Category: English

My mother had been ill for years, her only wish to witness her daughter’s wedding. For this, I pursued Liam for five years. On the hundredth time he turned me down, I finally decided to give up. I then turned to Ethan, my childhood friend who had always waited for me. We were deeply in love for a hundred days, and he promised to make me the happiest bride in the world. Just when I joyfully believed I had finally found happiness, I overheard his conversation with Sarah. “As long as you and Liam can be happy, it doesn’t matter if I marry someone I don’t love.” “Let me arrange your last birthday party. I want to see you happy with my own eyes, even if the one making you happy isn’t me.” It turned out the wedding he meticulously planned for me was nothing but a deception. A hundred days of pretense, merely to clear the path for Sarah and the man she loved. Tears streamed down my face. I messaged Mom, telling her the wedding was off. I don’t know how she learned the truth, but in her distress, she passed away on the spot. The funeral and Sarah’s wedding coincidentally fell on the same day, at the same hotel. Just a wall away, Ethan entered as a groomsman, caught a fleeting glimpse, and his face instantly went ashen… 1 By the time Mom’s arrangements were handled, night had fallen. When I returned home, Ethan hadn’t arrived yet. My phone only showed a message from him, saying he had to postpone the wedding. Before I knew the truth, he said it was due to issues with the props, and I believed him. But now I understood. The postponement was merely for Sarah’s birthday party. She had booked the venue. All the guests originally invited to my wedding were now celebrating Sarah’s birthday. My dream wedding had utterly become a joke. The man who once argued and fell out with Liam for me, who promised me happiness forever. He, too, became an accomplice in hurting me. The moment I received the hospital’s call, I rushed there, but couldn’t even say goodbye to Mom. I don’t want this wedding anymore, and I don’t want Ethan anymore either. Just as I finished packing my bags, Ethan hurried in with a gift. He didn’t notice the suitcase by the door. He instinctively pulled me into his embrace, his voice soft and tender, whispering against my ear: “My dearest Amy, guess what gift I brought back for you?” Before I could speak, he kissed my earlobe. I subtly avoided his touch, my gaze falling on the gift box in his hand. A designer perfume, Sarah’s favorite scent. But I never wore perfume; I was allergic to alcohol. He had always forgotten that. “Would you wear this on our wedding day? I want to smell you.” He was looking for Sarah’s shadow in me again. First it was clothes and jewelry, then cosmetics and handbags. Back then, I just thought the items he sent looked familiar. But only when I accidentally opened Sarah’s social media did I realize she had identical items. Also from Ethan. Noticing my low spirits, his voice softened further. “Is my Amy still upset about the wedding postponement? Don’t worry, I’ve already straightened them out. There won’t be any more delays this time.” “I’ll explain to your aunt, you don’t need to worry.” A cold smile touched my lips. “No need to trouble yourself. Let’s just cancel the wedding. You don’t have to see my mother; she wouldn’t want to hear your explanation anyway.” He hadn’t expected me to be so resolute. His movements froze for a moment, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes. “Amy, I’ve been planning this wedding for three months. The invitations have all been sent out. How can you joke like this?” “The prop mishap was an accident; I’ve tried my best to fix it. I understand you’re upset, but don’t be unreasonable. My patience has its limits too.” Watching him lie so shamelessly, I felt a wave of weariness. “Ethan, was it really just a prop malfunction?” He paused for a second, about to argue, when his phone rang. He looked down, a faint smile unconsciously curving his lips. Without saying goodbye, only promising to make it up to me, he rushed out of the house. I didn’t need to guess; only Sarah could make him so frantic with a single message. This wasn’t the first time he’d abandoned me. But before, immersed in the joy of impending marriage, I hadn’t noticed. Now, looking back, he didn’t even bother to hide it. After he left, I gathered all the gifts he had given me over the past hundred days. I planned to return them to him the next day. But early in the morning, I received a call from the bridal shop. They said my custom wedding dress had arrived and I should come for a fitting. “No need. Return it. The wedding’s canceled.” The sales clerk on the other end hesitated for two seconds, then spoke hesitantly: “This is a high-end custom dress. The deposit alone was five hundred thousand. If you wish to cancel, you’ll need to come to the store in person to fill out the paperwork.” When I arrived, just after I signed the forms, I saw another, even more exquisite wedding gown being brought in. The clerk’s envious voice immediately reached my ears. “Miss Sarah is so fortunate! I’ve never seen such an expensive wedding dress before! It must be millions, right?” “More than that! I heard two men paid for it together! Oh, when will such good fortune come to me…” 2 My nails dug deep into my palm, clutching the pen, but I couldn’t even feel the pain. When I went to Ethan’s office with a box full of gifts, the receptionists kept calling me “Mrs. Hayes.” Envious whispers rose and fell. “Mrs. Hayes, didn’t you know? Mr. Hayes took a whole month off for your wedding, something he’s never done before!” “I heard he spent half a million at an auction for a piece of jewelry. It must be to match your wedding dress. You’re so lucky, I can only dream of such things.” “I’ve never seen Mr. Hayes so devoted to anyone! He revised the wedding plan dozens of times!” But I wrote our wedding plan myself; he never asked about it. That plan was probably revised for Sarah, wasn’t it? I didn’t speak, silently listening to everything he did for another woman. While waiting for the elevator, Sarah’s playful voice came from behind me. She unreservedly linked arms with Ethan. “Ethan, thank you for the jewelry, but it’s really too much! My neck almost can’t hold up!” Ethan affectionately tapped her nose, messing up her long hair. “You little rascal, didn’t you say the bigger the jewelry, the better, to give Liam some sense of urgency?” In an instant, the air around us almost solidified. The employees looked at me with a hint of mockery. Ethan finally noticed me, but still didn’t let go of Sarah’s hand, his gaze merely growing colder. “Why are you here? Didn’t I tell you not to come to the office? Your presence distracts the staff.” Catching sight of the box in my arms, he frowned. “Why are you still holding a pile of rubbish? Security? Can’t you see? Quickly, throw it away.” I followed his gaze downward, only then realizing that the brand logo on the packaging box, which I hadn’t dared to unwrap, was peeling. It turned out everything he gave me was fake. No wonder he didn’t recognize them. Before I could speak, a security guard had already snatched the box from my hands and deftly tossed it into the trash. Liam rushed in through the door, witnessing this scene. His face instantly darkened. “Ethan, your wife is standing right here, and you’re embracing my fiancée. Isn’t that inappropriate?” Sarah immediately let go. A flash of hurt crossed Ethan’s eyes. “You still remember Sarah is your fiancée? Then why were you messaging another woman in the middle of the night?” “You swore to me repeatedly that you would take good care of her, which is why I entrusted Sarah to you. But how have you done? And now you have the nerve to question me?” As he finished speaking, Sarah suddenly looked up at me, tears welling in her eyes. “Amy, I know you and Ethan have been childhood friends, but since you’ve already accepted Ethan’s proposal, why are you still entangled with Liam?” I froze for a moment, realizing I had sent him a wedding invitation. Just as I was about to speak, Ethan’s accusatory gaze stung me. “You don’t trust me?” He didn’t respond to my words, but the disgust in his eyes deepened. In an instant, all the unspoken grievances choked back. Liam’s words became the last straw that broke me. “I told you, I don’t like Amy. I never did, I don’t now, and I never will.” “You are the only one in my heart.” His public humiliation and undisguised disdain made me want to disappear. Sarah’s eyes were clearly filled with triumph, yet on the surface, she cried out pitifully. Leaving only a single sentence: “I don’t believe your nonsense. You two are childhood friends; I’m an outsider. No matter how hard I try, I can’t be a part of your past! I’m just a burden!” And then she ran out. Liam shot me a warning glance, then hurried after her. In the vast hall, only Ethan and I remained. “Amy, this time you’ve gone too far. You know Sarah is insecure, why did you have to send that message to Liam?” “Let’s break up.” “What??” He seemed unable to believe his ears, frowning and widening his eyes. “I said, let’s break up. The wedding’s off. I won’t marry you, and I won’t bother Liam anymore. You can rest assured.” A flicker of surprise and relief quickly passed through his eyes. But on his face, he still looked heartbroken. “Amy, what are you being so ridiculous about? The wedding’s already halfway planned. Don’t you know how hurtful it is to joke like this?” “I know you’re anxious because your aunt is seriously ill. Let’s just cool off separately for a while before the wedding.” With those words, he got into the elevator without looking back. I also turned and left the company. The goodbyes had been said; the rest was none of my concern. 3 Upon returning, I hastily rented an apartment and prepared to move. But then Sarah came knocking. Her face was full of triumph, a stark contrast to her demeanor in front of Ethan and Liam. Her high-heeled foot directly stomped on my suitcase. “You’re really tough, aren’t you? Your own mom died and you still won’t leave? Can’t live without a man?” My movements froze, my fists immediately clenched, shaking with anger. “How did you know?” I hadn’t told anyone about my mother’s death. Remembering the letter she received before she passed, my gaze instantly turned icy. “You wrote that letter?” “You’ve already got Liam; why are you doing this?” A sneering smile played on her lips, and she let out a cold snort. “I just felt sorry for the old woman, couldn’t bear for her to be deceived, so I simply clarified the facts.” “Let her understand that her daughter is worthless trash no one wants. Who knew she couldn’t handle such a small blow? Really getting useless in her old age!” I could no longer contain the hatred in my heart, raising my hand and delivering a sharp slap across her face. After a crisp sound, her smile grew even more sinister. She pulled a pair of scissors from her bag. And deftly cut off a lock of her own hair. The moment the scissors clattered to the floor, I was violently slammed against the wall by someone rushing from behind. The pain left me almost numb. Yet, Ethan’s anxious voice rang in my ears. “Sarah, where are you hurt? Does it hurt?” Sarah was sobbing uncontrollably, covering her swollen cheek and shaking her head. “Ethan, please don’t blame Amy. I know she’s angry I took Liam, and she didn’t mean it. My hair is fine; it doesn’t matter, I’ll just tie it up for the wedding…” By the time I recovered, Ethan had already picked up the scissors from the floor and was walking towards me with a dark expression. “Amy, apologize to Sarah!” I looked at him in disbelief. “Are you insane? Do you know what she did? She killed my mom—” Before I could finish, he sharply interrupted. “No matter what she did, you shouldn’t have laid a hand on her! When did you become like this?” “I’ll say it one last time, apologize!” I never imagined that after twenty-five years, he would deny me even a chance to explain, all for another woman. Blood seeped from the corners of my lips, yet I gritted my teeth and spoke: “Impossible! Hitting her was letting her off easy, otherwise I—” Ethan slapped me across the face. Cutting off my words, and cutting off my last shred of hope for him. “Amy, I’ve indulged you too much. You’re simply too disobedient…” He brutally struck me on the head with the luggage-filled box. The next second, I fainted from the pain. 4 When I woke up again, Ethan had moved me to the bedroom bed. My waist-length hair was completely shorn, leaving only patchy, ugly scalp. Tears fell uncontrollably, stinging like fire as they ran down my face. I scrambled to the bathroom, looked in the mirror, and saw the multiple slaps had left their mark on my face. My nails had torn my skin, and thick scabs of dried blood had formed. I fought back tears, searching the entire room, but couldn’t find my packed luggage. Going downstairs, I discovered the suitcase had been thrown into the trash can. I didn’t bother to retrieve it, turning and leaving the complex. Enduring the strange glances of passersby, I entered a pharmacy and bought a box of masks. After covering my scars, the tears still wouldn’t stop flowing. I hid in the rented apartment like a rat in a gutter for three days. Only on the day of my mother’s funeral did I venture out, wearing a mask. As I arrived at the hotel entrance, I saw Sarah and Liam’s wedding photo. I suppressed the hatred in my heart and turned into the private room next door. Dressed in funeral attire, I listened to the eulogy. Just a wall away, a grand wedding was being held. Midway, I went to the restroom, but on my return, I ran into Sarah. Seeing my funeral attire, her eyes immediately reddened with feigned sorrow. “Amy, I know you hate me for taking Liam, but you can’t wear funeral clothes to my wedding!” Her shouts attracted the attention of many passersby. In a blink, I was drowned in a torrent of curses. “This woman is too malicious, isn’t she? If you can’t get the man, don’t curse others to die!” “Born without a mother’s care, no wonder Mr. Thorne didn’t fancy her! Such a venomous heart!” “Since we’re here, shouldn’t we support Mr. Thorne and Mrs. Thorne? Come on, everyone, let’s strip off her funeral clothes!” Before I could explain, people swarmed forward, trying to tear off my clothes. Someone snatched off my hat, revealing my patchy scalp. Laughter erupted instantly, and I screamed, clutching my head, begging them to return my hat. But no one listened. Flashbulbs targeted my head, capturing frantic photos. I stumbled into the funeral room, utterly humiliated. The door was forced open, and the white scene inside made them stop. Ethan, as a groomsman, rushed over at the commotion. “What’s going on? The wedding is next door; you’ve come to the wrong place.” His voice, initially meant to maintain order, died in his throat the moment he saw my mother’s name on the funeral banner. All color drained from his face. “Amy? What in the world is going on? Why are you here?”

