Category: English

In the corporate world, effort is a footnote; results are the only language that matters. For five years, I was the “perennial runner-up”—the one who did the grinding, the late nights, and the heavy lifting, only to watch someone else take the final step onto the podium. It’s a humiliating space to occupy, being just good enough to be indispensable, but not “special” enough to lead. After five promotion cycles of playing the bridesmaid, I’d finally checked out. I was “quiet quitting” before the term had a name. I did my job, I kept my head down, and I stopped caring about the ladder. That was until the CEO summoned me and the office’s resident “golden boy” into his mahogany-swathed corner office. “The board has decided,” Howard, the CEO, announced, leaning back in his leather chair. “The head of the new European division will be chosen from one of you two.” I didn’t even blink. I knew the score. This wasn’t a competition; it was a performance. They brought me in to check a box for HR, a way to make the inevitable crowning of Trevor Blackwell look like a meritocracy. Despite the bitterness pooling in my stomach, I opened my laptop. I had five years of hard-won market data, localized strategies, and growth projections ready to go. I owed it to my own work to show it one last time. Suddenly, Trevor reached over and snapped my laptop shut with a sharp clack. He didn’t look at me. He kept his eyes on Howard, his expression cold and impossibly arrogant. “I’ll take the European lead. On one condition.” He paused for dramatic effect, the kind of move he’d practiced in a mirror. “I want the new intern, Lexi, to take over her position immediately.” I actually let out a short, sharp laugh. It was so absurd I couldn’t help it. It felt like I’d walked into the middle of a cheap soap opera where the villain decides to use my career as a bargaining chip for his latest obsession. 1 Howard blinked, clearly thrown off his script. “Trevor… Lexi hasn’t even finished her probation. And Morgan is a senior lead. That’s a massive jump.” Trevor let out a dismissive snort. “In my eyes, Morgan’s been coasting for years. Lexi has ‘spark.’ She’s my protégée. Under my mentorship, she’ll run circles around Morgan in a month.” Lexi, standing by the door, put on her best wide-eyed, innocent look. “Oh, Trevor, no… that’s not fair. Morgan will be so upset.” She turned to me, and as if on cue, her eyes welled up with perfect, shimmering tears. “Morgan, please don’t be mad. I never wanted to take your spot. It’s just… Trevor believes in my potential so much.” The sheer performance of it—the “pick-me” energy, the manipulative softness—made me want to gag. Howard didn’t hesitate. He reached across his desk and grabbed the promotion confirmation sheet that already had my name printed on it as the secondary candidate. He took a heavy black marker and, right in front of me, scratched my name out with a violent, screeching stroke. In the margin, he scrawled LEXI. “Morgan, think of the bigger picture,” Howard said, his voice taking on that condescending ‘boss’ tone. “Senior employees like you need to have the grace to step aside for fresh blood. It’s about mentorship.” He slammed the paper back onto the desk. “And if I refuse?” I asked. My voice was eerily calm, even to my own ears. Howard slammed his hand on the desk, rattling the pens in their holder. “Refuse? You think this is a democracy? You’ve been comfortable for too long, Morgan. You’ve forgotten who signs your checks.” Trevor stepped closer, sliding an arm around Lexi’s waist, looking down at me like I was a stain on the rug. “As of today, Morgan, you’re Lexi’s assistant. You have three months to train her and hand over every single one of your accounts. Full transition.” Lexi reached out, tugging at my sleeve with her manicured fingers. “Morgan, just give me the client lists. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.” Howard added the final blow: “Unconditional transition. Or you can forget about every cent of the bonuses you’ve accrued over the last five years.” The sheer, staggering unfairness of it reached a boiling point, then suddenly went cold. I felt a strange sense of clarity. I smiled. It wasn’t a happy smile. “Fine. I’ll transition.” Howard nodded, satisfied. “That’s more like it. Pragmatism is a virtue.” Trevor smirked. “I thought you had more backbone than that. I guess everyone’s afraid of being unemployed. Lexi, don’t bother learning too much from her. Just have her print out the files.” I didn’t say a word. I sat down at my desk, my fingers flying across the keys. I hit three specific shortcut commands. It was a root-level formatting script I’d written months ago during a particularly dark night of the soul. Five years of proprietary research, negotiation tactics, and—more importantly—the hidden patches for the vulnerabilities in the software Trevor had been “selling” as his own? Gone. Vaporized. Trevor frowned, sensing the shift in the room. “What are you doing?” I reached into my bag and pulled out the resignation letter I’d been carrying for weeks. I flicked it across the desk, and it hit Trevor square in the chest. “I’m done.” I slung my bag over my shoulder. Before I walked out, I reached for the side of my laptop and pulled out a sleek, black hardware key—a private encrypted drive. It was the only way to access the core authentication servers for our European infrastructure. Without that key, the client list Trevor wanted was just a series of dead links and encrypted gibberish. “Morgan! Are you insane?” Howard bellowed. I stepped out into the hallway, my heels clicking sharply against the marble. I didn’t look back. Trevor was shouting something about me crawling back for a job within a week. I walked through the bullpen, past my stunned coworkers, and tossed my ID badge into the trash can by the elevator. I wasn’t staying another second in this graveyard. 2 For the first forty-eight hours after I quit, my phone was a tomb. I blocked Howard, Trevor, and Lexi immediately. I left every Slack channel and project group. I sat on my balcony, sipping a pour-over coffee, watching the city move without me. It was the first time I’d breathed in half a decade. On the third morning, a masked number called. “Morgan! You bitch! Get your ass back to this office right now!” I took a slow sip of my coffee. “Howard. I resigned. I don’t work for you, and I certainly don’t have to listen to you.” “You sabotaged Lexi! You maliciously altered the contracts! The client just sent a formal notice of default. Two million dollars in liquidated damages, Morgan. Do you have any idea what we’ll do to you?” I let out a cold laugh. I didn’t need a crystal ball to know that Lexi, the “spark,” had crashed and burned the moment she touched a real file. I hung up. Before I could even put the cup down, a text came through. Howard was threatening to sue me for destruction of corporate property and commercial sabotage if I wasn’t in the office by noon. I wanted to see the wreckage. I put on a sharp, charcoal-grey power suit and drove back to the place I’d hoped never to see again. The conference room felt like a pressure cooker. “Ms. Cross, so glad you could join us.” Howard threw a stack of documents at me. Trevor took over, his face flushed with rage. “You intentionally moved the decimal point on the exchange rates for the ten-million-dollar Euro-buy, Morgan. You set Lexi up to fail when she entered it into the system!” Lexi looked up, her eyes puffy from crying. “Morgan… I know you hated that I got the job, but this is the company’s future. How could you be so cruel?” Howard was vibrating with anger. “I trusted you!” He turned to the client representative, a man named Marcus Christopher who looked thoroughly unimpressed. “Mr. Christopher, I assure you, this was the act of a disgruntled ex-employee. Our firm is innocent.” Christopher shrugged. “I don’t care about your internal drama. The contract was breached. Two million. Not a penny less.” Trevor stood up, stalking toward me. “The legal team is already drafting the complaint, Morgan. If we testify that you maliciously tampered with the data, your career is over. You’ll never work in this town again.” He leaned in close, his voice a lethal whisper. “Get on your knees. Apologize to Lexi. Maybe I’ll be merciful and let you pay back the damages in installments over the next thirty years.” Outside the glass walls, the entire office was watching. The people I’d mentored, the people who had stayed silent when I was passed over, were all whispering. “I knew she was bitter, but this is next level.” “She’s done for. You don’t mess with Trevor.” The last shred of pity I had for this place evaporated. I pulled out my phone and synced it to the massive 4K projector in the room. The screen flickered to life. It was a video from the day after I left. Lexi was sitting at my desk, a smug grin on her face as she FaceTimed Trevor. “Trevor, babe, Morgan is such an idiot,” Lexi’s voice rang out through the speakers. “She left all this data, but it’s so boring. I don’t even understand it.” Trevor’s voice responded from the phone: “Then change it. Make it look better. Adjust the exchange rate margins higher—if the client doesn’t catch it, the commission is all ours.” Lexi giggled. “What if something goes wrong?” Trevor’s dismissive sneer was audible. “Who cares? We’ll blame Morgan. We’ll say she left a ‘logic bomb’ in the files. Howard will believe us over her any day.” On screen, Lexi clearly moved the decimal point on the exchange rate. She even blew a kiss to the camera. The room went deathly silent. Lexi’s sobbing stopped instantly. Howard’s mouth hung open, his face turning a sickly shade of grey. Marcus Christopher, the client, let out a dry, hacking laugh and stood up. “Well, that’s enlightening. It seems your ‘geniuses’ are quite the little fraudsters, Howard.” I shut off the video and looked Howard in the eye. “You mentioned suing me?” I pulled up my dialer and hit a three-digit number, putting it on speaker. “Yes, I’d like to report a crime. Attempted extortion and corporate fraud involving a two-million-dollar contract.” “Morgan! Hang up!” Howard lunged for the phone. I stepped back. “I’m not just calling the police, Howard. I’m sending that video to every single one of our vendors. Do you think anyone will ever sign a contract with a firm that ‘prioritizes the bigger picture’ like this?” 3 The police arrived quickly, but in the chaotic minutes before they walked through the door, Trevor’s survival instinct kicked into high gear. He was a tech prodigy, after all. Using his access to the IT back-end, he managed to remotely lock down Lexi’s computer. By the time the officers were taking statements, the local logs had been wiped clean. Worse, Howard and the head of Legal managed to scramble together a set of forged “digital breadcrumbs” within minutes. “Officer, we have reason to believe Ms. Cross used a remote backdoor after her resignation to frame these two,” Howard said, his voice now steady and authoritative. Trevor presented a fake technical report, swearing there were “intrusion traces” coming from my private IP address. Lexi went back into character. “I’m just an intern… I don’t even know how to code. Morgan taught me everything… I thought she was my friend…” The momentum shifted in a heartbeat. Because of the sheer dollar amount and the “technical complexity,” the police informed me that, per protocol, I’d have to be taken in for questioning while they sorted through the conflicting evidence. As I was led to the cruiser, I saw Trevor standing by the office window. He caught my eye and flashed a slow, predatory smirk. He moved fast. Within twenty-four hours, he used every contact he had. He knew my professional network was largely international, so he issued a “blackball” notice under the firm’s banner. He spread rumors that I hadn’t just sabotaged the company, but that I had “severe stability issues.” Headhunters stopped calling. My bank accounts were frozen under a “pending investigation” flag. My phone blew up with messages from strangers—internet vigilantes who had seen a leaked (and heavily edited) version of the story. “Snake.” “Corporate bitch, hope you rot.” I looked at the screen, my face a mask of iron, and turned the phone off. In the interrogation room, Trevor walked in with a high-priced lawyer. He slammed a “Settlement and Confession” document onto the table. “You didn’t think this through, did you, Morgan?” Trevor leaned over the table. “In this industry, the truth is whatever the guy with the most money says it is.” He tapped the paper. “Sign this. Admit it was your ‘operator error’ and that you tried to frame Lexi out of spite. I’ll make sure you get a job cleaning toilets at some third-rate firm in the Midwest. Otherwise? You’re looking at a thirty-million-dollar civil suit and ten years in a cage.” I looked at the document, and then at him. “You really think you’ve won, Trevor?” Trevor laughed. “Look around you. We have the evidence. We have the narrative. What do you have? A blacked-out laptop?” An officer walked in with a grim expression. “Ms. Cross, based on the forensic evidence provided by the firm, and the fact that the original video you showed was ‘corrupted’ during the transfer… we have to move you to holding. We’re looking at a seven-day investigative detention.” Trevor was shaking with silent laughter. Lexi was leaning against the doorframe, blowing me a mocking little kiss. “Stay warm in there, Morgan.” Fine. If they wanted to play God, it was time for them to meet the Devil. Just as the officer reached for his handcuffs, a thunderous crash echoed from the hallway. BANG! The heavy oak doors of the precinct’s common room were kicked open with such force they bounced off the walls.

