My parents called to tell me they were heading to my childhood friendâs house to meet his blind date.
My childhood friend, Hugh, was fast asleep beside me.
I thought it was a joke. “Hugh,” I whispered, “they said they found you a blind date.”
He grunted, pulling me closer into his arms. “Cora, sweetheart, pick out an outfit for me in a bit, would you? And help me with my hair.”
When I froze, Hugh cracked open an eye and let out a cynical laugh.
“What’s wrong with you? We’re just hookup buddies. You didn’t actually think I was going to marry you, did you?”
1
My mind blanked.
All I could do was fumble awkwardly.
I couldn’t bring myself to look at Hugh. I pushed him away, snatching my clothes from the floor and pulling them on haphazardly.
“Cora, look at me.” Hugh propped his chin on his arm, a playful glint in his eyes. “You didn’t really think we were boyfriend and girlfriend, did you?”
The words “hookup buddies” echoed in my head. My hands trembled so badly I couldn’t fasten the clasp on my bra.
Hugh threw back the covers, revealing a lean, sculpted torso, and knelt on the edge of the bed. With practiced ease, his fingers found the clasp and secured it.
I kept my head down. “Who’s the blind date?” I managed, forcing a bitter laugh. “Please don’t tell me your parents just grabbed some random person from a singles’ mixer.”
I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, at the constellation of red marks scattered across my skin. My legs still ached.
Hugh, now only in a pair of grey sweatpants, moved behind me and buried his face in the crook of my neck.
“It’s Isla.”
He arched a brow, those handsome eyes of his crinkling. “You remember, the senior from the art department in college. Isla.” He let out a low whistle. “To be honest, just thinking about seeing her again⌠I’m actually a little nervous.”
My hand, holding a tube of lipstick, froze. Of course, I remembered.
Hugh had a massive crush on her, but before he could confess, sheâd moved abroad. I thought that was all in the pastâŚ
Hughâs eyes were fixed on me. He pursed his lips. “Cora, don’t get any funny ideas. We grew up together, practically in diapers. And yeah, you’re⌠beautiful, no doubt. But I see you as one of the guys.
“You’re my perfect partnerâfor meals, for road trips, for bed⌔
His words hit me like a physical blow, a chill spreading through my entire body. I stared at his smiling face and managed a weak curl of my lips.
He went on. “Besides, I know everything about you. What you’ll wear on any given day, right down to the matching underwear set. It’s⌠kind of boring, you know? Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and see you sleeping next to me, and I get this jolt of fearâwhat if that joke our families always make comes true? What if we actually got married? My whole life would be over before it even started.”
He shuddered dramatically, as if the mere thought was terrifying.
I dug my nails into my palm, fighting to keep the tears from falling.
“I have to go.”
I wrapped my coat around myself and fled like a deserter.
2
I thought Hugh and I were dating.
We did everything other couples did.
We ate together, went on dates, hung out with friends where, during a game of Truth or Dare, we’d casually kiss and say “I love you” without a hint of irony.
Hugh would pick me up from work on rainy days.
He’d secretly hold my hand under the table at family dinners.
I never knew that the six months I thought were a budding romance were just a game of house to him.
“Cora?” My mom tapped on the car window, her face etched with concern.
I snapped back to reality. I saw my own tear-streaked face in the rearview mirror and quickly wiped it clean before getting out. “Mom!” I threw myself into her arms, hiding my face in her shoulder with a forced laugh. “I missed you.”
She was holding a bag of groceries, and she took my arm, breathing a sigh of relief. “Honey, why were you just sitting in the car? You scared me. Didn’t you see that news story about someone⌔
I nodded along.
Suddenly, her tone shifted. “Oh, by the way, Cora⌠Hugh’s blind date is coming over soon. Your uncle and aunt are taking this very seriously. I hear Hugh has been planning this for a long time. He said he was worried the girl might feel awkward, and having another girl there might help her relax.”
She looked at me, her expression pained, hesitating. “I’ve been best friends with his mom for so many years, so when we go over today⌔
I knew what she was trying to say. “It’s okay, Mom,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just break the ice, say nice things. I get it.”
She gave me a look filled with pity.
Of course, she understood. A photo of Hugh and me sat on my bedside table. Every gift heâd ever given me was carefully stored away like a treasure. My notebooks were filled with his name, a testament to a love I couldn’t hide. How could she not know?
We walked home in silence. As we opened the door, I said suddenly, “Dad’s retiring next month. Let’s move to Florida.”
I looked at my mom’s stunned face and tried to sound playful. “You’ve always said you wanted to retire there. I don’t have any big dreams anyway. I can be a dance teacher, stay by your side. That’s all I need.”
3
Sitting in Hugh’s living room with my parents felt different this time.
Every other time, we were laughing and fooling around. The last time, we’d used “playing video games” as an excuse to sneak off to his room and kiss.
This timeâŚ
“Oh, Amelia, you have no idea the lengths this boy went to for this girl, Isla,” Hugh’s mom said to mine. “I told him, ‘Just ask her out!’ But no, he had to insist on framing it as ‘dating with the intention of marriage.’ He made his father pull all sorts of strings just to get her to agree to meet today as a blind date.”
I looked around the meticulously decorated house, filled with bouquets of roses. The table was laden with fruits and sweets. Even their little dog was wearing a bright red sweater.
And there was Hugh, checking his reflection over and over, making sure he was perfect.
The bitter irony was that just last night, we were tangled in his sheets, and he was kissing the small birthmark on my waist with such tenderness.
The underwear he was wearing right now? I bought it for him.
“Ah, it’s such a shame, though⌔ Hugh’s mom squeezed my mother’s hand wistfully. “We always said we’d be in-laws one day. We even made a childhood pact for them!”
She glanced at me. “I truly adore Cora. She’s not just beautiful, she has a wonderful personality, so bright and cheerful⌔
I kept my eyes down, not daring to respond. I was afraid one wrong move and the tears would start falling.
“Mom!” Hugh frowned, clearly displeased. “You said it yourself, that was your generation’s thing. You and Aunt Amelia are close, why don’t you two get married? What does it have to do with me? What century are we living in, still clinging to those old ideas?”
He had no regard for the adults’ feelings.
Then he turned to me, his tone harsh, as if I’d put his mother up to it.
“Cora, where’s the bracelet my mom gave you?”
When I didn’t answer, he strode over, grabbed my wrist, and pushed up my sleeve. “The one they gave you as a token for that childhood pact. I’m afraid Isla will get the wrong idea if she sees it⌔
The words hung in the air.
My dad and his, who had been sipping tea, froze. My mom, who had been arranging flowers for him, stopped cold.
The atmosphere turned instantly sour.
My mom stared at me, the vase and clippers in her hand clattering onto the table. She started to get up, but Hugh’s mom pulled her back down. Then, she stood up herself, placing herself firmly in front of me and giving Hugh a hard shove.
“Hugh! What do you think you’re doing? Putting aside the fact that nothing’s even started between you and this Isla⌠that bracelet? You were the one who got on your knees and begged Cora to wear it when you were seventeen!”
It was like a switch flipped in Hugh’s mind.
He remembered. He remembered that year when another boy confessed his feelings to me. Panicked, heâd gotten drunk, stolen the jade bracelet from his mother’s jewelry box, and shown up at my house in the middle of the night, crying, pleading, even kneeling, begging me to wear his family heirloom.
He tugged at his collar, took a deep breath, and forced a smile at me. “I’m just a little tense. I⌠it’s not right to take back a gift⌠you can keep it.”
“It’s fine. I’ll give it back. I’ll go home and get it now.” I stood up, cutting him off, my voice steady. “I’ll be quick. I won’t hold things up.”
Before anyone could react, I grabbed my bag and walked out.
4
When I returned with the bracelet and was about to knock, a chorus of cheers from inside stopped meâ
“Welcomeâ”
Hugh’s smile froze the moment he saw me. “What are you doing here?”
He clearly hadn’t expected me to come back, let alone to actually return the bracelet. When I held it out to him, his face was a mask of disbelief. He finally took it, pocketed it, and leaned in to whisper in my ear.
“Cora, for the sake of our⌠partnership, don’t you dare cause any trouble today. Isla’s a sensitive girl. Don’t say the wrong thing and upset her.”
I didn’t want to even look at him.
Isla was a girl, but wasn’t I?
I looked at the person I had loved for my entire youth, and a bone-deep chill threatened to swallow me whole.
Ten minutes later, Isla arrived, escorted by the matchmaker.
The adults chatted amiably. This was why my parents had to be hereâto subtly lay out our family’s finances and future prospects for the matchmaker’s benefit.
Throughout it all, Hugh sat beside Isla, his every gesture radiating care. At nearly thirty, he was acting like a green, infatuated teenager.
I was completely irrelevant, which suited me fine. I was just looking for a chance to slip away.
But then, Isla turned her gentle gaze on me. “You must be Cora. I’ve heard so much about you. The goddess of the arts department, wasn’t it?”
Startled to be addressed, I waved my hands dismissively. “Oh, no, not at all. That was just everyone fooling around in college.”
I hoped the attention would quickly shift away, but Isla persisted.
“Not at all! I remember you performed a classical dance at the university ball. The next day, the entire ground floor of your dorm was flooded with flowers for you.”
Before I could speak, she tugged playfully at Hugh’s arm. “You two are childhood friends. How did you not end up together? I remember you were inseparable. Everyone thought you’d get married.”
Every eye in the room turned to me.
I don’t know how to describe it, but this seemingly harmless woman radiated a strange hostility.
“Her?” Hugh looked at Isla, handing her a freshly peeled apple. “To you, she might be a girl, a goddess even. But to me, she’s just a tomboy. My best friend, the one I grew up sharing everything with.”
A memory seemed to surface, and he chuckled. “You have no idea. When Cora cried as a kid, snot and tears would just stream down her face. If I didn’t wipe it for her, that big glob of snot would’ve gone right into her mouth.”
He warmed to his theme. “And when she was fifteen, she fainted during gym class from running and started talking nonsense, flailing her arms around like a maniac⌔
“I have to go, I have something to do.” I stood up, barely containing my fury, and forced a smile at the adults. “You all enjoy your chat.”
Isla looked at Hugh with a troubled expression. “Did I say something wrong to upset your little sister?”
Hugh glared at me, as if blaming me for ruining the atmosphere. Before he could speak, I cut him off.
“I have a date with my boyfriend tonight. If I don’t leave now, I’ll be late.”
5
“Since when do you have a boyfriend?” I had one foot out the door when Hugh grabbed my arm. “How come I don’t know about this?”
My face flushed hot in front of everyone, especially Isla. I wrenched my arm free.
“Why do you care if I have a boyfriend or not?” I snapped. “My own parents haven’t even asked. It’s none of your business!”
“Hugh!” his father said in a low, stern voice. “Sit down! What kind of behavior is this?”
I took the opportunity to bow to the adults. “Goodbye, Uncle, Auntie.”
From behind me, Isla’s sweet voice piped up. “Cora is so beautiful, and she’s always performing on stage. She must have plenty of admirers⌠It’s perfectly normal for her to be dating. I even saw what looked like a hickey under her scarf earlier.”
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My husbandâs childhood sweetheart got blackout drunk one night and ended up with a stranger. When she resurfaced, she was pregnant, just like me.
On the day I gave birth, my husband, Sebastian, handed me divorce papers.
âAmanda is planning her comeback,â he said. âI have to give her and the child a proper family. If this scandal gets out, the public will destroy her.â
Dragging my weakened body, I calmly signed the papers.
In my past life, I had refused to step aside. I went live on social media, holding our infant daughter, and accused the award-winning actress Amanda Shaw of knowingly being the other woman. The public crucified her. She lost every endorsement, and the crushing weight of the breach-of-contract penalties drove her to suicide.
Sebastian handled her funeral with a quiet composure. But afterward, he allowed her fans to harass me on the street, to throw things at me, and eventually, to set fire to our home, trying to burn me and our child alive.
It was only when I saw him lock the door from the outside that I finally understood: he wanted me dead.
I open my eyes again, and Iâm back on the day he hands me the divorce papers.
1.
Because she was premature, my daughter, Annie, was taken to the NICU incubator the moment she was born. And thatâs when Sebastian handed me the divorce papers.
âYou know Amanda was a top-tier actress before⌠all this,â he said, his voice flat. âThese ten months off have already killed her career momentum. If a scandal about her having a child out of wedlock breaks now, the online mob will tear her apart.â
I had just clawed my way back from deathâs door; the slightest movement sent searing pain through my stitches. To be reborn on this day⌠it meant fate was giving me a second chance.
âFine, Iâll sign,â I said, my voice raspy. âBut first, you get our daughter a birth certificate. And I want a settlement.â
Sebastian had clearly rehearsed a speech to counter the hysterics heâd been expecting. Hearing my calm acceptance, he let out a visible sigh of relief.
âOf course. A hundred thousand dollars. Is that enough?â
Sebastian was a billionaire, yet he was offering me a pittance.
I gripped the bedsheet. I knew asking for more was pointless; he wouldn’t give it. I could only nod.
He took care of the certificate. I verified it and signed the papers.
With the agreement in hand, Sebastian left without a second glance at our child, eager to run to Amandaâs side.
The room next door was filled with laughter and celebration. But I had no parents, and now, no husband. I was utterly alone.
Two days later, Annie was out of the incubator. I bundled both of us up, preparing to go home. On the way, I got a call from his secretary.
âMiss Quinn, please remember to share the companyâs official press release.â
The divorce wasn’t even finalized, yet I was no longer worthy of being called “Mrs. Hayes.” To give Amanda a graceful entrance, Sebastian had instructed me to state that our marriage ended due to âirreconcilable differences.â I agreed without hesitation, but my phone was dying. I decided to post it when I got home.
When I walked into the villa, I called for the maids to close the windows, but no one answered. As I carried Annie to the nursery, I overheard them whispering in the kitchen.
âThe nerve of her, bringing another manâs bastard back to this house.â
âMr. Hayes is too soft on her. He doesnât even press charges, and instead of being grateful, sheâs trying to use that brat to get his money!â
I froze, a cold sweat breaking out on my back despite the thick layers of clothing. Irreconcilable differences? Why were they saying I cheated?
âWhat are you talking about?â I demanded, pushing open the kitchen door.
The maids, who had always respectfully called me âMaâam,â looked up at me with open contempt. The head maid, Mrs. Gable, was bold enough to spit in my direction.
âWhat are we talking about? The company put out a statement. You cheated on your husband, and now we canât even say a word about it?â
I rushed back to my room, plugged in my phone, and opened social media. The top trending topic was: Sebastian Hayes Announces Divorce.
The official statement read: âDue to Ms. Lara Quinnâs marital infidelity, Mr. Sebastian Hayes has terminated their marriage. This serves as public notice.â
My head exploded with pain. To pave a smooth path for Amanda, Sebastian was willing to destroy my reputation.
I was about to write a clarification under the trending post when my phone buzzed, nearly waking the sleeping Annie. I answered. It was a police officer, his voice jubilant.
âMiss Quinn, the human trafficker confessed! You were abducted from Lakeside City!â
âWeâve already contacted the Lakeside police to cross-reference families with missing children. Youâll need to come here for a DNA test within the next three days!â
My heart, so thoroughly broken by Sebastian, soared. Tears streamed down my face. Ever since I was abducted and brought to this city at the age of five, I hadn’t known a single day of peace. I thought marrying Sebastian was a new beginning, but it was just another hell.
But now⌠now I had a chance to find my real parents. My daughter would have a family who loved her!
I hung up, quickly packed a few things for myself, and turned to the nursery to grab some baby supplies. Just as my hand touched the doorknob, the front door of the villa was thrown open.
âLara, who said you could go in there?â Sebastian stood in the doorway, his brow furrowed in displeasure.
2.
“I just need to get a few things for the baby.”
“Everything in that room is for Amandaâs child. If you want something, buy it yourself.”
Every single item in that nursery had been chosen by me, with love and care, for my daughter. And now he was giving it all to Amanda’s child. A child that wasn’t even his.
I swallowed my disappointment and didn’t argue.
But Mrs. Gable suddenly grabbed my arm, her face a hard mask, and began dragging me toward the door. âMr. Hayes wants us to go to the postnatal care center to look after Miss Shaw.â
The movement pulled at my stitches. “I just gave birth too!” I cried out to him. “I need to recover!”
Sebastian didn’t even turn around. “Exactly. You have experience.”
His voice was dismissive. “Stop whining. You’ve done manual labor your whole life. Youâre tough. You don’t need a formal recovery period.”
He got into his Maybach. I was shoved into a minivan and taken to the postnatal center.
When we arrived, Amanda was lying in bed, surrounded by a dozen nurses and caregivers. Seeing me, she struggled to sit up. “Sister-in-law, you’re here! Please, sit. Giving birth is so exhausting⌔
Sebastian gently pushed her back down, then shot me a look. “She could run a marathon on a broken leg. This is nothing to her.” He turned his attention back to me. “Lara, if you take good care of Amanda, I’ll give you another hundred thousand. A pretty good deal, right?”
Another hundred thousand. It was tempting.
I bit my lip. “No. My baby is at home with no one to look after her.”
A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes, but Amanda grabbed his hand. “Sebastian, if she doesn’t want to take care of me, just let her go back. I don’t want to make things difficult for you.”
He squeezed her hand reassuringly, but his gaze on me was filled with disgust. “Letting you take care of Amanda is a privilege. You’re an orphan with no money and no connections. Marrying me brought me no value, and you can’t even keep up appearances. Serving Amanda well is the most useful thing you can do right now.”
He was used to belittling me, completely ignoring my pale, drawn face. He ordered Mrs. Gable to go back to the villa. But I knew she despised me for “marrying up.” There was no way she would take proper care of Annie.
Sebastian waved away my protests and told me to feed Amanda her meal. I looked at the closed door, realizing I was trapped. Exhausted and hungry, I had no choice but to start feeding her.
Just as a spoonful of soup reached her lips, she jerked back, crying out in mock pain. “Ah, it’s hot!”