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Bound by a ruthless love for money, I was deaf to anything else. In any gathering I attended, the conversation invariably revolved around finance, never sentiment. On my eighteenth birthday, my family arranged a business marriage for me with a man worth billions. This fiancé, however, had a childhood confidante, a “best friend” by his side since forever. At a party, she held a wine glass, seemingly casually, and flaunted to me, “Vivian, John has an unlimited black card. The secondary card is always in my wallet.” A friend immediately yelped, “John, aren’t you being a bit too bold? Aren’t you afraid your official queen will get angry?” John scoffed, his gaze sweeping over me with disdain. “Her? She’s only after my money, isn’t she? Who she spends it on makes no difference.” At his words, the entire room erupted in laughter. I slammed my wine glass down, stood up, and walked over to him, my eyes cold. “You’re right. Who she spends it on makes no difference.” I pulled the primary card directly from his pocket. “I’m going to buy an entire building right now and see if it’s truly unlimited.” 1 I clutched the thin black card and turned to leave. Behind me, a deathly silence fell, followed by John’s exasperated roar. “Vivian Baranski, you stop right there!” I didn’t look back. My steps even quickened. The so-called friends in the grand hall, who had just been laughing, were now struck dumb. Especially Alice, I could see her pale face out of the corner of my eye. She probably expected me to cry, make a scene, or swallow my pride. Unfortunately, in my dictionary, there were never words like “injustice,” especially when money was involved. No one could tell me otherwise. I walked straight out of the brightly lit club. I pulled out my phone and called my father. “Dad, send our lawyer, Mr. King, to the Skyward Tower sales office.” My dad paused on the other end. “What trouble have you gotten into now?” “No trouble,” I said, my voice light. “Just buying a house.” I hung up, hailed a cab, and headed straight for the most expensive residential building in the city. “Skyward Tower,” two hundred thousand per square meter, was designed for anything but ordinary living. I walked into the opulent sales lobby, and a salesperson immediately approached me. “Miss, are you here to view a property?” Her scrutinizing glance flashed over me; she probably thought I was too young and not dressed like a wealthy woman. I didn’t bother with pleasantries, cutting straight to the chase: “Which is your most expensive unit?” The salesperson was taken aback but maintained her professional smile. “That would be the penthouse sky villa on the top floor, with 360-degree panoramic views and an infinity pool.” “What’s the discount?” I interrupted her. “We can offer you the maximum 5% discount, plus three parking spaces and a full smart home system.” I did some quick mental math. The total price for this unit would be around 120 million, and the discount would save me a few million. Not bad. “Card.” I slapped the black card on the table. “Charge it, full payment.” The entire sales lobby instantly fell silent. All the salespeople and customers looked over. The salesperson’s eyes widened, and she stammered, “M-Miss, are you sure?” “Do I look like I’m joking?” I raised an eyebrow. Just then, a commotion erupted at the entrance. John and Alice had arrived, chasing after me. His face was livid as he rushed over, trying to snatch the card from my hand. “Vivian, are you insane?!” I deftly sidestepped, avoiding his grasp. “Don’t be so hasty, Mr. Grenier,” I said, waving the black card in front of him. “Didn’t you say it makes no difference who spends it? I’m just helping you verify the truth of that statement, aren’t I?” “You!” He was too angry to speak. Alice quickly stepped in, playing the peacemaker, tugging at his arm and speaking softly. “John, don’t be angry. Vivian is just joking with you.” She then turned to me, her eyes red-rimmed, looking on the verge of tears. “Vivian, please, I beg you. It’s all my fault. I was thoughtless and made an inappropriate joke. John has already been scolded terribly by his parents because of this.” As she spoke, she made to bow in apology to me. I leaned back, avoiding her. “Don’t,” I held up my hand. “I can’t accept that. If you bow to me, I might think you’re lighting incense for me ahead of time.” Alice’s face was indescribably ugly. I took out my phone and played an audio file. “Vivian, John has an unlimited black card. The secondary card is always in my wallet.” Alice’s clear, boastful voice echoed in the living room. This was followed by the surrounding people’s surprised yelps and John’s dismissive “She’s only after my money, isn’t she?” Finally, the laughter of the entire room. I turned off the recording and looked at the two of them. “A joke, that led to everyone in the room humiliating me?” I stood up and walked towards them. “I’m a straightforward person. You say I’m a gold-digger? Fine, I’ll be a gold-digger for you to see.” John’s pupils contracted sharply. He probably hadn’t expected me to record it. Now, they couldn’t even use the excuse of “just joking.” His face turned utterly grim. “Vivian, don’t push your luck. You know what the marriage alliance between our two families means. Behave yourself. It’s better for everyone.” I smiled. “The alliance is for money, yes. And I’m currently very seriously pursuing money.” I looked at him and chuckled. “Or, we could be straightforward and simply cancel the engagement. I have no objections at all.” John’s expression froze. I, of course, knew he couldn’t cancel. The Grenier family had a major project recently, and they were waiting for our Baranski family’s investment to launch it. Canceling the engagement would immediately break their capital chain. He glared at me. Finally, he said nothing, dragged the still-stunned Alice, turned, and slammed the door shut as they left. I looked at the closed door, the smile on my lips deepening. This was just the beginning. As someone who transmigrated into this book, destined to be the stepping stone for their love, the villainess, I had no intention of following the plot. You’re the protagonists, aren’t you? Then let me see what you have left without the plot armor and the author’s bias. Things unfolded exactly as I expected. The Grenier family remained silent, implicitly accepting the fact that I had bought the building. John was probably given a harsh dressing-down by his father. As for me, I began to prepare for my next move. I had been in this book for some time now and knew the main plot inside and out. John Grenier and Alice White were the melodramatic protagonists of this story. He, domineering and deeply affectionate; she, kind and resilient. And I, I was the shallow and malicious fiancée destined to hinder their emotional development. According to the original plot, I would, out of jealousy, spill red wine on Alice at the engagement party, then be publicly humiliated by John, eventually abandoned by my family, and meet a miserable end. Alice, on the other hand, would not only use John’s money to save her family’s already bankrupt company but also leverage the charity foundation John established to earn herself a reputation as “beautiful and kind.” Ha, a charity foundation? That was nothing more than a tool they used to transfer assets, avoid taxes, and even launder money. I hired the most reputable private investigator in the industry. But I didn’t ask him to investigate John and Alice. Instead, I had him look into Alice’s father’s company and that so-called “Grenier-White Charity Foundation.” At the same time, I instructed him to anonymously “feed” all the information I found to a few sharp financial reporters. Having done all this, I calmly awaited the engagement party between our two families. That would be the stage to ignite everything. The engagement party was grand, a gathering of business elites. I wore a custom-made gown. John stood opposite me, his expression stiff, but he still managed a forced smile. Alice was also there. Today, she wore a white gown with light makeup, looking every bit the cunning ingénue. She sat at the main table as “John’s best friend,” her position even more prominent than some of the Grenier family’s relatives. She saw me and offered a “friendly” smile. I returned an even brighter one. The banquet proceeded as planned. During the media Q&A session, everything was still under control. Until a reporter wearing gold-rimmed glasses stood up. He was one of my people. “Mr. Grenier, hello. As is widely known, you are passionately involved in philanthropy at a young age, having established the Grenier-White Charity Foundation. Could you share your insights with us?” The question was positive and safe. John was clearly pleased. He took the microphone and began to speak eloquently. He talked about the foundation’s philosophy and his understanding of social responsibility. On the giant LED screen behind him, a promotional video for the foundation was playing. Just then, the screen suddenly “fizzed” and flickered. The promotional video disappeared. In its place were several clear screenshots of bank transfer records. Large sums of money, transaction after transaction, were transferred from the “Grenier-White Charity Foundation’s” account into a company account named “White Industries.” The total amount was in the hundreds of millions. The entire hall instantly erupted in an uproar. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the screen, then collectively turned to the main table. White Industries, wasn’t that Alice’s family company? Using charity foundation money to fill your own company’s holes? This wasn’t just simple embezzlement; this was fraud! John’s speech abruptly stopped. He turned back stiffly, staring at the transfer records on the screen. And beside him, Alice’s “kind and innocent” face was now completely distorted. I raised my champagne flute and took a delicate sip. The show had only just begun.

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My husband, Thomas Ford, is 39 years old, 5’9” tall, and weighs 230 pounds. Since seeing my adFordd liver cancer diagnosis, he suddenly became enthusiastic about fitness and weight loss. I advised him to act within his limits, but he said lovingly, “I need to get my body in shape so I’ll have the energy to take care of you.” Everyone praised him for his loyalty and foresight, and I, too, was moved to tears. Until I inadvertently overheard his conversation with his best friend: “Maya said I have to lose 30 pounds before she’ll marry me.” Maya is his young assistant, Maya Thorne. It turned out they had already started planning their happy life after my death. And I was still fantasizing about a couple enduring hardships together. Alright, weight loss, huh? 30 pounds isn’t enough. In the next few months, he might lose 227 pounds! After all, an urn only weighs about 3 pounds, doesn’t it? 1. That day, Thomas called to say he was having dinner with a few good friends and wouldn’t be home. I repeatedly warned him not to drink, and he promised he wouldn’t. But I was still worried, so I headed to the hotel. As I reached the private dining room, just as I was about to push the door open, I heard laughter and teasing from inside. “Thomas, your weight loss efforts have been impressive lately! You’ve really shed some pounds!” “Haha, can’t help it. Gotta lose it, even if it kills me! Maya said if I don’t lose thirty pounds, she won’t marry me!” Maya is his assistant, Maya Thorne, only twenty-four, young, beautiful, and charmingly petite. Immediately, Maya’s sweet, cooing voice chimed in: “I don’t care! You absolutely have to lose thirty pounds, or else, when I wear my wedding dress and you’re wearing your suit, fat like a pig, my girlfriends will die laughing!” Thomas’s voice, slurred with drink: “Alright, alright, whatever you say. We still have a few months, don’t we, darling? Don’t rush, I promise to get it done!” “Come on, come on, let’s toast to Thomas! May he soon win the heart of his beauty!” “Thomas, congratulations! An old bull chasing fresh grass, must be amazing!” I stood frozen in place, my mind a blank! Thomas, had already hooked up with Maya Thorne?! He was counting down the days for me to die, for me to vacate my position, for him to marry his mistress? But what he didn’t know was that *he* was the one with liver cancer, and it was advanced stage! A while ago, Thomas had a poor appetite and often complained of bloating. He thought it was indigestion and bought medicine to take himself. I was worried, so I coaxed him into getting a check-up with me, and also arranged a full body scan for him. To my shock, he had liver cancer, advanced stage! The moment I received the diagnosis, it felt like a thunderbolt striking me! He was only thirty-seven, the father of my eight-year-old son, and the man I had defied my parents for, desperate to marry him! A year ago, he finally climbed to the position of company VP, with an annual salary of two million. Just as his career was soaring, he got liver cancer? In the hospital office, tears streamed down my face. The hand holding the diagnosis shook slightly; I simply couldn’t accept this cruel reality. At that moment, only one thought echoed in my mind: *No, I can’t lose him. I’ll exhaust all our finances if I have to, to get him the best treatment!* The doctor, seeing my determined gaze, sighed. “Prepare yourself mentally. In cases like this, treatment has little meaning. Life expectancy is probably within a year. If you insist on surgery, because the cancer cells have already metastasized, the success rate is very low, and you’ll need to wait three months until all his indicators are stable.” A glimmer of hope ignited in my heart. “Okay, I agree to the surgery.” “During this time, the patient’s mental state must remain stable. We recommend keeping his condition a secret for now, to avoid causing severe emotional fluctuations.” On the way home that day, I pondered how to hide this diagnosis so Thomas wouldn’t see it. Suddenly, a curious thought arose: if I were the one with cancer, how would Thomas react? He would surely be very sad, wouldn’t he? I wanted that feedback; I wanted his affection for me to be the last warm memory he gave me in his lifetime. Leaving the print shop, the diagnosis had been changed to my name. Sure enough, when Thomas saw the diagnosis, he hugged me tightly, his throat choked with emotion. “Honey, let’s get it treated quickly; you’ll definitely get better!” My heart was a mix of joy and sorrow. Joy that his reaction was exactly as I had hoped, and sorrow that such a wonderful man might be gone forever. Now, the most important thing was to get his body in prime condition for the surgery in three months. I started preparing nutritious meals for him daily, varying the dishes, and giving him his medication as prescribed. Of course, I lied and told him he only had a mild stomach ulcer that required medication. But he, from the very next day, suddenly started frequenting the gym, lifting weights to lose weight! These past few years, he had been engrossed in socializing and drinking, his body steadily expanding from 140 pounds at our wedding to a formidable 230 pounds. I had repeatedly urged him to lose weight, but he always ignored me. Now, he was actively starting to lose weight?! I thought he must have deeply realized the importance of health through my cancer diagnosis. For half a month straight, he went to the gym every day, posted check-ins on social media, showcasing his decreasing weight. He came home drenched in sweat, utterly exhausted, every single day. While the doctor had told me he needed to increase his exercise moderately for fat loss, his relentless effort seemed excessive. When he returned from the gym once more, collapsing onto the sofa in exhaustion, I advised him that weight loss should be gradual, and exercise should be within one’s limits. But he, panting and wiping sweat, looked at me with deep affection and said, “Honey, I need to get my body in shape so I can take better care of you and accompany you through your treatment!” That day, several relatives, upon hearing Thomas mention my illness, came to visit me. Hearing his words, they were greatly moved, praising his loyalty and profound foresight. I couldn’t help but wipe away my tears. *To have such a husband, what more could a woman ask for?!* 2. To think, the slap in the face came so quickly! I stood at the private dining room door, feeling weak, my hands and feet icy cold. Inside, the revelry continued, the atmosphere intensely lively. Then I heard Maya’s seductive voice again: “We’ll have to buy another apartment later. The one she lived in is bad luck! And the apartment you bought me before is too small! Also, the purse you gave me last time came out in khaki; I want another one.” Thomas’s voice, slurred with drink: “Alright, alright, whatever you say. I’ll follow your every command; how’s that?” “Hahahaha…” A burst of laughter echoed from the room again. Hahahaha, standing outside the door, the moment my heart died, I also laughed. It seems fate is not entirely unkind, letting me see Thomas Ford’s true colors. I will no longer shed tears for him, no longer suffer from losing him, and will no longer immerse myself in longing and reminiscing about him for the rest of my life. Yes, that’s good. Drinking? Drink up. Drink more. Soon, you won’t be able to drink or eat. Thomas, cherish this final countdown party. The torment of illness will soon make your life a living hell! Buying purses? Buying houses? Dream on! Maya Thorne, you just wait. I’m going to make you spit out every bit of flesh you’ve eaten, along with the bones! Leaving the hotel, the cold street wind blew, chilling my heart to the bone. Thomas’s words pierced me like a knife, but I couldn’t fall. Because I held a strong hand, like an impenetrable shield, not only deflecting blows but also swiftly throwing back more, sharper knives! The person I faced was no longer my lover, my husband, but an enemy who wished for my death. Dealing with an enemy, naturally, I couldn’t be soft-hearted! At this moment, I was no longer the fragile stay-at-home wife, but a goddess of vengeance, holding the winning hand and utterly ruthless! Thomas and I were college sweethearts. He came from a rural background, his parents old and frail, and his family was dirt poor. My parents firmly disapproved of me marrying him. But I loved him, believed in him, and resisted by going on a hunger strike. Finally, my loving parents relented, compromised, not only agreeing to the marriage but also providing the down payment for our marital home. After marriage, Thomas and I struggled together in our careers. Our salaries were meager, but deeply in love with him, I was content with love alone. From a city girl who couldn’t do anything, I transformed into a virtuous wife and loving mother, capable of handling all household chores. After our son was born, his parents, being older, didn’t adapt to city life well. My parents also had poor health, and our son was sickly from birth. I had no choice but to quit my job and return to the home, shouldering the heavy burden of housework. For the next ten years, his parents took turns falling ill, and I had to spend years running between hospitals, unable to work, until they passed away six months ago. Meanwhile, Thomas’s career flourished. He steadily climbed positions within the company, finally reaching the Vice President role last year. Friends