Category: English

My brother’s wife, Audrey Bradley, had turned her pregnancy into a full-time career as a lifestyle influencer, streaming her pregnancy journey. Meanwhile, she treated me like her personal servant, demanding I cook, clean, and run endless errands for her. She even had the audacity to suggest I quit my job to become her full-time caretaker. When I finally stood up for myself, my parents took her side, pointing out that my measly three-thousand-dollar teaching salary was nothing compared to the 10 thousand dollars she pulled in monthly from streaming. My brother Joshua Bradley’s response was even worse. He slapped me, claiming I should be grateful for the “privilege” of caring for his unborn son. After I moved out, they destroyed what remained of my life by spreading vicious rumors at the school where I taught, ultimately getting me fired. Then Audrey had a miscarriage and tearfully accused me on her livestream of deliberately poisoning her food. One of her obsessed fans tracked me down and stabbed me to death. Audrey leveraged the tragedy to boost her brand, turning my death into a marketing opportunity. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back at the beginning, on the day Audrey first started streaming and demanded I cook for her. ***** On her livestream, Audrey beamed at the camera in her maternity wear. “Everyone, my husband’s sister Eloise will be home at noon today. I’m going to have her make us lunch!” The viewer count topped 10 thousand as comments flooded the screen, all praising Audrey’s “queen-like” pregnancy lifestyle. [Audrey’s so lucky! Pregnant women should just relax and let others handle everything.] [Eloise needs to step up. She’s been so lazy. What kind of family member doesn’t take care of a pregnant woman?] [Watching Audrey has shown me pregnancy can be pure luxury. We pregnant women deserve to be queens. Everyone else is just the help!] Reading these one-sided comments, I gripped my phone tightly as a chill ran down my spine. Audrey and Joshua had rushed into marriage when she was one month pregnant. My parents had consulted a quack who declared it would be a boy. The entire family had immediately started treating Audrey like royalty. She’d specifically targeted me because I was a kindergarten teacher, claiming this made me perfect for serving her. Though confused by her logic, I’d tried my best to accommodate her endless demands. At first, she claimed she couldn’t pour her own water for fear of burns and asked me to serve her water. She said she needed the fruit cut into small pieces before she could eat it. Worried about getting hurt by the knife, she asked me to cut it and bring it to her. If fruit wasn’t arranged perfectly on the plate, she’d complain it affected her appetite and hormones. Her daily streams showcased this healthy, comfortable pregnancy lifestyle while hawking endless pregnancy-related products. She cast herself as the queen and me as her servant. I’d tolerated it all because she was pregnant. But her demands grew increasingly outrageous. She insisted I prepare special pregnancy-friendly meals for her streams, only to order barbecue and spicy food the moment the camera stopped rolling. When her face broke out from her actual diet, she demanded I buy her thousands of dollars worth of skincare products. She also mentioned that I wasn’t taking good care of her and asked me to quit my job to become her full-time caretaker at home. When I finally protested, my parents erupted. “You’re just a kindergarten teacher making three thousand a month. Audrey makes over 10 thousand dollars from streaming. You should be honored to serve her, even if it means quitting your job.” Joshua’s slap still stung as he shouted, “My wife is carrying my child. You should be grateful to serve her!” I moved out in anger, thinking distance would solve the problem. Unexpectedly, they showed up at my school with banners, spreading such vicious rumors that the administration had no choice but to fire me. Then came Audrey’s miscarriage during her livestream. Through theatrical tears, she accused me of poisoning her meals and sabotaging her pregnancy out of jealousy, claiming my own “multiple abortions” had left me barren and bitter. Her followers exploded with rage, hunting down every detail of my life until one particularly unhinged fan found my address and murdered me. Audrey leveraged the tragedy perfectly, turning my death into a marketing goldmine. Only after dying did I learn the truth. Her own unhealthy diet had threatened miscarriage, so she’d decided to weaponize the situation, using me as a scapegoat to boost her following. Now, watching her current stream, I heard her chirp, “Everyone, I’ve planned today’s healthy pregnancy menu. Watch my husband’s sister prepare it! And don’t forget, all these nutritious ingredients are available in my shop!” I heard her key in the lock just as she’d done before. I closed the streaming app with a smirk. I wouldn’t be playing the role of her “servant” in this lifetime.

“Eloise, why are you still in bed? Come make my pregnancy-safe lunch!” Audrey burst in, phone held high to capture every moment. When I didn’t respond, she launched into her practiced routine. “I’m pregnant! What if the baby gets hungry because you made me wait? What kind of family doesn’t care about a pregnant woman?” I gave her my sweetest fake smile. “Audrey, it’s not that I don’t want to. I just don’t know how to cook.” Her practiced pout turned to a frown. “Don’t lie to me. I saw you in the kitchen yesterday. “You’re just being difficult. I’m carrying your nephew. Can you live with yourself if something happens to him?” I maintained my innocent expression. “Oh, that? I was just heating up a frozen pizza. “Anyone can do that, but proper pregnancy meals? That’s way beyond my skills. Would you like me to make you a pizza instead?” She couldn’t say yes, not when her entire meals centered on clean, healthy eating during pregnancy. Pizza was the antithesis of her carefully crafted image. Her expression cycled through several emotions before settling on contempt. “Then learn to cook! Do you expect me to eat your greasy, undercooked food? “You make barely any money, live here rent-free, and you won’t even cook a simple meal? Are you really that useless?” My eyes flashed with genuine anger. “I may not make much, but I support myself. “And how much of my salary goes to buying you luxury fruits and expensive ingredients? “Remember when you demanded that soup, then threw it on me because it was ‘too bland’? The hospital bill for those burns cost me hundreds!” I covered my face, shedding tears. “Audrey, I’m your husband’s sister. Why do you treat me like a servant?” Her face darkened. Without missing a beat, she sank to the floor, clutching her stomach. “Oh, the pain! My baby! I’m going to lose my baby!” My mother burst from the next room. “What’s wrong? Is my grandson okay?” Audrey bowed her head, sobbing perfectly. “I was too demanding of Eloise. She got upset and yelled at me. It’s all my fault.” My mother whirled on me, hand raised. “Eloise! She’s pregnant. Can’t you be more considerate? A little housework won’t kill you!” I backed away quickly. “Mom, I’m not her servant. “If you’re so concerned about her pregnancy meals, why don’t you cook them? Don’t you care about your grandson?” That left her speechless. She didn’t want to cook either, so she just let Audrey boss me around. Just then, my father returned. “Why isn’t lunch ready? Are you waiting for me to cook? What if my grandson gets hungry?” he demanded. I retreated to my room, leaving my mother to grudgingly handle lunch after my father’s scolding. Checking Audrey’s stream, I watched the comments fly by. [Eloise is horrible! She won’t even cook? What kind of family is this?] [So cruel! Doesn’t she know pregnant women come first? There’s a baby involved!] [Hold on. Eloise said she can’t cook. You can’t force someone. And why isn’t Audrey’s husband’s mother helping?] [Didn’t Eloise spend all her money on Audrey? And got burned because of her? What more do you want?] The debate raged, but Audrey’s loyal followers dominated the conversation. They branded me heartless, uncaring, and ignorant of pregnant women’s needs. Some wished me bad marriages, miscarriages, and a lifetime of neglect. I took screenshots with a blank expression. Even when I’d done everything Audrey asked, she’d never shown me an ounce of kindness in return.

That evening, just as I received notification of Audrey starting another stream, she burst into my room. “Eloise, since you’re a kindergarten teacher, you must know about prenatal education. You need to help make my baby smarter!” she demanded, as if being a kindergarten teacher somehow made me an expert in everything child-related. I met her request with a knowing smirk. In my previous life, she’d made the same demand. I’d diligently researched prenatal education and played classical music for her, but that hadn’t been enough. She’d insisted I read aloud to her unborn child. She would lie there pretending to sleep, but the moment I stopped reading, she’d snap awake and accuse me of not taking her son’s education seriously. I’d read until my voice gave out, leaving me unable to speak the next day. Even then, she’d shown no guilt, just complaining that my inability to speak was disrupting the baby’s education. “Eloise, did you hear me? Do we need to ask you to handle even this simple task?” I looked up to find Joshua standing behind her. His presence only amplified Audrey’s confidence; she tilted her chin up, radiating superiority. I secretly clenched my fists and took a deep breath, forcing a smile. “Joshua, Audrey, prenatal education isn’t something to approach casually. If you want the best for your son, we need to prepare properly,” I replied. Joshua stroked his chin thoughtfully. “What kind of preparation are we talking about? And when should we start?” I ticked items off on my fingers. “We’ll need reference materials, specially designed prenatal music, and appropriate books. “But since Audrey will be listening too, she should choose what she likes.” Audrey’s eyes lit up. “Of course! The mother’s mood is crucial. I’ll go to the bookstore tomorrow to pick everything out!” Noticing her excitement, I knew she was planning to make me read storybooks endlessly. I lowered my head to hide my expression. Audrey snorted with pride, feeling that she had regained the dignity she had lost during the day. “You’ll use whatever materials I choose, understand? If my son’s IQ doesn’t hit 180, I’m holding you responsible!” she said. I nodded vigorously, and she strutted away, satisfied. Checking her livestream, I found the mocking comments. [See? She knows her place now. The baby is everything!] [Audrey’s amazing. Such a strong mother fighting for her child’s future!] [Better check that kindergarten certificate though. Is Eloise even qualified?] [Audrey’s so kind to give her another chance. Most people would’ve kicked out such an unhelpful family member.] Audrey beamed at her camera. “As a mother, everything I do is for my child. Every mother understands that. “I’ll be shopping for prenatal education materials tomorrow. So join my stream to see what I recommend. Everything will be available in my shop!” Her followers showered her with virtual gifts and praise until she finally ended the stream. The next day, while she went shopping, calculating her potential profits, I seized the opportunity to install hidden cameras throughout the living room. Audrey returned after 1 p.m., immediately heading for the kitchen. “Where’s all the food? I want smoked salmon!” “Audrey, you’re pregnant, and you can’t have raw fish or spicy food. I cleared everything unsafe from the fridge today.” “Who gave you that right?” she snapped. “I’ll eat what I want! You can’t control me!” I affected a hurt expression. “But you said in your stream you should eat healthy. I was just following your advice.” She slammed her hand on the table. “That’s just for show! You think I’m actually eating that bland garbage? Go order me salmon.” I complied, ordering smoked salmon and beers. Audrey was happily sitting in the living room, enjoying her meal. When I walked back into the room, I finally allowed myself to smile. I checked my monitoring feed, which was streaming live to an account I’d created: [WARNING: Pregnant Women Doing Everything Wrong!]

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While driving my grandson, Jason Watson, to school, I accidentally had a car accident. The police came to check the dashcam. As soon as the dashcam was turned on, I heard the sounds of my husband, Timothy Watson, and a woman making out. Jason blinked and asked me what it was. I hurriedly covered his ears but couldn’t hold back my tears. After getting married, Timothy and I had a child, but he refused to sleep with me on the grounds of his poor health and treated me coldly for 40 years. I have worked hard for this family for half my life, but in the end, my efforts became a complete joke. ***** I stared at the dashcam in disbelief, shaking with anger. It recorded thousands of videos, and each was evidence of their affair. Although I couldn’t see the two of them, the constantly shaking images reminded me how passionate they were. I could imagine how my husband pressed the woman under him and made out with her passionately, how he gently caressed every inch of her skin and kissed her lovingly, and how he said endearing words that he had never said to me. Every word and every breath wrenched my heart. I grasped the fabric over my chest tightly, feeling as if a knife were piercing my heart. It hurt so much that I couldn’t breathe. Everything in front of my eyes was blurred, and tears streamed down my face. I recalled that not long after my labor, he handed me a medical examination report, claiming that he could no longer sleep with me. I believed in that report so firmly that I never thought of any other possibilities. Because I loved him, I was willing to endure loneliness. Over the years, considering that he was busy with work, I raised our child alone and took care of our parents. I devoted everything to this family and ended up becoming a worn-out woman, while my husband was hooking up with the other woman outside and even lied to me for 40 years. What kind of woman deserved for him to do all this? If he loved her so much, why did he marry me? Why didn’t he divorce me and be with that woman? I was confused, and my mind was in turmoil. I didn’t know what to do. After resolving the car crash in a daze, I drove back home. After I got home and coaxed Jason to sleep, I went to Timothy’s study while no one else was at home. While rummaging through his drawers, I found an old yellowed photo in a black diary. It was a graduation photo. I looked at the photo and quickly found Timothy, who was handsome in his youth and extremely dazzling in the crowd. It was hard not to be impressed by him. Timothy was smiling in the photo, and I had never seen him smile like that before. There stood a radiant and lovely girl next to him. They tightly held their hands like a perfect match. My heart started to wrench again. I took a deep breath and silently put the photo back. Although I was not sure whether this girl was the one in the car, it was a fact that my husband cheated on me. I pulled myself together, took out my cell phone, and called Timothy’s old classmate. After a few pleasantries, I pretended to be casual and asked, “I heard from Timothy that you guys just had a gathering a while ago. Didn’t your class belle attend it?” As I finished speaking, the person on the phone was stunned for a moment. “Class belle? Oh, you mean Wendy Lopez? She did.” I continued, “No wonder Timothy mentioned her to me and talked about the past between them.” Soon the person on the phone was surprised and asked, “He told you that Wendy is his first love?” ***** After hanging up the phone, I sat in the chair in a daze. It turned out that the girl was Timothy’s first love. Well, I recalled that Timothy’s mother, Selena Watson, mentioned it once when she was alive. Timothy had dated a girl when he was in college, but they broke up for unknown reasons. I was lost in thought when the door of the study was suddenly pushed open. Timothy shouted in a cold voice, “Betty, who allowed you to touch my things?”

I sat there calmly, looking at him lightly. Timothy strode over and pushed me away. He was so violent that he pushed me to the ground. My forehead hit the bookcase, and I frowned in pain. Timothy didn’t care whether I was injured or not. He sorted out his drawers and said without turning his head, “How many times have I told you not to touch my things? Did you become deaf as you grew old?” His words are always so hurtful. I didn’t care about it before, thinking he was just cold and sharp-tongued. But after watching the dashcam today, I didn’t think so. It turned out that this cold man could also be gentle and considerate, but not to me. My heart wrenched, and I thought I would cry, but I shed no tears. “You’re right. I’m old and deaf, and now I’m blind too.” I was so blind that I couldn’t tell what kind of person the husband I had spent decades with was. Hearing this, Timothy finally couldn’t help but look back at me. He said with displeasure, “What’s wrong with you?” I was about to speak when I suddenly heard Jason crying outside. I stood up and walked out, while Timothy said indifferently, “It’s about dinner time. You should make dinner.” Somehow, I suddenly remembered what I had heard the most in recent years. “Betty, you married a capable and good man.” “Betty, don’t go to work anymore. A woman should stay at home to take care of her husband and child.” “Betty, you are really good at cooking. From now on, you are in charge of the kitchen.” “Betty, remember to clean the house after doing the dishes.” “Betty, the baby is crying bitterly. Come over and feed the baby after you finish cleaning up.” “Betty, the kid’s clothes are torn. It costs a lot to buy them new clothes. Just mend them yourself.” “Betty, my mom’s legs are aching. Take her to the hospital.” Gradually, my child also got married and started his own careers. “Mom, I just got married. Please don’t make things difficult for my wife.” “Mom, your cooking is getting worse and worse, and you can’t even mop the floor clean. We might as well hire a housekeeper.” “Mom, we are too busy at work. Please pick up the kids from now on.” “Mom, I’ve told you so many times not to let the kids use cell phones. It did harm to their eyes.” Before long, my child’s child also gradually grew up. “Grandma, I can’t sleep. Please tell me a story.” “Grandma, I want to go out and play. Carry me on your back.” “Grandma, I want to play the horse-riding game. Please be my horse.” Unconsciously, I grew old and became the object of dislike. “Betty, can you stop spending money recklessly? Do you really need to spend so much money on groceries?” “If you feel unwell, go to the hospital by yourself. Don’t you have legs?” “Don’t act like you have a hard life every day. I’ve supported the family for most of my life and never let you work a single day. Cooking won’t kill you.” “You don’t need new clothes at your age. Go throw the garbage.” These voices flashed through my mind. As a woman, I really shouldn’t think too much. As I thought about the past, I found my efforts worthless. My husband, my son, my husband’s mother, my son’s wife, and even my grandson, who needed me all the time—to all of them, I was not even worth as much as a nanny, who could at least get paid. As soon as I walked outside, my son William Watson and his wife Monica Watson came back. As soon as they got in, they heard Jason crying, and Monica ran into the bedroom anxiously. William complained with a gloomy face, “Mom, didn’t you hear Jason crying? If we hadn’t come back, were you going to let him cry all the time?” I didn’t say anything. At that time, Monica came out with Jason in her arms and said in displeasure, “Betty, Jason is hungry. Hurry up and cook. We are all exhausted all day, and we can’t even have dinner when we get home.” William agreed casually, “I should have agreed to go to Wendy’s place for dinner.”

I felt like something inside me suddenly collapsed. I looked at William in surprise. William seemed to realize that he had made a slip of the tongue, and he changed the subject. “We are hungry. Hurry up and go to the kitchen to cook.” I stared at William and asked calmly, “What did you just say?” William looked impatient and replied, “I told you to cook. You’re so annoying to keep asking me.” “Who is Wendy you are talking about?” I asked again. William felt a little guilty and said, “You heard wrongly. I didn’t say that.” I pressed further. “Is it Wendy Lopez, your father’s first love? You’ve known about her for a long time and that she has been in contact with your father, so you deliberately hid it from me.” William opened his eyes wide, obviously not expecting me to say it directly. “Mom, can you please stop thinking nonsense? Wendy was my dad’s college classmate. It’s normal for them to keep in touch. You are not a teenage girl anymore. Why do you care about this?” William blamed me for making a fuss. After that, he added, “Wendy is different from you. As the director of the gynecology department in a hospital, she has a proper job, unlike you, who stays at home to take care of the child and cooks every day. You should go out more often when you have nothing to do. Don’t be suspicious all the time. It will spoil your brain.” I looked at William, whom I had carried for 10 months and risked my life to give birth to. Now, he was belittling me because of another woman. In his eyes, I was hateful. Because I made unwarranted assumptions about Wendy, I was unforgivable. But he didn’t know that I, the housewife who he thought knew nothing other than cooking, was once a graduate of a prestigious university and was supposed to have a wonderful life. It was his father and he who made me a housewife. My eyes felt sore, and I shed tears. I said with a sense of speechlessness, “Since you like that woman so much, you may be her family from now on.” William looked at me as if I were a lunatic. At that moment, in his eyes, I was not his mother, but some crazy woman. The door to the study flew open. Timothy scolded in a deep voice, “Betty, what’s gotten into you? William and Monica are already tired enough after a day’s work. You didn’t cook and even made such a fuss! Why?” I looked at him with a mocking look. “You don’t know why?” Timothy frowned, “What do you want to say?” I looked at him and said indifferently, “I want to divorce you.” A strange look flashed through Timothy’s eyes. He sneered, “There’s a limit to how much nonsense I can take. At your age, aren’t you afraid of being laughed at? If you don’t want to cook, just say so.” I was a little impatient. “Are you deaf? I said I want to divorce you!”

