” I noticed Lauren caressing her swollen belly and pretended to be envious. “I’m so jealous. Ivan and I have been married for ten years without getting pregnant.” Lauren smiled, looking at me smugly. “I got pregnant less than a year after getting together with my boyfriend. Don’t worry, Molly. Ivan loves you so much, I’m sure you’ll get pregnant too.” Ivan’s contemptuous thoughts immediately followed. “Molly will never have my child! I put drugs in her milk every day specifically to prevent her from getting pregnant!” I was stunned, my gaze falling on the half-empty glass of milk on the table. For ten years, I hadn’t gotten pregnant, and whenever I wanted to go to the hospital for a check-up, Ivan would stop me with loving concern. He said there was no rush to have a baby, that having me was enough. Only now did I understand that Ivan had been scheming against me all along. I suppressed my emotions and said, “I need to go out for a while.” Ivan pretended to be reluctant, but inwardly he was already celebrating my departure. After giving him one long look, I left and headed straight to the hospital. After completing the examination, I anxiously asked the doctor, “I’ve been married for ten years but haven’t been able to get pregnant.” The doctor carefully examined my test results and frowned. “You’ve been taking contraceptives all this time. How could you possibly get pregnant? Moreover, due to the long-term medication, even if you stop now, it will be very difficult for you to conceive in the future.” My suspicions confirmed, my heart ached as tears welled up in my eyes. Even though Ivan had a mistress, I never doubted that he had once loved me. After all, throughout these years, his tenderness and the love in his eyes had never changed. Yet beneath that facade, he had been drugging me for years. Leaving the consultation room, I was about to exit the building when I glimpsed a familiar figure. Looking closer, it was Ivan. Hatred surged within me as I quietly followed him. After carefully surveying his surroundings, Ivan quickly entered a small room. I crept closer, hiding behind the partially open door, and saw Ivan talking with a man wearing a baseball cap. Ivan spoke in a hushed, urgent tone. “Did you bring the stuff?” The man in the cap pulled out a small black vial from his pocket and handed it to him. “Mr. Sutton, both the antidote and the death-simulating drug are inside. After taking it, your pulse and breathing will stop, but you’ll still be able to hear everything around you.” Ivan took the vial. “This is the down payment. You’ll get the rest when it’s done.” The man took the bank card and left. Ivan examined the vial carefully, thinking smugly, “Tomorrow I’ll take the fake death drug and pretend to die of heart failure. After Molly commits suicide to save me, I can run away with Lauren!” I stared intently at the fake death drug in Ivan’s hand, a wave of grief washing over me. So this was how I had been deceived every time. I clenched my fists and turned to leave, but accidentally stepped on a can, making a crisp noise. Ivan quickly pocketed the vial and shouted in my direction, “Who’s there?” I was startled and quickly left before Ivan could discover me. By the time I had composed myself and returned home, Ivan was already back, sitting on the couch as if nothing had happened. “Molly, what took you so long?” I forced myself to tear up and hugged him. “Ivan, tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. Let’s just stay home and celebrate. You’ll be safe that way.” Ivan appeared deeply touched. “Whatever you want.” But in his mind, he was thinking: “You fool, tomorrow is when I’ll finally be rid of you!” A cold glint flashed in my eyes. If Ivan wanted to fake his death to escape, I’d make his fake death a real one. The next day, I was awakened by Lauren’s scream. When I rushed downstairs, I found Ivan lying motionless on the floor. Lauren pretended to be frightened, crying, “What’s wrong with Ivan? I’ve been