and family praised my foresight, saying I married a man with potential, and now, finally, our hardships were over, and I could comfortably be a wealthy wife and enjoy life. Who would have thought he had already secretly hooked up with his young assistant! The deeper the love, the greater the hate! My heart trembled. Thomas, if you didn’t love me, you could have told me. We could have peacefully separated and divided our assets. Why did you deceive me? Why did you scheme against me? Even if you no longer loved me, I was your wife, sharing your bed for ten years. How could you be so heartless, wishing for my death?! These ten years of genuine affection were ultimately wasted on a dog! 3. Back home, I went into my study and opened the computer. The browser search history was full of Thomas’s queries about liver cancer. “How long can someone with advanced liver cancer live?” “How much does liver cancer surgery cost?” “How long can someone live with liver cancer without surgery?” “What is the success rate of liver cancer surgery?” “Is there a possibility of curing liver cancer?” If it were before, I would have certainly thought he was concerned about my condition and been moved by it. Now, I finally knew he was calculating days and times, and costs, anticipating when his happy life would finally begin. A heartless dog! I logged into his online banking. Over the years, I had given Thomas complete trust, never checking his whereabouts, his phone, or his bank cards. So, he felt quite secure with me and hadn’t changed his banking password. Line by line, I reviewed the transaction history, and my heart was pierced again and again. In just one year, he had transferred one hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars! His current balance was just over fifty thousand. He only gave me a thousand dollars a month for household expenses, yet he transferred one hundred and thirty-seven thousand to his mistress! How ironic! I had told him several times that the household allowance wasn’t enough, but he always told me to be more frugal. He said his money was invested in various financial products, which would generate annual income, allowing our son to study abroad in the future, supporting his growth, and providing us with a peaceful and happy old age. I believed him. But now, those one hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars in transfers felt like a heavy slap, disorienting me! Then, it transformed into a raging fire in my heart! Endure? Impossible! Thomas, since you treat me this way, I will no longer have any attachment to you. At 10 PM, Thomas entered, hiccuping from drink. Seeing my grim face as I sat on the living room sofa, he assumed I was upset about him drinking. He chuckled, removing his jacket. “They just dragged me along for a few drinks, just a little, heh heh.” I looked at him coldly. He grew a bit impatient, frowning. “You just worry about your own health now; you don’t need to worry about me.” I struggled to suppress my anger, staring intensely at him, speaking each word distinctly. “One hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars. In one year, you gave Maya Thorne one hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars!” He suddenly stiffened, abruptly looking up. “You, you, what did you say?!” My eyes blazed with fury, glaring at him. “Thomas Ford, are you even human?! One hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars! Joint marital property! Maya Thorne, you *must* return it!” His drunkenness completely faded. He desperately tried to conceal his inner panic, shouting at me, “What hundred and thirty-seven thousand? What madness are you talking about?!” “Keep pretending. Let’s see how long you can keep it up! See for yourself!” I showed him the online screenshots on my phone. “Apartment purchase, eighty thousand! February 14th, transfer 52,000! March 8th, transfer 10,100! And 1314, 520! Thomas, twelve years of marriage, what have you ever given me?!” Tears again streamed down my face. My throat choked, and I wept uncontrollably. “I worked so hard managing our home, yet you cheated, giving your mistress one hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars!” “Thomas Ford, I trusted you so much, but you treated me like an idiot! You’re heartless!” Thomas glanced at my phone, then flared up in anger. “Helen Fairfax! You checked my accounts! So what? You have cancer, what’s the point of worrying about all this? What you should be thinking about now is how to save your life, not me. What’s the point?” He finally dropped his façade of a good husband, revealing his true colors before me. I waved my phone. “Thomas Ford, this money *must* be returned. Otherwise, I’ll go to your company and ruin your reputation. Do you believe me?” Thomas seemed a little uneasy, but still bluffed. “If I lose my job because of your drama, then there won’t even be money to treat your illness. Won’t that just hurt you in the end?” Making a scene means no treatment? Haha, he’s the one who needs treatment, and he’s threatening me now?! I sneered. “Treatment my ass. I won’t get treatment. I demand she return that one hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars. Otherwise, I’ll not only make a scene at your company but also file a lawsuit against her!” Seeing my uncompromising stance, Thomas softened his tone. “I, I was just playing along, wasn’t I? My heart is with this family; what are you afraid of?” “Heart? Your heart is worse than a dog’s!” “But, but she can’t come up with over a million right away.” “Then it’ll be a court judgment and forced execution.” Thomas suddenly sneered. “Then go ahead and sue. From filing to a court judgment, it will take at least several months. I’m just afraid that the money won’t be recovered, and you’ll already be… hmph.” “Is that so?” I raised an eyebrow. “Shall we see about that then?!” Thomas didn’t want to waste any more words with me. He stiffened his neck. “Fine, do whatever you want. Want to make a scene? At most, I’ll resign. With my reputation in the industry, finding another job will be easy.” I sat there, unmoving. “Very well. Then, let’s do it tomorrow. You wait.”

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After being bound by the “Soul-Swapping System” of the class beauty, I first took scissors and slashed my own flawless face. Then, with a swift, decisive chop, my left hand was severed. Finally, I leaped from the top floor, breaking both my legs, coughing up blood, and falling into unconsciousness. Soon after, our souls swapped, our bodies exchanged. My eyes glinted with venom: “You like swapping, do you? I’ll give you enough to last a lifetime.” 1 Right now, I sit before my vanity, looking at my own exquisite face in the mirror, weeping with joy. Everything feels so real. I know I have been reborn. The next second, my face contorts in sudden horror. “No, after being bound by the class beauty’s soul-swapping system, there’s no escape, no way to break free. I’m still destined to lose this body.” I look at the wall clock. Eleven o’clock sharp. Only one hour remains until my soul swaps with the class beauty. By then, this body of mine will, as in my previous life, become hers. Suddenly, I feel lost. The thought of the tragic fate I suffered after the soul swap in my past life sends shivers down my spine. “What should I do?” My heart is filled with despair. My unfocused gaze suddenly drifts to a family photo. In the picture, I sit in the center. My father, mother, and brother surround me. Our family smiles brightly, radiating immense happiness. However, when I see their faces, a cold dread seizes my entire being, chilling me more than the soul swap itself. In my previous life, after my soul was swapped with the class beauty, Alice Lin, I descended into utter madness. I rushed into my home in Alice’s body, accusing Alice of her crimes. I told them that I was Mom and Dad’s real daughter, my brother’s beloved sister. Unfortunately, I was violently thrown out. Of course, I didn’t give up. I pursued and confronted them again and again. Yet, I only received more merciless beatings. They called me a complete lunatic. Later, Alice, accompanied by my family’s bodyguards, cornered me in an alley and broke my legs. I screamed for them to just kill me. Alice’s foot pressed against my chest, her face contorted, teeth gritted. “No, Victoria Rodriguez, I want you to live, to watch me enjoy your wealth and prestige, to enjoy everything you have. I want you to live a lifetime of unbearable pain. Why are you the campus belle, and I’m just the class beauty? Why are you a wealthy heiress, and I’m a farmer’s daughter? Do you know? I hate seeing that aloof, nonchalant way you spend money, it irritates me so much I can’t sleep. But now everything you have is mine, hahaha.” I wailed, but no one pitied me. Alice’s parents took me to the hospital, caring for me meticulously, but I told them to get lost. A thought suddenly struck me, and I found Alice, who was occupying my body, threatening her: “Swap me back quickly, or I’ll torment your parents until they wish they were dead.” Alice burst out laughing: “Be my guest. Those poor parents are a disgrace to me anyway. Go on, go quickly. After you kill them, I promise not to call the police.” Hearing that, I fell into despair. At this point, I quickly opened the drawer. I pulled out a photo from my diary. In the photo, a handsome young man embraced me. His gaze towards me was tender and infatuated. Stephen Noth, my fiancé, my greatest love. But my eyes were filled with deep-seated hatred. “In my previous life, my death was truly horrific.” I stared intensely at Stephen Noth’s photo, my teeth grinding. I still remembered. When my brother threw me out of the Rodriguez family home once again, I was knocked unconscious. When I woke up, I was in a dark basement. I was terrified, but then I saw Stephen. I wept with joy then, pouring out my past to him, telling him the little secrets only we two shared, telling him that I was the true Rodriguez family heiress, begging him to help me. Stephen smiled slightly: “Of course, I know you are the real Victoria Rodriguez.” Just as I thought my ordeal was over, his tone shifted. “Do you think your parents don’t know? Do you think your brother doesn’t know? The current Victoria Rodriguez’s demeanor has plummeted, she can’t play the piano, she’s forgotten how to paint, her singing sounds like a duck. With such obvious abnormalities, how could they not notice? They’re not fools.” My expression was blank: “Then why don’t they acknowledge me?” Stephen calmly undressed, a sneer on his lips: “The marriage alliance between the Rodriguez family and the Noth family is paramount. Since Alice occupied your body, she got the benefit. But for me, conquering your soul is what matters most.” With that, amidst my screams and struggles, he defiled me. Thus, in that sunless basement, I endured Stephen’s endless humiliation and torment. Until one day. I saw my brother in the basement. I harbored one last hope, pleading with him for help. Because I never believed what Stephen said. I didn’t believe my biological parents and brother, after recognizing me, would still abandon me. But my brother was utterly indifferent, kicking me away: “Victoria Rodriguez, since your soul was swapped, that’s your destiny. You have to accept it. Whose soul occupies my sister’s body isn’t important. What matters is that her body can bring endless benefits to the Rodriguez family. So, serve Stephen well. Consider it another contribution to the Rodriguez family.” At this, my last shred of hope completely shattered. I began to refuse food and drink, like a living corpse, and was choked to death by an enraged Stephen. Memories faded. My heart, strangely, settled into peace. The excitement of newfound life vanished in an instant. “What good is it to break the soul-swapping system?” “Who would even care for such a family and fiancé?” My eyes were blank, devoid of any emotion. I glanced at the clock; it was close to midnight. Without a doubt, Alice Lin, the class beauty, was already waiting at the entrance of my villa. My lips curved into a smile: “You like swapping, do you? Then I’ll give you enough to last a lifetime.” My right hand had already found the scissors on the table. In the mirror, I looked at my beautiful face, without a hint of regret. The next moment. The sharp scissors plunged directly into my skin. Blood welled up, slowly flowing out. Intense pain coursed through me, but I didn’t utter a sound. Because this pain was trivial compared to the agony of my previous life, it barely registered on my numb nerves. A streak of blood appeared on my face as the scissors slid. I didn’t stop. One, two, three… Until my face was covered in blood and completely disfigured, only then did I stop. I smiled silently, the blood flowing even more profusely. I stood up and walked out of the room. The house was utterly silent. I walked from the fourth floor to the third. Hearing the sounds of intimacy from my brother’s room, my eyes remained indifferent, unmoved. Reaching the second floor, my parents were already sound asleep. I didn’t pause, walking to the first floor without a hint of lingering attachment. Blood continuously flowed, marking my path. I passed the maid’s room, entered the kitchen, and saw the cleaver hanging on the wall. Without hesitation, I took it down. Then I placed my left palm on the cutting board. The next second. My hand rose and fell. The cleaver flashed coldly. From top to bottom, it struck my palm with brutal force. In an instant, my left hand was severed at the wrist. Yes, the cleaver was very sharp, excellent quality. The gushing blood made my head spin. Feeling for a rag, I firmly pressed it against the severed limb. I bit my tongue, barely managing to regain a shred of consciousness. I began to return, slowly making my way back upstairs. Back in my room, I climbed onto the windowsill. I saw a familiar figure standing in the distant light. “Alice, you’re here.” I mumbled, an indescribable excitement in my voice. I looked back at the clock. Ten seconds left until midnight. No longer hesitating. I leaped from the window. My legs hit the ground, the brittle snap of bones piercingly loud in the darkness. Both legs shattered, left hand severed, face disfigured. This body, you’re going to love it. Then, I fell unconscious. My unconsciousness lasted less than a second. I felt my body lighten. My soul floated into the air. The intense pain in my body vanished. I saw my blood-soaked, unconscious self. I saw bodyguards from the shadows rushing frantically, shouting. In that instant, a pulling sensation came. My soul visibly entered Alice Lin’s body. I moved my hands, examined my new body, and smiled faintly. “It’s been a while.” The villa was now bustling with commotion. My parents’ wails and my brother’s cries echoed, one after another. I chuckled, turned, and walked away. In this life, though my soul has also been swapped, I want to live a completely different way. Of course, with the Rodriguez family’s immense wealth, I believe my original body will not die. Next, what I look forward to most is seeing Alice’s expression after she regains consciousness. I also anticipate how my parents and brother will treat this broken “Victoria Rodriguez.” As for Stephen Noth? You go around telling people you love me more than life itself. So, this ruined body, do you still like it? I left. Guided by the memories of my previous life, I arrived at Alice’s home. I took out the key, opened the door, and was met by two pairs of expectant eyes. “Alice…” They were a plain-looking, honest middle-aged couple. They both stood up simultaneously, looking at me cautiously, their gaze filled with apprehension and carefulness. These two were Alice’s biological parents. In my previous life, I had interacted with them. At that time, I had just had my legs broken, and they were weeping uncontrollably. They borrowed money everywhere to gather my medical expenses. Then, day and night, they guarded my hospital bed, never leaving my side. Even when faced with my insults and physical attacks, they never retorted or retaliated, tending to me without complaint. Until Stephen Noth captured me, I never saw them again. Alice’s family was from a rural area. Now, they rented a place in the city, both working in a nearby factory. Everything they did, I could see, was so Alice could study well. I could genuinely feel their selfless love for Alice. That’s why, in my previous life, I used them to threaten Alice. I never expected that Alice saw them as a disgrace, wishing I would kill them. Before I died in my last life, I thought of my parents’ and brother’s heartlessness. I also thought of the unconditional love Alice’s parents had for their daughter. The contrast between the two left an indescribable emotion accompanying me to my death. “Alice, are you hungry? Shall Mom make you a bowl of noodles?” Alice’s mother asked me, her face full of anxious concern. I looked up at her; she forced a smile, her eyes filled with care and anticipation. “Yes, I’m hungry.” I nodded. She immediately beamed with delight: “Good, good, good. Mom will go make it for you right away.” She joyfully bustled into the kitchen, as if she had received the greatest news. Alice’s father was the same, rushing to the refrigerator to pull out a bag of lychees. “Alice, these are the lychees Dad bought today. Come and eat them quickly; they’re chilled, so delicious.” I said nothing, took them, peeled them, and ate. Alice’s father immediately beamed, his smile wide. Clearly, Alice usually didn’t treat them well. Now, merely accepting their efforts made them seem overwhelmed with gratitude. At this moment, I understood Alice’s living environment even more deeply. Her parents’ love for her had no bottom line; it had reached a point where she could take whatever she wanted. Yet, she still disliked her parents, disliked them for being too poor. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Alice was the head of this household. Even a little kindness from Alice would make her parents deliriously happy. “It seems this family isn’t bad at all.” A thought came to me. I didn’t resist this feeling; in fact, I rather enjoyed it. I was indeed hungry and quickly finished eating. “Mom, this bowl of noodles is delicious.” This one sentence actually made Alice’s parents start wiping away tears. “As long as you like it, Mom will make it for you every day.” “Alice, as long as you don’t dislike me and your dad, we’re willing to do anything for you. We’ll work hard to earn more money, definitely buy you brand names, give you lots of pocket money, just give Mom and Dad a little more time, okay?” Alice’s mother opened up, speaking more and more excitedly, almost swearing to the heavens in the end. Alice’s father also nodded frequently beside her, genuinely sincere. I was torn between laughter and tears. It seemed this Alice was truly something; at merely a high school senior’s age, she had completely tamed her biological parents. My heart softened, and I shook my head. “No need. Work in moderation. Your health is most important.” With that, ignoring the stunned couple, I entered the room. After closing the door, I heard their excited crying. They kept saying, “Alice has finally grown up.” The crying soon faded. I knew they were afraid of disturbing my rest. The room had no luxurious decor, only cleanliness and neatness, which I found strangely appealing. I fell into a dreamless sleep. Because the past was dead, and the future was promising.