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On my wedding day, my sister Luna Salvatore returned home from abroad temporarily. My parents, brother, and my fiancé all went to the airport to fetch my sister, leaving me behind. My sister boasted popularity on social media, while I tried contacting them, only to be hung up on repeatedly. My fiancé, the only one who answered the phone, said only one thing, asking me to stop making a fuss and that the wedding could be held again. They turned me into a laughingstock at my eagerly awaited wedding. I dealt with the situation calmly and noted the new number 99 in my diary. They had disappointed me 99 times, and I wouldn’t ask for their love again. I submitted my study abroad application and packed my bags. They believed I’d turned over a new leaf, unaware I was about to leave. ***** The door swung open, and Louis Salvatore, my brother, entered and sneered as he caught me looking at my diary. “How old are you? Why are you still so childish? Writing a diary like a pupil?” Normally, I would have argued with him. But this time, I kept my head down and ignored his words. Louis, frustrated by my lack of response, grabbed my diary to inspect it. There was only one number on it—99. It was the number of times they had let me down over the years. Louis was confused, scowled, tossed the notebook aside, and gave me orders. “Stop writing this mess. Luna wants to eat the meatloaf you made. Go wash your hands and do it. “Consider this as an apology for the sarcastic comment you made about her today.” I stayed composed, nodded, and went downstairs. Louis was surprised at my calmness. After all, I always shed tears over cooking meatloaf for my sister, feeling wronged. But I remained silent this time. “Stella, why are you so obedient today? Are you planning to put something bad in the food?” He looked me over, trying to see through if I had any bad thoughts. Louis glanced at my reddened eyes, paused, and then fell silent. After a long time, he spoke again, “Luna has been abroad for a year. This is her first time back after. We missed her and wanted to see her soon. You should understand. “It’s just a wedding. We can hold another for you, okay?” I quietly retrieved beef from the fridge to clean them. Yeah, it was just a wedding. They prioritized fetching Luna over my long-awaited wedding, as always. I secured a high-end wedding dress after extensive negotiation. And I meticulously designed the wedding over six months with the planner. They knew all of this. However, my nearest and dearest turned me into a complete joke. As the bride, my family was absent, and my groom never showed up. As Luna boasted on social media about so many people picking her up, I endured jeers and handled the mess alone. Even the hotel staff noticed my pale appearance, found me pitiful, and suggested I go home to rest. But my family immediately asked me to cook upon their return. I smirked at myself. I initially intended to decline my tutor’s study abroad offer due to my parents’ age, Luna’s residence abroad, Louis’ work commitments, and my upcoming marriage. But now, maybe leaving was the right choice. It was a pity that a two-week delay was expected after application submission before departure. I pushed Louis away. “Make way. You’re blocking my way.” My cold demeanor made Louis upset. But the little princess, the living room’s focus, approached him just as he felt helpless and was about to speak. “Louis, I can’t peel this chestnut!” Louis instantly got worried. “Don’t peel it yourself. It will hurt your hands. You’ll be a pianist. I got this!” The annoying flies finally left the kitchen. I looked down at my hands. My fingers, once slim, were now red and puffy from allergies.

As I served the meatloaf, I noticed a joyful atmosphere in the living room. Currently, my father, normally preoccupied with business, was attentively listening to his little daughter recounting her study abroad experiences. And my mom’s eyes brimmed with love as she embraced Luna, noting her weight loss and feeling distressed. Louis sat aside, concentrating on helping Luna peel chestnuts. I merely observed the cozy scene in silence. The living room and dining area were distinctly separate, one lively, the other lonely. “Stella, why are you standing there? Are you still mad at me because I affected your wedding?” Luna’s aggrieved voice rang out, and only then did the other three people in the living room notice me. My dad frowned subconsciously, “Are you mad at us? Come here!” My mom showed some impatience. “Your wedding issue is purely due to your poor decision on the date. It has nothing to do with Luna. “If you dare to be angry with Luna, you’re not my daughter anymore!” Luna pouted and acted coquettishly towards our mom, “Oh, Mom, don’t be harsh. Stella will be sad.” She seemed to soothe over the things, yet her smugness was evident. I know Luna wasn’t innocent because I told her the wedding date a week ago. She saw the message and told me she would prepare a surprise for me. It was indeed a “surprise”. She’s been acting in this drama since childhood, forcing our family to choose between us two. Every time, I would be overlooked. Even my fiancé, who was supposed to spend his life with me, didn’t choose me. I should have been sad, but maybe I was desensitized, feeling no emotional stir at these words. “I’m not angry.” Uttering these five words, I caught everyone’s attention in surprise. Not angry? How was it possible! I took in their expressions and felt sarcastic. Well, they did realize their actions would provoke anger. But they still did it and even blamed me for my displeasure. Despite my calm demeanor, my parents and Louis sensed unease. After a moment’s silence, Dad spoke, “I’m glad you’re not angry. We’re family. Don’t be stingy.” “Yeah, I know.” I nodded obediently. Seeing that I really didn’t seem to take it to heart, they felt relieved and took Luna to have dinner. Alongside my meatloaf, the maid prepared many of Luna’s favorite seafood. “Luna, you look too thin. You need to eat more.” Dad, Mom, and Louis never stopped adding food to Luna’s plate. She grinned, boasting her orchestra spot and readiness to perform from her studies abroad. My parents and Louis praised her for that. And I just had dinner silently. Noting my silence, my mom seemed to feel guilty, recalling my past grievances. A spoonful of meatloaf was put on my plate. I looked up and met my mom’s uneasy expression. “Try it. Don’t think that we are partial to Luna. I care about you, too.” I gazed at the meatloaf before setting down my utensils. “No, I’m full.” My mom felt embarrassed and irritated. “What’s wrong with you?” She was about to speak when Luna, beside her, clutched her own neck, her expression shifting. “Mom, I, I can’t breathe!”

My parents and Louis, seeing Luna’s rash, grew highly anxious. “Is this an allergy? Why would you suddenly have an allergy?” My mother’s eyes flickered and then fixed on me. The next second, she slapped me with all her strength. I couldn’t even stand and fell to the ground with my head buzzing. “Stella, what did you put in the meal? Don’t you remember what your sister is allergic to?” Louis also looked disappointed. “No wonder you were so obedient. Turns out you really wanted to hurt Luna! “Stella, how could I have such a vicious sister like you?” “Alright! Stop arguing and send Luna to the hospital first!” My dad’s slamming the table prompted my mom and Louis to avert their hateful glares from me. I sat alone, dazed, clutching my swollen face as they rushed away. It wasn’t me. I tried to explain that this was not my doing. But they often disbelieved my explanations after too many similar occurrences in the past. Forgot it… The maid, hearing the noise, attempted to assist me but froze upon seeing my hands. “Stella, why are your hands so swollen?” “I’m fine.” I declined her kindness and retreated to my room. Picking up the notebook on the table, I was flooded with memories. At eight, my family lived in an old house with limited funds. My parents, overwhelmed with work, intended to send one child to stay with my grandparents in the rural area. But Louis was entering high school, a pivotal period, while Luna, young and frail, caused concern. I didn’t want to make it hard for my parents, so I volunteered to go. Then I was sent to the countryside. Before leaving, my mother patted my head and praised me as her most sensible child. However, staying at my grandparents’ house for eight years was the cost of being sensible. For eight years, I had only seen my parents and siblings at Christmas. Their increasingly elegant attire each year suggested my family’s financial status had significantly improved. I waited for my parents to take me home from elementary school to high school, but I didn’t go back until my grandparents passed away. The shabby, aging cottage I recalled had been renovated into a three-story mansion. But my room on the first-floor corner, devoid of books, e-sports gear, and girlish touches, mirrored my neglected status in the family.   I packed my essentials into a suitcase. My originally requested wedding leave had been pointless. I was considering calling my tutor and returning to the lab tomorrow when my phone rang. It was a call from Earnest Gilbert, my fiancé. I anticipated questions about the wedding follow-up, not a scolding when I answered. However… “Stella, what did you do to Luna? Why is she in the hospital?” This typically calm man lost his composure twice in one day, once upon hearing Luna’s return, and again now. More ridiculously, he was my fiancé. “She’s allergic,” I answered. “You did it, right? How could you do this to your sister?” Earnest’s voice sounded angry. “Stella, I thought you were kind, but you hurt Luna just because of such a small thing! How could you be so cruel?” I heard his accusations without defending myself. “Well, I’m cruel. “I hurt Luna. I will apologize when she comes back, okay? “If you’re done, I gotta go. I have something else to do.” Earnest was taken aback by my unexpected reaction. We’d had many disputes over Luna before. He used to be deeply absorbed in chatting with Luna while dating me. He always ignored my dietary restrictions and ordered Luna’s favorite food while we dined together. Despite my repeated hysterical queries, Earnest simply stated, “She’s your sister. I’m just helping you care for her.” His indifference made me look like a petty lunatic. My family, including Louis, supported him, claiming I was overbearing. Therefore, I subtly reveled in Luna’s absence abroad. Thirsty for love, I ignored the pain of the glass shards, refusing to release them until now, and my hands were bloody. “Stella, you’d better really think so. “If anything happens to Luna again, we won’t have a wedding!” Earnest’s words contained a strong warning. I heard him exit the car and shut the door as the surrounding noise intensified. I could tell that he likely rushed to the hospital to visit my sister. Earnest really treated me like a fool, pursuing his crush in the name of taking care of my sister. I gave a sarcastic smirk, hung up, and reached out to my tutor. When my parents and Louis returned home weary, I had my belongings packed and set for dormitory life. As I stepped out of the room with my luggage, I heard my mother’s sigh. “It would be nice for Luna to be with Earnest if his family weren’t struggling. “Look at him. So thoughtful to Luna.” I paused and stopped. Then I heard my father say, “Yeah. A handsome boy. I think Luna actually likes him very much. If I had known it, I would not have tried to introduce Earnest to Stella.” “Don’t think too much. I can’t bear to let Luna suffer with Earnest. Let him be with Stella. He and Stella are more compatible. Luna wants to be a pianist. “Even if he’s Stella’s husband, he can still pamper Luna.” On seeing me at the top of the stairs, my mother retreated a step in fear after saying so. “Ste-Stella, why are you here?”

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From the age of 10 to 18, my parents made me write a total of 299 IOUs. Every penny I asked them for had to come with an IOU, with the promise to repay it once I turned 18. Then, when I got into a car accident and needed money for surgery, I found my account still short by three thousand dollars. With no other options, I had to beg my parents for help. But they only sneered, “Veronica, you’re 18 now. We have no obligation to give you money anymore. If you need it, write another IOU.” With tears in my eyes, I wrote the 300th IOU. After the surgery, while scrolling through my phone, I saw my foster sister Angelica Miller’s latest post. In the photos, she was celebrating her 18th birthday on a luxurious cruise abroad, surrounded by people treating her like a princess. Her birthday gifts from my parents were a big apartment in the Center of Huliton and a brand-new Maserati. Even my childhood sweetheart was looking at her with eyes full of adoration. She wrote: [Thank you to the people I love most for giving me the best of everything.] I lowered my gaze to the crumpled IOU in my hands and suddenly laughed. Once I repaid my debt, I wouldn’t need a family like this anymore. ***** When I was discharged from the hospital and returned home, the house was empty. Even the cleaning staff had been given time off and left. The grand villa was dark and silent, so quiet that I could hear my own footsteps echoing through the halls. I had expected this. Yet, I couldn’t stop the wave of sadness and bitterness that washed over me. It wasn’t the first time they had completely forgotten about me. Taking a deep breath, I slowly made my way upstairs. My legs were still weak from the recovery, so I had to hold onto the railing to steady myself as I climbed up to my room. It was the smallest, darkest storage room in this lavish villa. I barely owned anything—only a bed, a rickety wooden desk, and nothing else. I pulled open the desk drawer. It was packed full, stuffed with the IOUs I had written over the years. One by one, I counted them. With the one in my hand, the total was exactly 300. The amounts ranged from tens to hundreds of dollars, covering my school fees and basic living expenses. Added up, the total was less than 50 thousand dollars. I let out a bitter laugh. Fifty thousand dollars! That wasn’t even worth as much as one of Angelica’s cheaper pieces of jewelry. No wonder my parents always scolded me for being petty and told me that Angelica was the real eldest daughter of the Miller family. I really was unworthy in comparison. Carefully, I stacked the IOUs together and tucked them into my pocket. Just as I was about to head downstairs, I heard voices from outside. “Dad, I want to eat the roasted fish that Veronica makes. Can you ask her to cook it for me?” “Veronica isn’t as obedient as you. She’s been getting rebellious lately. She didn’t even bother attending your coming-of-age ceremony. God knows where she ran off to. When she gets back, I’ll make sure she cooks it for you.” I let out a cold laugh. How ironic it was! I had told them I was in a car accident, yet my own parents didn’t believe me. Instead, they assumed I had skipped Angelica’s party just to fool around outside. They probably never even remembered that my birthday was the same day as Angelica’s. I should have my coming-of-age ceremony too. The moment I stepped onto the staircase, the cheerful family atmosphere downstairs instantly froze. I was an unwelcome intruder, an outsider in my own home. My parents’ faces darkened. Gone was the warmth and affection they always had for Angelica. “Why don’t you turn on the lights since you’re home? What on earth are you thinking?” My mother scolded impatiently. My father, on the other hand, simply ordered me around as if I were a servant. “Didn’t you hear your sister say she wants to eat roasted fish? What are you standing there for? Go make it for her.”

To me, roasted fish was nothing short of a nightmare. I remembered it was my mother’s fortieth birthday. I had secretly learned how to make this dish, hoping to cook it for her. That year, I was 12. In the process of making roasted fish, I nearly cut my hand and got burned by the splattering hot oil. But when I finally brought the dish to the table, Angelica simply mentioned that she liked it. Mother did not even take a single bite. Instead, she placed the entire plate in front of Angelica. I could never forget the smug expression on Angelica’s face as she looked at me. She ate every last bite of that fish right in front of me, only to accidentally get a bone stuck in her throat. My parents panicked and rushed her to the hospital. She clung delicately to my mother and murmured, “Mommy, don’t blame Nica. I was just too greedy.” Because of those words, my furious mother slapped me hard across the face. She called me malicious, accusing me of intentionally trying to hurt Angelica. From that day on, whenever Angelica asked for roasted fish, my parents would make sure someone supervised me, forcing me to pick out every single tiny fishbone. It was a tedious and exhausting task. For years, just to earn a single word of praise from my parents, I had done it over a hundred times. But now, I felt it was all worthless. “You should ask the maid to do it. I don’t want to.” After saying that, I turned to leave. Angelica suddenly grabbed my arm, her voice pitiful and soft. “Nica, are you still mad at me? I’m sorry, Nica. I really didn’t mean to tell Mom and Dad about you wasting money.” My parents had already been displeased with my attitude, and when they heard Angelica’s words, their anger exploded. My father raised his hand and slapped me so hard that I fell to the ground. He shouted, “How dare you hold a grudge against Angelica! Do you even realize that if you hadn’t squandered her living expenses back then, she wouldn’t have suffered so much that her stomach is weak now?” My mother’s gaze was filled with disappointment. But since I was still her biological daughter, she stepped forward and tried to help me up. “Veronica, Angelica has already covered for you more times than you know. This time, you lied about getting into a car accident just to get money. She helped you hide it from us. We made you write IOUs for your own good. You need to stop being so reckless with money.” I covered my burning cheek, but the pain on my face was nothing compared to the ache in my heart. I shoved my mother’s hand away and spoke each word clearly, “I didn’t lie. I really had a car accident.” My mother’s brows furrowed as she looked at me as if I were beyond saving. “Veronica, you’re still pretending? Dr. Davis at the private hospital already told your father and me that there’s no record of you being treated there.” Angelica took the opportunity to fan the flames. “Nica, even if you really needed money, you shouldn’t have lied to Mom and Dad. I still have some pocket money. You can have it. After all, we’re sisters.” My mother sighed at Angelica’s generosity and affectionately patted her head, “Dear, if only Veronica were half as sensible as you, we wouldn’t have to worry so much. But don’t let someone like her take advantage of your kindness. She needs to suffer a little to learn.” I let out a cold laugh. Standing in the middle of the living room and watching the sweet mother and daughter, I laughed until my body shook. “Veronica, what’s wrong with you?” My parents were startled by my laughter. They instinctively stepped in front of Angelica, shielding her as if afraid I might do something. I stopped laughing and looked coldly at my so-called biological parents. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my surgery report and tossed it onto the floor. “I never had the money to go to a private hospital. Isn’t it obvious why you couldn’t find any records?” My parents stiffened. They picked up the report and glanced at it, their expressions shifting. “Veronica, your leg…” For the first time, my mother took a step forward, her eyes seeming to show a trace of concern. But before she could say more, Angelica interrupted her, “Nica, you really were in a car accident? Are you okay? It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for my coming-of-age party, Mom and Dad would have been with you. It must have hurt a lot, didn’t it?” She spoke as if she cared about me, but at the same time, her nails dug viciously into my arm. I knew exactly what she was trying to do, and I was done playing the fool in this ridiculous performance. With a slight flick of my wrist, Angelica lost her balance and fell lightly to the ground. The brief flicker of guilt my parents had just felt for me disappeared in an instant. “Veronica! Why are you taking your anger out on your sister? “It was just a car accident! You’re perfectly fine now, aren’t you? “Apologize to Angelica!”

