Category: English

I went to the hospital for my stomach issues, but the doctor held my B-ultrasound report with trembling hands: “Sir, you are pregnant.” I slammed my hand on the desk. “Bullshit! I’m a Beta! How the hell could I be pregnant?!” The doctor swallowed hard. “It’s highly likely… the father of the child is a top-tier Enigma, who forced your reproductive cavity to undergo a secondary development.” My vision went completely dark. The only Enigma in the entire city… Other than that bastard I took advantage of and slept with after he was drugged, who else could it be?! 1 The boldest thing I had ever done in my entire life was sleeping with Arthur Sterling. Afterward, I threw a fifty-dollar bill at his face and threw out a parting remark: “Mediocre technique. Take this money, buy some supplements, and try to last a bit longer next time.” That was Arthur Sterling. The untouchable heir to the city’s elite. A man whose influence reached the heavens and whose methods were notoriously ruthless. I figured if I was going to die, it was a worthy way to go. If you asked me now whether I regretted it, I could only tell you that my guts were green with regret. Especially right now. I pinched the lab report, hiding in a stall in the hospital bathroom, not even daring to breathe too loudly. And the report in my hand clearly stated two glaring words: [Early Pregnancy]. Below that was a line of small print: [Gestational age: 5 weeks. Fetus: Visible.] Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I’m a Beta! Sure, I might be a little bit more delicate-looking and have a slightly slighter build than average, but I am a bona fide Beta! I don’t even have pheromones! How the hell did I get pregnant? Asexual reproduction?! I tried to lie to myself and say it was a misdiagnosis. But my body’s recent reactions were far too honest. Lethargy, nausea, and the inability to stand even the slightest smell of greasy food. And the most fatal symptom of all: I had started craving the scent of Arthur Sterling like a madman. 2 Five weeks ago. It was a dark and windy night. My trouble-making, illegitimate half-brother, Oliver Vance, decided to drug Arthur in a desperate attempt to climb the social ladder. But the idiot lost his nerve and didn’t dare deliver himself to Arthur’s door. Terrified Arthur would kill him, he cried and begged me to go “save the day.” I was the unfavored, marginalized son of the Vance family, and I usually served as the designated scapegoat. I figured I’d just go drag the idiot out and bring him home. That would be it. Who knew that when I walked in, Arthur would already be on the verge of a total rampage? As a Beta, I logically shouldn’t have felt anything. But for some reason that night, my legs went weak the second I stepped inside. Arthur’s eyes were bloodshot. He looked at me like a starving wolf looking at a piece of meat. He called my name with a hoarse voice: “Silas?” At the time, I foolishly mocked him, oblivious to the danger. “Wow, Mr. Sterling, you sure know how to play hard. Need me to dial 911 for you?” The very next second. I was pinned to the carpet. I had practiced MMA for a few years, but in the face of absolute power, I was like a helpless little chick. “Let go of me! Arthur, are you crazy?! I’m a Beta! I don’t even have the right equipment for this!” I struggled desperately, kicking and punching. Arthur couldn’t hear a word. He bit down hard on the back of my neck—right on the flesh where a gland wasn’t even supposed to exist. It hurt so much I wanted to curse his mother. And then… Then came an entire night of nightmares. I couldn’t even remember how I managed to escape in the end. I only remembered that right before I left, to maintain my last shred of dignity, I pulled a fifty-dollar bill from my pocket with a shaking hand and tossed it onto his nightstand. Looking back now… That fifty bucks might just end up being the price I paid for my own life. 3 Footsteps echoed outside the bathroom. “Is the young Mr. Vance still inside?” It was Arthur. I held my breath, clamping a hand tightly over my mouth. Why the hell was this bastard here? Did he know I was pregnant with his… whatever this was? Impossible. I registered at the hospital under a fake name. The voice of a bodyguard came from outside. “Mr. Sterling, we saw Mr. Silas go into this room just now.” “Take the door down.” Me: “???” Hey, buddy, this is a hospital bathroom! Seeing that they were actually about to break it down, I braced myself, hit the flush button, and casually opened the stall door, pretending nothing was wrong. “What’s going on? What’s going on?” I bluffed while adjusting my belt. “What kind of fetish is this, Mr. Sterling? You like watching people in the bathroom?” Arthur stood in front of the sinks. He was dressed in a sleek black suit. Broad shoulders, narrow waist. That face of his was infuriatingly handsome, but so cold it made people shiver. He was absentmindedly playing with a lighter in his hand. When he saw me come out, he didn’t even blink. “Silas, what are you hiding from?” I felt guilty, but I forced myself to act tough. “Who’s hiding? Can’t a guy have a weak bladder?” Arthur’s gaze swept over my flat stomach. “A weak bladder?” He gave a half-smile. “In the gastroenterology department?” I froze. How did this guy even know which department I was in? “Uh… I ate something bad. Puking and the runs.” I let out an awkward laugh, just wanting to slip away. “Well, you look busy, Mr. Sterling. I’ll be going now.” I had barely taken a step. A large hand shot out in front of me. He slammed me directly against the tiled wall. Arthur leaned in. That familiar scent of cedar washed over me like a tidal wave. Damn it. My legs went weak again. I even felt a shameful urge to… rub myself against him. Was this the instinct of pregnancy?! This was way too humiliating! “Haven’t seen you in a month.” Arthur looked down at me, his tone deliberate. “Avoiding me on purpose?” My entire body tensed instantly. “Of course not! Hilarious. Why would I purposely avoid you?!” After we finished that night, I had run away immediately. Later, Oliver had gone into the room to take my place. So there was no way Arthur could know it was me. “Silas.” He asked suddenly, “Were you actually at that hotel that night too?” Was he trying to trick me? I shoved him away, reacting like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. “Are you sick, Arthur?! We’re sworn enemies! Why the hell would I go to a hotel you were at? Am I some kind of pervert stalking you?” Arthur lowered his eyes, hiding the flash of disappointment in them. “I see…” His gaze landed on the crumpled lab report clutched in my fist. “What’s in your hand?” My reflexes kicked in, and I hid my hand behind my back. “Toilet paper to wipe my ass!” Arthur: “…” He frowned in disgust and finally took a half-step back. “You’d better be on time for the Vance family banquet tonight.” “Your brother Oliver caused trouble. If you don’t show up, I don’t mind going directly to the Vance family for answers.” With that, he turned and walked away. At the door, he stopped. “Also,” he glanced back at me, “eat less cold food. It’s bad for your stomach.” “Get lost!” I leaned against the wall and let out a long breath. My legs were still shaking. I couldn’t live like this. 4 The cab pulled up to the entrance of the narrow alley in the inner-city slums. The meter read twenty-five dollars. Wincing at the cost, I scanned the QR code to pay and pushed the door open. The cold wind, carrying the stench of years-old garbage from the alleyway, hit me in the face. My stomach instantly turned upside down. I leaned against a telephone pole and dry-heaved twice, but nothing came up. To save money for that damn specialist consultation, I hadn’t even drank a sip of water since morning. I climbed six flights of stairs, pulled out my keys, and opened my door. Once inside, I collapsed onto the bed. Honestly, after that night, I was terrified too. Terrified that Arthur would actually trace it back to me. After all, before Oliver went into the room, I had leveraged my status as the Vance family’s young master to mess with Arthur quite a few times. So, I had played along with the narrative. When Richard, my father, pointed at my nose and called me “shameless” and accused me of “instructing my brother,” not only did I refuse to kneel and admit fault, but I also laughed out loud. In front of the whole family, I smashed everything in sight. I even pointed at Richard’s trophy wife and said, “Keep your son on a tighter leash. Next time you use those dirty drugs, remember to save some for yourself. Who knows, if you manage to get knocked up, you might sell for a good price!” It was highly effective. I didn’t even have to pack a bag. I was thrown out the front door by the bodyguards that very night. Richard threatened to disown me and froze all my cards. It was exactly what I wanted. As long as I left that circle, I was just an ordinary, poor Beta. No one would care if a stray dog got a little fatter, or… if it got pregnant. This was the freedom I wanted. Even if the price was living in poverty. But despite all my calculations, I never factored in Arthur Sterling as a variable. Who would have thought? I’m a freaking Beta. Not only did I get screwed. I actually got knocked up. 5 My phone suddenly buzzed. It yanked my thoughts back from my memories. A transfer notification popped up on the screen, followed by a text from an unknown number. 【A thousand dollars. Go buy a decent suit. 7 PM, my car will be waiting at the end of your alley.】 It was that same deadpan tone. Like typing an extra word would kill him. I stared at the thousand dollars, a whirlwind of emotions in my chest. Do I go? Or do I stay? If I don’t go, that maniac Arthur might actually expose what Oliver did. Then Richard, to save his own skin, would definitely throw me under the bus to take the fall. But if I go, my stomach… I looked down at my still-flat abdomen. It had only been five weeks. It shouldn’t be visible. As long as I don’t throw up, as long as I don’t faint, as long as I stay far away from that Enigma and his damn intoxicating scent… It should be fine. I gritted my teeth and accepted the money. Since I couldn’t hide, I might as well go. I also wanted to see exactly what Arthur was planning. Why did he insist on dragging me into this? I struggled out of bed, rummaged through my closet, and found the old suit I was wearing the day I was kicked out. It was a bit wrinkled. While ironing it, I declared war on my reflection in the mirror: “Hold the line, Silas. You are a Beta. You don’t have pheromones. You just have a bad stomach.” “As long as you deny it to the grave, what’s Arthur going to do? Cut you open?” At 7 PM sharp. The black Maybach parked punctually at the entrance of the grimy alley. The window rolled down a crack, revealing Arthur’s cold, sharp profile. “Get in.” 6 The car stopped smoothly at the gates of the Vance estate. The moment the doors unlocked, I heard the sound of hurried footsteps. A figure in a pristine white suit came practically flying out. It was Oliver. You had to hand it to Arthur’s prestige. The car hadn’t even fully parked before the main character rushed out to welcome him. Oliver wore a practiced, shy, yet thrilled smile, making a beeline for the rear door: “Arthur, you’re finally here. I’ve been waiting for you for so long…” The door swung open. But the person who stepped out was me. I gripped the car door, fighting the urge to gag, and forced a smile at his frozen face: “Good evening, little brother.” Oliver looked like he had swallowed a fly. One second he was a delicate, blooming white flower, and the next, his features practically contorted out of place. His eyes widened, his shrill voice spiking instantly: “Silas?! Why is it you? Why are you in Arthur’s car?!” “Didn’t Dad kick you out? You have the nerve to come back?” Before I could answer, the door on the other side opened. Arthur stepped out with his long legs. The temperature in the air instantly dropped a few degrees. Oliver’s face-changing skills activated once again. He immediately reeled in his vitriol, shifting into the image of a startled, innocent deer. With red-rimmed eyes, he leaned closer: “Arthur… I thought you were coming alone. My brother was kicked out of the house, after all. He’s dressed like this to a banquet… I was just worried he’d embarrass you…” As he spoke, he released a subtle, almost imperceptible trace of pheromones. It was a sickeningly sweet gardenia scent. Gag. The acid in my stomach instantly surged to my throat. In the past, I just thought his scent was tacky. But now that I was pregnant, this smell was a literal biological weapon. I covered my mouth, my face turning deathly pale as I stumbled two steps back, leaning against the car and gasping for air. It was too strong. Arthur cast a cold glance at Oliver, ignoring his fawning entirely, and turned to look at me: “Feeling sick again?” I waved my hand, unable to speak, terrified that if I opened my mouth, I’d throw up. Seeing Arthur looking at me, Oliver’s face twisted with jealousy. He said sarcastically: “Arthur, ignore him. He’s just faking it. He used to pretend to be sick at home to get sympathy all the time. His body is actually stronger than a bull’s. He’s just a thick-skinned Beta…” “Shut up.” Arthur cut him off coldly. Oliver choked, stunned. He bit his lower lip pitifully. “Arthur, why are you being so mean to me… That morning, you clearly…” That morning? My eyelid twitched as I caught the keyword. Oliver really did go into the room? Arthur narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze sweeping over Oliver, his tone heavy with implication: “We definitely need to settle the score for what happened that night.” Oliver’s face paled. His eyes darted around nervously, but he stubbornly stood his ground: “Arthur, I know what I did was wrong. I shouldn’t have… shouldn’t have taken advantage of you while you were drunk… but I just liked you too much…” I listened, completely dumbfounded. Wow. This guy really had the guts to claim it. He didn’t even have a single bite mark on his body, and he dared to take the credit? “Liked me?” Arthur let out a soft laugh, though his eyes held zero amusement. “Liked me enough to drug me?” Oliver’s legs gave out, and he almost dropped to his knees. “No… I didn’t… it was…” His panicked gaze suddenly snapped to me, and he pointed a finger in my direction, screaming: “It was him! It was Silas! He gave me the drugs! He said as long as the deed was done, I could marry into the Sterling family! Arthur, you have to believe me, I was tricked by him too!” I laughed out of sheer anger. I was just standing by the car, and the blame literally fell from the sky. My anger actually pushed my nausea back down. I stood up straight and spoke slowly: “Oliver, a brain is a wonderful thing. It’s a shame you don’t have one.” “If I actually had drugs, why wouldn’t I just use them on myself? What benefit do I get from throwing you into Arthur’s bed? Did I think my life in this crappy house was too comfortable and I just wanted some excitement?” Oliver was speechless, his face flushing bright red: “You… you’re just jealous that I’m an Omega! You’re a useless Beta, nobody wants…” “Enough.” Arthur impatiently interrupted the farce. He walked up to me, looking down with a probing gaze: “You just said, if it were you, you would have used them on yourself?” My heart skipped a beat. Crap. I talked too fast. I braced myself and forcefully spun the narrative back: “It was a hypothetical! Do you know what a hypothetical is?! I’m not a masochist, why would I want to be with a human pile-driver like…” Before I could finish, Arthur’s face visibly darkened. Oliver, listening from the sidelines, was completely lost, but he caught the gist and shrieked: “Silas, what do you mean? Are you calling Arthur a…” “Let’s go inside.” Arthur didn’t give me another chance to speak. He grabbed my wrist. “Since we’re here, let’s not make a fool of ourselves at the door.” He dragged me toward the entrance. Left standing there, Oliver was unwilling to give up. He jogged after us, trying to hook his arm around Arthur’s other arm: “Arthur, wait for me…” “Get lost.” The low growl carried the terrifying pressure unique to an Enigma. Oliver froze instantly, his face deathly pale. It was as if an invisible hand was choking him. Even his gardenia pheromones shrank back in terror. I also felt my legs go weak from the pressure. The little cub in my belly seemed to sense something, twitching excitedly. It actually moved. I clearly felt a spasm in my lower abdomen. Fuck. What kind of monster was this? It could move at five weeks?! Dragged by Arthur, I stumbled into the banquet hall. The heating in the grand hall was turned up high, mingling with various perfumes and the cloying scent of sweet pastries. The moment I stepped inside, the churning in my stomach that had just settled down roared back to life. “Ugh…” I couldn’t help it. I let out a muffled groan and bent double. Arthur paused and looked back at me. I didn’t care about his expression anymore. I shook off his hand, covered my mouth, and bolted for the restrooms in the corner. “Silas!” Arthur’s voice echoed behind me. I ignored him completely. Right now, even if the King of Heaven himself came down, he couldn’t stop me from puking. 7 Charging into a stall, I hugged the toilet, feeling like I was about to throw up my own bile. Is this what pregnancy is? Fuck pregnancy. This was a literal trial by fire. I puked until tears and snot streamed down my face. Cold sweat drenched my body, and my legs felt like wet noodles. I couldn’t even stand, forced to kneel pathetically on the tiles. I finally managed to catch my breath. I flushed, pushed the door open, and stumbled to the sinks. The person in the mirror looked like a ghoul. My face was as white as paper, my lips lacked any color, yet the corners of my eyes were shockingly red from the violent vomiting. I splashed a handful of cold water on my face. It was bone-chilling. I finally felt a bit more alive. Just as I reached for a paper towel, I heard the sound of leather shoes clicking against the floor behind me. There was an arrogant swagger to the steps. “Silas, how much longer are you going to keep up this act?” I looked through the mirror. Oliver was leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, covering his nose with a look of utter disgust. Even though it was just the two of us in the bathroom, he still carried himself with the haughty air of a wealthy aristocrat. “Act?” I shook the water off my hands, leaned against the counter, and gave a weak, mocking smile. “What am I acting about? Acting like I’m throwing up for your entertainment? You’ve got some weird tastes.” Oliver sneered and took two steps closer: “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning. Showing weakness in front of Arthur, acting pathetic to gain his sympathy?” “Silas, you should take a good look in the mirror. You’re a Beta that no one wants. Do you really think a top-tier Enigma like Arthur would ever look twice at you?” There was that sickeningly sweet gardenia scent again. As he stepped closer, it grew thicker. My brows furrowed tightly. The nausea I had just suppressed began to stir again. “Stay away from me.” I turned my head and held my breath. “Your scent is giving me a migraine.” Oliver’s face changed, acting like his tail had been stepped on: “You’re disgusted by me? This is the pheromone of a top-tier Omega! It’s something a defective Beta like you could never possess in your entire life!” As if trying to prove a point, he deliberately released an even thicker cloud of pheromones. I was going to lose my mind. This wasn’t a pheromone; this was an emetic. I still couldn’t understand how a Beta like me had become so sensitive to pheromones. “Ugh—” I couldn’t hold it in. I turned toward the sink and started dry-heaving again. “You!” Oliver was furious. “Silas, you are truly disgusting! How dare you throw up at my pheromones…” Before he could finish his sentence. His voice suddenly cut off. Followed closely by a suppressed, agonizing sound squeezed out from his throat: “Ugh—” I froze. I even forgot to wipe my mouth, turning my head stiffly. The arrogant Oliver from a moment ago was now covering his mouth tightly, his whole body curled over like a shrimp. His face was flushed red, the veins on his neck bulging, his other hand gripping the edge of the sink in a death grip. “Ugh…” Another sound. He couldn’t hold it back this time. He shoved me aside, commandeered the sink next to mine, and puked his guts out. It was even louder than my episode. I was dumbfounded. My brain went blank, like I had been struck by lightning. I threw up because I was carrying Arthur’s seed in my belly. Why the hell was he throwing up? Did he eat something bad too? Or… A highly absurd thought popped into my head, making my scalp tingle. I stared at Oliver’s stomach, which, although flat, he was instinctively guarding with his hand. “Are you…” My voice trembled. “Are you pregnant?” 8 Oliver threw up until tears welled in his eyes. Hearing my words, his body violently stiffened. That reaction. There’s a ghost. There is absolutely a ghost here. He stood up in a panic, turned on the faucet, and haphazardly splashed his face. His eyes darted everywhere, refusing to look at me. “What nonsense are you talking about! I… I was just grossed out by your vomit!” “Who’s as filthy as you, having those kinds of thoughts in your head!” Stubborn. I narrowed my eyes, my brain working in overdrive. Five weeks ago, that night, it was just me and Arthur in the room. I was entirely certain Arthur only touched me. If Oliver was actually pregnant… Then there were only two possibilities. Either he cuckolded Arthur, and this baby wasn’t Arthur’s at all. Or, he was faking it. To solidify the lie that he was the person from that night, and to secure his place in the Sterling family, he was faking morning sickness! Regardless of which it was. This was a fatal piece of leverage against him. Suddenly, I wasn’t panicked anymore. I actually wanted to laugh. “Is that so?” “Just grossed out?” “Perfect. How about I take you for a blood test? An ultrasound?” “Or… should I call Arthur in here, and let him see how his ‘lover’ is throwing up just as enthusiastically as a useless Beta like me?” Oliver’s face went deathly pale. “Don’t you dare!” He growled, trying to sound tough but failing miserably. “Silas, if you dare say a single word in front of Arthur, I’ll have Dad break your legs!” “Tsk.” I chuckled softly. “Why so nervous? Good brother.” “I’m just concerned about your health. After all…” I leaned close to his ear and whispered so only the two of us could hear: “If this baby is born and doesn’t look like Arthur, that would be so awkward. Wouldn’t you agree?” Oliver reacted like I had poked his fatal weak spot. He violently swatted my hand away, his emotions spiraling out of control: “Shut up! Shut up! This is Arthur’s baby! I was the one there that night! Only me!” He broke. My eyes turned cold. I knew it. This idiot wasn’t just trying to steal my identity; he was actually trying to pass off a bastard child as Arthur’s. Or… he really was experiencing a hysterical pregnancy. Regardless of the truth, the waters were muddy beyond recognition now. I glanced down at my own flat stomach. I was speechless. What kind of situation was this? The actual pregnant person was terrified to admit it, while the fake one was puking his guts out, desperate to claim it. If Arthur knew the truth, he’d probably drown both of us in the river. Creak— The bathroom door was suddenly pushed open. The sound of steady footsteps echoed inside. Oliver and I turned our heads at the same time. Arthur stood in the doorway, a freshly lit cigarette pinched between his fingers. Through the swirling smoke, his deep eyes swept over the two of us. Finally, his gaze locked onto Oliver’s pale face. “Why have you been gone so long?” His voice was deep, devoid of any discernable emotion. “You’re both in here throwing up?”