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I am a direct disciple of a renowned programming guru in the industry. In my previous life, my girlfriend put a large dose of sleeping pills in my milk. While I was asleep, she stole the code I had spent over a dozen all-nighters completing, then turned around and gave it to the company’s genius programmer. During the staff meeting, colleagues looked at our identical code, exchanging bewildered glances. The genius programmer sighed: “I can’t believe a junior colleague in this company would steal my work. It’s truly disheartening.” The incident spread online, causing a huge uproar. Countless fans began doxxing my address, carrying knives, wanting to avenge their genius programmer. I had no choice but to stop working and move repeatedly. But I still couldn’t escape the rabid fans. In the end, they stabbed me to death with multiple knives, dumping my body in a dark alley. In this new life, I’ve returned to two days before the code was finished. Looking at the milk my girlfriend offered me, I coldly smiled. 1. I closed my eyes, feigning sleep, my ears constantly listening to the sounds from the next room. My fists clenched tightly. In the next room, the moans of men and women mingled. “Mm… Did you manage to give him the sleeping pills?” “Don’t worry. That idiot drank it without even asking. Ah… gently… he must be sleeping like a log now!” “Good… this code… no one else in the company could write it… that kid is pretty skilled…” “Nowhere near as good as you, honey. He only makes peanuts every month, completely useless…” The woman cheating in the next room was my girlfriend, Lily Thorne. In my previous life, I loved her to the point of obsession. She didn’t have to work, didn’t have to do housework; every day was spent getting manicures and shopping. I even worked overtime, sleeping only three or four hours a day for half a month straight to write code and win a bonus. When I woke up, I still had to wash her clothes and cook for her. But no matter how hard I tried to treat her well, she was always dissatisfied with me. I never imagined she had already hooked up with Vincent Vance, the “genius programmer” at the company. Not only that, but she also stole my code and exposed my home address. In the end, she caused me to be stabbed to death by radical fans. In this life, as soon as I was reborn, I quickly swapped out the code on my computer. I pretended to drink the milk. The code I had stayed up all night to write was now on my USB drive. I just needed to go to an internet cafe tomorrow to make a few minor modifications, and it would be ready to submit on Monday. As for Vincent Vance? The code he had now was utter nonsense. Genius programmer? Heh. He could just wait to be the laughingstock at Monday’s staff meeting! 2. Three days later, the boss, hearing that Vincent Vance had finished the code, beamed like a flower. He eagerly praised him in front of us new employees: “Look at him! Truly a genius programmer! No wonder our company paid so much to get him; he’s just that good!” “And then look at you lot! Just eating away all day!” On the surface, I listened to the boss’s lecture, but inwardly, I thought viciously: *Go ahead and praise him. The harder you praise, the harder he’ll fall!* At the staff meeting, Vincent Vance arrived half an hour late. The boss, usually hot-tempered with us, showed no irritation, instead bowing slightly. Vincent Vance, in slippers, casually opened his computer, sneering, “What’s wrong with you new employees? Such simple code, and not one of you could write it. I had to step in!” He slowly clicked on a file. After seeing the content of the file, my expectant mood for the show instantly plummeted. How was this possible?! His file wasn’t the one Lily had stolen. Instead, it was exactly the same as the file I had modified at the internet cafe! In that instant, I felt dizzy. I was certain that no one had seen me when I modified the code at the internet cafe. But now, the identical code proved that he had indeed stolen my code. After Vincent Vance ran the code, a chorus of praise erupted: “Truly a master! He’s incredible!” “Oh my god, he can even do it this way! The master’s mind is just too brilliant!” The honor that should have been mine now belonged to someone else. Everyone was genuinely amazed, but my heart was dead. Vincent Vance pointed at me, his face filled with a winner’s smugness: “This young colleague, I heard you also wrote this code? Why don’t you show it to everyone for their appreciation!” I gritted my teeth. It was the same in my previous life; I presented my code and confronted him. But on one side was a genius who had written countless divine codes, and on the other, an unknown junior programmer. Who would you believe? Naturally, public opinion overwhelmingly sided with him, accusing me of plagiarism. Heaven had given me another chance; I couldn’t risk it. Everyone’s eyes were on me, whispering: “Him? How could a new employee be that good?!” “Tsk, just bragging, I guess. Didn’t expect Mr. Vance to call him out. If I were him, I’d want to crawl into a hole!” “He has nothing. Let’s see how he handles this!” The pain was like a thousand knives cutting through my heart. I forced a faint smile. “No, you’re impressive.” Hearing my words, those around me showed undisguised disdain. “Wimp!” 3. When I got home, I was seething. Lily eagerly met me at the door, her tone unusually gentle: “Honey~ How was it? I heard your company’s Vincent Vance successfully ran that incredibly difficult code!” Her face was full of pride. I sneered: “What, does whether he ran it or not have anything to do with you?!” Without waiting for her reaction, I snorted and went back to my room. Although Lily and I lived together, we always slept in separate rooms. She always said she was a traditional girl, and couldn’t be intimate before marriage. I believed her. Heh, she was certainly vocal when she was with Vincent Vance. Back in my room, I thoroughly checked my computer and USB drive. Making sure they were free of viruses. I checked the room, the computer, my clothes, even the furniture and lightbulbs. There were no hidden recording devices or cameras. I clutched my head, trying to figure out where things went wrong. Or was all of this truly just a coincidence? Impossible! Even if the code content was a coincidence, how could the comments be identical, word for word?! It had to be Lily and Vincent Vance playing tricks! Outside, Lily was banging on the door. “Adrian Miller, what do you mean?! You dare to talk to me like that?!” “Get out here and make dinner for me!” I rolled my eyes. She acted so gentle and sweet in front of Vincent Vance. With me, she couldn’t pretend at all. I opened the door, ignored her shouting, and went to an internet cafe again. But the surveillance footage showed no anomalies. I was a bit confused. I called my mentor—the industry’s most renowned senior programmer, Mr. Sterling. “Teacher, do you remember the code I asked you for help with a few days ago?” In other words, the final code, my mentor and I each had a copy. My mentor chuckled heartily when he heard about the code. “Of course I remember! You, you nearly surpassed your old teacher, how could I forget!” I tentatively said, “Teacher, at the team meeting today, someone in the company presented this code before me, and it was exactly the same as the code you and I made. His name is Vincent Vance. Do you recognize him?” If the surveillance and everything else was clear, then the only explanation was that my mentor gave this code to an acquaintance, and it eventually found its way to Vincent Vance. Otherwise, there was no other possibility. But Mr. Sterling only hesitated slightly before firmly denying it. “Impossible! You are my most gifted student; I would never casually give such code to anyone else.” The confusion in my eyes deepened. All possible paths were blocked. 4. Soon, before I could figure out what was going on, the company’s annual evaluation was approaching. The company conducted an annual evaluation, linked to the year-end bonus. If scores were too low, termination from the company was a possibility. A few years prior, an employee scored zero on the evaluation and was now flipping pancakes across the street. And Vincent Vance was always first place every year. Because of the previous incident, everyone in the company now said I was a boastful good-for-nothing. I narrowed my eyes, determined to clear my name. The questions were difficult. My brain worked rapidly, and I only finished and submitted just as the timer ran out. Although I was slow, I was certain that my answers were 100% correct. After all, by a strange twist of fate, I had recognized the esteemed Mr. Sterling as my mentor. I had studied with him for four years. He was truly a top figure in our industry, leagues ahead of Vincent Vance. Colleagues passing by were discussing: “Oh my god, these questions were too hard!” “I only managed to do one question.” “Me too, me too!” A group of people looked distressed until they saw me. They puffed up again: “Oh, Adrian, how much did you do? Don’t tell me you didn’t even manage one question!” “Hilarious, he was just bragging in front of Mr. Vance. Now he’s publicly humiliated, huh?” “Don’t you dare get a zero. Oh no, I hope I’ll still see you around the company later!” I couldn’t be bothered to respond to them, turning to walk back to my workstation. They found it boring and happened to run into Vincent Vance. “Mr. Vance, Mr. Vance, how were the questions?” Vincent Vance lowered his voice, pondering for a moment. “They were alright, not too difficult.” He glanced at me again. “Of course, for some good-for-nothing idiots who don’t know anything, it might still have been a bit challenging!” From the moment I joined the company, I felt Vincent Vance’s subtle hostility towards me. At first, he treated all new employees to bubble tea, but not me. I thought he had simply forgotten and went to get mine, but he cursed at me in front of the entire company: “Are you out of your damn mind with poverty? If you want bubble tea, buy it yourself!” Later, he always deliberately assigned me various odd jobs, which had almost nothing to do with my profession. This made everyone believe that I was a professionally unqualified waste. This evaluation, I would definitely prove myself! I looked at him coldly. “Who’s the good-for-nothing? That’s still up in the air!” 5. But when the evaluation results came out, I was completely dumbfounded. Not because my score was low. It was because Vincent Vance’s and my submitted answers were exactly the same! My breathing hitched. How could this be?! If the previous code issue was Lily’s doing, this was the company! Lily’s reach couldn’t extend here! If Vincent Vance had accessed the system after I submitted, but… he submitted his paper three minutes before I did! How was this possible?! Vincent Vance looked at me, sighing with disappointment. “Oh, you… I didn’t blame you for bragging before, but now you’re plagiarizing too!” “Are you really mentally deficient? Copying it verbatim!” “Tsk, I really don’t know how people like you get hired by this company!” The colleagues around me began to loudly mock me: “Oh, oh, oh, talking big one moment, getting slapped in the face the next!” “If I were you, I’d want to crawl into a hole!” The loud commotion quickly drew the attention of the boss. “What’s all this shouting about?!” One of the colleagues pointed at me and cursed, “Boss! He copied Mr. Vance’s answers, and didn’t change a single word!” The boss, his eyes wide and round, glared at me, his mustache bristling. “What’s wrong with you?! Have you no shame?! You even dare to plagiarize! You, pack your things and get out! Our company doesn’t need a black sheep like you!” I clenched my fists, my mind a blank mess. I couldn’t even utter a single word of defense. I hadn’t even reacted, but Vincent Vance was already anxious, blurting out without thinking: “Don’t fire him!” Noticing everyone’s reactions, Vincent Vance rubbed his nose, putting on a benevolent act. “I mean, it’s not easy for anyone. This young fellow just made a mistake in the heat of the moment. We should give him a chance!” I sneered inwardly. He’s afraid that if I leave, he’ll have no one to copy from! Since Vincent Vance had spoken, the boss reluctantly rolled his eyes at me. “Still not apologizing to Mr. Vance? He’s so magnanimous!” “Always stooping low, like a rat in a sewer!” I stared fixedly at Vincent Vance. “Who says I copied?! I clearly wrote my date of birth in the comments. Or are you saying, Mr. Vance, that you copied even that?” I emphasized “Mr. Vance,” filling it with sarcasm. Vincent Vance was astonished, clearly not expecting this move from me. And he himself had already copied everything, word for word. 6. Afraid they wouldn’t believe me, I pointed at the computer screen and said to them: “For this question about calculating birth years, I intentionally wrote my own birth year in the comments, just for fun. Or, is Mr. Vance going to claim even that from me?” The reason, of course, wasn’t just for fun. After the last incident, I was always afraid Vincent Vance would plagiarize. So I deliberately added a unique identifier in the code. But no one believed me; instead, they laughed even louder: “Hilarious! That’s just a string of ordinary numbers; you’re really using that as evidence?!” “Mr. Vance probably just typed it absentmindedly when he wrote it. Who would’ve thought he’d face such undeserved trouble!” “Damn it, can’t this arrogant guy just die off? He plagiarizes, then accuses the original author of plagiarism. You can’t even make up rumors like that!” Vincent Vance’s brief panic, hearing everyone’s words, turned into calm again. He squinted at me, full of triumph. I gritted my teeth hard, until my gums bled. I had thought they might hesitate and then choose to believe me. I had also thought they might hesitate and then choose not to believe me. But I never imagined they wouldn’t even hesitate. Each of them, as if bewitched, believed Vincent Vance. Just because he was a renowned genius programmer, did that mean we little programmers had no recourse when wronged?! The boss’s face grew even darker. He grabbed my collar and pulled me in front of Vincent Vance. “Have you made enough of a scene?! Apologize to Mr. Vance now!” “No!” I stiffened my neck, looking up at him. The head that had bowed before would not bow again! A true man, for justice, could not call a deer a horse. The boss’s face became even blacker. “If you don’t apologize, then pack your things and get out! Our company doesn’t need scum like you!” I gritted my teeth, scoffing. “Fine, I’ll leave. This lousy company isn’t good enough for me anyway!” I was telling the truth. When I was looking for a job, many big companies, believing in my talent, offered me positions. But Lily insisted this company was good, having seen it online, and forced me to come here. I wasted over half a year here, with low pay and too many trivial tasks. I had wanted to leave for a long time! 7. When I returned home, Lily was eating strawberries amidst a pile of trash. Seeing me back, she seemed quite surprised. “Why are you back?” “I quit.” Lily panicked, jumping up from the sofa. “What? How can you quit? If you quit, what about Vincent Vance?!” I narrowed my eyes, walking towards her step by step. “My quitting, what does that have to do with Vincent Vance? Or rather, what’s your relationship with Vincent Vance?!” Lily, frightened, collapsed onto the floor, her eyes darting around. “I… I mean…” Realizing I was actually interrogating her, Lily got angry. She stood up, hands on her hips. “Adrian Miller! Are you suspecting me now? Who gave you the guts?!” She thought I would pacify her as before. But from the moment she conspired with an outsider to scheme against me, I had completely given up on her. Without any love left, seeing her snorting and huffing like a pig, I felt utterly disgusted. I pointed at her, completely devoid of my former meekness. “You, leave my house now!” She froze, as if in disbelief. “You’re telling me to leave? Do you know what you’re saying?” I looked at her, speaking each word distinctly. “We’re over! You, get out now!” She glared at me for a long time, then suddenly stood up to gather her things. I followed behind her; anything she shouldn’t take, she wouldn’t. She could only take a pitifully small pile of clothes, threatening me, “Adrian Miller! Remember what you said today! Even if you beg me in the future, I won’t come back!”