I could not be bothered to deal with them anymore and turned to leave. Enraged, my father picked up a vase from the side and smashed it at my feet. He said, “Ungrateful brat! Are you trying to run away from home? Fine! You have written enough IOUs over the years. Pay them back by next week, or I will have the legal department send you to jail to teach you a lesson!” The shattered pieces of the vase cut into my calf, and blood streamed down, but I barely felt it. Hearing my father’s words, I was not surprised at all. I turned back and looked at them. They thought I was afraid and that I would give in. But as I gazed at their arrogant expressions, I felt nothing inside. I turned my head away, and before closing the door behind me, I left them with just one word. “Alright.” If that was what they wanted, then I would pay them back. Once I had returned the money, I would have nothing more to do with this wretched family. As I stepped out of the villa, I could still hear my father’s furious roar from behind me. I pretended to be deaf and ignored him. Limping out of the residential area, I realized just how vast the world was. It was so vast that after leaving home, I had no idea where to go. Looking up at the flickering stars in the sky, I felt just as lonely as they were. I crouched down, hugging myself tightly, trying to warm my frozen body. Actually, my parents had not always treated me this way. They were once known as one of the most loving couples in their social circle. As their only daughter, I had once been cherished and adored. But everything changed when Angelica was brought into our home. She was the daughter of my parents’ close friends. After her parents died in a car accident, none of her relatives were willing to take her in. So my parents brought her home. At first, I was excited about my new sister. After all, being an only child could be lonely at times. And since we shared the same birthday, I thought it was fate. I gave her my favorite toys and my prettiest dresses. I never expected that the girl who sweetly called me “Nica” would one day strike like a venomous snake. Back then, we were still in elementary school. My parents were busy with their careers, so they gave me money and told me to take care of Angelica. Angelica told me she wanted to eat with her friends. I did not think much of it and gave her two-thirds of the money. But when my parents came home, she fainted from hunger. They rushed her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with hypoglycemia and gastritis. At the same time, they found an expensive luxury handbag in my room. “We told you to take care of your sister, and this is how you do it?” “Veronica, you’re still just a child, yet you’re already buying luxury goods?” I panicked and tried to explain that I had no idea what was going on. At that time, my parents had not yet completely lost their trust in me. They held back their anger and said they would wait for Angelica to wake up and ask her. But the first thing Angelica said when she opened her eyes was, “Mr. Miller, Mrs. Miller, please don’t blame Nica. I just don’t feel like eating.” With red-rimmed eyes, she uttered those words, pinning the blame on me. My parents held her tightly, full of pity, and declared that from that day forward, she was their daughter. As for me, branded as “selfish” and “vain”, I was no longer the doted daughter in their hearts. Over the past eight years, I wrote 300 IOUs. That was all they had left for me. I took the stack of IOUs from my pocket once more and flipped through them. I was just a high school graduate. How could I possibly come up with 50 thousand dollars in a single week?   I started working like crazy, taking on multiple part-time jobs. When my childhood sweetheart, Vincent Carter, saw me one night, I was serving drinks at a nightclub. I had no choice. I needed money, and my daytime hours were already packed with other jobs. At night, this was the only job that paid decently and settled wages weekly. Occasionally, there were customers who tried to take advantage of me, but I held my ground, and no one dared to go too far. I counted on my fingers, calculating how much I would still be short after working for a full week. But in Vincent’s eyes, my job was proof that I had no self-respect. He came to drink with a few friends, and he saw me the moment he went into the bar. He rushed to grab my wrist. The expensive wine I had been carrying slipped from my hands and crashed onto the floor. He said, “Veronica, after you ran away from home, Angelica has been so worried! I can’t believe you have stooped so low to a place like this! How could you set an example for her?” I ignored his furious questions, staring blankly at the shattered mess on the floor. I thought, “What a pity. Tonight’s effort has gone to waste.” Seeing that I did not respond, Vincent grew even angrier. My manager hurried over to apologize and asked, “Mr. Carter, you know Veronica?” “I always knew she was careless and would offend someone. Veronica, apologize to Mr. Carter!” I thought, “Wow, Mr. Carter. What an imposing title.” I looked at the man in front of me, dressed sharply, standing with an air of superiority. He was nothing like the little boy who used to follow me around, begging me to play with him. But that version of Vincent, the one who had once claimed to love only me and promised to protect me forever, had long since fallen hopelessly in love with Angelica. Just like my parents had. Sometimes, I really thought Angelica was the protagonist of this world, and I was the villain doomed to fall into darkness. Everyone who once loved me would eventually love her as if it were some kind of curse. There was no escaping it. Vincent did not notice my distraction. He scanned me from head to toe, his eyes filled with disdain, as if he were looking at something filthy. He picked up the menu and ordered 10 bottles of strong liquor before looking down at me with arrogance. “Forget it. An apology from someone like you is worthless. Since you enjoy serving drinks so much, drink all 10 bottles. Not only will I let this go, but I’ll give you 100 thousand dollars. How about that?” I did not respond. Instead, I picked up a bottle from the table. I knew Vincent wanted to see me humiliate myself. He knew exactly how hard life had been for me since my parents started enforcing their rules. At my lowest point, I could only afford one meal a day. My stomach had long since deteriorated, much worse than Angelica’s had ever been. But Vincent, who had initially stood by my side, vowing to expose Angelica’s true nature and even giving me his family heirloom gem, completely changed. He said, “Suffering a little isn’t a big deal. After all, you owe Angelica. After spending time with her, I realized she’s not a bad person. Veronica, she’s your sister. There’s no need to treat her like an enemy.” After drinking two bottles, Vincent folded his arms and watched me with a smug expression, as if waiting for me to break. As I continued to drink, his face started to darken. When I drank the eighth bottle, he finally snapped. He grabbed the bottle from my hand and smashed it to pieces. I wondered, “Strange, he looks furious, but why is he angry? Wasn’t this exactly what he had wanted?” I watched his lips move, seemingly shouting, “Veronica, are you willing to risk your life for money?” A moment later, his furious expression turned into one of panic. “Veronica, what’s wrong?” I swayed unsteadily, and before I could answer, I collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness completely.

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At the party held to celebrate my son’s birth, our nanny, Rachel, suddenly snatched my son from my arms and glared at me with hostility. “This is my grandson! I’m taking him with me today!” At first, I thought she was joking. After all, I didn’t even know her son. But in front of all the guests, she held up a paternity test and publicly accused me. “This shameless woman has been sleeping with my son all along and even gave birth to my grandson! But now, she dares to be with another man? How disgusting!” Because of her accusations, my husband despised me. He threw me out of the house before my C-section wound had even healed. Rachel dragged me back to her home despite my protests, forcing me to serve her entire family. Whenever she was dissatisfied, she would beat me mercilessly. Under their torment, I died. But when I opened my eyes again, I found myself back to the day before the party. ***** Memories flooded my mind, and I jolted upright in bed. Cold sweat clung to my back. I took deep breaths to steady myself. Looking around, I confirmed that nanny Rachel and her son Clark weren’t there, allowing me to relax slightly. Staring at the smooth skin in the mirror, I felt as if I had lived another lifetime. In my past life, Rachel had chained me to their house to confine my movements. Whenever I slacked off, I’d get relentless beatings. Under their coercion, I was forced into two pregnancies. But both of those innocent children died under their abuse. “Taylor, what’s wrong? You look so pale.” My husband, Andrew Smith, grasped my hand tightly with concern in his gaze. I turned to look at the calendar on the wall. The date was September 15. I realized that I had been reborn. I had returned to the day before the party for my son. Seeing my gentle and loving husband before me, I felt tears streamed down my face. I threw myself into his arms, wanting to say so much yet unable to form the words. I could only sob silently. He chuckled indulgently and wiped my tears with a tissue. “Oh dear, you’re already a mother, and our baby is about to turn one month old. How are you still such a crybaby?” His lighthearted words pulled me out of my turmoil. Tomorrow, Rachel would expose my son’s supposed paternity, using it to humiliate my family. Relatives would hurl insults at me, calling me a whore and a disgrace. My husband, who tried to defend me, would suffer alongside me. At the party, Andrew’s mother, Lauren, would slap me in front of everyone and curse, “You shameless woman! You had another man’s child and still expect my son to raise him? Get out! Divorce Andrew right now!” Andrew would plead with her, insisting that I wasn’t that kind of person. But Lauren would have him knocked unconscious and allow Rachel to take me away. To sever Andrew’s hopes of being with me, Lauren would preserve his sperm and then castrate him. She would arrange for him to marry a controlling woman, ensuring that his entire life remained under her thumb. Recalling our tragic fate, I took a deep breath. This time, I still had a chance. I wiped my tears and quickly turned to Andrew. “Honey, let’s go to the hospital.” He hesitated for a moment before responding, “Baby, you’re still recovering. Going out now isn’t safe, and you might catch a cold. Is it urgent? How about we ask Rachel to go in your place?”

Thinking about the terrifying Rachel, I felt fear surge through me like a tidal wave. “No, not her… It’s urgent.” Seeing my distress, Andrew wrapped me up tightly in warm layers before accompanying me outside. As we stepped out, we brushed past Rachel. The moment I saw her, memories of September 16 came flooding back, the day that dragged me from a life of happiness straight into hell. This time, I was determined to uncover the truth. I would never let history repeat itself. Just as I was about to get into the car, Rachel hurried over and said, “Ma’am, where are you going? Your body is still weak. You shouldn’t be running around. What if you catch something? Then people will say I’m not doing my job properly.” Sensing her approach, I quickly got into the car. This woman was the root of all my suffering. In my past life, I had stood before a hall full of guests, announcing my son’s situation and my plans to take him abroad. Then, Rachel stormed into the party hall with her crippled son, smashing decorations along the way. Standing below the stage, she pointed at me with an air of superiority. “Taylor, you gave birth to my son’s child, and now you dare to take my grandson away? My son was in a coma for just one year after his accident, and you already moved on to another man! You still expect me to take care of you?” The entire party hall fell silent, and people turned to watch the spectacle unfold. Even the host stepped aside. Seeing that all eyes were on her, Rachel lifted her chin like a proud rooster basking in attention. She marched onto the stage, snatched the microphone from the host, and declared, “I know you all think this is some kind of trick, but the truth is written on the paper. This party should have been hosted by our family, and this child belongs with us.” With that, she pulled a thick stack of DNA test copies from her pocket and scattered them across the hall. “Take a good look, everyone! The results show a 99.9% match between my son and this child. I’m taking my grandson home today, and I’m taking Taylor too!” Among the guests were several doctors, all waiting to verify the document. One of them stroked his chin before nodding. “This is indeed our hospital’s official seal. It cannot be fake.” As soon as he spoke, murmurs of gossip filled the room. “Taylor always seemed so decent. Who would have thought she was so loose?” “Andrew must have been tricked. He raised another man’s child, and his money is going straight into someone else’s pockets.” Rachel smirked in satisfaction. This was exactly what she wanted. Her son, Clark, yanked me into his arms, muttering, “Mom said we’re taking you home. You’re my wife.” Andrew tried to intervene, but Clark landed a punch squarely on his nose, causing blood to pour down his face. Lauren could not tolerate even the slightest blemish on her reputation. Rachel knew this weakness well. Tears streamed down Lauren’s face as she took the stage. “Taylor, my son got into that accident because he was saving you! He was in a coma for a year, which is why he never gave you a proper wedding. And now you betray him for another man? You even tried to give my grandson to someone else? If I hadn’t ordered this paternity test, we would all still be in the dark! Today, I demand justice!” Lauren’s face darkened, and she immediately called security to contain the chaos. I was still in shock. I had never even met her son before, so how could I have been pregnant with his child? I had never been intoxicated either. No matter what, it was impossible for me to have any connection with him. As I tried to make sense of the situation, Lauren slapped me across the face. I staggered and fell to the ground. My mother rushed forward and struck Lauren back. The party descended into utter chaos. Amid the uproar, someone covered my mouth and dragged me away, marking the beginning of my nightmare. Now, as I faced Rachel again, my body trembled uncontrollably. Andrew finished gathering our things and looked at me. “What’s wrong?” I stared at Rachel’s smiling face, but all I felt was bone-deep terror. “Nothing. Let’s go.” We drove toward the hospital, but I soon noticed a car trailing us. Taking a closer look, I realized that Rachel and Clark were sitting in the back seat.

When Andrew and I arrived at the hospital, Rachel also quietly followed us. While Andrew went to register me, she approached and blocked my way. “Mrs. Smith, you’re still recovering. It’s not convenient for you to be out and about. If you need anything, just let me handle it for you. Besides, my son is here too.” She reached for my wrist, trying to drag me toward the exit, while discreetly signaling to her son. “I’m doing this for your own good. If something happens to your body, having a second child will be difficult.” The sight of the pockmarks on her hand made my skin crawl. “Don’t touch me! Get away from me! If you try anything, I’ll call the police!” Rachel’s smiling expression instantly crumbled, and tears streamed down her face. “Do you know how hard it is for someone my age to find a job? I’ve been working for your family for so long. Even if I haven’t done great things, I’ve put in effort. I only care about your health, and what have I done wrong?” Watching her feigned distress, I felt nothing but a deep chill. She was like an aging venomous snake, baring its fangs at me. Suppressing my disgust, I shoved her away. “Isn’t your son sick? You should go home and take care of him. Andrew and I will find a new nanny. We are just employer and employee. Just do your job and stop meddling in my life.” Her glare darkened with resentment, though she quickly replaced it with a fake smile. “It’s fine. I was just worried about you, with your child’s party around the corner. My son had a child a month ago too, born on the exact same day as yours. It’s such a lovely baby. But his mother turned out to be a shameless woman who ran off with another man.” She looked at me with a knowing, sinister gaze as if she were appraising a cheap piece of merchandise. Her scrutiny made me uncomfortable, and a smug smile crept onto her face. I rolled my eyes. “Keep your family drama to yourself. It has nothing to do with me.” Rachel covered her mouth and let out a chuckle, her flabby body shaking with amusement. “Alright, alright, it has nothing to do with you. Then I’ll just wish you a successful party tomorrow. Mrs. Smith, I think it will be a truly unforgettable day.” The memory of that fateful event made rage burn in my chest. Every fiber of my being screamed for revenge. But I forced myself to hold back. It wasn’t time to expose her yet. Once I uncovered the full truth, I would make her pay. Just as I turned away, I fell into Andrew’s arms. He held me tightly, his voice soft. “Honey, everything’s done. Let’s go inside.” As we moved to join the queue, I noticed Rachel still standing where we left her. Annoyed, I clicked my tongue. Andrew followed my gaze and saw Rachel glaring at our intertwined hands. He frowned, “Rachel, there’s nothing left for you to do here. You should go home. Stop obsessing over our lives and mind your own business.” Rachel shot us a venomous look, her voice dripping with displeasure. “I’d like to see how long you two can stay this happy. It’s disgusting to see you guys like this. “You don’t even know who you’re really married to. You’re both blind. And now you’re all ganging up to bully me? Fine, I quit!” With that, she stormed off in anger, leaving Andrew and me standing there. Andrew was utterly confused. “Is Rachel insane? What kind of nanny talks to her employers like that?”   I pulled Andrew into a corner and looked at him seriously. Seeing my grave expression, he immediately dropped his usual playful demeanor. His mind was open and adaptable, capable of accepting things that most people couldn’t. I told him the truth that I had been reborn. “At our son’s party, Rachel will bring her son to cause a scene. She’ll print out dozens of copies of a paternity test and hand them out to our relatives and friends. After that, they will take me away, and I will be beaten to death.” Tears streamed down Andrew’s face as he pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. “I don’t know if this is real or not, but I believe every word you say. So you came to the hospital today because you wanted to test the DNA between me and the baby, didn’t you?” Soon, our names appeared on the screen. We rushed to the doctor’s office, where he was in the process of stamping the paternity test results. “Andrew, the genetic relationship between you and your son Zachary is only one percent. This means he is not your biological son.” Before Andrew could respond, I abruptly stood up. “Doctor, is there any chance the test is wrong? Are the results absolutely accurate?” Andrew, visibly anxious, asked, “Could our baby have been switched? My wife has only ever been with me. How could this be possible?” The doctor gave him a sympathetic look and shook his head. “No. Swapping babies is a serious crime. Do you think we don’t have security cameras?” Patting Andrew’s shoulder, he spoke in a measured, solemn tone, “The margin of error for this test is practically nonexistent. The child is indeed not yours.” I turned to Andrew, completely lost. I had always been faithful and never had late nights out. How could I have conceived Clark’s child? Had Rachel really switched my baby? No, that was impossible. Hospitals were covered in surveillance, and the paternity test couldn’t be faked either. To prevent the past from repeating itself, I told Andrew, “Let’s cancel the party tomorrow.” We agreed immediately and announced the cancellation that same night. But fate could not be avoided. The next day, Rachel arrived at our home with her crippled son. She held a thick stack of papers in her hands and flung them through our doorway. “Take a good look at what kind of woman you’ve let into your home. I suggest you return my grandson to me as soon as possible. And Taylor, she belongs to my son!” With that, she clenched her fists, preparing to take me away. Her sinister expression sent chills through my body. Clark stared at me without blinking and silently mouthed a threat. Rachel added, “If you don’t come home with me, I’ll expose your crimes to the whole world.”

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In my previous life, I randomly bought a lottery ticket at a convenience store, and it won me 80 million dollars. Three days later, our pregnant young nanny jumped into a river and ended her life. Before she died, she left behind a letter and a video. In them, she claimed that I had long humiliated and abused her and even slandered her by accusing her of seducing my husband. In the video, my voice could clearly be heard berating her. “You bitch! Who told you to use a mop to clean the floor? Kneel and scrub every inch of the floor. If it’s not clean, you won’t get dinner tonight.” I called my husband to testify for me, but he firmly insisted that I was always this arrogant and cruel, constantly abusing others. He even lifted his shirt to reveal bruises and injuries on his body. I was speechless, unable to defend myself, and became the target of public scorn. In the end, the 80 million dollars I won was all given as compensation to the nanny’s sister. I spent my life in prison, consumed by fear, and to my dying breath, I could never understand how the always gentle and kind nanny could accuse me, only to then jump into the river and end her life. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day I won the lottery. “Mrs. White, breakfast is ready. Please come and eat while it’s still hot.” The nanny, Amy Mason, smiled gently, just like usual, preparing my favorite breakfast and bringing it to the table. She called me to eat with the same soft voice, but I felt a shiver run through me. Amy was just in her early twenties, with a beautiful appearance and a gentle temperament. After my husband, Luca White, and I got married, both of us were busy with work and often came home late at night. Out of necessity, we hired a nanny through an agency to prepare our meals and take care of the housework. I had intended to hire an older woman, but Amy had cried and told us she was from the rural village. If she couldn’t find a job, her father would sell her off to a fool as his wife. She begged us for a chance, saying she would accept a lower salary and was willing to learn anything. Feeling sorry for her, Luca and I decided to hire her. She was diligent, gentle, and embodied the simplicity and hardworking spirit typical of village folk. After more than a year of work, she had made no mistakes. It was hard for me to connect her to the pale, bloated corpse I saw in the river in my previous life. Just not long ago, she had excitedly told me she was pregnant with her boyfriend’s child and planned to quit her job in a while to focus on her pregnancy. “Mrs. White, what are you thinking? Is the breakfast I made this morning not to your liking? I can make you a new one,” Amy said, already preparing to take my plate away. I shook my head, forcing myself to calm down. “It’s nothing. I was just thinking about work. The breakfast is as delicious as always.” Amy sighed in relief, then turned to grab a cloth and began wiping down the coffee table in the living room. I chewed on the bread in my mouth but felt no taste. “What went wrong?” I wondered. Just then, Luca walked out of the bedroom. Amy immediately put down the cloth in her hand and greeted him. He simply nodded in response. “Mm.” He walked over to me, took the half-eaten, dry piece of bread from my hand, and thoughtfully spread blueberry jam. “Darling, what are you thinking? You forgot the jam.” If it hadn’t been for the fact that, in my previous life, he had angrily accused me of being a malicious woman in front of everyone, I might have been fooled by his considerate, good-husband act. In my previous life, everyone believed that I had driven Amy to her death. I had seen Luca as my last hope. He knew exactly how I treated her. Yet, I never expected him to become the final straw that broke me. He held Amy’s lifeless body in his arms, his eyes red with anger as he shouted at me, “You often bully and beat me, and I can tolerate that because I’m your husband. No matter what, I could endure! “But Amy is innocent. She worked so hard, and you forced her to the point where she jumped into the river! “She was pregnant, for God’s sake!” Luca screamed in agony, his voice hoarse, as if he’d gone mad. He even showed everyone the bruises and wounds on his body, trying to prove to the world that I was a cruel, abusive woman. I was too weak to defend myself, just sitting there, helpless, while the crowd pointed their fingers at me. “How heartless can this woman be? She even beats her husband.” “I know her. She lives in my neighborhood. The nanny she hired was so efficient and worked for a low wage. I had no idea she was being treated like this at home.” “Yeah, and she was pregnant! That’s two lives lost. How could anyone be so heartless?” The insults felt like sharp blades piercing through my skin, but I couldn’t refute any of it. The police took me away. In court, the letter, the video, and the witness testimonies piled up. Each piece of evidence was as solid as a mountain. I became the online target of scorn, labeled as a heartless employer and a bullying, malicious woman. Even on the way from the courtroom to the prison, countless people threw rotten eggs at my head, condemning me. My parents were dragged into the scandal as well, branded as the parents of a malicious woman. They had been teachers their entire lives, only to be pointed at by everyone in their old age, accused of failing to raise their daughter properly, unfit to be educators. In the end, they died of heart attacks at home, their bodies found only after they had begun to decompose. Yet, even as I was tortured to death in prison, I couldn’t understand why Amy suddenly ended her life. Why were there marks of abuse on Luca’s body? Now that I was given a second chance at life, I was determined to uncover the truth. I had to know what really happened.