Sebastian snatched the bowl and threw it at me. The greasy chicken soup splattered all over my clothes.
“What is your problem? You could have burned Amanda! You’re not eating today!”
Amanda leaned against him, fat tears rolling down her cheeks. “Sebastian, don’t be angry, she didn’t mean to⌔
“Don’t call her sister-in-law. I’m taking her to finalize the divorce tomorrow!”
I stood there, ignored, smelling of stale soup, with no one to offer a single word of comfort.
The next day, Sebastian took me from the center to the courthouse. We got the divorce certificate. Afterward, he got into his car alone.
“I’m going to buy Amanda the latest designer bag. You can find your own way back.” His face was grim. “Lara, if you’re not back at the center in half an hour, you know the consequences.”
The Maybach sped off. I turned and immediately hailed a cab back to the villa.
The moment I stepped through the gate, I heard a baby crying from the small room in the yard. That was the security guardâs quarters!
I burst through the door and saw my Annie, lying on a filthy single bed. My carefully packed diaper bag and formula were right next to her, yet her face was pale, her cries weak and listless. She probably hadn’t been fed or changed since yesterday.
Forgetting all about confronting Mrs. Gable, I scooped her up, changed her, and fed her. After burping her, Annie gave me a sweet, gummy smile. My eyes welled up, a tear splashing onto her blanket.
Amandaâs child had a team of nannies, while mine was forgotten, deprived of even a drop of milk.
“Don’t be afraid, Annie,” I whispered. “Mommy’s going to take you away from here.”
Suddenly, there was a loud banging on the door. I opened it, and Sebastianâs hand swung, slapping me hard across the face.
“Lara! How dare you bring all these lowlifes into my house!”
3.
Clutching Annie, I was shoved into the villa by Sebastian. Amanda, bundled up like a precious doll, followed behind, surrounded by her entourage of nannies.
Inside, the villa was in chaos. Several thuggish-looking men were passed out on the floor, their faces flushed from a night of heavy drinking. The place looked like it had just hosted a wild party. There were more people sleeping in the bedrooms and the study. The master bed was occupied by five people, one of them completely naked.
Panic seized me. “It wasn’t me! I haven’t even been inside!”
Mrs. Gable emerged, her voice choked with fake sorrow. “Mr. Hayes, last night, dozens of thugs broke in. They said Miss Quinn gave them a key and told them to come have some fun⌔
“They said the baby was in the way, so they threw her in the security shed⌔
I was trembling, shaking my head violently. “I don’t know them! I was at the postnatal center all day yesterday, how could I have given them a key?”
“That’s right⌔ Amanda tugged on Sebastianâs sleeve. “Sister-in-law was taking such good care of me yesterday. Sebastian, maybe we should wake one of them up and ask?”
The storm clouds on Sebastianâs face cleared instantly. He ordered one of his men to wake the nearest drunk.
“Who let you in here?” he snarled.
The man blinked blearily. “Some lady⌠Lara Quinn⌠gave us a key. Said the house was empty, invited us over to party⌠Hey! Another ten bottles!” He was holding a set of keys. My keys. With my little teddy bear keychain still attached.
I instinctively checked my pocket. It was empty.
“No, my keys were stolen! It wasn’t me!”
“Still lying? It’s a good thing Amanda was worried about you and insisted on coming home. Otherwise, I would never have known you had such disgusting habits!” His voice dripped with contempt. “You wanted to have an orgy in my house!”
Sebastian’s patience wore thin. He ordered Mrs. Gable to lock me in the security shed.
Behind him, Amanda was cooing sweetly. “Sebastian, she was just having a little fun. Why are you so angry?”
“She needs to be taught a lesson. This house is filthy now. We’ll go to one of my other villas.”
The shed door was locked. Through the small glass pane, I watched them leave in a grand procession. Amanda, at the center of it all, shot me a triumphant smile.
Late that night, after finally soothing a crying Annie to sleep, the lights went out. The wiring in the shed was probably faulty. I took out my phone to buy a train ticket.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of a key in the lock. The door creaked open, and Amanda appeared, silhouetted against the moonlight. Without Sebastian, her eyes were cold and vicious.
“A hundred thousand dollars for a divorce? Lara, I really underestimated your shamelessness!”
I clutched Annie and scrambled backward, but the tiny room offered no escape.
“Amanda, I’ve done nothing to you. Why do you keep trying to destroy me?”
“Nothing? If it weren’t for you, I would be the one married to Sebastian!”
I frowned. It was true. An orphan like me had no right to marry him. Last year, I had saved his grandfather from a sudden heart attack. Out of gratitude, his grandfather had threatened to take his own life if Sebastian didn’t marry me. Sebastian had no choice but to comply. We had no wedding, just a one-sentence announcement from the company. After the marriage, he treated me like an object for his release, exhausting me night after night. I was pregnant within a month. I thought I would finally have a stable life, a family. But his grandfather passed away a week before I gave birth, leaving me completely without support.
So she believed I had stolen her place as Mrs. Hayes?
“But you have what you wanted now. Why won’t you just leave me alone?”
“No! If you hadn’t married him, I wouldn’t have gone to that bar to drown my sorrows! I wouldn’t have this bastard child!” she shrieked. “It’s all your fault! Lara, I want you dead!”
She grabbed a police baton from the table and lunged at me. I dodged, and in the next second, she let out a piercing scream, throwing herself against the corner of the bed and collapsing to the floor.
Sebastian burst in. “Lara! Are you insane?”
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The first thing the Oscar-winning actress Melissa Lindsay did after coming back to life was march into the studio and terminate her contract.
âMs. Lindsay, the Golden Griffin Awards ceremony is just around the corner. Are you absolutely certain you want to invoke the early termination clause now?â
âOnce you do, the stage name âMelissa Lindsayâ will be permanently retired. It will vanish from public record, impossible to trace.â
Without a word, Melissa pulled a black card from her purse and paid the exorbitant fee.
âIâm certain.â
The staffer processed the payment quickly. âThe termination is successful. The paperwork will take ten days to finalize.â
Ten days. Exactly the day of the Golden Griffin Awards.
In her past life, she had loved her husband, Adrian Thorne, to the point of madness. But after a car crash a year later, she had watched, helpless, as he pulled her lead surgeon from her operating room to go save the life of his one true love.
Given a second chance, she wanted nothing more to do with him.
Leaving the office, Melissa bought a one-way ticket to America, departing in ten days. She wrapped her fur coat tighter around herself and stepped out into the biting wind.
Snow swirled against the car window, the cold seeping through the glass. She rubbed her icy fingertips together, her gaze falling on the massive digital billboard in the city square.
The woman on the screen was radiant, and the luxury brand ring she wore was deliberately placed on her ring finger.
A week ago, that billboard had featured Melissa, the youngest actress to ever win the industryâs highest honor.
It was her boss, her husband, Adrian Thorne, the CEO of Zenith Entertainment, who had personally ordered the change. He had replaced her with his beloved, Echo Towne, a social media influencer who had recently gone viral.
Melissaâs eyes reddened. She looked away from the screen and opened her phone.
Her last post was a photo of her hand intertwined with Adrianâs.
The caption read: âTo find a single heart, and never be apart.â
Adrian had been the first to like it.
The comments below were a sea of blessings, all gushing about their fairy-tale romance.
âI knew Iâd find a picture of Adrian here! His own social media is a ghost town.â
âMelissa is a goddess, and Adrian is so handsome! But why is he wearing a full suit on a private island in Fiji? Isnât he hot?â
âYou must be a new fan. Eight years ago, the Thorne mansion caught fire. Adrian got out, but when he realized Melissa was still inside, he ran back into the flames to save her. She was unharmed, but he suffered severe burns. He hasnât worn a short-sleeved shirt since. Always buttons his collar to the top.â
âWho doesnât know what an incredible man Adrian Thorne is? He bought her a two-hundred-million-dollar private island just because she said she gets cold easily. Iâd light incense to my ancestors if my husband were half as goodâŚâ
âOther celebrity couples might fail, but not these two. Adrian is obsessed with his wife.â
Reading the comments, a self-mocking smile twisted Melissaâs lips.
A man who would never fail? Adrian had been cheating on her for six months.
His countless nights of âworking lateâ were all spent with Echo Towne.
And she, like a fool, had believed he was working hard for their home, for their future together.
Melissaâs finger paused. She scrolled past the comments, her eyes landing on the last post Adrian had liked.
He would have no idea that the famous line sheâd quoted was only half of the original verse. The forgotten first line was: I heard you have a divided heart, so I have come to break things off.
Lost in thought, the car pulled up to their villa.
The snow was coming down hard. Even with the butler holding an umbrella, flakes drifted onto Adrianâs dark eyelashes.
The dusting of white couldnât hide the smile in his eyes. âMelissa, youâre home.â
He reached out to take her hand, to warm it between his.
But her eyes caught sight of a womanâs hair tie on his wristâone that wasnât hers. A chill seeped into her heart.
Before she could pull away, his hands were already covering hers, his thumb gently caressing the back of her hand.
âItâs Valentineâs Day. Iâve decorated the house. Come see if you like it.â
He opened the door to a scene of soft, ambient lighting and the romantic scent of candles.
Melissa walked to the dining table. Instead of her usual red wine, she asked the butler for a glass of sparkling water.
Adrian looked puzzled. âA sudden change of taste?â
Melissa lowered her eyes, her gaze briefly flickering towards her stomach before she looked up again. âNothing. Just wanted to try something new.â
Suddenly, Adrianâs phone buzzed.
He glanced at Melissa, then quickly declined the call.
But the phone immediately began vibrating again, insistent.
He shot another look at Melissa before finally answering. His face changed. âIâm so sorry, Melissa,â he said, his voice laced with apology. âItâs an emergency at the office.â
Melissa took a sip of the sparkling water. It tasted of nothing but bitterness.
âItâs fine. You go handle it.â
Adrian leaned in and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. âIâll finish up as quickly as I can.â
Melissaâs eyelashes fluttered. She watched him walk into his study.
Some emergency. In her past life, she had caught a glimpse of his phone. It was a photo from Echo Towne, posing in a nurseâs uniform.
2
Melissa silently opened her phone and tuned into Echo Towneâs live stream.
A comment flashed across the screen: âItâs been ages and he hasnât called. Is your boyfriend with someone else?â
Echo Towne touched up her lipstick, then stood to show off the curves accentuated by the tight nurseâs uniform. A sly smile played on her lips. âHeâs probably just held up by some stray dog on the road. What can I do? He has such a big heart.â
A moment later, an account named âFor_Towneâ flooded the chat with 100 âvirtual castles.â
The user sent a message: âBaby, donât wear that on stream.â
The word âbabyâ felt like a boulder crushing Melissaâs chest, making it hard to breathe.
Echo Towneâs eyes lit up with delight, and she pouted playfully. âI just wanted to make you jealous.â
âBesides, you didnât even spend Valentineâs Day with me. Canât I have a little bit of revenge?â
Adrian said nothing more. Instead, he gifted her 9,999 of the streamâs most expensive gift: the âCosmic Heart.â
Then another message: âOne more gift. Look outside your window.â
A series of loud booms echoed through the night. The sky outside Echo Towneâs window erupted in a dazzling display of fireworks. Her delighted smile was one of a person who is so thoroughly cherished, they fear nothing.
âWell, viewers,â she cooed, âit seems my boyfriend is a little possessive. I have to go for now.â
Meanwhile, in the dining room, the steak on the table grew cold. The scented candles had burned down to stubs.
As Melissa swallowed the last of her sparkling water, Adrian finally emerged from his study.
âThat was Director Evans. Iâve secured the role for you in his new film. Youâre the lead.â
Director Evans was a legend, having won numerous international awards at a young age. A role in his film was a near-guaranteed path to an award.
If she hadnât just watched the live stream, Melissa might have actually believed him.
She was silent for a moment before replying. âMost of Evansâs films are art-house pictures. They often have nude scenes. You donât mind?â
Adrian was taken aback. âWhy would I be so petty?â
Because all of your possessiveness is reserved for Echo Towne, she thought.
The end of love always begins with the end of jealousy.
Melissa lowered her gaze to hide her expression. âTell him Iâm passing. I want to take a break for a while.â
Adrianâs response was gentle. âAlright. Iâll look for another one for you.â
There would be no next time. In ten days, she would be gone forever.
That night, Adrian held her as he always did, his body warming her cold hands and feet.
The image of the billboard flashed in her mind again.
Melissa feigned casualness. âEcho Towne has only had a couple of cameo roles. Sheâs not even a proper actress yet. How is she landing so many major endorsements?â
Adrianâs body tensed for a second. âI imagine her boyfriend is backing her.â
The words âher boyfriendâ were a sharp, physical pain in Melissaâs heart.
She tightened her grip on the corner of the duvet, her voice strained. âIs it really a good idea for Zenith to sign her? What if she wants to get married, or pregnant? Can she afford the contract termination fee?â
Without a momentâs hesitation, Adrian replied, âHer boyfriend loves her so much, he would definitely pay the fee for her. Heâd marry her in a heartbeat.â
Perhaps realizing how final his words sounded, he paused, then added, âIâve met him.â
So that was it. That was his real plan.
All Echo Towne had to do was say the word, and he would abandon everything to be with her.
What did that make their past? A ten-year dream?
Melissa said nothing more. Tears welled in her eyes, silently tracing paths down her temples in the darkness.
Once Adrianâs breathing became deep and even, Melissa slipped out of his embrace and went to the study.
The moonlight cast a lonely glow on her frail figure.
She looked at a photo of them from college on the desk and smiled a bitter, self-deprecating smile, tears once again blurring her vision.
Since she was a child, her goal had been singular: to become the most famous actress in the country. She had to be beautiful, talented, and in perfect shape. No scandals, no boyfriends. For eighteen years, she had been ruthlessly disciplined, believing she would dedicate her life to her art.
But for Adrian, she had broken all her own rules.
The day they got together, he had told her, âMelissa, Iâll never make you regret this. Iâll make you the happiest woman in the world.â
It turned out that promise had a ten-year expiration date.
Pulling her gaze away, Melissa took out the divorce agreement she had prepared and signed her name with slow, deliberate strokes.
Adrian, she thought, if you knew that in ten days, you would never be able to find me again, would you feel even a flicker of regret?
3
The next morning, Melissa went to the most exclusive private hospital in the city.
Adrian called her. âThe driver said you went to the hospital. Are you not feeling well?â
âItâs nothing⌠just an irregular cycle. Itâs an old problem.â
As she spoke, Melissa closed her eyes, tore the paper in her hand to shreds, and dropped it into the trash can.
As the pieces fluttered down, the red letters on one fragment stood out starkly.
[PREGNANCY CONFIRMED]
After hanging up, Melissaâs hand instinctively went to her abdomen. Memories flooded back.
When they were young and struggling, Adrian had acted as her agent, drinking with investors until he was vomiting blood, all to secure her a role with ten minutes of screen time.
Melissa had soaked in freezing water for three days straight on that set, her body aching with cold, refusing to give up the opportunity he had fought so hard for.
That night, in their tiny, cramped apartment, Adrian had shaken her awake, his face filled with panic.
âMelissa, youâre bleeding.â
She had faced down demanding investors and the fury of her own family, but she had never seen that look of terror on his face before.
She had believed that as long as they loved each other, they were invincible.
But the doctor had told them the baby had already started to form. It was their own neglect that had cost them their child. The tears had fallen instantly.
Adrian had held her, his voice choked with sobs. âIâm sorry, Melissa. Itâs all my fault.â
âI promise it will never happen again.â
The second time she got pregnant, she had shared the good news with him, only to be met with two cold, emotionless words.
âGet rid of it.â
Perhaps sensing his own cruelty, he had added, âMelissa, youâre at the peak of your career right now. We can have one next time.â
But ânext timeâ never came.
âMs. Lindsay, are you sure you want to terminate?â
The doctorâs voice pulled Melissa back to the present. He held the test results, his brow furrowed. âThe fetus is developing perfectly. But your body is very weak. If you go through with this, you may never be able to conceive again.â
Melissaâs heart trembled.
In her past life, when Adrian had brought her here, he had told her the fetus wasnât healthy. The doctor had recommended the procedure. From that day until the day she died, she had never gotten pregnant again. The lack of a child had become the greatest regret of her life.
She lowered her gaze, her hand gently resting on her still-flat stomach.
She could feel it. A life was growing there.
Heaven had given her a second chance, and with it, this child.
This time, she wouldnât let go. She wanted this child to see the world.
The snow outside had stopped. Sunlight filtered through the clouds, but it did nothing to warm the desolation in her eyes.
âThank you, Doctor. Iâm keeping it.â
America, she thought. There must be plenty of single mothers there.
The next day at the office, her agent, Carla, rushed over with a contract, her face beaming.
âMelissa, Adrian got us the endorsement for Olympia Sportswear!â
Olympia was a high-end athletic brand. Their commercials always involved intense physical activity.
Melissaâs face paled. She walked straight to the top floor, to Adrianâs office.
She stopped at the door.
Echo Towne was just coming out. âMelissa,â she cooed softly.
On her neck were a series of small, red marks.
âMelissa, what are you doing here?â
Adrian looked flustered. He buttoned his collar, his voice holding a hint of reproach.
Melissaâs breath caught. She walked past Echo Towne and into the office.
âTurn down the Olympia endorsement. Iâm not taking any new jobs for a while.â
Adrian frowned. Melissa was a notorious workaholic. Even when she was âresting,â she only stopped making films, not other work.
A thought struck him. He stared at her intently. âMelissa, are you sure itâs just an irregular cycle?â
âAre you hiding something else from me?â
Melissa froze. She opened her mouth, but managed to keep her voice steady. âItâs just an irregular cycle.â
Adrianâs brow finally relaxed. He took her hand. âYou should stop taking those birth control pills. Let your body recover.â
âIf you get pregnant, weâll have it. Iâll take good care of you both.â
Melissa nodded silently.
He had said the same thing in her past life. But when she had actually gotten pregnant, he had dragged her to the hospital without a second thought.