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After my best friend finally got together with her crush, she introduced me to her crush’s young uncle. I had been single my entire life, accustomed to living alone, and originally wanted to refuse. But when I saw this usually bright, moon-like man sitting by the pool, dead drunk and vulnerable, my heart softened. I walked over, held out my hand, and said, “I’m just short of graduation credits. Want to go get a marriage certificate?” The man was stunned for a moment, but eventually placed his hand in mine. On an impulse, we got our marriage certificate and became husband and wife. For seven years, we treated each other with respect, to the envy of everyone. But only I knew. I never managed to touch the heart of this older man. So much so that after he died, he left his entire fortune to my best friend. And I, the one who should have been the rightful heir, got absolutely nothing. So, given a second chance at life, I no longer want to be the star trying to save the moon. I’m letting Arthur go, and I’m letting myself go. 1 “I’m sorry, but I already have someone I like.” As soon as the words left my mouth, a momentary dead silence fell over the dining table. Arthur paused in cutting Olivia’s steak, and Olivia herself looked up at me in shock. “Chloe, since when do you have someone you like? How come I didn’t know?” I set down my knife and fork, curling my lips into a smile: “I don’t really like talking about things that aren’t certain yet.” “I don’t believe you. You’re definitely just making up an excuse to get out of this.” Olivia immediately drew a conclusion. “Chloe, I’m not trying to put you down, but look, you’re twenty this year and still a virgin. Even though you are quite average-looking, once the lights are off and you’re in bed, everyone is the same.” “But you still don’t have a boyfriend. Do you know why?” She spoke softly, as if she were genuinely trying to analyze my situation. In my past life, I was too stupid to hear that while some words seemed well-intentioned, they were actually meant to belittle and mock me. But I still played along and asked, “Why?” “Because your standards are too high, of course!” “Look at my young uncle. He graduated from a top university and is now the CEO of the Vance Group. Who wouldn’t want to be his wife?” “If you weren’t my best friend, why would I ever set you up with my young uncle?” Her expression was triumphant. Arthur, sitting next to her, also smiled, a trace of helpless indulgence flashing in his eyes. “Are you that eager to find me an aunt?” Olivia huffed, “Don’t think I don’t know that the uncles and aunts want you to enter an arranged marriage. So I thought, rather than having a stranger be my young aunt, I’d rather it be my best friend.” “Why give the advantage to an outsider?” She spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Arthur raised an eyebrow, seemingly acquiescing to Olivia’s behavior. And finally, he deigned to shift his gaze to me. To be honest, Arthur was the man I’ve seen wear a black sweater with the most ascetic restraint. The long sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, a Submariner watch on his wrist. I remembered it. It was a gift Olivia had bought for her boyfriend. When her boyfriend didn’t want it, she gave it to Arthur. Something someone else discarded, yet he held onto it longingly until the moment he died. Sometimes, I even marveled at his deep affection. “Chloe, what do you think?” he asked me. I took the last sip of my red wine and said softly: “I believe I said, I already have someone I like.” Arthur remained noncommittal. His long fingers picked up the knife and fork again, cut a piece of steak, and naturally fed it to Olivia. Only then did he continue leisurely: “But I don’t think I lack any competitive edge.” “As Olivia said, there are many who want to be Mrs. Vance. And if you choose me, there are only benefits for you, no drawbacks.” “As for this ‘liking’ you speak of—” He paused, “Chloe, how much do you think ‘liking’ someone is worth?” Courtesy before force. Arthur’s usual tactic in the business world. Unfortunately, I was no longer the Chloe from my past life, the one who took the initiative to walk towards him. After a moment, I raised the corners of my lips and smiled: “You’re right, ‘liking’ isn’t worth much.” “But there is one more thing. I’m sorry, Mr. Vance, but you are not my type.” 2 I didn’t stay to see Arthur’s final expression. After setting down my wine glass, I stood up and left. On my phone, Olivia’s messages kept pouring in. [Chloe, why were you acting crazy just now?] [You should be burning incense in gratitude that my uncle is willing to marry you. Have you looked in the mirror lately?] [I treated you as my best friend, and you? Is this how you repay me?!] I didn’t reply; I just blocked her. But surprisingly, this time Arthur took the initiative to add me. [I’m willing to marry you only because of Olivia. It doesn’t mean I actually have feelings for you.] [After we get married, I won’t interfere with your private life.] Staring at those words. A mocking curve appeared on my lips. Arthur really would compromise in any way possible for his little niece. But I had already served as their fig leaf for a lifetime, so this time, they could play by themselves. I shoved the phone back into my pocket. I hailed a cab back to the university. … In the office, my counselor handed me the application form for an internship at the border, his expression complex: “Chloe, are you really sure?” “The border isn’t like Capitol City. You should know how dangerous it is there. Your parents…” His voice trailed off. I took the application form and nodded: “I know, but I’ve already made my decision and won’t change it.” In my past life, my life was altered because of Arthur. God favored me and gave me a chance to choose again. Of course, I had to correct my mistakes. And walk the path I was meant to walk. The counselor looked at me, finally let out a soft sigh, and patted my shoulder: “In that case, I won’t say any more.” “Chloe, you are just like your parents, very outstanding.” I smiled back. My parents passed away five years ago. At that time, there was a sudden earthquake at the border. My parents were the most famous doctors in Capitol City. Upon receiving the call for support, they immediately rushed to the border. I saw them off at the door as usual, waiting for them to return. But in the end, I only waited for two urns of ashes. I was fifteen that year. My parents died in the aftershocks, becoming heroes, and I became an orphan. Actually, no one knows that I met Arthur before I met Olivia. When I was eighteen, I worked odd jobs to earn living expenses, occasionally delivering takeout for the small shop downstairs. The day I met Arthur, the first heavy rain fell in Capitol City. The road was misty, and I accidentally rear-ended a luxury car. I was thrown from my bike, my arms scraped, suffering multiple fractures. The pain made me unable to get up from the ground. More and more onlookers gathered on the road. No one was willing to help me up, and the driver of the luxury car didn’t get out either. Only Arthur reached out his hand to me and asked, “Does it hurt?” In that moment, my eyes instantly reddened. I cried uncontrollably. Because since I was fifteen, it had been a long time since anyone cared if I was hurting or tired. Arthur was the first, and also the last in my previous life. So, do I hate Arthur? I should. But I’m too tired to even love him anymore. 3 Back in my dorm, I started packing for my trip to the border in three days. Another intern traveling with me was named Liam Thorne. A friend request popped up. I sighed silently. Whether in Capitol City or later at the border, I always seemed unable to escape people related to Olivia. Olivia’s current boyfriend, her future fiancé, was Liam’s older brother, Julian Thorne. Julian was a notorious playboy. When he accepted Olivia’s confession and married her, many people in their circle didn’t believe it. A playboy settling down? Impossible. The countless speculations later on were all because Olivia had a good background. The Thorne and Vance families had been family friends for a century. Even just out of respect for Arthur, Julian would give Olivia some face. Not to mention, to pave the way for Olivia, Arthur’s dowry for her was exorbitant—shares, real estate, and luxury goods worth a billion dollars. Yet Julian still cheated. But the marriage was already a done deal. Olivia didn’t want a divorce, so she ran to Arthur every day crying. Arthur lost his temper once and put Julian in the hospital, but in return, Olivia gave him the cold shoulder for three days. The funny thing was, in the end, Arthur came to beg me. He asked me to put in a good word for him with Olivia. He loved Olivia so much, how lowly did he become? So lowly that one day he actually said: “Chloe, if you can get Olivia to forgive me, I can sleep with you and give you a child.” At that time, I really wanted to say, I don’t need a child. But I couldn’t say a word. That was the third year of our marriage, but in the end, we still didn’t sleep together. Because Olivia came over again. As soon as the doorbell rang, the usually composed Arthur ran to open the door in a panic. Olivia threw herself directly into his arms, burying her face in the crook of his neck, crying until her shoulders shook: “Uncle, Julian said he wants to divorce me.” “He’s a bastard!” Arthur’s eyes were red with heartache. Back then, I actually thought about asking Olivia, did you know Arthur likes you? But I couldn’t bring myself to ask. Afraid of ruining our best friend bond. Because I guessed she knew, but was just playing dumb. Including having me marry Arthur, she knew exactly what she was doing. I had an ordinary background, much easier to manipulate than those socialites. Otherwise, how else could she commit all sorts of ambiguous acts under the guise of being a little niece? She drifted between Julian and Arthur. One she liked, and one who liked her. A true winner in life. And I was just the fig leaf. And a willing one at that. Back then, when I first met Liam, that’s what he said. His tone was cutting and merciless. I accepted Liam’s friend request. He sent me the itinerary for three days later, and added one last instruction: “Three days from now, 10 AM, at the school gate. I won’t wait if you’re late.” I replied: “OK.” He didn’t send any more messages. 4 The next day, I didn’t expect Arthur to actually come looking for me. A Rolls-Royce was parked at the school gate. He stood by the car in a black trench coat, his face cold, his deep eyes showing no emotion, exuding an aura of detachment. Passing schoolmates couldn’t help but look at him. I initially pretended not to see him, but as I was about to walk past him, Arthur spoke up. “I don’t understand why you are so stubborn, why you resist marrying me so much.” “But Chloe, you’re an adult now.” “You should be able to distinguish what is most beneficial for you.” I sneered, stopped walking, and glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. “And I don’t understand why it has to be me.” “Just because Olivia wants it?” So he disregarded others’ wishes and tried every means to achieve it. But why? “Arthur, I don’t want to be involved in whatever is going on between you and Olivia at all.” “I just want you two to stay far away from me.” With that, I lifted my foot to leave. Arthur raised his hand and blocked me again, then pulled a check from his pocket: “A business deal that falls through just means the chips aren’t high enough.” “Chloe, agree to marry me, and these three hundred million are yours.” I lowered my eyes and smiled silently. Three hundred million. In my past life, Arthur only spent eighty thousand to marry me. Why eighty thousand? Because Olivia said: “Uncle, Chloe is my best friend, just a token amount is enough.” “Anyway, she’ll be living and eating on your dime in the future. Having too much money on her isn’t safe.” My material desires were low, and I was used to earning my own living. If I hadn’t met Arthur, that eighty thousand would probably have been enough for a normal person’s bride price. So I didn’t think much of it. But now, I only felt mocked. Things obtained too easily are never cherished. Only when they are unattainable do people rack their brains. Just like Arthur with Olivia. He gave everything he had, gave away all his wealth. His dying wish when he passed away from late-stage stomach cancer was to see Olivia one last time. But where was Olivia then? She was busy trying to please Julian. By unconditionally revealing all of the Vance Group’s projects to Julian. “Mr. Vance is generous.” “Unfortunately, I don’t want to make a deal with you.” … After Chloe left, Arthur didn’t move. He stood rooted to the spot, his chest inexplicably feeling a bit tight. He put the check back into his pocket. He hadn’t expected Chloe to refuse. After all, it was three hundred million. If this person were smart, she could even achieve a leap in social class instantly. But Chloe’s actions puzzled him. Marrying him, was it really such an unacceptable thing? At first, when Olivia wanted to introduce him to Chloe, he refused. But when he saw her photo. For some reason, he felt like he had seen her somewhere before. Today was his second time meeting Chloe. Chloe was too rational, too clear-headed. When she looked at him, there were no ripples in her eyes. He thought to himself that it should be like this. But what should it be like? He couldn’t figure it out, only his chest felt more and more uncomfortable. A thought urged him to go grab Chloe, whether for Olivia, or for himself. After a long while, Olivia sent a message: [Uncle, why don’t you just sleep with Chloe and make it a done deal.] [I can even secretly record a video and then threaten her! She’ll definitely agree then!] Seeing these two sentences, Arthur frowned slightly. He felt even more uncomfortable. 5 The night before my departure, I was double-checking my documents to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything. Bang, the dorm door was kicked open. I looked up in shock, meeting Arthur’s dark, gloomy eyes. He strode forward and grabbed my wrist. Before I had time to say a word. He dragged me out, opened the car door, and shoved me inside. “Are you crazy?!” Arthur didn’t answer me, but slammed the car door shut with a bang. He started the car and sped away. Soon, Arthur brought me to a nightclub. “Get out,” he said coldly. I instinctively shrank back: “What exactly do you want to do?!” “Don’t you know what I want to do?” Arthur shot back, his anger undiminished. I frowned. The next second, Arthur dragged me out of the car again. He was rough. As I got out, I twisted my left leg, a piercing, bone-deep pain. I couldn’t help but gasp. Arthur frowned, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, but it was ultimately covered by his anger. “Stop acting, you’re overdoing it.” I fell silent. It wasn’t until Arthur pushed open the VIP private room that I understood what he meant. The crystal chandelier in the private room cast ambiguous halos, neon lights swirling in the hazy smoke. In the center of the sofa sat a noble-looking man, casually biting a cigarette, while Olivia sat on one side, clothes disheveled, crying with red eyes. Besides them, three men were kneeling on the floor. Begging for mercy non-stop, their heads bruised and bleeding. I didn’t need to guess to know what roughly happened. But what did this have to do with me? I looked at Olivia. Olivia guiltily glanced at me, then sniffled and choked out: “Chloe, I know you don’t like me interfering in your love life, but you…” “After years of being best friends, you didn’t have to find someone to humiliate me, right?” Hearing this, my pupils shrank slightly in disbelief. “You’re saying I found someone to humiliate you?” “Didn’t you send me a message asking me to come here?!” Olivia stood up excitedly, then tossed her phone onto the glass table. On it was clearly a message sent from my number. At this moment, Arthur’s gaze also fell on me. Only I suddenly became calm. Because my WeChat account had been logged into Olivia’s phone before. So it was entirely possible she sent the message to herself. And on my end, there were no messages at all. Try to prove my innocence? Arthur would only think I deleted the message. But actually, whether there was evidence or not didn’t matter. Arthur would only choose to believe what he wanted to believe. “I privately hoped it wasn’t you, but Chloe, you’ve disappointed me greatly.” After a long while, Arthur spoke. I just smiled mockingly. Then I saw him walk over to Olivia, bend down and pick her up, then say to the man who had been silent for a long time: “Julian, I’ll leave this to you. I’m taking Olivia away first.” The man called Julian raised an eyebrow in agreement. As Arthur walked past me, a look of disgust appeared on his face, and he finally spat out four words: “Reap what you sow.” He left without looking back. The moment the door closed, the three men kneeling on the floor all looked up at me simultaneously. Greedy, malicious, emitting a foul stench. “Miss Chloe, sorry about this.” 6 Julian’s voice was still careless. I raised my eyes calmly, took out my phone, and placed it on the table. Julian lifted his eyelids. Seeing the “911” dialed on the screen, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes: “Underestimated you.” I walked out of the nightclub. It was already midnight. The night wind was slightly cool. Julian followed behind me: “Miss Chloe, today’s setup actually wasn’t very clever.” “When Olivia came asking for my help, I only took a spectator’s attitude and didn’t want to intervene.” “Just now, I only wanted to test you, to see how far you would go.” The corners of my lips curled into a mocking smile, and I didn’t answer him. I hailed a cab, and just as I was getting in. Julian said lazily again: “Liam asked me to remind you not to be late tomorrow.” “Have a safe trip, both of you.” I was stunned for a moment. When I looked back, I only saw Julian’s back. I didn’t know much about him. Only that he was a playboy who loved women. As for his relationship with Liam, I didn’t know. But it seemed they were on good terms. But that didn’t matter to me anymore. From now on, I would have no further contact with anything related to Olivia or Arthur. … Arthur sat by the bed and coaxed Olivia all night. It wasn’t until daylight broke that he quietly walked out of her room. Then he went downstairs and instructed the butler to make something Olivia liked to eat. Then he finally let out a sigh of relief. He returned to his own room. He pulled off his tie, threw it casually onto the bed, and his long fingers were unbuttoning his shirt. Suddenly, certain images flashed through his mind. “Chloe, come here, help me unbutton this.” “Chloe, I have a headache, pour me a glass of honey water.” “Chloe…” The tone was relaxed, familiar. Arthur’s movements visibly froze. The scene in his mind was too clear. Chloe’s figure moved skillfully around the room. Their relationship seemed intimate yet unfamiliar. Chloe always responded to his greetings quietly and gently. But why would he be thinking of Chloe? These memories… where did they come from? He wearily pinched his brow, reaching out to grab his phone. Suddenly, he remembered leaving Chloe with Julian last night, and panic gripped his heart for a moment. Yesterday he was just too angry. He didn’t really want anyone to ruin Chloe. But Julian, that guy… He immediately called Julian, and the other party quickly answered. “Yo, Uncle, calling to ask for the results?” “I was just about to—” “What did you do to Chloe?” Arthur asked coldly. The other side went completely silent. After two minutes, he mocked: “Arthur, do you have amnesia?” “Yesterday you were the one who asked me to clean up someone for you. Why is it that as soon as you wake up today, it’s me who wants to do something to someone?” Julian’s words were merciless. He acted erratically and didn’t care what Arthur would do to him. Arthur didn’t dare, and he wouldn’t. What lay between the Thorne and Vance families wasn’t just Olivia, but also family interests. “Where is she? Send me the address.” Arthur spoke directly and then hung up the phone. Listening to Julian’s words. What was supposed to happen probably already did. Holding anyone accountable was useless, and this was originally Chloe’s own doing. He only hoped that after being punished, she would learn her lesson. With the Vance family’s power, protecting one Chloe was more than enough. As long as she was obedient, the position of Mrs. Vance might still be hers. Anyway, it was impossible for him to be with Olivia. So whoever it was didn’t matter. 