I silently finished my breakfast. Then, I heard Amy’s voice. “Mrs. White, I see that the lottery draw is today. Don’t forget to check!” Suddenly, I remembered that today was the day of the lottery draw. That meant, in just one week, Amy would jump into the river and end her life. I only had one week left. I went to the living room and picked up the lottery ticket. I entered the numbers into my phone, and sure enough, I had won 80 million dollars. At some point, Amy had walked over to my side, staring at the screen in shock. “Eight million dollars? Mrs. White! You won 80 million dollars?” Amy seemed ecstatic, spinning in excitement in the living room. I watched her, her energy bubbling over, but a question slowly formed in my mind. It was my win, yet she seemed even happier than I was. After a long silence, Amy finally realized that she had gotten too carried away. In my previous life, she had acted the same way. When I discovered I had won the lottery, she seemed even more thrilled than I was. But back then, I was too caught up in my own joy to notice how strange her behavior was. Luca had already left for work. I pretended to be excited, holding the lottery ticket and dancing around the living room. I talked about how Luca and I would go out for a fancy dinner tonight and plan a trip abroad to see the world. When Amy heard I was going to travel, she put down the cloth in her hands and stood in front of me, looking somewhat embarrassed. “Mrs. White, if you and Mr. White are going to travel, may I ask for a couple of days off? My mother has been ill recently, and I’d like to go back and take care of her. “Also, I’ve been feeling a little tired lately because I’m pregnant.” Her face was filled with worry, as if she were about to cry, clearly afraid I might say no. Not long ago, she had mentioned she was pregnant. It was with her boyfriend from the city. Both Luca and I were happy for her. Finally, she had escaped the village and found herself a good future. We even told her when she had the baby, she would bring it to our home to visit. I gently took her hand and comforted her, “It’s okay, Amy. If your family is sick, you should go back. I’ll give you a monetary gift in a bit. Please send my regards to your mother.” She looked at me gratefully, then turned and went back to her room to start packing. I watched her retreating figure, suddenly recalling something. “Amy, do you have a younger sister at home?” Her footsteps faltered. “No… no, Mrs. White, you must be mistaken.” “Maybe I’ve just had too much on my mind lately and mixed things up,” I quickly added to smooth things over. She hastily walked into her room and slammed the door shut. I stood there, silently pondering her reaction, feeling something wasn’t quite right. In my previous life, the 80 million dollars I won from the lottery was given to her younger sister as compensation. But now, she claimed she didn’t have a sister. Then, who did my 80 million dollars go to? Now, after I had just won the money, she was suddenly heading back to her hometown to visit family. In the year she had worked for us, every time she received a call from home, she was always impatient. Her alcoholic, abusive father and gambling-addicted mother would constantly find ways to ask her for money. Why would she suddenly want to go back and visit them? There had to be some hidden secret. After packing, Amy bid me farewell and left. I wrapped myself tightly and quietly followed her. But what I saw next completely disappointed me.

I followed Amy to her and her boyfriend’s place. It was in an old, rundown area of the city, a dilapidated house with no proper pavement or road. Yet, none of that seemed to affect the relationship between Amy and her boyfriend. The soundproofing in the house was poor, so I crouched by the wall, listening carefully to their conversation inside. “Amy, your parents treat you so badly. Are you really going back? “You’re pregnant, too. I’m worried about you. This is our first child.” Her boyfriend’s face was filled with worry. However, Amy smiled brightly, eagerly pulling her boyfriend, James, closer. “Don’t worry, James. This time, I’m going back not just to take care of my mother, but to bring back my passport so we can get married. “When I went for the prenatal checkup at the Medical University Hospital last time, didn’t the doctor say the baby’s healthy? That’s the best hospital in the city, so don’t worry!” While listening against the wall, I caught a crucial piece of information. Amy had gone to the Medical University Hospital for a prenatal checkup. I looked at James’ honest face and the concern he had for her. Even though my suspicions about Amy and Luca had eased somewhat, I knew I couldn’t let my guard down. I decided I needed to go to the hospital myself to confirm. I called an old classmate who worked at the hospital, telling her that Amy was my distant cousin and asking if she could find her prenatal checkup records for me. She quickly found the records for me. The records clearly stated that Amy was over two months pregnant. Two months… I pulled out my phone and searched through the chat history with Luca. About two months ago, he had gone on a business trip out of town for over a month. Everyone in his company could confirm this. During that time, Amy had been with me at home every day. They couldn’t have had any time to be together, let alone secretly have a child. I walked back home in a daze, feeling like a heavy weight was pressing on my chest. My greatest suspicion had been that Amy and Luca were having an affair, and after learning I had won 80 million dollars, they had plotted to kill me and run away together with the money. But now, all of my assumptions had been overturned. Amy was innocent, and so was Luca. Restlessly, I paced around the living room, overwhelmed by a sense of pain and despair. As I looked up, I noticed the surveillance camera in the living room. I remembered the footage from my previous life, where she had slandered me. I opened my phone and scrolled through all the footage from the past three months. In the footage, everything was normal. There were no scenes of me ordering Amy to kneel and scrub the floor, and there were no instances of me verbally abusing her. I felt like I was on the verge of a breakdown. I spent three days alone in the house, trying to make sense of everything, but I couldn’t come up with a single clue. Three days later, Amy returned. She looked different from the usual exhaustion, and she seemed full of energy. “Mrs. White, I brought back some eggplants from my hometown. How about I make an eggplant stew for dinner?” I tried to pull myself together and respond to her. “Don’t put in the eggplants. Amy, you really are forgetful. Didn’t I tell you I’m allergic to eggplants?” She stood there, looking a little embarrassed and scratching her head, saying she had forgotten. Her expression was calm as usual, and she quickly got to work, even more chatty and friendly than usual. I looked at her, and a sudden thought crossed my mind. I picked up my phone and made a call. The next day, the sound of urgent knocking on the door shattered my peaceful sleep. “Quick, come downstairs and check! Your nanny, Amy, jumped into the river!” The anxious voice of my neighbor woke me up from my deep slumber. I calmly got up and took my time applying a delicate layer of makeup. As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn’t help but smile. The show was about to begin.

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Rebecca Perez had just booked her flight to Howario for seven days later when Felix Jameson’s call came through. “Take this trip to Howario as a chance to clear your head and reflect on where you went wrong. When you get back, write a heartfelt apology to Felicity.” he said, his tone matter-of-fact. Felicity Aniston was Felix’s love interest, and ever since she returned six months ago, everything had changed in Rebecca and Felix’s eight-year relationship. Rebecca bit her lip and replied softly, “Okay.” Felix was studying the itinerary for Star Island, the destination of Rebecca’s upcoming trip, and his brow furrowed with suspicion. “How’s safety there? I’ve never heard of it.” “It’s a safe island. I visited a few years ago,” Rebecca replied, her voice calm and dismissive. Felix shrugged off his worries, his tone neutral. “As long as you truly recognize your mistakes, I’ll still honor the wedding I promised you.” Rebecca kept silent about the fact that the island belonged to the Perez family, where outsiders were strictly forbidden. This time, she was letting him and Felicity be together, fully disappearing from his life. ***** The mention of the wedding tugged painfully at her heart. “Felix, where did you toss my underwear? I can’t find it.” Felicity’s sultry voice came from the other end of the line. Rebecca tightened her grip on the phone, feeling as if a heavy stone had lodged itself in her chest. Felix responded to Felicity, “I’ll help you look for it in a bit.” Then, without a hint of guilt, he turned back to Rebecca. “I’m working with Felicity. She’s shooting a swimwear promo today, not what you’re thinking.” Rebecca bit her lip again, replying with a soft, “Mm.” Felix, feeling that she was being dismissive and not taking responsibility, let his frustration boil over. “Do you still think you’re the victim here? Thank goodness Felicity is kind and forgiving, or you’d be facing serious consequences right now! “I love you deeply, but that doesn’t give you the right to be reckless! You need to reflect on your actions! No more excuses!” The call ended abruptly. Even though she had resolved to leave, Felix’s harsh words felt like a dagger to her heart. She had told him countless times that the soup she served Felicity was nutritious, not deadly. Felix refused to believe her, convinced she was consumed by jealousy and had malicious intentions. He had never hung up on her so quickly before. Since Felicity’s return, Felix’s calls had been cut short more and more often. He always insisted that his relationship with Felicity was innocent, unaware that Rebecca had seen their explicit WhatsApp messages just two weeks ago—messages that were graphic and hard to stomach. They had been intimate in every corner of the house, even sneaking away during the grand birthday party Felix threw for her on a cruise just a month prior. The moment she discovered Felix’s betrayal, it felt as if she had plunged into an icy abyss, shattering into a million pieces. For years, Rebecca had been his shadow, supporting him silently through his family’s crisis. To think it had all been an illusion. Now, she felt utterly disheartened. Her phone lit up with a call from the bridal shop, a familiar voice on the line. “Ms. Perez, your custom wedding dress has arrived. When would you like to come in for a fitting?” “Tomorrow. I’ll come by to pick it up,” she replied, taking a deep breath to steady her emotions. The dress was something Rebecca had chosen with Felix six months ago, with plans to marry by the end of the year. But now, it would never see the light of day. She was determined to destroy it herself, leaving no room for nostalgia. This time, Rebecca would not bend, nor would she look back.

Around 10 a.m., Rebecca arrived at the bridal shop. As she stepped outside, her heart sank at the sight before her. Felicity was wearing the wedding dress Rebecca had custom-ordered, while Felix was clad in the tailored suit she had chosen for him. Felicity leaned against the wall, her arms raised above her head as Felix held her down with one hand while wrapping the other around her waist, kissing her passionately. A photographer stood nearby, snapping away, capturing the moment with a flurry of clicks. “Wow, what a stunning couple! These wedding photos are going to be breathtaking!” one of the staff exclaimed, clearly enamored. “Absolutely! They look so in love; you can tell it’s the real deal!” another chimed in. Rebecca felt a sharp pang in her chest. Even though she knew about their relationship, seeing it unfold in front of her was a different story. Turning on her heel, she walked away. If she was going to let them be together, she could at least consider the dress as a gift for their future. Later that afternoon, Felix returned with the custom wedding dress and suit in tow. Rebecca was busy taking down a pastoral painting she had created herself, removing the last traces of her presence from their home. Felix placed the garments on the sofa and casually asked, “Working on a new painting?” Rebecca had always loved to paint, and whenever she created something new, she’d take down the old. But this time, it wasn’t about replacing an old piece; it was about erasing every trace of herself from the home they had shared. “Yeah,” she replied flatly. As Rebecca stepped down from the ladder, Felix rushed over, worry etched across his face. He opened his arms and pulled her into a hug. “You shouldn’t be climbing up there alone. You could fall!” “I’m fine,” she said, gently stepping away from him. In the past, Felix had always been the person to hang her paintings, forbidding her from doing anything dangerous. He was meticulous about her safety, hovering over her like a protective shadow. Unbeknownst to him, Rebecca wasn’t sulking; she was simply cold inside. Felix gestured to the wedding dress on the sofa. “I brought back the dress. We can talk about wedding photos when you return from Howario.” Rebecca caught the implication in his words. If she reflected well, they would take the photos as planned; if not, their wedding would be indefinitely postponed. “Sure,” she said, her voice even. Seeing her subdued demeanor, Felix approached her, his tone softening as he affectionately ruffled her hair. “Rebecca, my feelings for you haven’t changed. Don’t overthink it, okay?” Hearing those words made her feel nauseous. She didn’t want to reveal his lies, so she forced a strained smile. “Mm.” Seeing her smile, Felix wore a slight grin before he shifted back to business. “Grandpa wants us over for dinner tonight.” “Okay, I’ll change,” she replied. In the eight years she’d spent with the Jameson family, Felix’s grandfather, Vincent Jameson, had always treated her like a beloved granddaughter. As she prepared to leave, Rebecca genuinely wanted to enjoy a meal with him. After changing, Rebecca joined Felix at Jameson Manor. As soon as they got out of the car, Felix naturally took her hand, their fingers intertwining. The family’s servants often whispered behind their backs about how lucky Rebecca was to have snagged Felix in college, changing from an ordinary girl into a princess. She always smiled politely, offering no explanation. Vincent beamed as he welcomed them, having the kitchen prepare a feast of Rebecca’s favorite dishes. He kept piling food onto her plate, while Felix discreetly peeled the meat from a king crab and fed it to her. Watching them, Vincent couldn’t help but comment, “Rebecca, Felix, you two should think about starting a family soon. It won’t delay the wedding at the end of the year!”

Felix wore a smile as he fed Rebecca another piece of crab meat. He said, “There’s no rush on the baby front. Let’s wait until Rebecca gets back from Howario to discuss it.” Vincent had been longing for a great-grandchild for quite some time. The Jameson family had been carrying on a single line for generations, and as he grew older, the thought of not seeing a grandchild became increasingly pressing. He looked at Rebecca with hopeful eyes. “What do you think, Rebecca?” She managed to make a small smile, feeling a pang of bittersweetness at Vincent’s eager anticipation. “Vincent, you’ll be holding your great-grandson or great-granddaughter soon enough.” Given the frequency with which Felix and Felicity were together, it was only a matter of time before a child came along. Vincent beamed, his joy palpable. “With you saying that, I can’t wait to hold my great-grandchild!” “Make sure to eat well and take care of yourself,” Vincent insisted, serving her a bowl of soup with excitement. Felix leaned in, studying Rebecca’s profile with interest. “Let’s hope for twins—one of each! That way, if we ever argue, we’ll have a teammate on our side.” Vincent chuckled, waving his hand dismissively, “With how in love you two are, I doubt you’ll have any fights. Rebecca, with your sweet and forgiving nature, Felix is lucky to have you.” Felix smiled at Rebecca, his expression tender. “I really am lucky.” Just then, Felix’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He stood up casually. “I’ll take this outside. Client call,” he said, heading for the door. Rebecca knew it was Felicity calling. At first, she had been puzzled by the contact’s name Felix had assigned her, but after seeing their chat history, she now understood it was a term of endearment, “my dearest”. Within a couple of minutes, Felix returned, his expression hurried. “Rebecca, Grandpa, I have to head out. There’s an urgent matter with a client I need to handle.” Rebecca masked her emotions, giving him a calm look. “You should go.” Felix affectionately ruffled her hair. “Good girl.” In Felix’s eyes, Rebecca was like a playful puppy, easy to soothe. Once home, Rebecca hadn’t even taken off her shoes when she received a video call from Felix. On the screen, he was sprawled over Felicity, her clothes reduced to nothing but a bra precariously hanging off her shoulder. Felix was eagerly thrusting against her, looking like a hungry tiger. “Such a tempting little vixen,” he praised, breathless. Felicity, with sultry eyes, wrapped her arms around his neck. “I want to be wrapped up in you every day. I want all of your ‘goodies’ to be mine.” Felix cradled her face, his gaze smoldering. “All yours, completely yours. No one else.” Felicity playfully punched his shoulder. “You’re lying! You’re still sleeping with her, aren’t you?” Felix swore, “I haven’t touched her. It’s all yours, I promise!” Felicity grinned, leaning into him. “I only give myself to you. I love how wild you are with me.” As Rebecca watched their bodies entwined, her already shattered heart felt like it was being twisted anew. The phone slipped from the bed, crashing to the floor and ending the call. Her phone had an auto-saving feature, so she stored the video in a document labeled “Birthday Party”. An hour later, Rebecca received a text from Felix: [Things are getting complicated with the client. I won’t be back tonight. Get some rest, okay? Love you!] Rebecca read the message, a cold smile creeping across her face, but she didn’t reply. In the middle of the night, her phone rang, and it was her best friend, Lillian Miller. “You need to get over here, quick! You’ve got to see what your ‘perfect man’ is up to!”

Rebecca rushed into the hospital, her heart racing, only to find Felix gently rubbing Felicity’s abdomen. Felicity leaned against Felix, her face contorted in discomfort, as she whimpered, “It’s all your fault! You keep asking for it again and again, and now I’m in so much pain! It hurts, and to top it all off, I’ve got an infection. Ugh, it’s just the worst!” Felix, his face filled with concern and guilt, continued to soothe her. When Felicity glanced up and locked eyes with Rebecca at the door, she greeted her without a hint of shame. “Rebecca! You’re here!” Felix, suddenly tense, stood up and released Felicity from his embrace. “Rebecca, uh, what brings you here?” He forced out, trying to sound casual. To ease any potential misunderstanding, he quickly explained, “Felicity’s not feeling well and doesn’t have any family in town.” Felicity chirped in a teasing tone. “Oh, come on! Rebecca’s way too understanding to be jealous, right?” With a calm smile, Rebecca replied, “Not at all.” Despite the anger bubbling inside her, the thought that this chaos would soon come to an end steadied her nerves. Felix felt a quiet sigh of relief at her composure. “Rebecca.” Lillian’s voice came from behind her. She was a gynecologist at this very hospital. Rebecca turned to her, and Lillian, brimming with indignation, lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Listen, I saw Felix and Felicity all over each other in here. I’m telling you they’ve definitely been getting it on. Felicity’s infection is from too much sex! These two need to be held accountable!” Lillian’s anger flared, and she was determined to confront them, dragging Rebecca along to settle the score. Rebecca calmly caught her arm. “Lillian,” she said, shaking her head, and signaling for her friend to reconsider. Lillian stared in disbelief. “You can’t be serious! Why are you just letting them get away with this?” Pulling Lillian away to a quieter area, Rebecca took a deep breath. She briefly shared her plans to leave, and it dawned on Lillian that Rebecca had known about Felix’s infidelity for some time. The lack of confrontation stemmed from Rebecca’s decision to completely walk away from Felix. Worry etched on Lillian’s face, she asked softly, “Are you sure about this?” Rebecca nodded resolutely. Lillian shook her head, still feeling a surge of emotion. “Just letting them off easy? You really think that’s fair? I can’t just sit back and do nothing!” Rebecca waved her friend closer, and Lillian leaned in, eager to listen. Rebecca whispered a plan that had Lillian’s face breaking into a triumphant smile. With Lillian heading back to her duties, Rebecca cautiously passed Felicity’s hospital room on her way out. Inside, Felicity’s voice wailed dramatically, “I know you care about Rebecca most, just look how worried you were a minute ago about her finding out about us! And now you’re about to marry her, while I’m just… nothing.” Felix wrapped his arms around Felicity, trying to comfort her. “You know how much you mean to me. Don’t forget, there’s still no wedding planned with her. I’ll make sure to prioritize you from here on out, whether it’s with my time or my money. Just try not to get jealous, okay? Be a good girl.” Felicity pouted, swaying playfully against him. “Honey, we’re meant to be together, so don’t let pity for her lead you into marrying her. Why not help find someone nice to take care of her? It’d be a good way to make it right.”