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We’ve been married—at least in the eyes of our friends and family—for five years, but tonight marked the ninety-ninth time Lydia had unilaterally canceled our appointment to finally sign the legal papers. While the client across from me was sliding his hand up my thigh, Lydia was busy leaning into her male assistant, Toby, sharing a glass of wine with an intimacy that made the rest of the room vanish. To keep the peace and avoid ruining the “big night” for her, I didn’t push the client away. Instead, I drowned my discomfort in glass after glass of whiskey until my vision blurred and my chest felt like it was being crushed by a vice. Lydia didn’t even blink. She was too occupied meticulously picking the shallots out of Toby’s bowl, murmuring soft, coaxing words to get him to eat. When the dinner finally wrapped up, Toby mentioned he was feeling a bit “restless.” Without a second thought, Lydia looked at me and told me to get out of the car. She was taking him elsewhere to keep the night going. “The kid’s been working so hard lately, Beck. I need to take him out to unwind,” she said, her voice dismissive. “You don’t really get the kind of things younger people enjoy anyway. Don’t be a buzzkill.” “Oh, and tonight’s going to go late. Let’s push the courthouse appointment again. We’ll do it some other time.” I just nodded. If she was always this busy, then perhaps those papers weren’t meant to be signed at all. … Toby rolled down the passenger side window halfway, sticking his tongue out in a mock-apologetic pout. “Sorry, Beck! Lydia just spoils me too much. I’ll make sure she brings you some takeout when she finally gets home!” Before I could even find my voice, Lydia reached over and affectionately ruffled his hair. “Ignore him, Toby. He’s just a little drama queen. If he eats late, he’ll just start complaining about ‘food poisoning’ or ‘allergic reactions’ again. I don’t have the energy for his attention-seeking stunts tonight.” The air left my lungs. She had seen me struggling at dinner. She hadn’t missed the cold sweat or the way I was gasping for air. She just thought I was faking it to spite her. In the past, this would have been the moment I broke down. I would have screamed, cried, and begged her to see me. But tonight, I felt a strange, hollow calm. “Sure,” I said, stepping back from the car. “Have a great time.” Lydia froze for a second, a flicker of confusion crossing her face before her usual mask of mockery returned. “Good. It’s about time you stopped making a scene.” The car roared to life and sped away. Just before they turned the corner, Lydia lowered all the windows so Toby wouldn’t feel “stuffy.” I’m prone to severe motion sickness—especially in her car—but she had never once lowered a window for me. The dust will ruin the leather, she’d say. Stop being so high-maintenance. I looked down at the gold band on my finger. I twisted it off and threw it into the dark, churning waters of the river nearby. The next morning, I went to the conservatory early to begin the handover. I’ve been Lydia’s manager since she debuted as a piano prodigy a decade ago. I’ve been the engine behind her grace. “You’re resigning? Does Lydia know?” my boss, Marcus, asked, his jaw dropping. “She’ll find out when the new manager arrives.” I walked out of his office and toward the main concert hall. I ran into Lydia near the stage. She was wearing a new silk slip dress, smelling of expensive soap and a hotel’s bottled shampoo. She ran a hand through her hair, looking down at me with guarded eyes. “I drank too much to drive last night. I grabbed a room nearby to sleep it off. That’s why I didn’t come home.” In ten years, this was the first time Lydia had ever offered me an explanation for her absence. I simply nodded. I had nothing to say. “Do you have a project this morning?” she asked, her brow furrowing. I looked at her, remembering how, after every one of her late-night galas, I’d be up by 5:00 AM to prepare a specialized detox soup and her stomach medication. Since she was eighteen, that had been our ritual. I suppose she was confused that there had been nothing waiting for her on the kitchen island this morning. “Something like that,” I replied. I turned to walk away, but Lydia’s face darkened. She grabbed my wrist, her grip tight and punishing. “Beck, that’s enough. It was just one missed appointment. We’ll reschedule. Stop being so damn difficult. It’s getting pathetic.” I wasn’t being difficult. I was done. I opened my mouth to tell her exactly that, but a high-pitched, whiny voice cut through the air. “Lydia! It’s all your fault!” Toby was stomping toward us, looking like a pouting child. “The underwear you bought me this morning is the wrong size! These briefs are way too tight. You’re such a typical ‘clueless older sister’ type, Lydia!” The moment Lydia saw him, she practically shoved me aside to get to him. Her voice, once cold and sharp with me, was suddenly thick with maternal worry. “You have a fever and a stomach bug, and you’re running around barefoot on a cold floor? Do you want to end up in the hospital?” A memory flickered in my mind. Last month, I had a flu so bad my fever hit 104. I was curled in a ball, shivering, begging her to drive me to the urgent care. She had just rolled her eyes. What good are you if you’re always sick? It’s just a fever, Beck. Grow up. I watched her lead Toby away, her arm wrapped firmly around his waist. I suppressed the ache in my chest and pulled out my phone. I messaged the headhunter who had been trying to poach me for an international touring circuit for years. After I booked my one-way flight, a notification popped up on Instagram. Toby had tagged me in a Live Photo. It was a shot of a slender, elegant hand—Lydia’s hand—massaging his stomach. The audio captured his soft moan: “Lydia, your hands are so warm…” The caption read: [Big sis feels bad that my tummy hurts. She said she’ll rub the pain away! It feels so good to be cherished like this~] I hit ‘like’ on the post. Then, I went to my own profile and deleted our wedding photo—the one that had been my cover image for five years. … The hall was packed today with visiting musicians for an exchange program. Since I was in the middle of a handover, I still had to play host. I led a group of performers into the lounge for a break. We walked in to find Lydia sitting at a small table, hand-feeding Toby a bowl of porridge. “Wow,” one of the visiting violinists whispered. “I heard Lydia was devoted to her husband, Beck, but look at them! And a pianist’s hands are so precious… she’s using them to pick through his food. That’s true love.” Yes, her hands were her life. For ten years, I had handled every chore, every heavy bag, every sharp object, terrified she might even get a scratch. And now, she was using those hands to serve another man. The chatter finally caught their attention. Toby saw me and immediately put on a theatrical pout. “Beck, talk to Lydia! She’s forcing me to eat this healthy porridge. I’m so sick of it!” Lydia didn’t even look at me. She gently wiped a drop of broth from the corner of Toby’s mouth. “Be good. Finish this, then take your fever reducers.” The room went silent as the visiting musicians realized the man Lydia was doting on wasn’t me. I felt their awkward glances. I kept a professional smile on my face and showed them to their seats. Once everyone was settled, I pulled out my phone to finish my online visa application. “A visa? Who are you getting a visa for?” Lydia had appeared behind me, her voice sharp and suspicious. Before I could answer, she lunged forward and grabbed my hand. Her eyes widened in genuine shock. “Beck, where is your ring?” She sounded breathless. “Don’t tell me you forgot it at home.” I knew why she was panicking. In eight years of being together, that ring had never left my finger. Hers, however, had never seen the light of day outside our bedroom. Anxiety flashed in her eyes. She squeezed my hand until it hurt. “Answer me!” I was about to tell her the truth when Toby let out a piercing shriek. “Ow! It hurts! Lydia, help!” Everyone turned. Toby was on the floor by the grand piano, cradling a hand that was dripping blood. Lydia shoved me back, nearly sending me into a table, and ran to him. “What happened?” Toby’s face was a mask of tears as he buried himself in Lydia’s chest. He cast a fearful, accusing look in my direction. “I don’t know… Beck was supposed to check the piano last night… I didn’t see the broken glass on the lid… it hurts so much…” Lydia looked at the piano lid. A jagged shard of glass, stained red, sat right where a performer would rest their hand. Her face twisted into a mask of pure rage. She spun on me, her voice a whip-crack that echoed through the hall. “Beck! Are you so desperate and twisted that you’d actually try to maim someone?” “Get over here and apologize. Now!” I felt the weight of a dozen judgmental stares. I walked calmly toward them. “I didn’t do it.” “Who else could it be? Everyone knows how controlling you are. You’re the only one who touches my equipment!” Lydia didn’t wait for another word. She grabbed a ceramic figurine from the side table—a small, custom piece she’d commissioned for our third anniversary—and smashed it onto the floor. Then, she grabbed my hands and slammed them down into the sea of sharp porcelain shards. Pain exploded through my palms. I felt the grit and the sharp edges slicing deep into my flesh. “Consider this a lesson,” she hissed. “And nobody help him clean this up! I want you to sit there and reflect on what you’ve done. Don’t come to me until you’re ready to beg for forgiveness.” She scooped Toby up in her arms and walked out without a single backward glance. My eyes blurred. My tears hit the broken ceramic, mixing with the blood pooling on the floor. It hurt—physically, it was agonizing—but the feeling in my chest was worse. It was the feeling of a vacuum, the last bit of air being sucked out of a room. The ceramic figurine was now in pieces. A small silk prayer pouch fell out from the hollow center. Lydia had gone to a temple to have this made when she proposed to me. Back then, she had looked at me with such intensity, such devotion. Beck, I promised the universe that we’d be together forever. Nothing will ever break us. And here she was, the one holding the hammer. I gathered the shards, one by one, and threw them—along with every lingering memory—into the trash. As I walked through the main lobby, I heard a roar of applause. Lydia’s performance had ended. She was on stage, radiant and triumphant, holding Toby’s hand as they bowed together. I had seen her in this spotlight a thousand times. A few months ago, I overheard Marcus ask her, “Beck has given his life to your career. You’re partners in every sense. Why don’t you ever bring him on stage to share the credit?” Lydia’s voice had been cold. “I got here because of my talent. He’s just a coat-tail rider. Besides, he’s getting older… he doesn’t exactly fit the ‘image’ I want to project.” On stage now, Toby was beaming. Under the stage lights, they looked like the perfect pair. My phone buzzed. Visa Approved. I was halfway through packing my bags at the house when Lydia returned. She tossed a brown glass bottle onto the bed next to me. “I brought you something for your hands.” I picked up the bottle. It was Betadine—the same bottle I’d seen in Toby’s Instagram story earlier. Lydia had used it to treat his scratch. The problem was, I’m deathly allergic to Betadine. When Lydia first started her career at eighteen, a jealous rival had hired a thug to jump her and “ruin” her hands. I had thrown myself in front of her, taking the brunt of the attack. My injuries were minor, but a medic had used Betadine on my scrapes. I went into anaphylactic shock. I spent twenty-four hours in the ICU, hovering between life and death. Lydia had spent those twenty-four hours sobbing outside my door. When I was discharged, she went on a rampage, throwing out every antiseptic in the house and making it a legal clause in her riders that Betadine was never to be allowed near her. And now, she was the one handing it to me. I dropped the bottle into the wastebasket. Lydia sneered. “Fine. Suit yourself. Bleed out for all I care.” Her phone chimed. Her expression softened instantly. She recorded a voice memo, her tone honey-sweet: “Hey kid, remember not to let that scratch get wet. Stick to the diet I gave you. When you’re better, I’ll take you out for that steak dinner I promised.” She lingered by the door, seemingly unsettled by my silence. Finally, she spoke again. “What I did today… I had to make an example out of you. You know how much politics there is in the orchestra. I had to show them I don’t play favorites.” “And the way I’m taking care of Toby? It’s for your own good. It keeps people from gossiping about your ‘jealousy’.” I nodded. No arguments. No explanations. “I understand,” I said. Lydia blinked, a strange, flickering look of unease crossing her face. She looked like she wanted to say something else, but I turned away and went into the bathroom to pack my toiletries. There, sitting prominently on the counter, was a pair of black-and-white patterned boxers. They weren’t mine. Lydia’s phone buzzed with another voice memo: “Lydia! I forgot my undies in your bathroom this morning… can you bring them to me? Also, I love the way your shower gel smells. Can you bring me a bottle of that too?” Everything clicked. The silk dress she wore this morning—a color she usually hated but Toby loved. The scent of the hotel soap. She followed his every whim. Lydia hurried into the bathroom to grab the boxers, stopping short when she saw me standing there next to them.

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My childhood sweetheart had his heart broken by me. Seven years after he left to study abroad, he finally came back with his new girlfriend to meet the parents. And I had finally been told by the hospital that after seven years of fighting cancer, I had failed. I could go home and wait for death. Seeing me being helped by my mom as I sat in a wheelchair, my childhood sweetheart’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Seven years, and look how pathetic you’ve become. You can’t even walk anymore.” Hearing his voice filled with disgust, I simply pulled down my sleeve calmly, covering the countless needle marks that dotted the back of my hand. “It’s nothing. I just fell while walking. Just a broken bone.” My childhood sweetheart sneered again. “Well then, since that’s the case — I’m getting married soon. How about you be my fiancée’s bridesmaid?” I remained calm, only smiling faintly. “I can’t. I’m about to go somewhere very far away.” After saying that, I patted the back of my mom’s hand, signaling her to quickly wheel me back home.

As soon as we got home and Mom had helped me lie down in bed, Ethan’s mother came looking for me. The moment she entered, she looked at me hesitantly, as if wanting to say something but stopping herself. “Jenny, I… I have a request.” Looking at her flushed face, even though she hadn’t said the rest, I already knew her purpose was probably the same as seven years ago. After all, seven years ago, the moment she learned I had cancer, she had done exactly this — bursting into my hospital room urgently, with a hint of guilt. Before I could even accept that I had cancer, while I was still crying hysterically from fear, she had knelt before me. “Jenny, I’m begging you, don’t drag Ethan down. He just got accepted to a school abroad. If he finds out you have cancer, he definitely won’t want to go study overseas.” “You and Ethan grew up together and have been dating for so many years. I’m begging you — please don’t hold Ethan back. Break up with him, okay?” “I’ve already thought of a solution for you. I’ve arranged for you to meet a guy. You just need to pretend to kiss that guy downstairs, pretend Ethan catches you, then pretend to break up with him.” Because of her words, when I was first diagnosed with cancer, my first priority wasn’t going to the hospital for examination and treatment. Instead, I coldly pretended to cheat, coldly forced Ethan to break up with me, and ruthlessly drove Ethan out of the country. Sure enough, in just a moment, Ethan’s mother said to me guiltily: “Jenny, don’t blame me. I have no choice. Ethan’s current girlfriend was his classmate during his graduate and doctoral studies abroad. They match in every way. I really… really don’t want to ruin such a good marriage.” “You know Ethan has cared about you since childhood. If… if he finds out the truth from back then, I’m afraid… I’m afraid…” “So can you please not meet with Ethan for a while? You… you’re about to die anyway, right? It’s not suitable for you to go out. Don’t you think?” Hearing Ethan’s mother mention “die,” my mom angrily threw my adult diaper onto the bed. Seeing that she was about to explode, I quickly acted cute and shook my mom’s arm, then looked calmly at Ethan’s mother. “I can agree not to tell Ethan about what happened seven years ago, but I can’t promise not to see him.” Yes, I couldn’t promise not to see Ethan. After all, during these seven years of fighting cancer, there wasn’t a moment when I didn’t think about Ethan. When I couldn’t endure chemotherapy anymore, it was because I clutched the photos Ethan and I had taken together that I could continue holding on. I went through dozens of surgeries, large and small. Several times I was sent to the emergency room and couldn’t wake up. It was my mom standing by my bed, shouting at me hoarsely: “Jenny, have you forgotten? You said you wanted to live, to go abroad and personally clear up the misunderstanding with Ethan.” “You said that once you recovered, you’d have me take you abroad to bring Ethan back. If you die, you’ll never see Ethan again.” It was because of my mom’s shouts, one after another mentioning Ethan, that pulled me back from death’s door time and time again. But in the end, I still failed to beat cancer. And Ethan had his new life, his new girlfriend, and was about to get married. But in my final days, being able to spend a simple bit of time with Ethan would be good too. That’s why, after learning Ethan had returned to the country, even when the doctor said that leaving the hospital meant death, I still chose to force myself to check out.

But I didn’t expect that right after sending Ethan’s mother away, when I woke up from an exhausted sleep, I would hear Ethan’s voice outside. Hearing his voice, I was somewhat surprised. You have to understand, seven years ago, Ethan hated me to the core. He had once stood outside my house for three days and three nights, just to grab my neck and demand to know why I betrayed him. After I cried and said I didn’t love him, he punched through the glass in the hallway. That day, although he didn’t lay a hand on me, he was thoroughly disgusted by me. When we ran into each other in the hallway, he would turn around and go back the way he came. Even passing by my front door, he would furrow his brows in disgust. He even stopped going to the convenience store we used to frequent together. He was so disgusted that whenever he heard my name, he would scold whoever mentioned it with a cold face. “Why bring up Jenny? If you don’t find it disgusting, I do.” Even the day he left for the airport to go abroad, I braved heavy rain wanting to see him one last time. When he saw me appear, he only disgustedly smashed the couple’s ring we had bought together and the phone filled with all our photos together at my feet with a mocking laugh, then left without looking at me once. But I didn’t expect that seven years later, he would voluntarily come to my home. However, in just a moment, through the open door crack, I understood the whole situation. Ethan was tightly holding his fiancée’s hand. “Are you bothered by what happened seven years ago? Is that why you won’t let Jenny take us to choose a wedding planning company and pick out rings?” “I stopped liking Jenny a long time ago, and I’ve already let it go. We grew up together after all — if we can’t be lovers, we can still be friends.” As soon as Ethan finished speaking, the girl standing beside him also chimed in: “Mrs. Hayes, Ethan already told me about him and Jenny. Seven years ago, Jenny was the one who cheated, but they were young back then. It takes two to tango — our Ethan must have had problems too.” “Besides, I should be thanking Jenny. If she hadn’t given up on Ethan, I wouldn’t have met such a good man.” “So Mrs. Hayes, there’s really no need to still hold onto what happened seven years ago. And it was my idea to have Jenny help us choose the wedding planning company. After all, Ethan and I haven’t been back to the country for seven years and really aren’t familiar with things here. Having older people make decisions — their aesthetic is honestly a bit hard for me to handle.” Seven years ago, when I was first diagnosed with cancer, my greatest wish was for Ethan to be able to forget me, to let me go. But now, hearing Ethan mention seven years ago so calmly, mention me so calmly, and even tell his current girlfriend about me without any concealment — my heart still ached densely. And my mom, hearing Sophia’s repeated mentions of cheating and her passive-aggressive words, instantly turned red with anger. Her lips trembled several times before she finally shouted at Ethan: “You and your mother are both the same — shameless.” Hearing my mom’s words, my heart tightened sharply. I propped myself up to sit up and called toward the door: “Mom, come into the room and help me into the wheelchair. I’ll talk to Ethan myself.”

My mom came into the room. Seeing me sit up, her expression was still very unpleasant. But I directly hugged her. “Mom, please help me fulfill this regret before I die, okay?” Mom’s eyes immediately reddened, but as someone who always doted on me, she still went to the vanity to get lipstick and a wig for me, and helped me put on a down jacket. As soon as she wheeled me out the door, Ethan furrowed his brows. “What’s wrong with you? You were delicate as a child, and now as an adult, you’re still so delicate. You just have a lame leg, and your mom is so old, yet you still need her to take care of you personally.” Looking at his disgusted expression, I only smiled calmly. “The doctor said my fracture is quite serious and told me not to get out of bed for a while.” As soon as I finished speaking, Sophia, standing beside Ethan, said to me: “Jenny, don’t take it personally with Ethan. He’s just gotten used to being abroad.” “Except for me, he has this sour face with everyone.” My heart felt sour again. Ethan indeed had a sour face with everyone, but before, with me… I quickly suppressed the strange feeling in my heart, then looked calmly at Sophia. “Do you really want me to go with you to choose a wedding planning company?” “If you really need me, I’ll go with you.” Sophia immediately nodded. “Of course, of course.” After that, I exchanged a few more pleasantries with them before sending them out. That evening, Ethan called me. He said to have me accompany him to the wedding planning company tomorrow. My fingers holding the phone were clenched tight. First, because I was greedy for his voice. Second, because I was nervous. After all, it had been seven years since I had heard his voice alone on the phone like this. You know, seven years ago, I would hide under my blanket every night and fall asleep listening to his deep, mellow voice. But just as I was immersed in memories, a female voice rang out: “Ethan, come help me dry my hair…” I suddenly snapped back to reality and quickly hummed in acknowledgment. And the moment Ethan heard my response, he hung up the phone. Listening to the dial tone, tears suddenly spilled out. Although I had prepared myself, seeing and hearing firsthand that Ethan now belonged to another girl still made my heart ache sourly.

Because Ethan had scheduled our meeting for 10 a.m. last night, I was so nervous that I had my mom wheel me downstairs to wait at 9:30. But I waited until noon at 12 o’clock, and Ethan still hadn’t come. Even the calls I made to him, he hung up. Mom called me several times to go back home, but I refused. After all, this outing had cost me too much energy. After this time, I might never be able to go out again. Fortunately, at 1 p.m., I received a call from Ethan saying they were coming downstairs. My mom was very unhappy. I did a lot of emotional work on her before she didn’t show any reaction. As soon as I got in the car, Sophia smiled sweetly at me. “Sorry, Jenny. Last night, Ethan kept me up too late, so I couldn’t get up this morning.” My palms tightened slightly. And Ethan, who had put away my wheelchair and gotten into the driver’s seat, glanced at me through the rearview mirror, then said coldly to Sophia: “Why are you explaining so much to her?” My heart felt a bit sour, but I still calmly waved at my mom outside the car window. Ethan drove very fast, even shaking me so much that I wanted to vomit. But I still silently endured it. This also reminded me of seven years ago. Back then, after Ethan got his driver’s license, he would always drive his dad’s car to take me out. Because he knew I got carsick, he always drove smoothly and steadily. Before, I would always get carsick on taxis and buses, but I never once got carsick in Ethan’s car. So when Ethan hit the brakes hard again and I couldn’t support my body, slamming heavily into the back seat, with my stomach churning and about to vomit, I finally couldn’t help whimpering. Hearing my sound, Ethan sneered again. “Jenny, you don’t think I’ll still accommodate you like seven years ago, do you? Trying not to change speed or brake?” I silently wiped away the tears at the corners of my eyes, then said calmly: “No. You should accommodate Sophia now. She’s your girlfriend.” Ethan sneered and laughed again. “You’re right.” After that, he pressed the accelerator hard again. And my body slammed heavily into the back seat again. My back hurt terribly. But a smile appeared at the corners of my mouth. It’s good that he hates me. At least while I’m alive, in Ethan’s heart, I still have at least a tiny bit of space.