7 Julian’s message still hadn’t arrived. Arthur grew a bit impatient. Just as he was about to dial Julian’s number again, Olivia woke up. She walked down the stairs, her face carrying the haziness of having just woken up. As soon as she reached the living room, she threw herself directly into Arthur’s arms. “Uncle, you’re up so early?” “I didn’t see you just now, I thought you left.” Her voice was whiny. Arthur chuckled helplessly. He reached out, about to stroke Olivia’s head. Another image flashed through his mind. Chloe stood by the sofa, envy in her eyes, but when he looked up, she hid that emotion away. “What’s wrong, Uncle?” Olivia looked up in confusion, saw his hand stopped in mid-air, and habitually tried to nuzzle it. But this time, Arthur pulled his hand back. Olivia was stunned for a moment, looking at him blankly. “Uncle…” And he didn’t understand it himself either. Finally, Arthur sighed softly: “It’s nothing, probably just didn’t sleep well last night.” “Then I’ll accompany you to sleep a bit more!” Olivia smiled brightly, reaching to take Arthur’s arm and pull him up. Arthur refused again. This was the second time. Olivia had never been refused by him, and she immediately got angry. “Uncle! What is wrong with you?” “You’ve never refused me anything before, but today you’ve refused me twice!” She stood up, looking down at Arthur in displeasure. Arthur sat in the sofa. Normally, he would have rushed to coax Olivia, but today he suddenly felt very annoyed. His temples were throbbing. Chloe’s figure kept appearing in his mind from time to time, as if he was hallucinating. “Olivia, can you be a bit more sensible?” “I’m already annoyed enough.” Olivia had long been spoiled. Hearing him say this, she got even angrier, immediately grabbed a nearby throw pillow, and threw it at him: “What are you annoyed about? What do you have to be annoyed about? You’re just annoyed by me!” “Arthur, if you find me annoying, I’ll just leave, okay?!” “I’ll go find Julian, I’ll go find someone else. I will absolutely never take the initiative to look for you again!” Throwing down those words, she stormed off. But actually, she only walked as far as the entryway. Arthur knew what she was waiting for: waiting for him to proactively coax her, to give her a way out. However, right now he had absolutely no desire to do so. He even thought. Why couldn’t Olivia be as sensible as Chloe? As soon as this thought emerged, he was completely stunned. It felt as if he knew Chloe so well, but in reality, they had only met three times in total. Olivia ultimately left. The door was slammed shut with a bang. The butler hurried over: “Mr. Vance, the young miss she—” “Let her throw her tantrum, leave her be.” Arthur waved his hand. The next second, Julian’s message finally arrived: [No need to look for her anymore, she already left.] [Oh right, one more thing, those guys yesterday were actors hired by your little niece.] [Chloe is the victim here.] Arthur froze.

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I lied to my mom and told her I was heading to college a week early. My mom gave me a suspicious look: “The boy next door goes to the same college as you, and he hasn’t left early.” I rubbed my hands together guiltily. “You’re going to see a boy, aren’t you? It’s fine, I’m not some old-fashioned prude. Here’s an extra three hundred bucks, go have fun.” I accepted it with overwhelming gratitude: “Yes, yes, yes, whatever you say!” My mom bought it. On the train, I pulled out a brand-new physics textbook and scratched my head, desperately copying notes. What boyfriend? I was going back early to take a makeup exam! On the way to the makeup exam. My mom video-called me. “Sweetie, let Mommy see your new boyfriend.” 1 I’m doomed. I only have new test scores, not a new boyfriend! Driven by desperation, I could only point the camera randomly at a passerby. “Mom, he’s the reason I left for school early.” When I lie to my mom, I always commit fully. I was planning to just use the side of the passerby’s face to fool her. But no matter how softly I spoke. The handsome guy in the camera still turned his head. My mom screamed from the other end of the video: “He’s so handsome?! Are you dating a celebrity? Bring him home this weekend!” “Gotta go, I’m going to take screenshots and show off to my friends, hahahaha…” The video call ended with my mom’s exaggerated, boomer-style laughter. Leaving me and the handsome guy staring at each other in the wind. The guy stood tall and straight, his facial features sharp and handsome—a literal god. I scratched my head and laughed awkwardly. “Sorry about that, classmate. I was too embarrassed to say I came back early for a makeup exam, so I lied to my parents and said I was coming back to see my boyfriend.” The handsome guy expressed understanding. And he sped up his pace alongside me. Looks like we’re in the same boat. I struck up a conversation while practically jogging: “Classmate, are you here for the physics makeup exam too?” The handsome guy didn’t speak, just kept rushing forward. He didn’t have any study materials on him. At a glance, you could tell he was an honest kid. Cheating on such a hard class was a must; he was definitely going to fail! A plan formed in my mind: “Bro, how about this: I have a lot of cheat sheets on me, I basically copied down all the formulas. I’ll share some must-pass tips with you, and you come home with me this weekend to meet my parents, deal?” As soon as I said that. He stopped in his tracks. Seeing that he was bought off by me. The beginner’s guide to cheating begins now! I pulled out the tissue paper with key points from my pocket. Then I fished out a ten-fold formula sheet from my knee-high socks. The most, most important thing, of course, is the phone! The handsome guy was confused: “How do you bring a phone into the exam room? The proctors always use metal detectors!” I smiled wisely: “Heh, the teachers only scan your body, they never check what’s in your hand! And mine is a flip phone!” “What about the signal jammers?” “Those old jammers our school has can’t block 5G signals at all; the connection is perfectly fine.” The handsome guy nodded thoughtfully, and continued to ask sincerely: “Since you have so many tricks, how come you didn’t pass the final exam?” I waved my hand, patting his shoulder earnestly: “Let’s not dwell on past failures, let’s look forward together!” After arriving at the classroom. I saw a few of my suffering sisters. Great, our mutual aid group was assembled in a second. But I didn’t forget the handsome guy I just met. I quickly pulled him in. Seeing how breathtakingly handsome he was, the sisterhood agreed immediately. Everyone started sharing their cheat sheets and how they planned to pass answers right under the proctor’s nose later. The handsome guy must have been moved by me. He even proactively asked for the names of everyone in our mutual aid group. I raised an eyebrow at him, signaling no thanks needed. As good bros, this is how we do it. Enough for him to remember for a lifetime. 2 There were only ten minutes left before the exam. The students had finished all their preparations. But the proctor was nowhere to be seen. My best friend, Jessica, started gossiping about the proctor. “I heard the proctor for our room is the male god from University A, a second-year PhD student, super handsome, exaggeratedly better looking than Timothée Chalamet. He’s only proctoring at our University C today as a favor to a friend.” “Rumor has it he’s a research genius, already being fought over by research institutes from University A and University C before even graduating, with starting salaries in the seven figures.” Chloe from the sisterhood slammed the desk in regret: “Damn it, if I had known, I would have done a full face of makeup.” “Sigh, then we need to be careful when cheating.” “It’s fine! A good student like him, he’s never seen our high-tech cheating methods!” … It wasn’t until the roving proctor outside the classroom delivered the exam papers that everyone quieted down. “Hey, where’s your Teacher Gan? Wasn’t he supposed to be here early?” Teacher Gan? I whispered to the sisterhood: “What a weird last name, hilarious. If he’s Teacher Gan (Dry), am I Teacher Shi (Wet)?” (Translator’s note: In Chinese, “Gan” means dry. The protagonist makes a dirty joke contrasting it with “Shi” meaning wet). The dirty-minded girls instantly thought the wrong thing. Giggling endlessly below the desks. My face felt a bit hot: “I didn’t mean it like that!” But no matter how much I defended myself, it was useless. Just while everyone was still grinning. The handsome guy who had been sitting in the corner slowly stood up. He calmly accepted the exam papers, pulled a proctor ID from his pocket, and stood at the podium. “Hello everyone, I am your proctor for today, Arthur Gan.” No way. Excuse me? Is it too late for me to apologize with my death right now? 3 Obviously, it was too late. Forget the phones and cheat sheets. Even the smartwatch Jessica hid in her pant leg was confiscated. Arthur said he meant no harm. I agree. He simply didn’t want us to live. Without any suspense. The sisterhood and I were completely wiped out by Arthur, forcing us all to retake the class. In sheer desperation, I could only kneel to the sisters in our group chat: “I’m sorry, I invited the wolf into our house. To make amends, I’m willing to give you my life!” Chloe sent a “disgusted” emoji: “Only offering useless things.” Jessica immediately followed up: “Since you sincerely want to make it up to us, we will show great mercy and give you a chance to redeem yourself.” I nodded like a chicken pecking at grain: “Tell me, tell me.” “Arthur will be taking a part-time job at our University C this semester, and he just happens to be our physics teacher. Go seduce him, claim him, ravage him! Help the sisters vent our anger, and then get the exam paper from him at the end of the semester.” Huh? Me? What kind of thing am I, that I even deserve a second glance from Arthur? I was helpless: “Jessica, do you have a filter on me? What makes you think I can take down the male god of University A?!” Jessica was full of confidence: “Based on my years of experience navigating the world, the way Arthur looked at you that day was definitely not innocent. You just need to crook your finger, and he’ll take the bait.” I don’t know if Arthur’s eyesight is good or bad, but Jessica’s eyesight is definitely bad. But since things have come to this, I can only try to treat a dead horse as a living doctor. Besides, I failed the makeup exam. I absolutely can’t let my parents guess that I came back early for the makeup exam. The day after tomorrow is the weekend. No time to lose, I need to hurry to University A and find Arthur to go home with me this weekend. 4 Before setting off, the whole dorm helped me put on a super stunning succubus makeup look. The head-turning rate was indeed quite high. Our University C and University A are only separated by College Avenue. Arthur is very famous. I just asked a random student and found out his dorm building. When I arrived at his dorm building, I was shocked. As expected of a PhD student. A single room for one person is one thing. This dorm building was like a luxury apartment. It made me want to apply for a PhD too. Very luckily, after squatting downstairs for half an hour, I caught Arthur. He wore a crisp black shirt, the cuffs slightly rolled up, revealing his prominent wrist bones. Unlike the messy look when I first met him. Today, his hair looked meticulously styled, every single strand radiating handsomeness. I was so struck by his handsomeness that my breath hitched. Dressed up, he was far too high-profile. Passing girls all looked over. “Looking for me?” He raised an eyebrow. “How did you know?” I was puzzled. The corners of his mouth curved up slightly: “You’ve been squatting at this door for twenty-eight minutes. You didn’t stop any of the many guys walking by, but as soon as I came down, you came to meet me.” Taking him to play a murder mystery game would definitely be an easy win. I got straight to the point: “Yes, I want you to go home with me this weekend pretending to be my boyfriend to deal with my mom.” He crossed his arms: “Why should I?” “Because you used me to infiltrate our sisterhood, making me the target of public criticism, failing the makeup exam, and unable to answer to my parents!” I was anxious. He still had the nerve to ask me why. If it weren’t for him, I would have passed the makeup exam long ago. And I wouldn’t have to beg him to go home with me. He frowned slightly: “Is your cheating really that justified?” “You!” I licked my lips, unable to refute. True. He, a PhD student at University A, hadn’t done anything wrong either. What capability did I have to make him pretend to be my boyfriend? It seems Jessica’s eyesight really is problematic. Saying the way he looked at me wasn’t innocent. We’re the ones who are truly doomed if we mess with him. Seeing Arthur turn around, about to go back inside. A clear, cold voice interrupted my thoughts. “Mia, why are you here?” “Senior Ethan?” 5 Ethan is a senior at University A. We met at a mixer. He had a good impression of me. Gentle, considerate, polite, and proper. So I used the excuse of liking aloof men to reject him directly. At this moment, my eyes darted around, and I quickly grabbed his sleeve: “Senior Ethan, are you free this weekend?” Ethan had just opened his mouth. When Arthur turned back, looking at me coldly: “He’s not free.” “Huh? Teacher Gan, I…” “Have you submitted your graduation thesis?” Speaking of the thesis, Ethan was not only unpanicked but quite confident: “Not yet, but I’ll finish it next week!” “Too late, Professor Huang wants it this Saturday, he asked you to go see him on Saturday.” Ethan panicked a little: “There was no notice.” Arthur spoke slowly: “Professor Huang will notify you tonight.” Ethan nodded, then said to me: “Then I’m free on Sunday.” My originally dimmed eyes lit up again, hope rekindled. Arthur glanced at me, his tone calm but unquestionable: “Sunday won’t work either, the short essay for my class is due on Sunday.” Ethan gasped: “What? Teacher Gan, you didn’t mention that.” Arthur calmly took out his phone and operated it for a bit: “The notice has already been sent to your phones.” Seeing he still wanted to say something, Arthur continued: “The mock test that hasn’t been scheduled yet is also set for…” “I’m not free!!” Ethan turned his head, looked at me, and said firmly: “Sorry Mia, I’m not free this weekend. I have to study this weekend. I love studying. I’m going to go study now, bye.” 6 “I can agree to pretend to be your boyfriend, but you have to agree to one request of mine.” After Ethan left, Arthur leaned in close to me and said. His exquisite features suddenly magnified in front of me, and I leaned back a bit: “Sure, as long as you come home with me this weekend, I’ll agree to ten of your requests!” “Okay, my request is that you come home with me tonight first.” “Huh?!” I widened my eyes, suspecting there was something wrong with my ears. Arthur looked at me expressionlessly: “What, just said you’d agree to ten requests, and now you’re chickening out on the first one?” “No, your request… is it proper?” I shrank back warily. Arthur raised an eyebrow: “You want an improper one?” “I don’t!” He turned to leave: “Then forget it.” “Wait, wait, wait!” I grabbed his sleeve: “I’ll go! Who’s afraid of who! It’s a society ruled by law, what can you possibly do to me? But we have a deal, if I go to your place, you have to come home with me this weekend.” Arthur looked down at my hand gripping him, the corners of his mouth curving slightly: “Deal. I’ll pick you up for dinner at my place around mealtime.” While following him toward the apartment building, I frantically messaged the sisterhood group chat: [Sisters, Arthur wants me to go home with him tonight.] Jessica replied instantly: [Holy shit! You’re amazing, sis! This progress bar is moving faster than a rocket!] Chloe: [The girls at University A all say Arthur could outshine Timothée Chalamet and Tom Holland if he debuted. Mia, you should just start a masterclass.] Rachel types very slowly, with grandma-speed: [Remember to wear ultra-thin 0.01.] Concise, straight to the highway. Me: [Wear your head, I’m going to exchange favors with him.] Chloe sent a “let’s get dirty” emoji: [Going to his place to exchange? Exchange what? Positions??] Jessica: [Oh my god, Mia, you’re something else! A pure female college student on the outside, playing so wild behind closed doors?] Me: [Can you guys be a little pure! He’s a PhD! He’s about to be our substitute teacher! Do you have any professional ethics?] This group of women, whether it’s red or black, they’ll turn it yellow for you. (Translator’s note: In Chinese slang, “yellow” means pornographic/dirty). Chloe: [Tsk, he just caught you cheating, and turns around and asks you to his place. Savor this operation, savor it carefully.] Me: […Savor what, I can’t savor anything.] Jessica: [I savor that he wants to tutor you privately! One-on-one! Private lessons! Close-contact teaching!] Chloe: [The kind where you wear tight clothes.] Me: […I’m wearing a hoodie and jeans, thank you.] Jessica: [Tsk, so unromantic. Hurry up and go buy a battle outfit! There’s a new mall outside the school!] Me: [I have no money!] Chloe: [Didn’t you just scam three hundred bucks out of your mom?] Me: […] 7 Arthur’s apartment is in a high-end complex next to University A. In the elevator, I was so nervous I was picking at my fingernails. He, on the other hand, was completely composed, leaning against the elevator wall scrolling on his phone. I secretly glanced at his profile. Really handsome. Hiss, why does he feel a bit familiar? I seem to have seen him somewhere before. Sigh, handsome guys always look handsome in the same way. Only ugly men are ugly in all sorts of strange ways. “Have a seat anywhere.” Arthur poured me a glass of water. Holding the glass, I sat awkwardly on the sofa, not knowing where to look. Arthur sat across from me: “Your name is Mia Lin, sophomore in Computer Science at University C, living in Happy Community, Hangzhou. Right?” I almost spat out a mouthful of water: “How do you know?!” He gave me a flat look: “The day you cheated, I memorized the names of everyone in your mutual aid group, and casually checked your files.” I gasped: “What exactly do you want to do?” Arthur didn’t answer, instead asking: “When did your mom ask you to bring me home?” “Saturday noon.” “Okay.” He pulled his phone from his pocket, swiped a few times, and handed it to me. I took it and looked. It was a list: Two cases of premium liquor. Two boxes of bird’s nest. Two cartons of imported cigarettes. Two boxes of cherries. Two boxes of sea cucumber. Two boxes of abalone. Two cases of olive oil. Two cases of milk. “This is?” Is this trying to move a supermarket to my house? “The standard package for meeting the parents.” Arthur replied with his head down, looking at the list and pondering: “What do your parents like? Add it on, I’ll go buy them tomorrow.” I stared at him blankly: “Why does it feel like you sincerely want to go home with me?” “After all, I can’t let you squat for those twenty-eight minutes for nothing.” His tone was very calm, but I always felt something was off. Just then, his phone rang. The screen flashed two words: “Queen Mother”. He answered, and before he could speak, a powerful female voice came from the other side: “Son! Let me tell you, that boy Auntie Li introduced to you, he’s a piano teacher, super handsome. I sent you his photo on WeChat, see if you like him!” Me: “???” Boy??? Arthur rubbed his temples: “Mom, I don’t need it.” “Why don’t you need it? You’re so old and haven’t even been in a relationship once! Mom isn’t some old fuddy-duddy, whether you like boys or girls, Mom supports you! This one is really super handsome, just meet him once…” “Mom, I have a girlfriend.” The phone went quiet for two seconds. “What?!” “Really, you can come see for yourself right now.” “Stop lying to me! Last time you said you had a partner, you brought back a cat!” I couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing with a “Pfft”. Arthur shot me a chilling glare. The mom on the phone obviously heard it too: “Son, is there someone next to you? Who is it?” Arthur was silent for a second: “The cat.” “…” “…” Me: “???” You’re the cat! Your whole family is a cat! 8 After Arthur hung up the phone, he put on an apron and started cooking. I was still brooding over that “cat” comment. “Arthur, how am I like a cat?” Arthur glanced at me while chopping vegetables: “You squatting downstairs curled up in a ball, doesn’t look like a cat?” I looked at him suspiciously. Could it be that he had been staring at me from upstairs the whole time? But I was too embarrassed to ask. Arthur chopped vegetables very quickly. His wrist bones were prominent, his knuckles like jade. And very agile. Seems like he’s quite strong too. ? Why did my thoughts suddenly turn dirty? Sure enough, he who lies with dogs shall rise with fleas, and he who is near yellow gets yellow! Arthur skillfully heated the wok, poured oil, and stir-fried. In no time, the aroma of food filled the air. “Wow, I couldn’t tell you knew how to cook.” I started showering him with compliments. The corners of Arthur’s mouth turned up: “There are plenty of things you can’t tell.” Holy cow, one compliment and he’s already this cocky. “Can you cook?” He asked me while offering me a taste. Of course I can’t. I took his offering with my mouth: “Haha, when I cook, I mainly focus on forfeiting color, aroma, and taste.” Soon, the second dish went into the wok. Right then, the sisters in the group asked me how the battle was going over here. I sneakily took a profile photo of Arthur cooking and a photo of the food. Jessica sent a picture of a fitness pause: [Looks like a girlfriend-perspective Timothée Chalamet. No wonder they say cooking is the best plastic surgery for men. I’m not working out anymore, whoever wants to work out can work out, I’m going to be your fragile beauty.] Chloe sent a “666” emoji: [Sis, if you meet a culinary school chef, just marry him, you won’t have to worry about food for the rest of your life.] Rachel, as always, types the slowest but drives the fastest. [Why are you serving dishes, serve him!] [Have you been in rehab? Being with such a huge handsome guy, can you resist?] The black text made my heart race. Just then, Arthur poked his head over: “What are you looking at, your face is so red?” I immediately switched to a study app interface, and said seriously: “Doing my daily study modules, party members are required to get a daily average of 30 points or more.” He glanced at my phone screen and laughed: “So this is the reason for your total score of 300? Looks like you joined the party ten days ago?” I swallowed nervously: “No, no, the points reset every so often.” Sure enough, one lie requires countless lies to cover it up. “Oh? Then why do my points never reset?” He opened his study app interface, showing a score of 51,753 points. His mouth was curled up, the corners of his eyes full of amusement, even carrying a trace of malice. Even that little canine tooth was rippling with mockery towards me. I gave him a thumbs up: “Teacher Gan, you’re really amazing!” Hearing the word “Teacher”, he quickly waved his hand: “Hey, I’m just teaching you this semester, don’t call me teacher.” I said fawningly: “How can that be? A teacher for a day is a father for life.” “No, no, no!” Seeing how resistant he was to me calling him teacher, an evil thought popped into my head: “Since I can’t call you teacher, and you’re not my parent, how about I call you ‘Brother’?” As soon as my voice fell. His face turned completely red in a second. This much fun? I leaned on his shoulder, deliberately whispering with a light laugh in his ear: “Brother.” I saw his Adam’s apple bob rapidly, his body stiffening. He abruptly lifted me onto the dining table, resting his hands on either side of my body. A gentle, abstinent aura gradually washed over me. “Mia, did you do that on purpose?” I didn’t expect one “Brother” could make him react this strongly. I took the opportunity to wrap my arms around his neck: “Brother, do you like me calling you that?”

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My older sister secretly gave birth to a child and then went abroad to study. My mom told me to adopt the baby. “Don’t go to college. You raise her. Mom will help out, and in the future, she’ll be your support.” I took a deep breath, just about to unleash a string of curses, when lines of text suddenly appeared in mid-air: 【The female lead is so smart, dumping the kid on the supporting female character to raise while she shines alone. When she comes back successful and glamorous, the kid will still be hers!】 【I can’t wait to see the truth revealed five years later, and the infertile young master of the Hayes family groveling to win his wife back! Hmph! Today you ignore me, tomorrow I’ll be out of your league.】 【The ‘running away with the baby’ trope is cliché, but we really love watching it!】 I sneered. The Hayes family, right? I picked up the baby and marched straight to the Hayes mansion, kicking the door open. “Either marry me, or give me money! I gave birth to your son’s seed!!” Mrs. Hayes was stunned for a moment. “Alright then, I’ll have them prepare for a wedding.” Me: “…” Wait, there was another option. Aren’t you going to consider it? 1 Early one morning, my mom sneakily brought home a baby girl. “Chloe, Mom found a baby abandoned at our doorstep! Look at her, she’s so pitiful!” I peeked over. The baby was wrapped in a brand-new, light pink swaddle. Her little face was rosy and fair, and she was sleeping soundly. Only an idiot would believe she was picked up off the street! A week ago, my mom and my older sister, Claire, had been acting incredibly secretive, not coming home for several days. I secretly followed them. I saw them with my own eyes going into the maternity ward of a hospital. Honestly, I always thought my sister, Claire, thought too highly of herself. I never expected she would secretly have a child for some man. Seeing I wasn’t saying anything, my mom said anxiously: “This child has a connection with our family, let’s keep her. You raise her, Mom will help, and she’ll be grown up in no time.” I was trembling with anger, and I sneered: “Mom, are you out of your mind? It’s bad enough you’re not paying for me to go to college. It’s bad enough you secretly sold our other house to pay for Claire to study abroad! What makes you think you can make me raise a child of unknown origin?!” “What exactly am I to you in your heart?!” 2 Since we were little, my mom always favored Claire. In her eyes, Claire was smarter and prettier than me. She was destined to stand out and bring glory to the family. So she directed all the family’s resources toward Claire. If there was only one piece of candy, it was Claire’s. A new pair of leather shoes? Definitely Claire’s. When my dad was alive, he barely managed to keep a balance so I wouldn’t suffer too much. But after my dad died, my mom slowly went crazy. Now look at this! All the money was given to Claire. Not only was she not paying for my college, but she was also making me raise Claire’s illegitimate daughter. It was truly despicable! I finally saw the true face of my family of origin! Seeing my fierce expression, my mom’s face changed slightly: “Chloe, it’s not like that. Look how cute this baby is. It’s so pitiful to be born without anyone.” “Listen to Mom, the old saying goes, it’s wicked to abandon a child left at your door!” “Don’t worry, your grades aren’t as good as your sister’s anyway, it doesn’t matter if you go to that second-tier college or not. If you raise this child well, she’ll be your support in the future!” I sneered: “Oh, abandoning a child at the door is wicked? I think you have it backward. Having a child and not raising it is what’s wicked!” “I’m only nineteen. If I don’t go to college, don’t work, and raise a child, will I even be able to get married in the future? What will people say about me?! Have you thought about that?” My mom was determined to pin this child on me. She was ruthless! Seeing I was unyielding, my mom yelled: “I’m doing this for your own good! Why are you so ungrateful!” I couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. Actually, I had already packed my bags. Leaving this wolf’s den, I have hands and feet, I can survive somehow! But just then, lines of text suddenly appeared in mid-air: 【The female lead is so smart, dumping the kid on the supporting female character and the mom to raise while she shines alone. When she comes back successful and glamorous, the kid will still be hers!】 【I can’t wait to see the truth revealed five years later, and the infertile young master of the Hayes family groveling to win his wife back! Hmph! Today you ignore me, tomorrow I’ll be out of your league.】 【The ‘running away with the baby’ trope is cliché, but we really love watching it!】 Seeing these words clearly, I stopped in my tracks. 3 So that’s how it was. I remembered about a year ago, it seemed my sister had started dating someone. Rumor had it he was a wealthy young master named Julian Hayes. My mom was over the moon. Dreaming every day of my sister marrying into a billionaire family. Then she would rise in status along with her, enjoying wealth and prestige. But half a year ago, my sister’s attitude suddenly grew cold again. She walked around with a long face all day, acting like someone owed her a million dollars. After that, she stopped coming home. Occasionally when we met, she wore lots of layers, looked noticeably heavier, and acted secretive. I actually thought she had been dumped. I was secretly happy for a few days. Turns out, she was planning to run away with the baby! Just then, the baby suddenly started crying. My mom frantically shoved the baby into my arms and went to mix formula. The floating comments started rolling again: 【Speaking of which, the plot is pretty melodramatic. The male lead, Julian, got into a car accident drag racing for the female lead… Not only did he get amnesia, but he’s paralyzed from the waist down… But the female lead just abandoned the child and went abroad…】 【The female lead did the right thing! The kid is still young and won’t remember anything. When she grows up, she’ll be close to whoever gives her money!】 【Exactly! It’s completely normal for the female lead to reject the male lead looking like a ghost right now. When the male lead recovers in the future and the female lead comes back, won’t a family reunion be perfect?!】 4 After reading these morally bankrupt, bullshit comments. A brilliant plan popped into my head. The reason my mom and sister kept this child. Was actually hoarding a rare commodity. Because they knew Julian was crippled. The Hayes family would definitely want this child in the future. So when my sister returns in glory. This child would be her bargaining chip to legitimately marry into the wealthy family. But the prerequisite was sacrificing my education, my career, and my youth. It was easy to imagine that once my mom and sister struck it rich, I would be tossed aside. Then why shouldn’t I go to the Hayes family ahead of time? And take the share that belongs to me?! I really am smart. Next, I pretended to accept my mom’s arrangement. Then I asked around, got the address of the Hayes mansion, and verified what exactly had happened to the Hayes family. Luckily, the people in those comments weren’t lying. So, one morning. I sent my mom out to buy formula. Then I carried the baby, hailed a cab, and headed straight for the Hayes mansion. 5 Arriving at the Hayes estate. Mrs. Hayes received me gently. “You are… my son’s friend? It’s rare for someone to still want to visit him at a time like this…” I tilted my chin up, sat down brazenly on the sofa, and declared boldly: “I gave birth to your son’s seed!!” “Either marry me, or give me money!” I had thought this through beforehand. If I just asked for money, the Hayes family would definitely try to haggle. But if I used the threat of marrying in. They would definitely be more willing to just give me money. I understood how these tropes worked! Mrs. Hayes was dumbfounded. It took her five minutes to recover. “This child… is Julian’s?” I nodded firmly: “Don’t try to deny it, DNA technology exists now!” Mrs. Hayes took a deep breath. She carefully examined the baby’s features. A moment later, she covered her face and wept: “She looks exactly like Julian when he was little…” Me: “…” Her reaction was a bit different from what I expected. Next, Mrs. Hayes said: “I’ll have someone do a DNA test right now. If the child is really Julian’s, then we’ll prepare for a wedding! We will definitely take responsibility!” “At a time like this, the fact that you haven’t abandoned him… I won’t mistreat you!” Me: “…” Wait, there’s another option. Aren’t you going to consider it? Take the kid. Give me the money!! Comments scrolled wildly across the sky: 【What is the supporting female character doing! If she runs to the Hayes family and spills everything now, what will the female lead do in the future!】 【That damn supporting character, she’s trying to impersonate the female lead to become a rich wife! It won’t be that easy!】 【Don’t worry everyone, when she gets exposed in the future, she’ll die a miserable death!】 I shot a cold glare at the air. Hmph! The more you don’t want me to marry in, the more I will! Once I’ve milked enough money, I won’t care about any of this!! 6 After settling into the guest room. I thought things over calmly. I was only nineteen. I had no degree and no real-world experience. Taking the money and running right now wasn’t the optimal solution. Even if I got the money in my hands. Whether I could keep it was another story. The comments said my sister wouldn’t return for five years. Then these next few years would be the perfect time for me to comfortably study and improve myself while living with the Hayes family. Once I graduate from college and have milked enough money… I’ll naturally just walk away! A perfect plan! 7 Because the baby and I had vanished. My mom frantically called me. “Where the hell did you go!! And the baby?!” I picked my ear and said impatiently: “The baby was picked up off the street, so naturally I gave her away. Don’t worry, I gave her to a wealthy family.” This child didn’t even have a birth certificate. She was an undocumented citizen. Even if my mom called the cops, she wouldn’t be able to explain it. She was instantly dumbfounded: “You… how could you be so cruel! Where are you? I’ll come find you, you bring that child back to me right now!” I said coldly: “Mom, is there a problem with giving a foundling to someone who needs her?” My mom lost it: “That’s your sister’s… That child looks so much like your sister, how could you do such a thing! Bring the child back, or I’m calling the police! I’ll sue you for kidnapping! I’ll send you to jail!” I snorted coldly: “Mom, stop trying to fool me! This child is Claire’s, isn’t she?” “I’m not going to raise her anyway, and you don’t have the ability to raise her alone. Isn’t giving her away a good thing?” “If you dare call the police, I swear I’ll make Claire’s out-of-wedlock pregnancy known to everyone, and I’ll never tell you where the child went!!” My mom froze, trembling as she spoke: “Chloe… how did you become like this?” Wasn’t it because of you pushing me?! I roared: “Your favoritism is your business, but I won’t play along! When Claire comes back in the future, I can tell you where the child is. But if you insist on making a scene now, then let’s both go down in flames!” After saying that, I hung up the phone. I knew my mom wouldn’t make a scene. First, she insisted on dumping the child on me because she had no confidence in raising a baby herself. To her, this child was a burden. She didn’t want to raise it. Second, Claire was her life’s masterpiece. She wouldn’t allow a single blemish on Claire’s reputation. Sure enough, she quieted down after that. She didn’t even ask if I had money to live on. I took this opportunity to completely cut contact with her. 8 The next day, the DNA report came out. As expected of a wealthy family. The report came out so fast. Mrs. Hayes was thanking her lucky stars. “This is wonderful, my son has an heir… and a wedding to plan… Once things get moving, everything will get better…” Following that. Under my persuasion, we held a low-key, intimate wedding at home. Because I hadn’t reached the legal marrying age yet. So we couldn’t register the marriage officially. Mrs. Hayes promised me. When the time came, she would definitely give me legal status. On the day of the wedding. I finally met Julian for the first time. To be honest, I kind of understood why my sister ran away. Julian sat despondently in his wheelchair. His eyes were sunken, and he was skin and bones. His hair and beard were so overgrown you couldn’t even see his original face. If you put him on the street. He would look exactly like a homeless person. He looked at me and the baby. His eyes were completely dead. After the wedding, Mrs. Hayes set three ground rules with me. She was willing to pay for my college education and give me a monthly allowance of fifty thousand dollars. After some haggling, I bumped it up to a hundred thousand. There were maids and nurses at home. I didn’t have to do chores, look after the baby full-time, or help Julian with his physical therapy. But apparently, he was very uncooperative. Mrs. Hayes hoped I wouldn’t live on campus, and that after school every day, I would spend an hour interacting with Julian and the baby. Truly the heart of a loving mother. I agreed.