Felix’s expression suddenly turned serious. “Don’t ever say things like that again!” Felicity, sensing his shift in mood, nestled closer into his embrace, her voice sweet and coaxing. “Oh, Felix, it’s just because I care so much about you! I love you more than Rebecca does. Can you believe that?” Felix’s demeanor softened as he held her tighter. “I believe you. I really do.” Rebecca couldn’t help but feel a wave of bitterness wash over her. When she and Felix first got together, she had made it crystal clear. “If you ever fall for someone else, just tell me. Don’t lie to me, or I’ll never forgive you, and I won’t want to see you again.” Eight years ago, Felix had sworn to her, “I won’t fall for anyone else. I’ll love you for life.” Back then, Rebecca had teased him, asking, “What if your high school crush comes back?” Felix had held her close, his voice steady. “She’s in the past. You’re my forever. Don’t ever doubt my love for you.” Rebecca had known about his high school crush, the one who had gone abroad before anything could blossom between them. She had thought that true love could withstand the test of time, but now it all felt laughably naive. After a restless night, Rebecca woke up to find it was already 10 a.m. As she opened her eyes, she saw Felix sitting at the edge of her bed, gazing at her with warmth. “Good morning, sleepyhead.” She propped herself up on her elbows, pulling the covers around her. “When did you get back?” The moment the question slipped out, she regretted it. Felix replied casually, “I settled Felicity in and came straight back. I didn’t want to wake you since you looked so peaceful.” As he reached out to embrace her, Rebecca instinctively got out of bed, avoiding his touch. “I need to freshen up first.” Felix stood and wrapped his arms around her from behind, his voice soft and reassuring. “Rebecca, I really love you. “Please don’t overthink it. You’re the one I want to protect for life. My relationship with Felicity isn’t what you think.” A wave of nausea washed over Rebecca. At that moment, every word he spoke felt like a lie. “Yeah, I get it,” she said flatly, brushing off his hands and heading to the bathroom. When she finished freshening up, Felix was hastily preparing to leave. “Rebecca, I need to take care of something. If you need anything, just call me.” “Sure,” she replied, her tone cool. In the past, Felix would always fill her in on his errands, detailing whom he met and what they discussed. But since Felicity had returned, he had become vague about his whereabouts. After breakfast, Rebecca decided to visit Cloudview Estate, the villa Felix had chosen for them two years ago as their future home. Located in Kingsdom’s affluent neighborhood, it was a stunning property, and she had poured her heart into decorating it. The bedroom walls were adorned with countless photos of their happiest moments together. But now, she felt a surge of resolve and began taking down every single picture. As she was working, her phone buzzed with several notifications. She opened them to find messages from her bank detailing recent transactions. High-end furniture cost two million and 300 thousand dollars. Maserati cost three million dollars. A Hermès handbag cost two million dollars. There were also a few miscellaneous purchases of clothing and lipstick, which were listed below. Five years ago, Felix had filled out all of his bank cards with Rebecca’s phone number, promising her, “If I ever have a mistress and spend money on another woman, you’ll be the first to know. So you don’t have to worry about my cheating.” Taking a deep breath, Rebecca turned off her phone screen, a wave of anger rising within her. There was still half a wall of photos left to take down, and she glared at a picture of Felix wrapping his arms around her, both of them beaming with joy. In a fit of rage, Rebecca pulled the photo from the frame and tore it into shreds. About half an hour later, she was jolted by Felicity’s voice from the next house. “You all better be careful! This is my new home with my husband—our wedding house! Don’t mess with the furniture!”

Rebecca felt a tight knot on her chest as she walked to the window, peering out at the scene next door. Felicity was directing workers as they moved furniture, and Felix stood beside her, his arm wrapped around her waist. Felicity glanced over at the eastern window, fully aware that Rebecca was watching from the second floor. With a feigned softness, she leaned into Felix, her voice dripping with sweetness. “Honey, I’m so tired! You’ve worn me out these past few days. I can barely walk a few steps!” Felix leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I’ll have someone whip up something delicious for you.” “I just want a hug,” Felicity pouted, wriggling against him. “Come on, give me a hug.” As if on cue, she jumped into Felix’s arms, and he caught her effortlessly, holding her like a child. He walked her through the villa, planting a gentle kiss on her cheek. “You’re doing so well, my baby.” Rebecca stood there, silently watching their affection. Even though she had made up her mind to leave for good, a lump formed in her throat, and tears threatened to spill over. ***** Later that evening, Felix returned home to find Rebecca still organizing the decorations, everything still piled in baskets. “Are you going for a new style?” he casually asked, noting her habit of frequently redecorating their home. Without lifting her gaze, Rebecca replied coolly, “Yeah.” Then Felix added, “Felicity’s birthday is coming up. She doesn’t have any friends here, so I thought I’d throw her a birthday party at Jameson Villa.” Rebecca met his probing gaze with calmness. “Sure,” she said, her voice steady. She had anticipated this move from Felix, so when he mentioned it, she felt no shock or anger. Felix seemed surprised by how readily she agreed. He stepped closer, helping her toss items from the shelf into a box. “Felicity’s a really easy person to get along with. You might even end up being friends if you spend more time together.” Rebecca forced a smile but didn’t respond. Felix gently stroked the back of her head and continued, “Felicity’s birthday is this Friday, and I noticed your flight to Howario is also on Friday. Why not postpone it for a day? It could help ease the tension between you two.” Rebecca paused, her expression cooling as she looked at Felix. “I’d rather not postpone. I’ve already made plans with friends, and I don’t want to let them down.” Felix didn’t push further, simply giving her a soft pat on the head. “All right, then. Enjoy your time.” He held back the word “reflection”, sensing that Rebecca had been more compliant lately. He knew she understood what he meant without him saying it outright. After a bit more tidying up, Felix began preparing the guest list for Felicity’s birthday party. As Rebecca glanced over it, she noticed that most names were Felix’s peers—barely twenty people. She said, “Felix, since Felicity wants to develop her career here, why not invite more people to her birthday party? It could really help her build some connections.” Felix was taken aback by Rebecca’s unexpected shift in attitude, but he kept his surprise to himself.

Ever since Felix decided to host Felicity’s birthday party at Jameson Villa, his focus had been entirely consumed by the preparations. In the past, he would have delegated such tasks to his subordinates, but this time he was hands-on with every detail, from choosing the color of the candles to selecting flowers from different countries. Meanwhile, Rebecca had only one task left to complete. Half a month ago, on the day she discovered Felix’s infidelity, she found out she was pregnant. Rebecca had planned to share the news with him, but his behavior made her feel he wasn’t deserving of the role of father. The procedure to terminate her pregnancy was done by Lillian. As Rebecca lay on the cold operating table, her body trembled with fear. She gently stroked her abdomen, whispering, “I’m so sorry, baby. Go find parents who can give you happiness.” As the anesthesia coursed through her veins, she closed her eyes, tears escaping the corners. When she woke up, Rebecca found herself in a hospital bed, and to her surprise, Felix was there, worry etched across his face. He held her hand tightly, pressing it to his lips, visibly relieved when she opened her eyes. “Honey, you scared me to death.” Confused, Rebecca asked, “What are you doing here?” Felix didn’t seem to know about her surgery. Perhaps he didn’t care about the baby at all. With a mix of playful annoyance and affection, he said, “Grandpa wanted us to come home for lunch. I couldn’t reach you, so I called the driver, and he told me you were in the hospital. I rushed over.” At that moment, while he was on the phone, Felicity was nestled in his arms, happily taking her prenatal vitamins. She purred, wrapping her arms around his neck, “Baby, do you want me to have a son first, or a daughter?” Felix smiled, playfully brushing her nose, “Either is fine by me. As long as it’s our child, I’ll love it.” Felicity snuggled closer. “Then I’ll have a son. He can help you with all the pressure.” “You’re so thoughtful,” Felix said, planting a kiss on her forehead. Just then, Vincent called, asking him to return home for lunch with Rebecca. Felicity pouted, her mood dampened, “But I wanted to have lunch with you!” “Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you tonight,” he promised, but when he realized he couldn’t reach Rebecca, his expression turned anxious, and he dashed off to the hospital. Just as Felicity started to shake off her little pout, she caught sight of Felix’s worried expression when he realized he couldn’t reach Rebecca. A wave of jealousy surged within her. When Felix picked up his phone to call the driver and heard Rebecca was in the hospital, his concern intensified. Without a second thought, he bolted for the door. Felicity couldn’t help but feel her irritation flared up. “Wait! Where are you going?” “Out of my way!” Felix shot back, his patience slipping as he brushed past her. Felicity bit her lip, tears of frustration pooling in her eyes. Normally, Felix was so patient with her. There was a time when she cried over him just sleeping with Rebecca, and he would have given up a multi-billion-dollar deal to comfort her. But now, Felix was leaving her behind without a second thought. Felix’s thoughts snapped back to the present. “Lillian said you just had low blood sugar and a weakened immune system. A few days of rest and you’ll be fine. I’ll make you some nourishing soup when we get home.” Rebecca managed a weak smile, testing his reaction. “Felix, I had a dream that we had a baby, but I lost it. Would you be upset?” He leaned closer, wrapping an arm around her head and kissing her forehead. “Of course, I’d be upset. But don’t worry; I won’t let anything happen to you. You won’t be hurt, I promise.” Just then, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Felicity, and Rebecca caught a glimpse of it. [Honey, I’m pregnant. Waiting for you.]

Felix was taken aback, instinctively lowering his gaze to observe Rebecca. At that moment, she quickly averted her eyes. Without a hint of guilt, Felix turned off his phone. “Rebecca, I have some business to handle at work. I’ll send someone to pick you up from the hospital, and I’ll make you some soup when I get home tonight.” As he spoke, he leaned down and gently kissed her forehead, his eyes filled with warmth. After Felix left, Rebecca turned to Lillian. “Make sure to package the embryo from the surgery. I want it to be their gift on Felicity’s birthday.” “Okay,” Lillian replied, her heart aching for Rebecca. She added, “You just lost the baby. Are you sure you’re up for the trip to Howario in two days? Maybe you should wait a bit longer?” Rebecca shook her head firmly. “No, I want to go that day.” She couldn’t wait another moment. If it weren’t for the unusual weather in Howario that had grounded flights for five days, she would have left already. Lillian didn’t press further, simply giving Rebecca’s hand a comforting pat. “Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.” Rebecca managed to make a bittersweet smile. The only truly valuable thing she had gained in her eight years in Kingsdom was Lillian, her dear friend, along with Vincent, who treated her like a cherished granddaughter. ***** As she rested at home, Lillian provided her with some supplements to help her recover quickly. Around 10 p.m., Felix returned, bustling around in the kitchen until midnight. Just as Rebecca was drifting in and out of sleep, she felt him wrap his arms around her from behind, planting soft kisses on her neck as he murmured, “Honey, I love you so much. I can’t stand being away from you for even a moment.” Rebecca pretended not to hear. The next morning, before heading to the office, Felix leaned down to kiss the sleepy Rebecca, reminding her, “Don’t forget to drink the soup I made for you. I’ll be home tonight.” Still half-asleep, she mumbled a half-hearted, “Mm-hmm.” The next couple of days passed in a calm routine, with Felix leaving early and returning late. Whenever Felicity threw a little tantrum, he would sneak off to the bathroom at midnight to text her and soothe her feelings. With just one day left before her departure, Rebecca received a call from her mother, Miranda Perez. “Rebecca! You’re finally coming back! Are you bringing your true love with you this time?” Miranda’s excitement was palpable over the phone. Rebecca felt a lump in her throat, fighting back tears as she tried to sound casual. “Mom, I’m coming back alone. I’ll explain everything when I get home.” Miranda sighed in frustration, “Rebecca, I’m not trying to pressure you, but you’ve been dating for so long. You’re not getting any younger. When do you plan to get married? Who dates for that long without introducing their family?” Miranda assumed Rebecca and Felix were in a similar situation as before, thinking they’d just play around for a few more years before tying the knot. Rebecca could only reassure her. “I’ll have an explanation for you.” Miranda’s disappointment was evident in her voice. “I thought this time you’d bring him back, so I decorated the island beautifully.” Fearing she might lose control of her emotions and cry on the phone, Rebecca quickly made an excuse to hang up. On the 23rd, the countdown came to an end. Felix personally helped Rebecca with her suitcase as they waited in the VIP lounge at the airport. He gently said, “Take some time for yourself. And don’t forget about Felicity’s apology letter. I’ll be waiting for you when you get back.” Rebecca’s gaze turned cold, and she managed to make a faint smile. The announcement for the flight to Venicia crackled over the intercom. Felix walked her to the boarding gate, repeating. “I’ll be waiting for you.” What he didn’t know was that she wouldn’t be coming back. They would never see each other again.

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For two whole years, I endured bullying from my classmate Karen Howard. The school turned a blind eye, and even the National Scholarship that should’ve been mine went to her. It was all because her family had connections. When I went to the school for help, they told me to let it go. When I approached Dean Eric Marsh, he challenged me, “Where’s your proof? Is your father a bureau chief, too? Her uncle’s the head judge! Even if you sue, you’ll lose!” I refused to back down, fighting through every channel. Those girls beat me for four straight hours, leaving me bloody. They bragged that even if they killed me, they’d face no consequences. She threw my family’s medals out like garbage. I desperately held onto them! These medals were earned with the lives of my grandpa, my parents, and my brother! She called them worthless pieces of metal, suitable only for scrap. I couldn’t believe it. My whole family gave their lives for this country, yet I couldn’t even get fundamental justice. I clutched those medals at the military compound’s gate. “You once called my family heroes, national martyrs. So why does a martyr’s daughter suffer like this with no one to help?” ***** A bucket of cold water was dumped over my head. In the dead of winter, I shivered violently. Opening my eyes, I saw Karen and several other girls standing nearby, doubling over with laughter. “What are you doing?” I frantically reached for some tissues. Karen snatched away both the tissue box and towel. “You’re filthy as hell, so we’re bathing you. What, were you raised without parents? Don’t even know how to bathe yourself? Tsk tsk, you stink!” Karen’s laughter grew more vicious as her cronies joined in the mockery. I clenched my fists in rage. Yes. I’d been an orphan since childhood. My grandfather, Wesley Langley, was a firefighter who died from severe injuries while battling a forest fire. My grandmother, Alicia Langley, raised my father, Travis Langley, alone. My dad was about to get married when he inherited my grandfather’s position as a firefighter. He married my mother, Kristin Langley, and soon after, Kristin became pregnant. But before we could enjoy those happy days, my dad was called to a fire. Though he survived, his injuries left him unable to do heavy work. The military district assigned him a security position to support our family. I had a brother, Michael Langley, over 10 years older than me. Later, Travis sacrificed his life, saving Commander Benjamin Davis. Michael followed in his footsteps and became a firefighter. He lived his whole life in obscurity, and when he died, we couldn’t even locate his body. Kristin’s hair turned white from grief as she raised me, her late-born daughter. Then, in 1998, during the great flood, Kristin sacrificed her life in disaster relief efforts. Alicia raised me alone after that. Growing up, all I had was my identity as a martyr’s child. Being a martyr’s child had its perks. I had priority access to tuition, living expenses, and scholarships. But this made me a target of jealousy, and I grew up constantly bullied. I thought things would get better in college. But then last year, Alicia, my only caretaker, passed away too! I was devastated but helpless. Now I was the only one left in my family!

I quickly pulled off my soaked shirt and put on a light jacket. Karen was my roommate and had bullied me multiple times. What was it about this time? I grabbed the metal basin beside me and hurled it at her. “What’s wrong with you!” “The National Scholarship! School rules say you can only get it once. How come you get it every year? Just because your parents are dead? Did you kill off your whole family just to get this scholarship? You’re so comfortable spending dead people’s money!” Karen barely dodged, glaring at me with rage. Fury exploded inside me. How dare she say such things! I couldn’t hold back anymore. I rushed at her and slapped her twice across the face. “Say that again, I dare you! Want me to end you?” Karen shoved me away with a cold laugh. “You think you can take me down? You little orphan nobody! You don’t know who my dad is! Let me tell you! You’re not getting the National Scholarship this year. That spot’s already mine!” The National Scholarship was worth eight thousand dollars. To qualify, you had to be from a low-income family and excel in academics and school activities. That was my entire semester’s living expenses! “Why are you stealing my scholarship when your family’s loaded? Your handbags cost tens of thousands of dollars each! Why take mine?” Karen laughed like she’d heard the funniest joke ever. “Eight thousand dollars? That won’t even buy me a necklace. But I can’t stand watching you get it every year. I’ll treat myself to some fancy meals when I get that money. Oh, and I’ll buy some extra bread to throw at a beggar like you!” Red with fury, I lunged at her, pinning her against the bed behind her, throwing punch after punch. “Karen, I’ll kill you! “Pull her off me and teach her a lesson!” The other girls yanked me away and ganged up on me. I couldn’t fight them all off. They pinned me down and beat me mercilessly. One grabbed an ice-cold beer bottle from the table and smashed it against my head! The bottle shattered with a loud bang! I felt something warm trickling down. When I touched it, it was blood! Those girls were cursing at me, too. “Do you know who Karen is? Her dad’s the chief! Getting a scholarship is nothing for her. Getting you expelled? Just one word from our leader, Karen Howard!” “You parentless little bastard, you dare mess with Karen? Even if I kill you today, no one would care! Your whole family’s dead anyway!” They pinned my shoulders down, immobilizing me completely. Karen pressed her foot against my face, grinding down hard. “You orphaned piece of trash, you dare talk back to me? You should be grateful I even let you stay in this school. Do you think you can compete with me for the scholarship? You’re asking for death!” I coughed up blood, the searing pain in my face piercing through to my lungs, cutting deep into my bones. Having vented their anger, they turned and walked away, laughing as they left.

It took me a while to recover before I picked up a mirror to check myself. Blood was dripping from my forehead, angry red marks covered my face, and my clothes were soaked. I looked like a complete wreck. I ran to the school’s security office without thinking twice. The security staff jumped when they saw my condition and quickly asked, “What happened to you?” “I want to report Karen from my class for bullying! She needs to be disciplined by the school!” Tears started falling as I spoke. After being bullied by her for two whole years, I was devastated, but I was sure the school would finally give me justice! However, the security staff’s expressions changed when they heard Karen’s name. “Roughhousing between students is normal. You’re all adults! Figure it out yourselves.” I stared at them in disbelief. “Several of them beat me up until I was bleeding from my head, and you call that normal?” The teacher’s expression darkened. “Just because you say she hit you, that makes it true? Do you have any proof? Security footage? Don’t come here making a fuss over such a minor injury! Handle it with your department instead of disrupting our work.” I was furious and wanted to argue more. Still, a young teacher pulled me aside and whispered, “Karen’s dad’s the chief with connections to the mayor, and her uncle’s the head judge. You won’t win even if you sue. Best to let it go.” “She left me looking like this, and they say there’s no evidence? Her uncle is the court president, so she can do whatever she wants? Where’s the justice in that?” Tears rolled down my face. How had the world become like this? “Listen, lad, I’m saying this for your good. That’s just how society works. Without money or power, do you think you can get justice? You might end up getting kicked out of school. Just talk to your department and try to stay away from her.” The young teacher headed back to the office after saying that. With red-rimmed eyes, I knew I had to talk to the Dean. Not just about her hitting me, but about my National Scholarship, too! What right did they have to give it to her? I rushed to the Dean, Eric Marsh’s office, and saw Karen walking out! “Mr. Marsh, thank you. I’ll talk to my dad about your next promotion review. Leave it to me.” Karen spotted me, pointed at me mockingly, and then turned and left. I knocked and entered. Eric quickly shoved several gift boxes under his desk when he saw me. “What is it?” “Karen assaulted me, causing serious injuries, and deliberately stole my National Scholarship. I’m here for an explanation.” Eric adjusted his glasses, speaking with false seriousness: “School policy states students can only receive the National Scholarship once. You got it last year, so you’re not eligible this year.” I clenched my fists. “But my name was on the public announcement!” “There was an error in the announcement. Your application was rejected for review, so naturally, we had to choose someone else. That’s all! You can leave now.” Eric’s patience was wearing thin. Helplessly, I asked, “She beat me up like this, and you’re not going to do anything?” Eric’s expression darkened. “Got any proof she did it? Video? Security footage? Is your dad a bureau chief, too? Let me tell you something! Karen’s uncle is the head judge. Even if you take this to court, she could kill you and get away with it! Now get out, or I’ll report you to the school board for expulsion!” I left, feeling devastated. Could those with power and influence get away with anything in this world?