calling him for ages but he won’t wake up.” I cried out in shock, checked Ivan’s breathing, then collapsed onto him in disbelief, sobbing. “Ivan, you were right beside me all this time. Why did you still die? How am I supposed to live without you? Why couldn’t I protect you?” I frantically called an ambulance. Soon, Ivan was rushed to the hospital. After the surgery light went off, the doctor came out with a regretful expression. “The patient has been confirmed dead. Cause of death was sudden cardiac arrest.” He handed me the death certificate. I accepted it with grief, asking repeatedly, “Is my husband really dead?” This doctor was the one who had conspired with them to fake Ivan’s death. He avoided my gaze, offering false consolation: “Mr. Sutton has passed away. Please accept my condolences.” I immediately collapsed to the floor in apparent devastation, my face pale, looking exactly like someone unable to accept such a shock. At that moment, Ivan’s body was wheeled out. Lauren wiped away fake tears and approached me. “Molly, let’s take Ivan to the funeral home.” I just shook my head tearfully. “Let’s send him directly to the crematorium. Since Ivan is confirmed dead, I can reset time and save him.” I immediately called the crematorium. Others might think I was talking nonsense from excessive grief, but Lauren clearly knew about my ability to reset time. She panicked and tried to dissuade me. “Molly, your parents haven’t even arrived yet. Surely you should let them see Ivan one last time.” I refused with a pained expression. “Seeing Ivan’s body would only devastate them. Besides, I don’t have time to wait. I need Ivan cremated so I can reset time! Don’t you want him to live again?” Lauren froze. I had the staff load Ivan into the vehicle. At the crematorium, I immediately signed up for a membership and requested priority cremation for Ivan. The staff eagerly agreed and hurried to have Ivan’s body unloaded. Lauren finally broke down, begging me: “Ivan is just pretending to be dead! He’s still alive! I’m pregnant with his child. We planned to fake his death so we could run away together!” I looked at her pitifully. “You must be overcome with grief. Aren’t you Ivan’s cousin?” Lauren looked desperate. Seeing I didn’t believe her, she frantically tried to stop the staff and pulled out an antidote from her pocket, shouting, “This is the antidote! I can bring Ivan back to life!” Other families waiting grew impatient and urged, “What are you doing? We’re waiting! If you’re not going to cremate him, then leave!” I firmly restrained Lauren, preventing her from approaching the cremation chamber. Only after Ivan was placed in the cremation chamber did I explain to the waiting people, “She’s my husband’s cousin. She can’t accept his death.” Everyone around us suddenly understood and moved to hold Lauren back, consoling her: “We know you’re heartbroken, but now that your cousin is gone, he needs to be cremated and laid to rest.” “No, he’s still alive! You can’t burn him!” Lauren struggled desperately, lost her balance, and accidentally hit the ignition button. Flames instantly erupted, engulfing Ivan. Lauren’s eyes widened as she screamed, “No!”

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  • After serving three years in prison for my husband

    On my son Oscar Whitman’s first birthday, my husband Yves Whitman’s company was exposed for tax issues, and he faced three years in prison. His parents were seriously ill, and Oscar was still very young. To keep our family together, I tearfully took the blame for him and served three years in prison in his place. When I was released and returned home, I discovered Yves hosting a party for his son, celebrating his one-month birthday. But Oscar was already four years old, not one month old. Then, Yves walked out wearing a suit. Beside him was his childhood friend Tiffany Mitchell, dressed in a designer gown. They were holding their son Brian Whitman, smiling happily as they put a sapphire