Adrian, do you have any idea? Last year alone, I took eleven bottles of birth control pills for you.
You were the one who made me kill our child. You donât deserve to be a father.
4
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Echo Towneâs agent came in with a folder, looking rushed. âMr. Thorne, Echo Towneâs schedule needs your signature.â
Melissa spoke up. âYou handle your work. Iâm going home.â
Halfway out of the building, she realized her left earring was gone.
She retraced her steps, and as she neared the CEOâs office, she heard Adrianâs impatient voice from within.
âI told you, donât come to me when Melissa is here.â
Echo Towne was sitting on his lap, purring. âAdrian, donât be so mean to me. Sheâs the one who ruined our fun.â
She took his hand and placed it on her waist, her voice seductive. âI wore this especially for you. Donât you want to see?â
Adrian hesitated for a fraction of a second, then pulled her closer, his mouth crushing hers.
The sounds of their passion seeped through the heavy wooden door.
The cold of the metal doorknob traveled up Melissaâs arm and into her heart.
Even though she was long past disappointed in him, hearing them together was still like a knife to the gut.
Her fingers turned white as she pulled out her phone and dialed his number.
The phone inside the office rang for half a second before it was silenced.
No hesitation.
A cold numbness spread through Melissa. She turned and walked away.
Two hours later, he called back. âI was in a meeting. Whatâs up?â
By then, Melissa had composed herself. Listening to his lie was just another bitter irony.
âNothing. I dropped an earring, but I found it.â
Adrian, she thought, with an acting performance like that, youâre the one who deserves the award.
Two days later, at the five-star hotel for a family dinner.
Melissa reached for a piece of fish, but Adrianâs mother spun the lazy Susan away from her.
âAfter all this time, still havenât produced a single child. Even a dog would have had a litter in ten years.â
Melissaâs silence only further enraged Adrianâs father. His disdain was palpable.
âDo you know what they used to call people like you in the old days? Performers! Toys to keep people entertained. I donât know why anyone bothers with you.â
âYour priority now should be quitting your job and giving the Thorne family an heir!â
Melissa finally spoke. âI understand. I will retire.â
Not just retire, she thought. In five days, Iâll be gone, with my baby.
Adrian squeezed her hand under the table. âDad, Mom, donât give Melissa a hard time. Weâll handle the matter of children ourselves.â
As they were speaking, there was a knock on the door of the private room.
Echo Towne appeared, holding a bottle of expensive ginseng wine, a brilliant smile on her face.
âMr. Thorne, I heard your voice and had to come say hello. This is for you.â
Though she was polite, after giving him the wine, she made no move to leave. She poured herself a cup of tea from the table.
âMr. and Mrs. Thorne,â she said sweetly, âI feel such a connection to you both. If you donât mind, Iâd love to be your goddaughter!â
âMy sister, Melissa, is so busy. Unlike me. All I want to do is spend time with you.â
Adrianâs eyes turned cold. He was about to speak when his father cut him off with a laugh.
âIf only I had a daughter-in-law as thoughtful as you! Unlike some people, who canât even read a room!â
His mother looked equally pleased and gestured to the empty seat beside her. âSuch a good girl. Come, sit with us.â
In ten years of marriage, Adrianâs parents had never once let her sit beside them.
Adrianâs expression grew colder. He looked at Echo Towne. âThis is a family dinner. You shouldnât be sitting there.â
Tears instantly welled in Echo Towneâs eyes. She shot a resentful glare at Melissa, then stood and left.
Adrianâs expression shifted. He started to rise, but then he looked back at Melissa, who was still silently eating her food. He sat back down, his mind clearly elsewhere.
His motherâs passive-aggressive comments and his fatherâs accusations rained down on Melissa once more.
She finally stood up. âIâm not feeling well. Iâm going to head home. You all enjoy.â
She left so quickly that Adrian didnât have time to see the look on her face.
It wasnât until she had locked herself in a bathroom stall that her strength gave out. She sank to the floor, and the tears she had been holding back finally broke free.
She dug her nails into her palms, telling herself: Donât listen. Donât look. Donât care.
The doctor said emotional turmoil will affect the baby.
The Thornes donât need me. The baby is my only family now.
Suddenly, a notification popped up on her phone.
Echo Towne had posted a photo from the dinner, and she had tagged Melissa.
The caption read: âHaving dinner with my boyfriendâs family and ran into my big sister, Melissa! What a coincidence.â
Even though no faces were fully visible, Melissa instantly recognized the Thorne family.
5
A comment was immediately pushed to the top.
[TowneTowne, you and your boyfriend have to last forever!]
The nausea that had just subsided came rushing back.
Her eyes red, she forced herself to read through the comments, one by one.
Among the sea of well-wishes, an account named âFor_Towneâ had replied with two simple words: We will.
It was the same account Adrian used to send gifts to Echo Towneâs live stream.
The blood drained from Melissaâs face. She took several deep breaths before her trembling hand tapped on the profile.
It was blank.
He had set it to private.
Melissa stared at the screen for a long time before a bitter, self-mocking laugh escaped her lips.
A moment later, tears fell like broken pearls, rolling past the corners of her forced smile and splashing onto the floor.
Adrian called. âYou said you werenât feeling well. Are you better now?â
Melissa wiped her tears, forcing her voice to be steady. âIâm fine now.â
Adrianâs brow remained furrowed. âIâm on my way backâŚâ
Just then, Echo Towne, who had just finished pouring tea for his parents, saw Melissaâs name on his phone screen. She bit her lip, then slipped off her shoe. Her foot, clad in black silk, deliberately brushed against Adrianâs thigh under the table.
Adrianâs breathing hitched. âSomething came up at the office,â he said into the phone. âIf youâre really not well, go to the hospital.â He hung up.
The city lights shone through the window, illuminating Melissaâs face.
The winter night was alive with a million lights, but none of them were for her.
On the way home, the driver noticed her pale face. âMrs. Thorne, you look terribly unwell. Should we go to the hospital?â
Melissa gently shook her head.
The driver said no more, delivering her home in silence.
As she was about to open the car door, her wedding ring slipped from her finger and fell onto the floor mat.
Melissa froze. Have I lost that much weight in just a few days?
The driver offered to help her find it, but she refused.
She fumbled in the dark for a long time before she finally found it. But as she held the ring, she hesitated to put it back on.
After a long moment, she opened the glove compartment. âThings that donât belong to me shouldnât be taken by me.â
With a soft click, the compartment opened, revealing dozens of condoms.
In an instant, all the air was sucked out of the car.
She had never been with Adrian in the car.
Melissaâs chest heaved. Her hand recoiled as if from an electric shock. She scrambled to open the door.
But just as she stepped out, some strange impulse made her pause. She took a photo, then slammed the glove compartment shut and got out of the car.
That night, Melissaâs sleep was fitful.
A wave of nausea washed over her. She mumbled, reaching for the space beside her. âAdrianâŚâ
The cold, empty sheets brought her instantly awake.
She threw on a robe and let out a bitter laugh.
The habits of the body are a terrifying thing.
Adrian didnât come home until noon the next day.
The sun was melting the snow, making the air feel even colder.
As soon as he stepped into the living room, Melissa caught the scent of gardenia perfumeâEcho Towneâs signature scentâclinging to him.
Melissa froze, looking at him. âLast nightâŚâ
Adrian met her gaze, and for a split second, his heart seemed to stop. He pulled her into an embrace. âWhatâs wrong?â
The scent of gardenia was overwhelming now. It was like a slow-acting poison, seeping into her organs.
Melissa stared at him, searching his face for any sign of a lie.
But his eyes were filled with nothing but soft, starlit affection.
It turned out that even a look like that could be a lie.
She stepped out of his embrace, changing the subject. âNothing. I just didnât sleep well.â
After dinner, Adrian took Melissa for a fitting for her red carpet gown.
The Golden Griffin Awards were approaching, and every celebrity was pulling out all the stops to make a statement.
Melissa looked at the gown sent over by Venus, the designer they had worked with for years, and felt a pang of nostalgia.
For ten years, she and Adrian had worn matching Venus ensembles. They were always a pair.
Now, this would be the last time.
Suddenly, Echo Towneâs triumphant voice cut through the air. âMelissa, do you like my gown that much?â
6
Melissaâs eyes widened in disbelief. She turned to Adrian.
In her past life, this was her gown!
She and Adrian were the official faces of Venus in their country. The gowns were always custom-made to their measurements.
Adrian frowned. âWhat are you talking about?â
Echo Towne looked at him with wide, innocent eyes. âBut you said I could choose any gown I wanted this time.â
âBesides,â she added, placing a hand on her stomach, âIâm pregnant. If I donât wear it now, I wonât get another chance.â
The words struck Melissa like a bolt of lightning. She froze.
No wonder he had insisted she get an abortion in her past life. She had actually believed it was for her career.
It turned out he just didnât want her child getting in the way of Echo Towneâs.
Adrianâs expression shifted. He turned to Melissa. âMelissa, just pick another one.â
In the past, Melissa would have fought for the dress.
But this time, it suddenly didnât seem so important.
She knew Adrian would arrange for another, equally beautiful gown. But she had never wanted his guilt or his compensation. She had wanted his devotion. To be his one and only.
Melissa forced a smile. âFine. A brand that canât make up its mind isnât worth my time anyway.â
She was talking about the brand, Venus, but Adrianâs heart felt strangely heavy.
Suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over her.
The last thing she saw before she lost consciousness was Adrianâs panicked face.
When she woke up, she was in the hospital.
Adrianâs face was a complex mask of emotions. ââŚMelissa, youâre pregnant?â
It wasnât a joyful exclamation. It was a question. An accusation.
Melissa didnât know what hurt more, her swollen ankle from the fall, or her heart.
Her eyelashes trembled. A bitter smile touched her lips. âYou think this baby came at a bad time, donât you?â
Seeing his silence, the bitterness in her heart deepened. She closed her eyes, her voice flat, almost hopeless.
âThen letâs get rid of it.â
No arguments. No resistance.
The lesson from her past life was enough to keep her silent.
This child, she was destined to lose.
A flicker of guilt crossed Adrianâs face. He seemed to remember something, and let out a long sigh. âKeep it.â
Melissaâs eyes snapped open. The dead ashes in her soul were suddenly rekindled with a tiny spark of hope.
Adrian squeezed her hand. âWhat parent wouldnât want to keep their child?â
A lump formed in Melissaâs throat. She nearly burst into tears.
What parent wouldnât want their child? What couple would keep up an act for ten years?
But Adrian, why did it have to be you?
Adrian went to buy her dinner. Echo Towne came in, carrying a fruit basket. âCongratulations, Melissa!â
The words were celebratory, but there was no smile in her eyes. Instead, they glinted with a cold, venomous light.
She looked around, and seeing that Adrian was gone, her smile vanished.
âYou know, donât you? My boyfriend is Adrian.â
âMelissa, youâre so pathetic. Only a woman who canât win her husbandâs love would use a child to tie him down.â
Melissa looked her straight in the eye. âAre you talking about yourself, Echo Towne?â
âNo matter how many people envy you on your live stream, youâll never be anything more than a mistress who canât be seen in public.â
Echo Towne was stunned. The few times she had seen Melissa, she had been so quiet and submissive, it had given Echo Towne the mistaken impression that she was a pushover.
She dug her nails into her palms, her face twisting with rage.
Just then, the sound of Adrianâs footsteps approached. âMelissa, I bought you some porridge. Itâs easy to digest.â
A vicious glint appeared in Echo Towneâs eyes. She grabbed Melissa by the collar.
A powerful force pulled Melissa forward, and they both crashed to the floor.
Echo Towneâs venomous words wrapped around Melissaâs ear.
âLetâs see who he chooses. You, or me?â
7
A cry of alarm rang out. Adrian quickened his pace, bursting through the door.
Echo Towne was already sobbing, a tragic heroine. âI brought a fruit basket to see Melissa, but she started screaming at me, accusing me of seducing you and stealing her gown.â
âI didnâtâŚâ
Before Melissa could finish, Echo Towne shrieked. âBlood! Adrian, my stomach hurts so much! The babyâŚâ
Her cries immediately captured Adrianâs full attention. He shot a cold, dagger-like glare at Melissa, then scooped Echo Towne into his arms and rushed away.
Watching them go, the last vestiges of warmth left Melissaâs body.
A sharp, cramping pain seized her abdomen. A warm liquid trickled down her legs.
Melissa forced herself to her feet and called for a nurse. She was wheeled into the hallway, where she heard another nurse speaking in a troubled voice.
âDr. Campbell is the only one on duty in Obstetrics right now, but the patient from the VIP room, Ms. Lindsay, is also showing signs of a miscarriage.â
Adrian froze. He was about to speak when Echo Towne looked up, her eyes brimming with pitiful tears.
âIâm fine. Let Melissa go first. An A-list star like her, taking out her temper on a small-time influencer like me⌠Iâm used to it.â
Feeling the life of her own child slipping away, Melissaâs vision turned red. She grabbed the nurseâs arm, her voice a desperate plea.
âPlease, save my baby!â
At her words, Adrianâs face twisted in disgust. âHer child isnât important. Save Echo Towneâs.â
The nurses quickly wheeled Echo Towne into the operating room.
The hospitalâs smell of antiseptic and blood filled Melissaâs lungs, stinging her nose.
By the time it was her turn, Dr. Campbell sighed deeply. âIf you had come in ten minutes earlier, we could have saved it. Itâs too late.â
An icy chill crept up Melissaâs spine, freezing her heart.
Her baby⌠was gone, just like that?
Her body trembling, Melissa placed a hand on her stomach. Tears she had held back for so long finally fell, tracing paths down her cheeks.
âIâm so sorry, my baby. I couldnât protect you this time, either.â
As the anesthesia wore off, a bone-deep pain wracked her body, but it was nothing compared to the agony in her heart.
That was her flesh and blood, a part of her body.
She had never even had the chance to let her baby see the world.
In a daze, Melissa was wheeled out of the operating room. Adrian was still holding Echo Towne.
Echo Towne looked at him with tear-filled eyes. âAdrian, can you stay with me tonight?â
Her voice was choked with sobs, but the look she shot at Melissa was one of pure, triumphant provocation.
Adrian was silent for a moment, then his voice was gentle. âOkay.â
Seeing Melissa, he made no move to let Echo Towne go. A fire of anger burned in his eyes. âApologize to Towne.â
The storm of emotions churning inside Melissa suddenly ceased.
With the death of her child, a part of her had died, too.
âI was wrong. You go take care of her. Iâm going home.â
Adrian was stunned. He saw that the light in Melissaâs eyes had been extinguished, leaving nothing but dead, gray ash.
His throat worked, and he was about to say something, but a doctor called him over to pay the bill.
When he looked back, Melissa was gone.
On the way home, Melissaâs grief fermented in her heart, turning to a bitter hatred.
She hated her own weakness, her inability to let go, which had cost her another child.
If she had just left earlier, would her baby have been saved?
Suddenly, a message popped up on her phone.
It was from Echo Towne. She had sent a username and password. âLog in. Youâll see a surprise.â
With fingers as white as bone, Melissa logged into Adrianâs secret account: For_Towne.
The latest post was a photo of Echo Towneâs flat stomach.
The caption read: âTowne is pregnant. Today is the happiest day of my life.â
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Live on New Year’s Eve, my brother called me.
I spoke first.
âMay you have peace and joy, and live a long, full life.â
My brother let out a cold, sharp laugh.
âBut I donât want you to have joy or a long life, Lisa. I hope you live in misery forever.â
I had cut ties with my brother the year he lost everything.
Now that he was a titan of industry, his first order of business was revenge.
My voice remained steady.
âMay you have peace and joy, and live a long, full life.â
His patience snapped. âEnough. I could never wish you well. If I have to wish you anything, I wish you eternal suffering.â
The showâs host hesitated for a moment before gently interrupting him.
âMr. Chase⌠that was just a recording of your sisterâs voice. When she passed⌠she was, as you said, in a great deal of pain.â
1
âPassed?â
Matt Chase froze, then a sneer twisted his lips.
âI hope you mean sheâs dead.â
The host paused, then simply gestured to the massive screen behind Matt.
My face appeared on it.
In the video, I slapped a hand over the camera lens. Rain plastered my hair and shirt to my skin, a picture of pure misery.
My voice was raw with irritation. âStop filming. I didnât agree to this.â
A moment later, a warm, magnetic voice replied, full of sincerity. âIâm not a con artist, I swear. Iâm a filmmaker. I make documentaries about peopleâs lives. I can help you.â
I turned away from the dumpster Iâd been rummaging through and pressed my face close to the lens. âOh yeah? Can you cure my cancer?â
The man behind the camera fell silent.
I stretched my lips into a hollow smile. âDonât waste your time. Find someone else.â
âWait⌠I can try!â
He grabbed my arm as I turned to leave.
I looked him up and down, from his shirt and belt to his pants and shoes, and let out a short, sharp laugh.
âTwenty bucks, sixty, forty, fifty,â I ticked off. âOh, and the camera. Bought it secondhand, didnât you? Do you have any idea how much my treatment costs?â
I held up five fingers to the lens. âHalf a million dollars.â
The manâs breath hitched.
I smiled and walked back out into the rain, bending over one dumpster after another. âShadow? Shadow, where are you?â
He followed me. âWhat are you looking for?â
âA dog.â
âIs he yours?â
âNo. I collapsed earlier. He licked me awake.â
The man said nothing.
I looked up at him. âIf youâve got nothing better to do, then leave. There are plenty of people in this world you can help. Donât waste your time on me.â
My hand covered the lens.
The screen went black.