After that, I didn’t feel uncomfortable for long before we arrived at our destination. When getting out of the car, it was Ethan who carried me. Being in his arms again, for a moment, I almost couldn’t hold back my tears. But fortunately, after Ethan quickly carried me out of the car, he quickly put me back in the wheelchair. He was even so disgusted by me that after putting me in the wheelchair, he urgently had Sophia hand him two wet wipes and desperately wiped his hands. And Sophia awkwardly explained to me on the side: “Sorry, Jenny. Ethan has a cleanliness obsession. Except for me, if any other woman touches him, he feels disgusted.” Watching Ethan’s movements, I lowered my head and pressed my lips together, pretending not to see his actions or hear Sophia’s words. After that, I let Ethan and Sophia hold hands and push me into a Spanish restaurant. As soon as we sat down at the table, Ethan proactively picked up the menu and ordered several spicy dishes. Hearing the dish names he called out, my heart felt sour. In the past, I never ate spicy food, and Ethan didn’t eat spicy food either. Who he was ordering for was self-evident. And I didn’t make things difficult for myself. Right now, even eating was difficult for me, let alone eating such strongly flavored food. So I had the waiter add a light vegetable soup for me. But for some reason, Ethan suddenly lost his temper. “Skinny as a ghost, and you’re still trying to diet.” My heart felt densely sour from Ethan’s sudden concern, but in just a moment, I smiled and said: “Blake likes me thinner.” Blake was the guy Ethan’s mother had made up as my affair partner back then. Since Ethan had been angered into going abroad by me, I had never seen him again. And after hearing my words, Ethan’s face instantly turned ashen. And Sophia, sitting beside Ethan, immediately smiled at me: “Jenny, don’t misunderstand. Ethan is a doctor now, so whenever he sees someone dieting, he gets angry. When I was abroad before and insisted on dieting, Ethan scolded me many times too.” Speaking, Sophia smiled and looked at Ethan. “Ethan, am I right?” But Ethan didn’t look at Sophia. He only angrily stood up and pushed back his chair. “I’m going to the restroom.” After that, without another glance at me or Sophia, Ethan turned and walked toward the restroom. And watching his retreating figure, my heart felt sourly painful again. So had I messed up again? Messed up Ethan’s new life, messed up Ethan’s new love. Guilt rose in my heart. And Sophia, sitting across the table from me, directly picked up a cup of hot water and suddenly “splashed” it onto my face. “You fake bitch, do you think I’m stupid? You keep playing pitiful to seduce my fiancé.” The hot water Sophia splashed burned my face painfully. But I only clenched my palms tightly, then said guiltily: “Sorry, if I made you misunderstand, I apologize.” Sophia only sneered and stood up. Then she walked over and slapped me across the face. “You think that by pretending to be crippled, you’ll make Ethan change his mind?” “Let me tell you, Ethan is mine for life. Don’t think that just because you’re Ethan’s first love, you can steal him away.” The cheek Sophia slapped was painful and numb. I could endure her splashing water on me — after all, I was shamelessly coveting Ethan’s tenderness. But she couldn’t slap me. So without thinking, I pushed her away. “Sophia, if you dare lay a hand on me again, I’ll call the police.” But as soon as I finished speaking, Sophia somehow suddenly fell to the ground. She suddenly started wailing. “Oh my belly! Help! Someone is assaulting a pregnant woman!” I looked at her figure lying on the ground, looking at my own hands in disbelief. You have to know I’d been sick for seven years. Even putting on clothes made me tired. Sometimes I couldn’t even hold a water glass steady. I didn’t have the strength to push Sophia down. When I pushed her, it was only to make her stop hitting me. But who knew Sophia would suddenly lie on the ground. And just as I didn’t know what to do, Ethan suddenly appeared in the lobby. Seeing Sophia lying on the ground, he urgently ran toward her. “Sophia, Sophia, are you okay?” Sophia immediately started crying, crying and desperately clutching Ethan’s collar. “Ethan, save me! Save the baby in my belly! Jenny — Jenny tried to kill me!” “Just now, as soon as you left, she started cursing at me, saying you were trash she didn’t want, and that whenever she wanted you, you’d come crawling back to beg her. I couldn’t help it — I couldn’t help splashing her with water.” “But who knew she’d get even angrier and start cursing me, calling me a vicious fake bitch, saying I was a slut who picked up men she didn’t want.” “I couldn’t help it, so I slapped her. After that, she angrily pushed me away.” “You know I’m pregnant and my health isn’t good. I can’t handle even the slightest collision.” Hearing Sophia’s words, I was completely shocked in place. My lips trembled several times before I could speak. “Ethan, listen to me. It’s not like that.” “I… I really didn’t.” But who knew Ethan would erupt in a huge roar. “Jenny, how can you be so vicious? Seven years ago, you shamelessly had an affair with another man.” “Seven years later, I’m about to get married, and you think I’m good again. You even assaulted my fiancée!” “You dare to hit my woman? Today I’ll let you taste what it’s like to hit my woman.” Speaking, he walked over and angrily kicked my wheelchair several times. He even violently pushed my wheelchair backward hard, pushing it toward the dining table. The wheelchair crashed into the table. The bowls on the table fell to the floor, and the table flipped over. And my wheelchair flipped too. My head slammed heavily into the corner of the table, instantly bulging and bleeding. My head was buzzing, and even my body was trembling and shaking. But Ethan didn’t look at me once. He only urgently picked up Sophia, urgently kissing Sophia’s lips as she cried in pain. “Be good, be good, don’t cry. I’ll take you to the hospital right away.” After that, without another glance at me, he turned and carried Sophia toward the door. And watching Sophia’s provocative smile and Ethan’s retreating figure, I suddenly smiled. Smiled until tears flowed. This reminded me of when I was eighteen, when I was groped on a bus by a man who touched my butt. Back then, Ethan was still a hot-headed youth. Furious, he grabbed that man who was a head taller and much stronger than him, and like an enraged beast, punched the man in the face again and again. “You garbage scum, how dare you touch my woman! I’ll beat you to death!” At that time, all the passengers on the bus were frightened. Only I cried and desperately grabbed Ethan’s arm, begging him, crying and telling him to stop, and only then did Ethan stop. In the past, I was Ethan’s woman, so he would desperately protect me. Now the person in Ethan’s heart had become another girl, so he would desperately protect her, even if the person he was hitting was me. My heart trembled with pain. The surrounding waiters gradually gathered around. After that, the police came. The moment I saw the police appear, my strength suddenly drained. I desperately grabbed the police officer’s hand and said: “Tell my mom not to pursue this. Tell my mom this was all my own choice.” “Tell my mom I’m sorry. I… I can’t accompany her anymore.” My heart felt sour, but somehow I had no regrets. After all, I had fought cancer for seven years, waited for seven years. My greatest dream was just to see Ethan once. I saw him. My dream came true. It was enough.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “390162”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster

I had been dating Ethan for five years. The day before our wedding, I discovered over ten thousand photos of the same girl saved in his cloud storage. There were photos of her sleeping, smiling… even intimate photos. And thousands of flight tickets to the same foreign city. Without a word, I packed my bags and left on our wedding day. The bride had successfully escaped the wedding, but he lost his mind. I stared at the countless photos and flight ticket screenshots on the screen, my pupils trembling, my heart pounding as if it would burst from my chest. “You’re really getting married? Not waiting for Luna to come back? I thought you’d wait for her forever.” His friend’s slip-up when he heard we were getting married echoed in my ears. That was the first time I learned Ethan’s first love’s name. Too bad I only understood what his friend meant now. The cloud storage was updated every month. Our photos together from five years didn’t add up to a single upload batch. Every time we went on a date and I wanted to take photos to remember it, he always had excuses to refuse. He said we were together every day, there would be plenty of opportunities later, no need to take photos. Only now did I understand — it wasn’t that there was no need, just that I wasn’t necessary to him. Staring at the different timestamps on the photo watermarks, I pulled out my phone and scrolled through our chat history from those corresponding times. I discovered that Ethan had either said he was on a business trip or had to go out of town for training. What disappeared from home along with him was his camera. The increasingly smooth lies in our records made my heart tremble. I abruptly shut down his computer, rushed into the bedroom to pack my bags and leave. But the moment I opened the closet, a familiar feeling washed over me, nearly suffocating me. Every piece of clothing inside had appeared on Luna in those photos. And these clothes were all gifts Ethan had given me. I slammed the cabinet door shut and crouched on the floor, helpless. Tears blurred my vision as I shakily sent a message to my boss. I told him I wanted to apply for the position at the overseas branch. After listening, he was silent for a long time before replying, “Young people being cautious is good. Marriage shouldn’t be impulsive. I’ll submit your information, and you should rest well while waiting for the results.” His tone held satisfaction and reflection, but notably no surprise. It seemed that Ethan and I not making it to the end was already an expected outcome in everyone’s eyes. I hung up the phone and opened the ticket booking app, preparing to buy a flight abroad for the next day, when I heard the sound of the door closing outside. Bracing my hands on my knees, I stood up and walked to the living room. The love I once had in my eyes when looking at him was gone. As usual, he gently kissed my forehead when he got home. But today he had a cake in his hands. “Got off work early today, specially brought this for you. Try it. I have a classmate reunion in a bit, need to head out.” I glanced at the chocolate mousse stuck to the outer box. Mockery flashed in my eyes. “No thanks, I don’t have an appetite, and… I’m allergic to chocolate.” His expression went blank for a moment before he remembered this was something I told him every year. But he never remembered it. Seeing my expression indifferent with no sign of anger, he reached out and gently ruffled my hair. “Sorry, work’s been too busy lately. I’ll buy you a new one after the wedding ends tomorrow.” Before I knew the truth, I believed whatever he explained. But after seeing the photos, I finally understood why he loved chocolate. Because Luna liked it. “Work’s been too busy” was his go-to excuse.

The last update to the cloud storage was three days ago. I looked at his emotionless eyes and slowly nodded, not exposing his lie. I wanted to leave us both with some final dignity. Seeing that I didn’t argue with him like before, he smiled and pulled out a necklace from his pocket, presenting it before my eyes. The diamond-studded moon pendant made my eyes sting. I accepted it expressionlessly and turned to walk into the bedroom. I tossed the necklace into the nightstand drawer. Then I removed the ring engraved with a moon pattern and placed it inside as well. Besides the necklace with the moon pendant, there were bracelets, bangles, earrings… I used to not understand why he liked moon patterns. Now that I knew Luna’s name… I couldn’t help but connect everything. Closing the drawer, his somewhat excited and expectant voice came from the living room: “Wear the jewelry I gave you at the wedding, okay? A whole set with moon patterns, it’ll definitely look beautiful…” “Just stay home obediently, I’m heading out to the reunion now. Last time before the wedding, might come back a bit late, don’t wait up.” I didn’t respond, hiding in the bedroom like a snail. Silently thinking to myself that we would never have a wedding. As the sound of the closing door echoed, I walked out and threw the cake in the trash. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the cabinet nearby. Inside lay all the labels I’d torn off from cake boxes over five years. Like a silent mockery of my one-woman show. What I treasured so much I couldn’t bear to throw away the wrapping was garbage another person could discard without a thought. I opened the cabinet and threw everything inside away. Then I started packing for going abroad. Besides clothes and jewelry, all I could take were simple daily necessities. While rummaging through boxes and cabinets, I discovered quite a few more things. Over these five years, the gifts I’d given Ethan were all randomly stuffed in various corners of the house. Many had even expired, their packaging never opened. No wonder when I asked him about them, he was always evasive, saying he couldn’t bear to use them. Thinking about it now, he probably just left them too carelessly and couldn’t find them. His daily necessities all came from the same foreign source. The country where Luna lived. I threw them into the trash one by one, along with my love for him and my past humble self. The moment I zipped up my suitcase, Ethan’s friend called me. “Sophia, Ethan’s had too much to drink. Can you come pick him up? I’ll send you the address.” Through the receiver, Ethan’s hoarse voice called out “Luna.” With pleading, with devotion, with the joy of regaining something lost. But no trace of drunkenness. My breath hitched, my heart stopped instantly. The other person quickly covered the phone and hung up. I placed the suitcase by the wall, hesitated for two seconds, but still called a cab according to the address Ethan’s friend sent. One last time. Since I’d decided to leave, I didn’t want to leave with regrets. When I reached the private room door, the teasing and laughter inside filtered through the gap to my ears. “How come Luna came back today? Could it be she heard some news about our Ethan? Tonight we definitely won’t let you come for nothing!” Through the glass, I clearly saw an unrestrained and wild expression on Ethan’s face I’d never seen before. His expectant gaze was firmly locked on another woman’s face. And that woman’s face — I had just seen it countless times on his computer.

The diamond-studded necklace around her neck was identical to the one Ethan had just given me. Except hers was brighter, more eye-catching. I took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the private room. The commotion inside came to an abrupt halt. Ethan seemed not to have expected me to come, his eyes full of confusion, his brows furrowed. His friend was the first to stand up and introduce me. “This is our college classmate Luna. She went abroad five years ago and just came back today, catching our reunion. What a coincidence, right?” His ambiguous gaze swept back and forth between Ethan and Luna. Calling me here was clearly deliberate. If it were before, I might have lost control on the spot and confronted them. Knowing Ethan had her in his heart, why did they let her appear when we were about to get married? Why didn’t they stop them from meeting? But now I just smiled faintly. When his friend began introducing me and mentioned the words “fiancée,” Ethan coughed non-stop, covering his mouth. Luna beside him handed him tissues with perfect understanding. Naturally reaching out to wipe the corner of his mouth. After a while, his face completely red, he spoke: “Just a friend I’m pretty close with.” My eyelashes trembled slightly as everyone watched like spectators. I nodded along with his words. My palm hurt from my nails digging in. I forced myself not to let tears spill out. He didn’t want to reveal my identity — I was used to it. After all, even our wedding was just a group message. No photos together, no bride’s name. I always made excuses for his behavior, unwilling to gamble one last time with five years of feelings. But time after time, I remained the loser. I forced a smile and greeted Luna. “You’re even prettier in person than in photos. The necklace… is very beautiful too.” After that sentence, the private room fell completely silent. Perhaps afraid I’d make things difficult for her, Ethan quickly grabbed a drink and placed it in front of me. Looking at the black chocolate cocktail on the table, my smile froze on my face. I spoke word by word: “I can’t drink anything with chocolate…” I’d just told him before going out, and he’d forgotten it immediately. Embarrassment flashed in Ethan’s eyes. Just as he was about to change my drink, Luna reached out and took the glass from in front of me. “Give it to me. I’m not picky.” A flash of urgency crossed Ethan’s face: “There’s lemon juice in it. Don’t you dislike that flavor?” In an instant, something seemed to explode in my heart. The fragments pierced my chest, even breathing hurt and trembled. So he didn’t forget — he just didn’t bother wasting time on me. Luna giggled and playfully tapped his nose. “I drink it often abroad. Got used to it. It’s fine.” She placed the glass in front of herself and went to the restroom. Only then did Ethan sit beside me, explaining in a low voice: “I’m sorry, I really forgot just now. I’ll definitely pay attention next time. Everyone’s here, one drink won’t hurt, right? Worst case, I’ll go out and buy you allergy medicine later.” “Don’t overthink it. She’s just a friend I haven’t seen in a long time. She doesn’t know we’re getting married. Explaining would be too complicated so I just—” Before he could finish, I simply nodded. He never knew that for our wedding day, to be in good condition, I’d been off sugar for a long time. As for allergens that would make me break out in hives all over, I stayed far away. The tears accumulated in my eyes spilled out from the momentum. He thought I didn’t know his first love, thought he’d hidden it well. Then I’d go along with his wishes. Pretending to be oblivious was what I was best at anyway. “Yeah, I know. No need to explain.” He visibly relaxed. After the earlier awkwardness, his friend spoke first, trying to ease the atmosphere. He suggested playing a game. When Luna entered the room, the bottle mouth seemed to have GPS, stopping right in front of Ethan.