pendant around his neck. “Mr. Whitman is truly remarkable! Three years ago, he lost all his assets after being framed. For the sake of his wife, he built his fortune from scratch and became a billionaire.” “They say on the day Brian Whitman was born, Mr. Whitman prayed outside the delivery room for two days and two nights, hoping his wife and son would be safe!” Listening to the admiring comments around me, I felt devastated. I thought, “Everyone praises how loving Yves and Tiffany are, but what about all the pain I endured in prison for him these three years? And why is my four-year-old son nowhere to be seen?” ***** I angrily rushed forward and snatched the sapphire pendant from Yves’ hand. “This is the sapphire pendant I had specially made for my son, isn’t it? Why are you giving it to someone else?” This sapphire pendant was crafted with the finest sapphire for Oscar, with a small tiger charm on it. There was only one like it in all of New York! Seeing me suddenly appear, Yves blurted out in panic, “Leah? How did you get back?” My expression immediately turned cold. Before I could speak, a middle-aged woman wearing luxurious jewelry from the crowd, Tiffany’s mother Hannah Mitchell, shouted at me, “Who are you, beggar? How dare you crash the Whitman family party and steal my grandson’s sapphire pendant! “Yves, call security and throw her out!” The guests also began to condemn me with contempt. “Who is she? Today is Brian Whitman’s birthday party. How dare she cause trouble at the Whitman mansion.” “She’s probably a gold-digger trying to seduce Mr. Whitman.” “Her clothes are so shabby. How did she even have the nerve to come in?” I clenched my fists, glancing at my faded clothes. Since no one came to pick me up after my release, I was still wearing the outdated clothes from three years ago. I had rushed over without telling anyone because I missed Yves and Oscar, but I never expected to witness this scene. Hearing the guests’ comments about me, I let out a cold laugh. “Would Yves dare?” Yves met my gaze, then quickly looked away. I knew he was afraid I would reveal that I had gone to prison for him three years ago. He grabbed me and whispered, “Leah, don’t make a scene! Whatever you need to discuss can wait until after the party.” I stared at him coldly, saying nothing. Nearby, Tiffany looked at me with jealousy, then said pitifully, “Miss Wilson, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t be here. I’ll leave.” As she spoke, she gently shook her hand, revealing the diamond bracelet on her wrist. My expression immediately darkened. This bracelet was an heirloom from my mother. Even during the most difficult times three years ago, I never sold it. Before going to prison, I asked Yves’ mother, Melissa Whitman, to keep it safe for me. I wondered how it ended up on Tiffany’s wrist. Angrily, I stepped forward and grabbed Tiffany’s wrist. “This bracelet was a gift from my mother. Who gave you permission to take it?” She cried out in pain. Yves rushed forward and pushed me away, embracing her protectively. “Today is Brian’s birthday party. Tiffany was so busy she forgot to buy jewelry, so I gave her this bracelet to wear so she wouldn’t look underdressed. “Do you really need to be so petty?” Tiffany’s eyes welled with tears as she tried to remove the bracelet from her wrist. “This belongs to Miss Wilson. I should return it to her.” Yves stopped her, his face angry. “This is my house, and I am the head of this family! “I said I gave it to you. So it’s yours!” Tiffany leaned against Yves gratefully. The surrounding guests praised him for loving his wife while criticizing me as a beggar trying to ruin their relationship. I sneered. Just as I was about to speak, two uniformed police officers walked in from the door. Everyone looked at each other in confusion. Then the two officers walked straight up to me. They handed me a piece of paper and said seriously, “Leah, you forgot to take your release certificate. We brought it to you.”