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I found a pair of male incubus twins at the black market, but because I was short on cash, I could only afford to buy one. So, I chose the younger brother, the one with the better physique. But he didn’t like me. He wouldn’t cooperate in bed, constantly ran away, and would sneak back to the black market to complain to his twin brother: “I don’t want to stay with that woman at all. She’s ugly and broke. I’m only going to suffer if I stay with her.” His older brother sat in the center of an iron cage, the heavy chain around his neck rubbing his skin raw. Listening to his brother’s complaints, he gently chided him: “Don’t say that. The lady who bought you is very kind. Since she bought you, she definitely won’t treat you poorly. Hurry back now, don’t make her worry.” I stood quietly by the door, listening. Suddenly, my eyes met his gentle gaze, and my heart skipped a beat. Later, I sold my house and bought the older brother, too. With nowhere else to go, I took the two incubi and moved into a basement apartment. Because there was only one bedroom, the older brother voluntarily grabbed a blanket and headed for the storage closet: “Master, I can sleep in here. I was only bought because of my younger brother, anyway.” I frowned, stopped him, and after a moment of hesitation, pulled out a contract from a drawer. I looked at the brother who didn’t like me and handed it to him: “It’s too cramped in here. Why don’t you leave? This way, you won’t have to suffer with me anymore.” The man was stunned. He stood frozen, his eyes slowly turning red: “You… you only want my brother, and you don’t want me anymore?” 1 The incubus I was keeping was acting up again. He bit me. When I got up to wash my face this morning, I noticed the bite mark on my neck had turned a stark, bruised purple. It hurt just to touch it. I tried to tell myself not to care, that it would heal in a few days. But stepping into the bathroom and looking at my painfully average, ordinary face in the mirror, I couldn’t help but tear up. Kaelen despised me. He despised everything about me. My looks, my voice. He even absolutely loathed the old, rundown house I lived in. We had a huge fight last night. He lost his mind and spat the truth at me during the argument. “Evelyn, you were the one who insisted on draining your savings to buy me! I didn’t volunteer to come with you. If I had a choice, I would never acknowledge you as my master, nor would I squeeze into this godforsaken dump with you!” “You’ve been with me for a year. Up until now, do you really not feel even a little bit of affection for me?” I pressed, unwilling to give up. “No. Not a single bit.” At the time, the man was tied to the headboard, completely immobilized. Yet his eyes remained sharp, his answer resolute. The last sliver of hope in my heart completely shattered. I splashed some water on my face, took a deep breath, and wiped away the tears threatening to fall. Then, I grabbed my foundation from the counter, pumped out a tiny drop, and carefully concealed the mark on my neck. 2 Kaelen was still tied up in the bedroom. Before heading to work, I planned to untie him. I pushed the door open. The man was quietly huddled on the rug, his head lowered, his long eyelashes trembling slightly. He was probably pretending to be asleep. I walked closer, crouched down, and began untying the slipknot around his wrists. “Kaelen.” I called him softly. The man refused to acknowledge me, keeping his eyes tightly shut. “I have to go to work. I’ll untie you, but can you promise me you’ll stay home and wait for me to get back?” “Heh. If you don’t want to untie me, just say so.” Kaelen finally opened his eyes, looking incredibly impatient. I smiled helplessly and released the ropes immediately. The man seemed to be caught off guard. His striking, peach-blossom eyes stared blankly at me. “You really untied me? I didn’t even promise to stay home and wait.” He used to run away all the time. But since I held his contract, he couldn’t run far. I only tied him up because I got sick of scouring the city to find him every time. I nodded, exhausted, and compromised: “Yeah. Just remember to take your house keys.” 3 I bought Kaelen at the black market last winter. There wasn’t any special reason. I just thought he was gorgeous. Tall, broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted—he had a great body. At the time, I had actually also noticed his older brother, Kaelen. They were twins, looking almost identical. The only difference was that Kaelen was completely healthy, while Kaeden had a slight limp in his left leg. But my entire life savings was only enough to choose one. I figured if I was buying an incubus to stay with me forever, I shouldn’t cheap out. So, I bought the most expensive one. But a year passed, and my mundane, quiet life didn’t become any happier. Instead, it brought me a mountain of stress. Looking back, I was full of regret. If I had chosen Kaeden instead, would things have been different? But that shady shop had a strict “no returns, no exchanges” policy. I sat at my cubicle, zoning out for a long time, before pulling out my phone to check my bank balance. I only had a few thousand dollars left. Whatever. Better not to think about it. 4 “Evelyn, the boss is treating us to dinner tonight. You coming?” Right before quitting time, my coworker Sarah walked over and patted my shoulder. I shook my head. She let out a delayed “Oh!” and smiled teasingly: “I forgot, you have a handsome little househusband waiting for you! He’s probably already got dinner ready, huh?” Kaelen cooking for me? It was a miracle if he didn’t tear my house down. I gave a bitter smile. Just as I was about to explain, Sarah looked highly motivated again: “That’s so nice! I have so much motivation to make money now. I’m totally going to buy a gorgeous guy to wait on me in the future.” I didn’t know what else to say, so I just offered a warning: “When you do buy one, make sure you go to a licensed, legitimate shop with a return policy. Whatever you do, do not go to the black market.” “Got it! Duly noted!” Usually, I was the first one out the door when work ended. But today, thirty minutes past quitting time, I was still dawdling at my desk, organizing my things. I kept checking my phone, opening the security cameras in my house to take a look. Sure enough, Kaelen was gone again. I was so annoyed I decided not to rush home. I walked down the street, turned down a few alleys, and wandered. Without realizing it, I had found my way back to the black market. 5 This place was a chaotic mix of the worst kind of people. Dirty and lawless. Beastmen merchants were everywhere. Some sickly ones were locked in tiny iron cages by the side of the road, the antlers on their heads half-sawn off, looking incredibly pitiful. “Hey, hey, miss! Care to take a look? A rare male elk beastman, name your price and he’s yours!” I only glanced twice before a burly merchant called out to me. Unfortunately, I was dead broke. I couldn’t help even if I wanted to, so I quickened my pace and walked deeper into the market. Following my memory, I found that shady shop from last year. It was still open for business. The boss was dozing off in a chair by the front door. I walked in, but he didn’t wake up. So, I slowed my steps and quietly sneaked around to the backyard. As soon as I stepped in, I heard a familiar male voice: “Brother, has anyone tried to buy you these past few days?” It was Kaelen’s voice. So, he was sneaking out to see his brother. 6 I stopped moving and stood behind the door, continuing to listen to their conversation: “A customer came last week and looked at me twice, but ultimately didn’t pay. I’m disabled. No one wants me.” “Brother, if you hadn’t tried to save me when we were kids, the traffickers wouldn’t have broken your leg. It was my fault for being greedy and running off to play. I dragged you down.” “Brother, I’m so sorry.” “It’s okay, Kaelen. It wasn’t your fault.” Kaeden was locked in a large iron cage, a heavy iron collar around his neck. He gripped the iron bars with both hands. Even though the collar was choking him, making it hard to breathe, he still comforted Kaelen with a gentle smile. “I’ve never blamed you. I only want you to live well. You’re free now, you’re not a commodity in the black market anymore. Forget about all the unhappy things from the past.” Kaelen squatted outside the cage, resting his arms on his knees, and let out an angry huff: “I’m not exactly free. That woman who bought me is terrified I’ll run away, so she keeps me on a tight leash.” Hearing the young man mention me. I slowly clenched my fists, my heart beating uncontrollably faster. “She’s really annoying. I’d rather stay here than be bought by her.” Kaelen frowned as he spoke: “She’s ugly, and she’s broke. The clothes she buys me are cheap knockoffs, they’re so uncomfortable.” “It’s only been a year, and I can’t even imagine spending the rest of my life with her. My life is going to be so miserable…” Before he could finish, Kaeden interrupted: “It won’t be. It’s normal for things to be tight in the beginning. The lady who bought you looked like a kind person. She definitely won’t treat you poorly in the future.” “Kind? What’s kind about her? She ties me up every day! Look at this, I still have rope burns on my wrists.” Kaelen rolled up his sleeves, pointing at the two faint red circles on his wrists. “I’ve really had enough. You have no idea what my life is like. If I could, I’d want us to switch places. You can go deal with that ugly woman.” “She’s your master. It’s her right to discipline you. And she’s not ugly. Stop talking nonsense.” “I’m just telling the truth. Who’s talking nonsense?” 7 Those words were like knives. They entered through my ears but slashed my throat. Making my throat swell and burn with acid. I couldn’t bear to listen anymore and was about to leave. My foot kicked an empty soda can, making a loud clatter. Drawing the attention of the two men inside. Kaeden looked at me first. The corners of his mouth lifted, and he gave me a gentle, obedient smile. Kaelen, on the other hand, looked awful. He stood up, looking a bit embarrassed: “You… why are you here?” I tried my hardest to look calm: “I came to take you home.” But before he could respond, I quickly turned and fled the backyard. 8 “Hey, Evelyn!” Kaelen jogged after me and grabbed the hem of my shirt. “Why are you walking so fast?” I ignored him, pried his fingers off my shirt, and kept walking. But my mind was entirely consumed by Kaeden’s friendly, gentle smile from just moments ago. Turns out he and Kaelen were actually a bit different. He had a tiny teardrop mole under his left eye. When he smiled, the mole would subtly shift upward. “Were you standing there the whole time?” “Did you hear everything my brother and I said?” Kaeden’s leg wasn’t a birth defect. He was crippled because he tried to save his younger brother. How pitiful. Much more pitiful than Kaelen. “Hey, I’m asking you a question! Why are you playing deaf?” The man’s voice suddenly rose behind me, snapping me out of my thoughts. I couldn’t help but frown: “I heard you. I heard everything.” Kaelen’s breath hitched. A flash of unease crossed his face, and his voice dropped significantly: “Everything I said was the truth… you literally tied me up every day.” “Yeah, it’s the truth. I’m ugly, I’m broke, and I abuse you. In your heart, I’m just an irredeemable, evil woman.” For once, I didn’t argue with him. I just agreed with his words. Kaelen fell silent. Maybe he was angry. He lowered his eyes and didn’t speak again. On the walk back, I kept glancing up at the young man, who was much taller than me. He had elegant brow bones and striking features. Even among incubi, a species known for having the highest average attractiveness, his beauty was god-tier. But the black hoodie he was wearing was a cheap knockoff. It was the same style as mine, and because it had been washed so many times, it was already pilling. Indeed, if he hadn’t been bought by a broke loser like me, his life would have been much better. If he wants to resent me, let him. 9 We returned to that rundown old house. I didn’t grab a rope and tie his hands like I normally would, nor did I scold him and forbid him from running away again. Instead, I quickly washed up, crawled into bed early, and locked the bedroom door. My mind was a chaotic mess. But it was no longer because of Kaelen. Knock, knock, knock— In the middle of the night, someone knocked on the bedroom door. “Evelyn, you’re not asleep yet, are you?” Kaelen called out to me softly through the wall. “What’s wrong? Do you need something?” “Open the door first, then I’ll tell you.” I stayed perfectly still in bed and squeezed my eyes shut. When I woke up again, I felt a shadow looming over me. Kaelen had found a spare key and opened my bedroom door. He was standing right by my bed, staring at me unblinkingly. I had no idea how long he had been standing there. I propped myself up, hugged my comforter, leaned against the wall, and curled into a ball. “What are you doing.” The man’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He opened his mouth, and the tail behind him swished restlessly from side to side. “Um…” “I’m sorry.” He spoke incredibly fast, as if those two words were scalding his tongue. I yawned and waved my hand: “It’s fine. I forgive you. Get out.” But he didn’t leave. He stood frozen in place. I patted the pillow next to me: “So you’re sleeping here?” For the past year, even though he resisted physical contact, we had always slept in the same room. Even when we fought, I never made him sleep in a separate bed. Maybe he wasn’t used to me suddenly ignoring him. Without a word, Kaelen pulled back the corner of the blanket and took off his pajama jacket. Then, I felt a tightening around my waist. He naturally climbed on top of me, his tail pressing against me in an almost fawning manner. “I’m really tired. Lay down and go to sleep.” I turned on my side and pulled away to create some distance. Kaelen immediately got annoyed: “Tch, it’s not like I wanted to touch you anyway.” I scooted closer to the edge of the bed, moving even further away from him. The man became even more flustered: “Also, you’re really fake.” Then he yanked the blanket twice and turned his back to me.