His friends around him were all jeering, wanting him to show his phone gallery. Their spectating gazes swept back and forth between the three of us. Ethan looked troubled. The person next to him spoke up, sounding rather bored: “Don’t you guys know Ethan’s getting married soon? His gallery must be full of his wife. What’s there to see? Social media would be more exciting!” Another person joked: “Why didn’t you say that earlier? Next round, next round.” Ethan’s face flushed from the teasing. His probing gaze quickly swept across Luna’s face. Then he took out his phone, preparing to unlock it. Perhaps the lighting in the room was too dim — his face recognition failed several times. Just as his phone was about to lock, he could only helplessly input the numeric password under everyone’s gaze. After entering six digits, Luna’s eyes flickered. Teasing laughter came from the side: “That looks a bit familiar. Whose birthday is that? Luna’s?” Ethan cleared his throat lightly. “Don’t know. Got used to using it, forgot to change it.” His friend was impatient and snatched his phone away. The next second, Ethan’s gallery was displayed before everyone. Disappointment flashed across everyone’s faces in unison. No photos of me, no work materials, no gossip they wanted. Only countless moons. Five years. Nineteen hundred photos. Ethan and Luna’s gazes met. The air filled with their unique understanding and romance. His friends and I seemed isolated in a separate space from them. My heart gradually sank to the bottom. I could almost hear my own heavy heartbeat in my ears. Soon, his friend spoke disappointedly: “What’s wrong with you? Why’d you take so many photos of the moon? Want to be a photographer?” “Isn’t this hobby way classier than gaming? I really appreciate it.” Luna’s face lit up with a sweet smile, her eyes so tender they could melt. As if among all these people in the room, only she understood Ethan. The first round passed just like that. But in the second round, Ethan lost again. This time the condition was to choose an opposite-sex person present and kiss them. The one who made this request was still Ethan’s friend who kept trying to set them up. There were only two women in the room — Luna and me. The noisy jeering rose and fell. Ethan gritted his teeth and glared at him for a long while. Finally speaking slowly: “I’m drunk. I’m leaving.” After saying that, he tilted his head back and downed a bottle of alcohol, getting up to leave the room. Seeing no show to watch, his friends also left one after another. The three of us walked outside together to hail cabs. A car suddenly sped past from the side. Ethan’s first instinct was to pull Luna into his arms. I was knocked down by that car and fell to the ground. The spot on my palm where my nails had scratched earlier broke open. Blood instantly seeped from the wound. I bit down hard on my jaw from the pain. Tears of grievance squeezed from the corners of my eyes. On the last night before leaving, I didn’t want to show weakness in front of him. Ethan’s gaze fell on me, his eyes filled with apology. He helped me up, just about to apologize, when I shook my head stubbornly: “I’m fine. Just didn’t stand steady. Don’t worry about me.” “Your classmate just got back. She’s probably not too familiar with things here. You should take her home. I can manage on my own.”

When I said this, I could feel my heart bleeding in pain. Perhaps my understanding attitude made him feel guilty. Ethan rarely took the initiative to hail a cab for me. He even pretended to write down the license plate number. After seeing me off, he got into another car with Luna. Back home, I cleaned the wound on my palm with hydrogen peroxide myself. Looking in the mirror at how my features contorted in pain, the tears I’d been holding back couldn’t be contained anymore and gushed from my eyes. I cried until my whole body trembled and my throat lost its voice, my body collapsing weakly on the floor. In the early morning, when I’d finished washing up and lay in bed, Ethan finally pushed the door open. I closed my eyes pretending to be asleep. I heard him hesitantly speak: “Don’t overthink it. Today was just my classmate coming back for a reunion, nothing else.” As he spoke, he walked to the bed and realized my eyes were tightly shut. Relieved, he tossed his phone on the bed. Turned and went into the bathroom to wash up. The light turned on. I slowly opened my eyes. His phone wasn’t locked. Possessed by some impulse, I picked it up and glanced at it. The screen was still on the interface where he was replying to Luna’s messages. The last sentence was: [Sophia is my friend. My family pressured me into marriage. This time I had her play along with me. Didn’t expect you’d actually believe it and come back specially for this. What, haven’t gotten over me after five years? Want to consider getting back together?] My heart was instantly gripped by an enormous force. Even my breathing trembled. In front of me, Ethan had always been a perfect boyfriend. Gifts for every anniversary. Little cakes on every ordinary day. Every new fashion item that appeared in my closet right after launch. But only I knew he was loving another person through me. What he did during our relationship was just what he considered a boyfriend’s duty. It never had anything to do with me personally. His heart and soul only beat wildly for Luna. Even the wedding I’d anticipated for five years was a scheme to win Luna back. With the facts laid before me, I could no longer deceive myself. I covered my mouth with my hand so I wouldn’t cry out loud. When I put down the phone, I accidentally returned to the home screen. His friend’s chat showed an unread message. [Bro, that’s all I can help you with. When things work out with Luna, don’t forget to treat me to dinner!] I immediately locked the screen. Taking several deep breaths, I opened the email I’d just received on my own phone. It was a success notification from the overseas branch. After reading it, I directly bought a flight abroad for the next morning. After the payment succeeded, Ethan’s phone suddenly rang. He hurriedly walked out of the bathroom. I pretended I’d just woken up. He hung up the call and glanced at a message. Meeting my sleepy eyes, he spoke: “My friend’s light at home broke. I’m going to take a look. You sleep first. I’ll be right back.” Dropping that line, he leaned down and kissed my forehead. Then turned and strode out of the room. The door closing sound echoed. The last teardrop rolled down my cheek. I desperately wiped my forehead with my uninjured hand. Ethan, oh Ethan, you weren’t even willing to put effort into lying to me once. I lay in bed with my eyes open until dawn. I got up and simply washed up, then dragged my luggage to the airport. On the way, Ethan finally deigned to send me a message. [Sorry about last night. By the time we fixed the light it was almost dawn. I was afraid of disturbing your sleep, so I didn’t come back. Luna’s going today too. Save a seat for her. She wants to watch.] I turned off my phone. Only at the last moment before boarding did I reply to him. [I saved a seat, but it’s the bride’s seat.] [Ethan, let’s break up.]

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When my birth mother drugged me and dragged me onto tech mogul Mr. Holt’s yacht, I couldn’t help but laugh at the cabin door: “This boat is still as ugly as ever.” The fake heiress, Vivian Jones, thought I’d lost my mind. She pinched my thigh hard and clipped a micro camera to my chest. “Skyler, Mr. Holt has a violent temper and sadistic tendencies. You better scream loud later.” My birth mother, Martha Jones, coldly tied my hands beside her, her tone impatient. “We raised you all these years. Now it’s time to repay us.” “As long as Mr. Holt ruins you here, your sister will get exclusive rights and become an influencer worth millions.” “Sacrificing you to make your sister successful — you owe her that much!” As the drugs took effect, Martha stripped off my coat and threw me into the dark lower cabin like trash. No one noticed that in the dim light, I couldn’t help but smile. And no one knew that the “violent and unpredictable tech mogul” they spoke of had clung to my legs three years ago, crying and begging me to take him in. Today, they’d personally delivered me right back to his territory.

When I woke up, my head was still foggy. My hands were bound behind me with rough rope that dug painfully into my wrists. The yacht’s engine rumbled low, meaning we’d already left port. Outside the door came Vivian’s voice, barely suppressing her wild excitement. “Martha! Mr. Holt’s people said he’s heading to the lower deck now!” “Once the camera catches footage of Mr. Holt torturing Skyler, my livestream will blow up!” “Then Mr. Holt’s exclusive interview will be mine too, and the Jones family will be saved!” Martha’s voice followed, dripping with disgusting flattery. “Don’t worry, Vivian. I gave her enough drugs — she doesn’t even have the strength to bite her tongue off.” “Once Mr. Holt gets tired of her, we’ll use the video to blackmail her into giving up all her shares.” “This bitch grew up in the countryside. She’s trash in her bones. Serving Mr. Holt is the luckiest thing that could happen to her in several lifetimes.” Trash. Lucky. I leaned against the cold iron wall and smiled coldly. Five years ago, the Jones family brought me back from the countryside. I thought it was family calling me home. Turned out they needed bone marrow for Vivian, who had leukemia. After they drained my marrow, they threw me in the basement to eat leftovers. Meanwhile, Vivian took my design drafts and transformed herself into New York’s darling talent. Now the Jones family’s capital chain had broken. They were about to go bankrupt. They’d heard that the all-powerful tech mogul Mr. Holt was hosting a private party on his yacht tonight. Rumor had it Mr. Holt was violent and cruel, loved torturing disobedient women. So Martha, without hesitation, drugged my water. Packaged me up and sent me here to secure Vivian’s bright future. The drug’s effects were slowly fading. My fingers could already move. I turned my wrist slightly, and the micro blade hidden in my sleeve slid into my palm. Three seconds. The rough rope snapped. I rubbed my reddened wrists and stood up. I could draw this yacht’s lower cabin structure with my eyes closed. Because three years ago, I’d written every line of code for this boat’s smart control system. Back then, Ethan Holt wasn’t any Mr. Holt. He was just a stray dog, covered in blood, collapsed in a rainy alley. I picked him up, taught him to code, taught him business, taught him how to crush the people who’d stepped on him. He knelt before me and said his life belonged to me. Later, his ambition grew too large. To climb higher, he’d use any means — even wanted to lock me in a cage. I kicked him away, erased all traces of myself, and disappeared completely. Three years. I heard he went crazy looking for me, turned New York upside down. Never expected Martha would deliver me to him today. The micro camera on my chest blinked with a faint red light. Vivian’s livestream had already started. I reached up and pinched the button-sized camera between my fingers. But I didn’t crush it. If she wanted a livestream, I’d give her a real show. I walked to the cabin door and raised my foot. “Bang!” The heavy iron door flew open with my kick. In the corridor outside stood two bodyguards in black suits. Hearing the noise, they whipped around, faces full of shock. “You… how did you get free?!” I ignored them and walked straight out. “Stop! Mr. Holt’s prey dares to run!” One bodyguard pulled out his baton and charged at me viciously. I sidestepped, grabbed his wrist, and twisted hard. “Crack!” The sound of breaking bone echoed crisply in the corridor. The bodyguard screamed. His baton clattered to the floor. I kicked him behind the knee. He dropped to the ground with a thud. The other bodyguard backed away in terror, reaching for his radio. “Calling captain! The cargo escaped! She knows how to fight!” Cargo. They called me cargo too. I picked up the baton from the floor and walked toward him step by step. “This boat’s security system is the old version from three years ago.” I looked at him, my tone calm. “You didn’t even upgrade the system, and you dare try to stop me?” The bodyguard froze, clearly not understanding what I meant. I swung the baton hard at the side of his neck. His eyes rolled back and he collapsed limply. I stepped over their bodies and headed to the control panel at the end of the corridor. My fingers tapped rapidly across the screen. “Beep — ” System access unlocked. I took direct control of the yacht’s internal surveillance network. And while I was at it, I switched Vivian’s livestream signal to the yacht’s big screens. The show was about to begin.

In the yacht’s luxurious top-floor hall, dim lights set a scene of indulgent decadence. Vivian wore a haute couture gown, holding champagne, smiling sweetly at her phone camera. “Tonight I’m taking you all to see New York’s most exclusive party.” “I heard Mr. Holt will appear soon. Hit that follow button so you don’t miss the exciting moments.” Martha stood beside her, face full of smiles as she schmoozed with the wealthy merchants and socialites around them. “Yes, yes, our Vivian was personally invited by Mr. Holt himself.” “Soon the Jones family and Mr. Holt will practically be family.” The giant screen in the center of the hall had been playing soothing music. Suddenly, the image flickered. The music stopped. The screen showed surveillance footage from the lower cabin corridor. In the frame, I wore a torn dress, held a bloodied baton, and stood over two bodyguards lying motionless at my feet. The hall fell instantly silent. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at the screen in shock. Vivian’s smile froze on her face. Martha’s champagne glass slipped from her hand and shattered on the floor. “What… what’s going on?!” Vivian looked frantically between the screen and her phone. Her livestream chat had exploded. [Holy shit! Isn’t that the girl who was tied up earlier?] [Those fighting skills are insane! She took down two guys!] [Didn’t Vivian say her sister volunteered to serve Mr. Holt? Why are they fighting?] [What the hell is happening? Is this kidnapping?] Vivian broke out in a cold sweat and tried to shut down the livestream. “Network error! This is behind-the-scenes footage from a movie! Yes, just footage!” Useless. I’d already locked her livestream backend. Unless I released it, she couldn’t even turn off her phone. I looked at the surveillance camera in the corridor and slowly smiled. “Vivian, didn’t you want me to scream louder?” My voice transmitted clearly through the yacht’s PA system to every corner. “I’m out now. How exactly do you plan to make me scream?” The hall erupted in chaos. All eyes turned to Vivian and Martha. “Mrs. Jones, what’s going on? Isn’t that your family’s real daughter you just found?” “You tied up your biological daughter and sent her to Mr. Holt? And livestreamed it?” “The Jones family will do anything for money — such despicable tactics!” Martha’s face alternated between green and white as she pointed at the screen and cursed. “Skyler! You little bitch! What are you doing!” “Get back down there now! If you anger Mr. Holt, our whole family will pay with our lives!” I laughed softly. “Pay with our lives?” “Mrs. Jones, you’ve got something wrong.” “The only ones dying here today will be you.” I gripped the baton and turned toward the elevator to the top floor. The elevator doors opened and five fully armed bodyguards charged out. Leading them was a scarred man — Ethan’s head of security. “Take her down! Dead or alive!” Scarface roared and all five rushed at me. I sidestepped the first one’s baton, chopped the side of his neck with my hand. Seized his baton and smashed it into the second man’s jaw. Blood sprayed. My movements never paused, like a precision killing machine. Three years ago in the back alleys, I’d fought my way through an entire street of thugs to protect that useless Ethan. These greenhouse-raised bodyguards moved like they were in slow motion to me. Less than a minute. All five bodyguards lay on the ground groaning. Scarface clutched his broken ribs, staring at me in terror like he’d seen a ghost. “Who… who are you?” I lifted his chin with the bloody baton. “Go tell Ethan.” “His dogs are blocking my path.” Scarface trembled and scrambled away. I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. The elevator rose slowly. I knew a group of clowns was waiting for me above. And one lunatic I hadn’t seen in three years.

The elevator dinged open. The air in the hall seemed to freeze. Everyone stared at me in horror, like watching a demon crawl out of hell. I walked out of the elevator step by step, gripping the still-dripping baton. The hem of my red dress was torn, exposing my pale, slender legs speckled with blood. “Skyler! You maniac!” Martha screamed and rushed at me, raising her hand to slap me. “Do you know what you’ve done! You beat Mr. Holt’s bodyguards! You’re going to destroy the Jones family!” My eyes turned cold. I grabbed her wrist. Applied slight pressure. “Ahhh — it hurts! Let go!” Martha’s features twisted in pain. Her knees buckled and she dropped right in front of me. “When you hit me, did you worry about my pain?” I looked down at her, my voice devoid of warmth. “When you drained my bone marrow, did you worry I’d die?” “Now you’re scared?” Seeing this, Vivian immediately put on a pitiful expression. She faced the livestream camera, tears falling on command. “Skyler, why are you treating Martha like this? Even if you’re jealous of me, you can’t hit people!” “Mr. Holt will be here soon. Apologize to Martha quickly. Mr. Holt is such a good person, he’ll definitely forgive you.” She was still trying to maintain her kind rich-girl persona. I shoved Martha aside and walked straight up to Vivian. She backed up a step in fear, but still tried to act tough. “What… what do you want? This is Mr. Holt’s territory!” “Slap!” I backhanded her across the face. Vivian spun half a circle and crashed to the floor. Half her face swelled immediately, blood seeping from her mouth. “You… you dare hit me?” She covered her face, staring at me in disbelief. “Hit you? So what?” I crouched down, grabbed her hair, and forced her to look up at the camera. “You love livestreaming, right? Come on, tell everyone.” “Those talent design drafts you’re so proud of — who drew them?” “That bone marrow that saved your life — who gave it?” “And the confidence you have to stand here now — who gave you that?” Vivian struggled desperately, eyes darting away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about! Let me go! Help! Mr. Holt, help!” Just then, the carved doors at the end of the hall burst open. An extremely cold, oppressive aura instantly swept through the entire hall. Everyone held their breath, unconsciously clearing a path. A man in a black haute couture suit, surrounded by a dozen bodyguards in black, walked slowly forward. His features were deep and striking, his nose bridge high, his jawline sharp as a blade. Those pitch-black eyes radiated a chilling murderous intent. New York billionaire, tech mogul, Ethan Holt. Vivian crawled toward him like she’d found her savior. “Mr. Holt! Mr. Holt, save me! This crazy woman hit me, and she beat your men!” “She doesn’t deserve to serve you at all! Mr. Holt, throw her in the ocean to feed the sharks!” Martha also hurried over, kowtowing obsequiously. “Mr. Holt, please calm down! This girl is mentally ill. The Jones family will deal with her immediately. We won’t dirty your eyes with her presence!” Ethan didn’t acknowledge them. His gaze cut through the crowd and locked onto my face. He saw my torn dress. Saw the marks on my wrists. Saw the bloodied baton in my hand. The temperature of the air around him instantly dropped to freezing. Scarface followed behind him, pointing at me and shouting: “Mr. Holt! It’s her! She’s the one who injured our men! You must…” “Shut up.” Ethan’s voice was soft but carried undeniable killing intent. Scarface immediately went silent, breaking into a cold sweat. Vivian kept fanning the flames, oblivious. “Mr. Holt, look how arrogant she is. She doesn’t respect you at all…” Ethan suddenly moved. He strode forward step by step toward me. His leather shoes struck the marble floor with dull thuds, like footsteps on everyone’s hearts. Vivian and Martha exchanged glances, wild joy flashing in their eyes. They thought Ethan was going to kill me himself. The other people in the hall shook their heads, certain I was done for. Ethan walked up to me and stopped. He stood a full head taller than me. His massive shadow completely enveloped me. I met his eyes without flinching. Three seconds later. Under the shocked, stunned gazes of everyone present. The all-powerful, ruthless Mr. Holt of New York. Suddenly bent his knees. “Thud.” He dropped straight to his knees before me. His hands clutched desperately at my waist, burying his face in my dress. His broad shoulders trembled violently. A low, hoarse, aggrieved voice thick with tears echoed through the hall. “Baby…” “You’re finally willing to keep me…”