I headed to the cafeteria to get lunch, feeling irritable. The place was packed. Suddenly, Karen stormed over with several other girls. She grabbed my tray and smashed it against my head. All the food and soup drenched my head and clothes. “Beat her up! You worthless orphan, how dare you report me to Eric! Beat her to death!” The girls snatched trays from other students and dumped them over my head. They pinned me down, hitting me repeatedly, then started smashing chairs against my body. Other students scattered in fear. Only we remained in the cafeteria. I tried to protect my head, but they weren’t done. They dragged me into the women’s bathroom and sprayed me with the water hose. The ice-cold water left me shivering. I fought back, but they still beat me black and blue! They beat me for four whole hours until I was barely conscious, unable to move. Karen contemptuously kicked me, “Go ahead, sue me in court! Then you’ll learn what it means to cry for help when no one’s listening!” I lay on the cold floor, tears falling in big drops. It reminded me of being bullied and beaten by classmates when I was young. Everyone else had parents to protect them—everyone except me. I was all alone. When I returned to the dorm, Karen had thrown all my belongings outside. She dumped out an iron box like it was garbage! “Don’t touch my things!” I ran over like a madwoman, protecting the medals. These medals—my grandfather’s, my father’s, my brother’s and mother’s first-class merit medals —were all I had left! Karen looked down at me with contempt. “Just some worthless medals, and you treat them like treasure? They’re useless junk. What, you think these pieces of metal will magically make you money? Pathetic!” Staring at the medals, my tears fell heavily. “Mom, Dad, come back! “I don’t want these medals or scholarships! I want you back! “Mike, where are you? Can’t you save me? “Please, someone save me!” Clutching the iron box, I walked to the military compound with a broken heart. I remember Alicia telling me with her dying breath that if I ever ran out of options, I could bring these medals here, and they would help me. I knelt at the entrance of the military compound, pinning on each medal one by one. With these medals feeling like family by my side, I shouted at the gate, “Is there any justice left in this world? Who will give me justice!” Seeing the medals, the guard recognized the gravity of the situation and rushed into the compound. Soon, I saw a group of people walking out. Benjamin was leading them. I remembered him from my father’s funeral.

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In the Duncan Villa, Cynthia Mitchell sat with a downcast expression, her face pale. “Mrs. Duncan, I’ve thought it over. I want to marry Ivan. Can we set the wedding for the 15th of next month?” Ivan Duncan’s mother, Jennifer Duncan, was taken aback by Cynthia’s sudden declaration, but the surprise quickly melted into joy. Her eyes sparkled as she eagerly asked, “Really? I should’ve known it all along. You two grew up together, and it’s so obvious. He’s always been crazy about you. But… the 15th of next month… that’s… “It’s Stanley’s wedding. But that works, right? Double joy for the family.” Cynthia murmured softly, but inside, her heart was in knots. Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Stanley Duncan, Ivan’s uncle. [You’re on your period today. Take care of yourself.] She stared at the message for a moment, her finger hovering over the screen. After a brief hesitation, she deleted it without a second thought. When she was just eight, her parents died in a plane crash, leaving her all alone in the world. It was Stanley who took her in and gave her a place in his home. After losing her parents, Cynthia became fragile and timid. Stanley, ever so gentle and caring, kept her close, attending to her every need. He’d always been there for her, telling her bedtime stories, picking her up from school, planning her meals, and even guiding her through life’s lessons. He gave her everything and raised her to be strong. Over the years, the fragile little girl who had arrived at his doorstep transformed into a graceful young woman. On her 18th birthday, a powerful typhoon raged outside, bringing torrents of rain. Frightened, she hid in Stanley’s room, curling up on his bed for comfort. That night, she quietly slid off her nightgown and pressed her cold body against his warm back. A clap of thunder startled them both, and Stanley immediately pulled his hand away from her waist. “Cinny, what are you doing? Do you know I’m your uncle? “But we are not blood-related. You’re a Duncan, and I’m from the Mitchell family.” Seeing her unwavering in her feelings, Stanley sighed, his tone softening as he gently ran his hand over her lace nightgown. “Cinny, you’re still so young. You don’t understand the difference between familial love and romantic love. You don’t even know what it really means to like someone.” Cynthia, desperate and determined, straddled him and sank her teeth into his shoulder. “But I’m an adult now! “And you raised me!” That moment marked a turning point. From then on, Stanley began to distance himself from her. In the past, he would personally take her to dinner and make sure she was safe. But now, he avoided her at every turn. The truth finally hit when Cynthia saw Stanley with another woman, an elegant, seductive woman with a figure that made Cynthia feel like a child in comparison. “Stanley, is she the kind of woman you really want?” Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft call from Jennifer. “Cinny, look!” Jennifer led her to Ivan’s room. She opened the bookshelf, revealing neatly arranged piles of Cynthia’s photos, from childhood all the way to college. Every stage of her life was there. Cynthia’s heart clenched. The photos were from Ivan, her childhood friend, and Stanley’s nephew. When they were children, Ivan had been the typical spoiled rich kid. Unable to handle him, Ivan’s father, Arthur Duncan, had sent him to Stanley to discipline. While Stanley pampered Cynthia, he was strict with Ivan, teaching him the value of responsibility. The two of them had grown up together, but they never had the kind of bond that most childhood friends had. Ivan had always teased her, often earning himself scoldings from Stanley. It wasn’t until later that he started to realize his feelings for her. Before he could act on them, Stanley had caught wind of it. Furious, he had sent Ivan abroad to study, putting him in charge of their overseas business. Years passed, and Ivan returned as a completely different person, mature, composed, and even admired by Stanley, who was never one to compliment anyone. Jennifer gently held Cynthia’s hand. “Ivan is a good man. He’s just never been good at expressing his feelings. He’s had countless girls chasing after him, but none of them ever caught his eye. I always thought he wasn’t interested in women. Then I found these photos and realized he’s always wanted to marry you.” Cynthia nodded. She might have been slow to recognize her own feelings, but she wasn’t blind. Now, she was ready to face the truth and face Ivan. She made a quiet vow to herself that she would leave Stanley and marry Ivan. She squeezed Jennifer’s hand in return. “Mrs. Duncan, don’t worry. I’ve really made up my mind. I want to marry Ivan.” She blinked back the sadness in her eyes, but before she could turn to leave, a cold voice interrupted her from above. “Made up your mind for what?”

It was Stanley who had returned. He stood in the doorway, his eyes catching the scar on Cynthia’s collarbone. “Where’s the tattoo?” Cynthia absentmindedly touched the still-sore scar, her voice flat. “I had it removed.” Stanley’s gaze sharpened, a flicker of displeasure crossing his features. “Who took you to do it?” “Just me.” He seemed satisfied with that answer. Years ago, when Cynthia had secretly gotten his initials tattooed on her collarbone, he had given her an earful, furious. “Cinny, I’ve always treated you like my own daughter. How could you possibly fall for me?” Now, though, Cynthia seemed to have become unnervingly obedient. He reached out, almost instinctively, to pat her head. “Does it hurt?” Without thinking, Cynthia pulled away, avoiding his touch. At that moment, she realized how laughable his concern felt. The pain from the tattoo removal was nothing compared to the ache in her chest. She hadn’t cried when the needles had pierced her skin. But now, her eyes began to sting with unshed tears. “I’m tired, Stan.” Without saying another word, she turned and walked away. Stanley stared at her retreating figure, stunned. The girl who used to rush to him with open arms was now as cold as a stranger. In the past, Cynthia would have thrown herself at him, clinging to him like a child begging for his attention. But now, it was Stanley who found himself standing there, unsure of what to do. He grabbed her arm, pulling her back with an authority that left no room for argument. “Next month, I’m getting married. “Tracy still needs a bridesmaid. You’ll go, right?” Cynthia’s heart skipped a beat, and she choked on the words she had been trying to say. She didn’t know how to bring up her own plans to marry. Stanley’s expression darkened, his impatience seeping into his voice. “Come on, don’t be difficult. Just do as I say. “Besides, Tracy’s still in the hospital because of you. Is this how I raised you? Spoiling you like this? Is that why you’ve turned out this way?” His voice was calm, but the frustration behind it was unmistakable. Cynthia instinctively touched her neck, where the scar still throbbed, reminding her of the weight of the past. But she said nothing. The irony of the situation was almost too much to bear. A week ago, the first time Cynthia had seen Tracy Flynn, it had been in Stanley’s room. She’d gone there to retrieve a forgotten nightgown but had accidentally walked in on an intimate scene between Tracy and Stanley. Tracy had her legs draped over Stanley’s shoulders, teasing him with a playful smile. “Which one of us do you think has the better figure?” Stanley chuckled, his head buried in her neck. “She’s just a child. Are you jealous?” He had then affectionately pinched Tracy’s waist. “So delicate.” Cynthia had stood frozen in the doorway, the cruel realization sinking in. In Stanley’s eyes, she was nothing more than a child. And in that moment, something inside her snapped. She couldn’t help but think back to when she’d gotten her first period. Stanley had been the one to buy everything she needed, even washing the soiled sheets himself. “The water’s cold. Don’t touch it.” She remembered how, when she had cried for her parents, it had been Stanley who had held her close, whispering, “Cinny, don’t be afraid. I’m here.” The memories overwhelmed her, and before she knew it, tears began to fall. But then, a wave of suffocation hit her, cutting off the tears mid-flow. By the time she regained her senses, Tracy had already come up behind her, wrapping the very nightgown Cynthia had left behind around her neck. “You little tramp. At your age, already trying to seduce men? “And you’re so shameless, leaving your nightgown here!” Cynthia’s face turned crimson from the pressure on her neck. She used every last bit of strength to push Tracy away. Tracy stumbled, crashing into a vase that shattered upon impact, a cut forming on her hand. Stanley rushed out of the bathroom, only to see Cynthia standing over a fallen Tracy. He shoved Cynthia aside with fury, his voice low but seething. “You’ve gone too far!” Without a second glance at her, he scooped Tracy into his arms and rushed her to the hospital. Cynthia, gasping for breath, collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness. She woke up later, vomiting uncontrollably in the bathroom. After some time, Cynthia lay still, deep in thought. The next day, she made an appointment to remove the tattoo. The same artist who had done the tattoo years ago was the one to take it off. As she lay on the table, Cynthia felt a strange sense of peace. She remembered telling the tattoo artist years ago with a bright smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll never regret this tattoo.” Now, however, the feeling that swept through her was one of hollow sadness. She remembered Stanley’s words to her. “You’re so cute. I could never trust anyone else with you.” But now, everything that had happened seemed to answer that claim in a way she hadn’t expected. Cynthia couldn’t stop herself from thinking, “Was it wrong to love Stan?”

Cynthia didn’t agree to be the bridesmaid at Stanley’s wedding. Without saying a word, she just turned and walked away, heading straight for her room. There, hidden in the depths of her drawer, she found the thick stack of diaries, each one filled with memories of her time with Stanley. They had been together for so long, through so much, that she had filled dozens of notebooks with their shared moments. There were pictures from their trips, photos of them at theme parks, at her coming-of-age ceremony, even their travels abroad. What started as simple notes had gradually become a personal, hand-crafted scrapbook of their time together. But now, none of it mattered. Cynthia took the stack of diaries and walked out into the yard. One by one, she tossed them into the fire. As the flames roared, they greedily consumed her memories, reducing them to nothing but ashes. Stanley had been about to say something when his eyes caught the sight of the fire. Among the burning pages, there were still remnants of pictures, the edges curling, not yet fully consumed. His heart skipped a beat as he realized what she was doing. He strode over quickly, his voice trembling with disbelief. “What are you doing? Why are you burning the diaries and photos?” He reached out to stop her, but it was too late. The fire was already eating away at the memories, leaving no room for him to save them. Cynthia glanced at him, her voice eerily calm. “It’s nothing. You said these diaries were meant to be hidden away, didn’t you? The photos were moldy, so I just burned them.” Her cool tone froze him in place. He opened his mouth to argue, but Cynthia had already turned, walking around him and heading back inside. Stanley stood there, watching her retreating back, a wave of mixed emotions crashing over him. He remembered the stormy night when he’d coldly ordered her to throw away everything related to him, telling her it all had to be hidden and erased. That night, she had stood there, tears in her eyes, but there was something in her voice, defiance, a fire in her that refused to be quenched. “Why should I throw them away? What’s wrong with loving you? There’s no blood between us. As long as you love me too, I’m not afraid of anything.” Her words had cut through him like a blade, and for a moment, he had almost suffocated from the weight of them. Now, as he watched her walking away, the girl who had once been so strong and determined seemed like a stranger. His heart throbbed painfully as the realization hit him. The girl who would have fought the world for him now felt like she was slipping away from him. When Cynthia stepped back into the house, she saw Tracy sitting on the couch, scrolling through something on her tablet. At the sound of the door, Tracy looked up with a smug smile. “Ugh, weddings are such a hassle. I’ve been looking at rings for ages and still can’t decide. There are so many styles. My eyes are starting to hurt!” Cynthia ignored her and turned to leave, but just then, Stanley walked through the door. Tracy immediately rushed into his arms, her voice dripping with sweetness. “Stan, help me pick a ring. I’ve been looking for so long and still can’t make up my mind!” Stanley smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist, speaking with the kind of indulgence that made Cynthia’s stomach turn. “Take your time. If you really can’t decide, I’ll get a designer to make one just for you.” Tracy’s eyes flicked over to Cynthia. Seeing the look in her eyes, Cynthia immediately felt uncomfortable, as if the room wasn’t meant for her anymore. She turned to leave, but of course, the next moment, Tracy was in her way. “Don’t bother, Stan. I’ve already decided on one. It’s just… I’m not sure if it’s too much.” Stanley, not paying much attention, replied casually, “You’re the woman I’m marrying. Whatever you want, I’ll get it for you.” Tracy’s face lit up at his words, and she pointed at Cynthia’s hand. “I want that one.” Stanley followed her gaze and froze. The ring she pointed to was the one he had given Cynthia for her birthday. It was a one-of-a-kind piece designed by him, chosen from the finest diamonds. Cynthia had worn it every day since, treating it like a treasure. She even slept with it on, never once taking it off. Stanley’s expression faltered, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to say. But then, his voice came out steady, though his heart was anything but. “Cinny, take it off.”

Stanley stepped forward, trying to put on a calm front, as if he were about to sweet-talk Cynthia into giving him the ring. But to his surprise, Cynthia didn’t hesitate. She simply took the ring off and tossed it to Tracy, as if it meant nothing anymore. “Do you like it? Then it’s yours. Consider it my wedding gift to you.” After all, Cynthia couldn’t care less about Stanley, much less about a little ring. Stanley stood frozen, his lips parted as if he wanted to speak, but no words came out. He had planned to offer to buy her a new ring, but the thought died in his throat. Without looking back, Cynthia turned and walked upstairs. As she passed the calendar hanging on the wall, her heart skipped a beat. Today was Ivan’s birthday and the day he was finally coming back to the country. It had been two years since they last saw each other. She’d heard that Ivan had built his own company overseas and was now the president at such a young age. His rise in the business world had outpaced Stanley’s success, leaving the latter far behind. Cynthia stood in front of her wardrobe, pondering for a moment, before she pulled out a white silk gown. She had bought this dress for the day she planned to confess her feelings to Stanley. The dress hugged her body in all the right places, making her feel more alluring than she ever had. But now, it seemed like it would stay in the closet forever. When she put the gown on, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in the mirror. It was Stanley. His brow furrowed as if he was still angry about her sudden departure earlier. But when his eyes landed on the dress she was wearing, his expression softened—just for a moment. “Still mad at me?” “I got the ring back. Put it on.” Cynthia didn’t respond immediately. Her fingers nervously fidgeted with the buttons on the back of the gown. Seeing her struggle, Stanley couldn’t help himself. He stepped closer, moved behind her like he had so many times before, and gently helped fasten the buttons, his touch surprisingly gentle. “Got plans tonight?” Cynthia nodded, her mind elsewhere as she adjusted the fabric of the gown. “Cinny, look at me. What did I tell you? If something’s bothering you, you should tell me.” “Tracy is my woman now. You’ve grown up before my eyes, and I want you two to get along.” “Stop making things difficult for her.” Cynthia gave a dry laugh, a bitter sting in her chest. “So now, you think I’m the one making things difficult for her?” Before Stanley could respond, a soft, almost flirtatious voice called out from the living room. “Stan, where are you?” He set the ring down on the table, clearly not wanting to cause any drama, and turned to leave. The moment he was out of sight, Cynthia tossed the ring straight into the trash. Her phone buzzed with a message from Ivan: [Cinny, see you tonight.] His tone was calm, but there was a clear urgency behind his words. Less than five hours ago, he’d learned she was willing to marry him, and now he was already rushing back. Seeing that she hadn’t replied, he immediately called. “You finally… agreed to marry me?” “Cinny, do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this day?” Cynthia didn’t need him to remind her. Back then, all her thoughts had been consumed by Stanley, the man who had once treated her like the center of his world. But now, she felt like a fool, realizing how wrong she had been. “When I heard you were willing to marry me, I rushed back immediately. I’ll handle everything for the wedding. Anything you want, anything you need—I’ll make it happen.” There was a hint of guilt in Cynthia’s voice, realizing the true purpose of this wedding. “Great. I’ll leave everything to you.” That evening, as the family gathered happily around the dinner table to discuss the upcoming wedding, Cynthia was lost in thought. Ivan suddenly spoke up. “Where’s Uncle Stan?” Cynthia froze, her fork mid-air, as she met his gaze. Jennifer smiled. “He’s busy with his fiancée.” “Oh, and I forgot to mention, Stan is getting married next month on the same day as you.” Just then, Ivan’s phone rang. It was Stanley. “Kid, why did you come back so suddenly? No warning or anything?” “We’ll catch up when I have time.” Ivan smiled, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. “Uncle Stan, I came back to get married.” Hearing Stanley’s surprised voice on the other end, Cynthia set her fork down, suddenly losing her appetite. Stanley, still unaware of the situation, laughed. “Who’s the lucky girl who managed to trap my charming nephew?” Ivan took Cynthia’s hand in his, his eyes filled with affection. “It’s a secret, but you know the girl. You’ll find out soon enough.”