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When I was making late-night snacks for Luna Bright to come home, I stumbled upon a video of a couple tossing a coin to decide who would do the dishes. The guy held a coin, but before he could flip it, a woman’s hand covered his. Her voice was full of affection: “Just tell me what you want. No need for games, you might hurt your hand.” The woman’s voice sounded familiar. Even the bracelet on her wrist was identical to Luna’s, and the guy’s watch was the same limited edition Arthur Vance had bought his father three months ago for eight million dollars, the only one of its kind. But Luna should be working overtime at the office right now. As I stood there, stunned, the guy in the video shook his wrist, his voice laced with annoyance: “I’ve been wearing this watch for three months now. Don’t you think it’s time for a new one?” I stared at the expensive watch in the video, its dial studded with small diamonds. A chilling realization dawned: the woman in the video was my wife, Luna Bright. … I clicked on the blogger’s profile, discovering hundreds of posts. Besides himself, a three-year-old boy frequently appeared in the videos. I scrolled all the way to the bottom and found his first post from three years ago. He was holding a woman, their faces hidden. The caption read: “Thank you, my dear wife, for bringing our little one into the world.” Next to him, another middle-aged man was holding a newborn baby. That man was Luna Bright’s father. My grip tightened on the phone. I didn’t know how to process this. I racked my brain, recalling the past five years and how Luna’s father had treated me. Initially, he couldn’t stand me. After our marriage, I became a stay-at-home husband at Luna’s insistence, failing to provide for the family. Worse, due to a health issue, I couldn’t have children, making me, in his eyes, an unworthy son-in-law. But ever since Luna went on a year-long business trip to her hometown three years ago, his attitude towards me had done a complete U-turn. Not only did he stop looking down on me, but he even encouraged me several times to make things work with Luna. It turned out he already had a more satisfactory son-in-law in mind. I went back and replayed the video I’d just seen. It had been posted three days ago. That night, coincidentally, was our fifth wedding anniversary. I’d booked a restaurant a month in advance, planning a romantic dinner with Luna. She’d promised she’d be there. But that night, I waited until the restaurant closed, and she never managed to finish her “overtime” at the office. Now, watching the video, I finally understood. That night, she was with another man. When Luna finally came home, the late-night meal on the table was already cold. She noticed my dazed stare and smiled, asking, “Honey, what’s wrong? Did something happen when you went out today?” I shook my head. Luna pretended to think for a few seconds, then sat across from me, took my hand, and said softly, “Still upset about me breaking our date the other day, aren’t you? Tell you what, pick any gift you want. I’ll buy it for you tomorrow, and then you’ll forgive me, okay?” Feeling the tenderness in her voice, and remembering the video, I quietly said, “Then buy me a watch.” Luna hadn’t expected such a simple request and readily agreed. I opened my phone and showed her the watch’s picture. “Get me this one.” But when Luna saw the watch in the image, a flicker of discomfort crossed her face. I pretended not to notice, asking in a low voice, “What’s wrong?” Luna gave a forced laugh. “I heard that watch was already reserved a few days ago. But don’t worry, darling, I’ll find a way to get it for you.” “Alright, thank you, my dear wife.” After that, I didn’t want to talk to her anymore and went to the bathroom to shower. Through the trickling water, I heard Luna arguing with someone on the phone. When I came out, she was sitting on the sofa, clutching her phone, her face flushed with anger. Luna looked at me with a hint of dejection. “I’m sorry, honey, that watch has already been bought. No matter how high a price I offer, they won’t sell it to me.” She then reached out and hugged my neck, inhaling the scent of my shower gel. “It’s all my fault. I can’t even fulfill such a small request for you.” I let her hug me, saying nothing. I already knew she couldn’t buy that watch. Because in the bathroom, I had just seen the blogger post a new video. “Just received my new watch from my husband.” “Phew, so close! Some jerk almost snatched it away.” The comments below were a mix of envy and teasing. “You should be worried about someone snatching your wife, not just the watch.” “Your wife is so rich and generous, surely many men out there want your spot.” The blogger posted a disdainful emoji. “Those men out there are old and ugly, and they can’t compare to me in bed. How could my wife possibly be interested in them?” I understood his insinuation. Five years into our marriage, I hadn’t worked due to my health. In our intimate life, she had always accommodated me, a few times a year without complaint, never pressuring me. Now it seemed, her leniency was more out of guilt. The next day, as soon as Luna left, I hailed a cab and followed her. There was nothing at her company today, so I was sure she would go to see that man again. I needed to find out where he lived, this man who had allowed Luna to juggle two families for years without me ever finding a single flaw. However, to my surprise, she drove directly to an amusement park. At the entrance, I saw a man in the distance, holding a child. The moment the child saw Luna, he loudly called out, “Mommy!” “Since I promised to come, I wouldn’t break my word.” Luna skillfully took the child from the man, kissed the child, then kissed the man. The man pouted in dissatisfaction. “If I hadn’t opened the watch and worn it last night, were you going to give it to your husband?” Luna chuckled, teasing the child. “How could I? I was just putting on a show for him. Anything I give you is yours, I wouldn’t take it back. Besides, in my heart, where would he even rank compared to you?” My hands clenched, my mask hiding my face as I followed them. Hearing her words, my heart twisted with an agonizing pain. Just last night, Luna had held me, promising that even if I never worked a day in my life, it wouldn’t affect our relationship. She would work hard and support me forever. Not having children was fine; being DINKs for life was perfectly good. For a fleeting moment, I had truly believed her. Believed the video I saw was fake, and the blogger’s account was fake. But now, her actions unequivocally told me that everything I saw was real, and her love for me was fake. I didn’t know what I had done wrong. Luna bought tickets with the man at the entrance, then they entered the amusement park. Watching the two of them with the child, my heart was filled with the bitter resentment and anger of deception and betrayal. As they were about to turn a corner, I pulled out my phone and called Luna. The first time, she hung up when it rang. I wouldn’t give up, and called again. Luna frowned, handed the child to the man, and answered the phone. “Arthur, what’s wrong?” I bit my lip, trying to keep my voice sounding normal. “Nothing. Just thought you’ve been working so hard these past few days. I made some soup for you at home and just arrived downstairs at your company.” Luna on the other end of the line immediately sounded flustered. “Could you… maybe wait at the coffee shop nearby? I’ll be right down.” “Okay.” I hung up. Not far away, Luna spoke to the man, who seemed a little angry. But eventually, the two of them came out with the child. I stood aside, watching her hail a cab for the man and child, then drive straight to her company. Inside the coffee shop, Luna looked at my empty hands, her eyes filled with surprise. “Honey, didn’t you say you came to bring me soup?” I gave a bitter laugh, looking at her calmly. “Luna, let’s get a divorce.” “Why?” Luna’s eyes were filled with shock and disbelief. “Arthur, did something happen to you? Haven’t we been perfectly fine all these years? Why are you suddenly talking about divorce?” I remembered the harmonious image of their family of three at the amusement park entrance, and smiled forlornly. “My health isn’t good, and I won’t be able to have children. I shouldn’t hold you back.” However, Luna took my hand, her eyes full of sincerity. “Honey, I already told you, even without children, our feelings for each other won’t be affected at all. This divorce business—” Before she could finish, her phone rang suddenly. Luna glanced at the screen and immediately hung up. But the next second, the call came in again. Luna frowned, didn’t answer, but looked at me and said in a low voice, “Arthur, I won’t divorce you. There’s an emergency meeting at the company, I need to go up. I’ll talk to you more when I get home tonight.” Watching her hurried escape, I already guessed who that call was from. After she left, I clicked on the man’s profile again. His latest video was filmed at the amusement park. A woman holding a child appeared in the shot, but her face wasn’t visible. He buried his head in the woman’s shoulder, his face looking somewhat unhappy. “That damn jerk is so annoying. No wonder he’s plagued by illness his whole life.” “My wife promised to celebrate Baby’s birthday today, but he still called her away.” However, the comments below this video weren’t admiring him as before; people had noticed a blind spot. The woman who constantly appeared with him was expensively dressed, worth at least tens of millions, but under what circumstances would she be called away at any moment by another man? A daring netizen directly pointed it out in the comments section. “Is the blogger this woman’s kept man?” “Otherwise, why has your wife never shown her face all this time?” “And she can casually buy you an eight-million-dollar watch, how could she be called away so easily?” Other netizens quickly caught on. “Yeah, it must be the wife calling him away, that’s why his ‘wife’ was called away.” “Oh, can’t call her his wife now. After all, he’s just a kept man.” “Disgusting homewrecker, so shameless, still complaining about the actual wife.” The man wanted to prove himself, but besides the pile of gifts Luna had given him, he couldn’t produce any evidence to prove his relationship with her. A netizen asked him to post their marriage certificate directly, and the man, flustered, immediately deleted the video. I smiled, watching his panic and helplessness. Of course, he couldn’t produce it, because the person who registered their marriage with Luna back then was me. Luna and I met in college. She came from a poor background and tried to start a business repeatedly, but always failed. To reassure her, I married her right after college, even breaking ties with my parents for it. “Luna, don’t worry, no matter what happens, I’ll be with you forever.” Luna, looking at the two marriage certificates, her eyes instantly red, cried out loud in my arms. “Arthur, I will never let you down in this life. I’ll make sure your parents believe you didn’t choose the wrong person.” Later, Luna carefully treasured those two marriage certificates. But the damp basement seemed too small to contain two young, fervent hearts. I touched the marriage certificate, its edges already worn from the damp environment years ago, my heart filled with bitter pain. Seven years of love, from a basement apartment to a grand flat, I always thought we were the happiest couple. But it turned out that for more than half of our relationship, she was busy managing her other family. My phone chimed, a new video from that man. “Tonight is Baby’s birthday party.” “My wife and father-in-law will be here soon.” “Then you’ll all know I’m not a homewrecker.” I looked at the location tag under his video and realized the hotel was less than ten kilometers from me. Since that was the case, I should also prepare a gift for Baby. Before leaving, I called Luna again. “What time are you coming home tonight?” In the past, whenever I mentioned breaking up or divorcing, she would always rush home early to coax me. But now, the person on the other end of the line was clearly flustered. “Honey, I have to work overtime tonight, so I probably can’t come home to be with you. Don’t worry, when I get back tomorrow, I’ll make it up to you properly.” Then, afraid I was still angry about what happened at lunch, she quickly added, “If there’s anything I’m doing wrong, just tell me. But you can’t talk about divorce again.” Before I could speak, she hung up directly. I calculated the time, changed my clothes, and took a taxi there. The hotel was huge. As I searched, one by one, Luna was holding the child and toasting with the man to people nearby. On the large screen, joyful red letters read: “Thank you all for coming to the birthday party of Lucas Bright-Kennedy, son of Luna Bright and Liam Kennedy.” I sneered and walked directly in. Back when Luna and I got married, we didn’t have a wedding ceremony. So, over the years, besides her father, I hadn’t met any of her other relatives. But even though I was a stranger to them, no one noticed me. They were all looking up at the two people in the center. “Luna is so lucky! Great at making money, and her husband is so family-oriented.” “Yes, and they had a son as their first child, such good fortune.” “Indeed, I always said she was most compatible with that Kennedy boy.” “Look at them now, such a happy and complete family.” “Her dad said they’re planning to have a daughter this year too.” “After all, having both a son and a daughter is truly a great blessing.” I listened to the conversations around me, feeling the blood in my body turn cold inch by inch. They wanted a son and a daughter, but no one ever cared what would happen to me, whose marriage had been destroyed. Looking at Luna not far away, I was about to step forward but was pulled back by someone. “Hey, young man, are you Luna’s colleague?” “You look quite young. Are you married?” “We have a few pretty girls in our village, want me to set you up?” They talked and tried to pull me to a seat. I struggled fiercely, but my voice was calm. “I’m not Luna Bright’s colleague. I’m her husband.” Someone nearby laughed. “You’re talking nonsense! Luna’s husband is right there beside her. It’s such a happy day, you shouldn’t joke around. If you really want to get married, I’ll introduce you to someone good.” “I said I’m her husband.” I violently flung off the hand holding me, accidentally knocking a glass to the floor. The crisp sound of shattering glass instantly drew everyone’s attention. My father-in-law saw me and his face instantly filled with panic. Before he could stop Luna, she had already turned around. Luna’s eyes were wide with shock and helplessness, and even the child in her arms started wailing. Watching this absurd scene, I ignored the stinging pain from the broken glass on my wrist and walked step by step towards her. “Wife, didn’t you say you were working overtime at the company?” Luna noticed the injury on my hand and quickly handed the child to the man beside her, then helped me sit down. “Arthur, you’re hurt.” But I repeated my earlier question. “Didn’t you say you were working overtime at the company?” Luna heard the choked sob in my voice, and a trace of guilt flashed in her eyes. “Arthur, I can explain all this. But you need to go to the hospital and get your wound treated first.” She was about to take my hand, but I pushed her away, suppressing the tears that threatened to overflow, and asked in a hoarse voice, “What more do you have to explain? Is everything I’m seeing here fake?” Seeing the relatives around us beginning to watch with a hint of schadenfreude, Luna’s patience visibly thinned. “Arthur Bright, can you please stop making a scene? I have my reasons for all this.” “Slap!” The moment her words fell, I slapped her across the face. I looked at Luna’s turned head and said with a cold laugh, “Luna Bright, I thought you at least had some backbone. But I never imagined that even after cheating, you wouldn’t have the courage to admit it to my face. You say you have your reasons, but are your reasons for having another man’s child behind my back?” Before Luna could speak, my father-in-law rushed over, raising his hand and slapping me across the face. “How dare you hit my daughter?” I endured the stinging pain in my cheek, glaring at him, and roared, “How dare I? Because she’s been two-timing, deceiving me, betraying me! She did this to me, so why can’t I hit her?” My father-in-law, his face full of fury, scoffed disdainfully. “Hmph, I’ll tell you the truth, Luna has long been tired of you. A man who isn’t even a real man, daring to occupy my son-in-law’s position. Even if you hadn’t shown up today, Luna was going to divorce you.”

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I, Vivian, reconciled with Matt Thorne five years after our messy breakup. The last time, it hadn’t been amicable at all. He announced his new girlfriend the very next day after we ended things. This time, he pursued me again, and I said yes. Some say a reformed bad boy is worth more than gold. Others say a broken mirror can never truly reflect again. I say, “There are only three possibilities for a broken mirror to mend: either there was no mirror to begin with, or it was never truly broken, or it was never truly mended. Guess which one I am?” 1 After we got back together, Matt was better than before, or rather, he cared more. He frequently updated his social media with declarations of love, always tagging me. Years ago, I might have thrilled at such grand public displays. Now, I felt a little flat. After all, I wasn’t the first woman to appear on his feed, and perhaps not the last. The same old expressions, the unchanging phrases, the identical sentiments. It was quite uninteresting. I remember when we first started dating, a simple “I love you” from him could send me into raptures. And his “Let’s break up” had kept me awake for nights. I had even prepared to swallow my pride and beg him to take me back, only to wake up the next morning and see his announcement: a photo of intertwined hands against a hotel backdrop. I cried endlessly, lost weight, suffered insomnia, and my hair fell out. I had practically cried myself dry over that relationship, eventually feeling disoriented. To avoid painful memories, I even gave up a good job I’d found locally, leaving my hometown to start afresh alone. The harshness of that breakup was still vivid, so my friends scoffed at my reconciliation with Matt. Whenever they asked about our progress, they couldn’t help but warn me. “Don’t take it too seriously. In this world, whoever gets serious first loses.” “Vivian, there are plenty of other fish in the sea!” “As long as you’re happy.” Honestly, I wasn’t overthinking it. Perhaps I just have a stubborn streak that won’t give up until hitting rock bottom. Regardless, I was walking down this path again, unsure of what lay ahead. 2 I didn’t reply to any of his social media posts, even though I’d seen his tags long ago. In my free time, I’d even ‘like’ posts from some ‘gym bros’ – my feed was full of things that weren’t exactly sophisticated. I was careless, thinking I was browsing on a secondary account, so I felt somewhat unrestrained. Until he commented under one of my likes, “Does he have a better body than me?” and then deleted it instantly. He pretended nothing had happened, maintaining a calm facade, never even mentioning it. He wasn’t like this before. He used to dislike me adding other men on social media, he hated it when others chatted me up, and he was always extremely possessive about my male acquaintances. Once, he even threw a fit because someone brought me food, though I insisted it was just a thank-you. He gave me the cold shoulder for days. Later, I understood that men truly know the darker aspects of other men. But this time, he was surprisingly patient. Though, I suddenly noticed he started spending more time at the gym. He used to go three days a week; this week he’d already been five. One weekend afternoon, while I was scrolling through videos, he suddenly walked up behind me, grabbed my hand, and pressed it against his abs. Then he asked, “How does that feel?” I smiled. So that was it. He wasn’t indifferent; he cared even more, but he’d learned to be discreet, or was willing to change himself to accommodate me. You see, everyone changes in love; it just depends on how much you care. At least, for now, Matt didn’t want to break up. That was the signal he was sending me. I reached out, tracing his abs and waistline, and gave a small nod of approval. “Just wondering if it’s all for show, or if it actually works?” He scooped me up from the balcony and carried me back to the bedroom, disproving my skepticism with his actions. 3 I woke up early the next day, roused by Matt’s commotion in the kitchen. I’d lived alone for so long, I was no longer used to having an extra person around. And his breakfast, as always, was inedible, which only added to my irritation. He looked at me, a little embarrassed, and smiled. “They’re not very familiar with me yet. It’ll be better after I make them a few more times.” Do you understand? He was hinting that he wanted to come over more often. Because last night, I’d hesitated about him staying over, only relenting when I realized his pants were dirty and he truly couldn’t leave. I said nothing. I was still adapting to us being back together, let alone having another person in my daily life. I looked at the burnt bacon on the table, and my thoughts drifted. The day before Matt and I broke up, it was also because of a piece of burnt bacon. I had made two servings of bacon and eggs, one for me, one for him. I was new to cooking, so it wasn’t very good. His boss ate it and rudely made fun of him. Matt texted me, complaining, “Why can’t you even do this one small thing right? I don’t want to talk to you.” At the time, he was a fresh intern, and new graduates often felt a natural reverence and desire to please their superiors. I understood he’d be upset after being publicly ridiculed. I could even accept him not answering my calls all day. It was only when I heard nothing from him all night that I started to panic. He wasn’t a very mature person; he often acted like a difficult little boy around me, but he hated silent treatments. So, then, I wasn’t worried about his anger, but his safety. At three in the morning, he replied: “Let’s break up.” No name, no reason, a sudden, out-of-the-blue breakup. Looking back at the messages from just the day before, it read: “Vivian, my boss praised me! I’ll take you out for a nice meal later!” “Love you, love you! I literally can’t live without you!” “Hehehehe, I’m awesome, right?” How did I feel then? Saying the sky fell wouldn’t be an exaggeration, because I was so, so deeply in love with him. I was still caught in the throes of new love, and at the moment of the breakup, I couldn’t even make any other expression besides bewildered emptiness. That day, I stared out the window, recalling our three years together. I firmly believed that being loved wasn’t an illusion. There must have been some misunderstanding I hadn’t noticed. As the sun burst over the horizon, I resolved to salvage the relationship. I spent the entire night convincing myself not to regret not trying harder. I drafted long speeches in my head, thought of countless apology templates, and even swore I’d never eat bacon again. But just before I left the house, I scrolled through his social media. A photo of intertwined hands against a hotel backdrop, with my initials still clearly visible on his wrist. The caption read: “New beginnings.” I thanked my own hesitation, for not adding more fodder for laughter to his new chapter. 4 I tossed the bacon in the bin. He quickly interjected, “I was just about to throw it away. Burnt food isn’t good for you, after all.” Seeing his cautious demeanor was like looking in a mirror; I saw my past self through him now. Was he as unperturbed then as I was now? I looked at him and smiled, saying, “No, I don’t eat bacon anymore. It makes me sick, and I feel unwell all day.” He pressed his lips together, his eyes and voice already tinged with melancholy when he spoke. I knew that both of us were recalling that burnt bacon from before our breakup. It was no longer just a piece of bacon. For me, it symbolized loss, being broken up with, and abandonment. I watched him stalk into the kitchen, almost defiantly, and dump the entire bag of bacon he’d just bought into the trash. Then, he had to save face with, “Right, cured meats aren’t good for you if you eat too much.” I simply gave him an enigmatic smile. After working in my room for half the day, I came out near noon to find Matt gone. He had ordered food and thoughtfully transferred it from the takeout boxes to plates. A cute sticky note was attached: “You were too focused on work, so I didn’t disturb you. No need to wash up after eating, I’ll be over tonight.” Over again tonight? He was certainly persistent. I picked up the sticky note, took a photo, and casually tossed it into the trash. As the paper dropped into the bin, I suddenly remembered how enthusiastic I used to be about collecting such small tokens of love. I had a notebook filled with excerpts of all the messages we’d exchanged, tucked between countless notes and letters he’d written me, and various pressed leaves. I cherished them as proof of his affection. Later, they became instruments of my torment after the breakup, until I finally burned them myself. 5 Around noon, as I was doing the dishes, Matt texted me, asking if I had eaten. It was then that I realized I hadn’t sent him that photo. I dried my hands, found the picture, and clicked send: “Just ate, thanks for the lovely lunch.” He called me immediately, his tone plaintive. “Forgetting about me because you were busy this morning is one thing, but how could you forget to share with me when you were eating food I prepared?” “You prepared it?” He laughed. “I ordered the takeout and plated it myself. How is that not ‘prepared by me’? Just you wait. Tonight, I have to come over and prepare a feast for you.” I was thinking of how to refuse, as I still felt like I hadn’t fully adjusted to his frequent intrusion into my life. He suddenly remembered something and asked, “Are you busy tonight? Aaron and the guys want to have dinner with you.” Aaron was Matt’s college roommate. We used to be quite close; after all, we’d been together for so long. But after breaking up with Matt, I’d cut off contact with everyone connected to him. I was silent for a while, and Matt, thinking I didn’t want to go, quickly added, “Hmm, if it’s inconvenient, never mind. We’ll find another time to get together.” “Tonight is fine. I’m free. Text me the place.” “Okay, I won’t text you. I’ll pick you up. I’ll be downstairs around 5:30.” At 5:10, I saw his car parked downstairs. He had the window down, smoking, his profile not looking much different from a few years ago. The only difference was that since we’d reconciled, he hadn’t smoked in front of me. I was already ready, but I still sat on the sofa until 5:40 before heading down. The moment he saw me, he immediately extinguished his cigarette. I noticed the empty pack on his dashboard. He hastily explained, “I forgot to check the time. I just thought I’d have a couple of puffs.” I asked him, “Why didn’t you call when you arrived early?” “Once, I came to pick you up early, and you saw me from upstairs. You bounced down the stairs like a little rabbit, so surprised and happy.” He said this, glanced at me, then continued, “I thought it might happen again today.” Oh, he knew I’d seen him from the window. Since getting back together, this was the first time I felt that we were constantly playing a game. Probing, hesitating, strategizing—these were the unavoidable challenges of love. “I’m twenty-nine now. Am I still expected to act like an immature young girl?” He mumbled a subtle assent, slowly steering the car forward, his expression unreadable. 6 Besides Aaron, Ben was also there, another one of Matt’s college roommates. Everyone was very enthusiastic upon seeing me, as if the five years of no contact between us simply didn’t exist. Matt’s face flushed easily when he drank, and after two beers, his face was bright red, but his hand never let go of mine. Aaron teased him, “Dude, you’re even eating with your left hand. Are you going to starve yourself? What, scared Vivian will run off?” Ben chimed in, “Relax, man, everyone knows Vivian was crazy about you. When you two broke up, she camped outside our dorm for days. When she couldn’t find you, she came looking for us. I was actually scared of getting cornered by her.” Yes, that first week after the sudden breakup was the hardest. When I couldn’t find Matt, I started harassing his roommates, desperately asking if he’d been back, or who he was getting close to. It was nearing college graduation, and everyone was swamped with job hunting, yet they had to put up with my harassment. Looking back, it was pretty pathetic. I picked up a glass of wine from the table and raised it to the two across from me. “Just youthful foolishness, gentlemen. Please bear with me, and don’t be angry.” I chugged the wine in one go, astonishing the three men at the table. Throughout the meal, Aaron and Ben kept repeating the same old lines. “Matt, it wasn’t easy for you and Vivian to get back together. You really need to cherish her and not make any more mistakes, because not everyone gets a second chance.” “Come on, let’s toast to true lovers ending up together.” “It’s so great, it’s really great that you two are back together.” When the evening ended, I dropped Matt off at his place. I stood at the door without going in. “I have plans tomorrow, so I’m leaving now. Will you be okay by yourself?” He asked me, “If I said I didn’t want to be alone, would you stay with me?” I looked at him, saying nothing. He gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Just before we left, they all said you’ve changed a lot, completely different from before. I originally wanted to argue, but looking at you now, I realize I have no defense. Vivian, you’ve changed.” Yes, of course I’d changed. Who could remain unchanged in the river of time? Appearance, personality, values – which of these isn’t shaped by the crucible of experience? Hadn’t he changed too? He hugged me for a long time without speaking. Just as I started to feel tired and tried to push him away, I felt something warm trickle into the hollow of my neck. Matt murmured in my ear, “You’ve changed… is it because of her?” Which ‘he’? Or ‘her’?