    I took the certificate and thanked the two police officers. As soon as they left, everyone around me burst into mocking laughter. “So she’s been to prison!” “She actually dares to come to the Whitman Villa! She might be a thief who targets events like this.” “Where are the security guards? Why haven’t they thrown her out yet?” Hannah looked at me with disgust and snapped, “What kind of criminal are you? How dare you show up at my grandson’s birthday party and cause trouble! Apologize to my precious daughter and grandson right now. Otherwise, I’ll send you back to prison!” I stared at her in her luxurious outfit, arrogant and domineering. I remembered when Christmas first came to New York, she was timid and insecure. Now that version of her was completely gone. I turned to Yves and demanded, “Yves, isn’t our son already four years old? Whose birthday party are you hosting today? When did you have another son?” He frowned and replied as if it were perfectly normal, “During the three Christmases you were in prison, I rebuilt my life from scratch. I needed a wife to support me.” My anger intensified. Just as I was about to confront Yves, a security guard rushed forward and covered my mouth. Yves glanced at me, then turned to the guests with a smile. “I apologize, everyone. That was just an unfortunate incident. Let’s continue with the party!” After saying this, he tried to snatch the sapphire pendant from my hand, but I clutched it tightly, refusing to let go. Tiffany pleaded desperately, “Ms. Wilson, please give me the sapphire pendant. I was too careless and forgot to prepare jewelry. Today is Brian’s birthday party. He must wear this pendant.” I bit the security guard’s hand hard. He yelped in pain and released me. I stepped forward and slapped Tiffany across the face. “You shameless bitch. You stole my bracelet and now you want to steal my son’s sapphire pendant too!” Hannah rushed to support Tiffany and yelled at me, “You’re just a criminal who’s been to prison. How dare you hit my daughter! She’s Yves’s wife!” “Tiffany is Yves’s wife?” I couldn’t help but sneer as I looked at Yves. “If I remember correctly, we’re still married, aren’t we?” He awkwardly avoided my gaze and said helplessly, “Leah, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but this is how things are now. Can’t you just bear with it? I’ll explain everything to you after the birthday party.” Hearing Yves’s words, I felt a chill run down my spine. Back then, my family and his were of equal status. Shortly after our marriage, my parents died unexpectedly. Yves handled everything for me and promised that he would be my family from then on, always protecting me. But the good times didn’t last. On Oscar’s first birthday, Yves was suddenly arrested because his company had tax issues. I worked tirelessly to help him, even exhausting my family fortune, but he was still facing prison time. His elderly parents were ill, and Oscar was still just a baby. Yves had always been good to me. Once he went to prison, he would never be able to rebuild his career. After thinking all night, I made up my mind to take the blame for him. Tiffany returned during that time. She cried, saying her family had gone bankrupt and that she saw Yves as a brother and would always respect me. I softened and arranged for her to stay. Before going to prison, I asked Tiffany to take care of my family. I never imagined she would steal my husband.

    My conversation with Yves was misunderstood by onlookers. Someone stared at me and asked, “Is she Mr. Whitman’s mistress?” “No! Isn’t she Mr. Whitman’s ex-wife?” “I heard Mr. Whitman say that when he had his accident at Christmas, she abandoned them and ran off with all their assets.” “She probably couldn’t make it on her own out there. Now that Mr. Whitman is successful, she’s back to cash in.” I looked at Yves in shock, trembling with anger. I had suffered for him, yet he told everyone I had abandoned them and taken all their assets. How ridiculous! I had staked my future on this selfish, unreliable man! Then, those people turned to Tiffany with flattering tones, “Ms. Mitchell, you’ve been by Mr. Whitman’s side all along, helping him through the hard times.” She smiled smugly, feigning modesty with a wave of her hand. “Please, don’t mention it. We’re friends after all. “After the party ends, I’ll give her some money to help her get by.” Then she leaned close to my ear and whispered mockingly, “You used to look down on me. Now your man is mine, and the Whitman family will belong to my son in the future.” I looked up in disbelief and demanded, “When did I ever look down on you?” Tiffany glared at me hatefully and growled, “You always acted like you were giving me charity. Did you really think I wanted your handouts? Everything you had, I’m going to take it all!” I pushed her away, feeling a bitter amusement. I had pitied Tiffany for her poor background. Because of that, whenever