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I’m the long-lost biological daughter of a wealthy family. After returning home, I did only three things. First, I installed surveillance cameras throughout the house — no blind spots, 360 degrees. Second, I dumped a whole bag of “true vs. fake heiress” stories on them and told them to learn how to handle the relationship between a biological daughter and an adopted one. Third, I stayed ready to go completely unhinged at any moment. It turns out, the first two didn’t work on a family that’s both blind and willfully ignorant. Only by going full-on crazy and taking everyone down with me could I reclaim what rightfully belongs to me. “I’m the one who stole eighteen years of Vanessa’s life.” “Now that she’s back, I should leave.” The fake heiress stood there in an expensive white designer dress, crying like a wilting flower. Just as Mom, Dad, and my brothers were about to comfort her, I took the initiative and threw two large canvas bags off my shoulder onto the expensive floor. “Wait a second, everyone.” “The security here is terrible.” “Let me install some surveillance cameras first.” To survive, I’d worked countless part-time jobs. Installing surveillance cameras was nothing difficult for me. I had to admit, wealthy estates were huge — but also truly contradictory. They didn’t even have a single security camera. I casually wiped the sweat from my face and flashed an honest smile at the family members with their varying expressions. “Dad, Mom, Vanessa, Ethan, Lucas — you don’t need to thank me too much.” “Sure, buying all this stuff drained my entire savings, but at least it’ll keep everyone safe.” “Plus, now other wealthy families won’t laugh at us for not being able to afford surveillance cameras.” Seeing their suddenly stifled expressions, I quickly bent down to open the other bag and pulled out several novels with flashy covers. Without waiting for a response, I stuffed them into their stiff hands. “This is my first time being a real heiress, so I don’t have much experience.” “But I figured reading more books can’t hurt.” I rubbed my rough fingers together, my eyes sincere. “Let’s study and learn together.” Vanessa clutched the book in her hands so tightly her knuckles went white. Tears instantly streamed down her face. “Vanessa, are you doing all this because you’re guarding against me?” “I should just leave.” I quickly moved aside from the doorway and gave her a thumbs-up. “You want to go back to your biological parents?” “I knew you were beautiful inside and out.” “All that wealth didn’t make you forget your real mom and dad.” “Sure, your dad loves drinking, gambling, and beating people.” “And your mom is cruel and vicious — eighteen years ago, she deliberately switched you and me while working as a maid for the Hayes family.” “But at the end of the day, you share the same blood as them.” “There’s a saying, isn’t there?” “A child doesn’t despise their mother’s ugliness, and a dog doesn’t despise its family’s poverty.” “No matter how awful they are, they’re still the ones who brought you into this world.” With every word I spoke, Vanessa’s face grew paler. By the end, her whole body was swaying. Ethan quickly pulled her into his arms protectively. “Vanessa, shut up.” “Pearl was just a baby who didn’t understand anything back then.” “What fault could she possibly have?” I nodded eagerly. “Ethan, you’re New York’s best lawyer.” “Since you’ve determined that switching children isn’t a crime, then this whole thing must be perfectly legal.” Watching Ethan’s expression darken progressively, I slapped my thigh hard. “I’m such an idiot!” “Pearl is so kind — how could I say she has dirty blood flowing through her veins?” “Three years ago, when her adoptive parents secretly came to the Hayes residence looking for her, she even gave them a large sum of money.” My eldest brother’s handsome face turned completely dark at this point. Pearl, leaning against him, rolled her eyes back and fainted. “Lucas, go get the family doctor quickly.” Lucas was my second brother. Ethan carried Pearl upstairs in a rush. I anxiously followed behind them. “Wait, so when you’re sick you’re supposed to see a doctor?” “But my adoptive parents always said I just needed to tough it out.” Mom and Dad, who had been about to follow them upstairs, involuntarily stopped in their tracks. The two exchanged glances and thoughtfully opened the “true versus fake heiress” novel in their hands.

Pearl now felt dizzy and nauseous whenever she saw me. Ethan ordered me not to go anywhere near the second floor and made me stay in the servants’ quarters on the first floor. I hugged my patched-up little blanket, my face full of gratitude. “Thank you, Lucas.” “At my adoptive parents’ house, I was only allowed to sleep in the dog kennel and the cattle shed.” “You’re actually letting me stay inside the house — you’re so good to me.” “I must express my sincere gratitude.” I immediately knelt down. This whole performance left everyone in the hall completely stunned. Mom pulled me up with trembling hands. “Vanessa, is this really how Daniel and his family treated you?” I nodded, then shook my head. “Mom, actually my adoptive parents were pretty good to me.” “As long as I worked hard enough, they’d share a bite or two of the leftovers from the dog’s bowl with me.” I proudly rolled up my sleeves. “Look, I may be skin and bones, but I’m really strong.” “I did all the housework, big and small.” Mom’s gaze fell on the crisscrossing scars — old and new — on my arms. She couldn’t hold it in anymore and broke down crying. I clumsily tried to wipe the tears from her face. “Mom, don’t cry.” “My adoptive parents said I was just a little bastard, and that letting me live this long was already an enormous blessing.” The word “bastard” completely enraged Dad, who had been playing the invisible man until now. He roared at Lucas, “Go investigate this for me! How dare Daniel have the audacity to abuse my daughter like this?” Lucas clenched his fists tightly. He was torn. He really didn’t like me, this sister who had suddenly barged into their lives, but I did carry Hayes family blood after all. The way Daniel and his wife treated me was essentially trampling on the Hayes family’s dignity. “Lucas, please don’t investigate.” “I’m begging you on my knees.” Pearl appeared at the top of the stairs, looking so fragile a gust of wind could knock her over. The family members who had just started feeling sympathy for me all rushed upstairs to comfort her. I was so worried about Pearl that I shouted anxiously from behind. “Dad, Lucas — Daniel and his wife are Pearl’s biological parents, after all.” “They’ve done so many illegal things.” “If you really investigate them, they’ll definitely be arrested.” “Pearl shares their blood — won’t it break her heart?” Mom and Dad’s hands, reaching out to touch Pearl, froze in midair. Pearl stood on the second floor looking down at me, grinding her teeth in hatred. I smiled and waved at her. “You don’t need to thank me.” “We’re such good sisters, even if we don’t share the same parents.” Pearl’s eyes rolled back again and she fainted. This time, she probably wasn’t faking it. Dad looked at Pearl being carried horizontally in Ethan’s arms. His usually loving eyes held a trace of scrutiny. “Pearl’s body is weak.” “Take her back to her room.” “As for Vanessa — she’s your real sister.” “You can’t be too biased.” Then he instructed the butler, “Go prepare the room next to Pearl’s for Vanessa.” Lucas instinctively objected. “Dad, no.” “Pearl has a lot of things.” “All the rooms on the second floor are prepared for her.” Mom raised her hand and slapped Lucas across the face. “Lucas, do you have any humanity left?” “When we were spoiling Pearl like a princess, your real sister was sleeping in a dog kennel at the Harper house, fighting dogs for food.” “Just because Vanessa is sensible and doesn’t fight for things doesn’t mean she doesn’t deserve them.” “Mom, I know Vanessa suffered, but none of this is Pearl’s fault.” “Why should she be neglected just because Vanessa came back?” “In my heart, I only recognize Pearl as my sister.” Lucas argued stubbornly. Afraid the two would damage their mother-son relationship because of me, I quickly explained. “Mom, don’t blame Lucas.” “He’s right.” “All the family’s love belongs to Pearl.” “I don’t want anything.” “I’ll go back to where I belong right now.” I hugged my tattered blanket and ran out of the mansion in a flash, heading straight for the dog kennel.

That very night, I moved into the room next to Pearl’s. According to the servants’ gossip, both Ethan and Lucas had been scolded by Mom and Dad, who even ordered them to read those “true versus fake heiress” novels I’d brought back. I locked my door from the inside and pulled out a diary with a cartoon cover. My fingertips traced the cold pages, and finally I used a red pen to make a checkmark. Early the next morning, Pearl and I appeared at the staircase landing at the same time. She suddenly grabbed my hand and positioned herself to fall and roll down the stairs. I quickly grabbed the staircase railing. “Pearl, I installed surveillance cameras all throughout the mansion — 360-degree coverage with no blind spots.” “Please don’t do anything rash.” She reluctantly let go of me and went downstairs resentfully. I followed her to the dining room. Mom, Dad, and my brothers were already there. All four of them had heavy dark circles under their eyes — clearly they’d stayed up late. Mom beckoned me to sit beside her. “Vanessa, we’ve all read those ‘true versus fake heiress’ novels you brought.” “Don’t worry — we’re not like those brainless parents in the books.” “You’re my flesh and blood.” “I would never mistreat you.” Lucas awkwardly chimed in. “I’ve already had people investigate your life at the Harper house.” “You really did suffer all these years.” “But your suffering wasn’t caused by Pearl.” “Don’t keep targeting her.” Ethan agreed. “When Daniel and his wife switched you and Pearl all those years ago, they were just trying to give their own daughter a better life.” “The law doesn’t go beyond human compassion.” “Be magnanimous and don’t pursue their legal responsibility.” Pearl grabbed my hand and pressed it against her face. “Three years ago when I secretly gave them money, it was actually to help you live a better life.” “But ultimately I was too selfish.” “I didn’t tell Mom and Dad the truth right away.” “Hit me if it makes you feel better, okay?” The crisp sound of slapping instantly rang out. Everyone stared at me in shock. Lucas instinctively swallowed. “Vanessa, you actually hit her?” I looked bewildered, like a child who’d made a mistake, scratching at my hair. “Lucas, I thought Pearl really wanted me to hit her.” “I’m sorry — I’m just too straightforward.” “I won’t do it again.” “Pearl, you’re so kind — you won’t blame me, will you?” Pearl shook her head through her tears. “Vanessa, as long as you’re happy, you can torment me however you want.” I looked helplessly at the two people in the head seats. “Mom, Dad — did those ‘true versus fake heiress’ novels mention how to handle this kind of situation?” “I think Pearl is mad at me.” The two of them had just started feeling dissatisfied with me, but hearing me mention those novels immediately sobered them up. Mom set her knife and fork down on the table with a clatter, her voice stern. “Enough.” “You’re the one who told your sister to hit you, and now you’re crying for everyone to see?” “If your parents hadn’t had such vile intentions back then, you’d be the one living that subhuman existence.” “Not sending them to prison is already us showing you consideration.” Pearl hadn’t expected Mom and Dad to take my side this time. She panicked and even forgot to cry. Mom didn’t spare Pearl another glance. Instead, she held my hand and brought up the subject of school. “Vanessa, your brothers both graduated from prestigious foreign universities.” “Even though Pearl is an art student, she got into a decent college too.” “As a child of the Hayes family, academic credentials may not represent everything, but they can’t be too poor either.” Ethan applied ointment to Pearl’s face while not forgetting to mock me. “With your 150-point score, you’re really embarrassing our family.” “Even though Pearl doesn’t have Hayes blood, she’s just as excellent as Lucas and me.” “She’s more like our family’s child.” Pearl modestly shook her head. “Don’t praise me like that.” “Vanessa’s thought process may be a bit unusual, but she’s excellent too.” “Pearl really has a good eye.” “Ethan, the reason I scored only 800 on the SAT is because I only took the math exam.” As soon as I said this, Mom and Dad stared at me in shock. “Vanessa, you actually scored perfect on math?” “Then why did you only take one subject?”

I looked at Lucas in confusion. “Aren’t you supposed to be a business tycoon — the kind who can find out everything about a person in minutes?” “Didn’t you investigate why?” Lucas coughed lightly and avoided my gaze guiltily. “That was my oversight.” Pearl looked at me apologetically. “Vanessa, don’t blame Lucas.” “It’s my fault for being sickly.” “He was busy taking care of me, so he didn’t finish reading your information.” “If you want to hate someone, hate me.” “I’m the one who took away your chance to go to college.” I reached my hand toward Pearl. She instinctively backed away. I smiled and stood up, pressing down on her head and patting it firmly. “How could I hate you?” “I’m extremely grateful now that you and I were switched.” “The Hayes family is such a wealthy household and they still couldn’t keep you healthy.” “If you’d been at the Harper house, you’d have died long ago.” Pearl looked at Mom and Dad’s faces turning cold and went deathly pale, not daring to talk back anymore. Mom touched my face lovingly. “Vanessa, tell Mom — who exactly stopped you from taking the SAT?” I sighed sorrowfully. “Mom, my adoptive parents locked me up.” “They were afraid if I got into college, they’d never be able to control me again.” Dad slammed his hand on the table. “Damn that Daniel!” “Ethan, I order you to send that couple to prison as quickly as possible.” Mom’s eyes reddened with heartache. “Vanessa, you’ve suffered so much.” “It’s okay that you didn’t do well this time.” “We’ll take it again next year.” I frowned in distress. “Mom, do I have to repeat senior year?” “But I’ve already been accepted to Harvard through early admission because of my awards in math and physics competitions.” Time seemed to stop for an instant. Everyone stared at me with their mouths slightly open. Mom was the first to recover. She excitedly pulled me into her embrace. “Vanessa, you’re Mom’s pride and joy.” Dad nodded as well. “Truly worthy of being my daughter.” Though Ethan and Lucas didn’t say anything, their expressions showed they now recognized me. Pearl never imagined that someone who’d been trampled into the abyss could have a chance to rise up and shine brilliantly. No. She couldn’t let Vanessa take away her identity as the wealthy family’s heiress. After Mom and Dad learned of my astonishing talent in physics and mathematics, they immediately decided to hold a grand homecoming banquet for me. To ensure I appeared before the upper-class elite in the best possible condition, Mom hired professionals to care for and style me. By the day of the banquet, I had completely transformed. The black gown and exquisite hair and makeup made me look even more refined and elegant. As I descended the spiral staircase step by step, my bearing was like that of an heir who had risen from the ashes, determined to reclaim everything that belonged to her. “Wow, she’s beautiful!” “Is this the Hayes family’s real daughter?” “Didn’t they say she grew up in the countryside?” “She doesn’t look like it at all.” “This real heiress is truly remarkable!” “She won first place in both the National High School Mathematics and Physics competitions, and has already been accepted to Harvard.” “With her talent, entering a scientific research institution for further study is just a matter of time!” “I used to think Pearl was pretty outstanding, but compared to the real heiress, she falls far short.” “What’s fake can never become real.” “Even if a pheasant flies up into a tree, it still can’t become a phoenix.” Parents love intelligent children. Amidst everyone’s praise, the eighteen-year gap between me and my parents seemed to slowly disappear. Just then, Pearl rushed up to me and my parents, holding a diary with a cartoon cover. “Mom, Dad, don’t let Vanessa fool you.” “She hates all of us.” “She wants to destroy the Hayes family.” “This diary records every step of her plan in detail.” I lunged at her in panic. “How could you read my private diary?” “Give it back!” My guilty reaction made Mom and Dad suspicious. Ethan grabbed the diary first and strode up to the speaking platform, about to place it on the video display stand so all the guests at today’s event could view my diary together. I fell to my knees at Mom’s feet, crying and hugging her legs. “Mom, Dad, I’m begging you — please don’t look at it, okay?” Mom forcefully pulled her leg away, looking at me with disgust. “Vanessa, you’ve disappointed me so much.”

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On our seventh wedding anniversary, my husband Ethan brought his pregnant subordinate home. After I caught the two of them in bed together, Ethan said disdainfully: “Unlike you, a dead fish, I have needs. Vivian is younger than you. She understands what I want.” Right in front of me, he put Vivian’s feet on his lap and massaged them. I didn’t cry or make a scene. I just packed a few old clothes in front of them. I tore up the terminal illness diagnosis I’d been hiding and flushed the pieces down the toilet. Ethan’s friends were all betting in their group chat that I’d be back on my knees begging to reconcile by morning. After all, I’d been a stay-at-home wife for seven years. I even had to watch his face just to buy groceries. But half a month passed, and I vanished completely. Ethan panicked. He called, his voice seething: “Jane, if you don’t get your ass back here, we’re getting divorced!” But a deep, cold male voice answered the phone. The billionaire tycoon Adrian replied icily: “Jane just had surgery. She’s sleeping. My lawyers will send the divorce papers.”