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After cancelling my engagement to my arch-nemesis I finally got my wish: I married his uncle, Arthur Marston. For three years, I curbed my rebellious streak, playing the dutiful Mrs. Marston. Even when he forgot my birthday, I swore I’d melt his heart. Then came our anniversary. I’d booked a yacht, hired a line of male models, and video-called Arthur. His face remained impassive, despite the lavish scene on my end. “Something wrong?” he asked. The next second, I heard a woman’s voice from his side. “Arthur, who’s calling?” Before I could press for details, the call ended. Simultaneously, a tipster sent a photo. In it, Arthur was smiling gently, tenderly draping his jacket over his college sweetheart. Just then, a text popped up from my arch-nemesis. “Auntie Evelyn, are you getting a divorce this month?” Usually, I’d snap back, calling him crazy. But this time, I was finally going to give him what he wanted. … I typed two words into the chatbox: “Let’s do it.” The moment I hit send, all my excitement drained away. “Alright, everyone, that’s a wrap. You’ll all be paid.” The male models exchanged glances, then discreetly headed into the cabin, clutching their tips. My best friend, Serena Hayes, slid onto the seat beside me, offering a glass of warm water. “Evie, are you… actually serious this time?” She looked at me, as if struggling to believe I’d truly let go. I sighed. “Three years. Even if Arthur Marston were a stone, cradled against my heart, it should have warmed by now.” I used to believe that hearts were made of flesh and blood. For him, I’d risked being labeled a betrayer, breaking off my engagement to Julian Marston. It all stemmed from that kidnapping seven years ago. Trapped in a dark, damp abandoned warehouse, I’d despaired, convinced I was going to die. It was Arthur who burst in, bloodied, taking a fatal knife blow for me. In that moment, I knew he was my soulmate. And he hadn’t always been this cold. I was Evelyn Sterling, the rebellious heiress of the Sterling family. Car racing, boxing—I dabbled in everything. At family gatherings, the elders would passive-aggressively criticize my lack of “ladylike” charm, shaming the family name. Only Arthur would quietly defend me. “Evelyn’s fine the way she is. Besides, the Sterling family doesn’t need an heir who’s just for show, does it?” Those words sealed my fate. I plunged headfirst into a marriage destined for heartbreak. What I didn’t realize was that his tenderness and protection would vanish the moment I insisted on marrying him. After the wedding, Arthur was a changed man. Distant, cold, like a machine programmed only to fulfill obligations. No matter how much I tried to rein in my temper for him, learned to cook his favorite dishes, or even ditched my beloved racing gear for demure outfits he preferred, he never noticed. Then, Julian told me about Laura Kennedy. A girl from a humble background, she was his college sweetheart, his “white moonlight.” The Marston family matriarch disapproved of her origins. Coincidentally, I was also clamoring to marry into the Marston family. So, with a sum of money and a plane ticket, Laura was forced to leave the country. To avoid a family rupture, Arthur reluctantly married me. But he blamed me for everything. He believed I had bullied his beloved away. I tried to explain, but all I got was his icy stare. “Evelyn, I already agreed to marry you. What more do you want?” It wasn’t until today, seeing it with my own eyes, that I truly understood: all his warmth was reserved for Laura. In the photo, he gently took off his coat and draped it over Laura’s shoulders. The tenderness in his eyes was something I wouldn’t dare dream of. I admit it, I lost. It turns out that relentlessly pursuing a dead end only leads to a broken spirit. My phone vibrated suddenly. It was Julian’s reply. I could almost picture him, on the other side of the world, raising an eyebrow at my message. My thoughts drifted back to the day I broke off our engagement. Julian tossed me the keys to his limited-edition Bugatti, a playful smirk on his face, though his eyes held no real warmth. “Evelyn, are you absolutely sure?” he’d asked. “You know, forcing a relationship never ends well.” At the time, my heart was so full of Arthur, I couldn’t hear a word he said. “Mind your own business! I’d rather die in his hands!” Julian stared at me for a long moment, then let out a scoff. “Alright, don’t come crying to me later.” Despite his harsh words, for the past three years, his texts had arrived like clockwork at the beginning of each month. “Still not divorced?” “This month? Yes or no?” I’d always call him insane, but he seemed immune, repeating the pattern the next month. One time, furious at Arthur’s cold shoulder, I went back to my family home and ran into Julian. He was leaning against his car, smoking, his voice a little hoarse through the hazy smoke. “Evelyn, just say the word.” “Even if the sky falls, I’ll hold it up for you, and you’ll walk out of the Marston family clean.” Now, I wondered if I should have turned back sooner. My phone vibrated again, two new messages from Julian: “One week, tops.” “I’ll be back to handle the paperwork myself.” Serena glanced at my screen, her brow furrowed. “A family alliance like ours is a complex thing. If news of a divorce gets out, both family stocks will plummet. Walking away clean won’t be easy.” I forced a bitter smile, draining my wine glass. That night, I was practically carried home, utterly drunk. By Arthur’s schedule, he’d be long asleep by now. I stumbled into the villa, but then a strange feeling crept over me. Usually, Arthur’s wolf, Fang, loved to rest here. It gave no quarter to anyone but Arthur. Even if I offered it the freshest meat, it would only bare its teeth and growl at me. But now, its custom-made kennel was empty. I sobered up instantly. Fang was Arthur’s beloved pet. If it ran off, or got hit by a car… It was still a living creature, no matter what. Even if I was getting divorced, I didn’t want anything to happen to Fang. “Fang… are you around?” I whispered, searching through the bushes, stumbling over my feet. Finally, behind a thick patch of grass, I saw those glowing green eyes. It watched me warily, a low, warning growl rumbling in its throat. Thank goodness, it was Fang. I sighed in relief, squatting down, cautiously extending my hand. “Don’t be scared, come back with me…” The next second, it lunged, its fangs savagely embedding themselves in the web of my hand. I cried out, blood gushing instantly. After that bite, it turned and darted deeper into the garden. Ignoring the pain in my hand, I stumbled after it. The main house garden, which should have been dark, was now lit by several warm, yellow floor lamps. I chased, breathless, about to call for help to catch the wolf. But when I saw the scene before me, the words caught in my throat. On a garden bench, Arthur and Laura sat side by side. Fang, who had just been so aggressive towards me, was now docilely lying at Laura’s feet, as obedient as a house dog. Laura bent down, her eyes wide with surprise, and embraced it. “Fang, is that really you? I can’t believe you’ve grown so big, and you still remember your mama!” I froze. How did she know Fang? Laura looked up at Arthur, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. “Arthur, I thought this wolf we rescued had been sent away long ago. I can’t believe you brought him home and raised him so well.” Listening to her reminisce, Arthur nodded. “He really does still like you. These past few years at home, he wouldn’t let anyone touch him but me.” No wonder. For three years, no matter how hard I tried to approach it, I was met only with coldness and suspicion. It turned out this wolf was just like its owner. Its heart had already chosen someone. I felt like a clown, endlessly trying to warm up to someone who couldn’t care less. Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. Laura seemed to “suddenly” notice someone else was there. She gasped, shrinking into Arthur’s embrace as if startled. “Arthur, who’s that?”

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While I was trying on wedding dresses, my boyfriend, Ryan Sterling, told me he was too busy to join me. But then, I turned around and saw him in the bridal shop, helping another woman try on gowns. “This is Amelia Thorne, a neighbor I grew up with. She’s getting married soon too, so I’m just helping her pick out a dress.” I wasn’t happy, but I didn’t make a scene. I knew he disliked it when I did. Late that night, his phone rang. “Amelia’s fiancé suddenly ran off. I need to go check on her.” He ignored my pleas to stay and left, abandoning me, who was terrified of the dark, without a second thought. Twenty minutes later, he called. “Scarlett, I have to marry Amelia first. If she’s unmarried and pregnant, she’ll be shamed.” “She’ll divorce me after the baby is born. Our wedding will just be postponed by a year, that’s all.” If that’s how it is, then you go and marry your Amelia. I won’t wait. 1 “Ms. McKay, this gown looks absolutely stunning on you.” The bridal consultant gushed, practically climbing over herself to praise me, clearly desperate for me to choose their boutique. “Ms. McKay, when will the groom be joining us? Would he like to try on the matching tuxedo?” “He’s busy today, maybe another time,” I replied, trying to keep a cheerful facade. I’d called my fiancé, Ryan Sterling, several times, but he’d either said he was swamped or simply stopped answering. Changing into another gown at a different boutique, I emerged from the dressing room, only to hear Ryan’s voice. “Amelia, you look absolutely gorgeous in this dress.” That genuine, heartfelt praise… it had been so long since I’d heard anything like that from Ryan. He turned, seeing me, and his expression flickered, a complex mix I couldn’t quite decipher. “Ryan, you said you were busy. Who is this? Are you… trying on wedding dresses?” I kept my voice level, the anger and questions bubbling just beneath the surface. “This is Amelia Thorne, a neighbor I grew up with,” he explained, a little too quickly. “She’s also getting married soon, so I’m just helping her pick out a dress.” “You said you were swamped,” I pressed. “I just finished up, then came over. What, do you think I’m lying to you?” A few other customers and consultants started whispering, their eyes darting our way. “Just go home, Scarlett. I’ll explain everything later tonight.” I went home and waited, but he didn’t return until late evening. “I’m going to throw these clothes straight into the washer. They’re a bit dirty.” He always just tossed his dirty laundry on the sofa for me to deal with, but tonight, he was unusually particular. “I’m going to shower quickly, I’ll be right out.” I noticed the bareness of his neck and couldn’t help but ask, “Where’s that good luck charm I got for you?” “Oh, I don’t know, it must have fallen off somewhere. You can just get another one, can’t you?” He looked away, evasive, before ducking into the bathroom. When I pulled his shirt from the washing machine, it reeked of strong perfume – the exact scent I’d smelled on that woman this afternoon. There was even half a lipstick print on the collar. When Ryan emerged from the bathroom, he saw the shirt in my hand and his face clouded. “What, are you starting to interrogate me now?” “Were the perfume and lipstick from that woman this afternoon? What exactly is your relationship with her?” Perhaps he hadn’t expected me to be so direct, because he froze for a moment. “She was trying on dresses this afternoon, we bumped into each other. What else is there to say?” he scoffed. “Or do you think I’m messing around behind your back?” As he spoke, he snatched the shirt and threw it onto the sofa. A glass of water was knocked to the floor with no warning, shattering into a thousand pieces. One shard, as if by cruel design, sliced my arm. Blood slowly seeped out. “Why are you so careless? Can’t you even avoid broken glass? Always so clumsy.” 2 His words were nothing but blame, devoid of any concern, just like every other time. “Could you… get me some antiseptic and a bandage, please?” “I don’t know where those things are. Just do it yourself.” With that, he swaggered over to the sofa and plopped down. I’d taken such good care of him these past few years that he’d become utterly useless. By the time I’d cleaned and bandaged my wound and returned to the sofa, his phone rang. “I have to go out. Amelia’s fiancé just ran off.” He made to rush out, but I grabbed his arm. “Please don’t go. Doesn’t she have other friends? Does it have to be you? It’s so late, and I’m scared to be alone. You know I hate the dark.” He didn’t even glance at me, forcefully batting my hand away. His hand landed exactly on my freshly bandaged wound. Blood immediately began to soak through. He frowned, looking at it briefly. “Things have priorities, Scarlett. If you’re scared of the dark, just leave the lights on.” Without a backward glance, he slammed the door shut. So, my pain and my fear were just minor inconveniences? I sat on the sofa, waiting, until the middle of the night. Then I started calling him, frantically. It was the twelfth call before he finally picked up. “When are you coming home?” He sighed, an irritated sound, punctuated by Amelia’s faint sobs in the background. “Can you just chill? I’ll come back when this is sorted. Why are you rushing me?” Before I could reply, his tone softened slightly. “Scarlett, our wedding might have to be postponed. I… I have to marry Amelia first.” 3 “Are you joking, Ryan? We’re getting married soon!” “I’m not joking. Wait for me to come home, and I’ll explain.” The news hit me like a bolt of lightning, completely blindsiding me. I didn’t know if he was serious or just playing a cruel joke. I cried and waited for him, eventually drifting off to sleep without him ever coming home. “Scarlett, wake up. I brought you your favorite steamed buns.” Ryan nudged me awake. My eyes, swollen from crying, fixed on him, desperate for an explanation. “Eat first, Scarlett. We’ll talk after you’ve eaten. You’ve been waiting all night, you must be starving.” Ryan was unusually gentle today. He reached out and offered a steamed bun to my mouth – beef. “Ryan, I don’t like beef. I prefer the pork and chive buns from that place.” Four years of chasing him, three years of being together, and he still didn’t know me. “Why are you so picky? I waited in line forever to get these for you, and you’re still complaining?” He picked up the bun and tossed it directly into the trash. “Fine, don’t eat it then.” “Ryan, yesterday… you were just kidding, right?” A glimmer of hope, a desperate wish that it was all just a bad joke. “Scarlett, I was serious yesterday. I’m going to marry Amelia.” “But… we’ve already booked the venue. Why this sudden change?” I grabbed his hand, my voice rising to a frantic pitch. “Scarlett, listen to me. Amelia’s pregnant.” 4 “Is it… your child?” My eyes widened, and I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. “No, it’s her boyfriend’s. They were supposed to get married, but he just up and left her. If I don’t help her now, she’ll be a laughingstock.” It sounded ridiculous. She was abandoned, so he had to marry her to help her? “Couldn’t you think of any other way?” “Scarlett, it’ll just be a fake marriage. She’ll divorce me after the baby is born. Then we can still get married, it’s just… waiting an extra year, that’s all.” Just one year, he said, so casually. But why should I have to wait an entire year for someone else? “I won’t agree.” “Can you stop being so cold-blooded? We’re only postponing our wedding by a year. If Amelia doesn’t get married, she’ll be shamed.” Ryan was angry and agitated, but couldn’t he hear how absurd he sounded? “Fine. If you don’t agree, then there won’t be any possibility of us getting married, ever. Think it over carefully.” His words were laced with threat, as if he was certain I couldn’t live without him and would inevitably cave. And he was right, in a way. All these years, I’d revolved around him. When we argued, I was always the first to back down. Everyone knew how much I loved him. But now, that very devotion had become his weapon against me. “I still won’t agree.” He ignored my answer and left without another word. “Principal Reynolds, I’m planning to resign. I’ll send my resignation letter to your email shortly.” If his mind was made up, then I wouldn’t cling to him any longer. 5 Principal Reynolds, as usual, asked for my reasons. I told him I wanted to go home and be with my parents. He didn’t press, only reminded me to ensure a smooth handover so the students’ grades wouldn’t be affected. “Don’t worry, Principal. I’ll handle everything.” In a week, tops, I’d be done with the handover and back with my parents. Ryan could marry his Amelia, and no one would stand in his way. Hanging up the phone, I started packing my luggage. It was best to move out of this place as soon as possible. A knock at the door interrupted my packing. When I emerged from the bedroom and opened it, there stood Amelia. “Scarlett, I came to apologize. Can we talk inside?” “No. Say whatever you need to say out here.” If I’d known it was her, I wouldn’t have even opened the door. “Scarlett, Ryan must have told you, I really had no other choice. That’s why he came up with such an idea. Please don’t blame him.” I barely listened to her words, my eyes fixed on the good luck charm around her neck. “Oh, this? Ryan put it on me. He said you specially got it for his safety.” A smug look crossed her face. “He said since I’m pregnant, I really need to stay safe and sound, so he gave it to me. You don’t mind, do you?” I reached up and touched the identical charm around my own neck. How could I not mind? Ryan had fallen seriously ill once, and I was so frantic. I’d knelt for an entire day at the temple to get that charm, wishing only for both of us to be safe. “Whatever. If he wants to give it to you, I can’t stop him.” “Scarlett, do you even know that Ryan doesn’t actually like you?” Her voice held a hint of challenge. She held her phone out, displaying a video. 6 “Ryan, how’s that girlfriend of yours?” “Not great. She’s boring, just cleans and cooks all day, like a housemaid.” “Hahahaha, then why are you even with her? You might as well just hire a maid.” Ryan slung an arm over his friend’s shoulder. “It’s just because my parents like her. She’s dutiful, and she’s crazy about me, and she’s pretty enough. I guess I can make it work.” The video ended with a burst of laughter that stung my ears. So, I was just a ‘make-do’ for Ryan, never truly loved. The sadness overwhelmed the anger, and tears, traitorous tears, started to fall. “Scarlett, if I were you, I would have left ages ago. I couldn’t ‘simp’ for someone like that.” She scoffed, mocking me. “Didn’t you know? He’s always liked me, ever since we were kids. If you know what’s good for you, just get lost.” The elevator door chimed open. Amelia suddenly leaned in close, whispered something quickly, then stumbled backward. “Amelia, are you okay?” Ryan rushed out of the elevator. “Ryan, I just wanted to apologize to Scarlett, but she got so agitated and pushed me. I’m sure she didn’t mean it.” Amelia leaned into Ryan’s arms, her eyes brimming with tears, looking utterly helpless and pitiful. Ryan immediately scooped her up. Before leaving, he shot me a hateful glare. “Scarlett McKay, I never realized you were so vicious.” 7 I watched them leave, without even the energy to defend myself. I ripped the good luck charm from my neck and threw it into the trash. When I truly started packing, I realized I had a surprising amount of stuff. Two or three hours later, I was only halfway done. Just as I planned to sit down and rest, my phone chimed. It was a video from Ryan. The video was taken by Amelia. It showed Ryan sitting beside her hospital bed, meticulously peeling an orange for her. So Ryan could tolerate the smell of oranges. For three years, because he’d said he didn’t like the scent, I’d never eaten an orange at home. But now, he was peeling one for Amelia with his own hands. A wave of injustice surged through me, uncontrollable. Why did he have to treat me this way? “Scarlett, could you make some home-cooked meals and bring them over? Amelia’s pregnant and can’t eat takeout. And come apologize.” Without waiting for my reply, Ryan quickly hung up. The call lasted only a few seconds. Despite the throbbing in my arm, I cooked a few dishes and packed them. This would be my final repayment to Ryan. Back in my freshman year, I’d been cornered in an alley by some thugs. Ryan had bravely intervened, chasing them off. He’d taken a beating for it. That incident sparked an irrepressible affection in me. Because he’d been my hero, I’d always forgiven him. But now, this was the last time. When I arrived at the hospital, Ryan was gently and carefully combing Amelia’s hair. I remembered how I’d begged him to blow-dry my hair, only for him to burn a large patch of my scalp. He’d just irritably called it a hassle. The contrast was truly laughable. “Scarlett, thank you for making food for me. I really can’t stomach takeout.” Ryan took the food containers and carefully spoon-fed Amelia, bite by bite. “Ugh, why does this taste so awful?”