2
[AFTERLIFE â 10.11.2023, 9:32 AM â The Chase Family Heiress Needs No Oneâs Pity]
âYouâre Lisa Chase. Matt Chaseâs sister, right?â
I was sweeping the floor in the back kitchen of a cafĂŠ. I frowned at the voice. âYou again?â
The manâs voice came from behind the camera. âEveryone online says youâre a traitor, that you abandoned him. But they donât know you have cancer. I want to film a documentary series about you. Can I?â
I shook my head. âLet them call me a traitor. I worked hard to build that reputation. Are you trying to ruin it for me?â
âWait!â
He quickly grabbed my arm. âBut youâre broke. Where will you get the money for treatment? Let me help you. I have some savings.â
I turned my head and smiled. âWhat do you think was the reason I cut ties with my brother in the first place?â
He hesitated.
I pulled my arm free and waved him away. âI have a job. I donât need your help. Just go.â
âI asked around. You only make two thousand a month here.â
âStill donât need it.â I turned my back to him, then glanced over my shoulder with a defiant smile. âThe heiress of the Chase family never needs anyoneâs pity.â
The moment the words left my lips, my knees buckled and I collapsed.
âLisa!â
The camera shook violently.
On the floor, a pool of blood was spreading.
âYouâŚ!â
Brainâs voice trembled. The camera was tossed aside, and a tall, lanky man rushed to help me up. âCome on, Iâm taking you to the hospital!â
Just as he was about to lift me, I pushed him away with all my strength.
I grabbed a rag, wiped the floor, then smeared the blood from the corner of my mouth with the back of my hand. âI donât need it.â
Then I walked to the sink and washed the blood from my face.
Brainâs voice was shaking. âPlease, Iâm begging you. Let me help you.â
I cleaned the last trace of blood, turned around, and looked at him with fierce intensity.
âThe heiress of the Chase family never needs anyoneâs help.â
And with that, I walked out of the frame.
3
[AFTERLIFE â 11.15.2023, 3:21 PM â The Puppy Doesnât Know Heâs Dying, Only That He Finally Has a Home]
âWhat do you mean?â
At the vetâs office, I stared in shock.
The vet sighed and shook his head. âHis original owner probably abandoned him because they knew he wouldnât make it. The poor thing has been starving, getting bullied by other strays⌠Heâs alreadyâŚâ
I managed a small smile. âI know. Youâre going to say he doesnât have much time left, right?â
The vet hesitated, then nodded.
It was the same look my own oncologist gave me.
Brain frowned. âIs there really nothing we can do?â
ââŚJust keep him comfortable. Good food, warm bed.â
Silence filled the room.
I stroked Shadowâs head. âNo wonder the two of us found each other.â
Shadowâs tail wagged furiously. He rubbed against me, his tongue lolling out, his bright black eyes fixed on me.
Brain gave a bitter smile. âHe thinks youâre his owner now.â
I paused. âIs that something to be so happy about?â
Brain nodded, stroking the dogâs head. âA puppy doesnât know heâs going to die. He only knows that he finally has a home again.â
I was silent for a long moment.
I patted the dogâs head. âAlright then. Iâll call you Shadow.â
Shadow let out a happy âWoof!â
As we left the clinic, I turned to face the camera.
âYouâre the one who found him and brought him to me. As repayment, Iâll agree to let you film your series.â
4
[AFTERLIFE â 12.31.2023, 9:00 PM â Then I Wish You a Long and Happy Life, Part 1]
âWhere did you get this?â
I frowned, looking at the old videotape Brain had brought.
He dangled it with a grin. âA good filmmaker has to fully understand his subject.â
He popped the tape into a VCR. On the TV left behind by the last tenant, a girl with long hair in a pink dress appeared, bending down to look at the camera.
Back then, my eyes still sparkled with hope.
âHello, hello! Happy New Year 2015! I wish everyone peace, joy, and all your dreams come true!â
âYou were so lively back then,â Brain said, sitting beside me, a smile in his eyes as he watched the video.
I clutched a pillow, huddled on the tattered sofa in my tiny apartment, my head poking out from under a blanket. âDid you just dig up every video from all my old social media accounts?â
âI found them interesting, so I brought them over.â
I said nothing, watching my past self sit among piles of presents, a small tiara clipped in my hair.
A familiar voice spoke. âHold on, Iâll help you open them.â
Matt walked into the frame and sat cross-legged beside me.
I held up a hand in a âstopâ gesture. âNo! The Chase heiress is self-sufficient!â
The camera cut, and now Matt was fastening a necklace around my neck. âHappy New Year, my little princess.â
A camera flashed, capturing my huge, beaming smile.
Laughter erupted as I smeared a dab of whipped cream on Mattâs nose. He froze for a second, then a grin spread across his face. âStop messing around. Your hair is all tangled. Come here, let me brush it for you.â
The video was filled with the sound of my happy laughter.
Outside the screen, I found myself laughing along, a hollow echo of the past.
I wiped the corner of my eye, my sigh trembling slightly. âAfter our parents died, everyone thought I was so pitiful. But I wasn’t. Not at all. I still had my brother, I still had my friendsâŚâ
A cold draft swept through the leaky apartment. I wrapped the blanket tighter around myself, tears streaming silently down my face.
A warm hand enveloped my own, which was red from the cold. Brain looked at me, his expression serious. âIâve saved up some money. Letâs go to the hospital tomorrow. We can start your treatment.â
I sniffled and laughed. âYour channel has less than a hundred followers, and youâre eating instant noodles with me every day. How much money could you possibly have?â
His long, pale fingers clenched on his faded jeans. âItâs⌠something. It could help.â
I shook my head stubbornly. âNo. The Chase heiress never needs anyoneâs help.â I lifted my chin at him proudly. âDonât worry. My income is enough to cover my medication. See? I bought all of these with my salary.â
I grabbed a handful of colorful pills and tossed them back, swallowing them in one gulp.
I winced, remaining silent for a long moment before finally pressing a hand to my chest and letting out a long sigh of relief.
When I looked up, Brain was watching me, the corners of his eyes tinged with red.
I let out a small laugh. âPretty impressive, right?â
Brain looked down, a bitter smile on his lips. âYeah.â
5
[AFTERLIFE â 12.31.2023, 11:45 PM â Then I Wish You a Long and Happy Life, Part 2]
On screen, after a meager meal, the two of us were leaning against the sofa, waiting for the New Yearâs countdown.
Brain glanced at me. âIs that all youâre going to eat?â
I felt a wave of exhaustion. âMy stomach hurts. Any more and Iâll just throw it up.â
Brain was quiet for a moment before finally speaking. âMr. Chase⌠heâs made it. His new project just broke a hundred million in revenue.â
I closed my eyes. âI know.â
âGo back to him, Lisa. He can get you the best treatment.â
I shook my head.
âWhy not? Do you want to die like this?â
âDid you really think I expected to live when I cut ties with him?â
That shut him up.
After a moment, he spoke again, his voice trembling slightly. âWhy did you do it? Why not let him face this with you?â
I laughed. âOur parents always taught us that the children of the Chase family never need help from anyone. And yet, our family supported a whole clan of relatives. But when my brother went bankrupt, not a single one of them was willing to help.â
My breath hitched. I bit my lip before continuing. âDo you have any idea how it felt to watch my brother grovel in front of them, begging them just to pay for my tuition?â
âMy brother never begged anyone. After being rejected by every single one of our relatives, he took me to a tiny, one-room apartment, about the size of this one. He told me that he, alone, would bring us back to the life we once had. Thatâs the brother I admire. The one who, even with nothing, still had his pride and his ambition.
âButâŚâ I laughed and looked at Brain. âWhat do you think would happen if he knew I was sick?â
Brain stared at me, speechless.
âHe would get on his knees and beg those relatives.â My voice trembled as I said it. âHe almost did, just for my tuition money. I was lucky I was there to stop him. HaâŚâ
I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye. âBefore I left, he and his partner were just starting to get back on their feet. Can you imagine what would happen if his partner found out the family suddenly had a bottomless money pit to deal with? Would he still have invested?â
Brainâs voice was strained. âLisaâŚâ
I held up a hand to stop him. âCancer might take my life, but half a million dollars would have taken his.â
Brainâs fists clenched at his sides.
I sighed, a sad smile on my face. âThe day I left, I tore him to shreds. I called him every name in the book. At the end, he was holding my arm, crying, begging me to stay, promising things would get better soon, that heâd give us our old life back. You see him now, so polished and successful. You could never imagine how pathetic he looked then. HaâŚâ
Brainâs voice was low. âHow did he finally let you go?â
I remembered it all too clearly. âI told him he was a failure. That his past success was just because of our parents. I said his pathetic state was a disgrace to their memory, and if he had any shred of brotherly love left, he would let me go find my own happiness. And then⌠he let go. Bit by bit.â
The bells for the new year began to ring.
Fireworks exploded outside the window.
I raised a hand and wiped the tears from my face.
6
[AFTERLIFE â 01.01.2024, 12:00 AM â Then I Wish You a Long and Happy Life, Part 3]
Brain turned to look out the window. âHappy New Year, Lisa.â
âThanks.â
âArenât you going to wish me a happy new year?â
I looked up at him. âYouâre asking a dying woman for a blessing?â
His hand gently covered my own thin, frail one. âPlease.â
I watched the warm, golden fireworks burst outside the window, feeling as if I were bathed in their hopeful light.
I smiled. âThen I wish you a long and happy life.â
The hand on mine tightened, trembling slightly.
Brain stared out the window, his expression hidden from view.
The camera moved, and soon, we had both settled down for the night.
But in the darkness, a figure slowly emerged.
I leaned close to the camera, frowning. âDamn, forgot to turn it off.â
I reached out to press the button, then paused.
After a momentâs thought, I dragged a chair over and sat down in front of the lens, adjusting it left and right, a look of doubt in my eyes.
âWill anyone ever really see this?â
More fireworks lit up the sky, casting a warm, yellow glow on my face.
I took a deep breath and gave the camera a small, gentle smile.
âIf anyone is watching⌠then I wish you all peace and joy, and long, happy lives.â
I waved at the camera, and then pressed the button.
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The day the Hawthorne family, Miami’s wealthiest dynasty, came to claim me, I was one of Hollywoodâs brightest rising stars.
The whole cityâs paparazzi were there, live-streaming my homecoming. But Brielle, the Hawthornesâ adopted daughter, stood at the door, blocking my way.
âSister,â she began, her voice dripping with faux concern, âweâve looked into you. Youâre famous for a⌠certain scandalous art-house film. The Hawthorne family has its standards. Youâll have to change your clothes in front of everyone before you can come in.â
She smiled sweetly. âFather said that when he and my brother arenât home, Iâm the lady of the house. I hope you can understand.â
In my past life, I would have been cautious, desperate to protect my image, and would have probably swallowed my pride.
But this wasn’t my past life. I was reborn.
I kicked over a large, ornate planter by the door, sending dirt scattering across the pristine marble. Shoving the stunned Brielle aside, I scoffed. âA joke! You want to strip me? You’re not worthy.â
âEvery inch of me is insured for more than youâre worth. If you so much as pluck a single hair from my head, you couldn’t afford it.â
ââLady of the houseâ? Weâll see how long it takes for you to be on your knees, begging me.â
1
The moment the words left my mouth, a tidal wave of paparazzi surged forward, flashes erupting like a lightning storm, nearly blinding me.
âMarissa! The rumors are true! Youâre the long-lost Hawthorne heiress!â
Brielle reached for my dress, and I slapped her hand away. âDonât you dare!â
âEven if I werenât a Hawthorne, Iâm still a multi-million-dollar celebrity! Iâm warning you, touch me again, and youâll be hearing from my lawyers.â
Brielle clutched her face, her eyes burning with fury. âYouâŚ!â
This was the kind of raw confrontation the paparazzi lived for. They shoved their microphones in Brielleâs face. âMs. Hawthorne! Marissa is a huge star! Arenât you happy to have a sister like her?â
âAnd besides, sheâs the real Hawthorne by blood. Donât you think youâre being a little harsh?â
A slow, calculating smile spread across Brielleâs face. âOf course Iâm happy to have a sister. But this⌠this was Fatherâs wish.â
âAnd Iâm about to launch my own career, you know. I understand whatâs acceptable and what isnât. I would never sell my body for a bit of fame. So letâs be clear, no one here is better than anyone else.â
She looked at me, a condescending tilt to her head. âToday, as her older sister and the lady of this house, Iâm simply teaching her the Hawthorne way.â
I let out a sharp laugh. ââLady of the houseâ? Weâll see what the real Hawthornes have to say about that. For now, youâre nothing but a cuckoo in the nest who thinks sheâs a swan.â
Just then, the family butler stepped forward, whispering to Brielle but speaking loud enough for the closest cameras to hear. He glanced at me with a sneer. âThe master said actresses love their drama. He told you not to be afraid. You are the only daughter of his heart. No one will bully you!â
2
The butlerâs words sent the paparazzi into a frenzy. âThe master? Does that mean Marissaâs return wonât change Brielleâs status at all?â
âLooks like it! So what if sheâs back in the family? Sheâs still second-class!â
My phone buzzed violently. My agent, Amy, was on the line, her voice a shrill shriek in my ear. âMarissa! My god, are you insane?! Get back here right now! Forget this family reunion!â
âThe live-stream has gone viral! The internet is exploding! Theyâre all saying youâre an ungrateful brat! This is the Hawthorne family weâre talking about!â
âDo you have any idea how much Hawthorne Capital has invested in our agency?! Are you trying to kill me?!â
I listened to her tirade and let out a soft laugh. âItâs fine, Amy. Just sit back and watch the show. If anything goes wrong, Iâll take the heat.â
Amyâs voice was thick with tears. âMy sweet girl, do you know who Kurt Hawthorne is? Heâs the heir! Heâs famous for being obsessed with his sister!â
âYouâve made an enemy of Brielle. You think heâll let you get away with this? The second Hawthorne Capital pulls their funding, youâll be the first one the agency shelves!â
Suddenly, there was a commotion on her end of the line. âOh, hell! I have to go! We just got a message from Hawthorne Capitalâs business affairs! Listen to me, Marissa! Come back now!â
She hung up. I smiled to myself. She didnât know that I was a major, silent partner in our agency. Iâd used the fortune Iâd built to invest, but Iâd kept it quiet, not wanting to be accused of getting ahead because of my money.
The Hawthorne family was going to âshelveâ me? Not likely.
Seeing me hang up, Brielle leaned in, her voice a low, taunting whisper. âLooks like my brother has already made his move. Iâd listen if I were you.â
âSo what if you have Hawthorne blood? With an attitude like that, youâll never set foot in this house again.â
Just then, a flame-red Ferrari screeched to a halt in front of the gate. The legendary Hawthorne heir, Kurt Hawthorne, stepped out, his face a mask of cold fury.
Brielleâs expression transformed instantly. She ran to him, her voice a delicate, wounded cry as she grabbed his arm. âKurt⌠youâre finally backâŚâ
Kurt walked straight up to me, his eyes raking over me from head to toe. âYouâre Marissa?â
The paparazzi held their breath, their faces alight with glee. They stretched their necks. âMr. Hawthorne! The hottest rising star, Marissa, is your long-lost sister! How do you feel?!â
Kurt scoffed. âMarissa may share our blood, thatâs true. But Brielle has been in our family for years. She is, and always will be, the only sister in my heart.â
âBesides,â he continued, his voice dripping with contempt, âBrielle is a few months older than her. For Marissa to come here on her first day and show her such disrespect⌠itâs clear sheâs had a lack of proper upbringing.â
My phone rang. It was my adoptive mother. She must have seen the live-stream and was furious.
I ignored the call. Kurt looked at me, pressing his advantage. âI donât care what kind of star you are. The Hawthorne estate is not a stage for your publicity stunts. If you plan on making a scene here, donât blame me for being merciless.â
The paparazzi buzzed, turning all their cameras on me, waiting for my response.
I met the cameras with a smirk. âThis is being live-streamed to the entire country. Everyone can see whatâs happening. Who was it that tried to strip my clothes off just now? And somehow Iâm the one making a scene?â
âAnd didnât you just pull the funding from my projects? Whatâs with the self-righteous act now?â
âI had no idea the great Hawthorne family was so good at twisting the truth.â
My words sent the live-stream chat into an explosion. A tidal wave of supportive comments flooded the screen. I didnât even need to look to know public opinion was on my side.
Brielleâs face tightened, but she quickly shifted back into her innocent-little-damsel routine. âMy brother didnât mean it like that. He just⌠he canât stand to see me get hurt.â She paused, then added in a tone of magnanimous charity, âWeâre the Hawthornes, Miamiâs wealthiest family. We can certainly afford to feed one more person.â
Her eyes reddened. âWhat happened today was just standard Hawthorne protocol. My sister must have misunderstood. After all, she didnât have much of an education. Sheâs been working since she was very young, so she has more⌠real-world experience than I do. Itâs only natural sheâd think the worst of people.â
I laughed coldly and raised my hand as if to strike her. She flinched, squeezing her eyes shut and cowering back.
I lowered my hand, my smile dripping with scorn. âDo you know who the first person to seek me out for a DNA test was?â
âLet me tell you something. Whether or not the Hawthorne family accepts me isnât up to a little stray like you.â
3
All I knew was that after I went missing, my birth mother searched for me for years, until, consumed by guilt and despair, she took her own life.
And I, after I became famous, was on screens everywhere. My grandmother saw me and recognized me instantly as her long-lost granddaughter. She came to my door time and time again, begging me to take a DNA test, desperate for me to come home.
The person who wanted me back was never the high-and-mighty Mr. Hawthorne, and it certainly wasnât the arrogant Kurt Hawthorne.
Brielleâs eyes flew open. âSo what if Grandmother recognized you!â she shrieked. âThis is the Hawthorne house! What does her word matter here?â
She pointed a trembling finger at me. âMy brother is the one Father chose! He is the one and only heir to the Hawthorne fortune! If he says you canât come in, youâll never set foot past this gate!â
I laughed inwardly. She really wasnât family, was she? She didnât even know who really called the shots here.
I gave her a cold stare, pulled over a chair, and sat down with a cool, unbothered air. A smirk played on my lips. âFine. Then weâll wait for the master of the house to return.â
Seeing the viewer count on the live-stream skyrocket, I smiled. If I didnât blow this up today, these two would never learn who was really in charge.