On our seventh wedding anniversary, Ethan brought his pregnant subordinate home. “Jane, come pour Vivian some water.” His tone was casual, as if he were ordering around a maid. The woman called Vivian, her belly showing just a hint of pregnancy, leaned delicately against Ethan. Her eyes held undisguised provocation. I was holding a plate of freshly made pasta, my hands frozen in mid-air. The steam from the pasta blurred my vision. “What else can you do besides cook?” Ethan frowned, his face full of impatience. “Vivian can help me land the big project with Skyline Corp. She understands me better than you do.” Right in front of me, he put Vivian’s feet on his lap and massaged them carefully. His movements were so gentle, as if he were handling a priceless treasure. Seven years. He had never been this tender with me. My heart felt like it was being squeezed by a giant hand. Even breathing hurt. But I didn’t cry or make a scene. I just calmly untied my apron. Under their sticky gazes, I walked into the bedroom and packed a few old clothes. The wheels of my suitcase scraped across the floor with a harsh noise. Ethan finally looked up, his eyes mocking: “Jane, playing the runaway game again? Where can you even go?” I ignored him and walked into the bathroom. From the deepest part of the drawer, I pulled out the terminal illness diagnosis I’d hidden for a month. Stomach cancer. Stage four. I’d imagined countless times what his reaction might be when I showed him this paper. Maybe a hint of shock. A bit of guilt. Now I saw how naive I’d been. I calmly tore it into pieces and threw them into the toilet. I pressed the flush button and watched those fragments swirl into the vortex and disappear. Just like my seven years of ridiculous marriage, and what little remained of my life. Walking out of the bathroom, I dragged my suitcase without a shred of attachment. Ethan’s voice came from behind me, carrying a condescending sense of charity. “Come back when you’re done with your tantrum. Don’t be ungrateful.” Vivian giggled, leaning close to his ear: “Ethan, don’t be angry. Jane’s probably just upset. Women are like that. Just humor her a bit.” I heard Ethan laugh. “Where can she go? A waste of space who’s been a stay-at-home wife for seven years. She has to watch my face just to buy groceries. I bet by tomorrow morning, she’ll be crawling back on her knees begging me.” I opened the door and walked out. The night wind was cold against my face, but it made me feel more clear-headed than I’d been in years.

Ethan posted a new update on social media. He changed our wedding photo to an intimate shot of him and Vivian. The caption read: “The beginning of a new life.” His group chat with his like-minded friends was even more lively. “Holy shit! Ethan, you brought your mistress home to provoke your wife?” “That Jane should’ve been replaced ages ago. She’s lifeless all the time. Vivian’s way more understanding.” “Let me open a betting pool on how many days before Jane comes back. I bet three days max!” “Three days? I bet one day! She’ll be kneeling at the door by tomorrow morning.” Ethan sent a smug emoji. “I bet she won’t last past midnight tonight.” They discussed me without restraint, as if I weren’t a person but just a ridiculous wager. They were certain I couldn’t survive without Ethan. After all, for him, I’d given up my career, my friends, everything. From a promising research scientist, I’d become a housewife who only revolved around the kitchen and her husband. But one day passed. Three days passed. A week passed. I didn’t go back. I vanished like I’d evaporated from the world, leaving no trace. Ethan started getting anxious. He began calling me, progressing from impatience to furious rage. “Jane, how long are you going to keep this up?” “Who the hell do you think you are? I’m telling you, my patience has limits!” “If you don’t come back, I’m cutting off your card!” Finally, after half a month, all his patience ran out. The moment the call connected, he practically roared. “Jane, this is your last chance! If you don’t get your ass back here, we’re getting divorced!” I had no strength to speak. The stabbing pain in my stomach nearly made me pass out. My phone slipped from my powerless hand. A well-defined hand caught it steadily. On the other end, Ethan was still shouting: “Say something! Are you mute?!” A deep, cold male voice came through the receiver clearly. “She just had surgery. She’s sleeping.” The other end went silent instantly. The man paused, his voice carrying no warmth. “Also, about the divorce, you don’t need to wait.” “My lawyers will personally deliver the divorce papers.”

Ethan was stunned. “Who are you? What gives you the right to make decisions for Jane?” “I’m her current guardian.” After saying this, the man hung up. When Ethan called again, he only heard the cold busy tone. He was so angry he nearly smashed his phone. A woman who’d been his maid for seven years, a waste who couldn’t survive without him, dared not answer his calls? And found some wild man? He immediately used all his connections to trace that number. The result made his heart skip a beat. No information found. That number was a top-level encrypted line, completely untraceable. For the first time, an indescribable panic rose in Ethan’s chest. At that moment, in the top-floor VIP hospital room, I slowly opened my eyes. I saw a pure white ceiling and smelled the sharp scent of disinfectant. The wound in my stomach still throbbed faintly. “You’re awake?” A familiar yet strange voice sounded in my ear. I turned my head and saw the man sitting by the bed. Adrian. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his manner cool and elegant, though the dark circles under his eyes disrupted that composure. We hadn’t seen each other in eight years. He looked more mature than in college, and even more unreachable. “You…” My voice was hoarse. I couldn’t form a complete sentence. “You collapsed on the street. A passerby called emergency services,” he explained concisely. “In your phone’s contacts, there was only Ethan.” “I called him. He didn’t answer.” Adrian’s tone was flat, revealing no emotion. But I heard what he didn’t say. When I needed him most, my husband was with another woman. “Later, I had my assistant check your medical records.” Adrian looked at me, his gaze deep. “Stage four stomach cancer. Jane, why didn’t you tell me?” I avoided his eyes and forced a smile. “What good would telling you do? We’re not connected anymore.” “Not connected?” Adrian repeated the phrase, his tone rising slightly at the end. “Jane, you left with Ethan without a word years ago. You didn’t even say goodbye. And now you tell me we’re not connected?” His proximity made me feel suffocated. What happened back then was my debt to him. It was my weakness, my betrayal of our promise. “I’m sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say besides this. “I don’t need your apology.” Adrian stood up, looking down at me from above. “I’m only asking you one thing. Are you divorcing Ethan or not?” I looked at him and suddenly smiled. “Yes.” “Not only that, I want him to lose everything.” The next day, Ethan met Adrian’s lawyer in his office. “Mr. Harris, this is the divorce agreement drafted by Ms. Jane.” The lawyer pushed a document toward him. “Ms. Jane requests that marital assets be split fifty-fifty. Additionally, the villa you currently reside in is Ms. Jane’s premarital property. Please vacate within three days.” Ethan looked at the lawyer like he was looking at a lunatic. “On what grounds? I built that company from scratch! The villa is in her name, but I paid the down payment and the mortgage!” “Mr. Harris, your company’s startup capital came from the inheritance Ms. Jane received from her parents. As for the villa, we have evidence proving all payments came from Ms. Jane’s personal account.” The lawyer produced another document. “This is evidence of your extramarital affair and your child with a third party. If this goes to court, you may not get a single cent.” Ethan’s face turned deathly pale.

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Because of an accidental fire, my husband Ethan’s stepsister Lily suffered severe burns all over her body. But he was convinced that I, out of jealousy, had deliberately locked the storage room door. In his rage, he imprisoned me in the basement of the villa. Every day, he had a black-market doctor inject me with corrosive serum. “Only when I watch your skin rot away layer by layer will you understand even one ten-thousandth of Lily’s pain.” He coldly sentenced me to death. He didn’t know that when the fire broke out, I had desperately crashed through the door and used my own back to shield Lily from the falling beam. He knew even less that the miniature camera I had hidden in the ventilation duct was flashing its cold red light. And my older brother, the mafia boss, had received my distress signal. “Clara, after this injection today, your right hand will rot away completely.” Ethan looked down at me from above. In his hand was a syringe filled with an eerie blue liquid. I lay on the basement’s cold cement floor like a dying fish. Not a single inch of my body was uninjured. “Ethan, that’s enough.” The sound of wheelchair wheels rolling echoed. Lily was pushed in by a bodyguard. Her face was wrapped in thick gauze, leaving only a pair of reddened eyes visible. “Clara definitely didn’t lock me in the fire on purpose.” “She just loves you too much and lost her head for a moment.” “I’m already disfigured. Please don’t let Clara suffer anymore.” Lily’s voice choked with emotion. Tears dripped down steadily. Ethan’s gaze instantly became incredibly gentle. He strode quickly to the wheelchair. Tenderly wiping away Lily’s tears. “Lily, you’re just too kind.” “This vicious woman nearly burned you alive!” “She’s not only jealous of you but completely without morals. I must make her pay!” With that, Ethan whirled around. The look he gave me was like looking at a disgusting piece of trash. “Hold her down!” Two burly bodyguards immediately stepped forward. They pinned my shoulders down on both sides. I struggled desperately. Only hoarse, ugly sounds came from my throat. “Ethan… I didn’t…” “I didn’t… start the fire…” My vocal cords had been severely burned by thick smoke in the fire. Every word felt like swallowing razor blades. “Shut up!” Ethan kicked me viciously in the stomach. Searing pain instantly tore through my internal organs. I curled up like a shrimp. Cold sweat soaked through my tattered clothes. “Clara, you disgust me.” “Even now, you still dare to argue?” “The surveillance footage from the fire scene showed everything clearly. Besides you, no one else went near that storage room!” “If you hadn’t locked the door, how could Lily have been unable to escape?” I gasped in agony. Staring at him intently. The surveillance had been tampered with. But I knew that no matter what I said now, he wouldn’t believe me. “Ethan, stop hitting her. Clara will die.” Lily cried out in alarm. Covering her mouth with both hands. But the flash of satisfaction in her eyes didn’t escape my notice. Ethan took a deep breath. Suppressing his rage. “Lily, don’t look. Don’t dirty your eyes.” He turned to look at the black-clothed doctor beside him. “Do it.” The black-market doctor walked over expressionlessly. Roughly rolling up my sleeve. The cold needle pierced my skin. The eerie blue liquid was slowly pushed into my vein. The sensation was like a rusty saw. Slowly sawing through my bones bit by bit. “Ahhh!” I finally couldn’t hold back. A piercing scream escaped me. My entire body’s muscles spasmed uncontrollably. Ethan watched coldly. “This is called corrosive serum.” “After injection, you’ll consciously feel your flesh being dissolved bit by bit.” “The suffering Lily endured in that fire — I’ll make you pay it back a thousand times over.” The pain made even breathing stop. My fingers clawed desperately at the cement floor. My nails bent back and broke. Blood everywhere. Why? Ethan, why won’t you even investigate? Three years as husband and wife. In your eyes, it’s not even worth one of Lily’s tears. “Ethan, I’m a little scared.” Lily shrank into Ethan’s embrace. Ethan immediately pushed the wheelchair. “Let’s go upstairs. The air down here is too filthy.” At the doorway, he stopped. Without even turning his head. “Clara, enjoy yourself.” “This is only the first injection. Tomorrow I’ll try a new drug.” The iron door slammed shut with a bang. The basement plunged back into deathly darkness. I lay in a pool of blood. Gasping violently. My right hand had completely lost all feeling. Only excruciating pain raced madly through my nerves. I struggled to turn my eyes. Looking toward the ventilation duct high in the corner. There, an extremely faint red light flickered. That was my trump card. I bit through my lip. Swallowing the mouthful of blood. “Ethan, I’m waiting for the day you kneel and beg me.”

Early the next morning. The iron door was pushed open again. Blinding light flooded into the basement. I instinctively closed my eyes. Ethan strode in. Holding a leash in his hand. At the other end of the leash was my golden retriever, Pudding. Seeing me, Pudding immediately wagged his tail excitedly. He whimpered, trying to run toward me. But Ethan yanked the leash hard. “Pudding…” I called out hoarsely. Tears instantly welled up. This was the dog I’d raised for five years. My only comfort in this cold villa. “Ethan, this dog is so vicious. It barked at me yesterday.” Lily followed behind. Timidly hiding behind Ethan. “Does it resent me for taking Clara’s place?” Ethan sneered. “A beast is just a beast, taking after its owner’s vicious nature.” He yanked the leash violently. Pudding was choked and let out a pitiful yelp. Falling heavily to the ground. “Ethan! What are you doing!” I found strength from somewhere. Struggling to get up from the floor. Trying to lunge forward to protect Pudding. “Bang!” Ethan lifted his leg. Kicking me back down with one foot. My head hit the cement floor hard. My vision went black. “Clara, you still have the energy to care about a dog?” Ethan looked down at me from above. His eyes cruel to the extreme. “Lily gets scared now whenever she sees fire or furry animals.” “This is all your doing.” “Since you love this dog so much, I’ll let you watch how it atones for your sins.” He turned to look at the bodyguard behind him. His tone cold and emotionless. “Break this beast’s legs.” “Then throw it into the septic tank in the backyard.” My eyes widened in shock. Looking at him in disbelief. “No! Ethan, you’re insane!” “Pudding is innocent! He didn’t do anything!” I crawled forward desperately. Clutching Ethan’s leather shoes with both hands. “Please… don’t hurt him…” “Beat me, yell at me if you want…” “Let Pudding go… please…” I cried my heart out. My forehead banging against the floor. Blood streaming down my cheeks. Blurring my vision. Ethan kicked me away in disgust. “When you set that fire to burn Lily, why didn’t you think about how she was innocent too?” “Do it!” The bodyguard raised the iron rod in his hand. Without hesitation, he smashed it down on Pudding’s hind leg. “Crack!” The sound of breaking bones echoed clearly in the basement. Pudding let out an extremely shrill scream. He rolled on the ground in agony. But his eyes remained fixed on me. As if begging me for help. “Pudding!” I screamed in despair. My heart felt like it was being crushed by a giant hand. The bodyguard dragged Pudding by his hind leg. Dragging him out of the basement like garbage. A long trail of blood remained on the floor. Lily covered her eyes in fear. “Ethan, this is too cruel…” Ethan pulled her gently into his arms. “Don’t be afraid. Evil people deserve evil retribution.” He turned his head, looking at me coldly. “Clara, does it hurt?” “Can’t take it already?” “Let me tell you, this is far from enough.” He pulled a small transparent vial from his pocket. Tossing it in front of me. “This is today’s medicine.” “Drink it yourself.” “Otherwise, I’ll have someone skin that dog and make it into a carpet for your cell.” I stared at the vial on the ground. Trembling like a leaf. Ethan, you’re not human. You’re a complete demon. I extended my still-functioning left hand, trembling. Picking up the vial from the ground. Pulling out the stopper. Tilting my head back, I drank the bitter liquid in one gulp. Ethan smiled with satisfaction. “So obedient.” “Lily, let’s go.” The iron door closed again. I lay on the ground. My stomach felt like I’d swallowed a burning coal. The intense cramping left me without even the strength to scream. Pudding’s blood trail was right before my eyes. I reached out, gently touching that trail of blood. Tears fell heavily onto the ground. “Pudding, I’m sorry.” “Mommy will definitely avenge you.”

Day three. Ethan didn’t bring a doctor. He held a document in his hand. Throwing it directly at my face. The paper’s edge cut my cheek. Fine beads of blood seeped out. “Sign it.” Ethan’s voice was ice cold. I struggled to open my eyes. Making out the large characters on the document. Divorce Agreement. “You want me… to leave with nothing?” I looked at the terms listed. Not only would I get no money. I also had to transfer the property I’d purchased before marriage to Lily as mental compensation. “You still have the nerve to ask for money?” Ethan acted as if he’d heard the biggest joke. “You harmed Lily like this, and I’m being merciful by not demanding your life!” “Sign it and get out of the house.” “Then go to the police station and turn yourself in.” I gripped the agreement tightly. My knuckles white from the pressure. “I won’t sign.” I raised my head, looking directly into his eyes. “I didn’t start the fire.” “I’m not guilty. Why should I turn myself in?” “Slap!” Ethan backhanded me with a resounding slap. Sending me flying. The corner of my mouth split instantly. I spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with a tooth. “Clara, you really won’t cry until you see your coffin.” Ethan pulled out his phone. Opening a video. On the screen was my grandmother, whom I depended on. She lay in a hospital bed. Wearing an oxygen mask. Her face deathly pale. “What did you do?!” I lunged forward like a madwoman. Trying to snatch the phone. Ethan stepped on the back of my hand. Grinding down hard. “I didn’t do anything.” “I just sent someone to the hospital to show the old lady this surveillance video.” “And told her that her precious granddaughter is a murderer with a heart like a snake.” “The old lady got so worked up, her heart condition flared up.” Ethan’s smile was incredibly cruel. “The doctor said if we can’t raise the five hundred thousand for surgery by tonight.” “We can start preparing for her funeral.” I was struck as if by lightning. Frozen in place. All the blood in my body seemed to flow backward in that moment. “Ethan… you’re an animal!” I roared hysterically. Tears bursting forth like a dam breaking. “Grandma is innocent! You know she has a heart condition!” “How could you do this to her!” Ethan remained unmoved. “That depends on you.” He kicked the pen on the floor with his toe. “Sign it and admit everything was your doing.” “I’ll have someone transfer the surgery fee immediately.” “Otherwise, just wait to collect that old hag’s corpse.” My whole body trembled. Looking at Ethan’s familiar face. It felt unbearably strange and terrifying. Three years. I cooked and kept house for him. I concealed my identity for him, restrained my brilliance. And this is what I got — him threatening me with my loved one’s life. “Fine…” “I’ll sign.” I picked up the pen with shaking hands. Signing my name on the agreement. Each stroke felt like carving out my heart. Ethan collected the agreement with satisfaction. “That’s better from the start.” He turned to leave. At the doorway, he suddenly stopped. “Oh, I forgot to tell you.” “Even though you signed, I never intended to give the money.” “That old hag died half an hour ago.” What?! I jerked my head up. My mind went completely blank. Only a sharp ringing remained in my ears. “You… what did you say?” Ethan didn’t even bother looking at me. “I said your grandmother is dead.” “Your murderer granddaughter scared her to death.” The iron door slammed shut heavily. I sat on the ground in a daze. Unable even to cry. Grandma was dead. My only family in this world was dead. A tearing pain came from my chest. I suddenly spat out a large mouthful of blood. My vision plunged completely into darkness. “Ethan, I’ll make you pay in blood.”