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My usually fastidious Ragdoll cat has been consistently peeing on my husband’s pillow lately. Scolding and even punishment didn’t work, and the vet found no issues. Desperate, I consulted a famous pet influencer online. After watching a video I sent, he messaged a single line: “The cat is marking its territory. Your man smells of a cat in heat, and your cat is threatening it by covering the scent with its own urine.” My heart sank. I cautiously asked my husband, who was washing the bedsheets, “Did you upset Muffin? Why does he only pee on your side, not mine?” His hands stiffened. He feigned composure. “Maybe it’s my mother visiting. She always has a strong dog smell about her.” I didn’t call him out. The next day, I went straight to his office. The moment I pushed open the door, I saw a young woman, a scholarship student we sponsored, cradling a cat and leaning against him coyly. “Mr. Kingston, my Mittens only stops meowing when you hold her. Please comfort her a little more.” Mystery solved. It wasn’t just the cat in heat. I walked over, smiling, and picked up the hot coffee from his desk. “So much discomfort. Let me help you cool down, sweetheart.” … The scalding Americano coffee splashed entirely onto Michael Kingston’s custom-tailored suit. He shot up from his executive chair. “Vivian… what brings you here?” His features contorted for a split second, clearly from the burn. Without bothering to wipe the mess from his suit, he strode over in two steps, trying to shield the young woman. “Don’t misunderstand, it’s really a misunderstanding. This is Jasmine, the scholarship student we sponsor, Jasmine Han. She found a stray cat and didn’t know how to care for it. The cat was in heat and meowing wildly, and she got scared, so she brought it to ask me.” Michael adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, speaking rapidly, his eyes avoiding mine. I didn’t look at him; my gaze swept past him to Jasmine in the corner. I remembered Jasmine; she was the prettiest among the many scholarship students. It was ironic; three years ago, she was digging coal with her father. Now, she was wearing a seasonal Chanel tweed dress. Hearing Michael’s words, she flinched, lowered her head, her long hair obscuring half her face. I walked towards her. Jasmine took a step back, her back pressing against the wall. I reached out, my fingertip hooking the silver necklace around her neck. The pendant was a small woven ball, stuffed with catnip. “This necklace, I bought it for my dog. Why is a person wearing it? What nonsense!” My fingers tightened, and I yanked hard. The delicate chain snapped, leaving a red mark on her pale neck. Jasmine gasped, clutching her throat. Tears streamed down her face, but she bit her lip, saying nothing. I tossed the necklace, still warm from her skin, into the nearby waste bin. “Darling, a Chanel dress isn’t something a scholarship can buy, is it?” My tone was calm, without inflection. “You’re about to graduate from university. I arranged an internship for you, paved the way for your career. Is this how you repay me? Coming into the CEO’s office to… well, heat up with a cat in heat?” Jasmine abruptly looked up at me, her eyes bloodshot, her mouth opening, then timidly glancing at Michael. Michael quickly interjected, “Vivian, why are you speaking so harshly? She’s just a young girl who doesn’t know any better; she got lost and came here. She’s always looked up to you as an idol, wanting to get close to us. There’s nothing terribly wrong with that.” He walked over and put his arm around my shoulder, pressing his palm firmly. “I’ll have someone escort her out right away. She won’t be allowed back. Darling, I swear, I only love you in this life.” I twisted away from his hand, took a wet wipe from my bag, and meticulously cleaned each finger that had touched the necklace. “No need for ‘later’.” I threw the wet wipe on the floor. “Notify HR. Jasmine Han’s internship is terminated. Her post-graduation job recommendations are also canceled. Since she loves caring for cats, she can go work at a pet store.” Michael’s face stiffened, but quickly returned to normal. He waved a hand at Jasmine. “Aren’t you going to thank Vivian for her guidance? Get out!” Jasmine bit her lower lip, her eyes watering as she glanced at Michael, then abandoning the cat, she scurried out of the office. Michael breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the matter was over. He let go of me and turned to the break room to find a spare pair of trousers. I straightened my collar and walked out of the office. Just as I was about to leave, I saw that same orange cat emerge from the general office area, a pair of fishnet stockings in its mouth. The curious employees who had been peeking out instantly recoiled. The entire office fell silent. Michael, having changed his trousers, came out just in time to see this. His reaction was lightning fast. In a few strides, he kicked the orange cat in the stomach. The cat shrieked, dropped the stockings, and darted out the door. Michael bent down, picked up the crumpled stockings, and tossed them into a waste bin. Then he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. The speakerphone was on. “Marcus! What the hell is wrong with you?” Michael roared into the phone, veins bulging on his neck. “I was kind enough to lend you my office for interviews, what are you doing bringing those random women in here? Things got left in my office, and now Vivian’s completely misunderstood! Get over here and explain yourself!” The other end was silent for a few seconds, then Marcus’s slurred laughter came through. “Oh, Michael, my apologies, my apologies. Had a bit too much to drink last night. Is Vivian there? Vivian, don’t be mad, it’s all my fault, won’t happen again, won’t happen again.” Michael hung up the phone, looking helplessly at me, spreading his hands. “See? I told you it was that jerk, Marcus. He’s been going wild lately with his wife divorcing him. I clearly picked the wrong friends. I’ll definitely give him a piece of my mind when I get back.” He walked over, took my hand, and kissed it. “Darling, don’t let outsiders ruin what we have. I’ll have HR process Jasmine’s termination immediately. Is that alright?” I pulled my hand away. “Fine. If it’s Marcus’s business, then let’s move on.” Michael visibly relaxed, immediately summoning administration and HR. In front of me, he processed Jasmine’s termination paperwork, even having security watch her pack her belongings and leave. Everything seemed professional and decisive. That evening, I had a spa appointment with Marcus’s wife, Gina. The scent of essential oils filled the room as Gina hummed contentedly on the massage bed. “Vivian, you’re just lucky. Michael is famously devoted to his family. Not like my deadbeat husband, useless at everything.” I closed my eyes, casually asking, “Marcus has been quite busy lately, hasn’t he? I heard he was working late at the office last night?” “Working late my ass!” Her voice was loud, and she suddenly sat up, her towel half-slipped. “My mother’s birthday was these past few days. He’s been at her old house in the countryside, slaughtering chickens for her! Last night he drank too much and threw up all over the bed, didn’t even know where he’d thrown his phone. I had to find it for him. He’s not going to the office until tomorrow. Is everything alright?” I opened my eyes, looking at the chandelier on the ceiling. Indeed, that scoundrel! Back home, Michael was in his study, reviewing reports. Seeing me enter, he took off his glasses and rubbed his temples. “Darling, you’re back? I warmed some milk for you.” A warm glass of milk sat on the table. I picked up the cup, my gaze sweeping over the open ledger. “The company’s entertainment expenses are quite high lately, aren’t they?” I asked casually. Michael’s hand paused, then he smoothly replied, “We’re negotiating that tech park project, you know. Entertaining clients and giving gifts is part of it. Once we land the project, this money will all be repaid twofold.” I nodded, carrying the milk away, but didn’t drink a drop. Back in the bedroom, I opened my laptop and pulled up the electronic statements for our family account. Michael was very cautious, deleting all obvious transfer records. But he made one oversight: he forgot that bank statements would show ATM withdrawal locations. For the past three months, even without any apparent entertainment expenses, his supplementary card had frequently been used to withdraw large amounts of cash from the same place: West Creek Gardens branch. That was the most expensive neighborhood near Jasmine’s university. Over the next week, Michael was impeccable. He came home promptly every day, turned down all social engagements, and even voluntarily took on the task of brushing Muffin’s fur. Muffin was my Ragdoll cat, whom I’d raised for five years, usually very clingy to Michael. But these past few days, whenever Michael approached, Muffin would puff up his fur, growling low in his throat, even trying to scratch him. “Is this cat sick? Such a temper.” Michael recoiled, looking at a red scratch on the back of his hand, frowning. “Maybe it’s shedding season. He’s in a bad mood.” I sat on the sofa, trimming flower branches, not looking up. When I left work on Friday, it suddenly poured rain. As I stepped out of the office building, I saw Michael’s car parked by the roadside, its hazard lights flashing in the downpour. He wasn’t carrying an umbrella; he clutched a brown paper bag and hurried towards me. The rain drenched his hair and shoulders, his suit clinging to him, making him look a bit disheveled. “Vivian!” He ran up to me, presenting the steaming paper bag like a treasure. “Freshly roasted chestnuts, from your favorite place. I queued for half an hour and kept them warm in my coat. They’re still hot.” I looked at his rain-streaked face, momentarily lost in thought. Ten years ago, we were like this too. We had just started our business, broke as can be. I worked late into the night, and he would wait downstairs for me, holding a bag of hot chestnuts just like this. Back then, we couldn’t even afford a car; we’d squeeze onto a second-hand electric scooter, sharing a bag of chestnuts. Though it was cold, our hearts were warm. Whenever I was upset, he would use this trick to comfort me. And I would always soften. “Get in quickly, don’t catch a cold.” Michael shielded my head with one hand, pulling open the car door with the other. The heater in the car was on full blast. He took a towel and gently wiped the raindrops from my hair. “Darling, try one. I specifically peeled it for you.” He offered me a golden chestnut. I took the chestnut but didn’t eat it. Using the interior reading light, my gaze fell on his hand, which he had just pulled back. Clamped between the index finger and thumb of his left hand was a single orange cat hair. Our Muffin is white. And in Michael’s office that day, the cat Jasmine was holding was an orange tabby. “Husband.” I squeezed the chestnut, my voice very soft. “You have another cat outside.” Michael, about to start the car, his hand suddenly jerked, almost dropping the keys. “Vivian, what are you talking about? Muffin is the only cat I have…” I raised my hand, holding up the orange cat hair I had pinched between my fingers, right in front of his eyes. “You’re truly disgusting.” Michael stared at the hair, his pupils constricting violently. He frantically grabbed a tissue to wipe his hand, rubbing so hard his skin turned red. “This… this is that… oh, right! I remember now!” He stammered an explanation. “When I was buying chestnuts just now, there was a stray cat by the roadside. I felt sorry for it and gave it some food. It must have gotten on me then. Vivian, you know I’m a clean freak. How could I possibly keep another cat? I’m going to wash my hands! I’m going to wash my hands right now!” He pushed open the car door, rushed into the rain, and ran to a public water tap by the roadside, furiously scrubbing his hands. His spare phone lay on the passenger seat. The screen lit up. A message popped up. The sender was labeled “Service Provider.” [The cage is rented. Your stray cat is too much trouble. The new cage cost tens of thousands. Bro, you owe me for this!] I looked at the line of text and smiled. Stray cat. Cage. Rental. Michael, you’re calling Jasmine a stray cat, and disguising your secret lover as a rented cage. Do you think this is still ten years ago, and I’m still that fool who could be placated with just a bag of chestnuts? It’s time for a clean break. I called my lawyer.