I was casually scrolling through the live chat when a furious roar cut through the air. âWhat is going on?! When did the Hawthorne estate become a public stage?!â
I looked up. It was Arthur Hawthorne, his eyes wide with rage.
I rose slowly, a mocking smile on my face. âNo oneâs treating this place like a stage. But some people seem to have forgotten their place and started thinking theyâre the masters here.â
Arthurâs eyes scanned the forest of cameras, and his face turned a furious shade of purple. âHenderson!â he bellowed at the butler. âGet these reporters out of here!â
The paparazzi erupted. âOn what grounds? Weâre just filming Marissa!â
âWhat a tyrant! The great Arthur Hawthorne wonât even let his own daughter in the door! Is there no decency?!â
A vein throbbed in Arthurâs temple. âMy daughter? Who knows if sheâs just after our money! Donât think that filming a few sleazy movies makes you a princess!â
âWeâre gracious enough to acknowledge her, and instead of being grateful, she comes here to ruin the Hawthorne familyâs century-old reputation!â
I looked at him and felt a profound sense of irony. This man, who had changed his own name just to marry into wealth, had the audacity to lecture me.
Seeing my silence, Kurt thought I was scared. He arrogantly ordered the security guards, âGet them all out of here! And for the next few days, if I see a single negative headline about the Hawthorne family, there will be consequences!â
The reporters exchanged uneasy glances. Most of them reluctantly lowered their cameras, seemingly forgetting that this was all being broadcast live.
Brielle pointed at me, her voice dripping with sarcasm. âLooks like there wonât be a family reunion today. When the great star is ready to change her clothes and walk over a pit of fire, we can talk.â
Arthur looked at me with disgust. âDonât think a little shared blood gives you the right to throw your weight around in our house! We donât welcome women who sell their bodies!â
âNow get out, before you dirty our home!â
Just then, a powerful, commanding voice boomed from the entrance.
âIâd like to see who dares touch a single hair on my granddaughterâs head!â
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My mother asked me which of the Levitans I would marry. This time, I didn’t choose Joe.
I chose his uncle, Julian Levitan.
A flicker of confusion crossed my mother’s face. After all, the entire elite of New York knew Iâd been chasing Joe Levitan since we were children. For ten years, I was his shadow, his loyal puppy, and Iâd loudly proclaimed I would marry no one else.
A bitter smile touched my lips. I remembered my last life. After I married Joe, a chasm of ice existed between us in the marriage bed. He never touched me. Iâd assumed he suffered from some private affliction, a condition too humiliating to admit, and I dedicated myself to protecting his secret.
It wasn’t until our fiftieth wedding anniversary that I stumbled into the darkroom he kept locked, a sanctuary no one was ever allowed to enter.
The walls were a haunting gallery, covered from floor to ceiling with photographs of my cousin, Kristen.
The truth struck me like a physical blow. He wasn’t cold or incapable of passion. He just didn’t love me.
So, in this new life, Iâve chosen to grant them their wish. I’ve set them free.
But later, as I walked down the aisle in a gown of my own design, toward his uncle, the color drained from Joeâs face. And in that moment, he began to unravel.
1
Three days after the marriage alliance was finalized, I ran into Joe at a party.
His friends spotted me first, their faces splitting into smug, mocking grins.
“Hey, Joe, look what the cat dragged in. Your little shadow is here to play.”
“Eleanor, honey, youâve already locked down the Levitan name. Donât you think youâre clinging a little tight? Can’t even let the guy have one night out with his friends?”
When Joe saw me, his irritation was a palpable force.
“Eleanor, are you that desperate?” he snapped, his voice low and sharp. “Forcing our families’ hands without even talking to me? Now the whole city thinks weâre engaged. Youâve really got some nerve.”
His look of pure disgust was a familiar knife in my heart, but after a moment, I found my voice, calm and steady.
“Your permission was never required. The man I’m marrying⌠it isn’t you.”
A beat of silence, then the room erupted in laughter.
Joe’s friends howled, clutching their sides. “Whoa, Joe, you better smooth things over with your little fiancĂŠe! Looks like sheâs trying a new tactic to get your attention!”
Joeâs brow furrowed. “So now we’re playing hard to get, Eleanor? Is that the new game?” He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Who else in my family would you possibly marry? Youâve been screaming from the rooftops that youâd only marry me since we were kids. Everyone in this city already sees you as my woman.”
He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. “Iâll let the engagement announcement slide. But you need to understand something. I can give you a grand wedding, the event of the season… but the marriage license? That is reserved for the woman I truly want to marry.”
My eyes shot up to his, wide with shock. In my last life, at this exact moment, Joe had dutifully followed his familyâs orders, marrying me without protest.
Could it be? Had he been reborn, too?
Before I could read the answer in his expression, my cousin, Kristen Croft, arrived. The moment she saw Joe and me standing together, tears welled in her eyes and began to stream down her cheeks.
“Ellie… Joe… I heard… I heard you’re getting married soon. I… I don’t have a gift, but I just wanted to wish you… a lifetime of happiness…”
Her voice broke, and she turned and fled, sobbing.
“Look what you’ve done,” Joe hissed, glaring at me before chasing after her without a second glance back.
2
When they returned, their fingers were intertwined.
Kristen’s lips were swollen and bruised from kissing, and a stark, fresh love bite bloomed on the column of Joeâs throat.
Every eye in the room swiveled to me, hungry for the drama, waiting for the inevitable explosion. In the past, any girl who got this close to Joe would have been met with a storm of my tears and accusations, a desperate plea for him to turn his attention back to me.
Joe protectively pulled Kristen behind him, his own expression a strange mix of defiance and anticipation.
But minutes ticked by, and I remained silent. Motionless.
A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly replaced by a cold sneer. “Well, look at you. Finally learning to act your age instead of throwing a tantrum.”
When the party wound down, Joe caught my arm as I was leaving. “Itâs late. Iâll give you a ride.”
A free ride was a free ride. I didn’t refuse.
I moved toward the back door of the car, but Joe blocked me, opening the front passenger door instead.
“You sit in the back,” he commanded, then gently guided Kristen into the front seat.
“Sorry, Ellie,” Kristen said, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. “Joe’s just worried about me. I get so carsick, you know…”
I said nothing, sliding into the back seat where Iâd intended to sit all along.
The entire drive, Joe and Kristen flirted and laughed in the front, their voices a low murmur. At a red light, Kristen pouted, asking him to apply her lip balm. Their eyes met, the space between them shrinking until their breath mingled, heavy and charged.
Suddenly, Joeâs gaze shot to the rearview mirror, as if just remembering I was there. When he saw me staring impassively out the window, a strange, dark expression clouded his face. He stomped on the gas the second the light turned green.
When we arrived at my brownstone, he got out and stopped me again, a break from his usual routine. He pressed a small, velvet box into my hand. His tone was one of magnanimous charity.
“Alright, that’s enough. Stop with the ‘I don’t care’ act. It’s cheap,” he said. “Consider this an engagement gift.”
“As long as you behave,” he continued, “youâll get your wedding. At least in name. Everyone in New York will know you as my wife.”
I looked up at him. “And the woman who gets the marriage license? Who is she? Kristen?”
His face contorted with a flash of fury, but beneath it, I saw a dark, triumphant satisfaction. “I knew it. I knew you were pretending. Listen to me, and listen carefully. You will not breathe a word of this to our parents.”
“What Kristen and I have⌠it’s not something you could ever understand! She’s kind and fragile, not like you with all your petty schemes and manipulations. If you dare hurt her, don’t blame me if I call off the wedding entirely.”
I almost laughed. His own cowardice, his inability to stand up to his family, was now somehow my fault.
I turned and walked away without another word.
The moment I stepped inside, my phone buzzed. It was a video from Kristen.
In it, Joe was carefully fastening a necklace around her neck. I recognized the designer. It was then I realized the bracelet in my hand was the cheap, complimentary gift that came with the purchase of the necklace.
Their bodies were close, and in the next second, they were kissing, a deep, wet sound that echoed unnervingly in the confines of the car.
A text followed.
[Ellie, honey. Iâm sure Joe already told you, right? After his little wedding with you, heâs going to legally marry me.]
[You know, a marriage that isn’t recognized by law has no claim to the family fortune. I guess itâs finally my turn to be Mrs. Levitan for real.]
3
Kristen. She was reborn, too.
It all made sense now. In our past life, she and Joe had kept their distance publicly. This time, they were inseparable, their affair on flagrant display. They must have found each other, confessed everything, and decided to live out the grand romance they were denied before.
I looked down at my hands, remembering. After I married into the Levitan family last time, their corporation, Levitan Industries, suddenly flourished. Contracts and orders poured in, their assets skyrocketed, and soon they were the wealthiest family in the city. The elders all said I was their good luck charm, that I brought prosperity to the family. They adored me for it.
And so, despite Joe’s perpetual coldness, I had believed I was happy. Until I saw those photographs…
My mother entered my room, her expression soft. “Julian will be back from Europe in five days,” she told me.
I was surprised. In my previous life, Joeâs enigmatic uncle had never married. I hadn’t expected our alliance to proceed so smoothly. All I remembered of him was a kind, older presence from my childhood. Marrying him felt safer, more reassuring, than marrying anyone else.
The next day, I was at my design studio early, ready to alter my wedding gown. I had been designing it since I started fashion school, dreaming of the day I would wear it.
Back then, the man I was designing it for was Joe. Every stitch, every bead, was chosen to please him. Heâd forbidden any of the floral embroidery I loved, calling it old-fashioned.
This time, I could finally wear the dress I wanted, for a man who wasn’t him.
A few days later, after finishing the final alterations, I took a break in the lounge. Scrolling through my phone, I froze. It was Kristen’s latest post.
There she was, wearing my dress. Or what was left of it. The bottom half had been hacked off, turning my elegant gown into a vulgar micro-mini. In the photo, she was grinding against Joe on a dance floor.
The caption read: [Joe knew I needed something to wear tonight, so he brought me this! It feels so good to be spoiled!]
Disbelief propelled me to the fifth-floor ballroom. The scene was just as the picture depicted. Kristen and Joe were lost in a frenzied dance, her hips pressed tight against him.
“That’s my wedding dress,” I said, my voice shaking with rage. “How could you give it to her? How could you let her destroy it like this?”
Kristen saw me and immediately dissolved into tears, her face a mask of terrified innocence. “Joe… did I do something wrong? Why does Ellie look so angry? Sob…”
Joe pulled her behind him. “Eleanor, itâs just a dress!”
“You were going to wear it for me anyway, so whatâs the big deal if Kristen borrows it for a dance?” he snapped. “Besides, I never liked that style. Itâs stuffy. Just make a new one! Stop making a scene over nothing!”
His shamelessness was breathtaking. “Who said this was for you to see? This is for my wedding!”
Joe just shook his head, a dismissive sneer on his face. “Give it a rest, Eleanor. Your wedding, my wedding, it’s the same thing. I already agreed to marry you. This little drama act is getting old.”
My eyes scanned the room and landed on a pair of fabric shears on a nearby table. I snatched them up, strode toward Kristen, and with one vicious snip, sliced through the trailing silk ribbons at her thigh.
“Since you’re so confident, Joe, watch closely,” I said, my voice cold and clear. “I don’t keep things that have been sullied. And I certainly don’t keep men who are.”
Joe’s face went slack, a flicker of genuine shock in his eyes. Heâd never seen this fire in me, this final, cutting edge. My past tantrums had always been childish pleas for attention; this was a declaration of war.
He reached for me instinctively, but just then, Kristen let out a theatrical sob.
âJoe, my leg⌠I think itâs bleeding⌠Oh, but itâs okay, donât worry about me, you should go after Eleanor⌠Itâs all my faultâŚâ
He hesitated for a fraction of a second, his gaze torn between my retreating back and her crocodile tears. Then, his face hardened.
âLet her go,â he snarled, his voice laced with a cold fury. âA woman consumed by jealousy like that needs to be taught a lesson. Let her stew in it.â
4
I stared at the silk threads still clinging to my hand. Wiping away a tear I refused to let fall, I mourned the loss of my creation.
Still, sacrificing one dress to see a manâs true colors⌠it was a worthy trade.
Tonight was the family dinner where I would formally meet Julian. First impressions were everything. After composing myself and redoing my makeup, I headed down to the garage.
As I approached my car, I saw another vehicle parked in the shadows, rocking gently on its suspension.
It was Joeâs Maserati.
Through the half-open driver’s side window, I could see him, with Kristen straddling his lap, her head thrown back in ecstasy, her body moving in a steady, urgent rhythm.
Even knowing he didn’t love me, the sight was a punch to the gut, a visceral, sickening jolt.
Joe’s eyes fluttered open and met mine. A flicker of panic, nothing more. Then, as if to spite me, he brushed Kristen’s hair from her face and pulled her into a deep, bruising kiss. He increased his pace, and Kristenâs breathy moans echoed through the concrete space.
I lowered my gaze, turned on my heel, and got into my own car, driving away toward the Levitan family estate.
On the way, I stopped to pick up the tie Iâd bought as a gift for Julian.
I arrived at the estate at the exact same time as Joe. As he opened his car door, I caught a glimpse of used condom wrappers scattered on the passenger seat.
His eyes landed on the gift bag in my hand, and the flicker of embarrassment on his face vanished, replaced by a familiar, smug certainty.
“A present for me? Let me see.”
Fearing heâd snatch it, I quickly hid it behind my back. “It’s not for you!”
He let out a low, condescending chuckle, as if my defiance was a cute but tiresome game. He lit a cigarette, blowing a plume of smoke into the cool night air. “You saw what was happening in the garage.”
“I know you love me, Eleanor. I know you can’t live without me.”
“But I was clear before. The wedding is for you, the marriage license is for Kristen. If anything, sheâs the one making a sacrifice here.”
“She will be my legal wife. What we do⌠itâs normal. Sheâll probably stay over at our house sometimes. You’ll have to get used to it. I’m telling you this for your own good.”
Even though I had no intention of marrying him, the sheer, unvarnished audacity of his words shocked me.
I turned to leave, but he grabbed my arm again.
“My uncle Julian is coming tonight. The entire family relies on him, so this dinner is important. Iâm giving you a lot of face by even being here with you. When we go inside, if the elders ask about the marriage license, you tell them we’ve already filed the papers.”
“And one more thing,” he added, his grip tightening. “After dinner, you are going to apologize to Kristen for what you did to her this afternoon.”
“Don’t forget, until that wedding happens, I can change my mind at any time.”
With his ultimatum delivered, he strode into the house and took his seat at the dining table.
I took a deep breath. It’s okay. He’ll find out soon enough who I’m really here to marry.
I entered the dining room. Julian hadnât arrived yet, but the rest of the family was seated. I deliberately avoided Joe, choosing a seat that left an empty chair next to me for Julian.
Joe saw me, and with a frown, he got up and moved to the seat right beside me.
“Stop being so dramatic,” he muttered. “I saved you a seat. There’s no need for all this.”
I scowled, about to tell him that the seat was for his uncle, when a tall, commanding figure appeared in the doorway. Dressed in a bespoke suit, Julian Levitan walked in, his presence filling the room with an effortless, quiet power.
5
I hadn’t seen him in years. Julian was even more handsome than I remembered, matured into a man who radiated an unmistakable aura of worldly success and refined confidence.
Everyone in the room stood up.
In his years abroad, Julian had built an empire of his own, one that now propped up the entire Levitan family enterprise back in New York. All eyes were on him, but his gaze found and held only mine.
When he saw Joe standing beside me, a shadow, dark and unreadable, passed through his eyes.
I opened my mouth to explain, but at that exact moment, Joeâs phone rang. He excused himself, saying he had to go greet someone.
I glanced at Julian, a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach. But he was already moving, striding across the room and taking the very seat Joe had just vacated, right next to me.
“I hope I haven’t kept you all waiting too long,” he said, his voice a warm baritone. “Please, let’s eat.”
He gestured for me to sit, and then, to my astonishment, he began to peel a shrimp for me.
“It was Joe,” I started, trying to explain. “He just sat there on his ownâ”
“It’s alright,” he said, his focus entirely on the task at hand. “Let’s eat first.”
He filled my plate with all my favorite dishes, an assortment of meats and perfectly cooked vegetables. A small mountain of shrimp shells quickly grew on my side plate. He deftly deboned a piece of fish for me, his care and attention to detail so thorough it was almost overwhelming.
My cheeks were puffed with food when the dining room door opened again, and Kristen’s overly cheerful voice rang out.
“Hello, everyone! Good evening!”
The Levitan family’s expressions soured. Kristen was my uncleâs illegitimate daughter, a permanent black mark on our familyâs reputation, and she was generally scorned by the city’s upper crust. If not for my family’s influence, she wouldn’t have even been allowed in the door.
Joe’s father, the family patriarch, slammed his glass down. “Joe! What is the meaning of this? Bringing an outsider to a private family dinner!”
Kristenâs eyes immediately reddened, and she scurried behind Joe like a frightened mouse.
Joe, full of righteous indignation, shielded her. “Kristen is Eleanor’s cousin, which makes her my family too. There’s no reason she can’t be here.”
His defiant gaze then fell upon Julian, who was now seated beside me. Joe’s face froze, but he didn’t dare say a word. As he watched Julian place another piece of food on my plate and refill my soup bowl, his expression grew darker and darker.
My phone buzzed with a text from him.
[What the hell do you think you’re doing? Just because I brought Kristen, you’re going to use my uncle to make me jealous? Is that it?!]
I flipped my phone over, ignoring it.
Across the table, Joe seethed, his glare so intense it felt like it could burn a hole through me.
Just then, Mr. Levitan raised his glass. “As you all know, we have wonderful news to celebrate, something the whole city is talking about.”
“This dinner tonight is to make it all official.”
“We’ll be discussing the timeline for filing the license and planning the wedding. Everything will be settled tonight⌔
Before he could finish, Joe jumped in. “Dad, don’t worry. We’ve pretty much handled the license already. We’ll take care of it ourselves, you and Mom don’t need to stress about it.”