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My husband, Arthur, dared to cheat on me, thinking I was too old to leave him. When the young woman suddenly showed up at my door, I initially thought she was a university friend of my daughter. The next second, I was stunned by the intimate photos she thrust at me. She believed she could force a divorce, unaware that Arthur only dared to stray because he thought I, being older, wouldn’t leave him. Even my closest friends and family only advised me to endure it, never to leave. Their reason? I married at twenty, and it had been exactly two decades. They said Arthur’s betrayal only came now, so he had already been more than fair to me. Furthermore, he was handsome and wealthy, and I controlled the family finances, making him better than other men. This betrayal, they insisted, I should tolerate. 1. And at first, I truly considered enduring it. The young woman, Daisy, was so young, looking barely seventeen or eighteen, while my husband, Arthur Finch, had just celebrated his forty-first birthday. Our daughter was already in college. Daisy came to me, looking utterly aggrieved, begging me to fulfill her wish for love. Her eyes were bright and sparkling, just like mine once were when I threw caution to the wind. Now, my own eyes were etched with fine lines, and I’d seen a gray hair on my pillow just this morning. “Sweetheart, I can get a divorce.” I was, of course, teasing her. But Daisy didn’t understand, blinking with surprise and delight. “Oh, Mrs. Finch, you’re really willing to step aside?” “Sure. And what are your plans then?” She pouted, thinking for a moment. “I’m planning to go to the Maldives for our honeymoon, and then have a son for him. Mrs. Finch, you don’t know, he really wants a son and keeps pestering me to have one for him.” Arthur wants a son? He was the one who, out of concern for my severe postpartum hemorrhage, voluntarily got a vasectomy. Clearly… times had changed. My desire to tease her vanished. I crossed my arms and leaned back. “Daisy, is it? What I just said was a joke. Arthur and I have been married for twenty years. Our families’ businesses are inextricably linked. We can’t get a divorce. Instead of planning your honeymoon, you should focus on how to extract more money from him.” When I got home, Arthur was sitting on the sofa, looking at documents. Time had truly been kind to him. Even at forty, he only gained a deeper maturity in his brow, making him even more captivating. Hearing me return, he didn’t look up. This was our twenty-year understanding: as long as I didn’t speak, it meant there was nothing to discuss. I went into the kitchen and soon brought out three dishes and a soup. Arthur put down his phone and sat at the dining table. “Vivian said she’ll be back for Thanksgiving. She wants you to pick her up.” “Okay.” “Mom’s not feeling well lately; she needs a check-up.” “Alright, you handle it.” “The bathroom at home is a bit slippery. I want to find someone to redecorate.” “Okay, whatever you say.” “Daisy came to see me.” He finally lifted his head from his bowl and looked at me. His gaze was calm, cold, with a hint of bewilderment. “And?” His mistress came to see him, and he asked me, “And?” Even though I was accustomed to being mild-mannered, I was still caught off guard. Frowning, I looked at him: “Arthur, we’re married. You’re cheating.” I don’t know which word struck a nerve, but he slammed his bowl down. “Eleanor, don’t use such harsh words.” “Daisy is just a child. We don’t have that kind of relationship you’re imagining. Don’t talk nonsense.” A child? How could I not know Arthur had become so adept at self-deception? That night’s dinner ended in discord. I expected a standoff for a while. But the next day, after buying groceries, I returned home to find Daisy in the living room. She was wearing the slippers I bought for our daughter, watching Arthur peel an apple for her. “Oh, Arthur, you’re so amazing! The peel didn’t even break!” “Hmph, making a big deal out of nothing. Here, take it, eat slowly.” Looking at the perfectly round, shiny apple, my mouth tasted bitter. I used to love apples, and he learned to peel them for me. I never imagined that skill would now be used for another woman. Daisy sat happily on the sofa, her fair legs swinging back and forth. I noticed Arthur’s eyes darken slightly. That was the symbol of what he wanted. He pulled her, lifting her onto his lap. Just before the two of them could get any closer, I pushed the door open and walked in. Seeing me, Daisy didn’t move from Arthur’s lap; she just tilted her head and looked at me. “Oh, Mrs. Finch, we meet again!” “I’m sorry, I twisted my ankle. Arthur is helping me look at it. You don’t mind, do you, Mrs. Finch?” She twisted a couple of times, and Arthur let out a suppressed groan. My first half of life had been too protected, so much so that now, I suddenly didn’t know how to retaliate. Should I attack her like a common shrew? Or scratch the scoundrel’s face until it bled? Neither seemed like a wise move. After thinking for a moment, I placed the groceries on the dining table. Then I turned to Arthur and said, “Let’s get a divorce.” 2. He forcefully pushed me away. Arthur refused, claiming he hadn’t committed any fundamental errors. He even mobilized relatives and friends to persuade me. My in-laws, whom I had cared for for twenty years, said he hadn’t physically cheated, so I should just tolerate it. They would intervene and make him transfer five percent of the company shares to me. Our mutual friends said that the girl was only after money, so if I left, wouldn’t that just play right into her hands? Arthur’s business was thriving, his net worth constantly increasing. Only a fool would hand over such wealth to someone else now. My best friend was also going through a divorce recently. Her husband had cheated too, the only difference from me being that her husband had no money and was ugly. She sighed, advising me to just let it go. All breathing men cheat, and at least Arthur was rich. You see, it seemed money had become a get-out-of-jail-free card, capable of absolving all marital sins. I said nothing, still preparing the divorce documents. My father heard the news and came over, slapping me across the face the moment he walked in. His face was red with anger: “What successful man doesn’t socialize? What’s wrong with having one or two women? Wasn’t twenty years of him treating you well enough? Do you have to end up in a miserable divorce? You’re forty now. Who would want you after a divorce?” His face was flushed with health; it seemed my stepmother took excellent care of him, and my new younger brother was well-behaved. Naturally, he couldn’t spare a thought for whether I was hurt or not. The last one to come and persuade me was my daughter, who was in college. When she returned, I instinctively reached out to hug her. But she pushed me away. “Why do you have to divorce Dad?” I, who felt confident in front of everyone else, suddenly flinched. “Your father has another woman, and Mom doesn’t want to live with him anymore.” “You mean that Daisy? Dad said she’s just a friend.” My daughter looked at me impatiently, her expression exactly like Arthur’s. “Mom, you’ve lived a pampered life forever. Can you really handle being divorced? If you can’t adjust, I won’t take care of you.” To be honest, before she came back, I always thought that at least this child, whom I had raised by hand, would give me a hug. She would angrily confront her father, question him about why he was hurting Mom, and then stand by me, firmly cutting ties with the cheating man. Unexpectedly, the moment she returned, she unleashed a torrent of anger on me, then stomped upstairs. Bang! The door slammed with earth-shattering force, making my very soul tremble. That night, while showering, Arthur, for the first time in a long while, came into the bathroom. It had been a year since our last intimacy. When he entered, his gaze was cold and clear. But his hands didn’t stop, moving familiarly over me. “Don’t be angry anymore, hmm?” “Tomorrow I’ll send her away. She won’t appear in front of you again.” My body gradually warmed, but my heart grew colder. I closed my eyes, letting tears mix with water droplets and fall. “Arthur.” “You… truly disgust me.” That Daisy, she was the same age as our daughter. Even if he had found someone in their twenties or thirties, I could still attribute it to a man’s lust. But he found a girl the same age as our daughter. That girl was so young, fresh out in the world. How could he lay his hands on her? 3. Arthur fumed, pushing me away violently. A sharp pain shot through my ankle. Before I could even look, he grabbed my chin and pulled me to the mirror. “I disgust you? What about you? Don’t you disgust me?” “Look at that ridiculous haircut, does it have any femininity? Look at your chest, it’s already sagging to your belly! And look at your face, those splotches make me lose my appetite!” “Eleanor, do you even look like a woman anymore?” “We’ll continue like this, and I guarantee you’ll live a life of comfort. But if we divorce, you’ll wish you were dead.” Even after Arthur left, I was still trembling all over. I couldn’t believe that the man I had loved for twenty years could say such things, or perhaps… he had changed long ago, and I was too blind to see it? I clenched my hands tightly, letting blood run into my palms. A sharp pain surged, making my mind even clearer. Arthur, do you think I have no way to deal with you? That you can do whatever you want? Just wait. This divorce, I’m getting it for sure. The next day, downstairs, Arthur had uncharacteristically prepared breakfast. Our daughter was eating, and seeing me, she lowered her head again, unwilling to engage. He, however, played the good guy, softly coaxing our child: “Vivian, we agreed yesterday, you have to forgive Mom.” Only then did our daughter reluctantly say, “Mom.” “The child was tired from the car ride yesterday. Come quickly and eat, I made your favorite sandwich.” He and I met eyes, and there was undisguised triumph in his. I said nothing. A moment later, the doorbell rang, and the maid brought Daisy in. “Mrs. Finch, good morning. I’m here to deliver documents to Mr. Finch.” They openly clasped hands. Our daughter didn’t think anything of it; instead, she invited Daisy to eat. Daisy demurred for a moment, then turned and sat in my seat. As if to spite me, Vivian placed my breakfast in front of her. She also poured her a glass of the orange juice I usually loved. Daisy also put all her effort into trying to win Vivian over. After exchanging school information, they discovered they were university alumni. “Oh, Vivian, you have such a nice personality! I thought you’d dislike me just like Mrs. Finch…” “My mom’s just going through menopause lately, she’s paranoid. She insists you and my dad are having an affair. Just ignore her.” By the end of the meal, the two had actually become good friends. I hadn’t listened to anything since Vivian said I was paranoid, and I walked out of the house. I needed to find someone, an old classmate I hadn’t seen in over ten years. My first love, the renowned lawyer, Ethan Grant. 4. At the coffee shop, I told Ethan about my desire for a divorce. He scoffed. “You’d really give that up?” Still so ill-tempered, even at his age. If only he had been a little more gentle, I never would have broken up with him. Too lazy to argue with this stubborn mule, I pulled a card from my bag. “I’ve checked around. Your market rate is a million. Here’s half a million; I’ll pay the other half after the divorce. This is business, no personal feelings.” Ethan toyed with the card, then tucked it into his bag. “Alright, boss.” On the way back, he offered to drive me. Compared to my own harmonious family life over the years, his had been much harder. I heard his wife passed away a few years ago from illness, and they had no children. He simply poured all his energy into work, and his career flourished, making him a top lawyer in Sterling City. Ethan’s car was a flashy Maserati, roaring as it drove. I kept frowning. “At your age, why do you still like such flamboyant things?” I wondered why his wife had ever fallen for him. Ethan raised an eyebrow. “You used to like this kind of flashy stuff too, remember?” That left me speechless. In my twenties, I certainly did like gaudy things, but what sane person at forty can still play around like that? He truly had a lot of energy. Too lazy to talk more with him, after getting out of the car, I transferred him three hundred dollars. Ethan: “?” Me: “Cab fare.” Ethan: “Alright, boss.” Though his car was flashy, Ethan taught me a lot about preparations for divorce. Following his guidance, I managed to uncover Arthur’s bank account details and hired a private investigator who got photos of the address where he was keeping his mistress. It was a house I had bought before marriage. We lived there during our courtship and for the first few years of our marriage. Later, when Vivian was born, we hired a nanny, and the house was too small, so we moved to the current villa. I hadn’t visited it in years. Arthur actually hid her there? I found the keys, chose a day when they weren’t there, and opened the apartment door. Everything inside was unchanged, except for some added clutter. It was clear that Daisy truly wanted to marry Arthur. Behind the sofa hung their framed photo. By the dining table, there were knitted dolls she had handmade. In the kitchen, a rich soup was still in a thermos. If the photo’s pose didn’t exactly match mine from back then. If the dolls she knitted weren’t my favorite orange plushies. If the soup she brewed wasn’t the exclusive recipe I developed for Arthur’s stomach condition. Then I might have applauded this loving, illicit couple. But the soup recipe, I had only ever given to my mother-in-law. Which meant, besides me, only she knew it. Yet now it appeared in Daisy’s living space. The continuous betrayals made me question if I truly was such a failure, to make everyone around me so readily choose to hurt me? Just as my emotions were churning, the door suddenly opened. Daisy walked in happily. Then turned and flung herself into Arthur’s arms. “It’s wonderful! Arthur, I’m finally going to have a son for you!” Arthur stroked her face indulgently, then looked up, and our eyes met. 5. For the first time, I saw panic on Arthur’s face. He probably never imagined he’d see me here. At that moment, I, on the other hand, calmly took out my phone and started recording. Seeing this, he tried to snatch it away, but I blocked him: “Arthur, think carefully. This room has surveillance cameras. If I retrieve the footage, both your reputations will be ruined.” Arthur let out a ragged breath. He had dominated the business world for years, accustomed to controlling everything. Faced with this loss of control from me, he instinctively felt irritated. “Eleanor, stop making a scene and go home.” “I want a divorce.” “I’m not divorcing you. Give up!” “I want a divorce. We’ll finalize it tomorrow, or you can expect to be all over social media.” “Why are you causing trouble? Haven’t you thought about your father, my parents, and our daughter?” He brought up Vivian, and I finally broke down. I picked up a vase and smashed it to the floor. “Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Don’t you dare mention them!!!” I rushed over and slapped him hard. “You bastard! You didn’t think about them when you cheated, you didn’t think about them when you had a child with another woman, and now that I’ve caught you red-handed, you want me to think about them? What kind of double standard are you, so good at letting yourself off the hook?” “You’re just an old pervert who can’t keep his pants on. After disgusting me, you want to shut me up? I’m telling you, in your dreams! Either you divorce me tomorrow, or we’ll fight it out in court, and let the chips fall where they may. Your call!” I went straight to Ethan Grant’s law firm. He happened to be free, so he found me an office and poured me a glass of water. “What’s wrong? You’re so upset.” “Don’t even ask. I ran into the mistress. She’s pregnant.” “What are you thinking now?” At this, my anger flared. “What do you think I can think? Is thinking even useful now?” Ethan paused, pushing the water glass closer to me. This small gesture immediately extinguished my anger: “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.” He shrugged: “No problem, the client is always right.” Ethan said that the current situation was very favorable for me. I had photos of the apartment, and the fact that Arthur had a child with someone else was an undeniable de facto marriage. This situation would be even more advantageous for subsequent asset division. My mind felt numb; I couldn’t articulate what I was feeling. When I left the law firm, he offered to drive me, but I refused. I wanted to walk alone.

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