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“Honey, I’m pregnant.” My wife, Juliet Bennet, walked up to me, holding a lab report, her face beaming with excitement. But I knew this child absolutely couldn’t be mine, because I had azoospermia. 1. My name is Leo Bennet, I’m 29, and my wife, Juliet Bennet, and I were college sweethearts. After graduating, we coincidentally landed internships at the same company. Working closely together for so long, we naturally fell in love. Juliet was not only beautiful, but her figure was stunning, with curves in all the right places. When we got married, all our relatives and friends said I was incredibly lucky to marry such a wonderful woman. I truly believed it, and so after marriage, I adored and cared for Juliet even more. But one issue always bothered me. For three years of marriage, we hadn’t been able to have a child. Because of this, I secretly went to a clinic for a sperm test. The result indicated azoospermia—a very low probability of conception. This news left me devastated, but what happened next fueled my despair into a raging fury. It was the second Friday afternoon after I learned about my condition. After work, I went to Juliet’s department as usual to wait for her to finish. But I waited for a long time, over half an hour past Juliet’s quitting time, and she still hadn’t appeared. Just then, Chloe, one of Juliet’s colleagues, came out. I quickly stopped her and asked, “Chloe, is Juliet still working late inside?” “Oh, Juliet? She went out with Mr. Potter at lunchtime for something, and I haven’t seen her all afternoon. As her husband, you might want to keep an eye on her.” Chloe said, then smiled and walked away. My expression froze. Went out with the manager and didn’t come back? Actually, working at the same company as Juliet for so many years, I had heard a few rumors about her. After all, Juliet was so beautiful. We started at the company at the same time, but she was now the head of the marketing department, while I was still a low-level salesperson. Many people in the company gossiped that she had only risen to her position so quickly by sleeping with the general manager, Mr. Ethan Potter. However, I didn’t believe this rumor. After all, Juliet and I had been together for so many years, and I knew her character and integrity very well. She wouldn’t do something like that. Still, the fact that Juliet went out without telling me left me a little uneasy. I pulled out my phone and called Juliet, but it only rang once before she hung up. Then, Juliet messaged me back on her phone: “Honey, I’m busy with something. Go home and eat first; don’t wait for me.” I didn’t think much of it and headed home after work. It wasn’t until around 11 PM that I heard the sound of keys unlocking the door. Juliet walked in, looking exhausted. As soon as she entered, I smelled alcohol and some other indescribable scent on her. I frowned and said, “Honey, how much have you had to drink?” Juliet waved her hand. “I was just drinking with Mr. Potter and a big client from the company. If I didn’t drink a lot, how could I close this client?” Seeing Juliet like this, I felt a pang of pity for her. I quickly helped her with her bag and urged her to go wash up and rest. While Juliet was showering, I put her changed clothes into the washing machine. Just then, her jacket pocket vibrated. I reached in and found Juliet’s phone still inside. I pulled out the phone and saw one unread message. On a whim, I entered Juliet’s lock screen password and opened the message. Seeing the content of that message, my face went pale. It was from a contact Juliet had labeled as “Major Client Ryan Potter,” and it read: “Juliet, you really satisfied me tonight. Come accompany me again tomorrow night, and your company’s project will be settled. I’ll pick you up from your office after work tomorrow.” Could it be that Juliet spent tonight sleeping with a client for a deal?! No, it couldn’t be. I refused to believe Juliet would do such a thing. 2. I held the phone, ready to confront Juliet as soon as she finished showering. When Juliet came out of the bathroom, I immediately walked up to her with the phone, displaying the chat history. I said, “Honey, what’s going on here?” Juliet took the phone, her face turning pale, then she put on a forced smile and said, “Honey, do you really think I’m that kind of person? Don’t worry, I won’t let him take advantage of me. The client tried to make inappropriate demands tonight, but Mr. Potter helped me reject them.” We had been married for so many years, and I still trusted Juliet. So I didn’t press the issue, and seeing how tired she was, I just told her to go to sleep. I thought the matter was closed. To my surprise, the next day after work, Juliet called me, saying she was meeting a friend for dinner and I didn’t need to wait for her. I didn’t think much of it at first, but as I walked past the company parking lot on my way home, I happened to see Juliet getting into a black Mercedes sedan and driving away. I saw an unfamiliar middle-aged man in the driver’s seat of that black Mercedes. Even I, with my easygoing nature, realized this was definitely the client from Juliet’s message yesterday. She told me she was having dinner with a friend, but instead, she secretly went to meet this client! If I hadn’t seen it by chance, I would still be completely clueless! A surge of nameless anger ignited within me. I couldn’t believe I trusted Juliet so much, yet she betrayed me like this, all for the sake of a deal. Then, those rumors circulating in the company before were very likely true. Thinking this, my hands and feet went cold, and my body trembled uncontrollably. I didn’t want to believe it was true, but the facts were laid bare before me, coupled with what I saw in her message yesterday—she had cheated on me. I angrily returned home, planning to confront her face-to-face when she came back! As I sat in the room, I suddenly noticed a pink ribbon peeking out from under the mattress. Puzzled, I went over and pulled back the mattress. What I saw beneath made my face go pale. In a small storage space under the mattress, there was a collection of various sex toys. Juliet and I had been married for so many years, but we had never used any of these. The conclusion was obvious: she bought these to use with other men. The thought of her being more uninhibited with other men than with me brought on waves of heartache; tears almost streamed down my face. My wife, she really betrayed me! I continued to wait for her. This wait stretched until past 11 PM again before Juliet returned home. As soon as she entered, I asked coldly, “You’re back?” Juliet nodded and said, “Yes.” “Which friend were you having dinner with, so late?” I asked, pretending to be unaware. “Just an old high school friend. We got a little carried away talking and lost track of time,” Juliet said with a smile. My eyes widened as I said, “High school friend? I think it wasn’t a high school friend, but rather your client, wasn’t it? I bet you even talked your way into bed!” Juliet’s face went pale. “What are you saying?” “You really think I don’t know anything? I saw it all! You got into your client’s car!” I shouted. “Oh, I was afraid you’d react like this when you found out. Honey, please let me explain. I didn’t mean to deceive you.” 3. Juliet began to explain herself. She said this client was crucial for her entire marketing department’s annual KPI, which is why she met with him today. However, she insisted she hadn’t done anything to betray me and had genuinely been discussing the project with the client. She claimed she rejected all of the client’s unreasonable demands, and in the end, because the client genuinely needed to cooperate with the company, they signed the contract. I snorted, walked to the bed, pulled back the mattress, revealing the sex toys underneath. “Then how do you explain *this*? You’ve never used these with me to spice things up. Who were you using them with?” Juliet’s face immediately flushed at the sight of the sex toys. She stammered, “Honey, actually… I bought these to use with you.” It turned out Juliet had bought these sex toys, intending to use them with me to spice up our intimate life, but after buying them, she was too shy to ever bring them up. So she hid them under the mattress, where they remained until now. Juliet pointed at the sex toys. “The packaging is still on; they’re unopened. I haven’t used them once.” I went to check, and it was indeed as Juliet said. Learning that I had unfairly accused Juliet, much of my anger dissipated, and at the same time, I felt even more guilty towards her. Actually, after discovering I had azoospermia, I already felt some guilt towards Juliet. After all, she had been with me for so many years, and I hadn’t given her a child. Her position and salary at the company were also much higher than mine. I felt somewhat unworthy of her. As long as she didn’t betray me, I would indulge her in everything else, considering it a form of compensation. For a period after that, Juliet’s and my life returned to normal. Since the project had been secured, Juliet no longer needed to work late or socialize. We went to and from work together every day, and gradually, I completely forgot about the previous incidents. But then, a month later, another event struck me like a bolt of lightning. It was Saturday afternoon. Saturdays were usually our day off, but Juliet mysteriously said she had a surprise for me that morning, then left. I was puzzled. It wasn’t our wedding anniversary, or a holiday, or her birthday. What kind of surprise could she have for me? I waited for this surprise until the afternoon. Around 4 PM, Juliet finally returned, her face beaming. Her hands were behind her back as she slowly walked towards me. I looked at her and said, “Honey, you’re so mysterious. What gift have you prepared for me?” She smiled even wider. “This gift, you’ll definitely jump for joy when you see it.” She exaggerated so much that it made me even more curious about this gift. She slowly brought her hands from behind her back to her chest. In her hands was a white A4 paper. I was even more puzzled. Was this what she called a gift? “What is this? A blank paper?” I asked. Juliet placed the A4 paper in front of me. “Take a closer look.” Upon closer inspection, it turned out not to be a blank paper, but a lab report. It stated that patient Juliet Bennet had a positive blood HCG test, confirming pregnancy. Wait, confirming pregnancy? And it had my wife Juliet Bennet’s name on it. Could it be…

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Five years after my death, I watched with my own eyes as Jane’s childhood friend drowned our child. When the detective called Jane, she was still eating strawberries that Julian had fed her. Hearing the detective’s words, she merely gave a cold laugh. “Dead? If she’s dead, bury her. Why are you calling me?” Finally, she arrived at the police station, a look of impatience on her face. “You said she’s dead. Where’s the body?” 1 My soul floated in mid-air, gazing at my daughter’s body entangled with river weeds. Jane’s voice reached my ears, pulling me back to a moment of haunting familiarity. We hadn’t truly “met” in nearly five years. After my death, I somehow became a spirit, bound to my daughter’s side. She was so small, living in an orphanage for those five years. Until Julian appeared, pressing her head into the river water, holding her down with brutal force. I knelt beside them, screaming, banging my head on the ground. I begged him to spare my daughter. I was already dead; what more did he want? But I was a ghost now, utterly useless, able only to kneel there. “Are you sure this is my daughter? She wasn’t this thin. If you’re going to fake a body, at least pick a more convincing one.” Jane’s voice snapped me out of my memories, but it only twisted the knife in my heart further. What did she mean by that? Jane held her hand over her nose, a frown etched on her face as she glanced at Lily’s small body. Then, with utter nonchalance, she said to the detective, “I’ve identified the child. Can I leave now?” A few younger detectives, unable to stomach her indifference, slammed their hands on the table and stood up. “That’s your daughter who died! How can you be so… so heartless!” She lifted her chin arrogantly. “Heartless? At least I showed up. Her father hasn’t even bothered to show his face! And you call me heartless!?” The detective was speechless. Beside them, I cried out anxiously, “I’m not! I just… I’m just dead.” But no one could hear the voice of a ghost. How could I be heartless towards my own daughter? She was the sole testament to Jane’s and my love, my only continuation in this world. I’d watched her, small and alone, crying in bed at night, clutching the little doll Jane had given her, quietly asking it, “Why doesn’t Mom want me anymore? Where’s my Dad?” Every time I saw that, my heart felt like it was being torn to shreds. Yet, her mother, for five whole years, hadn’t once come to see her. “We haven’t found the father’s contact number, so he might not know yet. You could try contacting him,” a detective’s voice chimed in. Jane scoffed. “So you’ve put on this elaborate show just for that, to make me humble myself and find him? I’m telling you, absolutely not!” With that, she turned to leave. But as she reached the door, she paused. A flicker of hope ignited within me, anticipating her turning back. She turned to the detective and asked, “Can I take the body now?” The detective nodded, and Jane instructed her bodyguard to carry my daughter’s tiny body. I was filled with the belief that she still harbored affection for our child, that she was in pain now. But I never imagined that as soon as we left the station, Jane would tell her bodyguard to dump our daughter in the pauper’s grave on the south side of town. She wouldn’t even spare Lily a proper glance, casually saying, “Since Brandon Sterling doesn’t even want to come see his own daughter, I certainly don’t need to keep this body.” Hearing those words, I felt my heart had been shredded to pieces, the pain so intense I fell to my knees, unable to utter a sound. I humbly clutched at her trousers, begging her, pleading with her to give our child a proper burial. But for five years I couldn’t comfort my grieving Lily every night, and now I couldn’t even ensure her body remained intact. I watched as little Lily’s body was tossed onto the heap of corpses like a rag doll. I screamed uncontrollably at Jane, “That’s our daughter! The daughter you carried for nine months and gave birth to yourself! Now your childhood friend has killed her, and you won’t even give her a proper burial!” But no matter how much I screamed, my heart tearing itself apart, I couldn’t change the fact that my daughter’s body was left there. Seeing my daughter’s body lying amidst the pile of corpses, Jane frowned. She murmured, “How did they make it look so real? Brandon Sterling really went to a lot of trouble to try and make me back down. But does he really think I’d believe this is Lily’s body? It’s laughable.” Beside her, I screamed, my voice breaking, “I’m dead, Jane, I’ve been dead for a long time! That really is our daughter! I’m not lying to you!” But no one can hear the despair of a ghost. Jane glanced at Lily’s body a few more times, then turned and walked away. She didn’t know why, but looking at the “fake” body on the heap, she felt an uncomfortable pang in her chest. My soul uncontrollably followed her. In the car, she was gently replying to Julian’s messages. “Our son wants the latest toy? Then just buy it for him. It’s perfectly normal for a two-year-old to love toys.” My body stiffened. A son. So, in the five years since my death, she had already started a new life with her childhood friend and had another child. “Jane, what… what were you doing today?” Jane’s voice faltered for a moment before she continued, “Brandon Sterling hired someone to make a fake body to try and make me back down. It’s truly laughable.” Soon after, Julian’s voice came through. “He’s been gone for five years now, you can just file for divorce… When are you planning to marry me?” Jane didn’t hesitate for a second, directly refuting him. “Divorce? Brandon Sterling hasn’t returned all these years precisely because he wants to divorce me. How could I grant him his wish? I’ll give him another month. If he still doesn’t appear, I don’t mind making that ‘fake’ body real.” The malice in her voice made my body freeze. I knew her methods all too well. Now, I even felt a strange gratitude towards Julian. At least he ensured Lily’s death wasn’t prolonged. I couldn’t imagine what Jane would be capable of if she were the one to act. When they arrived and Jane got out of the car, I felt a jolt of recognition. This was our old home. The house she bought, the renovations I did. Back then, I’d held her and said, “This is in a good school district. Our child will go to school here someday. We’ll take her together.” Jane leaned into my arms and said yes. That happiness, now, seemed utterly fake. We had truly loved each other so much. “Jane, you’re back! Our son and I have been waiting for you.” The door opened, revealing that the house’s interior had been completely redecorated. A new partner and child had replaced our old life. Jane hugged Julian. The little chubby boy tugged at her hand, saying, “Mommy, why are you only hugging Daddy and not me?” Jane knelt down and hugged the little boy. “Better now?” Watching this scene unfold, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Why was my soul still bound to this world? Inside, Jane sat on the sofa, and Julian put his arm around her. “Jane, our son’s birthday is coming up soon. Let’s go abroad for a few days.” Jane frowned and refused. “No. This coming month, I’m waiting for Brandon Sterling to return. If he still doesn’t, I intend to send him a grand gift.” Everyone knew what that “grand gift” referred to. Lily’s body. At this moment, I felt a twisted sense of relief. Lily, it’s better not to stay in this world. How would it feel to see your own loving mother plot your murder? But when Ben heard her words, the smile on his face froze. “Jane, he’s been gone for five years. Why… why are you still waiting for him? And that little girl, since she’s in an orphanage, why don’t we just leave her alone?” Jane shook her head. “I’ll never let them go.” Ben saw Jane’s determined expression and swallowed the words he hadn’t spoken. I wanted to tell Jane that the man lying beside her had killed our daughter. I wondered what her expression would be. Perhaps joy. I remember the first time Ben appeared in my life. Jane had just given birth. I hired a nanny for her and immediately went back to work. Though I knew Jane had money, I felt a man shouldn’t spend his wife’s money. But I never imagined that while I was at work, another man moved into my home. And he even spread false rumors online, claiming all my achievements were earned through immoral means. Every night when I returned home, Jane would confront me with the news. I explained again and again that it was all false, that I hadn’t done those things. All my achievements were from my own hard work. How could I betray our marriage? But Jane still didn’t believe me, and the company fired me because of the rumors. The day I was fired, I came home with bags full of my belongings. The moment I walked in, I saw my wife holding hands with another man. Our daughter was crying nearby from hunger, and Jane didn’t even spare her a glance. For the first time in my life, I lost my temper at Jane. I threw the things in my arms to the floor. “What are you doing!” Jane and Ben were startled. Jane glanced at me, then frowned and said, “What? Did your sugar daddy dump you? Is it only okay for you to find someone, but not for me?” I pushed Ben away like a madman. “How do I have a sugar daddy? I told you, those are rumors! Rumors!” Jane looked at me and said, “Whether they’re rumors or if you’re lying to me, you know best. I just saw the video from Ben; you’re still trying to deceive me.” “Video?” I instinctively countered. I hadn’t done anything like that; how could there be a video? My mouth opened and closed. I knew that no matter how I explained, Jane wouldn’t believe me now. Ben gave me a defiant look and said, “Well, I’ll be going then.” After he left, I hugged Jane, speaking incoherently, “I… I really didn’t do anything like that, darling… Darling, please believe me just this once, okay? You… you break up with Ben.” As I said those words, I felt pathetic. Begging my own wife to break up with her lover. But I loved her too much, and our child had just been born. What would happen to her without a mother? Besides, my wife was being misled, so… I was willing to give her another chance. Jane broke free from my embrace, looking at me with narrowed eyes. “I can break up with Ben, but you’ll have to stay home from now on.” I froze. Was she planning for me to be a househusband? But seeing her determined expression, I still nodded. “Okay, I promise.” It didn’t matter. As long as Jane and our child were still with me, I was willing to do anything.