I don’t know how long passed. I was awakened by a splash of ice-cold water. The bone-chilling cold made me shiver violently. The basement lights were on. Lily stood before me. She wasn’t in a wheelchair. She stood steadily. Most of the gauze on her face had been removed. The exposed skin was somewhat red and swollen, but definitely not disfigured. “Your… your legs…” I spoke hoarsely. Lily laughed triumphantly. She even twirled in place. “How’s that? Clara, did I play the part well?” She crouched down. Grabbing my hair in one fist. Forcing me to lift my head. “Actually, I wasn’t badly burned at all.” “I set the storage room fire myself.” She leaned close to my ear. Her voice soft as a snake’s hiss. “Only this way would Ethan completely detest you.” “Only then would he sweep you out like garbage.” I stared at her intently. The rage in my chest nearly burning me alive. “You’re insane…” “To frame me, you’d even gamble with your own life?” Lily laughed mockingly. “So what?” “I’m the one who won in the end anyway.” She stood up. Pulling a syringe from her pocket. The liquid inside was a murky black. “Ethan went to handle your grandmother’s funeral arrangements.” “He gave me the key to this place.” “Clara, your existence is too much of an eyesore.” “This injection will kill you through heart failure.” “The medical examiner will only conclude you couldn’t bear your guilty conscience and committed suicide.” She held the syringe, approaching me step by step. “Don’t be afraid. It’ll be over quickly.” I retreated desperately. But behind me was only the cold wall. Nowhere to go. “Lily, aren’t you afraid of retribution!” I shouted angrily. Lily laughed loudly. “Retribution?” “In this house, Ethan is God!” “He believes me, so I’m innocent!” “You’re just an orphan with no power or influence. When you die, who will stand up for you?” She pressed down on my arm. The needle stabbed viciously into my vein. The cold liquid was pushed in instantly. I closed my eyes in despair. Was I really going to die here? At this critical moment. “BOOM!” An earth-shattering explosion. The basement’s sturdy iron door. Along with half the wall. Was blown wide open! Through the rolling smoke. A team of fully armed black-clad bodyguards flooded in like a tide. Instantly pinning Lily to the ground. “Let me go! Who are you!” Lily screamed in terror. The sound of leather shoes on rubble echoed. A tall, upright figure emerged from the smoke. The man’s face was cold and stern, his eyes carrying a towering killing intent. He strode to me. Seeing my blood-covered, barely alive state. His eyes instantly reddened. He knelt on one knee. Taking off his custom-tailored coat, carefully wrapping my broken body. His voice trembling uncontrollably. “Clara, I’m sorry…” “I’m late.” I looked at this familiar face before me. He was my older brother who once doted on me most, mafia boss. Finally, tears flowed freely. “You finally came.” “I want them dead.”

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During our vacation trip, my water broke on the way to the airport. Someone helped flag down a taxi, and just as they were about to help me in, my husband rushed over and blocked them. “My wife has a history of fraud. The last person who helped her ended up paying five hundred thousand dollars.” The bystander jerked their hand back in fear, and the taxi driver refused to take me. I had no strength to explain. I could only dial emergency services with trembling hands. But when the ambulance arrived, Ethan just sneered coldly. “My wife is in her third trimester and often leaks urine. Every time, she thinks her water broke.” “She has serious mental problems. No matter what the test results show, she’ll accuse the hospital of scamming her.” “If you take her to the hospital, not only won’t you get paid, but she’ll also call the police and sue you.” The paramedics cursed and left. I was drowning in despair when Ethan looked at me with complete calm. “Your sister Sophia is pregnant. The baby is mine.” “Her due date is today. I promised her I’d make sure her child is born first.” “Just hold on a bit longer. As soon as she delivers, I’ll arrange your surgery immediately.”

Seeing tears pooling in my eyes, he patted my face as if to comfort me. “You only have yourself to blame. Back then, I just drunkenly kissed her, and you made it everyone’s business.” “She married some random guy out of spite against you, never expecting he’d be abusive and beat her until she miscarried.” “You owe her a life. Making you hold it in and deliver later is just helping you atone for your sins.” I looked at his indifferent eyes, a bitter smile forming on my lips. Ethan, since you say I’m guilty, I wonder if repaying you with two lives for the price of one will be enough. Another wave of excruciating pain tore through my lower abdomen. I knelt on the ground, unable to suppress my anguished screams. Ethan looked down at me, his eyes holding reluctance and heartache, but not a trace of guilt. The crowd around us had long dispersed. I looked up helplessly, my voice trembling. “Ethan, please, take me to the hospital first.” The pain made me desperately clutch at his pant leg with blood-stained fingers. Ethan kicked my hand away, stepping back with disgust written all over his face. “I promised Sophia I’d personally accompany her during delivery. There’s a professional team recording it for us. If my pants get dirty, she won’t be happy.” Blood pooled between my legs, and amniotic fluid soaked the ground. Ethan saw none of it. His mind was only concerned with whether he looked presentable enough while accompanying Sophia during childbirth. He didn’t care about me, nor about the baby in my belly. Then what were those ten years I spent with him, building his empire from nothing and tasting every hardship life had to offer? My whole body trembled as I tried to question him, but the torture of contractions made me writhe on the ground. Ethan glanced at his watch, a smile playing on his lips. “Sophia should be delivering soon. You go home first. Once I’m done, I’ll come get you.” My consciousness was beginning to blur from the pain as I pleaded with a trembling voice. “Ethan, my water broke. If I don’t go to the hospital now, the baby will die.” He bent down, stroking my head with something like pity. The gesture was so casual, like petting a stray dog. “Don’t worry, I won’t abandon you. After all, you’re the real Mrs. Morrison, and you’re the one I love most.” “But debts must be repaid. Atoning this way—knowing the pain will teach you a lesson, so you won’t bully young girls just because of your status anymore.” “I’ve already instructed the family doctor to wait for you at the villa. You and the baby will be fine. At most, you’ll just hurt for a while.”

“Mia, don’t be so dramatic. Same childbirth, but Sophia isn’t making a fuss. She’s just waiting quietly for me at the hospital. In this regard, she’s much more sensible than you.” As soon as he finished speaking, Ethan’s phone rang abruptly. Through the speaker came a woman’s coquettish voice. “Ethan, the doctor says I’m fully dilated and needs me in the delivery room now.” “Are you still with that old hag? Oh right, she’s the one you officially married, Mrs. Morrison. The one in my belly is just a bastard.” “Ethan, if you don’t come right now, I’m not giving birth.” The usually calm and composed Mr. Morrison’s expression changed instantly. His eyes filled with anxious panic, even his tone becoming humble. “What are you talking about? I told you, only the one in your belly will be the Morrison family’s firstborn.” “Mia’s water broke and she’s rolling around on the ground in pain right now. If you don’t believe me, I’ll take a video to show you.” He bent down, shoving the camera in my face. Only after seeing my wretched state did Sophia laugh with satisfaction. I forced down the bone-deep pain and looked up at him. “Why? Why does it have to be her?” “Ethan, have you forgotten? She was the one who drunk-drove and nearly killed you. She was also the one who pushed your mother off a cliff, leaving her body unfound.” What answered me was a cold, mocking laugh. “What happened back then was just my bad luck. As for my mother, there were no surveillance cameras on the mountain. Even the police said it could have been an accidental fall. How can we blame Sophia?” I collapsed on the ground, laughing until tears came. Sophia, my half-sister from my mother’s second marriage. Spoiled and willful since childhood, she bullied me relentlessly. After the SATs ended, she partied all night with friends, and despite everyone’s warnings, insisted on drunk driving. She accidentally hit Ethan, who had just finished his night shift. With no one around, Sophia left Ethan bleeding on the ground and drove away. Later, she pinned all the blame on me. I was taken in for questioning. She was afraid the victim would press charges and the truth would come out. Under the pretense of apologizing on my behalf, she lured Ethan’s mother to the mountaintop and pushed her off the cliff when she wasn’t paying attention. I served three years for a crime I didn’t commit. After my release, I accidentally learned that Ethan’s legs were disabled, and doctors said he’d spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. I found him and confessed everything. When Ethan was in complete despair, wanting to end it all— It was me who knelt before his wheelchair and swore I’d help him stand again. I took care of him for two full years, accompanying him through rehabilitation. The day he successfully stood up, Ethan knelt on one knee and slipped a simple silver ring on my finger. His eyes then were full of deep affection. “Mia, you gave me a second life. Could I ask you to give me a chance to take care of you for the rest of yours?” I believed him. Even though he was so poor he couldn’t even afford a proper wedding, I still married him without hesitation. He said I bullied Sophia. But he clearly knew that she had forced me to drink urine and kneel in a cage barking like a dog. Those ten years of living hell were my lifelong nightmare. After marriage, I woke countless times from nightmares, crying as I told him about dreaming of being beaten by Sophia. His hands trembled as he held me, his eyes red as he promised he would rise up and seek justice for me and his mother. To crush the family business, he threw himself completely into the corporate world. But I never expected that the first thing he’d do after achieving success was to get entangled with Sophia.

When I caught them disheveled and kissing in my marital bed, I nearly lost my mind. I slapped Sophia twice hard and posted photos of her half-exposed chest all over the internet. Ethan’s eyes turned red. He knelt before me and swore he was drunk and mistook her for me. In front of me, he threw her out, saying he’d never see her again for the rest of his life. I never imagined— He talked about seeking justice for me and his mother, but behind my back, he got Sophia pregnant. My unwavering devotion earned me his cold indifference, saying he’d use my life and our child’s life to apologize to Sophia. I bit my mouth raw and spoke in a trembling voice. “Ethan, why? Why are you doing this to me?” No response. He was so anxious he didn’t even spare me a glance before leaving decisively. The blood beneath me flowed more and more. I hurt so much my consciousness started to blur. But for the sake of my child, I still gritted my teeth and got up, stumbling toward the hospital. By the time I reached the emergency room entrance, my entire lower body was soaked in blood. After an examination, I was rushed to the operating room. But unexpectedly, just as I reached the door, someone blocked my way. I forced myself to lift my head, only to meet Ethan’s cold eyes. “Mia, didn’t I tell you to go home and wait?” “Stop playing weak. If you can’t handle this little pain, why didn’t you think about how much it hurt when you caused Sophia to be beaten until she miscarried?” “I’m warning you, Sophia isn’t fully dilated yet. Until her baby is born, no matter how much it hurts, you hold it in.” His face was full of impatience, but I didn’t even have the strength to defend myself. The doctor looked anxiously at him, trying to push him aside. “The patient’s water broke, causing massive hemorrhaging. She needs surgery immediately, or both mother and child will die.” Ethan kicked over the hospital bed, his eyes full of vicious mockery. “How much did Mia pay you to play along with her act?” “To make sure her child is born first, she’ll do anything.” “So what if her water broke? Delivering a bit later won’t kill her. Stop being so dramatic.” I lay sprawled on the ground in disgrace, unable to laugh or cry. Ten years of life and death together. But my unbearable agony was just dramatic pretense in his eyes. My scalp went numb with pain. I couldn’t hold back anymore and clutched my belly, screaming. The doctor’s expression changed as well. “Sir, the pregnant woman’s condition is truly critical. If we delay treatment and she dies, her family will hold you accountable.” The doctor bent down to help me up, but Ethan spoke coldly again. “Family? She has no family.” “Mia is my mistress. She knew today was my wife’s due date and deliberately put on this act to compete for my attention.” “If she delays my wife’s delivery, you can forget about keeping this hospital open.” The hands supporting me suddenly let go. I fell heavily back to the ground. Blood spread beneath me. I lay on the cold floor, barely conscious, every organ trembling with pain. A smile appeared on Ethan’s lips. He bent close to my ear, his tone tinged with rare heartache. “Does it hurt? Good. Only by remembering today’s pain will you stop using your status as Mrs. Morrison to make things difficult for Sophia.” “Be good, Mia. Stop making a scene. Only by being obedient can you suffer less.” “Just hold on a bit longer. Once Sophia delivers, I’ll arrange for you to enter the operating room immediately.”

“Although your child won’t be the firstborn, I won’t play favorites. I promise, whatever Sophia’s child has, yours will have too.” “I told you, the person I love most is you. For this lifetime, you’ll always be my Mrs. Morrison.” I bit through my lip, my smile mixed with blood. Ethan, your love is too heavy a burden. I don’t want it. And I don’t want you anymore. The next moment, someone lifted me up. Ethan carried me all the way back to the hospital room, personally watching as the doctor administered the suppressant before leaving satisfied. I lay in the hospital bed all night. I’d pass out, then be jolted awake by the pain. I couldn’t live, and I couldn’t die. The nurse who changed my dressing looked at me with disgust, deliberately pinching my leg hard. Her unconcealed gossip cut into my heart. “Mistresses deserve it. In so much pain and no one cares. She might as well die.” “Who told her to be so arrogant? The wife is giving birth, and this homewrecker has the nerve to show up and compete for attention, thinking spreading her legs makes her the man’s true love.” “The wife really knows how to handle people. Fully dilated, got the epidural, but just won’t push. As long as she doesn’t deliver, the mistress can die in pain for all she cares and still won’t be allowed in the delivery room. So satisfying.” I pulled at my lips, the smile bitter. Satisfying? But I was Ethan’s wife. I couldn’t understand how someone who once would have risked his life for me could now be so cruel. Another contraction hit. Before I could scream, the hospital room door was pushed open. Sophia walked in holding her newborn baby, supported by someone. I never expected my mother, whom I hadn’t seen in years, would accompany her. Sophia looked at me with triumphant eyes. “Mia, knowing you’re suffering, I specially brought your nephew to see you.” “Both mother and baby are safe. When the baby was born, Ethan was so moved he cried.” I suppressed my anger and looked at her. “He’s not my nephew. Take your bastard and get out.” Sophia gave a cold laugh and slapped me hard across the face. “What right do you have to tell me to leave?” “Last night when you were screaming, Ethan was right next door in the delivery room with me. But he didn’t care at all, only focused on comforting me.” “So what if you’re Mrs. Morrison? The unloved one is the mistress. The one in your belly is the bastard.” Blood mixed with tears from my split eye. But Sophia wasn’t planning to let me off. She bent close to me, malice unconcealed in her eyes. “You really are lucky to be alive. After suffering all night and you’re still fine. How about I help you out and send you and your bastard on your way together.” She grabbed the thermos from the floor and swung it hard at my belly. I pushed her away desperately and stumbled toward the door. As soon as I ran out of the room, I crashed into a familiar embrace. After seeing Ethan’s concerned face clearly, I gripped his sleeve tightly, my voice trembling. “Ethan, save me. Sophia’s gone crazy—she’s trying to kill our baby.” Ethan’s expression changed. Just as he was about to speak, a baby’s shrill cry came from the hospital room. He shoved me aside hard and kicked the door open, rushing in. The next moment, someone grabbed my hair and dragged me back into the room. The scene before me made me tremble uncontrollably. Sophia knelt in the middle of the room, holding the blood-covered baby. “Ethan, I just wanted Mia to share in my joy so she could deliver smoothly, so I brought the baby to see her.”