He looked at me, his eyes wide with meaning. “Right, Eleanor?”
I kept my eyes down, refusing to meet his gaze.
It wasn’t my wedding he was talking about. There was nothing for me to say.
Joe’s face went rigid with anger and disapproval. My phone buzzed again.
[SAY SOMETHING! If you keep this up, I swear to God I will cancel the wedding!]
[Eleanor, do not test me.]
Annoyed, I opened my phone and blocked his number.
When he realized what Iâd done, his eyes widened in disbelief, the veins on his hands standing out in sharp relief.
At that moment, under the table, Julianâs hand gently found mine. His voice, calm and steady, cut through the tension.
“For all the arrangements, I will respect Eleanor’s wishes completely. Whatever she decides, we will do.”
The warmth of his palm spread through me, and my heart skipped a beat.
Hearing this, Joe nodded eagerly. “Yes! Exactly! Uncle Julian is right! Mom, Dad, Eleanor and I have it all figured out. You two just get ready to come to our wedding!”
The other family members looked at him, baffled.
Finally, his fatherâs patience snapped.
“We are discussing your uncleâs marriage! Why do you keep interrupting!”
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At eighteen, my familyâs fortune changed overnight.
Fatherâs business boomedâwe moved into a mansion with staff. My brother went to a top U.S. university, marrying into wealth.
But I missed finals due to flu. Parents married me off to a rural bachelor. Locked in a cellar, abused daily. When I escaped home, they sneered: “Why didnât you die in the mountains?”
My brother “cheered me up” by shoving me into traffic. ICU-bound with fractures, I heard his whisper:
“We didnât get rich from business. It was your winning lottery ticket.”
I died bitter. Then woke upâback to the day I bought that ticket.
1
“Here’s your ticket. Hold on to it tight. You never know, you might just win the grand prize.”
Staring at the lottery ticket in my hand, my mind reeled.
I was back. I had been reborn, sent back to the very day I bought that ticket.
In my past life, I had bought this exact same ticket, only for my brother to burst into my room and snatch it away. Iâd never had much luck, so I never really believed I could win and eventually forgot all about it.
Soon after, my father’s business suddenly boomed. We moved into a mansion, and my family became one of the city’s newly minted elite. My brother was sent off to study in the States.
I had asked to study abroad too, but my mother shot me down.
“You’re a girl. You’ll get married one day. What’s the point of studying abroad? It’s just a waste of money.”
But I was the top student in my entire grade.
After buying that ticket, however, my luck seemed to run out. On the day of my final exams, I came down with a severe case of food poisoning, collapsing in the exam hall. I failed.
My parents married me off to a pair of bachelor brothers in a remote village, where I was locked in a cellar and abused daily.
When I finally escaped and made it home, covered in scars, my parents only had reproaches for me.
“Look at you, dressed like a beggar! You’re a disgrace to this family! Why didn’t you just die in that village?”
My sister-in-law, draped in jewels, pinched her nose in disgust. “Is this really your sister?” she whispered to my brother. “She’s worse than a beggar.”
Only my brother held me close. “Sis, you’ve suffered so much.”
He took me out to “clear my head.” In a spot with no security cameras, he shoved me into the path of a speeding truck.
I was rushed to the ICU with broken bones all over my body. As I lay dying, my brother, dressed in a magnificent suit, leaned over and whispered in my ear.
“Let me tell you the truth, so you can die in peace. Our family never struck it rich in business. It was all from the lottery ticket you bought that day. It won a hundred million dollars. That’s how we started the company. That’s how I got to go to America. So, really, I should thank you.”
He paused, a cold smile playing on his lips. “But as long as you’re alive, there’s a risk you might find out. What if you decided to cause trouble? That’s why Mom and Dad sent you to that village. They even told the locals to be rough with you. We never thought you’d actually escape… But this time, you’re finished. You can die peacefully now. Our whole family will be grateful.”
I died, my heart filled with rage.
Remembering my past life, I clenched the lottery ticket in my hand and made a silent vow.
This time, I would not let them steal my hundred million dollars.
“Sis, I knew I’d find you here!”
I spun around. My brother, Joel, was standing right in front of me. His eyes lit up when he saw my clenched fist, and he lunged for it.
2
“What’s that in your hand, sis? Is that a lottery ticket? Let me see.”
Joel grabbed my wrist, his eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger. When he couldn’t pry my fingers open, he kicked me hard in the shin.
A sharp pain shot up my leg, and I instinctively loosened my grip.
“Heh, I knew you were hiding a ticket!” he gloated.
He looked down at my hand, and his expression faltered. My palm was empty.
“Where’s the ticket? Where did you hide it?” Joel demanded, his eyes scanning me frantically.
I rubbed my bruised leg, my voice trembling. “What ticket? I was just walking past the store. I didn’t buy anything.”
He clearly didn’t believe me. He patted me down from head to toe, and when he found nothing, a look of panic crossed his face. He ignored me and stormed into the lottery shop, grabbing the owner by the collar. “Who just bought a ticket?”
The owner, used to dealing with all sorts of strange customers, shoved Joel’s hand away. “I have hundreds of customers a day. How am I supposed to remember all of them?”
Joel wanted to buy the winning ticket himself, but his memory was hazy after all this time. He could only remember the first few numbers.
He took a deep breath, his eyes darting around. Then he dragged me back in front of him, his gaze menacing. “You buy it.”
“And you’d better choose carefully,” he hissed, “or you’ll be sorry.”
A chill ran down my spine. I finally understood.
He’s been reborn, too.
To ensure he got the winning ticket this time, he had followed me here and was now forcing me to buy it for him.
I selected a ticket using the first few numbers he gave me.
Even with the ticket in his hand, Joel was still suspicious, his eyes constantly darting toward me, certain I had another one hidden somewhere.
At dinner that night, Joel tapped his chopsticks restlessly against his bowl.
My mother immediately fussed over him. “What’s wrong, sweetie? Did someone at school upset you? Mom will take care of them for you.”
My father put down his chopsticks, his expression serious. “That’s right, son. Did one of your classmates look down on you again?”
Joel waited for the right moment, then looked up, a sneer on his face as he pointed at me. “She bought a lottery ticket and wouldn’t let me see it.”
3
My parents exchanged a look. My father was the first to speak, his voice sharp.
“What’s wrong with you? I’ve told you, as the older sister, you need to let your brother have his way! What did you do to upset him this time? Apologize to him, now!”
My mother sighed, her rough hand gently stroking mine. “Ava, sweetie, it’s not that Mom is scolding you, but your brother is the only boy in this family. As his sister, you need to learn to take care of him.”
The feel of her hand on mine sent a shiver through me. The horrors of my past life flashed before my eyes.
“My sister bought a lottery ticket, but she hid it from me and lied about it,” Joel said, a triumphant look in his eyes. “Mom, what do you think we should do?”
My father slammed his chopsticks down. “Hand over the ticket! It’s not like you’re going to win anyway. What’s the harm in letting your brother have it?”
Joel chuckled. “I’m just afraid my dear sister will look down on us once she wins the grand prize.”
My mother stood up, pushed me into my room, and searched me from top to bottom, even checking the lining of my underwear.
“Ava, where did you hide it? Hand it over now!” she screamed, pointing a finger at me.
My eyes welled up with tears. “I told you, I didn’t buy another ticket! Why won’t you believe me?” I sobbed. “That was the only one I bought, the one Joel has.”
Joel frowned, his eyes full of suspicion. After all, he had arrived in a hurry and hadn’t actually seen me go into the shop.
Once the door was closed, I carefully pulled the real lottery ticket out from where I had hidden it in my hair. Thank God I’d had the foresight to do that.
But I knew my room was no longer safe. The next time I went to the bathroom, I sealed the ticket in a waterproof bag and hid it in the toilet tank.
Joel took a few days off from school, still not giving up. He constantly snooped around my room. I watched him tear the place apart, completely unfazed. My mother also took me out shopping, and while I was in the fitting room, she went through my bag.
Of course, they found nothing.
The ticket was hidden in a place they would never imagine.
Soon, it was the day of the lottery drawing.
Just like in my past life, my ticket won the grand prize: one hundred million dollars! Soon, I would be able to claim my prize and finally right the wrongs of my past.
When I came home from school, the atmosphere in the house was tense. The moment I walked through the door, my mother slapped me across the face, leaving a stinging red mark.
“If the toilet hadn’t clogged, I never would have found this!” she sneered, dangling the winning ticket in front of my face.
4
“See, Mom? I told you she hid another ticket!” my brother gloated.
I rushed to the bathroom. The toilet tank was empty.
My father kicked me to the ground, his fists clenched. “You think you’re so smart, don’t you? Hiding it from us! You really think you’re some kind of lucky charm?”
He held up the ticket with a sneer. “Today, your little fantasy comes to an end!” He gripped the ticket with both hands, ready to tear it in two.
“Dad, no!” Joel screamed, lunging forward and grabbing our father’s leg. “Don’t tear it! That ticket is worth a hundred million!”
“A hundred million? Are you joking? Even if someone did win, it wouldn’t be your sister!”
“The winning numbers have been announced!” Joel yelled, his voice shaking. “It’s this ticket! We can buy a mansion! I’m sick of living in this dump! And I’ll marry a rich, beautiful woman and give you grandchildren!”
My parents stared in disbelief. They glanced at the numbers on the TV screen and their faces lit up with ecstatic joy.
“We’re rich! We’re rich!”
I scrambled up from the floor, tears streaming down my face, my body trembling with rage. “That’s my ticket! You can’t just take it!”
“The money you used to buy it came from me, didn’t it?” my mother shrieked. “What are you crying about? Let me tell you, you’re not getting a single cent of that hundred million!”
But she didn’t give me an allowance. I had earned that money by tutoring.
Ignoring my cries and struggles, the three of them got ready to go claim their prize, locking me in my bedroom before they left.
“Sis, you really are the chosen one. A hundred-million-dollar ticket, just like that,” Joel’s voice mocked me from the other side of the door. “But this time, you get to watch us collect the money! Regret it! Suffer!”
I watched them leave, the look of anguish on my face slowly transforming into a smile.
The real show was about to begin.
I used the opportunity to pack my bags and my documents, then rented a small apartment so I could focus on studying for my exams.
On their way to the lottery center, Joel video-called me. His arrogant face filled the screen.
“So, sis, you were reborn too, huh? How’s it feel? Too bad you’re still no match for me, even in this life. You still have to watch me get the hundred million.” He lowered his voice. “And don’t even think about calling the police. It won’t do you any good. We’re family. Your money is our money. The police can’t do anything.”
“Feeling hopeless? If you’re that desperate, just jump out the window. Maybe you’ll get to the lottery ticket before we do.”
They swaggered into the lottery center. My father marched up to the counter and announced, “We’re here to claim our prize! The hundred-million-dollar prize!”
“What? A hundred million?”
It was a weekend, and the place was crowded. People stopped what they were doing and stared, their whispers turning into a roar. “A hundred million! Is that the grand prize from today’s drawing?”
“Someone actually won!”
“Oh my God, why couldn’t it have been me?”
A crowd quickly formed around my family.
“That’s right! We won the hundred million!” Joel declared, holding the ticket high for everyone to see. “You can call the reporters now. You’ll be on the front page of every newspaper tomorrow, and you’ll have us to thank!”
“Oh, and one more thing,” my father added, turning to the reporters who had started to arrive. “I want everyone to be a witness!”
Surrounded by a sea of flashing cameras, my father announced, “This hundred-million-dollar prize belongs to the three of us, and my daughter, Ava, gets nothing! And from this day forward, we are disowning her. After she graduates, she’s on her own!”
Ignoring the murmurs from the crowd, he smiled confidently at the owner. “Let’s claim our prize!”
The owner was sweating, his face flushed with excitement. He took the ticket with trembling hands and examined it carefully. Then, he froze.
The crowd held its breath, waiting for the miracle to be confirmed.
After a long moment, the owner slowly looked up.
“What? Is something wrong?” a few people murmured.
“Did they not win?”
“They won,” the owner said. “They won ten dollars.”
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My five-year-old daughter learned to lie.
During her teacher’s home visit, she clung to the woman’s legs, sobbing that I’d broken her fingers to avoid homework. The teacher called the police. I was arrested in cuffs and lost my job.
Returning home, I found she’d secretly photographed me with the teacher, sending it to our family group chat: “Teacher visits Mommy daily when Daddy’s gone. When he’s home, Mommy doesn’t hit me.”
My furious husband kicked my leg until it snapped. As I wept on the floor, our daughter tilted her head innocently: “Kids donât lie, right?”
He divorced me. In court, my daughter begged him: “Save me from Mommyâs photo shoots with strange uncles!” My phone revealed edited logs of me selling inappropriate photos of her.
A mob of “child protectors” crushed me to death.
Dying, I couldnât fathom why my cherished child would destroy me.
Then I woke upâback to the day she first accused me.
âŚ
1
âMr. Peterson, I finished all my homework, I swear. But last night, my dog, Buddy, he⌠he ate it all. I donât have it to give you right now.â
My daughter, Zoe, hugged her teacherâs leg, her face a perfect mask of sincere pleading.
Mr. Peterson looked helplessly from her to me, seeking confirmation. âMrs. Miller, is this⌠is this true?â
I looked at Zoeâs innocent smile, and a deathly chill crawled up my spine. I was back. I had been reborn.
In my past life, when Zoe used the same clumsy excuse, I had patiently tried to guide her.
âIf you didnât finish your homework, you need to be brave and admit it, honey. Mommy will help you with it. But lying is a very bad thing to do. You should apologize to your teacher.â
But before Mr. Peterson could even scold her, Zoe had thrown herself onto the floor, wailing as if her heart was breaking.
âMr. Peterson⌠I really couldnât do my homework! Mommy comes home drunk every night and she hits me! She just broke two of my fingers. I canât even hold a pencil! Please donât be mad at me!â
Mr. Peterson immediately scooped her into his arms. He saw the faint, bluish marks on her fingers and, without another word, called the police.
I frantically explained to the officers that sheâd hurt her fingers on the slide at the playground the day before. It took pulling the security footage from our apartment complex to finally make them believe me.
But the damage was done. Word got back to my company, my reputation was ruined, and I lost my six-figure job.
I couldnât fathom it. My daughter, who was always so well-behaved and sensible, why would she tell such a monstrous lie just to get out of homework?
When I dragged my exhausted body home that day, I was met not with the chance to discipline my daughter, but with a kick from my husband, Mark, that shattered my leg.
âYou filthy cheat! I break my back working to support you two, and you dare bring some pretty boy into my house behind my back?â
I was completely bewildered as he pinned me down, hitting me, until I saw the photo Zoe had sent to the family group chat. Only then did I understand.
[This is so nice! Mr. Peterson is visiting Mommy again! Sheâs always in such a good mood when he comes over, so she probably wonât hit me today. I wonder if heâll sleep over at our house again tonightâŚ]
I looked at my daughter in disbelief, desperately trying to explain to my enraged husband that it was all a lie.
But Zoe just looked at him with wide, innocent eyes.
âDaddy, I donât know what âlyingâ is. I only say what I see.â
Mark had completely lost his mind. He landed another heavy punch on my face.
âSheâs four and a half years old! How could she possibly know how to lie? Youâre not fit to be a mother! Youâd throw your own daughter under the bus just to cover up your affair!â
I was beaten until I was legally disabled, and he filed for divorce.
In court, terrified that Zoeâs habit of lying would only get worse, I fought with everything I had to keep her with me, to guide her.
But she knelt on the floor, crying, begging Mark to take her.
âI donât want to wear those weird clothes for those gross uncles anymore! I want to go with Daddy so I can study and be a good girl. I donât want Mommy to hit me anymore. Please, please save me!â
I froze, stunned. Before I could even process what sheâd said, my mother-in-law rushed forward, snatched my phone, and handed it to the judge.
The screen was filled with lurid photos of Zoe in white stockings and dark frilly dresses, posed in ways that made my stomach clench. Alongside them were countless transactions from anonymous accounts, all with suggestive notes attached.
âClaire! Zoe is your own daughter! How could you be so depraved, using her to make money? Sheâs not even five years old⌠and youâve ruined her!â
I never got a second hearing. I was ambushed by a group of enraged parents and âchild safetyâ fanatics outside the hospital. They pinned me down and choked the life out of me.
My last sight was of Zoe, nestled in her father’s arms, a sly, triumphant smirk flashing across her face.
Even in death, I couldnât understand why the sweet, obedient child who used to love helping me with chores would tell lie after lie to see me destroyed.
Now, reborn, I wondered: if I make a different choice, can I prevent it all from happening again?
2
I forced a smile, meeting Mr. Peterson’s questioning gaze.
âIâm not sure about the dog eating her homework, but Zoe hasnât been feeling well these past few days. Could we perhaps put the homework on hold for a bit?â
Mr. Peterson nodded, not pressing the issue further.
I looked at Zoe and saw her smiling sweetly back at me, with none of the sinister energy I remembered from my past life.
A wave of relief washed over me. Maybe she was just being a mischievous kid. Maybe I had pushed her too hard with school in my past life, and thatâs what made her act out. She was just a child, after all. If I communicated with her properly, a small problem like lying could surely be fixed.
I stood up to walk Mr. Peterson to the door with Zoe. But the moment I opened it, my world froze.
Mark was standing there. He threw a punch that connected squarely with Mr. Petersonâs face, sending the teacher stumbling back into the apartment.
âYou dare carry on your affair in my house! Iâll kill you, you bastard! If my daughter hadnât told me the truth, I wouldâve been wearing these horns for the rest of my life!â
I stood, paralyzed, feeling as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head.
I had given Zoe what she wanted. Why did she still lie?
A notification popped up from the family group chat. It was the same message as last time, only this time, Zoeâs tone was even more pitiful.
[Mommy wants me to call Mr. Peterson âDaddy.â I donât want to, but what if she hits me if I donât?]
Seeing Mark, Zoe ran to him and burst into tears.