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I won a billion dollars in the lottery. I immediately called my boyfriend to share the news. But the first thing he did was yell at me: “I’m busy with work, I don’t have time for your nonsense! Unless it’s something big like you dying, don’t ever contact me again!” He hung up. I sighed, preparing to deliver my last food order before going to claim my winnings. As I knocked on room 301 at the hotel, carrying the food, the door opened to reveal my boyfriend, who was supposed to be away on a business trip. He had only a towel wrapped around his waist, and behind him stood my best friend, also wrapped in just a towel. 1. My boyfriend, Greg Vance, and I stared at each other, wide-eyed, for a full minute. “What are you doing here?!” “I should be asking you that! Weren’t you on a business trip out of town? You were too busy to even take my call, but you’re here… playing cards with her?” Greg yanked me into the room, then slammed the door shut. “Don’t shout outside; it’s embarrassing.” My eyes burned red with anger. “You should be embarrassed! You two were cheating on me!” My best friend, Chloe Hayes, draped herself over Greg’s shoulder. “Don’t use such harsh words. I’m Greg’s real girlfriend. We’ve been together for over seven years.” So I was the other woman. “You’re both despicable!” I raised my hand to slap Greg, but he grabbed my wrist. “Rovan Miller, that’s enough! I never even liked you. Chloe was the one who told me to be with you. Otherwise, do you think I would have stayed with you this long?!” Tears streamed down my face. I screamed at them, “Why?!” “For your money, you idiot! You didn’t even go to college; you graduated high school and started delivering food just to earn a few extra bucks to support Greg.” “You spent all your money on Greg. Greg took me out, bought me gifts, all with your money. I should actually thank you. Without you, what would Greg and I spend?” I trembled with rage. “You’re both shameless! I’ll fight you!” I grabbed Chloe by the hair, and we wrestled. “Rovan Miller, you’re pushing it! Let go of Chloe!” Greg was strong. He ripped me away, punching me in the face. I was stunned. Chloe took the opportunity to rush forward, pulling my hair and clawing at my face, cursing at me. They pinned me to the ground and beat me. Greg showed no mercy, his punches landing hard. I could only wail in pain. I thought about all those years with him; it was a colossal joke. Greg and I both came from humble backgrounds. I had no parents. His parents were farmers with poor health. We both got into college, but he convinced me to drop out and work. He said he’d marry me once he graduated and found a good job. I foolishly believed him. To earn more money and improve his living conditions, I didn’t even rest on New Year’s Eve. While everyone else was feasting and celebrating, I was out delivering orders, one after another, in the snow and sub-zero temperatures. Looking back now, my seven years were utterly ridiculous. 2. They finally stopped when they got tired. I was covered in bruises, lying on the ground, unable to get up. “Greg Vance, how can you do this to me? Aren’t you afraid your parents will turn against you?!” Three years ago, Greg’s father suffered a sudden stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed. I brought both of his elderly parents to the city and took meticulous care of them. They used to say I was like their own daughter, and if Greg ever did anything to wrong me, they would be the first to disown him. Greg scoffed. “You didn’t really think my parents genuinely treated you like a daughter, did you? They just said that to butter you up. If they didn’t say nice things, how else would you act like a maid and cater to them?” I refused to believe it. “Impossible! Your parents were genuinely good to me!” “You don’t believe me, do you? I’ll call them right now.” With that, Greg dialed his mother and put her on speakerphone. “Hey Mom, I broke up with Rovan. I don’t want to pretend anymore. I want to openly date Chloe.” “Son, your mother supports you. But if you break up with Rovan, will she still serve me and your father? Will she still give us living expenses?” “You don’t need to worry about money. I just closed a big deal. Once that contract is signed, I’ll get a two-million-dollar commission. Then I’ll hire a housekeeper for you, and she’ll definitely serve you better than Rovan.” “That’s wonderful! Rovan can finally get out! A delivery girl who didn’t even go to college—how could she be worthy of my son?!” I was utterly stunned, unable to believe what I was hearing. After hanging up, Greg kicked me again. “You heard it all, didn’t you? In my parents’ hearts, Chloe is the only daughter-in-law. And I’m about to be rich. Once those two million come in, we won’t be in the same league!” I laughed. “A mere two million.” Chloe, now wearing high heels, stomped hard on my hand. “You wouldn’t make two million delivering food for twenty years! Stop pretending!” She linked arms with Greg. “Darling, let’s go. Our nice little time together has been ruined by this lowlife, Rovan.” They walked out brazenly. I quickly called an ambulance, then the police. Thankfully, I was wearing thick winter clothes, so no bones were broken. After having my wounds treated at the hospital, I went home. But as soon as I reached my doorstep, I saw all my belongings thrown outside. My blood pressure shot through the roof. I immediately pounded on the door. Greg’s mother opened it and, seeing me, her face instantly changed. “Rovan Miller, my son has broken up with you. Grab your things and get out!” I had already planned to move out, but I hadn’t expected them to just toss my belongings. “I paid to rent this apartment. If anyone’s moving, it’s you! How dare you throw my things out?!” “Because there are three of us living here, this apartment is ours!” At that moment, her true shrewish nature was fully revealed. 3. I didn’t want to waste any more words on her and prepared to call the police, but then Greg returned with Chloe. “How are you not arrested?!” Chloe smirked triumphantly. “It was a mutual fight, and you were the one who started it!” My lungs felt like they were about to explode. My hands clenched into tight fists, fingernails digging into my flesh, but I felt no pain. Greg pushed me. “Why aren’t you gone yet? You’re not still trying to cling to me, are you? I’m telling you, there’s absolutely no chance between us anymore!” I glared fiercely at the people in front of me. “You’ll regret this. You’ll come begging on your knees!” They burst into sneering laughter, telling me I was dreaming. I only took a few items from the ground. Anyway, I had won a billion dollars in the lottery; there was nothing I couldn’t buy. After settling into a hotel, I went to the lottery office to claim my prize. The moment the billion dollars hit my account, the weight on my chest finally lifted. I couldn’t wait to see Greg and Chloe’s faces when they found out I was now a billionaire. I had just secured a beautifully renovated penthouse when I received a call from Chloe. “Rovan, our high school reunion is this weekend. You absolutely have to come; everyone from our class will be there.” “Okay, I’ll be there.” “You’re not just saying yes and then disappearing on the day, are you?” “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely be there. It’s been so many years since we saw our old classmates; I’m curious to see how they’re doing.” Chloe was undoubtedly organizing this reunion to show off Greg’s two-million-dollar earnings and take the opportunity to humiliate me. She probably never dreamed that I would be the most successful one in our class. The reunion was scheduled at a five-star hotel. I deliberately arrived a little late. Under the gaze of all my former classmates, I elegantly took my seat, dressed in a head-to-toe luxury limited edition outfit. “Excuse me, everyone, I’m late.” Chloe immediately rolled her eyes at me. “Rovan, you’re so over the top. Is that fake outfit of yours even worth a single ticket? Do you really think our classmates don’t know quality when they see it? Pfft.” My classmate, Maria, who sat next to me, kept staring at the white Hermes Birkin bag in my hand. “Rovan, can I take a look at your bag?” I generously placed the bag in her hands. “Of course.” “Maria, what’s so special about a fake bag? That bag, if real, costs over two million dollars. You could sell Rovan and she wouldn’t be worth that much.” She finished, prompting a burst of laughter from the guys nearby. “This bag is real. I work at Hermes.” “Then it must be a replica Rovan bought that even fooled you, the salesperson.” “This bag is definitely real. A replica can’t achieve this kind of craftsmanship.” Chloe immediately sneered, “Oh, Rovan, you didn’t happen to ‘borrow’ that bag from some wealthy lady while you were delivering food, did you?” “I know you’re afraid our classmates will mock you for not going to college and just delivering food, but you can’t steal other people’s things to show off! The amount for this bag is huge; it’s enough to get you years in prison.” “Considering we were classmates, we won’t report you. Just return the bag immediately and apologize publicly. Maybe the wealthy lady will take pity on you and not pursue charges.” 4. “Chloe Hayes, you need proof when you speak. If you accuse me of theft, I can sue you for defamation!” “I’m doing this for your own good, and you want to sue me? Everyone knows you’re dirt poor, why are you pretending?” Maria couldn’t help but say, “Maybe Rovan found herself a sugar daddy.” “Maria, you think too highly of her. What sugar daddy would be blind enough to want her?” Chloe walked around to my side, placing her own bag in front of me. “See this? This is real money, a hundred thousand.” She rolled her eyes at me. “A pauper, still pretending.” My classmates immediately looked at her with envy. “Chloe, it looks like you’re doing the best among us, with a hundred-thousand-dollar bag!” Chloe’s smile was triumphant. “It’s all thanks to my wonderful husband. He just closed a big deal, and the commission alone will be two million dollars. Everyone, order whatever you want today! My husband’s paying!” Everyone rushed to congratulate Greg, making him so proud he nearly burst. Greg, holding the menu, lifted his chin and told the waiter, “Bring out all your most expensive dishes. One Australian lobster for each person. And open ten bottles of your most expensive wine!” I smiled. “As far as I know, that contract of yours hasn’t been signed yet, has it?” Chloe scoffed. “So what? It’s a done deal, just needs the final signature.” “You haven’t even earned the commission yet, and you’re already buying such expensive bags and ordering such pricey dishes. What if the deal falls through, and you end up deep in debt?” “Shut your jinxing mouth! This deal is absolutely foolproof!” After the food arrived, everyone started chatting. “Did you see the trending news? A while ago, someone had amazing luck and won a billion dollars in the lottery!” “Oh my god, I’m going to cry with envy. How many lifetimes would it take to spend all that money?” “And I heard after she won, she immediately donated two hundred million, and even acquired several companies and invested in many projects. All these projects are incredibly profitable; it’s like money making money.” “That person has such good fortune, not only did she get an unexpected windfall, but everything she invests in makes money.” Seeing their heated discussion, I couldn’t help but say, “Actually, the person who won the big lottery prize… is me.” Everyone fell silent for a moment, then burst into roaring laughter. Chloe laughed so hard tears streamed down her face. “Rovan, stop dreaming! With your pathetic life, you can’t even win ten dollars, let alone a billion!” I simply smiled faintly, offering no further explanation. Chloe then announced publicly, “Classmates, Greg and I are holding our wedding in Bali! Everyone please come! We’ll cover your travel and accommodation!” “A Bali wedding must be so expensive! You two are really extravagant!” “My husband is the top salesperson! He’ll have a continuous stream of big deals and commissions in the future. The top salesperson’s wedding, of course, has to be grand!” After everyone finished eating and drinking, Greg called the waiter for the bill. He swiped three credit cards, but it still wasn’t enough to cover the meal. “How can the limit not be enough? Bring me the bill, let me see!” The waiter presented the bill. Our table had accumulated a total of five hundred thousand dollars in expenses. Greg instantly flushed red with anger. “How can it be this much? Aren’t you ripping us off?!” I scoffed from the side. “If you can’t afford it, don’t show off. You ordered such expensive things; I thought you two were loaded.” Greg, losing face, elbowed Chloe. “Lend me the fifty thousand dollars from your house sale, I’ll pay the bill first!” “No way! That’s my pre-marital asset!” “I’m not saying I won’t pay you back! I’m signing the deal tomorrow. The commission will hit my account, and I’ll pay you back immediately!” Chloe reluctantly took out her debit card and swiped for the five hundred thousand. My phone, lying on the table, suddenly rang: “PayPal deposit: five hundred thousand dollars.”