I bought something for myself, I would get one for her too. I never imagined my kindness would be misinterpreted as charity. Just as I was about to speak, the ballroom doors suddenly opened. My uncle, Yohan Wilson, walked in with steady steps. Dressed in an impeccable custom suit, he carried himself with the authority of someone in power. We hadn’t seen each other for three Christmases, but he looked the same as before. A glimmer of hope rose within me, but Tiffany affectionately went forward to take Yohan’s arm, saying he was her godfather. “Yohan, you’re here!” I stood frozen, not understanding when Tiffany had made Yohan her godfather. Yves quickly went to greet him. “Yohan, you’ve arrived just in time. Leah misunderstood my relationship with Tiffany. She caused a scene at the party and even hit Tiffany.” My face darkened. Yohan glanced at me and snapped impatiently, “Leah, you’re making a scene in front of everyone over such a trivial matter. You’re bringing shame to our family! “The Whitman family has close business ties with our family. If you ruin this partnership, can you take responsibility?” Tiffany cried even harder, sobbing, “Yohan, Ms. Wilson just insulted Yves and hit me.” Yohan’s expression grew even darker, his gaze cutting into me like a knife. “The Whitman family is now a powerful family, and many of our family’s business ventures depend on cooperation with them! “Apologize immediately!” I felt bitter. “Yohan, why won’t you listen to my explanation?” Yohan snorted coldly, his face full of contempt. “Explanation? At Christmas, you ran off with the money out of vanity. If it weren’t for Yves’s generosity, would we even be standing here like this?” I controlled my anger and said, word by word, “I did nothing wrong. As for the truth, are you just going to believe Yves’ one-sided story?” Yohan was furious. Tiffany stepped forward innocently, sobbing, “Leah, Yves and I are truly in love. Please stop making things difficult for us.” I just laughed coldly and said, “Is that so? But Yves and I aren’t even divorced. How is it that you already have a child together?” Despite his guilt, Yves remained defiant, “You’re my wife. However, during my three most difficult Christmases, you weren’t by my side. All that time, Tiffany was taking care of me. I only made a mistake that any man would make.” My gaze turned icy. “Do you remember the agreement you signed in front of my parents?” Yves suddenly panicked. “What agreement?” I stared at him, answering slowly, “That if you ever cheated, you would voluntarily transfer all your assets to me. Yves, you solemnly swore in front of my parents that you would never betray me!” Yves seemed to remember now, his face darkening. “Your parents are dead. That agreement means nothing.” Hannah also complained angrily, “The Whitman family fortune will belong to Brian in the future, not a penny will go to a bitch like you! Your son has been sent away. Yves promised the Whitman family would go to Brian. Don’t you dare covet it!” My heart suddenly ached. I demanded, “What did you say?!” Tiffany stood up straight, pretending to be wronged, “Leah, ever since Oscar found out I was pregnant, he kept deliberately bumping into me, trying to harm my baby. When he wouldn’t stop despite warnings, Yves disciplined him and sent him to a juvenile detention center.” Oscar is my son. I had thought he was in his room, but I never imagined he’d been sent away. I was instantly furious, grabbing Yves’ clothes tightly. “Where is my son?” Yves frowned at me and forcefully pushed me away. “Oscar has a vicious mind despite his young age. He kept hurting Tiffany, so I sent him to a juvenile detention center. If he doesn’t learn to behave, does he want to end up in prison like you? Tiffany and I are doing this for his own good!” I was in disbelief, nearly losing my balance. My beloved Oscar had been bullied by this family! I gritted my teeth, finally unable to contain my anger. “Yves, I went to prison for you. Yet you torture your own son because of Tiffany. How dare you! You faithless coward, do you believe I’ll take everything you’ve done to court!” Yves hadn’t expected me to say such things in the main hall. His face turned completely dark. “Leah, your parents are both dead, and you’ve enjoyed the Whitman family’s wealth for so long. Even if you went to prison for me, it was your duty! You raised Oscar to be so ill-mannered. Tiffany kindly helped discipline him, yet you show no gratitude. Besides, he’s my son. It’s perfectly reasonable for me to discipline him!” Tiffany also spoke in a delicate voice, though her eyes were venomous, “Leah, you were the one who asked me to take good care of your family! How can you blame us now!” Their words made my chest hurt with rage. I wanted to kill them. Just then, a familiar childish voice came from behind me. “Mom, you’re finally back. I’ve missed you so much!”

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