âDaddy, youâre finally back! Mommy and Mr. Peterson were hitting me together! I thought Iâd never see you again!â
Mr. Peterson, dizzy and stunned from the unexpected blow, stared at Zoe in disbelief.
âZoe, Iâm just here for a home visit to check on your homework. Why would you lie like that?â
Zoeâs sobs grew louder.
âBut⌠but why do you only ever come to our house for visits? Iâm so scaredâŚâ
Markâs face was purple with rage.
âMy daughter is four and a half! She doesnât know how to lie! You two adulterous scumbags, you have the nerve to blame your filth on her? Iâll teach you both a lesson youâll never forget!â
As Mark raised his fist again, I threw myself between them.
âIf you want to know if Mr. Peterson comes here often, just check the security camera footage from the lobby! Youâll see if Zoe is telling the truth!â
I turned to Zoe, my brow furrowed, and deliberately softened my voice.
âZoe, sweetie⌠if you admit right now that you were lying, Mommy will forgive you. If you just apologize to us, we can pretend this never happened. Okay?â
Perhaps my confidence gave him pause, because Mark looked down at our daughter, his fury wavering.
âZoe, just tell us the truth. If your mom really hit you, Daddy will make it right.â
Mr. Peterson, though flustered, managed to speak calmly.
âZoe, perhaps youâre mistaken about the time? I only do a home visit once a week, at most.â
Zoe chewed her lip, crying for a long moment before she slowly looked up at Mark.
âDaddy, donât check the cameras. You wonât find anything.â
I let out a breath I didnât realize I was holding, a flicker of hope warming my chest. Maybe she was just being naughty, not completely lost. With proper guidance, she could still get back on the right track.
But in the next second, Zoe shook her head helplessly.
âMr. Peterson always stays for a really, really long time. The security cameras donât record for that long. He stays for hours and hours. Iâm not lying.â
A bomb went off in my head.
Markâs face, which had begun to soften, instantly turned to stone.
âSo thatâs your game! Trying to threaten your own daughter into lying for you! How can you call yourself a mother? God knows what youâve put Zoe through!â
He stormed into the storage closet and came back with a golf club. He was going to teach me and Mr. Peterson a lesson.
Zoe flinched beside me, her voice a tiny, terrified whisper.
âMommy hits me on the head with that all the time. It hurts so much⌠she almost killed me onceâŚâ
I stared at the club, speechless. It was covered in a thick layer of dust, clearly untouched for a very long time.
But Mark was beyond reason. He swung the club at us.
Just as it was about to connect with my skull, I reacted, grabbing a chair to block the blow and screaming with all my might.
âStop! I have a witness who can prove Zoe is lying!â
3
Markâs hand, gripping the club, trembled violently, but he didnât swing again.
âI work a nine-to-five job every single day, and your mother, who lives downstairs, sees me come and go! If you donât believe me, you canât possibly disbelieve your own mom, can you? Just ask her if Iâve ever laid a hand on Zoe!â
Markâs face was a grim mask, but he gave a curt nod. He would go ask.
Zoe, who had been sitting quietly on the sofa, glanced nervously at her little wristwatch and then looked back at Mark.
âDaddy⌠itâs⌠itâs getting late. Zoe needs to sleep. Can we not go?â
A childâs guilt is a transparent thing. This time, even Mark could see something was wrong.
Without another word, I picked Zoe up and marched downstairs to my mother-in-lawâs apartment. Thankfully, we had bought her a place on the ground floor of our building years ago to better care for her. Otherwise, Iâd have no one to vouch for me.
Tonight, I was going to break this destructive habit of lying, once and for all. I couldnât let it fester like last time.
I knocked firmly on her door.
âMom, Mark thinks Iâm seeing other men. He also says I beat Zoe all the time. Can you please set the record straight for us?â
My mother-in-law had always been good to me over the years, helping with laundry, cooking, and watching Zoe. I loved her like my own mother. I didnât need her to embellish anything, just to tell the simple truth: that Zoe was lying today.
She wrapped her arms around Zoe, her eyes darting nervously between us.
âWell⌠Claire does go to work on time every day. And I⌠I certainly donât see her bringing men home.â
I silently breathed a sigh of relief. As I prepared to confront Mark, my mother-in-lawâs expression suddenly changed, and she began to sob quietly.
âOh, what a tragedy for this family⌠My poor Zoe, to have a mother like you. My son⌠oh, my son⌠can your mother speak honestly?â
I froze, completely baffled by her sudden performance.
She wiped her eyes, tears and snot streaming down her face.
âEvery time you beat her, Zoe comes crying to me! It breaks my heart to see my granddaughter suffer so much. I was just so afraid you two would get a divorce that I never dared to say anything. Itâs my fault⌠itâs all my fault for letting Zoe get hurt.â
I stood there, rigid, a cold blade twisting in my heart.
âMom⌠what are you talking about? Why would you slander me in front of Mark?â
My mother-in-law seemed even more furious than me. She snatched my phone from my hand, her voice shaking with rage.
âThen you explain this! Where did these pictures on your phone come from?â
She held up my phone. The screen was filled with images of Zoe in revealing clothes, tears glistening in her eyes as she forced a smile for the camera.
It felt like Iâd been struck by lightning. I stared at the phone, my head roaring.
In my past life, those strange photos and contacts had mysteriously appeared on my phone, leading to my wrongful death. The moment I was reborn, the very first thing I did was delete every single one of those photos and any suspicious apps. I left no trace.
There was absolutely no way those photos should be on my phone again.
But I couldnât understand how. I had just deleted them. No one else had touched my phone since.
I reached for the phone, needing to see for myself, but Mark kicked me to the ground before I could touch it.
âYou make me sick! Zoe is just a little girl! Youâre her mother! Making her take pictures like that for money⌠are you even human?â
His voice was low and menacing. âToday, even if I go to prison for it, Iâm going to get rid of a monster like you. Iâd be failing Zoe as a father if I didnât.â
I clutched my stomach, the pain sharp and deep.
âZoe⌠why are you lying? Who took these pictures of you?â
Mark kicked me again, and I tasted blood. My mother-in-law fanned the flames.
âI only tolerated you this long because I wanted Zoe to have a happy family. But you beat her half to death, you torture her into taking those disgusting pictures! Do you really think she could just make something like that up?â
Zoe stood in the corner, a bizarre, knowing smirk playing on her lips. She didnât look like a kindergartener at all.
âDaddy,â she said, her voice soft and sweet, âif Mommy dies⌠will that mean no one can bully me anymore? And I wonât have to take weird pictures, and I can just focus on school? Is that right?â
Her voice was as soft as cotton, but it sent a freezing dread through my entire body.
Mark, pushed beyond his limits, let his gaze fall on a heavy, metal stool nearby. His eyes went blank and cruel.
I scrambled backward, knowing there was nowhere to run. With a final, desperate surge of strength, I lunged for my phone. I just needed to understand before I died.
The moment my fingers closed around it, I saw it. And I was struck absolutely speechless.
The reason for all of Zoe’s strange behavior and lies finally became clear in that instant.
So that was it. The truth had been right in front of me all along.
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Four months pregnant. My husband, an OB/GYN, took me to get my prenatal results.
His smile froze when he saw the report. He grabbed my arm, steel grip dragging me toward the abortion clinic.
I stood stunnedâmy doctor had just said the baby was healthy.
I pulled free. “Why?”
He ignored me, already scheduling the procedure. When I tried to run, he hissed, “This baby cannot be born.”
I called my parentsâboth OB/GYNs. My doting father raised a fist at my belly. My mother trembled. “No⌠not like this.” Then, coldly: “Lock her in with men.”
I didnât understand. They dragged me to a dark room.
Blood pooled between my legsâmy baby was gone.
Later, my mother smiled brightly. I screamed, demanding answers.
She had me committed.
I was tortured to death. When I opened my eyesâI was back on test day.
âŚ
My husband, Leo, beamed at me. “Our first child, sweetheart. I can’t wait for the day he’s born.”
“Come on, honey, let’s go before the hospital gets too crowded.”
His voice jolted me back to the present. I touched my slightly rounded belly and knew, with a certainty that chilled me to the bone, that I had been reborn.
And I had been reborn on the exact day I was to receive my prenatal report.
In my previous life, Leo had been the perfect, attentive husband from the moment I told him I was pregnant. He bought something new for the baby every single day and had already compiled a list of over a hundred names. Even though I was getting my check-ups at the very hospital where he worked, he would take the day off just to be with me. His excitement for this child was palpable.
At four months, we went for our routine scan. The doctor told us the baby was healthy, that the risk for Down syndrome was nonexistent. Leo, being an OB/GYN himself, glanced at the report.
His smile vanished. His face contorted in a rictus of horror. Without a word, he grabbed my hand and started pulling me towards the abortion scheduling desk.
I dug in my heels, yanking my hand away. “Leo, the doctor said the baby is fine! Why do you want to terminate?”
He ignored me, his fingers flying across his phone screen, booking the procedure.
I tried to snatch the phone from him.
His breathing grew ragged, his eyes bloodshot. He roared at me, his voice a raw, guttural thing. “Iris, this baby cannot be born!”
His violence terrified me. My heart hammered against my ribs, my legs turning to jelly. While he was busy with the paperwork, I sent a frantic message to my parents.
They arrived quickly. But when Leo saw them, he didn’t look worried. A small, strange smile played on his lips.
I shrank into my mother’s arms. My father strode up to Leo and punched him square in the face. “The baby is healthy! Why are you forcing an abortion?”
Leo didn’t say a word. He just handed the report to my father.
The anger on my fatherâs face melted into pure terror. His eyes widened, his hands trembling as he held the single sheet of paper. Then, he raised his fist and lunged for my stomach.
My mother threw herself in front of me. The blow landed on her back. “Are you insane?!” she shrieked. “That’s your grandson in there!”
My father let out a cold, humorless laugh and shoved the report at my mother.
My mother, who had just been protecting me, looked as if she had seen a ghost. Her face went deathly pale. She pushed me away from her, shaking her head violently. “No⌠no, this can’t be.”
I knew then that something was terribly wrong with the report. “Mom, what is it? What’s wrong with my baby?”
She didn’t answer, lost in her own storm of emotion. “This won’t work!” she said, grabbing my father’s arm. “It’s too public here. I have an idea.”
“Find some men. Put them with Iris.”
I stood frozen, a cold numbness spreading through me. I couldn’t understand how a single piece of paper could change them all so completely. What was on it? Why wouldn’t anyone tell me?
My parents started to lead me away. I turned and ran, but my father’s grip was like a vise. I sobbed, begging them to let me go, begging them to just tell me the truth.
They forced me into a car, stuffing a gag in my mouth. They locked me in a small, dark room with five naked men.
I was paralyzed with fear, pounding on the door, screaming for them to let me out. But there was no answer. The men dragged me to the floor. Any resistance was met with blows.
The baby became a pool of blood that dried on the filthy floor.
A week later, my parents and Leo came for me. My mother smiled. “Iris, we’re going home.”
I laughed, a broken, hollow sound. How could she pretend nothing had happened? I screamed at them, my voice raw. “Why? Why did you do this to me?!”
My mother’s face hardened. My father slapped me. “You ungrateful bitch!”
I was stunned into silence.
My motherâs eyes were cold and sharp. “Iris has lost her mind. We should take her to a psychiatric hospital.”
From the day I was committed, Leo sent people to torture me every day. The man who had once loved me so deeply now wanted nothing more than to see me dead.
Three months later, I died. And I still didn’t know why that single piece of paper had made them all want to kill me.
The terror of my past life washed over me. I placed a hand on my still-warm belly. I took a deep breath.
This time, I would find out what happened.
âŚ
At the hospital, I made sure I was the first to get the report. Even after the doctor confirmed the baby was healthy, I took it from her hands immediately.
If Leo doesn’t see it, I thought, nothing will happen.
But as soon as we left the doctor’s office, he asked for it, just like before.
My heart pounded, but I forced a smile. “What do you want my report for?”
He smiled back. “I’m the baby’s father, and I’m an OB/GYN. It’s perfectly normal for me to want to see it.”
“Your own professor just said the baby and I are fine. You don’t trust her?”
“It’s not that. I just want to be informed so I can take better care of you.”
I deliberately tucked the report into my purse. “Well, today you’re not seeing it.”
He thought I was being playful and went along with it. “Fine, fine. As long as you’re healthy, that’s all that matters.”
I smiled and linked my arm through his. “I’m just going to the restroom. We’ll go home right after.”
I grabbed my purse and headed for the restroom. I had glanced at the report, but so quickly that I hadn’t noticed anything unusual. I was going to study it in the stall, to find out what was so terrible that it could turn them all into monsters.
But the moment I opened my purse in the restroom, my heart stopped. The report was gone.
I rushed out and saw Leo down the hall, his face pale. The report that should have been in my bag was in his hand.
He saw me and started walking towards me. I tried to run, but he grabbed my arm. His eyes were bloodshot, his gaze fixed on me. “Iris, this baby cannot be born. We’re going to the clinic. Now.”
In my past life, I had never understood why my gentle, loving husband had transformed into a monster after seeing that report. The malice in his eyes was something I had never seen before.
My body trembled, but this time, I was prepared. I screamed at the top of my lungs. “Help! Someone is trying to kill my baby!”
The hospital corridor was crowded. My cry brought everything to a standstill. People turned to stare.
Leo was taken aback. Then, I did something he never expected. I fell to my knees in front of him. “Husband, the doctor said the baby is healthy! Why are you making me have an abortion?”
Leo gritted his teeth. “You bitch, shut your mouth!” he hissed.
He tried to drag me away, but a few bystanders had already stepped forward. A man pulled him off me. “What do you think you’re doing?!”
“Oh my god, the baby is healthy and he wants to abort it? Does he not want to be a father?”
“He didn’t think about that when he was having his fun, did he?”
“Forcing a pregnant woman to have an abortion is illegal! Someone call the police!”
Leo’s breathing was heavy, his jaw clenched, his eyes murderous. But surrounded by the crowd, he was powerless.
I never thought he would do it, but he suddenly smiled at me, a cold, chilling smile, and dialed my parents.
When they arrived, they saw us surrounded by a crowd. They knew something had happened. My mother rushed to my side, her touch making me flinch. The kind strangers explained what had happened.
My father raised his hand to slap Leo, but before the blow could land, Leo held up the report.
“Dad, don’t look!” I tried to snatch it away. But my father was faster. He took one look at the paper. His eyes flickered.
“Dad?” I whispered.
When he looked at me again, his eyes were bloodshot. He slapped me across the face without a second’s hesitation. “You animal! Leo is doing this for your own good!”
I was devastated, but I forced myself to argue. “But the doctor said my baby is healthy!”
“I’m an OB/GYN too! You dare to talk back to me?”
He was about to punch my stomach when my mother threw herself in front of me, shielding me with her body. “Are you insane?! Your daughter is pregnant!” she roared at him.
But my father just laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. “You feel sorry for her? This bitch doesn’t deserve to be our daughter!”
“She doesn’t deserve to be our child!”
A wave of shock went through the crowd. People began to murmur, to point at my father. How could a father say such a thing to his own daughter?
My mother was furious, but she knew my father, usually so gentle, must have a reason. She looked at the report in his hand.
“Let me see that!”
I tried to stop her, my eyes pleading. “Mom, the doctor said the baby is healthy. Please don’t look.”
“Mom, if you don’t believe me, you can go ask the doctor.”
I knew that if she saw the report, she would disown me too.
She held me close, her voice soothing. “Don’t worry, honey. Your father and Leo are probably just mistaken. They’re not as experienced as me. I was the head of the department, remember? Trust me.”
I shook my head frantically. “No, Mom, please don’t look. I trust you, but please, I’m begging you, don’t look.”
But the more I tried to stop her, the more curious she became.
Seeing that she was determined, I fell to my knees again. “Mom, if you look at this report, you’ll stop loving me, just like they did.”
“Of course not, Iris. I’ve seen every kind of report in my career. And even if the baby isn’t Leo’s, I will always be on your side. You’re the person I love most in this world.” Her gentle gaze was so convincing.
In the end, I couldn’t stop her.
The moment she saw the report, the warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, sharp glint that made me tremble. Her face turned white, and she looked at me with a bitter, twisted smile. She wasn’t as emotional as my father or Leo, and that, somehow, was even more terrifying.
“It’s alright, Iris,” she said, her voice like ice. “The baby is fine. Get up. Let’s go home.”
She said it was fine, but the hand she extended to me was shaking uncontrollably. She was suppressing a storm.
“No, I’m not going home.” I scrambled to my feet and backed away into the crowd.
Her brow furrowed, her expression turning venomous. “Iris, what are you doing? You’re pregnant. What if something happens to you out here?”
They were closing in on me. I grabbed the clothes of two strangers, falling to my knees again. “Please, help me! I can’t go back with them! They’ll kill my baby!”
The strangers hesitated. I was a pregnant woman, but I was also clearly emotionally unstable. And the people trying to take me were my family.
But thankfully, someone spoke up. “She’s pregnant and clearly distressed. You shouldn’t force her.”
“Yes, what if you hurt the baby?”
But my parents and Leo seemed deaf to their pleas, their faces contorted with rage as they advanced on me. “Iris, are you having a paranoid delusion?”
“Come home with us! Stop causing a scene!”
My parents tried to grab me, but a kind stranger stood in front of me. “We’re in a hospital. A pregnant woman in her state should be seen by a doctor. It could affect the fetus.”
“We are doctors!” my father roared. “She doesn’t need to see anyone else!”
The kind stranger hesitated. In that moment of uncertainty, Leo pulled me out of the crowd, dragging me across the floor without a shred of compassion. The onlookers, no matter how kind, were not going to physically fight my family for me.
But then, a hand stopped Leo.
“Who told you you could drag a pregnant woman like that?”
A police officer’s sharp voice made Leo release me.
My parents rushed to explain. “Officer, this is our daughter. She’s⌠not well. We’re taking her home.”
The officer looked at me with suspicion. I quickly denied it. “No! They want to kill my healthy baby!”