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My mother was renowned far and wide for her beauty. My father, on the other hand, was utterly unremarkable in every way. His only real advantage was having grown up alongside her. Yet, my grandfather, with his old-fashioned ways, saw something in his steady, honest nature. I heard that on his deathbed, my grandfather promised my mother to him, and she wept for three days straight. Years later, when my father had an affair, she simply moved into a different room to sleep. It was then that my grandmother truly saw my father for what he was, privately cursing my grandfather for being a senile old fool who had ruined their daughter’s life. Only after I was grown and independent did she decisively file for divorce. When she and I moved back to the old countryside house to clear out her belongings, we found a leather suitcase hidden under her bed. Inside were an airplane ticket, an unopened letter, and a photograph of a man I’d never seen before. On the back of the photo, four words were scrawled: “I’m waiting for you.” My head swam, and suddenly I was back at an airport, twenty-five years in the past. A young woman in a trench coat, dragging a suitcase, sat down beside me and linked her arm through mine. “You little rascal, you’re truly loyal, actually escaping with me!” she chirped, a hint of nervous excitement in her voice. “Just wonder if Dad’s ‘honest’ apprentice will chase us. Hope he doesn’t do anything stupid.” It was my mother, before my grandfather’s dying wish had shackled her to that marriage. Mom, this time, please don’t look back. You belong where you’re meant to be. … I stared at my mother, dumbfounded. She was so incredibly beautiful then. It was hard to imagine this vibrant, enthusiastic woman, clutching her suitcase, would one day become that haggard woman in the kitchen, silently enduring the cooking fumes, barely exchanging a word with my father. “What’s wrong, you frozen?” She nudged my shoulder, her tone light but laced with guilt. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Regretting this crazy escape with me?” I snapped back to reality, my palms slick with sweat. “Evelyn, are you absolutely sure about this?” Her gaze darted away, her fingers unconsciously picking at the lock on her suitcase. “Dad’s going to marry me off to Liam Miller. The date’s practically set.” She gave a bitter laugh, a smile more painful than any frown. “Liam’s a good man, I guess. Honest, decent, Dad’s favorite apprentice. But the moment I look at him, I feel like my life is already over. He always gives me this feeling, like ‘I’ve done so much for you, you must be moved.’ Chloe, do you understand? I’ve never been south, never seen the ocean. I don’t even know what this free world Adam Grant talks about looks like. Am I really doomed to spend my entire life in that one alley, just circling the stove until I’m old?” I gripped her hand tightly. In my previous life, she had turned back at precisely this juncture. Because of my grandfather’s dying wish, she married my father. And what was the result? That “honest” man, Liam, started to resent her quiet dignity soon after I was born. Eventually, he found a woman outside who would drink and gamble with him, then turned around and accused Evelyn of being unfaithful and wild. “Living your whole life for someone else only ends in mutual destruction,” I said, looking into her eyes, enunciating each word. “Evelyn, you don’t owe anyone anything. If you go back now, you will regret it. Go find Adam. He’ll show you the world.” She paused, clearly unaccustomed to such talk. The teachings of that era told her that obedience was a virtue, and sacrifice was noble. “But Dad…” She bit her lower lip hard. “His health isn’t good. If I leave, it’ll be seen as unfilial. I don’t think I can bear the guilt of abandoning my name like that.” “A shoe that doesn’t fit will chafe your foot until it’s raw. That’s not the foot’s fault,” I said, reaching up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Liam’s ‘honesty’ has hooks in it. He’s being agreeable now because he’s claiming the rest of your life. Can you really bear that silent pressure?” A flicker danced in her eyes, and her breathing grew heavier. Just then, a hurried footsteps echoed. Liam was here. He was flushed from running, a button missing from his usually neat shirt, clutching a half-bag of steaming hot buns. He looked every inch the lovesick, clumsy, ‘honest’ man. Other travelers in the terminal turned to stare. “Evelyn!” he gasped, reaching out to grab her suitcase. “Stop this nonsense. Master’s so angry at home he can’t even eat. Come back with me. I won’t tell Master the details. We’ll just say you went out to clear your head.” His tone was nauseating. A condescending magnanimity, as if Evelyn were merely a petulant child who’d run away, and he, the generous adult. Evelyn turned sideways, gently evading his hand. “Liam, I’m not coming back,” she said, her voice soft. Liam froze, his hand suspended awkwardly in mid-air. “Evelyn, has someone been putting ideas in your head?” He shot a displeased glance at me. “I know you chase romance and think I’m boring. But isn’t life just about the daily grind? What can Adam give you? Today he’s in the south, tomorrow he’s in the northwest, no steady job. Are you going to go begging if you go with him?” “I’m not asking for handouts, I’m asking for freedom,” Evelyn looked at him, her eyes steadily growing colder. “You want a wife, kids, and a warm hearth, but I want the open world. We see life completely differently. Forcing ourselves together would be unfair to both of us. Liam, stop wasting your time on me.” Liam’s brows furrowed into a knot. He gritted his teeth, shook his head, and sighed. “You’re too naive. In this world, apart from your parents, only I will truly care for you. Do you really think the world out there is so easy to navigate?” He was about to say more, but the airport announcement suddenly changed. “Passenger Evelyn Cole, please contact your family immediately.” Old Man Johnson, from their alley, rushed over, sweating profusely and stumbling. He grabbed Evelyn’s arm. “Evelyn, quick! Go back! Your father collapsed! Heart attack! The doctor says it might be serious!” The airplane ticket slipped silently from Evelyn’s hand, hitting the floor. Her earlier resolve and yearning for freedom shattered completely at the mention of a heart attack. Her eyes instantly welled up. “Dad…” she whispered, trembling, her legs weak, utterly losing all her resolve. I bent down and picked up the ticket, a wave of intense helplessness washing over me. Does fate truly have such a powerful pull? When we arrived at the hospital, the hallway was filled with hushed sobs. My grandfather lay weakly on the hospital bed. He looked even older than I remembered, the tough resolve of a traditional man completely eroded by illness. Seeing Evelyn enter, my grandfather’s hand trembled as he reached out. “Evie, it’s good you’re back,” his voice was broken. “Your father has no other wishes in this life. Just to see you in a wedding gown, settled, before he closes his eyes. Liam is a good boy, I watched him grow up. He’ll take care of you. Then your father can rest in peace.” There was no scolding, no shouting. Only this heart-wrenching plea, the cruelest weapon of all. Evelyn knelt by the bed, covering her mouth, tears streaming between her fingers. She wanted to object, to speak of freedom, but looking at his almost ashen face, she dared not open her mouth. “Dad, I don’t want to marry Liam,” she finally managed to say, her voice as faint as a gnat’s buzz. “I have someone I like, Adam Grant, he…” “Silence!” My grandfather’s emotions suddenly flared. He coughed violently twice, his face turning purple. “That Adam Grant? Always gallivanting around, doesn’t even have a steady job! He’s too wild, a known playboy, not someone you can build a life with! Can he give you stability? Can he keep you from starving? Liam, I trained with my own hands.” My grandfather stared at her, his stubborn gaze chilling me to the bone. “Only by entrusting you to him can I rest easy. Do you want to see me die with regrets?” Evelyn turned to me, desperation in her eyes. She was like a little deer caught in a trap, surrounded by hunters with the moral pitchforks. At two in the morning, the hospital corridor fell silent. My grandmother, exhausted, had been taken to a relative’s house to rest. Now it was just my mother and me. “Chloe, am I completely useless?” She leaned against the hard chair, her face pale. “Can’t even control my own life. I despise this arranged fate so much, but I can’t bring myself to refuse.” I handed her a cup of hot water and gently took her cold hand. “Evelyn, your father’s illness isn’t your fault. You haven’t stolen anything, you haven’t cheated anyone. You just want to live your own life. You don’t owe anyone anything,” I tried to keep my voice calm. “Don’t blame his illness on yourself. These are two separate things.” “But he’s my father,” she said with a bitter smile, slowly sipping the water. “If I left, and he truly died of anger, I would live with that guilt for the rest of my life. How could I… how could I be so selfish?” I cradled her face, looking into her eyes. “Selfish people often live better lives. But kind people like you, who are always self-sacrificing, end up being eaten alive, bones and all.” I felt as if I was seeing her, decades in the future, sitting on a balcony late at night, gazing at the sky. She was silent for a long time. “Maybe that’s just who I am,” she murmured to herself, closing her eyes in pain. “No courage to leave, just self-pitying here.” In that moment, my heart ached so much I wanted to hold her tight. As dawn broke, Liam came in, carrying a thermos. There were dark circles under his eyes; he looked like he’d been up all night. “Evelyn, you haven’t slept all night. Have something to eat first.” He ladled out a bowl of porridge, blew on it, then offered it to Evelyn. “I talked to the attending physician. Master’s condition is temporarily stable. With continued rest, he should slowly recover.” “Thank you, Liam,” Evelyn took the bowl but didn’t touch the spoon. Liam sat beside her, maintaining a subtle distance—close enough to show intimacy, but not intrusive. “Evelyn, I know your mind is in turmoil. What happened with Adam, I can pretend it never did. As long as you stay, I’ll be good to you for the rest of my life.” His voice was low and gentle, but his gaze was locked on her. “Master always wanted us to be together. This is for your own good, too.” I stood nearby, unable to listen to his hypocritical words any longer. “Liam, you’re taking advantage of the situation,” I said, my voice cold, tearing through his facade without mercy. “You know Evelyn is distraught right now, and you’re using her father’s illness to bind her. What kind of man does that make you?” Liam turned his head. “Chloe Yeager, I’ve tolerated you long enough! Are you deliberately trying to cause trouble?” “Liam…” Evelyn looked up, trying to explain something. “I know your head isn’t clear right now. No need to rush your answer,” Liam interrupted her directly, standing up and adjusting his jacket, masking the possessiveness in his eyes. “I’ll wait for you. No matter how long, I’ll wait.” After he left, Evelyn looked at the steaming bowl of porridge, and tears streamed into the bowl. This tactic was truly vile. Liam was using my grandfather’s illness, using Evelyn’s guilt, to slowly erode her defenses. In the afternoon, I went back to the alley. At the reception room, the old caretaker handed me a letter. The envelope had no stamp, sent by someone entrusted to deliver it. It was addressed to Evelyn. It was from Adam Grant. I brought the letter back to the hospital, and Evelyn’s hands trembled as I gave it to her. Inside the envelope, besides the letter, was a photograph. Adam stood by the clear blue sea, tall buildings behind him, smiling brightly. It was the world Evelyn had always dreamed of. She sat on a bench, holding the letter, her fingers tightly clutching the edges of the paper. She desperately wanted to open it. But the thought of her critically ill father potentially dying from her rebellion made her press the letter against her heart. I knew she needed my guidance. “Open it,” I said, sitting beside her and patting her shoulder. “This is the way out you’re looking for.” She trembled as she opened the letter. In it, Adam wrote that he had settled down, found an apartment with a balcony where he could see the ocean. He said he understood her struggles, but he would wait for her there, until the day she was completely free. After reading the letter, a faint glimmer finally ignited in Evelyn’s eyes. “But I can’t leave,” she cried, covering her face in pain. “My father could die any moment.” I knew that she still needed someone to make the decision for her. My presence alone wasn’t enough. While she was fetching water, I picked up the photo and turned it over. On the back was Adam’s address in San Francisco. I pulled out a piece of paper I had prepared from my bag and quickly scribbled a message on it. “Adam Grant, Evelyn is trapped in the hospital right now, her father is critically ill. Her entire family is forcing her to marry Liam Miller, and she’s about to break. If you truly understand her, if you’re not just a coward who only knows how to write letters, please show up immediately. Otherwise, you will lose her forever. After this letter, no one else can save her.” I rushed to the post office at top speed and sent a registered express letter. This was the last chance. If Adam didn’t come, Evelyn would repeat the tragedy of her previous life. I stood at the post office entrance, watching the letter slide into the mailbox, silently thinking: Mom, this time, I will pull your happiness back for you. The situation deteriorated faster than I expected. Due to a violent coughing fit, my grandfather was rushed back into the emergency room. This time, it lasted a full two hours. When the doctor emerged, his face was extremely grim. “Prepare yourselves. The old man might not make it through the month. It’s a matter of days now.” These words became the last straw. My grandmother completely broke down in that moment. She had originally quietly supported Evelyn’s pursuit of happiness. But now, she suddenly grabbed Evelyn’s hand, crying hysterically. “Evie, I’m begging you! I’ll get on my knees for you, okay?” My grandmother actually started to kneel on the floor. Evelyn cried out, holding her close. “Your father was so stubborn his whole life. This is his only wish before he dies. Just grant him this one thing, just so he can rest in peace. Do you want to see him die with regrets?” The surrounding relatives and former colleagues also gathered around. My uncle stepped forward, sighing heavily. “Evelyn, filial piety is the greatest virtue. At a time like this, personal feelings have to take a back seat. You can’t be so selfish.” “Exactly. Liam is such a good boy, he’s been busy helping out all these days. Just agree, don’t let your father leave with bitterness.” Each sentence was like a heavy chain, clamping down on Evelyn’s neck, choking her until she couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t even cry anymore. Liam walked over, his gaze sweeping over everyone. “Evelyn, don’t worry. As long as it brings Master peace of mind, we can have a simple ceremony first. After we’re married, I’ll treat you like a sister. I’ll never force you.” His tone was gentle and warm, making him sound like a paragon of virtue. I stood by, watching this absurd family drama, a furious fire building in my chest. “Treat her like a sister?” I said coldly, mercilessly tearing through his disguise. “Liam, do you even believe that? Marriage is a contract, not a stage for your self-righteous performance.” My uncle glared at me, pointing a finger at my nose. “You’re an outsider, what are you interfering for? This is our family business!” I ignored him, gripping Evelyn’s hand tightly. “Evelyn, don’t say yes,” I whispered in her ear. The hospital room door opened, and a nurse wheeled out my weakened grandfather. He stared fixedly at Evelyn, his gaunt hand clutching the bedrail. “Evie… say yes. If you say yes, your father will smile as he slowly goes. If you shake your head, your father will die right now before your eyes.” This was an overt threat. Evelyn trembled all over, the last bit of resolve keeping her standing finally crumbling. She closed her eyes, her lips moving. The word “yes” was on the tip of her tongue. In that very second, hurried footsteps echoed from the end of the hospital corridor. Bang! The hospital room door was flung open. A man in a dark trench coat stood in the doorway. His face was covered in dust, his hair disheveled—he had clearly traveled across half the country overnight. All the accusations and pleas ceased instantly. Adam Grant gasped for breath, walking straight to Evelyn. He firmly took her hand. “I’m sorry, Evelyn, I’m late,” his voice was a little hoarse. “I promised to show you the ocean. How could I break my word?”

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