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The day my fiancée cheated, I proposed without hesitation. The night before the wedding, I knelt on the floor of my rental apartment, organizing six manila envelopes. Each one contained evidence of my fiancée’s affairs over the past three years. Chat screenshots, transfer records, hotel receipts, intimate conversations with five different men. One hundred and seventy-three pages. Soon, these six envelopes would appear at the wedding banquet. One for her parents, one for her boss, one for her best friend, one for her relatives, one for my parents. The last one would go to the five men she’d been sleeping with. At this dream wedding she’d spent half a year meticulously planning, I would give her a surprise the whole world would witness. “Ethan, Lucas is going to be your groomsman tomorrow.” Sophia fiddled with the veil she’d wear the next day. Lucas stood right beside her, wearing a perfectly tailored white suit. That was the custom suit Sophia had spent twenty thousand dollars on for him yesterday. Meanwhile, the suit I’d wear tomorrow was a three-thousand-dollar rental. Lucas raised his eyebrows at me, a blatant smirk of provocation on his face. “Ethan, Sophia says I get car sick. If I sit in the back car, I might throw up and ruin tomorrow.” He took a step forward, reaching out to adjust Sophia’s veil. “If you have a problem with it, I just won’t come tomorrow. No point in causing trouble between you two because of me.” Sophia grabbed his wrist, her brow furrowing instantly. “What are you talking about? Without you, what’s the point of this wedding?” She turned to glare at me, her eyes full of warning. “Ethan, Lucas is my best guy friend. If it weren’t for him helping me these past three years, do you think I would’ve said yes to your proposal?” “Tomorrow is my once-in-a-lifetime big day. What’s wrong with letting him ride in the lead car?” I looked at this pair standing before me like conjoined twins, nausea rising in my stomach. If this were three months ago, I would’ve gotten into a huge fight with her over this. I would’ve been like a jealous madman, demanding to know who the real groom was. But now, my heart was utterly calm. I almost wanted to laugh. My gaze fell on the diamond ring on Sophia’s ring finger. That ring cost me a hundred and twenty thousand dollars. She complained it wasn’t big enough, then immediately whined on SnapChat to Lucas about how cheap I was. Lucas’s reply at the time was: “Baby, once we trick him into signing over that downtown apartment tomorrow, I’ll buy you a huge diamond.” Those chat records were quietly stored in my backup phone right now. I pulled over a chair and sat down, looking at her calmly. “Fine. He can have the lead car tomorrow.” Sophia froze, clearly not expecting me to agree so readily. She looked me up and down suspiciously. After confirming I showed no signs of anger, her expression softened. “At least you’re being sensible. Stop acting like a bitter housewife watching Lucas all the time. We’re all adults. Have some perspective.” Lucas laughed too. He walked up to me and patted my shoulder. “Ethan’s being cool about it. You better prepare good gifts for tomorrow’s wedding games.” “Don’t worry, I’ve had the gifts ready for a while.” I brushed his hand off and stood up, walking toward the closet. Sophia suddenly called out to me again. “Oh, one more thing.” She pulled out a red velvet box from her bag — the one storing my mother’s belongings. Inside was a pair of old-fashioned antique gold rings. My mother had given them to me on her deathbed, making me promise to put one on my future wife at the wedding. Sophia opened the box and picked up one of the rings with two fingers, her face full of disgust. “This ring is way too tacky to wear tomorrow. It doesn’t match my custom wedding dress at all.” She turned to look at Lucas, her eyes lighting up instantly. “Lucas, didn’t you say you needed a ring to match your outfit? Why don’t you wear this one for fun?” My breathing caught. My fingers clenched tight. Lucas made a show of declining. “That’s not appropriate. This is a family heirloom from Ethan’s mother. What would it mean for me to wear it?” “What’s inappropriate about it? Ethan’s stuff is my stuff. What’s wrong with me giving it to my friend?” Sophia forcefully pushed the antique gold rings into Lucas’s hand, then turned to look at me. “Ethan, surely you’re not so petty you can’t even part with a ring? I’m marrying you tomorrow. Can you not be so cheap?” I stared at the ring in Lucas’s hand. My mother had worn it her entire life. Now these two were using it as a prop for their flirtation. Rage churned in my chest, but I forced it down. Tomorrow. Just get through tonight. Tomorrow I’d make them pay back everything with interest. I took a deep breath and forced out a smile devoid of warmth. “I’m not being cheap. Since you think it doesn’t match, let Lucas wear it.” I watched Lucas slip the ring onto his pinky finger, my gaze growing colder. “Just don’t regret it tomorrow.” Sophia rolled her eyes and pulled Lucas toward the door. “What do I have to regret? We’re going to try on his groomsman suit now. Get some sleep early and don’t show up tomorrow with dark circles embarrassing me.” At the door, she stopped and looked back at me. “Ethan, you’re such a good-tempered husband. I’m definitely going to be the most beautiful bride tomorrow.” I watched their backs disappear through the door, then pulled out my phone and opened a chat group named “Special Guests.” “Of course. Tomorrow everyone will remember you.”

At ten PM, the bridal suite was so quiet I could only hear the ticking of the wall clock. I sat on the sofa, checking the number of USB drives in tomorrow’s wedding favors. One hundred and twenty drives. Each one contained Sophia’s “highlight reel” from the past three years. My phone suddenly vibrated. It was Sophia’s mother, Margaret, calling. I pressed answer and put it on speaker. “Ethan, are you asleep yet?” Her voice carried the calculating shrewdness of a penny-pincher. “Not yet. What’s up?” “Here’s the thing — I was just thinking, three hundred thousand isn’t going to be enough.” My fingers stopped typing on the keyboard. “Didn’t we agree the wedding would cost three hundred thousand?” Margaret snorted coldly on the other end. “That was before. Prices are rising so fast now, and Sophia’s brother is getting married next year. He needs to buy a car worth five hundred thousand. If you don’t have the five hundred thousand ready tomorrow as a wedding gift to our family, don’t even think about marrying my daughter!” I heard Sophia’s voice on the other end. She was clearly standing next to her mother. “Margaret, why are you explaining so much to him? If he can’t come up with this money, we’re calling off the wedding.” She came closer to the phone, her tone dripping with manipulation. “Ethan, let me tell you — men chasing after me could line up from one end of the street to the other.” “Benjamin offered to buy me a Porsche yesterday. If I wasn’t being loyal to you, do you think you’d have a chance to marry me?” I listened to this mother-daughter duo’s performance, mockery flickering in my eyes. That Benjamin — forty-five years old, balding with a beer belly, owner of a building materials company. The only reason Sophia didn’t marry Benjamin was because he had a wife. She could only be his mistress in the shadows. And me? I was the honest sucker she’d carefully selected. “Five hundred thousand is a bit difficult.” I deliberately slowed my speech, pretending to be troubled. “I don’t have that much cash on hand.” Margaret immediately panicked, her voice rising an octave. “What do you mean you don’t have it? You still haven’t transferred that downtown apartment to Sophia, have you?” “Just go get a mortgage loan! I don’t care how you do it — if I don’t see five hundred thousand tomorrow, there’s no wedding!” I looked at the hotel records of Sophia and Benjamin on my computer screen, a cold smile tugging at my lips. “Margaret, there’s no way I can get a loan processed in time.” I paused, then dangled the bait. “How about this — tomorrow, in front of all the relatives, I’ll write you an IOU for five hundred thousand with my personal signature. It’ll have legal validity. Would that work?” Silence on the other end for a few seconds. Margaret seemed to be discussing it with Sophia. A moment later, her voice came back, tinged with satisfaction. “At least you know what’s good for you. An IOU works, but it has to state payment within one month, or I’ll make a scene at your company!” “No problem.” I agreed unusually readily. “But Margaret, tomorrow’s wedding is Sophia’s big day. You and her brother need to arrive early, right? And you’ve notified all the relatives and friends?” “You think I need you to tell me that? Our family’s relatives are taking two charter buses tomorrow. It’s going to be lively.” Afraid I’d back out, Margaret added a few more reminders before hanging up. I looked at the darkened phone screen and saved the call recording, renaming it “Extortion Evidence — Backup.” Just then, a SnapChat message from Sophia came through. It was a voice message. I clicked it. What came out wasn’t Sophia’s voice, but a middle-aged man’s greasy panting. “Baby, tomorrow’s your wedding day. Won’t you come out and have one last wild night with me tonight?” Then came Sophia’s coquettish laughter. “Oh stop it, Benjamin~ I have to get up early tomorrow for makeup. After I get back from the honeymoon, I’ll make it up to you properly~” The voice message existed for only two seconds before being quickly recalled. Immediately after, Sophia sent a text message. “Honey, I accidentally sent the wrong message. That was a client from my work group joking around. Don’t overthink it.” I stared at those words, almost able to see her smug face on the other end. She knew I was “honest.” She knew I was “head over heels for her.” So even her lies were this perfunctory. I didn’t call her out. Instead, I played along. “It’s okay. Work is important. Get some rest early.” “By the way, is Benjamin coming to the wedding tomorrow?” Sophia replied quickly. “Yeah, he’s one of my big clients. I specially reserved a VIP table seat for him.” I looked at the VIP table seating chart and closed my laptop with satisfaction. At that table sat not only Benjamin, but also Lucas, the gym trainer Ryan, and the company intern Liam. An entire table of ex-boyfriends. They’d definitely get along great tomorrow. “Ethan, my mother worked hard to raise me. What’s wrong with you writing an IOU?” Sophia sent another voice message, her tone dripping with condescension. I held down the record button, my voice gentle as stagnant water. “Fine. I’ll write it. I’ll hand it to her in front of all the relatives tomorrow.”

At six AM, the wedding convoy stopped outside Sophia’s apartment complex. I stood outside her security door wearing that three-thousand-dollar rental suit, holding a bouquet of red roses. The hallway was packed with Sophia’s relatives, all whispering and looking at me like I was a circus monkey. “If you haven’t prepared a cash gift of ninety-nine thousand dollars for me, I’m not opening the door for you.” A flippant voice came from inside. It was Lucas. I looked at him through the iron bars of the security door. He wore the custom suit I’d paid for, with a boutonniere that should’ve belonged to a groomsman pinned to his chest. Meanwhile, my actual groomsmen were being blocked at the stairwell landing by several of Sophia’s relatives. “Lucas, the custom is to give gifts at the door. The car gift is given when we arrive at the hotel.” I stated the facts calmly. Lucas snorted and blew a smoke ring through the door at me. “Ethan, rules are dead but people are alive. Sophia says today, I make the rules.” He turned and picked up a basin from a nearby table filled with murky yellow liquid. “If you want to take Sophia, sing a love song in front of everyone, then do ten push-ups. Then I’ll open the door.” The surrounding relatives immediately burst into laughter. “Why’s the groom just standing there? Getting married and can’t even show this much sincerity?” “Exactly. Our Sophia is a beauty. This little test is nothing.” My gaze moved past Lucas to Sophia sitting on the living room sofa. She wore an elaborate wedding dress, holding a fan partially covering her face, laughing hysterically with a bridesmaid beside her. She had no intention of stopping this. She was even recording it on her phone. “Sophia, is this what you want too?” I stared into her eyes, my voice not loud but loud enough for everyone in the living room to hear. Sophia lowered her fan and rolled her eyes. “Ethan, if you can’t take a joke, don’t play along. Everyone’s just having fun. Lucas is joking with you. Who are you making faces at?” She stood up and walked to the door, looking down at me. “If you don’t want to drink it or crawl, then take your people and get lost. I’m calling off this wedding!” She was certain I wouldn’t dare make a scene at this point. After all, in everyone’s eyes, I was the pathetic simp who’d thrown away everything just to marry her. I looked at the hickey on the side of her neck, deliberately covered with foundation. That definitely wasn’t a mosquito bite. The shape and color were clearly from last night. And Lucas’s lips still had traces of lipstick he hadn’t wiped off completely. My hands slowly clenched at my sides, nails nearly digging into my flesh. “Fine. I prepared gifts for you.” I grabbed the gift bag full of items from behind me and shoved it through the door. Lucas’s eyes lit up. He immediately squatted down to grab them. The moment he lowered his head, I kicked the security door hard. The old lock made a brittle crack under the strain. The door swung open. Lucas was knocked backward by the door, landing on his butt with gifts scattering everywhere. “What are you doing!” Sophia shrieked, pointing at my nose and cursing. “Ethan, are you crazy! You dare hit Lucas?” I ignored her and walked straight to the sofa, casually tossing the roses onto the coffee table. “We’re running out of time. Let’s go.” Sophia’s mother, Margaret, rushed out of the bedroom at that moment, holding a piece of paper and a pen. “Go where! You haven’t written the IOU yet!” She slammed the paper and pen onto the coffee table, glaring at me furiously. “Write that five-hundred-thousand-dollar IOU in front of everyone, or nobody’s leaving this apartment today!” The living room fell silent. All the relatives’ eyes focused on me. They were all waiting to see this sucker make a fool of himself. I picked up the pen and without hesitation, quickly wrote out a five-hundred-thousand-dollar IOU and signed my name. “Margaret, keep it safe.” I handed the IOU to Sophia’s mother, my lips curling into an imperceptible cold smile. Margaret carefully inspected it, then tucked it away satisfied. “At least you know what’s good for you. Sophia, I’ll help you downstairs.” “No need.” Sophia looked coquettishly at Lucas, who had just gotten up from the floor. “Let Lucas carry me down. He’s stronger.” Lucas immediately dusted himself off and gave me a smug look before walking over to scoop Sophia up in his arms. Sophia wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling sweetly. Everyone present thought this scene was perfectly natural. Not one person thought there was anything wrong with another man carrying the bride downstairs. I followed behind them, watching Lucas’s hand — wearing my mother’s antique gold rings — pressed tightly against Sophia’s waist. “Ethan, who are you pulling that face for today? If you don’t want to get married, get lost right now.” Sophia glared back at me from Lucas’s arms. I pulled out my phone and sent a text to my lawyer: “Proceed as planned.” Then I looked up at her. “Get married? Of course we’re getting married. The guests are all waiting.”

There were forty minutes left before the wedding ceremony officially began. In the hotel’s luxury lounge, Sophia sat before the vanity touching up her makeup. Lucas leaned against the dresser holding a glass of champagne, occasionally leaning close to Sophia’s ear to whisper something that made her giggle. When I pushed the door open and walked in, the laughter stopped abruptly. Several bridesmaids exchanged glances, their eyes full of unconcealed contempt and mockery. “Why were you glaring at Lucas earlier?” Sophia glanced at me through the mirror, her tone cold and hard. “He’s been running around for our wedding and hasn’t even eaten breakfast. Do you have no conscience?” I walked to the sofa and sat down, my gaze sweeping over the scattered invitations on the table. On one of the covers was clearly written “Benjamin Thompson.” That was Benjamin’s full name. “I wasn’t glaring at him.” I replied flatly, casually picking up a glass of water from the table. “If you weren’t glaring at him, why would he feel so wronged?” Sophia spun around abruptly, slamming her powder puff on the table. “Ethan, don’t think just because we’re getting married today you can boss me around.” “Let me tell you — Lucas is the most important person in my life. If you can’t accept him, we don’t need to continue this marriage!” Lucas immediately put on a wronged expression and tugged at Sophia’s sleeve. “Sophia, don’t fight with Ethan because of me. It’s such a happy day. I can take a little mistreatment as long as you’re happy.” This manipulative speech immediately won the bridesmaids’ sympathy. “Exactly, Ethan, you’re being way too petty.” “Sophia choosing you is a blessing you earned over eight lifetimes. Hurry up and apologize to Lucas!” “Lucas studied abroad. He’s more than good enough for your wife. What are you jealous about?” I listened to these cutting remarks, my gaze falling on the trash can. Inside lay several crumpled pieces of letter paper. That was my wedding vow that I’d stayed up three nights revising over a dozen times. I walked over, bent down, and picked up the crumpled paper. “What are you doing?” Sophia wrinkled her nose in disgust. “I threw that away. What sappy garbage. So tacky I felt sick reading it.” “I’m reading my own vows later. I don’t need your corny words.” She stood up and walked in front of me, jabbing her finger hard into my chest. “Now, immediately, apologize to Lucas. Otherwise, during the ring exchange, you can stand on stage and embarrass yourself alone!” She was certain I wouldn’t dare resist. After all, in everyone’s eyes, I’d already invested so much sunk cost — eight hundred and eighty thousand in wedding expenses, a five-hundred-thousand-dollar IOU, and a hall full of guests. I’d been pushed to the edge of a cliff. One step back would be an abyss. I looked at her exquisite yet mean face and suddenly felt somewhat tragic. What kind of trash had I fallen in love with these past three years? “Apologize?” I smoothed out the crumpled paper bit by bit, folded it neatly, and put it in my suit pocket. “Sure.” I turned to look at Lucas, my lips curling into an eerie smile. “Lucas, I’m truly sorry. You’ve worked so hard today.” Lucas froze for a moment, clearly not expecting me to be this spineless, then broke into a smug smile. “Ethan’s too kind. We’re all family from now on. Sophia’s business is my business.” Only then did Sophia hum with satisfaction and return to her vanity. “At least you know what’s good for you. Go outside and check — make sure Benjamin’s table is arranged properly. Don’t neglect the VIP guests.” I turned and walked out of the lounge, closing the door behind me. At the end of the hallway, my several groomsmen were waiting. They weren’t my friends, but professional bodyguards and a legal team I’d hired at a high price. “Mr. Ethan, all evidence has been synced to the control room. We can cut to the big screen at any time.” The lead bodyguard reported quietly. “Have all the people at the ‘special guest table’ arrived?” I adjusted my tie. “All present. Benjamin Thompson, trainer Ryan, and that intern Liam — eight people total, all at the front row VIP table.” I nodded, listening to the wedding march playing in the banquet hall. That cheerful rhythm now sounded like a death knell counting down. “It’s time. The bride and groom are requested to enter.” The emcee’s voice came through the walkie-talkie. The lounge door opened. Sophia walked out on her father Robert’s arm like a noble princess. Lucas followed behind her, holding the tray with the rings. As Sophia passed me, she whispered a warning. “Ethan, hold onto the ring properly. Don’t embarrass yourself later.” I looked at her, a smile reaching my eyes for the first time. “Don’t worry. Today will definitely be the most unforgettable moment of your life.”

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