The three of them froze, but their faces held a strange, triumphant smile.
“If you don’t believe me,” I continued, “you can check the hospital’s security cameras. They all want to kill my baby.”
The police had the hospital staff pull up the footage. After watching it, a female officer stood in front of me, shielding me. She turned to my family. “Why do you want to abort this healthy child?”
My parents sneered. Leo just looked at me with cold indifference.
“Forcing a pregnant woman to have an abortion is a crime!” the officer said sternly.
Leo remained unfazed. I grabbed the officer’s hand. “Let me see my prenatal report.”
They had all changed after seeing it. The truth had to be on that piece of paper.
At the officer’s request, Leo reluctantly handed it over.
When I finally saw the report again, I understood.
I finally understood why this child had to die.
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1
âHow long has it been since we were last together?â
I asked James casually over dinner.
âWhat, you want a baby now?â He glanced up, his eyes flicking over my face before returning to the cod on his plate. âWerenât you the one who said you didnât want one?â
âSo the only reason for me to be with you is to have a child?â
I was three years older than James.
The year his family fell from grace, his mother gravely ill, when he was on the verge of selling himself to raise money, I was the one who stepped in.
He broke up with his girlfriend and married me, becoming a live-in son-in-law to the prestigious Reed family.
But in five years of marriage, the number of nights weâd actually shared a bed could be counted on one hand.
It wasn’t until recently, when I learned that his ex-girlfriend had become his new secretary, that the pieces finally clicked into place.
Some things, I realized, simply couldn’t be forced.
I sat up straighter. âCan we tonight?â
James finally looked at me properly. âWhat is wrong with you?â
I glanced at his phone on the table, a constant stream of notifications lighting up the screen. I smiled and looked down at my plate.
âMaybe⌠we should get a divorce.â
A flicker of somethingâshock, perhapsâcrossed Jamesâs face. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by a half-mocking smile. âBecause I wonât sleep with you, you want a divorce?â
âWhat new game are you playing now, Miss Reed?â
I wiped my mouth and poured us both a glass of red wine. The dark liquid swirled in the glass, its intoxicating aroma the perfect catalyst for primal desires.
âThe last time was⌠New Yearâs Eve last year, wasnât it?â I took a small sip, my voice a low murmur. âIt was snowing that night, too. We had a little wine.â
âI bought a new nightgown. You even said I lookedâŚâ
âAvery,â James cut me off. âAre you finished? Iâll clear the table.â
Before I could answer, he was on his feet, gathering my dishes.
He was always so considerate.
Ever since he married me, even after he became a successful CEO, he would still cook for me whenever he had the time. Mundane chores like washing dishes and cleaning were his domain when he was home. He never used a dishwasher, preferring to do it all by hand.
I gestured to his phone with my chin. âBusy?â
He shook his head. âJust the work group chat.â
And just like that, heâd brushed aside my mention of divorce as if Iâd merely asked if he liked the dinner.
Normally, I would have let his coldness slide. But not tonight.
âI heard you hired a new secretary,â I said, taking another sip of wine.
He didn’t stop his cleaning. âDid Walter tell you?â
Walter was the driver my family had assigned to him.
I didn’t answer, just pressed on. âIs there anything you want to tell me?â
âAbout what? You already know everything.â His tone was tinged with a faint, biting sarcasm.
âI hadnât seen Lauraâs resume before it landed on my desk. My assistant, Ryan, handled the final interview. I trust his professional judgment. And Iâm not going to ruin someoneâs career just because sheâs an âex-girlfriend,â am I?â
He always had a reason, a perfectly logical, high-minded explanation. I could never win an argument against him.
For all these years, except for those rare, unguarded moments in bed, James was always restrained, always polite. Sometimes I wondered why heâd agreed to marry me in the first place. Was it just out of gratitude?
I was too afraid to ask, terrified of the answer that would surely break my heart.
I watched him now, his back slightly bent over the sink, so close and yet so far away. He was the person I was supposed to be most intimate with in the world, yet I felt as if Iâd never truly possessed him.
I came up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist. âSo, why not tonight?â
âThey say when a man doesn’t eat at home, it’s because he’s already full from eating out.â I was desperate to stir something, anything, in this stagnant pool of a marriage.
âOr are you saying you think Iâm too old?â
Jamesâs brow furrowed. He pried my hands from his waist. âDonât mess around. I have a video conference later.â
Rejected again.
âWhat if I said, if you donât sleep with me, we get a divorce?â I persisted, determined to drop a boulder into this placid lake.
I pulled his shirt from his trousers, my hand about to venture lower when he grabbed it. He spun me around, trapping me against the counter.
He looked down at me. âAvery, donât push me.â
His voice was so calm it sent a shiver down my spine.
âI know my place. You donât have to keep testing me. But donât push me. Some things⌠they just wonât work.â
The one thing I was too scared to ask, he had to say it out loud.
It just wonât work.
Iâd said something similar to my father once, when heâd tried to set me up with some family friend. What was it Iâd said?
âThereâs no spark. You canât force a spark.â
See? Who said we werenât a good match? We even thought the same way.
I smiled up at him, my vision blurring. âOkay. I understand.â
Before the tears could fall, I pushed him away and went to the bedroom.
My phone still held the photo Iâd received hours earlier. It was old and faded, but I recognized the young James instantly, and the sweet-faced girl nestled beside him, Laura.
He was smiling so beautifully.
A pity he never smiled at me like that.
âWhat do you think your chances are now?â the message had read.
I took a deep breath and typed back furiously. âIâve already won. Iâm his wife!â
I was his wife.
But⌠so what?
He didnât love me.
My best friend, a lawyer, quickly drafted a divorce agreement for me. When she handed it to me, her face was a picture of disbelief.
âAre you serious? James?â
âYou practically went to war with your father for him. Youâve had a few good years, and now youâre telling me you want a divorce?â
She waggled a finger in my face. âDid he cheat on you?â
âDonât tell me you have some terminal illness.â
âHey!â I cut her off. âDonât jinx me.â
âThen what is it? You have to tell me! You have no idea how hard itâs been holding this in since you called!â
I took the agreement and scanned it quickly. âYep, this is perfect. Youâre the best.â
She suddenly shrieked. âTell me! Why are you doing this? Wait, no, are you kidding me? You think this agreement is âperfectâ?!â She looked like she was about to jump on the table.
âAvery Reed, get a grip!â
âWhat about the division of assets? I was waiting for you to ask me about that! Do you have any idea what his company is worth now? And youâre just asking for the money you lent him back, plus a little interest?â
âAre you running a charity, Miss Reed? What about all the connections and resources your family gave him? If your father finds out about this, heâll break your legs!â
I knew. Never make a losing deal. It was our familyâs motto. But a deal requires both parties to be willing.
âI donât need the money. I didnât help him for financial gain.â
âBullshit! If you werenât after something, why did you propose marriage? And at his lowest point! We all said it back then, you Reed women are born business sharks.â
I gave a wry smile. I couldnât blame them for thinking that.
When Jamesâs family ran into trouble, he and Laura were about to graduate and go abroad together. His father was accused of corruption after retirement, and his mother was in a car accident, the medical bills a bottomless pit. It was as if all the bad luck in the world had conspired to drag the golden boy down into the mud.
And that was when Laura had abandoned him and left the country alone.
I had seen the way he loved her, with a fierce, all-consuming passion. When he looked at her, there was a fire in his eyes that left no room for anyone else.
So yes, I was despicable.
I had extended a hand to him at his most vulnerable moment.
âSo, will you marry me?â
Thinking back, it wasn’t just taking advantage of his situation; it was preying on it.
âYouâre right. I made a great deal.â
âAnd now⌠my conscience is catching up with me. Iâm setting him free.â
My friend looked at me skeptically. âDoes your family know?â
My father and my brother⌠they probably wouldnât object. A few years ago, they were the ones trying to set me up with other men. âYoung Mr. Carter is younger than James, why donât you meet him?â or âThe eldest son of the Lees just opened a new branch, and heâs still single.â
But in recent years, theyâd gone quiet. Maybe because I was getting older, or maybe because Jamesâs company was getting bigger and bigger. Theyâd stopped trying to persuade me to divorce him.
Everything seemed to be getting better. But me⌠I couldnât go on.
âWouldnât they be happy?â
I shook my head and signed my name.
âDivorce?!â
I hadn’t expected to be met with such a storm of fury when I got home.
My father sat in his study, silent and grim-faced. My older brother had smashed a glass. âI knew it!â he raged. âI knew that James was a calculating snake! Now that heâs made it, heâs just going to toss you aside! What a classic case of biting the hand that feeds him! Fine! Just fine!â
I was confused, but I frowned. âBrother, donât say that. It was me whoâŚâ
âYouâre still defending him!â My brother wouldnât listen. âDo you have any idea what heâs been doing?â
âHeâs been systematically devouring our familyâs business empire!â
âI knew something was off this past year! It was that bastard, sabotaging me behind my back! I really underestimated him!â
âAnd now he wants a divorce? You call that anything but betrayal?â
âFine! Divorce him! But make him give you his company in exchange!â
As my brother ranted, I finally understood. I looked at my father, who had been silent until now.
He finally looked up at me. âWe always thought of him as family. We let him have some business deals. But this time⌠the Westside project weâve been preparing for over six months⌠he went straight to our competitor and snatched the bid right out from under us. The losses are significant.â
âAvery,â my father sighed, âyouâve been sleeping with a wolf.â
âItâs better to cut ties now,â he added, his voice weary. âYouâre still young. You can find someone else. Itâs just that now⌠Dad canât help you much.â
So this was it. This was my punishment. My punishment for taking advantage of a man at his lowest point.
I donât remember how I left the house. I just remember my sister-in-law holding my hand, telling me not to worry, that the familyâs foundation was still strong, but that James had been acting unscrupulously for years.
When I came to my senses, I was standing outside his office building.
My friend had said she couldnât reach him, so Iâd decided to come in person. But what I was going to say, I hadn’t figured out yet.
I had just come to deliver a divorce agreement. But now⌠should I confront him? Ask him what heâd thought of me all these years?
A ladder to the top?
Or a target for revenge, unworthy of sympathy?
âMr. Croft is in a meeting.â
I wasn’t surprised to run into Laura first. She looked more mature than I remembered, tall and slender in a well-tailored business suit. When her gentle eyes swept over the folder in my hand, a barely perceptible smile touched her lips. âIf itâs urgent, I can pass the documents on to him for you.â
None of the cocky swagger from her earlier texts remained.
âNo, thank you. Iâll wait for him.â
âThe meeting might take a while,â Laura explained patiently. âMr. Croft has been extremely busy lately, juggling several major projects at once. He barely has time to eat.â
âOr, when heâs finished, I can have him call you back?â
Very professional, very composed. James was right. She was a good secretary. And they⌠they did look good together.
âTake me to his office. Iâll wait there.â
I was still, nominally, the bossâs wife. She had no reason to stop me.
The smile on Lauraâs face faded slightly. She gave a small bow and led me to his office.
Iâd been to Jamesâs office a few times. It was always neat and tidy, a reflection of his minimalist style. But this time, there were a few new potted plants, and a high-end eye massager on his desk.
âMr. Croft gets eye strain easily, so I got these for him,â Laura explained with a smile, expertly brewing me a cup of tea.
I nodded. Of course. It made sense.
But why did my heart still ache with such a bitter pang?
I could imagine that if I confronted James, as I had in the past, he would just say he hadn’t noticed. Besides, I no longer had the right to question him.
But in that moment, an impulse took over. Just as Laura was about to leave, I stopped her.
âWhy did you leave back then?â
âAnd why did you come back?â
The faint scent of tea hung in the air, mingling with the perfume on Lauraâs skin and the officeâs own fragrance, becoming indistinguishable.
Silence stretched between us.
âIf it hadnât been for my circumstances, James and I would have been married long ago. We were planning to get engaged the year we graduated.â Lauraâs voice had lost its professional veneer. âIf I hadnât left, you would never have had the chance to get close to him, let alone marry him.â
âShouldnât you be grateful to me?â
Laura turned to face me, tears welling in her eyes. Then, she let out a small, sharp laugh.
âI came back, of course, to see if the so-called âunforgettable loveâ really held that much weight.â
âAnd what did you find?â I asked.
But honestly, I didnât really want to hear the answer.
James chose that moment to walk in, just in time to see Lauraâs unshed tears and my furrowed brow.
âWhat are you doing here?â he asked me first.
I placed the folder on his desk, about to speak.
âMr. Croft,â Laura cut in, her voice laced with a subtle note of grievance. âI told Mrs. Croft you were in a meeting, but she insisted on waiting⌠Iâll be leaving now.â
She gave James a look that was both hesitant and meaningful. But his gaze was fixed on me, his expression as deep and unreadable as a still, dark well.
I saw a flicker of confusion, then annoyance, in Lauraâs eyes. Perhaps she didnât know that James had changed a lot over the years too.
He didn’t answer her. He just lowered his voice and asked me, âWhat is it?â
Under his intense gaze, my throat suddenly felt dry. And with Laura still standing there, I felt like an intruder, a clown in someone elseâs private circus.
I couldnât bring myself to say the words âdivorce agreementâ in front of them. I couldnât bear to lose so completely.
âYou can look at it later.â
Then, I fled from that suffocating office, Jamesâs cold voice echoing behind me: âYou. Come over here and close the door.â
What would he say to her?
Would he look at the divorce agreement right away? Would they embrace, celebrating their freedom from the domineering rich girl?
Or would he ask her gently what grievances she had suffered at my hands? Blame me for bullying his one true love?
But no matter what, he had gotten everything he wanted from me, from my family. Now that I was setting him free, we should be even, right?
Miss Reedâs bank account had never been short of funds. But I transferred all the money I had saved over the years back to my familyâs account. It was a drop in the ocean compared to the losses James had caused, but it made me feel a little better. I was the one who had brought the wolf into our home. I had to take some responsibility.
I didnât get a call from James. Instead, it was Walter. âMaâam, Mr. Croft has had a bit too much to drink. He seems to be caught up with a group of people and canât get away. Do you want to come and see?â
I froze, then stood up instinctively, ready to leave.
âWhose party is it?â
I had only taken a few steps when I remembered I had already asked for a divorce. In my current position, it was probably inappropriate for me to show up.
âIâm not sure. Sounds like a reunion with some old classmates.â
âMaâam, you should probably come quickly. My car just got into a fender-bender, and Iâm dealing with the other driver right now. I canât leave.â
Before I could say anything, Walter hung up.
I bit my lip and went anyway.
The lights in the clubâs corridor were a dizzying, strobing mess. It took me a while to find the private room Walter had mentioned. The heavy door was slightly ajar, and the voices from inside drifted out clearly.
âJames! Come on, one more drink!â
âYouâre really something else now! Out of all of us, youâre the most successful! CEO of a publicly traded company, your net worth must be through the roof!â
âYeah, James, you have to help us out in the future!â another voice chimed in, dripping with flattery. âDonât forget about us, your old buddies!â
âI wonât,â Jamesâs voice finally came, deeper and a little slurred from the alcohol.
After a brief silence, a sleazy voice spoke up again. âMan, James, youâve got it allâcareer, love life⌠youâre the real winner here. A woman from the Reed family, wow.â
His tone shifted, becoming deliberately wistful. âBut you know, sometimes I think about it, and itâs such a shame.â
âBack in the day, you and Laura, you were the perfect couple! Everyone in our class was so jealous. If it werenât forâŚâ
He trailed off, but the unspoken words hung in the air like a heavy stone. The noise in the room seemed to die down. Everyone was waiting, holding their breath, to see how James would react.
Including me, outside the door.
My heart clenched, my nails digging into my palms.
Then, another voice, feigning innocence, picked up the thread. âWhat are you talking about? Jamesâs doing great now.â
âBut hey, Lauraâs here today too! Laura, come on, tell us, what really happened back then? You two were so good together, how did you suddenlyâŚâ
So, Laura was there too.
Her voice, soft and melodious, filled the silence, laced with just the right amount of plaintiveness and helplessness. âWhatâs the point of bringing up the past?â
âMy family was going through a difficult time. I had to leave. Some people⌠are just luckier than me. Letâs not talk about it.â
Someone immediately piped up, âDonât be too sad, Laura. Jamesâs family was in trouble back then, it was a tough time. And some people, well, you know, they take advantage of a situation! Such clever tactics! But now youâre back, and Jamesâs doing well. Itâs the perfect opportunity for you two to get back together.â
âWhat are you guys talking about!â Laura protested quickly, but her voice was full of a poorly concealed shyness.
Taking advantage of a situation. Getting back together.
Blood rushed to my head, then receded just as quickly, leaving me ice-cold.
The light filtering through the crack in the door warped before my eyes.
What was I doing here?
Right. I was supposed to be picking James up.
But this door in front of me felt like a ghost from five years ago, a portal to a past I didn’t belong to. What right did I, an outsider, have to push it open?
I took a step back, then another, until I was swallowed by the shadows of the hallway.
The door clicked open. It was Laura, helping a stumbling James out.
âYouâre drunk. Let me take you home,â she murmured, her voice a soft caress, her face so close to his.
James gently pushed her away. âIâm fine. You go on home.â
He leaned against the wall, but his unsteady steps betrayed him. I knew his tolerance for alcohol. He was very drunk.
I took an involuntary step forward.
And then, Laura threw herself into his arms.
âJames, James,â she whispered, her voice a seductive thread in the dim, swirling lights of the corridor, trapping all three of us in a frozen tableau.
âIâm back, James. Look at me.â
âI had to leave back then. You can blame me all you want, but you canât just ignore me.â
âAll these years, Iâve never forgotten you.â
âYou let me stay by your side, so you must not have forgotten me either, right?â
James slowly lifted his head.
I practically fled.
But the clubâs corridors were a dark, twisting labyrinth that seemed to have no end. After several wrong turns, just as I was about to ask a server for directions, a hand grabbed me from behind and pulled me into an embrace.
âWho is it?â I struggled, turning around.
And came face to face with him.
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