Cynthia felt an uncomfortable twist in her stomach. Pretending to feel unwell, she decided to leave. But before she could, Jennifer stopped her. She pulled out an elegant box from her pocket, opening it to reveal a stunning emerald necklace. “Cinny, this is a family heirloom passed down to our son’s wife of the Duncan family. “Today, it’s yours.” As Ivan carefully draped the necklace around Cynthia’s neck, she felt a lump rise in her throat. Her eyes filled with tears, but she couldn’t decide if they were tears of joy or sorrow. “Stan, this time, I really am going to leave you for good.” she thought. Later that night, after quickly dropping Cynthia off at her place, Ivan headed back to unpack his things. When Cynthia opened the door to her villa, the bright lights inside hit her like a rush of warmth. She stepped in and froze. On the sofa, Tracy, wearing a soft nightgown, was cuddled up as Stanley gently massaged her legs. His hand brushed against a sensitive spot on Tracy’s thigh, and for a moment, his movement froze. She flushed, her face turning red and her ears bright with embarrassment. Cynthia glanced away, keeping her head down as she slipped off her shoes. Stanley noticed the shift in her movement and stood up, walking toward her as she made her way upstairs. “Tracy’s place has a plumbing issue, so she needs to stay here for a few days.” Cynthia barely acknowledged him with a nod, continuing her quiet ascent up the stairs. Her unbothered reaction seemed to annoy him, and his voice had an edge to it. “And stop entertaining those thoughts that shouldn’t even cross your mind…” Before he could finish his sentence, his gaze froze. Suddenly, he yanked her wrist, his grip tight and his eyes deep, like a storm was brewing in them. His voice shook with barely contained fury “Why are you wearing the necklace that the Duncan family?” At the sound of his surprised tone, Cynthia finally remembered she was still wearing the heirloom necklace Jennifer had given her. She blinked, then calmly replied, “Oh, that? It’s just that I thought it was beautiful, so I asked Mrs. Jennifer Duncan if I could wear it. I was planning on returning it soon.” Stanley, taken aback, finally let go of her wrist. He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to keep calm. After a long pause, he spoke in a colder tone. “That necklace is valuable. It’s not something you can just wear around for fun. You’d better take it off and return it.” Just as he was about to say something else, Tracy walked up and wrapped her arm around his. “Stan, my friend’s birthday is tomorrow, and she invited us to a party. How about we take Cinny with us too?” The mention of a party caught Cynthia off guard. She’d never been a fan of social events, and Stanley had always respected that, never forcing her to go. This time, Stanley instinctively shook his head. But Tracy pouted, her voice sweet and coaxing. “Stan, I’m just trying to be nice. Plus, my friend’s younger sister is about Cinny’s age. They could become friends. Don’t you think?” With a reluctant smile, Stanley sighed and nodded, giving in to her request. Cynthia watched the whole exchange, realizing that Stanley truly cared for Tracy. And for her, he was willing to let go of all the boundaries he’d once set. The next day, Cynthia couldn’t find a way to say no, so she reluctantly agreed to go to the banquet with them. She didn’t want to stir up unnecessary drama with Tracy, so she decided to just go along with it. The night was filled with laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the haze of excess. Cynthia stood alone in a quiet corner, watching Tracy and Stanley exchange drinks while she quietly sipped the juice in her hand. She wasn’t sure if it was the heat of the party or something else, but after a while, she found herself stepping out to the terrace to catch her breath. She sat down on one of the sofas, absentmindedly nibbling on some fruit. Her phone buzzed with a text from Ivan. [I’ll pick you up later.] Cynthia hesitated for a moment and then simply refused him. She leaned back against the sofa, listening to the muffled sounds of the party inside, while outside, the night sky was peaceful and quiet. Just then, there was a clumsy sound from the stairs. Before Cynthia could even see who it was, the unmistakable smell of alcohol surrounded her. A tall figure loomed over her, and suddenly, the air felt heavy with his presence. She instinctively pulled back, gasping softly, “Stan?” He didn’t answer her, but the moment he heard her voice, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tighter. Then came a rush of kisses, pressing down on her lips and face. His one hand pinned her against the sofa while the other slid beneath her silk dress, wrapping around her delicate waist. The coldness of his touch made her body tense, as if she’d been struck by lightning. “Stanley?! “What… what are you doing? You’ve got the wrong person…” But maybe he was too drunk to make sense of her words, or perhaps her resistance only fueled his need to control. His kisses grew more desperate, his lips moving greedily over hers. Just then, Cynthia heard the sound of high heels clicking from the stairs. “Stan? Where are you?” It was Tracy’s voice, heading in their direction. Cynthia’s heart raced. She could barely breathe, the panic rising in her chest. Just as Stanley was about to go further, something inside Cynthia snapped. With a burst of strength, she shoved him away. He lost his balance and crashed to the ground. Hiding behind a tree, Cynthia watched as Tracy hurried over to help him up. “Look at you… how much did you drink? “Come on, let me help you.” About ten minutes later, the terrace was quiet again. But Cynthia’s heart still hammered in her chest. Was it a mistake? Or had Stanley really meant to do that? Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion. She glanced down at the red Maserati waiting on the driveway. It was Ivan’s. He had actually come to pick her up. This time, Cynthia didn’t hesitate. She smoothed out her clothes and walked straight to the car. Once inside, she threw herself into his arms, holding him tightly. “I’m so tired. Can you just take me home?”

The next morning, Cynthia walked downstairs, her face pale and eyes swollen from a sleepless night. As soon as she entered the living room, she saw Stanley, wearing an apron, baking cookies with Tracy. The two of them were laughing and feeding each other, their easy camaraderie a stark contrast to the storm of emotions swirling inside her. Stanley glanced over at her briefly, his expression perfectly neutral, as if last night had never happened. Tracy spotted Cynthia and, with a teasing smile, wrapped her arms around Stanley’s waist, planting a kiss on his cheek. “Stan, I had no idea you were such a pro in the kitchen. Not only are you a great cook, but you’re a dessert genius too!” Cynthia stared at the pair, her hand gripping the staircase railing tightly. For a moment, her mind wandered back to her childhood, to a time when she’d eaten a peanut hidden in a pastry made by the maid and ended up with a high fever in the middle of the night. It had been snowing heavily, the temperature well below freezing, and she’d been huddled alone in bed, shivering uncontrollably, not wanting to bother anyone. It was only when Stanley had come to wake her up in the morning that he found her unconscious from the fever. Ever since that day, Stanley had taken it upon himself to learn how to cook. He even went so far as to take her to get tested for every possible allergy, and every meal prepared by their chefs had to pass his approval first. He was so particular that he’d sent three five-star hotel chefs packing over the years, all because they didn’t meet his standards. There was something about watching Cynthia eat that always made him smile, though. He’d find it adorable when she’d devour a plate of his hastily-made chicken wings, even if they were a little too crispy, and he’d softly ruffle her hair, saying, “From now on, only I’ll cook for my little princess. How does that sound?” But now, she couldn’t remember the last time they’d shared a meal like that. Tracy noticed Cynthia standing there lost in thought and called out with a playful smile, “Aren’t you going to join us?” She moved to feed Cynthia the cookie, as if to provoke her. The moment the smell hit Cynthia, a wave of nausea rushed over her. She instinctively pushed Tracy’s hand away, and the cookie tumbled to the floor. Stanley’s face darkened. “Cinny, what’s this about? It’s barely morning, and you’re already throwing a tantrum. “If you’re still sleepy, go back to bed. Why take it out on Tracy?” His voice was so calm, as though Cynthia had committed some unforgivable offense. Cynthia bit back the frustration, threatening to spill over. Stanley had been the one who’d discovered her peanut allergy, but it seemed like he had already forgotten. She wasn’t interested in playing their game anymore. What mattered now was picking out her wedding dress. With the wedding looming, she needed to focus entirely on it. She glanced down at her phone and saw a message from Ivan: [I’m downstairs waiting for you. Let’s go pick out the wedding dress.] Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked out the door. The bridal boutique was exclusively booked by Ivan for Cynthia. The staff rolled out rows of exquisitely crafted wedding gowns, each one custom-tailored to Cynthia’s measurements. Ivan watched her intently, not once tearing his gaze away. “Pick whichever you like. There’s a shipment coming from abroad too, but if you fall in love with something, we’ll just take it all.” Cynthia felt a lump form in her throat, touched by his sincerity. “You picked them all out, so they must be perfect.” In the mirror, Cynthia’s hair was swept up into a neat bun, strands framing her delicate face, emphasizing her flawless features. The strapless gown hugged her body, its fishtail silhouette creating a stunning, almost ethereal look. Ivan was captivated. His eyes locked on her, unmoving, completely taken with her presence. The staff exchanged amused glances. “Look at Mr. Ivan Duncan. His eyes are practically glued to Ms. Mitchell. “The gown’s almost a million dollars on its own. But it looks like it was made for her.” The comments caused a ripple of admiration in the room, but the pleasant atmosphere was suddenly shattered by an unexpected voice. Ivan frowned, sensing an interruption. A young saleswoman stepped forward, looking flustered and unsure. “Sir, I told them the place was reserved, but these two insisted they knew you and needed to come in to pick their gowns… “The woman says she’s your uncle’s fiancée…” Cynthia’s heart lurched. “Could it be Tracy?” she wondered. Without wasting a second, she slipped into the fitting room just as Tracy and Stanley entered the VIP area. “I was wondering who had booked the whole place! What a surprise to see it’s you, Ivan.” Stanley’s low voice rang out, teasing. Inside the fitting room, Cynthia pressed herself against the door, straining to hear their conversation. “No surprise, Uncle Stan. I reserved it,” Ivan replied coolly, his voice unwavering. Stanley, already annoyed by the interruption, made no effort to hide his displeasure. Tracy, ever the performer, gave a loud, almost exaggerated laugh. “Wow, all the gowns are gorgeous. Guess you really know how to pick them, huh? “I’m starting to get jealous! “But where’s the bride? I don’t see her.” Cynthia’s heart skipped a beat, and as she tightened her grip on the fabric of her gown, a slight rustling noise escaped her. Tracy caught it immediately and approached the door, hand resting on the handle. Cynthia’s pulse quickened, but before the door could open, Ivan’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and deliberate. “Ms. Flynn, my fiancée is shy and hard to coax. If you scare her, you’ll have to apologize.” Tracy froze, caught off guard. Stanley, sensing the situation, quickly intervened, trying to smooth things over. “Enough, Ivan. Don’t speak to Tracy like that. “I came here to help her choose a dress today, but since you’ve got the place all to yourself, we’ll step out of the way.” He gave Tracy a brief glance, and together, they turned and walked out. Cynthia slowly stepped out of the fitting room, finding Ivan leaning against the doorframe, his expression unreadable, eyes colder than ever. “Cinny, do you really want to marry me?”

Cynthia tried to say something but did not come up with a response to Ivan’s words. She knew that Ivan was a thoughtful person. He had grown up with Cynthia since they were kids. Over the years, he must have noticed something. “Ivan, I have thought it through. I want to marry you, but I need to sort some things out first.” As Cynthia said this, Ivan lowered his head and unexpectedly placed a kiss on her forehead. “I know, but don’t hide anything from me, okay?” Cynthia nodded seriously. She used to think that only a man like Stanley could make her feel secure enough to give her all. But the Ivan in front of her was no less than Stanley. In fact, Cynthia felt Ivan’s affection for her was far greater than what he displayed. That evening, when Cynthia returned home, she saw piles of Tracy’s things stacked all over the place. Even Cynthia’s exclusive closet was completely filled. Meanwhile, her own belongings were carelessly thrown on the floor. Tracy kept moving her things in non-stop. Stanley was rarely home today. When he saw Cynthia return, he calmly asked, “Why did you come back so late? And you didn’t tell me where you went.” Stanley’s tone was gentle, and Cynthia couldn’t tell if he was criticizing or caring, but she felt there was no need to delve into Stanley’s attitude anymore. Seeing her things scattered everywhere, Cynthia did not make a scene. Instead, she stepped over the clothes and walked to the kitchen to get some water. These clothes were all bought by Stanley, who personally picked everything from the sizes to the length of the dresses. Cynthia knew that those were just things that should be thrown away, so she felt no heartache. But Tracy remained arrogant. She wore a nightgown that revealed much of her chest. Tracy seemed to be showing off to Cynthia, deliberately linking her arm with Stanley’s, and cooed, “My neighbor has a dog that keeps me up at night, so I came to stay here for a few days. Cinny, you don’t mind, do you?” Cynthia looked at the messy clothes and suddenly smiled, “Of course, I don’t mind. This is your home, and you don’t need to ask me, an outsider. “Besides, you’ve already been here for so many days. It’s too late to ask this question now.” Stanley’s expression suddenly turned cold. He wore a stern look that carried an unspoken authority. “This is also your home. Don’t say such things again. “Your clothes got dirty, but I’ll have Tracy pay for you a new set.” A flash of jealousy crossed Tracy’s eyes, but she quickly donned an air of disdain and provocation. She slightly raised her chin, stroking her nightgown with her hand. “Cinny, this nightgown was originally meant for you, but Stan said this color suits me better. What do you think?” Cynthia glanced at Tracy’s nightgown, which was identical to her old one. A wave of disgust hit Cynthia, but she merely smiled faintly and did not speak. Seeing that Cynthia was so unconcerned, Tracy seemed even more displeased. She laughed teasingly, “Stan just loves when I wear this. He even said he wanted to see me wear it and dance for him, and he’d help me take it off himself.” Then Tracy’s tone changed, her face slightly flushed with shyness. “Look at me. I shouldn’t be saying this to you. “Cinny, you are not a child anymore. I can understand you staying at Stanley’s house, but if others see it, they will definitely talk.” At this, Stanley turned around and left without saying a word. Cynthia still maintained an indifferent attitude and softly replied, “You’re right. So, I will be moving out soon.” Stanley paused for a moment, then suddenly turned back to look at Cynthia, his gaze ambiguous. “Where are you moving to?” Cynthia did not answer. She merely said, “I have grown up.” Her eyes were firm, no longer the flustered demeanor she had when facing Stanley before. But Stanley still felt something was off, so he scolded Cynthia, “I see you haven’t grown up at all. Your stubbornness hasn’t changed one bit.” After saying this, Stanley walked past Cynthia, exuding a chilling aura. As Cynthia poured herself a glass of water, she suddenly caught sight of the moonstone bracelet on Tracy’s wrist, which she had unintentionally raised. It was a beautifully crafted bracelet that belonged to Cynthia’s mother. Cynthia could no longer hold back and grabbed Tracy’s arm. “Why is this bracelet with you? It’s mine.” Tracy grimaced in pain and grinned, “So what? “It’s just a bracelet, right? I thought it looked nice, so I tried it on. “I’ll just give it back to you, okay?” This was the most important thing to Cynthia. When she first arrived at the Duncan family with nothing to her name, the only thing she had was this bracelet. And this bracelet had always been kept in Stanley’s safe, yet now it appeared on Tracy’s wrist. Cynthia’s eyes filled with deadly hatred as she said to Tracy, “Give it back to me.”

Tracy reluctantly took off the bracelet but, while handing it back to Cynthia, intentionally let it slip from her fingers. The bracelet fell right in front of them, shattering hard against the floor. The crisp sound of breaking shattered the silence in the room. Cynthia reached out to catch it but did not even touch the edges of the bracelet. She slapped Tracy across the face. “What are you trying to do?” All the anger and grievances that had accumulated within Cynthia burst forth at that moment. Tracy’s head snapped to the side from the hit, and her cheek immediately swelled up. She covered her face and fell to the ground. Cynthia looked at the shards of moonstone scattered everywhere, feeling as if her heart was being ripped apart, a sharp pain coursing through her. Tracy sobbed, “I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry, okay?” After saying this, Tracy crawled over and grabbed Cynthia’s ankles with both hands. “Cinny, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I was careless and broke your mother’s keepsake. I’ll do whatever you want.” Cynthia felt trapped, wanting to bend down to pick up the broken bracelet but unable to move. She kicked Tracy away forcefully, but Stanley, who had just come out of the room, saw it. Seeing Tracy’s swollen face and her pleading posture on the ground, Stanley’s expression instantly turned cold. He helped the kneeling Tracy up and then glared fiercely at Cynthia. “Did you hit her?” Tracy seemed to have found her ally and immediately grasped Stanley’s shirt with a whimper. Her cheeks flushed, and sparkling tears rolled down her exquisite profile onto the floor. “It’s not Cinny’s fault. It’s all my fault for being so careless. Don’t blame her.” Stanley pressed his lips together, his face growing increasingly dark. He had never seen Cynthia act so domineering. The girl he had once cherished had actually hit his fiancée. “Cynthia, you are being unreasonable.” Before Stanley could say anything more, Cynthia silently squatted down, picking up the broken bracelet while crying softly. She looked up at Stanley’s indifferent gaze, and that feeling of isolation overwhelmed her heart once again. Stanley’s reproach got stuck in his throat. He could not remember the last time he had seen Cynthia cry. He thought of that stormy night. This girl was begging Stanley for love for the first time, but he had mercilessly scolded her. Stanley tightened his grip at his side but ultimately held Tracy’s hand instead. “I will give you an explanation about this matter. But I won’t let it go that you were rough with Tracy. You should apologize to her.” Surprise flashed in Cynthia’s eyes, and she thought, “Is he really forcing me to apologize?” Stanley directed the focus toward Cynthia again. “I have watched you grow up. I never expected you to turn out like this.” Cynthia scoffed, holding the broken bracelet tightly. She stood up and looked into Stanley’s cold eyes. “Unless I’m dead.” Stanley stared angrily at Cynthia’s stubborn face, which was now brimming with tears. “Cinny, you…” Tracy walked past Stanley and grabbed his hand. “Stan, forget it. Don’t argue with a child. It’s just a bracelet. You’ve given me valuable bracelets. I can get one to replace it for her.” As she said this, Tracy pushed Cynthia aside. “Stan bought me a top-grade ruby bracelet worth ten million dollars at an auction. I’ll give it to you. Just stop bothering me.” Tracy’s generous offer made Cynthia appear like the villain. Cynthia wiped her tears and lifted her head. “I don’t want your trash. I only want this one.” Stanley glanced impatiently at Cynthia. “Cinny, don’t make a scene.” Cynthia’s original anger transformed into grievance at that moment, and she repeated, “I only want this one from my mom.” Stanley knew well that in Cynthia’s eyes, this bracelet was even more important than her life. But compared to his unabashed favoritism toward Tracy, it was still too insignificant. Stanley stopped speaking, took a check out of his suit pocket, casually wrote a string of numbers, and tossed the check on the ground. “Take it. “If this is what you want, the money on this check is enough to buy you ten of those. “Let me formally introduce Tracy. She is my soon-to-be wife. “I am your nominal uncle, so you should call her ‘aunt.’” Tracy smiled arrogantly, her eyes glinting dangerously like Medusa. “I’m not much older than Cinny. She doesn’t have to call me that. Cinny, I hope we get along well in the future.” After saying this, Tracy tried to step forward to hug Cynthia. Cynthia ignored Tracy’s hypocritical embrace and said, “Stan, I’m moving out soon. “From now on, this will be your and Tracy’s home. I won’t be an eyesore here anymore.” Stanley paid no attention to what Cynthia said. At that moment, they were no longer family, no longer the two people who relied on each other the most, but rather the most unfamiliar acquaintances. Stanley even found Cynthia’s commotion somewhat ridiculous. “What? You’re going to cut ties with me now that you have taken the money?” Cynthia shook her head. “Stan, I’m getting married.” Stanley froze for a second but quickly regained his composure as if everything in the world was under his control. “You’re getting married? Cinny, when will you grow up and stop giving me these foolish excuses?”

Cynthia returned to her room, her thoughts still in chaos. She looked at the broken pieces of the bracelet in her hand, and an endless sense of grievance surged in her heart. Her tears flowed uncontrollably like a flood. Suddenly, her phone vibrated, snapping Cynthia back to reality. She wiped her face with the back of her hand, clearing away the remnants of her tears before answering the call. The caller was Cynthia’s best friend, Anna Levelt. “Cinny, we have everything ready for your bachelorette party! I invited a lot of handsome guys, so make sure to dress up beautifully tomorrow night. I’ll send you the address shortly.” Anna seemed afraid that Cynthia would refuse, hurriedly hanging up the phone. Cynthia remembered that a few days ago, her quirky friend Anna had claimed she would throw a bachelorette party to celebrate Cynthia’s last days of being single. But Cynthia knew Anna. She just wanted an excuse to indulge herself. Cynthia found herself laughing through her tears as Anna’s lively energy lightened her previously heavy mood. Although she wasn’t interested in the bachelorette party, Cynthia felt bad rejecting Anna’s thoughtful preparations. Moreover, Cynthia thought it would be good to go out and clear her mind. Staying in that house would only make her feel more suffocated. ***** The next evening, wanting to avoid seeing that couple, Cynthia got ready and took a cab to the bachelorette party following the address Anna sent. When Cynthia got out of the car, she realized just how extravagant the bachelorette party was. Many influential figures and celebrities from the entertainment industry were invited. The banquet hall was adorned with dazzling diamonds and vibrant flowers, and a special ten-foot champagne tower was customized just for Cynthia on one side of the stage. Cynthia couldn’t help but laugh at the extravagant display. She truly didn’t expect the party to be so lavish and felt both impressed and speechless regarding Anna. Everyone had been waiting for the guest of honor for a long time. Cynthia wore the gown that Anna had prepared for her, and the lights shone on her, making her look unrealistically beautiful. Guests approached one after another to toast and offer their blessings. Cynthia drank glass after glass, gradually feeling a bit dizzy. Just as she was about to step away to sober up, a pair of hands stopped her. Cynthia looked up to see Tracy. Not far away was Stanley, surrounded by guests. Cynthia frowned and thought, “They are haunting me.” She didn’t want to get entangled with Tracy again and stood up to leave. But Tracy said, “Cinny, why didn’t you invite Stan and me to such a grand gathering? “Fortunately, I didn’t miss it. If I hadn’t come, Stan wouldn’t have wanted to come either.” Tracy observed Cynthia’s change in expression and then, raising her wine glass, leaned close to Cynthia’s ear. “Did you know that after you said you were getting married, Stanley didn’t sleep a wink all night? “I know you don’t want me here, but I’m just bored, and I want to confirm how important I am to Stan.” Before Cynthia could react, she saw Tracy flash her a ghostly smile, filling her with an ominous premonition. Then, in an exaggerated manner, Tracy fell into the three-tier champagne tower. Before Cynthia could respond, she was roughly pushed aside. Stanley quickly caught Tracy, anxiously wiping the wine stains off her. Tracy looked pitifully at Stanley. “Stan, I don’t know what’s wrong with Cinny. I just wanted to talk to her, and she…” Cynthia couldn’t believe her eyes as she looked at Tracy. Just as she was about to explain, she met Stanley’s sharp gaze. That look was as chilling as a winter wind, sending shivers down her spine. “Cynthia, I must have spoiled you too much before. Tracy is my fiancée, your aunt, and the future mistress of the Duncan family. But I see no respect from you towards her. You need to apologize to Tracy right now.” This wasn’t the first time Stanley had disbelieved Cynthia. At first, she would defend herself, feeling hurt inside. Because Stanley had told her that as long as she said it wasn’t true, he would unconditionally believe her. But later, no matter how many times Cynthia denied it, he always sided with Tracy. Now Cynthia’s heart had grown numb, and she didn’t even want to say anything more to explain. “There are cameras here. I didn’t push her.” Before Stanley could speak, Tracy’s body stiffened and suddenly fainted. Stanley didn’t have time to question further and hurriedly picked up Tracy, leaving without looking at Cynthia again. Suddenly, it started pouring rain, and the guests quickly dispersed. Cynthia sat alone in the empty hall, quietly watching the heavy rain outside, which blurred her vision. The rain continued throughout the night, and she sat there all night long. The rainy night was exceptionally cold. Wearing thin clothing, Cynthia couldn’t bear the chill after sitting all night, and by dawn, she fainted.

In a private clinic’s hospital room, Cynthia woke from her sleep. She lay on the hospital bed, her gaze falling on her phone screen. It displayed a photo sent by Tracy showing Stanley caring for her in the hospital. However, beside Cynthia were only the doctor and a nurse changing her IV bags. No one genuinely cared about her. She picked up her phone repeatedly but found it strangely quiet as if it had been turned off. Cynthia stopped holding any expectations and calmly set her phone aside. Suddenly, her phone rang, breaking the silence in the room and startling Cynthia. She picked up the phone and saw that it was Ivan calling. Feeling a bit nervous, she hesitated before answering the call. “Ivan, what’s wrong?” She asked. On the other end, Ivan’s voice carried tension. “Cinny, I heard you were sick. Which hospital are you in? I’m coming to see you right now. “I’m sorry. I didn’t take good care of you. From now on, I will stay by your side and won’t let you encounter such things again.” Cynthia fell silent for a moment, somewhat surprised. Because on the day she tried on her wedding dress, Ivan had said he had urgent business to attend to and wouldn’t be back until the night before the wedding. Cynthia hadn’t expected him to return early and planned to come to see her. Noticing her silence, Ivan hurriedly explained, “I finished my work early because I wanted to see you sooner. “Where are you? I’ll come to find you.” Hearing the unreserved worry and anxiety in his voice, Cynthia felt warmth in her heart and said, “No need. I will be discharged soon. You just got off the plane, so rest well.” As Cynthia spoke halfway, she suddenly stammered, “And…and we are about to get married. They say the bride and groom shouldn’t meet before the wedding.” Ivan was silent for a moment, then let out a sigh, “But, Cinny, I am very worried about you.” Cynthia smiled slightly, “Ivan, it’s okay. I believe every day after marrying you will be a sunny day.” Ivan solemnly promised, “Cinny, I will protect you for the rest of my life and make you happy.” Cynthia was momentarily stunned, her eyes glistening with tears. “Sure.” ***** Winter was about to pass, and spring was approaching. During the following days in the hospital, Cynthia was not lonely because Ivan called her every day to chat and arranged for caregivers and bodyguards to look after her. On the day Cynthia was discharged, she smiled as she hung up the phone with Ivan just before arriving at the Duncan family. As Cynthia was about to enter the door, a voice sounded from above her head. “Who were you just talking to on the phone?” Cynthia looked up to see Stanley standing at the door, his expression dark as he stared at her. Cynthia averted her gaze and calmly replied, “A friend.” “A friend? Then why were you laughing so happily that you didn’t want to hang up even when you got home?” Although Cynthia detected the anger in Stanley’s tone, she remained very calm. “Did you come to see me just to ask these questions?” Stanley struggled to suppress his inner frustration and handed a gift to Cynthia. “Tracy was startled these days, so I didn’t come to see you…” However, when Stanley saw Cynthia’s indifferent gaze, his words abruptly stopped. Cynthia didn’t take the gift but interrupted him, “Thank you for your kindness. It’s what you should do, as she is your fiancée. I can understand.” After saying this, she brushed past his shoulder and walked into the villa, not looking back at him. On the night before the wedding, Cynthia sat in her room, deleting one photo after another of herself with Stanley. From now on, Stanley would no longer control her emotions. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Cynthia opened it to find Stanley in a suit standing before her. She felt a little surprised that Stanley came to see her on the night before the wedding, but she had no desire to inquire further and calmly asked, “Is there something you need?” This tone made Stanley’s heart tighten. He thought, “Since when has she become so distant from me?” He suppressed the pain in his chest and quietly said, “It’s nothing. I just wanted to see if you were asleep yet.” Cynthia’s expression was indifferent. “I was about to sleep. If there’s nothing else, I’ll close the door.” “Cinny, I—” Many words rushed to Stanley’s lips, and he couldn’t help but want to blurt them out. “What’s wrong?” Cynthia asked. Seeing Cynthia’s calm face, Stanley’s hands at his side clenched and then relaxed. After a long while, the agitation in Stanley’s heart was quelled, and he returned to indifference as those words dissipated. “Nothing. You should rest early,” Stanley said. Cynthia responded with an “Mm” and closed the door. She didn’t rest right away but tidied up her room for a long time, then hugged a box and went to Stanley’s door. She placed the box at his door. The next day, as Stanley exited his room dressed in a suit, he saw the large box in front of his door, the familiar handwriting on it reminding him of who had sent the box. Originally intending to head downstairs, Stanley turned and knocked on Cynthia’s room door. “Cinny, what do those gifts mean?” There was a moment of silence before Cynthia’s voice answered, “Those are wedding gifts for you.” Just as Stanley was about to say something, Jennifer’s voice called from downstairs, urging him. He responded and then asked Cynthia if she wanted to go to the wedding with him. Cynthia’s voice was a bit louder. “No need. You go ahead. I still have things to do. I’ll go directly to the wedding later.” Stanley knew she was still angry, so he didn’t push it. But he remained standing at the door, his heart inexplicably racing. He always felt that once he left, he would never see her again. He raised his hand again, uncontrollably knocking on Cynthia’s door. “Cinny, open the door. I have something—” Stanley’s remaining words were cut off by Jennifer’s urgent voice. “Stan, what are you doing here? Hurry up and go. Don’t waste time. Whatever you want to say, you can wait until the wedding venue. You’ll see her there.” “Yes, I’ll see Cynthia at the wedding venue later.” Thinking this, he felt somewhat reassured and followed Jennifer downstairs. At the moment he left, Cynthia, wearing her wedding dress, opened her door. Wedding cars drove one after another toward the city center, and as the last wedding car left Duncan Villa, another convoy slowly arrived. “Cinny, I’m here for you.” Ivan’s gentle voice lingered in Cynthia’s ears. Cynthia smiled and responded, then hung up the phone, stepping down the stairs in her wedding dress. She took one last look at the place she had lived for many years, then got into the car without looking back, taking Ivan’s hand that was waiting in the yard.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MyFiction” app 🔍 search for “397654”, and watch the full series ✨! #MyFiction #B×G #LoveAfterLoss #Divorce #sad #AgeGap

I found out my son’s wife was having an affair behind my son’s back. I confronted her, but she turned the tables on me. I told my son everything. However, she cried and accused me of bullying her. “Ever since I married into this family, you’ve always hated me. If I’d known you’d slander me like this, I might as well be dead.” She threatened to hang herself to prove her innocence, but my son stopped her. “Mom, how could you say something like that about my wife? You’re my mother!” In his fury, my son moved out with her, leaving me behind. Later, I fell gravely ill. I reached out to my son, begging him to come see me. But instead, my own flesh and blood stood there, watching as Esther ripped out my oxygen tube. As I gasped for air, I heard her smug voice. “You old hag, thanks to you accusing me of cheating, Barry and I can inherit your wealth so much faster! “Next time, when you slander someone, make sure you have evidence. Do you think you can just accuse people without a shred of proof?” I suffocated to death, and afterward, my son and daughter-in-law lived it up on my fortune. But fate wasn’t done with me yet. I opened my eyes again, finding myself back on the day Esther had betrayed me. This time, I was prepared. I swapped out the lubricant in the house for super glue. You wanted proof? Well, I would make sure to provide it. “Mom, it’s time. Go buy the groceries before everything good gets snatched up. “The crabs from the East District market are excellent. Go get them!” Esther Brooks, my daughter-in-law, sat on the couch and engrossed in her phone, urging me to leave. I cast a subtle glance at her, a smile playing at my lips, then grabbed my basket and headed out the door. The East District market was five miles away from where I lived. Round trip, it would take about two hours. But I went at my own pace. Because I had been given a second chance. I knew Esther was deliberately trying to get rid of me. In my previous life, she’d used the same excuse to get me out of the house to buy groceries. When I came back early, I found her in bed with a man. I was furious. I confronted Esther and called Barry Lawson, my son, to come home. I told him everything I’d seen with my own eyes. But Esther denied it, crying and claiming I was just slandering her. “Mom, I know you’ve never liked me, but you can’t tarnish my reputation! “Since your family can’t accept me, I’d rather die!” Love-struck, my son Barry fell for her sob story. He believed her, moved out with Esther, and even threatened to sever ties with me. Later, when I fell seriously ill, I called Barry, desperate for him to visit me. But when he came, he stood by, watching as Esther pulled the oxygen tube from my face. In my final moments, I heard her voice, dripping with satisfaction. “Old hag, you really did me a favor. If you hadn’t accused me of cheating, Barry and I wouldn’t have been able to inherit your wealth so quickly! “And next time you try to slander someone, don’t forget to bring some proof. You think just saying it is enough to ruin someone’s life?” Barry, cold as ever, added, “Mom, Esther is the one I’m going to be with for the rest of my life.” After I died, my son and Esther reveled in my fortune, wasting it all while I lay dead. But fate had other plans. I opened my eyes again, back to the day I had discovered her betrayal.

I was carefully selecting my groceries when the sound of a notification interrupted me. I glanced at my phone, and the surveillance footage popped up. It was of Esther, wearing a revealing lace nightgown, passionately kissing a man who looked a bit overweight. That man was none other than Esther’s first love, Edgar Smith. When I had been reborn, I made sure to install cameras around the house, all for this very moment. The two of them kissed so deeply they seemed to forget the world around them, rolling from the living room all the way into the bedroom. Esther was pinned beneath Edgar, her face flushed. Edgar, clearly enjoying the sight, smirked and teased her. “You really know how to play the game, bringing your lover home!” “This is so thrilling!” He laughed, giving her waist a firm squeeze. Esther wriggled beneath him, her legs wrapping around his waist as she coyly responded, “Barry’s such a bore. You’re way more exciting than him!” Edgar raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll find out?” Esther casually brushed Edgar’s clothes aside and scoffed, “Barry’s just my lapdog. He loves me so much and will never suspect a thing.” She let out a mocking laugh, continuing, “That old hag’s gone to the market to buy groceries. She won’t be back for a while, so make yourself at home. Do whatever you want.” I could hardly believe what I was hearing. I was both enraged and amused. At first, I had opposed Barry marrying Esther, but he’d threatened to sever all ties with me if I didn’t accept her. After my husband passed away, it was just Barry and me, and we’d supported each other through thick and thin. I couldn’t bring myself to lose him, so in the end, I gave in. Because Barry loved Esther, I grew to care for her as if she were my own daughter. But in the end, my kindness toward Esther led me to a tragic death in my past life. The bitterness and anger inside me grew as I watched the two of them on the screen. I cursed them in my mind, rage bubbling up inside me. And Edgar, hearing Esther’s words, became even bolder. “Then I’ll just help him out and… fulfill his duty, haha!” he said, eager. He hurriedly stripped off his clothes, then started tugging at Esther’s lace nightgown, a wicked grin spreading across his face. He even grabbed a bottle of lubricant from the bedside table, opening it roughly and pouring it out without a second thought. I couldn’t bring myself to watch any longer, but a satisfied smile curled on my lips. I quickly dialed Barry, who was still working late at the office. “Today’s your and Esther’s anniversary. I bought all your favorite dishes, including king crabs. Don’t work overtime, okay? Come home and have dinner with us.” Barry agreed immediately, reminding me to make sure I got Esther’s favorite foods, his love for her evident in every word he said. Little did he know, the woman he had fought so hard to marry didn’t just disrespect him; she was cheating with her old flame. No sooner had Barry hung up than Esther’s call came through. As soon as I answered, she rushed to speak. “Mom, don’t come home just yet!”

I could sense the unnatural tone in her voice and, intrigued, I decided to play along and ask her what was going on. “What’s wrong, Esther?” Esther hesitated before mumbling, “The, the dog made a mess at home, fur all over the place. I need to clean it up first.” I didn’t respond right away. Esther must have thought I’d agree and leave her to handle it. But instead, I spoke gently. “Oh, I thought it was something serious! Don’t worry, I’ll be right over to help you clean up.” Esther froze, clearly thrown off guard. She knew I didn’t like dog making a mess in the house, so she was using that as an excuse to keep me away. She clearly hadn’t expected me to say this. After a beat, she tried to persuade me again. “Mom, it’s really no big deal. I can handle it. I don’t want you to see it and get upset.” I wasn’t giving in. “It’s no trouble at all, dear. Besides, it’s your and Barry’s anniversary today. I have to get back to cook. I’ll grab a cab and be right there!” “Mom! I told you not to come back! Forget about the anniversary!” Esther, growing frantic, was nearly in tears. I could even hear Edgar, whispering something in the background, probably cursing me, but I didn’t care in the slightest. Listening to her desperate attempts to keep me away, I couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Then, I said, “What are you talking about? Of course, I’m coming. I wouldn’t dream of neglecting you!” With that, I grabbed the groceries and hailed a cab. Esther must have heard the sound of the cab over the phone, and she couldn’t hold back any longer. She burst into tears. “Mom, the truth is, something happened at home. Please, please don’t come back!” I played along. “What’s happened, Esther? Don’t worry, just tell me. What’s going on?” Esther took a deep breath as if she had come up with a new excuse. Then, she said, “Mom, there was a gas leak and a fire at the house! You can’t come home! Find somewhere safe to wait!” Upon hearing the mention of a fire, I immediately feigned panic, responding, “I’ll call the fire department right now!” I also signaled the cab driver to speed up, ensuring Esther would hear it, then promptly hung up. I knew she was lying, so I didn’t bother calling the fire department. I just wanted to scare her. But I did call Barry, telling him there was a fire at home and that Esther was trapped inside. When Barry heard this, he couldn’t sit still any longer. His voice was shaky, full of panic. “Mom, how could you leave Esther there alone? What if something happens to her? How could I live with myself? “You must have left the gas on when you went out! How could you be so careless? Or did you do it on purpose, trying to hurt Esther?!” He slammed his laptop shut, rushing off in a panic to come back. Hearing Barry accuse me so recklessly, I felt heartbroken. I had raised him from the ground up, and yet, in his eyes, I was now the villain, someone capable of such a heinous act.   When I arrived at the entrance of the neighborhood, Barry was already there, rushing toward me. He shot me a sharp glare before sprinting into the complex. I pretended to jog behind him, but when we reached the building, there was no sign of a fire or any firefighters. Barry’s panic only grew. He grabbed me by the arm and demanded, “Didn’t you say Esther was trapped in the fire?” I looked up at him with an innocent expression. “Esther told me not to come home and said there was a fire, so I called you right away. I had no idea what was going on.” Barry’s eyes flickered with doubt, but then he seemed to recall the kitchen was at the back of the apartment, and maybe the front view wouldn’t give him a clear picture. He quickly pulled me along to the elevator, and we rushed upstairs. When we reached the door, everything seemed normal. The door was locked from inside, and we couldn’t open it. Barry’s anxiety spiked even more. His eyes reddened with frustration. He began pounding on the door with a fire extinguisher, shouting Esther’s name at the top of his lungs. The noise was so loud that neighbors started gathering in the hallway to see what was going on. Barry hammered on the door for a long time, but the lock remained unyielding. He immediately called the property management to send someone to unlock it. While we waited, Barry leaned against the door and, in front of all the onlookers, started blaming me. “Mom, this is all your fault for insisting on buying this fancy door. Now, Esther’s trapped inside! Are you happy now?” I didn’t answer, keeping my eyes fixed on his. Barry, seeing my lack of concern for Esther, shot me an angry, accusing stare. “Your daughter-in-law is dying inside, and you don’t even have one word of concern for her? How can you be so heartless?” Some of our neighbors, who knew me well and understood my feelings toward Esther, stepped in to defend me. “Barry, you know your mom better than anyone. Don’t let your frustration turn into something you’ll regret!” “Yeah, she’s the one who raised you. Don’t be so harsh on her!” Even the neighbors were defending me, while my own son continued to lay blame on me. Despite having been through death before, this scene still tugged at my heart. I fought to suppress the pain and reminded myself, over and over, that it wasn’t worth feeling hurt over this ungrateful son. Barry glared at me with fury, and I returned his gaze coldly. Just as the tension between us reached its peak, the security guard arrived with the locksmith. The locksmith fiddled with the door for a while, but eventually, he managed to unlock it. As soon as the door opened, Barry bolted inside like a rocket. I, along with some of the confused neighbors, followed close behind. “Esther! Esther!” “Ah!!” The two exclamations rang out at the same time. I looked up and froze, seeing my son standing in the living room, dazed. The people behind me gasped and murmured. Esther, completely naked, was pinned beneath her lover, Edgar. The two were still locked in an intimate embrace, their bodies tangled together in the most compromising way.

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